Section 199 Tax
Mess Getting Untangled, But Also Held Hostage
March 14, 2018
By Michael Klein
WASHINGTON, DC -- It looks like Congress has a possible fix to the
Section 199A cooperative deduction in the recently passed tax bill. However, the fix is being stalled in the
Senate.The law as written and passed along party lines inadvertently handed
massive tax breaks to co-ops of any kind, leading tax advisors to encourage
co-ops be established for any profession - from doctors to tax advisors. The "cost" to the government in
lost tax revenue would quickly break the system.
The proposed fix takes a number of steps to balance the playing
field again between co-ops and private purchasers of grain and essentially
recreates the way that co-ops used to use a tax deduction that was repealed by
the tax law. All farmers not organized
as C corporations would still get a 20 percent deduction on net farm income.While
the fix looks good on paper, it is currently being held up by Senate Minority
Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) who is looking for Republicans to open the tax law
to other fixes his caucus is seeking.
While the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and the National
Grain and Feed Association helped negotiate the fix, earlier today, the
National Farmers Union came out against the compromise saying they wanted the
special tax break to stay exactly as written.These battle lines are being drawn
against the backdrop of the expiration of the current temporary government
spending bill that runs out on Friday, March 23 at midnight.
Farm Bill Delayed
WASHINGTON, DC -- Farm Bill language
was expected to be released as early as today, but now House Agriculture
Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) has announced he is delaying work on his
committee's bill until April at the earliest.Specifically, Conaway cited a
desire to spend more time working with Democrats to negotiate changes to the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) portion of the legislation
that would be more amenable to them.
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) issued a statement that the current version of the new Farm Bill would knock eight million Americans out of the food assistance program with new work requirements and that the proposal, left unchanged, would doom the legislation to failure.
Conaway disagrees with that stark analysis, but does say new work requirements could lead to more Americans "self-selecting" to leave the SNAP program.
The two giants of ag policy met yesterday and Conaway reported progress. The two will continue to work together in an attempt to bring a truly bipartisan farm bill forward in the coming months.
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) issued a statement that the current version of the new Farm Bill would knock eight million Americans out of the food assistance program with new work requirements and that the proposal, left unchanged, would doom the legislation to failure.
Conaway disagrees with that stark analysis, but does say new work requirements could lead to more Americans "self-selecting" to leave the SNAP program.
The two giants of ag policy met yesterday and Conaway reported progress. The two will continue to work together in an attempt to bring a truly bipartisan farm bill forward in the coming months.
Rice plant keeps expanding in Memphis
The Riviana Foods rice plant in
South Memphis keeps expanding like dry rice in boiling water.But this time the
growth involves the frozen rice and pasta products of Riviana's sister company,
Ebrofrost North America.A new application for a construction permit shows that
Riviana plans $3.1 million worth of site work in the complex it
shares with Ebrofrost at 2360 Prospect/2314 Lauderdale, which is just southwest
of the city's Links at Pine Hill golf course.The site work is part of
the second phase of a $26.5 million project to build facilities in which
Ebrofrost will process, package and distribute frozen rice and
pasta.That's the fourth expansion at the Riviana complex since 2010.
"Phase 1 was where the
(Ebrofrost) manufacturing is done,'' Chris Getsfred, Riviana's director of
Memphis operations and rice engineering, said of the latest expansion. Phase 2
will be the construction of a warehouse that can house 9,000 pallets of
products.The frozen rice products will be sold to other food processing
customers. For example, other brands that sell frozen packages of, say,
vegetables and rice may purchase the rice from Ebrofrost, Getsfred said.
The South Memphis
processing/packaging complex for Riviana Foods and sister company Ebrofrost
keeps expanding. (Photo: Tom Bailey)
The new Ebrofrost operation will
add 19 jobs paying an average of $60,654 a year. That will bring total
employment at the complex to 364 employees.
Ebrofrost North America's Memphis
facility will be like three similar facilities the Spanish company
operates in Europe.
In return for the investment and
new jobs, the company last spring received approval for eight years of property
tax breaks that will total $2.6 million. The amount of new tax revenue
projected to be generated by the new operation is just over $2 million over the
eight years.
Also last year, Riviana in
October completed an interior expansion that doubled production of its
ready-to-serve, microwavable rice products under the Minute rice brand. That
project involved adding equipment in the 400,000-square-foot plant next door to
Ebrofrost. Riviana's building at 2314 Lauderdale was designed for
manufacturing expansion, Getsfred said.
In 2012, the equipment for the
ready-to-serve products was installed inside the Lauderdale facility.
And in 2010, Riviana opened
the $67 million, 431,000-square-foot plant that at the time could daily
process and package enough rice — 2 million pounds — to cover a
football field a foot deep in rice.
The Memphis complex is among the
world's largest rice plants, Riviana officials have said.
Asked why Riviana and now sister
company Ebrofrost continue to expand in Memphis, Getsfred replied, "We're
centrally located, and the Arkansas rice fields. Most the rice in the U.S. is
grown in Arkansas...
"I think really the driving
factor is the convenience of being close to the abundance of rice in the
U.S.,'' he said.
Riviana Foods is the largest
processor, marketer and distributor of brand-name and private label rice
products in North America, and the second-largest pasta manufacturer.
