The quality of Nigerian
home-grown rice is poor: Here's why
by Omobolaji Olubukunmi Obisesan, The Conversation
A rice farm in Nigeria. Credit: Shutterstock
Processing agricultural products—adding
value by transforming them from basic commodities—increases their worth, appeal
and market value. In the case of rice, processing is an important and distinct
feature in its production. It involves changing harvested paddy into edible
rice.
Nigeria's rice processing techniques are inefficient. This
has resulted in processed rice that's too expensive and of a lower quality than rice from
other countries like China, Vietnam and India.
Rice, one of the major staple
foods in Nigeria, is consumed across all Nigerian socioeconomic classes. Still,
only about 57% of the 6.7 million metric
tons of rice consumed in Nigeria annually is locally produced. This leads to a
supply deficit of about 3 million metric tons, which is imported.
Over 80% of locally produced rice
comes from small scale processors with a processing capacity of less than 100
tons. And these small scale processors are faced with financial challenges that
inform their choice of equipment. Large
scale processors, on the other hand, constitute less than 20% of processors.
They face the challenge of inconsistency in grain quality and insufficient
paddy. Both small scale or cottage rice processors and large scale processors
depend on paddy from farm lands or purchase from neighboring villages or towns.
The processing procedure entails
parboiling raw rice to soften the husk, drying and milling it before selling to
distributors or retailers. After milling, small stones must be removed using a
de-stoner. De-stoning rice makes locally processed rice more appealing. But the
majority of the small scale processors cannot afford this equipment unless they
form themselves into co-operatives to purchase one.
We conducted research to establish why
Nigeria's processed rice was of low quality. We wanted to establish what drove
the decisions of Nigerian rice processors, specifically their choice of the
techniques for the processing of rice.
We found out that, in many
instances, Nigerian rice processors, especially the small scale or cottage
processors, do not have adequate processing capacity. We discovered that the
choice of techniques and equipment used during processing was a major
determinant of output and quality. The choices rice processors made were driven
by a host of factors. These included budgetary constraints, social and economic factors as well as
processing constraints.
Factors affecting processing
decisions
In a bid to identify the factors
affecting rice processors' decisions, we administered structured questionnaires
to 410 rice processors selected from four states—Ebonyi, Ekiti, Ogun and
Nasarawa—from three geo-political zones in Nigeria—Southeast, Southwest and North-Central.
We asked them about processing. We wanted to know about their experiences,
where they sourced their raw rice, their processing activities and techniques,
if they had available credit to enhance their processing activities and the
distance covered from farm to processing center and from processing center to
the market.
The responses to the questions
showed that choices were dependent on each processor's finances and a number of
social and processing characteristics. These included the age (youth or
elderly), sex, education, marital status and household size of processors.
Economic factors also played a role, including access to a loan to buy modern
equipment, and the size of the processing operation. Even if they could afford
new equipment, most didn't have the capacity to service it.
Consequently, there were
instances where processors formed themselves into co-operatives in a bid to
access loans and other financial aid from the government with the aim of
purchasing processing equipment. But the time lag for loan applications delayed
productive activities. The outcome was many processors became discouraged, and
abandoned trying to use new processing techniques and equipment. There were
also instances where processors couldn't get spare parts and de-stoning
machines required to sift raw rice.
Organized markets in the country
present obstacles too. They opted for parboiled imported rice from countries
like Vietnam, Indonesia, China and India instead of locally processed rice.
This is because to process a 50 kilogram bag of rice locally is more expensive
and not economical.
Rice processors also encountered
challenges with getting consistent quality and quantity of rice from local
farmers all year round. They had to deal with fragmentation of the processing
enterprise that makes it difficult to create quality brands and standards due
to exorbitant cost of processing equipment.
What needs to be done
In 2019 the Nigerian government
restricted the importation of rice into the country. But the directive failed
to address the fact that locally processed rice is too expensive. In the case
of low priced rice, the quality is poor.
There is therefore a need for the
Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to focus on how to get
modern rice processing techniques to more processors. This would enable
processors to take advantage of the openings and opportunities made available
by the federal government.
This should include providing
machines and equipment to rice processors in a bid to ensure Nigeria can
produce high quality rice.
In addition, rice processors'
associations should be supported with input supply and credit. Female
processors should be empowered with input supply, access to credit and proper
monitoring. The research has shown that they are more likely to use traditional
techniques than their male counterparts.
Finally, stakeholders such as the
federal and state agriculture ministries, local governments and the private
sector, should invest in modern rice processing equipment. This equipment
should be situated close to rice processors with good access roads. This will
ensure that processors aren't burdened by the extra cost of transport and rice
processing fees which most rice processors are not willing to pay.
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-quality-nigerian-home-grown-rice-poor.html
Liberia: Ministry of Agriculture Empowers
Local Agri-Entrepreneurs to Boost Rice and Cassava Production
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh Last updated Sep 1, 2020
At the signing ceremony on Friday, the Minister of Agriculture,
Madam Jeanine Milly Cooper said the STAR-P, through its COVID-19 emergency
proposal attracted US$10.5 million from the World Bank under the contingency
emergency response component to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on
agriculture and food security for Liberians.
Monrovia – In a bid to mitigate
the impact of COVID-19 on the agriculture sector, the Ministry of Agriculture
(MOA) with funding from the World Bank has awarded contracts to 10 smallholder
farmers and food processors for rice and cassava production.
The contracts are being
implemented under the MOA Smallholder Agriculture Transformation Agribusinesses
Revitalization Project (STAR-P).
At the signing ceremony on
Friday, the Minister of Agriculture, Madam Jeanine Milly Cooper said the
STAR-P, through its COVID-19 emergency proposal attracted US$10.5 million from
the World Bank under the contingency emergency response component to mitigate
the impact of the pandemic on agriculture and food security for Liberians.
Of the amount, she noted that
US$5 million was given to the World Food Program (WFP) for food distribution,
while the remaining fund was given to the MOA for the empowerment of
Liberian-owned agribusinesses to boost locally grown food production including
rice and cassava for onward distribution to vulnerable citizens and
institutions.
Entities that benefitted include
the Bravo Sisters (contracted to produce 18 metric tons of fufu flour, 17
metric tons of cassava flour (de-pot) and 70 metric tons of gari); FALAMA
Inc.(70 metric tons of cassava flour, 27 metric tons of fufu flour and 100
metric tons of gari); Global Agro (50 metric tons of gari, 50 metric tons of
fufu flour and 50 metric tons of cassava flour) and Destiny Women (105 metric
tons of cassava flour, 29 metric tons of fufu flour and 70 metric tons of
gari).
