12th march,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Contact for Newsletter Advertisement [email protected] Cell : +92 321 3692774

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter

March 12 , 2015 V o l u m e 5, Issue I



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Global campaign for 'golden rice'

Reaz Ahmad

Patrick Moore

A global campaign that supports the genetically modified "golden

rice" and promotes the cause for fighting child mortality entered

Bangladesh yesterday as part of its three-nation Asia tour. The

campaign -- Allow Golden Rice Now -- is being spearheaded by a

man who happens to be a convert from the world's biggest anti-GMO

(genetically modified organism) lobby -- Greenpeace.“If golden rice

were a cure for cancer, malaria, or Ebola, it would have been

approved 10 years ago. In that time, 20 million people, mostly

children, have died. This is a crime against humanity,” said Patrick

Moore, the campaign head and a Canadian ecologist, at a press

briefing in Dhaka yesterday.

Moore, a co-founder of Greenpeace and an ex-director of the world's largest green group, left

Greenpeace as he considered its positions on various issues unscientific.In 2013, along with his

brother Michael Moore, he founded the Allow Golden Rice Society -- a non-profit organisation

dedicated to seeing golden rice approved for commercial agriculture.Golden rice is a genetically

modified rice variety capable of fighting child mortality and blindness caused by vitamin A

deficiency. The rice is infused with vitamin A producing beta carotene taken from maize.Along

with Manila-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Bangladesh is now at the

forefront in developing golden rice. However, crops derived through agricultural biotechnology

and genetic engineering are often met with opposition from the anti-GMO lobbies.

The Allow Golden Rice Now campaign that began on March 4 will run in Bangladesh for four

days and tour the Philippines and India up to March 20, as these are the few countries where

vitamin A deficiency is a major cause of child mortality."Two million children and many

mothers die each year from a lack of this essential vitamin. It is the greatest cause of child death

today. Golden rice is the obvious cure, but because it was created with genetic science,

Greenpeace and the anti-GMO movement fervently oppose it," Moore said.



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On August 8, 2013, Greenpeace instigated the destruction of golden rice scientific field trials at

the IRRI in the Philippines. The Allow Golden Rice Society is actively campaigning for the

approval of the rice so it can be delivered to the 200 million children who are deficient in vitamin

A.“All we ask is that Greenpeace and their allies make an exception for golden rice in their

opposition to GM crops,” he said. “Millions of lives are at stake.

”The members of the Golden Rice South Asia Tour also include Horst Rehberger, a senior

German politician; Uwe Schrader, a German expert in biotechnology, and Hans-Jörg Jacobsen, a

German heading Plant Biotechnology at the Institute of Plant Genetics of Leibniz University in

Hanover.“I want to seek solutions to different problems and not just oppose one thing or the

other," Moore told The Daily Star. He deplored that some 250,000 to 500,000 vitamin A-

deficient children become blind every year, half of them dying within 12 months of losing their

sight.

"This tragedy can be eliminated with golden rice… but has been blocked by Greenpeace for over

a decade. During that time over eight million children have gone blind and then died."Moore and

his campaign team lauded Bangladesh for being the first among all Asian nations in introducing

GM vegetable - Bt Brinjal. "We will see Bt Brinjal fields on Friday," Moore said, adding that

they also sought to meet Bangladesh's agriculture minister on Thursday.

http://www.thedailystar.net/business/global-campaign-golden-rice-71012

http://www.thedailystar.net/business/global-campaign-golden-rice-71012



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Field Day’ Exhibition held to promote water-saving in rice

production

Thursday, 12 March 2015 By NNT

PATHUM THANI, 12 March 2015 –

The Rice Department is organizing a

"Field Day” exhibition at the Pathumthani

Rice Research Center to promote water-

saving in the rice production

system.Director-General Chanpithya

Shimphalee said after presiding over the

opening ceremony that the event was held

to commemorate the 5th Cycle Birthday

Anniversary of HRH Princess Maha

Chakri Sirindhorn on 2nd April 2015.The

exhibition is also an effort by the Rice

Department to raise farmers' awareness

about using water wisely and to optimize

the use of water in rice production.The

Field Day exhibition is organized by

Pathumthani Rice Research Center in

collaboration with seven other centers in

different parts of Thailand. The event has

the format of a Farmer Market and also

incorporates such activities as seminars,

contests of rice-based products, and

demonstrations on rice processing.