Riviana brands
include Minute, Mahatma, Success, Carolina, Comet, Adolphus, Blue Ribbon,
RiceSelect, Gourmet House, Ronzoni, Creamette, Skinner, San Giorgio, Prince,
Catelli, American Beauty, No Yolks, Wacky Mac and Light &
Fluffy.Riviana is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and is a subsidiary of
Spanish food company Ebro Foods. https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/money/business/development/2018/03/13/riviana-foods-rice-plant-keeps-expanding-memphis/419577002/
Try a spicy delicacy from
Pakistan's 'Glass City'
By | BLADE FOOD EDITOR
March 13, 2018
“Hyderabad is Pakistan’s Glass City,” said Dr. Anwer Ali of the
city for which he serves as the Toledo Sister Cities International’s
trustee. “They are the hub for the glass bangles” — beautiful, colorful
bracelets that the town is noted for.
Ohio’s own Glass City has had a formal relationship with the
other one since 2011. And Dr. Ali, a native of Karachi, which is about 90 miles
from Hyderabad, was “the driving force, the heart, and the passion” behind
it, said James Hartung, vice president of the TSCI.
In addition to its glass jewelry, the metropolis is famous for
beautiful textiles and exquisite cuisine, particularly for a dish that bears
its name: Hyderabadi Biryani. Also called Sindhi Biryani, for the province in
which the city is located, this complex, layered dish of meat, rice, potatoes,
and spices is reserved for special occasions such as weddings or birthdays,
said Dr. Ali. It’s a festive dish for celebrations.
Usually featuring mutton, the biryani can also be prepared with
lamb or chicken. But whatever meat is used, “biryani is supposed to be
spicy,” said Dr. Ali’s wife, Naureen. “It has to be very spicy and
delicious.”
Pakistani food is a rich amalgam of cuisines, including Arab,
Telugu, and Turkish. “Moghuls were the food lovers,” said Dr. Ali of the group
that ruled in the region during the 16th and 17th centuries. That the cooking
is heavily dependent upon meat is directly attributable to them. “Beef or
chicken or mutton, these are Moghul,” said Dr. Ali.
While there are similarities in the cuisines of Southern India,
Northern India, and Pakistan, which became an independent country in
1947, there are also significant distinctions. Some of this is due to
geography, while some of it is based in religion.
“Because Pakistan has a Muslim majority,” Dr. Ali said, “we eat
more beef,” which Hindus, who predominate in India, will not consume.
There is also remaining influence from the British Empire, which
controlled the region from 1858 to 1947. Dr. Ali said that Hyderabad’s
Bombay Bakery is famous for making sweets such as coffee cakes that are British
holdovers.
One very traditional dish from the Alis’ homeland is paya, which
translates to “legs”: the slow-cooked hoof of a cow, often, though goats
and sheep can also be served. It’s “very tender,” said Mrs. Ali. “Eat it
with naan, put a bit of lemon on it ... it’s just delicious,” she said with a
smile. Nihari, a long-simmered shank stew that is considered the national dish
of Pakistan, is another delicacy the family enjoys. It is said to have been created
in Hyderabad.
Having lived here since 2001, “I like Toledo, because you
get all four seasons,” Dr. Ali said. “Karachi is just like Florida,” he
said, with very mild winters and scorching summers. Mrs. Ali noted that
“northern areas,” though, “have all the seasons,” and even get snow.
The weather isn’t the only thing that’s hot in Hyderabad; the
cuisine as a whole, not just the biryani, is distinctly spicy.
“It should be flavorful,” said Mrs. Ali, who is an exceptionally
good and enthusiastic cook. “That’s what my mom taught me. I follow my
mom’s recipes.”
Raitas, yogurt-based condiments with herbs and, sometimes,
vegetables such as cucumbers, serve as cooling agents. So do fresh fruits and
beverages made from them, such as Aab Shola, a refreshing mango juice
drink. Kulfi, an ice cream-like treat, is made by slowly cooking down milk
while stirring constantly to make it thick and sweet, said Dr. Ali. Pistachio,
almond, and other flavorings are then added.
As he shared memories of beloved Pakistani dishes, Dr. Ali
smiled happily. “There is so much good food there,” he said.
Sindhi Biryani
THE BLADE/MARY BILYEU
Sindhi Biryani
LAMB:
3 medium onions (sliced)
1/2 cup oil
2 teaspoons garlic paste
2 teaspoons ginger paste
1 pound tomatoes, chopped
10 to 15 prunes, chopped
2 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons red chili powder
10 cloves
8 green cardamom pods
4 black cardamom pods
10 black peppercorns
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 cinnamon sticks
2 bay leaves
1 to 1 1/2 pounds cubed lamb
1 cup plain yogurt
1 pound potatoes, cut into
large chunks
6 small, thin green chilies, or
to taste, minced
2 tablespoons fresh mint
leaves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
leaves, minced
RICE:
5 cups basmati rice (soaked in
water for 1/2 hour and drained)
3 teaspoons salt
3 bay leaves
3 cinnamon sticks
2 black cardamom pods
2 drops orange food coloring
1 tablespoon chopped mint leaf
Prepare the lamb: In a large skillet, fry the onions in oil over
medium heat until they are light brown. Take out 1/4 of it and set aside.
Add the garlic, ginger, tomatoes, prunes, salt, red chili
powder, cloves, cardamom pods, peppercorns, cumin, cinnamon, and bay leaves to
the remaining fried onions. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until
the tomatoes are cooked and the liquid has evaporated.
Add the lamb, yogurt, and a bit of water to thin the sauce, if
desired. Cook on medium heat until the meat is tender and the sauce has
thickened.