Other entities that signed on
Friday include the Liberian Business Incubator (70 metric tons of gari, 105
metric tons of fufu flour and 34 metric tons of cassava flour); Logan and Logan
INC (70 metric tons of fufu flour, 60 metric tons of gari and 27 metric tons of
cassava flour and 125 metric tons of locally grown rice), Selma Development
Agriculture Corporation (175 metric tons of locally grown rice); Agriculture
Infrastructures Investment Company (250 metric tons of locally grown rice) and
FABRAR Incorporated (200 metric tons of locally grown rice).
Minister Cooper, who before her
appointment founded and managed FABRAR Liberia, the largest rice
processor and producer in Liberia has vowed to empower Liberian-owned
agri-businesses and farmers.
But barely two months into her
appointment, Liberia was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to
adversely impact every sector of the economy.
However, Minister Cooper and her
team continue to identify potential and qualified agribusinesses to access
contracts that could boost their capacities to produce various food products to
supply the GOL for distribution to vulnerable citizens.
“We noticed that there would be a
severe impact on our agriculture sector and food security if certain measures were
not taken. We then developed a proposal to seek funding from donors to support
agriculture,” she said.
“This has been a long journey
since we started but the interactions and procurement processes have been very
tedious to allow us come thus far.”
Speaking further, She noted the
program was also part of President George Weah’s commitment to empowering local
businesses, adding, “Since my ascendency to this position, the President has
always told me to make sure that agribusinesses are empowered.”
Also speaking at the signing
ceremony, the beneficiaries through their representative, Joseph S. Harris,
thanked Minister Cooper and her team for the exemplary leadership exhibited
within a short period of her appointment and pledged to live up to their commitments.
Harris said the impact of the
program will have a trigger-down effect as many farmers and families will
benefit. He also called on the government to invest more into the agriculture
so that the country can become food secure.
https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-ministry-of-agriculture-empowers-local-agri-entrepreneurs-to-boost-rice-and-cassava-production/
How Kenya can meet local demand
for rice
TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 2:45
Rice farmers. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Rice is the third most consumed
staple in the country, yet we are not self-sufficient to meet our demand. With
a growing population and increase in per capita rice consumption, the
government and other policymakers have been left with only a few options to
meet future demand for rice; through increased imports and increased
productivity.
Our national rice consumption is
estimated at 500,000 metric tonnes a year. Despite this being a clear
indication of Kenyans uptake of rice as a principal food, our annual production
of 100,000 metric tonnes pales in comparison.
According to the National Rice
Development Strategy-2, 2019-2030, the annual consumption of rice in Kenya is
increasing at a rate of over 12 percent owing to the progressive change in
eating habits of Kenyans, especially in urban areas.
This, together with a annual
projected population growth rate of 2.7 percent, will mean that the estimated
annual national need for rice is expected to reach up to 1,290,000 tonnes by
2030.
Given that Food Security and
Nutrition is one of the pillars of the Big Four Agenda which our President is
steadfast to implement, increasing the productivity of rice shall form an
important component in this pillar. In addition to enhancing food security, it
should also alleviate poverty by raising farmer incomes and increase the
prospects of creating new jobs in the whole value chain from farm to fork.
Investment in the rice sector should therefore become a key priority in the
agriculture sector. 
KARUGA:
Revamping Kenya’s rail lines to grow local talent
The largest rice irrigation
scheme in the country is the Mwea Rice Scheme which was started in 1956 during
the colonial times when a seed variety from India called the Basmati was
planted in the scheme and hence the birth of what is famously known as the
Kenya Pishori rice.
Over the years, the scheme has
expanded to 30,000 acres. The other rice schemes across the country are the
West Kano and Ahero (in Nyanza) and Bunyala. The much anticipated rice scheme
in the Tana river under Tarda was a failure from its onset.
So the key question is what has
been ailing this sector to scale up production?
The rice sector has always been
overseen by the National Irrigation Board (NIB) which falls under the Ministry
of Water. This is because of the provision of water under irrigation.
However, in essence the mandate
of seed production, varietal development, good farming practice and market
linkage should technically be the oversight of the Ministry of Agriculture.
This could possibly be one of the
primary reasons why we lost focus on prioritising rice as a strategic food
crop. The constant squabbles between the farmers and NIB in the late 1990s due
to the political interference of rice marketing in the scheme also created a lethargy
in the development of the sector.
To revive this sector, we need to
take a multipronged approach which revolves around agronomy and infrastructure
development, farmer financing and market linkages. Let us explore each one
separately.
Research into new seed
development shall remain crucial to ensure farmers get optimal productivity and
quality.
The choice of variety is based on
its agronomical performance and not economic reasons since varieties like the
Pishori when grown in the West Kano and Ahero have proven to be failures due to
its microclimate.
In addition, to ensure
efficiency, farmers should work in co-operatives and find ways of aggregating
their smaller pieces of land to farm commercially as large tracts which can
enable mechanisation.
Provision of farm extension
services to educate farmers on best farming practices including the appropriate
use of farm inputs such as fertiliser and pesticides shall also play a crucial
role in productivity.
Finally, there should be a
security of source of water for this irrigated crop to perform well. This means
that there should be adequate water source from dams and one should not rely on
just the river source which frequently get affected by rainfall patterns.
A case in point is how the delay
in building the Thiba dam which would serve the Mwea Rice Scheme has greatly
affected the growth of this scheme.
Provision of affordable finance
is very crucial for the security of the farmer income. Due to the lack of
access to this finance, farmers have the tendency of borrowing from shylocks
whose exorbitant finance costs makes it prohibitive for farmers to earn
anything for their hard work.
Abject poverty
Many farmers also find it more
attractive to lease out their pieces of land rather than farm for the same low
income expectation.
In addition to finance,
well-structured crop insurance can also protect the farmer from the vagaries of
weather and disease leading to crop failures which wipes out the farmer’s
income and sets them back into abject poverty.
There’s need to work in
co-operatives which will also improve the bargaining of farmers to purchase
farm inputs as well as obtaining finance from banks.
The adoption of the warehouse
receipting programme also ensures farmers obtain finance for their produce once
harvested in a formalised structure and have the flexibility of trading in
their produce at their free will when the timing and pricing is right.
The third component is market
linkages. Without a market for their produce at the right price, it is an
exercise in futility for the farmer.
Except for a portion of the crop
which the farmer can keep for their subsistence use, there has to be a surety
of market for the remainder of their produce.
https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/analysis/ideas/How-Kenya-can-meet-local-demand-for-rice/4259414-5617126-nn2ur2/index.html
Rice Prices
as on :
02-09-2020 11:44:49 AM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
|
Arrivals
|
Price
|
|
Current
|
%
change
|
Season
cumulative
|
Modal
|
Prev.