Understanding plants' immune systems could lead to better

tomatoes, roses, rice



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Plants that are infected with speck disease often have wilted leaves and damaged fruit. Credit: University

of Missouri

Spring is just around the corner and for millions of Americans, that means planting a garden with

plenty of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes. However, some of the plants will be infected

by bacteria, leading to stunted growth and less nutritional value. Now, a University of Missouri

research team has uncovered new regulations of defense pathways for plants. This discovery

could lead to helping those home-grown tomatoes fight off certain bacteria better and has

implications for pear trees, roses, soybeans and rice.

"Each year, millions of dollars are lost from

damage to crops and ornamental plants caused

by pathogens, which include a bacteria known as

Pseudomonas Syringae," said Antje Heese,

assistant professor of biochemistry at MU. "This

bacteria directly affects tomatoes and causes

speck disease that permanently damages the fruit

and leaves. In our study, we used Arabidopsis

thaliana, a plant that has the same immune

response as tomatoes but grows at a faster rate,

to study the immune responses of plants.

"Previously, researchers thought that a plant defended itself against bacteria by activating a

specific, several-step process. However, Heese's team found that if the plant is exposed to

bacteria, it actually activates its immune system using three separate mechanisms.Heese and her

research team, including MU graduate student John M. Smith, confirmed that each mechanism

responding to the infection is doing so independently of the other two mechanisms, and that each

of these mechanisms must have the right amount of specific proteins, called immune receptors,

in the right place to respond appropriately. Having the right combination provides the plant with

an effective and efficient immune response. This discovery could allow future scientists to create

new strategies to help plants fight disease and lead to better crops.

"Like any living organism, plants have limited resources and they have to use those resources

effectively," Heese said. "If the plant makes too much of the proteins responsible for these

mechanisms, they will suffer in other areas, such as creating quality fruit. This same discovery

can be applied to many crops, including rice and soybeans, and ornamental plants, including

roses, pear and apple trees. The information discovered in this study gives scientists something

new to study in plants, with the eventual goal of better crops and ornamental plants."The study,

"Loss of Arabidopsis thaliana Dynamin-Related Protein 2B Reveals Separation of Innate

Immune Signaling Pathways," was published in PLOS Pathogens.

http://phys.org/news/2015-03-immune-tomatoes-roses-rice.html

http://phys.org/news/2015-03-immune-tomatoes-roses-rice.html



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KCR writes to PM on levy on rice millers

Hyderabad, March 12 (INN): Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, in a letter, requested Prime

Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the Government of India's decision that the State

Governments should not impose any levy on rice from the millers with effect from 1st October,

2015.The Chief Minister also suggested to continue to at least have the existing 25% levy with a

view to safeguard the interests of the farmers to get remunerative prices for certain special

varieties and at certain periods when the millers have good market outside the State or Country

as the case may be.

It may be mentioned that with a view to ensure payment of remunerative prices to farmers at

MSP or above and to improve outreach of procurement system to the farm gate for their better

coverage, the Central Government has decided that the State Governments should not impose

any levy on rice from the millers with effect from 1st October this year.The Chief Minister

mentioned in the letter that Telangana State is a paddy producing State and the practice has been

that normally the millers purchase paddy from the farmers competing with each other at

remunerative rates for delivering levy and utilizing the levy free rice. He also said that as long as

the millers pay them the remunerative prices (over and above the MSP) they will not offer to the

Government agencies at MSP.

Only when they are offered less than MSP, they choose to deliver paddy at the purchase centres

opened by the Government agencies. KCR wrote that Government of Telangana is strictly

monitoring whether the millers are paying MSP to the farmers before they deliver rice under

levy. The Chief Minister pointed out that with the decision to remove the levy system, it is

possible that the millers may not offer remunerative prices, as they normally do. The

Government agencies can assure the farmers MSP only and not remunerative prices. This may

cause hardship to the farmers as removal of levy will deny them of the remunerative prices.In

view of the above, KCR requested the Prime Minister to reconsider the decision and continue to

at least have the existing 25% levy with a view to safeguard the interests of the farmers to get

remunerative prices for certain special varieties and at certain periods when the millers have

good market outside the State or Country as the case may be.

http://www.healthaim.com/golden-rice-campaign-launched/16552




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Golden Rice Campaign Launched

By Rubelle Tan · Mar 13th, 2015

Golden rice, a genetically modified rice variety by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), will

be distributed in India to compensate for the lack of vitamin A in children. This genetically engineered

rise was the product of splicing of bacteria and maize genes into rice for it to contain pro-vitamin A (beta-

carotene).

Golden Rice grain in screenhouse of Golden Rice plants.