Fill a medium saucepan with water and boil the potatoes until
they are half-cooked (a fork can penetrate, but they are still firm).
Add the green chillies, mint, cilantro, and the potatoes to the
meat and mix. Turn heat to low and simmer while preparing the rice.
Prepare the rice: Prepare the rice according to package
directions along with the salt, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom. When
half-cooked, strain the rice and discard the remaining water and the spices.
Prepare the biryani: Layer the lamb with the rice in a Dutch
oven, alternating layers. Sprinkle with the food color, top with the fried
onions, and add the chopped mint on top.
Close the lid tightly, making sure no steam passes out of the
pot, and cook over low heat until the rice is done. Gently mix it before
serving.Serve with raita, a condiment of yogurt mixed with cucumber and herbs.
Murad
invites Iran to invest in Sindh
March
14, 2018
KARACHI - There are vast investment
opportunities in Sindh, particularly in energy, infrastructure development,
education, health, agriculture and in various other sectors.
This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister
Syed Murad Ali
Shah while delivering his presidential speech at Iran-Pakistan Business Forum
organised at a local hotel on Tuesday.
The program was attended by a large number of
Iranian businessmen led by Iran’s Foreign Minister Dr Javad Zarif.
He said Foreign Minister Dr Javad is a seasoned
diplomat and a scholarly man and he has brought the high-level delegation of
leading businessmen of Iran to explore investment opportunities in Sindh
and boost trade between the two countries.
“His personal interest, experience and stature
would definitely make difference in his endeavors,” he said. Murad said
there were vast investment opportunities in Sindh, particularly in energy,
infrastructure development, education, health, agriculture and in various other
sectors.
“We have (Sindh government) introduced Public
Private Partnership concept which is producing best results,” he said and added
that some projects has launched under the PPP mode were Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas
Road, Jhirk-Mulakatiar bridge on River Indus and various others.
He said new projects being launched under the
PPP mode is Kandhkot - Ghotki Bridge on River Indus. The chief minister said
that trade between the two countries showed 33 percent growth as compared to
the previous year.
Over last nine months, as a result of the
facilities provided by the Iranian side to Pakistani rice exporters, the volume
of Pakistani rice export to Iranhas jumped up by 42 percent, he added.
“In Sindh, Sukkur and Larkana divisions are
rice producing divisions, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad and Shaheed Benazirabad division
are rich in mango production, Larkana has guava,” he said and suggested
investment in agriculture sector.
Bilateral Banking ties between the two
countries are developing. “I know the process is very slow but hope it would be
done,” he said and added he knows banking relations are necessary to expand
bilateral trade which currently stands at $1.2 billion. The target is to
increase it to $5 billion per annum over the next few years, he added.
Murad recalled that President Asif Ali Zardari had
launched Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project, now it has been delayed. He
hoped that the Iranian businessmen would take benefit from investment
opportunities in Sindh and sure the projects would be completed.
Iraq makes no purchase in talks for U.S. wheat
and rice
Iraq had been in talks to buy U.S. origin
grains which are outside of the traditional international tender purchasing
system.By Maha El Dahan and Michael Hogan, Reuters News
DUBAI/HAMBURG- Iraq's trade ministry failed to
seal a deal for U.S.-origin rice and wheat, in what would have been its second
direct purchase outside the formal tender process in less than a year, because
prices were too high, trade sources said on Monday. Iraq's cabinet authorised
the ministry of trade last May to make direct purchases of wheat and rice to guarantee
food security.
In
recent talks with the United States, Iraq had sought to buy at least 30,000
tonnes of U.S.-origin long grain rice and 50,000 tonnes of U.S. wheat, trade
sources said.ADM made offers for 30,000 tonnes of rice at $759 a tonne cost,
insurance and freight and 50,000 tonnes of wheat at $348.59 a tonne CIF, but
the trade ministry viewed the prices to be too high, the sources said.
Author Name: https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/Iraq_makes_no_purchase_in_talks_for_US_wheat_and_rice-TR20180312nB2N1OJ00TX2/
Murad invites
Iranian businessmen to invest in Sindh
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali
Shah on Tuesday told Iranian businessmen to invest in the vast opportunities in
the province particularly in energy, infrastructure development, education,
health, agriculture and various other sectors.
“There are vast investment opportunities in
Sindh, particularly in energy, infrastructure development, education, health,
agriculture and in various other sectors,” said the chief minister while
delivering his presidential speech at Iran-Pakistan Business Forum.
The program was attended by a large number of
Iranian businessmen led by Foreign Minister of Iran Dr. Javad Zarif.
CM Sindh said that Dr. Zarif is a seasoned
diplomat and a scholarly man and has brought a high-level delegation of leading
Iranian businessmen to explore investment opportunities in Sindh, and boost
trade between the two countries.He said that Dr. Zarif’s personal interest,
experience and stature would definitely make difference in his endeavors. He
further stated there were vast investment opportunities in Sindh.
The chief minister said the provincial
government has introduced public private partnership concept which is
producing best results, including projects such as Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas Road,
Jhirk-Mulakatiar bridge on River Indus and various others. He added that a new
project being launched under PPP mode is Kandhkot – Ghotki bridge on River
Indus.
He further said that trade between the two
countries showed 33 percent growth as compared to the previous year.
Furthermore, there was been 42 percent increase in Pakistani rice exports to
Iran over the last nine months as the facilities provided by Iran to rice
exporters.He suggested investment in agriculture sector saying that Sukkur and
Larkana are rice producing divisions, while Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad and Shaheed
Benazirabad are rich in mango production, while Larkana has guava.