Modal
|
Prev.Yr
%change
|
|
Rice
|
|
Balrampur(UP)
|
25.00
|
38.89
|
1329.00
|
2400
|
2400
|
4.35
|
|
Soharatgarh(UP)
|
17.50
|
16.67
|
1745.20
|
2510
|
2530
|
2.87
|
|
Fatehpur(UP)
|
7.70
|
-10.47
|
2421.00
|
2500
|
2480
|
6.38
|
|
Unnao(UP)
|
5.20
|
-20
|
317.00
|
2450
|
2450
|
-1.01
|
|
Badayoun(UP)
|
5.00
|
-54.55
|
1183.50
|
2600
|
2600
|
3.17
|
|
Achalda(UP)
|
4.00
|
33.33
|
411.90
|
2450
|
2450
|
10.86
|
|
Charra(UP)
|
2.00
|
NC
|
142.20
|
2560
|
2550
|
0.39
|
|
Alibagh(Mah)
|
1.00
|
NC
|
109.00
|
2200
|
2200
|
NC
|
|
Murud(Mah)
|
1.00
|
NC
|
107.00
|
2200
|
2200
|
NC
|
|
Achnera(UP)
|
0.60
|
NC
|
45.80
|
2620
|
2640
|
2.75
|
Follow us on Telegram, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Linkedin. You can also download our Android App or IOS App.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-prices/article32502091.ece
Cambodia’s rice exports drop
drastically in August
Sok Chan / Khmer Times
Rice milling in
Kampong Speu province. KT/ Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia’s rice exports rose
31.05 percent, reaching 448,203 tonnes in the first eight months of the year,
according to the National Phytosanitary database of the Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The report said that Cambodia’s
rice exports was 448,203 tonnes thus far this year, compared with 342,045
tonnes during the same period in 2019.
However, in August alone, the
export of Cambodian rice percent was 22, 130 tonnes compared with 34, 032
tonnes in August 2019.
Among the total rice exports,
352, 802 tonnes was fragrant rice, white rice, 89, 699 tonnes, parboiled rice
5,679 tonnes and the rest was 23 tonnes.
China is still the top market for
Cambodian rice exports. Cambodia exported around 159,253 tonnes in the first
eight months, followed by France 56,964 tonnes. However, In Asean countries,
Malaysia imported about 23, 201 tonnes from Cambodia, Vietnam 12,836 tonnes,
Brunei 10,500 tonnes.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50759273/cambodias-rice-exports-drop-drastically-in-august/
Conservation of
traditional rice varieties takes a new path
E.M.Manoj
KALPETTA, SEPTEMBER
01, 2020 19:20 IST
UPDATED: SEPTEMBER
01, 2020 19:21 IST
Project to address drawbacks such
as low yield and lodging character
Though the traditional rice
varieties in Wayanad district have advantages such as its ability to withstand
harsh climatic conditions, drawbacks like low yield and lodging character have
forced farmers to go for high-yielding new varieties.
(Lodging is the bending over of
the stem of grain crops, which makes them difficult to harvest.)
Now, the Community
Agrobiodiversity Centre (CABC) of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
(MSSRF) here has started a farmer participatory project to address the issues
concerning traditional varieties.
The MSSRF and the farming
community have been working together to find a solution for the low yield in 10
traditional varieties such as Adukkan, Veliyan, Chenellu, Chomala, Chenthadi,
Thondi, Gandhakasala, Jeerakasala, Mullankaima and Kalladiaryan varieties
under the project, says Shely Mary Koshy, agriculture scientist, MSSRF.
Organic inputs such as farmyard
manure, vermicompost, azospirillum, phospho solubilizing bacteria, potassium
mobilising bacteria, and groundnut cake have been used for yield enhancement at
a trial plot, Dr. Shely said.
A randomised block design is used
for the experiment in 60 cents at Kallanchira in the district. System of rice
intensification (SRI) method of planting is adopted for the trial (seedlings
that are 10 to 12 days’ old are transplanted with just one seedling instead of
a clump at a distance of 25 cm between each plant and row), she said.
“The trial is planned for three
years and the second year trial is under progress now,” P. Vipindas,
Development Associate, MSRF, said.
Throughout the different stages
of the trial, active participation of farmers was ensured to make the programme
a success, Mr. Vipindas said.
“Based on the results of the
trial and the cost of cultivation, the most suitable practices for the
traditional variety cultivation will be popularised among farmers,” he said.
“We are curious about the results
of the project and many traditional farmers have been visiting the plot for
knowledge exchange and to learn more about traditional rice cultivation,” K.R.
Anilkumar, a farmer at Kallanchira, said.
The MSSRF, with financial support
of the Department of Science and Technology, Seed Division, has been involved
in the conservation of traditional rice varieties under the Medicinal and
Aromatic Rice Initiative (MAARI) project in the district for the past eight
years.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/conservation-of-traditional-rice-varieties-take-a-new-path/article32497152.ece
Japan rice prices may fall for first time in six years
Sep 1, 2020
Wholesale
prices of rice to be harvested this year are likely to fall for the first time
in six years, helping consumers while giving farmers a headache.
The
drop reflects lower demand for dining out because of the novel coronavirus
epidemic, on top of a population decline and a continued shift in consumer
preference away from the traditional staple food.
The
wholesale prices mean the prices of rice changing hands between shippers,
including agricultural cooperatives, and wholesalers.
Rice
demand over the year through June stood at 7.13 million tons on a preliminary
basis, down 220,000 tons from the preceding year, the agriculture ministry
said.
The
pace of decline accelerated from some 100,000 tons a year in the past years,
prompted by the COVID-19 crisis and consumer frugality following the
consumption tax hike in October last year although the tax rate for rice and
other food was kept unchanged at 8 percent.
As
a result, end-June inventories this year rose 120,000 tons to 2.01 million
tons, topping the 2-million-ton line above which rice prices tend to fall.
Inventories
may build up further as consumers are still staying away from restaurants.
Japan
terminated its traditional gentan rice production adjustment
in the 2018 harvest year, allowing farmers to plant rice as much as they like.
If they plant rice excessively, however, prices can collapse.
Planted
rice acreage in June this year was unchanged from the previous year in 25 of
Japan’s 47 prefectures, including production centers in the country’s
northeast.
“Farmers
think that if they grow rice it will fetch good prices. They are stuck in such
a mindset,” a ministry official said.
On
Friday, the ministry said that of the 19 prefectures where rice is harvested
early, the crop prospects were “slightly good” or “the same as normal years” in
Hokkaido and 12 other prefectures as of Aug. 15.