The Allow Golden Rice Campaign Now, headed by Greenpeace co-founder, Patrick Moore, was launched

in the Philippines and Bangladesh last March 6 and will continue in New Delhi and Mumbai, India on

March 19.Vitamin A deficiency has been observed in children in third-world countries, as well as in

adults. The campaign aims to do a “quick-fix” solution to vitamin A deficiency that can lead to blindness.

This campaign is not without objections, however. Stop Golden Rice Alliance, composed of 20 non-

government organizations around the world, has been vocal in its objections on the promotion of Golden

Rice.“With inexpensive Vitamin A available in abundance from various natural resources, produced by

small-scale and backyard producers, it is a mistake to turn blindly to golden rice, a crop that the

International Rice Research Institute itself admits it has not yet determined if it can actually improve the

Vitamin A intake,” said the Alliance.As a response to these objections, Moore stated: “Golden rice is the

obvious cure, but because it was created with genetic science, Greenpeace and the anti-GMO movement

fervently oppose it. No country has approved it for cultivation.

”“If golden rice was a cure for a disease like malaria, cancer, or Ebola it would have been approved years

ago,” he added.Vitamin A deficiency is a significant health problem of over 75 countries worldwide.

Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) can cause severe visual impairment, blindness, and increased risk for

diseases like diarrhoeal disease and measles in children.Countries where golden rice was initially

launched had mixed reviews. In the Philippines, a Facebook campaign was launched by NGOs and

scientists to stop Moore‟s advocacy for Golden Rice.“Our opposition to Golden Rice and other



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genetically modified (GM) crops are founded on solid argumenta and actual experiences of Filipino

farmers on GM crops.

Filipino farmers who have been planting GM crops suffered negative income, health problems and

poisoned environment,” stated MASIPAG, a Filipino farmer-led network of people‟s organizations,

NGOs and scientists.India, on the other hand, has Modi government that is pro-technology. “The aim is

to dispel fears about GM crops, so that the country can join the US, China and Canada. GM crops are

very important for India‟s agricultural growth,” says a senior agricultural ministry official.

Here are some facts on VAD:

14 million pre-schoolchildren have some eye damage due to VAD

350,000 (or more pre-school children become partially or totally blind every year from VAD

About 60 percent of these children die within a few month of going blind

Half of all childhood corneal blindness in developing countries is caused by VAD, and half of that is from

added measles infection

Photo: IRRI photos





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USA Rice Identifies Market Challenges in Malaysia

Taking stock of the market

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA -- Earlier this week, USA Rice visited Malaysia as part of a USDA-

sponsored Agribusiness Trade Mission to Malaysia and the Philippines led by Under Secretary for Farm

and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse, and found a complicated rice import scheme that does

present some opportunities. "Imports of rice in Malaysia are controlled by BERNAS, a private company

that has been granted an import monopoly for all rice," explained USA Rice's Vice President of

International Promotion Jim Guinn who is on the trip. "Private companies can, and do, approach

BERNAS with an order for rice, where they can be very specific as to the supplier of the rice. BERNAS

will then import the rice for the customer, generally with a mark-up of at least 35 percent. BERNAS in

effect is an implementer of governmental policy which is to maintain the price of imports above the local


www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine Page

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price."

Guinn said there was an interest expressed in Southern medium grain rice and several trade contacts

requested samples for their analysis as to market acceptability.The growing global popularity of sushi is

evident in Malaysia as well, and demand for sushi rice is on the rise. One Japanese brand containing rice

from California was seen in the local retail market.

Malaysia is a party to the on-going Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations and many in the trade expect

there may have to be changes to the rice import regime in future years.Guinn added that while immediate

opportunities for U.S.-grown rice may be limited, there is good market acceptance of U.S. rice, and with

market access changes in the offing, the future opportunities are somewhat brighter.

Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444



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Weekly Rice Sales, Exports Reported

WASHINGTON, DC -- Net rice sales of 82,500 MT for 2014/2015 were up 19 percent from the previous

week, but down 15 percent from the prior four-week average, according to today's Export Sales

Highlights report. Increases were reported for Mexico (22,100 MT), Haiti (20,500 MT), Costa Rica

(11,100 MT), Colombia (7,100 MT), and Guatemala (4,600 MT). Exports of 53,100 MT were up 59

percent from the previous week and 24 percent from the prior four-week average. The primary

destinations were Colombia (35,600 MT), Saudi Arabia (4,300 MT), Canada (3,600 MT), Mexico (3,500

MT), and Haiti (1,500 MT).