He also stated bilateral banking ties between
the two countries are developing, which are necessary to expand trade which
currently stands at $1.2 billion. The target is to increase it to $5 bn per
annum over the next few years.
The chief minister recalled that former
president Asif Ali Zardari had launched Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and
now it has been delayed but would surely be completed. He hoped that the
Iranian businessmen would take benefit from investment opportunities in Sindh.
Customs arrest one, intercept 4,000 bags of
rice, 9 trucks in Oyo, Osun
March 13, 2018
By
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),
Oyo/Osun area Command on Tuesday said it has arrested one person in connection
with the smuggling of some prohibited items into the country along Opara/Bodo
Musa axis of Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo state.
Customs Area Comtproller in charge
of Oyo and Osun states, Comptroller Christopher Odibu while addressing
journalists at a press conference in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, however,
noted that the command in the last one month has seized contraband goods,
ranging from trucks, cars, bags of rice, used tyres, second hand clothes and
vegetable oil with the duty paid valued worth ninety two million, seven hundred
and seventy eight thousand and forty eight naira twenty two kobo (N 92,778,
048.22).
Odibu while speaking noted that the
above seizures were made at different locations within the command area of
coverage.
He said the seized items include 9
trucks and two cars with duty paid value of N34, 782,792.29, 4,000 bags of rice
with duty paid value of N48,596,321.00, 150 pieces of used tyres with duty paid
value of N1, 298,34563, 51 bales of second hand clothes with duty paid value of
N7,043,205.75 and 50 kegs of vegetable oil with duty paid value of
N1,057,375.00.
He said “In keeping to this mandate
of the service, the command has re-strategised its operations by utilising the
intelligence reports gathered by its officers and men which have led to the
recent seizures, which includes:
“One used yellow color leayland DAF
Truck carrying 450 bags of imported rice, One used gold color DAF carrying 450
bags of smuggled rice, One used white color DAF Truck carrying 450 bags of
smuggled rice, One used blue color DAF Truck carrying 330 bags of smuggled
rice, One used white color DAF 65 Truck carrying 400 bags of smuggled rice, One
use green color DAF 75 Truck carrying 450 bags of smuggled rice and One used
yellow color DAF 65 carrying 450 bags of smuggled rice.
Others according to him include,
“One used white color DAF 75 Truck carrying 450 bags of smuggled rice, One used
yellow color DAF Truck carrying 450 bags of smuggled rice, One used red color
Volvo Wagon carrying 50 kegs of vegetable oil, One used gold-yellow color Mazda
carrying 30 bags of smuggled rice, 51 bales of second hand clothes, 150 pieces
of used tyres and ninety bags of parboiled rice.”
Odibu while speaking further
declared that, “It is worrisome to note that some Nigerians remain unrepentant
even as they continue to lose. The federal government efforts in transforming
the agricultural sector, especially in the area of rice production should be
encouraged while importation of rice should be discouraged by all.
“Let me sound a note of warning and
advise to all unpatriotic Nigerians who engage in smuggling is used cars,
foreign rice and other contraband goods to desist from it and look for other
legitimate means of businesses.
“I want to affirm that no matter
the means of conveyance or concealment of prohibited goods, I assure you that
the officers of this command are on constant surveillance and monitoring and we
will discover them.
“Finally, let me appeal to you our
respected gentlemen of the press that we need to partner and work together,
especially in the area of enlightening our local communities on the dire
consequences of smuggling activities on the Nation’s economy.”
U of A Division of Ag releases second aromatic rice variety
Improved rice varieties like ARoma 17, Wells and others are
developed and tested in research plots at the University of Arkansas System
Division of Agriculture’s Rice Research and Extension Center. Special to The
Commercial/U of A System Division of Agriculture/Fred Miller
STUTTGART — ARoma 17, a new
aromatic long-grain rice from the University of Arkansas System Division of
Agriculture, offers exceptional rough rice yields with good milling yields,
according to a news release.
Breeder and foundation seed for
ARoma 17 will be maintained by the Division of Agriculture’s Foundation Seed
Program at the Rice Research and Extension Center near Stuttgart. The Arkansas
Agricultural Experiment Station will direct market the variety in late 2018 to
rice producers, but foundation seed will not be available for seed producers,
according to the release.
Aromatic rices are fragrant
varieties that originated in southeast Asia. Jasmine-type rice is especially
popular in Thailand as well as a growing market of American consumers. They are
prized for their light, fluffy texture, mellow nutty flavor and floral scent.
Research associate Debra Ahrent
Wisdom said ARoma 17 fills a market niche for consumers who enjoy jasmine-type
aromatic rices.
Wisdom said Arkansas’ climate
doesn’t favor growing Thai jasmine rice. ARoma 17 offers a jasmine-type rice
adapted to Arkansas growing conditions for rice producers who want to serve
that consumer market.
“ARoma 17 is not intended for the
mainstream rice market and growers should make arrangements with aromatic rice
markets before planting,” said Nathan McKinney, assistant director of the
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and interim director of the Rice
Research and Extension Center.
ARoma 17 was developed from a
cross made at the Rice Research and Extension Center in 2009 between Jazzman —
a Louisiana variety — and PI 597046, germplasm donated to the USDA Plant
Introduction and Research program by the International Rice Research Institute
in 1994. The resulting cross was selected for advancement toward commercial
release in 2012.