Retail prices for the popular
Koshihikari variety grown in Miyazaki Prefecture, put on sale ahead of rice
from other prefectures, are slightly lower than last year.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/09/01/business/japan-rice-prices-may-fall-first-time-six-years/
Cameron farmers and ranchers hit hard by Hurricane Laura
By: KATC
NEWS
Posted at 12:35 PM, Aug 31, 2020
and last updated 10:35 PM, Aug 31,
2020
In Cameron Parish, agriculture really took it on the chin from
Hurricane Laura.
Most of the agriculture in that parish is cattle and rice. Parish
Farm Bureau President "Bozo" Cox was able to get his cattle up to
high ground, and since the storm surge wasn't as bad as Rita, they stayed safe.
Rice farmers were mostly able to get their rice harvested before
the storm hit, and stored in bins. Unfortunately, the storm ripped the tops off
the bins - leaving them open to rain, which could ruin the rice.
Many farmers' homes also were affected, adding stress to an
already stressful situation.
https://www.katc.com/news/calcasieu-parish/cameron-farmers-and-ranchers-hit-hard-by-hurricane-laura
Grant increases hunting land acreage
by Arkansas Game and Fish | September 1, 2020 at 5:00
a.m.
Alan
Bland eyes a foggy sky for incoming mallards on Dec. 28 2019 during a duck hunt
on Beaver Lake. High water and cold weather are the best conditions for waterfowl
hunting at the reservoir. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff) (Flip
Putthoff)
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will offer an additional
3,828 acres of prime waterfowl hunting opportunity during the 2020-21 waterfowl
season, thanks to the expansion of the Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation
Easement Program.
The program allows rice producers to enroll fields to increase
waterfowl habitat near popular public waterfowl-hunting areas and to offer
limited public hunting opportunities on private rice fields through an online
drawing.
The increase is possible through a $2.1 million grant from the
National Resources Conservation Service’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat
Incentive Program to be spread out during the next three years.
The expanded acreage will enable the Game and Fish to increase
its rice conservation easement fields available for public draw from 10 to 42
for the 2020-21 waterfowl season. Each field will be available only on
weekends, which will help reduce disturbance in an effort to keep birds using
the areas and limit access only to hunters who draw.
The program serves two goals: to increase the amount of
waterfowl habitat on agricultural fields during migration and to increase
publicly available hunting opportunities on private land.
“We started the program with a focus on paying landowners
incentives to keep rice stubble on the ground for migrating waterfowl instead
of tilling it under to get a head start on next year’s crop,” said Luke Naylor,
waterfowl program coordinator for Game and Fish. “But that contact led to us
being able to test the waters for public hunting opportunities on these
agricultural fields.”
Each successful permit holder will be allowed up to three
companions during their hunt. Some locations have blinds or pits in place from
previous leases or hunting efforts, but those structures won’t be maintained.
“If a person wants to go out with some blind material to brush
up a blind, they’re welcome to do so, and we’ll have a description of where
such facilities lie on the property,” Naylor said. “Just remember to pack out
what you pack in.”
Applications for each field will be available at agfc.com the
weekend preceding each hunt date. Drawings will be conducted and successful
applicants will be notified the following Monday with the hunt area’s exact
location and instructions for their hunt. All applications require a $5
processing fee.
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/sep/01/grant-increases-hunting-land-acreage/?sports
Climate change could increase
rice yields
by Rachel Schutte, American Society of Agronomy
Many
people around the globe rely on rice as a source of nutrition. Credit: Rachel
Schutte
Rice is the most consumed staple
food in the world. It is especially common in Asia, where hunger concerns are
prevalent.
Rice is classified as an annual
plant, which means it completes its life cycle within one growing season then
dies. However, in some tropical areas,
rice can continue to grow year after year when taken care of properly.
Just as grass grows back in a
lawn after it is mowed, rice can be cut after it is harvested, and the plant
will regrow. The farming practice of cutting the rice above ground and allowing
it to regrow is called ratooning.
Although Rice ratooning allows
farmers to harvest more rice from the same fields, it requires a longer growing
season compared to traditional single-harvest rice farming.
In many areas of the world where
rice is grown, a long growing season isn't a problem due to the tropical
climates. But in Japan, cooler weather means rice ratooning has been a rare
farming practice.
Hiroshi Nakano and a research
team set out to learn more about the potential of ratooning to help Japanese
rice farmers. Nakano is a researcher at the National Agriculture and Food
Research Organization.
Average temperatures in Japan
have been higher in recent years. As climate change continues to affect the
region, rice farmers may have a longer window for growing rice. "Rice
seedlings will be able to be transplanted earlier in the spring, and farmers
can harvest rice later into the year," explains Nakano.
Rice
seeds are arranged on the plant in groups, called spikelets. This field of rice
is ready for harvest. Credit: Hiroshi Nakano
"The goal of our research is
to determine the effects of harvest time and cutting height of the first harvest on the yield of the
first and second rice crops," says Nakano. "Ultimately, we want to
propose new farming strategies to increase yield as farmers in southwestern
Japan adjust to climate change."
During the study on rice
ratooning, researchers compared two harvest times and two cutting heights of
the first crop. After the first harvest, they collected the seeds from the cut
off portions of the rice plants.
Researchers measured the yield by counting and weighing the seeds. The second
harvest of rice was done by hand and the yield was determined in the same way.
The total grain yield and the
yields from the first and second crops were different depending on the harvest
times and cutting heights. This wasn't too surprising, since the team already
knew harvest time and height affected yield.
Rice plants harvested at the
normal time for the first crop yielded more seed than the rice plants harvested
earlier. "That's because the plants had more time to fill their spikelets
with seed," explains Nakano.
Comparison
of the two cut heights of rice five days after harvesting the first crop.
Credit: Chiemi Nagamatsu
"At both harvest times, rice
harvested at the high cutting height had a higher yield than the low cutting
height," says Nakano. That's because the plants cut at a higher height had
access to more energy and nutrients stored in their leaves and stems.
"Our results suggest that
combining the normal harvest time
with the high cutting height is important for increasing yield in rice
ratooning in southwestern Japan and similar climate regions," says Nakano.
"This technology will likely increase rice grain yield in new environments that arise
through global climate change."
https://phys.org/news/2020-08-climate-rice-yields.html
Kebbi rice farmers lost N1bn to
flood —
Official ON AUGUST 31, 20203:21
Kebbi State Government says it has
lost about N1 billion worth of rice and other farms produce to ravaging flood
recorded in different parts of the state. The government also urged the Federal
Government to construct a dam to address perennial flooding in the state.