This summary is based on reports from exporters from the period February 27 - March 5.

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for March 12

Month Price Net Change

March 2015 $10.470 - $0.035

May 2015 $10.680 - $0.055

July 2015 $10.925 - $0.060

September 2015 $11.040 - $0.065

November 2015 $11.200 - $0.090

January 2016 $11.345 - $0.075

March 2016 $11.345 - $0.075

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0010PTg3J6LCsU_7BBQMCVAh6Oc0Dy4bvEwUhMljKJB45muU_GJ_eejOvP36y5X1Bf4eLageqie3w_rpKhu-kBkepkfL8tsU9X_-NOoZU-089IKCw3OS0e4pP1kIVI0KJ_-BoMArrnDsG-tLDghImrXW7BsPO2VFIo3AARBBZbR_q1F1HwO-fGIxaLN56-tU9HAAIB4HhJNJc_TchjepM4-DgDoGPoOt_mDL3DqyxBbd6MG1pjM1FUi5Pr9WU3EyAKARtjCypx2E8fV2K1DDIa3N-qBqX6KwOORtGsDq6ISpcGW48Qba38GWNXZVmZlu9SXlcN2Yz71c7RXmqCgPvfZp3gsd7RUcNHwjBT5sEyZ5eMlAR8Y6zZTyyIRZ-DbAgbr5V0txOyMddhov-NcrZHqZQjh8HtPVvjMhgfRNv52bBvnFEw7_bL7xe8-S4oK8GlkW4fMZ52QCs0meRF0BqMWSgxB_5yybLRm&c=lbceR-Cucgv6_IaUYIN5bqf9tiRMbGiRa3lWJGzssMnwPjt0iDlw5w==&ch=RyaGXU29qBQow2SAuCkoW31y9VbUH-LESm595HQLRsUwFJ-hn5ATig==



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New rice herbicides on the horizon, Arkansas researcher

reports

Mar 11, 2015Forrest Laws | Delta Farm Press

Forrest Laws | Delta Farm Press

Jason Norsworthy says growers tell him he‟s always bringing them bad news when he speaks at

meetings around the state.Most of the time, Norsworthy, professor of weed science at the

University of Arkansas, is talking to farmers about resistance, the number of herbicides they

need in their weed control program or a new weed that‟s become resistant to one or more

herbicides.“Why can‟t you give us a better message?” said Dr. Norsworthy, speaking at the Roy

J. Smith Barnyardgrass Workshop in Stuttgart, Ark.

“Growers tell me „Every time I see you, everything you‟re going to tell me is about what‟s

wrong, about something that‟s broken.‟ “Part of the reason for putting this program together

today is that I wanted to be the one to bring you some good news,” he said. “There are some

exciting things happening in rice. If things go as expected over the next few years, we could have

some exciting changes in our fight against barnyardgrass and other problem weeds.

”The key, Norsworthy and other speakers at the workshop said, is to make the tools currently

available to rice producers battling herbicide-resistant barnyardgrass last until the new products

can make it through the EPA approval process.Norsworthy and other weed scientists at the

University of Arkansas, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University and Texas

A&M University organized the workshop to provide growers and consultants with the latest

information on the problem of barnyardgrass resistance to multiple herbicides.

Barnyardgrass, barnyardgrass...

According to surveys of growers and consultants, barnyardgrass is the No. 1 problem weed in

rice. It‟s the driver weed, so to speak, the weed that becomes the center of growers‟ efforts to

produce a weed-free rice crop.“The No. 1 weed in rice is Barnyardgrass,” said Norsworthy.

“What‟s No. 2?”

Someone in the audience responded “Barnyardgrass.”“That‟s what I tell people,” said

Norsworthy, who holds the Elms Farming Chair of Weed Science at Arkansas. “If you rank them

by the amount of the weeds we see, it‟s barnyardgrass, barnyardgrass and

barnyardgrass.”According to the survey of growers and consultants, sprangletop is the No. 2

problem weed in rice, followed by red rice; joint vetch; Palmer amaranth; coffeebean or hemp

sesbania; smartweed; signalgrass; three sedges, yellow nutsedge, rice flatsedge and smallflower

umbrellasedge; and three aquatics, ducksalad, arrowhead and roundleaf mud plantain.