It is the second aromatic rice
from the Division of Agriculture rice breeding program, according to Karen
Moldenhauer, professor of rice breeding and holder of the Arkansas Rice
Industry Chair in Variety Development.
The first Arkansas aromatic rice
was JES, released in 2009, Moldenhauer said.
ARoma 17 averaged 163 bushels per
acre over four years in the Arkansas Rice Performance Trials, with 173 bushels
per acre in the 2014 state trials. Its four-year average in the multi-state
Uniform Regional Rice Nursery was 172 bushels per acre.
Wisdom said milling yields are a
little better than Wells. In three years of Arkansas Rice Performance Trials,
ARoma 17 averaged 67 percent whole kernel and 71 percent total milled rice.
The plant averages 39.8 inches in
height, about an inch shorter than Wells, and matures in about 86 days,
approximately the same as Wells. Its grain weight and size is similar to Wells.
It has high straw strength and
has better lodging resistance than Wells, Wisdom said.
ARoma 17 is moderately susceptible
to blast and sheath blight, moderately resistant to bacterial panicle blight.
Under high rates of nitrogen fertilization, it is susceptible to false smut.
The University of Arkansas System
Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all
eligible persons without discrimination.
— Fred Miller is with the U of A
System Division of Agriculture.
http://www.pbcommercial.com/news/20180313/u-of-division-of-ag-releases-second-aromatic-rice-variety
Vietnam raises $51 million from selling 23 percent of Vinafood
II at IPO
HANOI
(Reuters) - The Vietnamese government raised 1.16 trillion dong ($51 million)
from selling a 23 percent stake in top rice exporter Vietnam Southern Food Corp
(Vinafood II) at an initial public offering on Wednesday, exchange data showed.
A
seller displays rice bags for sale at a store in Danang city, Vietnam March 14,
2018. REUTERS/Kham
The
company sold all of the 114.83 million shares on offer on the Hochiminh Stock
Exchange.
The
sale of state-run Vinafood II is part of Vietnam’s broader privatization
program to increase efficiency and performance of state-owned enterprises.
The
program, supported by a strong stock market, will also fill the government’s
coffers as public debt nears the mandated ceiling of 65 percent of gross
domestic product. Vietnam’s main stock index rose 48 percent last year, making
it Asia’s strongest performer.
A
farmer works on a rice paddy field in Quang Ngai province, Vietnam March 14,
2018. REUTERS/Kham
Trading
and retailing firm Hanoi Trade Corp said last month it aimed to raise around
$43 million by selling a 34.5 percent stake in an IPO on March 30.
Vinafood
II has rice processing plants with an annual capacity of three million tonnes
for exports. Most of its facilities are located in the Mekong Delta, the
country’s rice bowl. The company also processes seafood and produces instant
noodles, flour and fish feed.
Vinafood
II also plans to sell another 25 percent stake to strategic investors after the
IPO.
Vietnam
is the world’s third-largest rice exporter. The country is seen exporting 6.5
million tonnes of rice this year, up 12 percent from last year.According to
Vietnamese regulations, any state-owned company has to list its shares within
one year after its IPO.
Thailand looks to
boost rice exports with intergovernmental dealsSupporting farmers high on
agenda ahead of election
APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writer
Supporting Thailand's farmers has become a government priority
ahead of elections next year. (Getty Images)
BANGKOK -- The Thai government
plans to boost rice exports by negotiating sales directly with other
governments in a move intended to help struggling farmers ahead of a general
election to be held by February next year.
Bangladesh
exceeds its Boro rice cultivation target
Farmers were given the target of
planting over 4.99 lakh hectares of land but finally, they planted Boro rice
seedling in 5.08 lakh hectares of land.
Devdiscourse News Desk 14 Mar 2018, 01:05 PM Views
: 48
Around 2.25 lakh irrigation devices have been introduced for
irrigation of Boro rice fields. (Image credits: Youtube)
The farmers have overpassed the
fixed cultivation target of Boro rice in the agriculture region of Rangpur,
achieved by various pro-farmer and effective steps taken by the government. There
is an excellent growth in Boro rice plants and government is looking for the
bumper production of the crop, says Deputy Director of the Department of
Agriculture Extension (DAE). As per Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, heavy
production of Boro rice will meet half of the demand in the northern region.
Farmers were given the target of
planting over 4.99 lakh hectares of land but finally, they planted Boro rice
seedling in 5.08 lakh hectares of land, 8,686 hectares more. This has been
achieved in one season.
The scientists are providing
practical knowledge and assistance along with the latest technology to meet the
production target. The government has a fixed target to produce over 20.70 lakh
tonnes of Boro rice from 4.99 lakh hectares of land, says Horticulture
Specialist of DAE, Khondker Md Mesbahul Islam.
As per the programme, from 1.40
lakh hectares of land, around 6.69 lakh tonnes of hybrid Boro rice and 13.97
lakh tonnes of high yielding variety of Boro rice from the 3.56 lakh hectares
of land is to be produced.
The farmers have reached 2,638
hectares of land for cultivation of local variety Boro rice and over 3.24 lakh
hectares of land for high yielding variety of Boro rice.