Attahiru Maccido, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture made the disclosure
on Sunday during an inspection visit to flood affected areas in Bagudo and
Argungu Local Government Areas of the state. Macciddo said that flood submerged
thousands of hectares of farmlands and houses destroying farm produce and
personnel belongings in the affected communities. READ ALSO: Flood: NEMA urges
Ekiti residents to obey environmental laws He said that: “In Bagudo LGA, we
visited about 19 villages affected by the flood, and in Argungu many
communities were affected. “We call on the Federal Government to construct a
reservoir. I think among the states that are into farming, Kebbi is the only
state that does not have a dam of its own. “We need large reservoirs to reserve
the rainwater so that it can be used for other activities. “Preliminary
assessment showed that damage to rice plantations and other products due to the
flood could be over billions of Naira.” “Compensation is a solution in a way,
but we are looking for more durable solutions to the devastating flood. “The
visit is to assess the damage and how we can get immediate remedy for those who
lost their livelihoods.” Macciddo said that construction of a dam would control
flooding and encourage effective utilisation of water and agricultural
resources in the state. He noted that the dam project would also mobilise
participation in agriculture as well as encourage rain fed and dry season
activities. According to him, the Kebbi StateEmergency Management Agency (SEMA)
will distribute food and other relief items to the affected farmers and
households to mitigate their sufferings. Maccido called on wealthy individuals,
agricultural firms operating in the state and key players in rice value chain
to assist the affected farmers. “This is a time they should come forward and
donate to cushion the effect of the affected farmers. “We are not out of
COVID-19 pandemic and the flood disaster compounded the problem,” he said. In a
remark, Muhammadu Kaura, Chairman, Bagudo Local Government Council, said the
flood washed away sorghum, millet, maize and rice plantations in the area.
Kaura lamented that settlements in prone areas refused to relocate to safer
areas in spite of warnings by the authorities, adding that the council would
emphasise on sensitisation activities to create awareness on the dangers
of the flood. While urging the Federal and State Governments to assist the
victims, Kaura called on the people in flood prone zones to relocate to areas
with high altitude.
Also speaking, Abubakar Muhammad,
the Ward Head of Tuga, one of the affected communities, said that flood
submerged many communities and farmlands in his domain. Muhammad lamented that
the damage caused by the flood would negatively affect rice production in the
state. Some of the affected farmers, Abubakar Maikifi and Hakimi Maitambari,
expressed shock over the disaster. Maikifi said the disaster had exposed them
to losses as it destroyed their only source of livelihoods. “We lost our farm
produce and animals to the flood. READ ALSO: Kano plants two million
seedlings to help combat flood, desertification “A number farmers here
cultivated bewteen 50 and 100 hectres of rice plantations producing hundreds
bags of paddy every rainy season. “We never experienced this kind of disaster
in the past. We call for assistance from government and development
organisations,” he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the
affected areas include Tungar-Baushe; Illela, Buda, Rimi, Kurgu, Tungar-Sha,
Shanbam, Bargawa, Garin-Wanzam, Tungar-Wanzam, Sabon-Gari and Tungar-Nabayi.
Others are Tungar-Burtu; Tungar-Akoda, Tilleji, Kala-Kala, Tungar-Arabi, Tungar
Ayuba as well as Gefen Farfajiya and Gandun Sarki in Bagudo and Argungu Local
Government Areas, respectively.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/kebbi-rice-farmers-lost-n1bn-to-flood-official/
Cambodian rice farmers turn guardians of the forest
AUGUST 30, 2020
By the end of October each year, the trucks
would begin rolling into Tmatboey in the remote northern plains of Cambodia,
marking the final sprint among Nhem Siphan and hundreds of rice farmers
harvesting their annual cash crop. Buyers would stand over farmers, manipulate
scales, understate the quality of crops, or renegotiate after coming to terms,
knowing they held all the power in the transaction.
Desperate for cash, some would sell early at
basement prices, while those who held out risked missing their one big pay day
of the year, Siphan said.
“How many tonnes of rice could I carry by
ox-cart? How far is the market? Who do I talk to?” Siphan, 70, told the Thomson
Reuters Foundation. “It’s impossible. We had no option but to sell.” For years,
farmers supplemented their income by turning trees into ox carts for sale,
expanding their rice fields, or hunting endangered animals, all inside the
Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary.
But now rice fields are becoming forest again
and species thought lost are returning, under the protection of the same
farmers, who have partnered with a social enterprise that pays a premium for
their crops.
“My life has never been easier,” said Siphan,
sitting under his tidy, stilted home. “All I have to worry about is the
weather.” Siphan is one of about 1,500 farmers partnered with ethically-driven
Ibis Rice, which guarantees above-market prices to “wildlife friendly” farmers
who patrol the forest for poachers and loggers while nurturing chemical-free
paddy fields.
The project was established inside three
protected areas in northern Preah Vihear province, and is now expanding into
illegal logging hotspots in one of the world’s most heavily deforested
countries.
“Obviously, we want to work in the places most
important for conservation … on the frontiers of deforestation,” said Ibis Rice
Chief Executive Nicholas Spencer. “It can be very complicated but in some ways
it’s the only answer.”
Cambodia has been beset by disputes over land
ownership and forest encroachment since the Maoist Khmer Rouge regime destroyed
all property records in the 1970s.
Rice cultivation remains a staple of rural life
but with poor market access, farmers have largely missed out despite growing
some of the world’s most sought after varieties. After initially struggling to
get a foothold in the market, Ibis Rice – which was set up by the Wildlife
Conservation Society in 2009 – is set to turn a profit in 2020.
“We are starting to find our niche – with the
health conscious, well travelled, international consumer,” said Spencer,
outlining plans to double the 1,200 tonnes of rice it bought last year and also
move into cashews and cassava. “The problem now is not market, it’s production
– training enough farmers to produce enough quality, be certified and follow
the rules,” he said.
Sopheak Phearun, an agronomist with
environmental charity Sansom Mlup Prey, monitors the health of crops and
investigates reports of farmers breaching agreements with Ibis Rice. “It’s
tricky. If (farmers) are removed from the programme, we no longer have any way
to influence their behaviour,” he said while inspecting a crop reported as
diseased.
About 22 farmers were cut loose in 2019, he
said, but most returned to the programme in 2020, pledging compliance again.
“If they want to return, they just have to
rescind the land they cleared, or stop using the chemicals,” he said.
Srey Ul, a community leader in Tmatboey, said
the project had completely changed lives in the village and the environment.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/661003/cambodian-rice-farmers-turn-guardians-of-the-forest/
Record rice output likely on
better monsoon rains
Our
Bureau New Delhi | Updated on August 28, 2020 Published on August
28, 2020
Total acreage
up by 7% at 1,082 lakh ha
Bountiful and well-spread-out
monsoon rains this year are expected to push up area under rice to a record
level. With the country, as a whole, receiving 8 per cent more rains than
normal, there has been a 10 per cent increase in rice planting as compared to
area covered in the corresponding week last year.