“What‟s interesting is that Palmer amaranth went from not even being considered an important

weed in rice 10 years ago to where it‟s now the fifth most troublesome,” said

Norsworthy.Besides being problem weeds, Norsworthy said, most of those – with one possible

exception – can be controlled by the new compounds he tested in his university herbicide trials in

2014.

http://deltafarmpress.com/author/forrest-laws

http://deltafarmpress.com/author/forrest-laws



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Most in a year

“Eight new herbicides. That is the most I have looked at in rice or I would say in any crop in one

year,” he said. “Of those eight herbicides, seven had activity on barnyardgrass. That‟s why I‟m

so excited about these herbicides.“I will be honest with you,” he noted. “Of the herbicides that I

evaluated in 2014, some will not make it past 2014. But there are some that did. I will be talking

basically about the herbicides that did make it beyond 2014.”Norsworthy said the new herbicides

encompass four different herbicide modes of action. “That‟s what really gets me excited – these

are new chemistries, new modes of action which could be added to our arsenal.”Included in the

herbicides are:

Provisia – A new weed control system from BASF that will be centered on rice lines that are

tolerant to quizalofop (Assure) grass herbicide.Benzobicyclon – Anew grass, sedge and

broadleaf herbicide that can be applied post-flood in rice.Pethoxamid – a new rice herbicide with

activity similar to Dual that will provide “excellent” control of annual grasses and suppression of

sedges. Its best fit may be in a system that include clomazone or Command pre-emergence

followed by pethoxamid and Newpath.

Rinskor Active – A new rice herbicide that controls barnyardgrass, broadleaf signalgrass, yellow

nutsedge, pitted morningglory and coffeebean. Its best fit will probably also be in a tank mix

with Newpath.Norsworthy said Provisia and benzobicyclon could each be available in 2017

while pethoxamid and rinskor active could be approved by 2018. Another weed control system

involving rice that is resistant to Callisto and Fusilade may also be in the mix, but no time table

is available on when it might come to market.“These are very exciting herbicides,” said

Norsworthy. “But we – and I‟m pointing to myself, to Extension, to consultants and growers –

must do a better job of preserving the herbicides we have until we can reach the next stage.”For

more on controlling barnyardgrass, go to www.uaex.edue and click on publication number

FSA2175.

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/new-rice-herbicides-horizon-arkansas-researcher-

reports?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+March+12%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+Decem

ber+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

Thailand Pushes For Implementation Of Mou On Farm

Product Trade With China

BANGKOK, March 12 (Bernama) - The Thai Ministry of Commerce is pushing for the

implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on farm product trade, Thailand

News Agency (TNA) reported.Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya had begun

discussing the MoU with Wang Xiaotao, deputy director of China's National Development and

Reform Commission since Wednesday.Bangkok and Beijing signed the agreement on Dec 19

http://www.uaex.edue/

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/new-rice-herbicides-horizon-arkansas-researcher-reports?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+March+12%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email





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last year.Under the pact, the Chinese government will buy two million tonnes of rice and

200,000 tonnes of natural rubber from Thailand in the 2015-2016 period.

The rice comprises one million tonnes of new rice and another million from the government's

stockpile.China has said it will buy more Thai rice and farm products during the Sino-Thai

construction of new rail tracks in Thailand.Both countries will negotiate farm product trade

through a joint steering committee co-chaired by Chatchai and made up of members of the

Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and Chinese

authorities.Thailand exports around 500,000 tonnes of rice to China every year.-- BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/bm/wn/newsworld.php?id=1116258

Vietnam secures deal to export rice to Philippines

Viet Nam has won a contract to supply 300,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice to the Philippines this year.

Deputy Chairman of the Viet Nam Food Association Pham Van Bay revealed this yesterday.In a

phone interview with BusinessWorld, Administrator of the Philippines's National Food Authority

(NFA) Renan B Dalisay said that Viet Nam has won the contract to supply 150,000MT each of

the 15 per cent and 25 per cent broken rice.

Earlier, the NFA council agreed to import

250,000MT of 25 per cent broken, well-milled long

grain white rice and another 250,000MT of the 15

per cent broken rice. The auction was held on

February 27.Thailand will deliver the remaining

200,000 MT to cover the balance of each rice

variety."The offers of both Viet Nam and Thailand

are below the reference prices or world market

prices," Dalisay said.The auction reference prices for

the 15 per cent and 25 per cent broken rice were set

at US$442.94 per MT and $425.85/MT

respectively.Viet Nam, whose original bid was $442.5/MT, matched Thailand's $441/MT offer

for the 15 per cent broken rice.