Around 2.25 lakh irrigation devices
have been introduced which includes 2.21 lakh shallow tube wells, 2,694 deep
tube wells, and 440 low lift pumps for irrigation of Boro rice fields.
https://www.devdiscourse.com/Article/1471-bangladesh-exceeds-its-boro-rice-cultivation-target?reg=South%20Asia
Liberia Association of Rice Importers Recommit to Price Reduction
Monrovia — The Association of Liberian Rice Importers (ALRI) has
reiterated its commitment to the reduction of rice price on the Liberian
market.According to the importers, this reduction has been in place since
February, following two separate meetings with the president of Liberia
which led to the assurance given him.At the beginning of this month, the price
of a 25kg bag of rice was reduced by US$3.00, while the price of a 50kg
bag was reduced by US$6.00
This is a clear
demonstration of the importers preparedness to support the government
pro-poor agenda.
At the end of the meeting
held with the importers last month, the President also assured the
importers of his government’s continued support to the business community
by providing a friendly business environment. The importers will do
all in its power to support the government’s pro-poor agenda and will do
nothing to the contrary. In recent times, it has been speculated and discussed
in some media institutions that the rice importers have not reduced the price
of rice as agreed, something we fervently disagree with.
FG releases N43.92bn to 330,000
rice farmers
ON MARCH 14, 20188:01
AMIN BUSINESS,
The theme of the event was: “Achieving
Economic Empowerment: Addressing women peace and security issues as a pathway
for socioeconomic Independence for rural women in Nigeria”. Al-Hassan said:
“The Agricultural Transformation Agenda is aimed at strengthening the
agricultural value chain, achieving a hunger-free nation, accelerating food and
nutritional security, generating employment and growing wealth for millions of
farmers “The current Anchor Borrowers Programme of the Federal Government has
released over 122 million dollars to farmers through 13 participating institutions.
“This is to spur the production of additional two million tonnes of rice in
2018 by 300,000 Rice Farmers, majority of whom are women in rural areas”.
She said the Muhammadu Buhari-led Government
was determined to meet the overarch objectives of poverty eradication and the
empowerment of rural women and girls for sustainable development, inherent in
Agenda 2030. According to her, the Nigerian Government has taken rigorous steps
to initiate and strengthen policies, institutional frameworks, systems and
mechanisms aimed at achieving gender equality and empowerment of women and
girls. She said some of the implementable strategies were designed to harness
the socio-economic potentials of Nigeria’s 83.3 million female population.
Al-Hassan said the development
and launch of Economic Growth and Recovery Plan gave prominence to the
inclusion and empowerment of women in the rural areas and linked national
development strategies to Agenda 2030 in an integrated, multi-sectoral and
multifaceted manner. On Girl-Child education, she said government wad
implementing with more vigour a universal basic education programme
strategically directed at enhancing girl child education at the grass root
level. She said the implementation of the N-Power job Creation and Youth
Employment Programme, which targetted gainful and sustainable employment for
500,000 graduates and 100,000 non-graduates, had taken off successfully in the
country.
“Consequently 200,000 N-Power
graduates have been successfully deployed to serve in local communities in the
country with another batch of 300,000 graduate volunteers already
pre-selected,” she said. Al-Hassan said additional 10,000 artisans were being
trained in the construction and automobile sub-sectors in close collaboration
with the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria and the National Automotive
Design and Development Council. She said government was implementing the
implementation of the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme, aimed at providing one
million poor and vulnerable households with N5,000 monthly cash transfers to
the “care givers of households”.
“As at December 2017, over 622,649 identified
poor and vulnerable households have been enlisted in the programme with over
439,859 captured in the National Social Register from 233 Local Government
Areas across 23 States. “Of these figures, 293,973 caregivers from 9,567
communities have been paid, with over 25,000 beneficiaries already accessing
requisite skills through trained community facilitators. “The Home Grown School
Feeding programme, also part of the social investment programme is designed to
provide one nutritious meal a day to 5.5 million school children, including
girls in classes one to three of public primary schools is progressing. “By
December 2017, over six million pupils are being fed daily nationwide. The
programme has trickled down financial incentives to local farmers and cooks,
who are mostly women,” the minister said. She said the Government Enterprise
and Empowerment Programme and the National Women Empowerment Fund, also under
the government’s Social Investment Programme, were designed to provide 1.66
million dollars micro credit, lending to businesses at the bottom of the
financial pyramid. According to her, the soft conditions of zero collateral,
zero interest and only five per cent administrative fee attached to the loans
had resulted in the disbursement of over 250 million dollars loans directly to
beneficiaries as at December 2017.
The minister disclosed that plans
had been concluded to establish eight technology innovation hubs across the
country, to extend technology to rural communities. “Already, a pilot Adamawa
Humanitarian Innovation Hub, known as the North East Makeathon Company, was
opened in the last quarter of 2017, while the Lagos Climate Change Hub,
designed to facilitate generation of ideas on renewable energy and reduction of
pollution, is set to commence in March 2018. She said conscious of the
centrality of the empowerment of rural women and girls to the realisation of
objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, AU Agenda 2063 and
the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, Nigeria would redouble efforts
to improve access to productive resources for rural women and girls and ensure
the protection of their fundamental rights. (NAN)
Nagpur
Foodgrain Prices Open- March 15, 2018
MARCH
15, 2018 / 1:04 PM /
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open
Market-March 15, 2018
Nagpur, Mar 15 (Reuters) – Gram and
tuar prices reported higher in Nagpur Agriculture Produce
Marketing Committee (APMC) on
increased seasonal demand from local millers amid weak supply from
producing regions. Notable hike in
Madhya Pradesh pulses and reported demand from South-based
plants also jacked up prices. About
2,300 bags of gram and 2,000 bags of tuar reported for auction in Nagpur APMC,
according
to sources.