According to kharif sowing data
released by the Agriculture Ministry on Friday, the total area under kharif
crops till this week was 1,082 lakh hectares (lha), over 7 per cent more than
1,010 lha planted in the same period in the previous kahrif season.
Paddy transplantation has been
carried out over 390 lha — about 35 lha more than that in the corresponding
week last year. Telangana, which planted rice over an additional 10 lha, Madhya
Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand which increased rice area by 5 lha each and West
Bengal with an extra 4 lha rice area accounted for much of this increase.
Pulses,
oilseeds gain
Oilseeds are another kharif crop
that have done exceedingly well this time with a 13 per cent increase in acreage.
With the area under soyabean and groundnut exceeding well beyond the normal
planting area, the total oilseeds acreage has gone up to 193 lha (171 lha).
With all three major pulses crops
— arhar, urad and moong — reporting higher acreage as compared to the same week
last year, the total area under pulses touched almost 135 lha, about 4.6 per
cent more than last year.
There is a marginal 2.5 to 3 peer
cent increase in area under coarse cereals and cotton, too. While bajra and
maize reported higher area as compared to same week last season, coverage of
coarse cereals stands at 177 lha till date. Similarly, the area under cotton
increased to 128.4 lha, with Telangana where cotton is planted over an extra 6
lha more than compensating for the shortfall in acreage in Gujarat and
Maharashtra.
Storage levels
According to the India
Meteorological Department, total rainfall received across the country was 737.5
millimetres as compared to the normal of 682 mm.
The water storage in 123
reservoirs in the country this week was 131 billion cubic metre (BCM), about 2
per cent more than 129 BCM in the corresponding week last year.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/record-rice-output-likely-on-better-monsoon-rains/article32468249.ece
Kharif Crop acreage up further;
Oilseed area jumps by 13%, Rice sowing up 10%
Abhijeet Banerjee 29
August, 2020 11:25 AM IST
Planting operations continues in the country
and latest Government report shows further progress in the net cropped area.
The area planted as on August 28 has gone up by nearly 7.15% over last year’s
corresponding period. So far, the planted area has reached
nearly 1 thousand 82 Lakh hectares. There has been an
increase of nearly 10% in cultivation of Rice. On the other hand, Oilseeds’
planted area has registered a jump of roughly 13 per
cent.
According to the Ministry of
Agriculture, as on 28.08.2020, the total Kharif crops sown
is 1082.22 Lakh ha area against 1009.98 Lakh ha area during the
corresponding period of last year. Given below is the sowing area coverage
under Kharif crops and till now farmers have grown:
Rice: Total
area cropped has gone to 389.81 Lakh ha as compared with 354.41
Lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year – an increment
of 35.40 Lakh ha therefore.
Pulses: Pulses
acreage has risen by roughly 5.91 Lakh hectares and till date the sown area has
reached 134.57 Lakh ha area versus 128.65 Lakh ha
during last year’s corresponding period.
Coarse Cereals: Coarse
cereal acreage is about 176.89 Lakh ha till date – a rise of
4.40 Lakh ha more area compared to last year’s corresponding
period of 172.49 Lakh ha.
Oilseeds: Area
under Oilseeds has gone up
to 193.29 Lakh ha versus 170.99 Lakh
ha during the corresponding period of last year. Therefore year on year
increase is 22.30 lakh ha (for the corresponding
period).
Sugarcane: Sugarcane
area is reported at 2.29 Lakh ha area and during last
years’ corresponding period the cropped area
was 51.68 Lakh ha. Over previous year, sugarcane
cultivation has shown an increase of 0.61 Lakh ha.
Jute & Mesta: Jute
& Mesta is sown in around 6.97 Lakh ha area coverage
versus 6.86 Lakh ha during the corresponding period of last
year. Thus 0.11 Lakh ha more area is being recorded versus
last year.
Cotton: Planted
area in cotton has risen by nearly 3.50 Lakh
ha compared to last year’s corresponding year. About
128.41 Lakh ha area coverage under cotton as compared to
124.90 Lakh ha during last year.
Roughly three weeks back, the Central
Water Commission (CWC) had reported the live water storage in 123
reservoirs in different parts of the country, to be 88% of the
corresponding period of the last year. In the current week the Commission has
reported an improvement i.e. 102 per cent storage of water across 123
reservoirs in different parts of the country compared to last
year corresponding period. This information has raised
https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/kharif-crop-acreage-up-further-oilseed-area-jumps-by-13-rice-sowing-up-10/#:~:text=Agriculture%20World-,Kharif%20Crop%20acreage%20up%20further%3B%20Oilseed%20area%20jumps%20by,%25%2C%20Rice%20sowing%20up%2010%25&text=Rice%3A%20Total%20area%20cropped%20has,of%2035.40%20Lakh%20ha%20therefore.
Cambodia ensures food security
and rice exports
Khmer Times
Rice milling in
Kampong Speu province. KT/Chor
Sokunthea
The beginning of this season’s
rice harvest has been slower than in 2019.
Tis has been brought about by
drought causing slower seed-planting, resulting in some farmers having to
replant and harvest has now been extended into December.
Kao Thach, director-general of
the Rural Development and Agriculture Bank (RDAB), said that although the
drought had impacted harvests, the government still ensures food security and
that rice exports will go ahead in 2020.
After attending the meeting to
monitor rain-fed rice cultivation, early-season rice harvests, and rice exports
in 2020, Thach confirmed that as of August, the rice grown in the rainy season
of the farmers has been faster in comparison to in 2019, despite the harvest
being slower. The rice harvested at the beginning of this season yields an
average of 4 tonnes per hectare.
“The river levels this year are
lower than in 2019, and the water has not yet reached the floodplain areas, so
farmers have switched from cultivating wet rice to cultivating rainy season
rice, which extends the growing season” he added.
As a result of this cultivation,
Cambodia can ensure adequate food security, and rice exports as planned,
despite the rain falling early in the season, and the drought that affected
some rice fields.
Dr Chou Vichit, Secretary of
State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, said that rice exports in the
past seven months reached 426,073 tons, an increase of 118,060 tons (38.33
percent) compared to the same period in 2019.
“According to the results, the
Cambodian Rice Federation has concluded that Cambodia’s rice exports by 2020
could reach 800,000 tons,” he said.
To achieve the target of
exporting 800,000 tons of rice, the Cambodian Rice Federation has requested an
additional $30 million in credit support under the government’s special program
through the Rural Development and Agriculture Bank, and to apply for loans from
this program for 12 months.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50758818/cambodia-ensures-food-security-and-rice-exports/
Madhya Pradesh withholds
rice stocks after Centre finds substandard samples
Sidharth Yadav
BHOPAL:, AUGUST
31, 2020 19:33 IST
File photo for representational purpose. | Photo
Credit: Singam Venkataramana
Stocks instead suitable for
livestock, cattle and poultry, says Centre.
The Madhya Pradesh government is
inspecting rice stocked across its depots after the Centre requested it to
withhold them until further investigation and re-categorisation after it found
samples from two districts “unfit for human consumption” and recommended action
against those responsible.
The State Department of Food,
Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection was now inspecting stocks State-wide
along with teams of Food Corporation of India, the department’s Principal
Secretary Faiz Ahmed Kidwai told The Hindu.
“Nearly 75% of the stocks had
been inspected and we will get a report within a day or two. The inspection is
being undertaken across all depots and stocks have been withheld,” he said, at
a time when thousands are increasingly dependent on fair price shops for
nutrition in view of the lockdown-induced joblessness.
When asked if the government had
acted against officials responsible in Balaghat and Mandla districts, where 32
samples were found to be substandard, Mr. Kidwai said it would be decided after
the report came in.
“It has been six-seven days since
the stocks were withheld,” said Tarun Kumar Pithode, the department’s Director.
“It is being inspected whether storing the paddy in the open caused the
situation, the miller supplied substandard stocks, and so on.”
Deputy Commissioner (Storage and
Research Division), Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution Vishwajeet Haldar on August 21 had written to Mr. Kidwai pointing
out the analysis reports of all the 32 samples were found to be not just beyond
the below rejection limit as per the uniform specifications issued by the
Ministry but also beyond the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA), 1954
standards as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. He sought an
action taken report at the earliest.
“The stocks are found to be unfit
for human consumption and in the categories of Feed-1 which is meant to be
suitable for livestock feed (such as goat, horse, sheep); Feed-II which is
suitable for cattle feed and Feed-III, which is suitable for poultry feed as
per the guidelines for the issuance/disposal of the stocks,” Mr. Haldar noted.
Stating the analysis results
pointed to grave and serious shortcomings in the rice quality, he further
contended, “There have been grave lapses by district officers, officials and
authorities involved in the entire channel from procurement to distribution.”
He recommended officials
concerned needed to be identified and proceedings be initiated against them
under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, or the Food Safety and
Standards Act, 2006. “Besides, the rice millers associated in delivery of such
‘human unfit’ stocks should be black listed with immediate effect,” he said.
During the inspection of four
depots and one ration shop from July 30 to August 2, samples were collected and
sent to the Central Grain Analysis Laboratory, New Delhi.
As per the records of the
godowns, wrote Mr. Haldar, the receipt of the stocks from where samples were
drawn were procured in May-July, while the condition of the stock represented a
“different picture altogether”. “The stocks are 100% recycled old stocks and
the gunnies used for storage are also at least two-three years old,” he noted.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/madhya-pradesh-withholds-rice-stocks-after-centre-finds-substandard-samples/article32489024.ece
Price of Non-Basmati Parboiled
Rice Increases in India on Account of Huge Export Demand
August
30, 2020
Gayathri
Arvind
Price of Non-Basmati Parboiled
Rice Increases in India on Account of Huge Export Demand
The surging coronavirus cases and
the dreadful floods led to a shortage of supply and in turn, increase the
export demand for rice. Thus, the current scenario rises the price of Non-
basmati parboiled rice in India.
The pandemic outbreak and floods hindered
supply and transportation in the country. Ensuring that Indian rice export
prices increased. Accordingly, the prices for 5% broken Indian parboiled rice
increased to $383-$389 per tonne from $382-$387 last week. On the other hand,
prices for Vietnam’s 5% broken rice remained unchanged while Thailand saw an
increase in prices for the same.
Indian Exports Hindered
The Kakinada district in Andhra
Pradesh is the largest rice shipping port in India. Following the recent
events, they are facing labour issues as well as the limited availability of
containers. The President of the Rice Exporters’ Association, B.V Krishna Rao
worries that the vessel loading rate went done by 30% in Kakinada. Despite the
problematic situation, the demand for Indian rice remains high. However, the
exports are getting affected due to surging cases and floods in Andhra Pradesh,
according to Nitin Gupta, VP of Olam India’s rice business.
Andhra Pradesh alone is not facing
the problem. Ashwin Shah, an exporter based in Nagaland, also conveys that they
faced similar logistical issues. Nevertheless, as the demand for Indian rice is
good due to prices, the industry is optimistic that things will look up again
shortly.
Bangladesh Floods Affect Export Flow
India isn’t the only country facing
export issues in these challenging times. The neighbouring country of Bangladesh was
also affected by heavy floods. Due to this, 50,000 hectares of paddy fields
submerged reports Bangaladesh agricultural ministry. Further, the value of the
damaged rice crops came up to $4.29 billion on around 100,000 hectares, said
Abdur Razzaque, the agricultural minister. Thus, Bangladesh is facing the same
plight in export.
Jump in Exports of Non-Basmati Rice
India’s exports of non-basmati rice
varieties increased massively. In the first two months of the FY21, the exports
were 11.3 lakh tonnes- 52.5% more than the previous year.
Africa is the major importer of this
variety and, now Bangladesh is looking to import the same from India as well.
Mr BV Krishna Rao also said that Africa depends on India for its rice demand as
prices for the Thai variety have shot up. Further, he also believes that the
exports will touch FY18 levels which were around 8.64 million tonnes.
Bangladesh is looking to import rice because of sluggish procurement rates and
the surge in demand for rice.
In conclusion, there is a good
chance for India to export a good quantity of non-basmati varieties this year.
But, we’ll have to wait for the Bangladesh government’s official announcement
that is expected to arrive shortly.
Tags: Agricultural ministry, Andra Pradesh, bangladesh, Containers, coronavirus, coronavirus india, damaged rice crops, demand, export, floods, FY21, india, Nagaland, non basmati rice, non parboiled basmati rice, olam india rice, paddy fields, procurement, shipping port, supply, thailand, Transportation, vietnam
https://www.grainmart.in/news/price-of-non-basmati-parboiled-rice-increases-in-india-on-account-of-huge-export-demand/
Mekong Delta
to release floodwaters into rice fields to fertilise soil, destroy pests
Chia sẻ | FaceBookTwitter Email Copy
Link
31/08/2020 14:29
GMT+7
Farmers in Dong Thap Province’s
Hong Ngu District will not grow the autumn-winter rice crop, the year’s third,
on more than 9,000ha and will instead release floodwaters into their fields to
fertilise the soil and destroy pathogens and pests.
|
|
|
Floodwaters released into rice fields in Dong Thap
Province’s Hong Ngu District during the flood season last year.
|
The upstream district is the
first locality in the Mekong Delta province to be flooded by the Mekong
River during the rainy season.
The delta is set to enter the
flooding season which brings sediments to rice fields and aquatic species to
upstream localities.