FOODGRAINS & PULSES
GRAM
* Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from
local traders
amid ample stock in ready position.
TUAR
* Tuar gavarani reported down in open market in absence of buyers amid
good supply
from producing regions.
* Moong Chamki firmed up in open market here on good seasonal
demand from local traders.
* In Akola, Tuar New – 3,900-4,100, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,300-6,500, Udid
Mogar (clean)
– 7,500-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,200-7,600, Gram – 3,700-3,900, Gram
Super best
– 5,400-5,800
* Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in
scattered deals and settled at last levels in thin trading activity.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market
prices in rupees for 100 kg
FOODGRAINS
Available prices Previous
close
Gram Auction
3,100-3,562 3,100-3,480
Gram Pink Auction
n.a. 2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction
3,500-4,100 3,500-3,950
Moong Auction
n.a. 3,900-4,200
Udid Auction
n.a. 4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction
n.a. 2,600-2,800
Wheat Mill quality Auction
1,600-1,742 1,650-1,700
Gram Super Best Bold
5,500-6,000 5,500-6,000
Gram Super Best
n.a. n.a.
Gram Medium Best
5,150-5,350 5,200-5,400
Gram Dal Medium
n.a. n.a
Gram Mill Quality
3,650-3,750 3,650-3,750
Desi gram Raw 3,750-3,850 3,750-3,850
Gram Kabuli
12,500-13,100 12,500-13,100
Tuar Fataka Best-New
6,600-6,800 6,600-6,800
Tuar Fataka Medium-New
6,200-6,400 6,200-6,400
Tuar Dal Best Phod-New
5,900-6,100 5,900-6,100
Tuar Dal Medium phod-New
5,500-5,800 5,500-5,800
Tuar Gavarani New
4,250-4,350 4,300-4,400
Tuar Karnataka
4,550-4,750 4,550-4,750
Masoor dal best
4,800-5,200 4,800-5,200
Masoor dal medium
4,500-4,700 4,500-4,700
Masoor
n.a. n.a.
Moong Mogar bold (New)
7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000
Moong Mogar Medium
6,500-7,000 6,500-7,000
Moong dal Chilka
5,600-6,600 5,600-6,600
Moong Mill quality
n.a. n.a.
Moong Chamki best
7,500-8,000 7,400-7,900
Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,000-8,500 8,000-8,500
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)
5,900-6,800
5,900-6,800
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
6,100-6,300
6,100-6,300
Batri dal (100 INR/KG)
5,000-5,500 5,000-5,500
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)
2,600-2,700 2,600-2,700
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)
3,450-3,600 3,450-3,600
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)
4,200-4,300
4,200-4,300
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,100 2,000-2,100
Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG)
1,900-2,000
1,900-2,000
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)
2,150-2,350
2,150-2,350
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)
2,350-2,450 2,350-2,450
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG)
2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)
n.a. n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)
3,200-4,000
3,200-4,000
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)
2,400-2,800
2,400-2,800
Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG)
3,500-4,000
3,500-4,000
Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)
3,000-3,400 3,000-3,400
Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG)
3,500-4,000
3,500-4,000
Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)
2,500-2,700
2,500-2,700
Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)
2,600-2,800
2,600-2,800
Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG)
2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500
Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)
2,400-2,500
2,400-2,500
Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG)
4,200-4,800
4,200-4,800
Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)
3,600-4,200 3,600-4,200
Rice HMT new (100 INR/KG)
4,200-4,600 4,200-4,600
Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG)
5,000-5,600 5,000-5,600
Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)
4,700-4,900 4,700-4,900
Rice Shriram new (100 INR/KG)
5,100-5,600
5,100-5,600
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)
9,500-14,000
9,500-13,500
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG)
5,000-7,500
5,000-7,500
Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG)
6,100-6,500
6,100-6,500
Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG)
5,500-5,900 5,500-5,900
Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG)
6,000-6,200
6,000-6,200
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
2,000-2,200
2,000-2,100
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)
1,800-2,000 1,700-2,000
WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 38.8 degree Celsius,
minimum temp. 21.4 degree Celsius
Rainfall : Nil
FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky with
possibility of thundery development. Maximum and minimum
temperature would be around and 39
and 21 degree Celsius respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are
excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices)
https://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-march-15-2018-idINL3N1QX35L
Thailand to auction remaining state stockpiles of rice —
commerce ministry
BANGKOK (March 12): Thailand
plans to offer for sale 2 million tonnes of rice still remaining in state
stockpiles next month or in May, the country's commerce ministry said on
Monday. Thailand's military government inherited 18.7 million tonnes of rice
stocks built up under the previous government's rice subsidy scheme, and has
held several auctions since taking power in May 2014. The last auction was in
July 2017. "Currently there is constant demand for rice in both domestic
and international markets," said Adul Chotinisakorn, director-general of
the commerce ministry's department of foreign trade.
An auction that will be set for
next month or May will aim to offload the remaining amount, which includes
40,000 tonnes of rice for human consumption and 2 million tonnes of rice unfit
for human or animal consumption and intended for industrial use.