Pham Van But, who owns a 2ha rice
field in Hamlet 3 in Hong Ngu’s Thuong Phuoc 1 Commune, said he and other
farmers would not grow the autumn-winter rice and have opened the sluices to
let floodwaters enter their fields.
He now regularly visits the
fields to watch the water level and hopes the floodwaters would rise rapidly
and enter the fields, he said.
According to farmers, if three
crops are grown the soil becomes unfertile, resulting in high production costs
and poor crops.
Many farmers in the district have
ploughed their rice fields to absorb the flood sediments.
The delta’s flood season, which
occurs between August and November annually, is expected to be late and poor
this year, according to experts.
Nguyen Hoang Nhung, head of the
district’s Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this year the
district decided to plant 2,600ha of autumn-winter crop in Thuong Phuoc 2
Commune and Thuong Thoi Tien Town, and release floodwaters into more than
9,000ha of unplanted rice fields in other areas.
In the latter areas, the district
has opened all sluices to be ready to receive the floodwaters, he said.
Farmers there have finished
harvesting the summer-autumn rice, he said.
The bureau has carried out
regular inspections to ensure farmers do not plant their fields.
To increase rice production, the
province has built dykes in flood-prone areas to enable farmers to grow
autumn-winter rice during the flood season.
But authorities have decided to
stop this practice in many upstream localities during the flooding season to
fertilise rice fields in recent years.
The flood season offers many
different livelihoods like catching fish and other aquatic species brought by
the floodwaters, breeding them in flooded rice fields and making tools for
catching them.
Craft villages making the tools
have become busy. VNS
https://vietnamnet.vn/en/sci-tech-environment/mekong-district-to-release-floodwaters-into-rice-fields-to-fertilise-soil-destroy-pests-670542.html
WV palay
production up 12.15% for 1st semester
By Panay News
Monday, August 31, 2020
Department
of Agriculture 6 says that palay production in Western Visayas increased by
12.15 percent in the first six months of 2020 amid the resiliency of rice
farmers in the region. JAMES EARL OGATIS
PALAY production in Western Visayas has posted a 12.15 percent
increase for the first semester of 2020 compared to the same period of last
year with 753,832.24 metric tons (MT) and 672,152.53 MT production for 2020 and
2019 respectively, according to the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA).
Department of Agriculture 6
(DA-6) director Remelyn R. Recoter said that despite the threats of COVID-19
pandemic, the resiliency of rice farmers in the region continues and manifested
their dedication and commitment to provide sufficient, affordable, and safe
food for everybody.
“Our farmers are situated in the
rural areas wherein during ECQ period, movement and transportation were
restricted but they still found enough time to monitor, supervise, and manage
their rice lands,” Recoter added.
Across all ecosystem (irrigated,
rainfed and upland), the province of Iloilo has the highest production of
352,416.38 MT followed by Capiz – 179, 345.01 MT; Negros Occidental – 107,821
MT; Aklan – 52,223.85 MT; Antique – 46,890 MT; and Guimaras – 15,136 MT for
2020, whereas, in the 2019 production the province of Iloilo still ranks number
1 with 298,376.53 MT; then Capiz – 125,287 MT; Negros Occidental – 112, 069.00
MT; Antique – 80,425.00 MT; Aklan – 45,137.00 MT; and Guimaras – 10,858.00 MT.
It must be noted that the average
yield also increased from three metric tons per hectare in 2019 to 3.27 MT/ha
this year in the same period (January to June).
The province of Antique recorded
the highest yield with 3.60 MT/ha followed by Negros Occidental – 3.56 MT/ha;
Iloilo – 3.28 MT/ha; Capiz – 3.22 MT/ha; Aklan – 2.85 MT/ha; and Guimaras –
2.56 MT/ha.
An additional 6,327 hectares were
harvested this first semester of 2020 from 224,161 ha in 2019 wherein the
province of Iloilo has 107, 287 ha harvested followed by Capiz – 55,655 ha;
Negros Occidental – 30,270 ha; Aklan – 18,332 ha; Antique – 13,042 ha; and
Guimaras – 5,902.
Recoter is optimistic that with
the in-place interventions given to rice farmers under the Rice Resiliency
Program (RRP), Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), and Regular Rice
Program particularly on the distribution of seeds and fertilizer this wet
season, the region could play a big role in ensuring the rice sufficiency of
the country this year.
Recoter stressed that Western
Visayas has contributed 2.077 MMT or 11.04 percent of the 18.814 MMT National
Rice Production in 2019. The region is one of the three regions (Central Luzon
and Cagayan Valley) with major contributions to the national palay production.
“I am happy that more rice
farmers have planted hybrid, certified, and good seeds this season. I am also
optimistic that they have applied appropriate fertilization with the free Urea
fertilizer we have given them, which could be translated to a bountiful harvest
this year,” added Recoter.
The percentage increase in
production, yield, and area harvested this first semester of 2020 shows that
the DA is doing its part and on the right track in confronting challenges brought
by the COVID-19 pandemic. (RAFIS 6)
http://www.panaynews.net/wv-palay-production-up-12-15-for-1st-semester/
Vietnam’s Jan-Aug coffee exports drop 1.3%, rice down 1.7%
Vietnam’s coffee exports in the
first eight months of the year probably fell 1.3% from a year earlier, to 1.16
million tonnes, while rice exports are likely to have dropped 1.7%, government
data released on Saturday showed.
COFFEE
Coffee exports from Vietnam are expected to drop an estimated 1.3% in the first
eight months on the year to 1.16 million tonnes, or 19.3 million 60-kg bags, the
General Statistics Office (GSO) said.
Coffee export revenue for Vietnam, the world’s biggest producer
of the robusta bean, will probably be down 0.2% at $1.98 billion in the
eight-month period.
Its August coffee shipments are estimated at 110,000 tonnes,
valued at $197 million.
RICE
Rice exports in the period from January to August are forecast to drop 1.7%
from a year earlier, to 4.5 million tonnes.
Revenue from rice exports in the period is expected to increase
10.4% to $2.2 billion.
August rice exports from Vietnam, the world’s third-largest
shipper of the grain, probably totalled 500,000 tonnes, worth $251 million.
ENERGY
Vietnam’s January-August crude oil exports were seen rising 22.4% on the year,
to an estimated 3.35 million tonnes.
Crude oil export revenue in the period is expected to dive 21.2%
from a year earlier to $1.1 billion.
Oil product imports in the eight months were estimated at 8.1
million tonnes, up 46.9% over the corresponding period last year, while the
value of such imports rose 0.6% to $2.64 billion.
The GSO trade data is subject to revision next month.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/vietnams-jan-aug-coffee-exports-drop-1-3-rice-down-1-7/
RECENT COMMENTS