If the amount sold is short of
the target, another auction might open in the third quarter this year, Adul
said. Thailand has already exported 2 million tonnes of rice so far in 2018, up
4.17% from the same period last year. The amount sold was worth almost US$1
billion. Thailand, the world's second-biggest rice exporter after India, aims
to export 9.5 million tonnes this year. The country shipped a record 11.63
million tonnes of rice in 2017. The commerce ministry said Thailand has
received rice orders from China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan so far this
year. The Thai government will ship 100,000 tonnes of rice on a
government-to-government deal with China's state-owned trader COFCO Corporation
this month or next month, the ministry said. Thailand is planning to
participate in a rice tender due out from the Philippines, which is looking to
import 250,000 tonnes.
Japonica to become Việt Nam’s leading export rice
In 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development expects the country to export 6.5 million tonnes of rice. — Photo
alogao.com.vn
Viet Nam NewsHÀ
NỘI — Japonica rice is set to become one of the main export rice categories of
Việt Nam in the coming time, according to the Việt Nam Food Association (VFA).
This variety earlier accounted for a small share of the rice export structure,
but it has grown significantly over the past year, comprising 4.4 per cent of
rice export by 2017, said the VFA. The variety and quality of Việt Nam’s export
rice has changed dramatically in recent years. Fragrant rice has witnessed a
dramatic growth from 6.6 per cent in 2011 to 23.5 per cent in 2017. In
addition, sticky rice exports have witnessed the same growth during the same
period. According to VFA, this is a positive trend as it will gradually reduce
low-grade rice and enable the switch to high-quality rice, improving the
efficiency of rice production and export business. Last year, Việt Nam earned
US$2.6 billion by exporting 5.8 million tonnes of rice. In 2018, the Ministry
of Agriculture and Rural Development expects the country to export 6.5 million
tonnes of rice. — VNS
Thailand looks to boost rice exports with
intergovernmental deals
Supporting farmers high on agenda ahead of
election BANGKOK -- The Thai government plans to boost rice exports by
negotiating sales directly with other governments in a move intended to help
struggling farmers ahead of a general election to be held by February next
year. In order to accelerate negotiations, officials will be sent to major
importers of Thai rice, said Adul Chotinisakorn, director-general of the
Commerce Ministry's Department of Foreign Trade. "In some countries in
Asia, rice importing issues are completely controlled by government procurement
bodies," Adul said.
"We aim to
visit them and inform them that the Thai government is ready to assist Thai
private exporters in selling more rice and the government can also sell rice
via the government channel." Several Southeast Asian importers will be
targeted, including the Indonesian government's procurement and logistics
agency Bulog, the Philippines' National Food Agency and Malaysia's commodities
procurement agency Bernas. According to ministry's statistics, Indonesia and
Malaysia import around 800,000 tons of Thai rice per year, while the
Philippines imports 1 million tons. The government also hopes to engage
traditional importers in the Middle East such as Iraq and Iran, each of which
currently imports about 1 million tons of Thai rice anually.
Government-to-government deals have been used to
boost rice exports and absorb excessive supply
Meanwhile, the
Philippine government is due to hold a tender in March for the purchase of
250,000 tons of rice from the private sector, for which Thai companies are
expected to bid. The Thai government does not intend to compete with the
companies, but "would help facilitate Thai exporters to join the
bidding," Adul said. In recent years, the Thai government has been keen to
export rice on a government-to-government basis, particularly to countries
where the payment and delivery processes can be complicated.
Selling rice via
government channels helps shoulder risks that private exporters are often find
too much to bear, such as navigating economic sanctions imposed by the
international community. Doing business with Iranian companies, for example,
has historically been difficult as banks have been unable to process payments.
The prices involved in government deals can also be slightly lower than market
rates due to trade relationships between countries. This has made Thailand's
government-to-government exports more competitive than offers made by private
companies. Generally, the aim of such deals is to increase export quantities to
help absorb excessive supply and prevent prices from falling during the
harvesting season. The practice is
also designed to support Thailand's 13 million or so farmers, a
demographic group that makes up about 20% of the population. Related stories
Thai jasmine rice harvest set for first decline
in a decade
Rising baht and falling output to curb Thai rice
exports
In the past, government rice sales played a
significant role in supporting exports, accounting for about 20% of the annual total
of 8-10 million tons. Trade liberalization in the past few years has made it
easier to conduct private deals, allowing the government to take a step back.
"We offer help, but we will not compete in selling rice with Thai
exporters," said Adul. "It depends on whether the buyers want to buy
from the government or from private exporters. Then, we
can provide the right support." Although demand has remained strong this
year, Thai rice exporters say increased competition is making it difficult to
operate. A stronger baht has not helped as competitors in Vietnam and India can
now offer the crop at cheaper prices. Limited production is also expected to
cut exports this year, preventing the country from capitalizing on global
demand. Farmers have been encouraged to grow other profitable crops such as
cassava, corn and sugar cane. The Thai Rice Exporters Association said it would
monitor exports closely in the first quarter of this year and, if the baht
continues to rise, could revise down the 2018 export target to be below the 9.5
million tons forecast earlier. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Thailand-looks-to-boost-rice-exports-with-intergovernmental-deals?page=2
India’s April-Jan non-basmati rice exports jump 34 percent
MUMBAI (Reuters) -
India's non-basmati rice exports during
April-January jumped 34 percent from a year earlier to 7.02 million tonnes as
Bangladesh, Benin and Sri Lanka raised
purchases, a government body said. The country's buffalo meat exports during
the period rose 7.2 percent from a year ago to 1.16 million tonnes on good
demand from Vietnam, Malaysia and Egypt,
the Agricultural and Processed Food
Products Export Development Authority said in a
statement. India is the
world's biggest exporter of buffalo meat and rice.