With an original offer of $424.50/MT, Viet Nam likewise matched Thailand's $421/MT bid for

the 25 per cent broken rice.Half of the volume awarded by the contract will be delivered by the

end of this month, Dalisay said, adding that the balance will be due for import by the end of

April.Rice stocks from the two countries will ensure buffer stocks for the three-month lean

season that starts in July, the NFA administrator pointed out.

VNS

Tags:Vietnam secures deal to export rice to Philippines,

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/bm/wn/newsworld.php?id=1116258



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FCI to sell rice in open market from April By: Sandip Das | New Delhi | March 12, 2015 1:36 am

After a gap of several years, the government will sell its rice stocks in the open market in the

next fiscal. According to sources, given the excess stocks, two million tonne of rice will be

offloaded by the Food Corporation of India in the open market starting April 1.The food ministry

has received the nod from the finance ministry to sell rice from the stocks to bulk buyers such as

millers and traders, the sources added. The stocks would be sold through a weekly e-auction

under the open market sale scheme (OMSS), currently in operation for selling wheat to bulk

buyers by the FCI.Sources said rice would be offered to private buyers or traders at around

R2,300 per quintal for the grade-A quality of rice procured by the FCI.

“The rice prices have been kept at the level, keeping in mind the minimum support price, MSP,

for ruling out recycling of rice procured by the FCI and state agencies,” an official said.Officials

said that at the start of this month, the FCI has rice stocks of more than 15.2 million tonnes and

another 8.8 million tonnes are still to be received from the millers.As per the revised buffer stock

norms for April, 2015, the FCI should hold rice stocks of around 13.5 million tonnes, thus

rendering a chunk of rice stocks as „excess‟.Sources said the minimum and maximum auction

quantity would be in the range of 50 tonne to 3,500 tonne. “The state governments would also be

asked to participate in the e-auction for OMSS),” an official said.

The FCI has been selling excess wheat stocks through OMSS to bulk buyers since 2009-10. It

has sold 4.1 million tonnes of wheat in the open market till the end of February through weekly

e-auctions.However, the government had set a target of uploading 10 million tonne of wheat

under OMSS by March 2015, which is unlikely to materialise.In 2013-14, the FCI sold more

than 6.1 million tonnes of wheat in the open market from its stocks. Meanwhile, the food

ministry has also got a nod from the finance ministry to extend OMSS wheat till March end.

Earlier, the OMSS wheat auction used to be held till end of February and March was meant for

delivery of grain to bulk buyers.“We will hold weekly auction for selling wheat till March 26

and the delivery of grain would be done in April,” an FCI official said.

The FCI has asked the food ministry to launch OMSS for wheat stocks immediately after the

procurement of grain for the 2015-16 season gets over by June 2015.While the wheat purchases

from the farmers for the current rabi marketing season is set to commence from April 2015, the

FCI has huge wheat stocks of close to 20 mt at the start of March 2015 while the buffer stocks

norm is only 6.5 mt.The FCI conducts weekly auction to sell wheat in the open market using

http://www.financialexpress.com/author/sandip-das/



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commodity bourse NCDEX platform. The government has set a reserve price of R1,500 per

quintal plus freight cost to the consuming locations.

http://www.financialexpress.com/article/miscellaneous/fci-to-sell-rice-in-open-market-from-april/52638/

Basmati rice exports to Iran likely to resume soon in Freight News 12/03/2015

After several rounds of discussions, Iran is likely to start issuing permits to

Indian exporters, paving the way for basmati exports.“India may resume

exports of basmati rice exports to Iran early next year,” said Ajay Sahai,

Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations

(FIEO).Basmati rice exports from India in 2013-14 are likely to decline 10

per cent due to Iran‟s temporary stoppage of fresh order issuances. The

country has not issued any fresh import permits after October 2014. However, execution of

existing and past orders has continued.“India does not face any ban in terms of basmati rice

exports to Iran.

Only thing is Iran has not issued import permits, which it does to any country before bringing

consignments into its territory, since October due to oversupply. During past years, Iran had

imported large quantity of basmati rice from India,” said A K Gupta, Director, Agricultural &

Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).Once, import permit is issued,

India would commence exports of basmati rice to Iran, said Gupta.India‟s overall basmati rice

exports declined by over six per cent at 2.57 million tonne during April and December 2014 as

compared to 2.74 million tonnes reported in the corresponding period last year.In value terms,

overall basmati rice exports declined by 2.64 per cent to $3373.23 million in the first nine

months of the current financial year as compared to $3465 million in the same period last year.

But average per tonne realisation increased to Rs 80,000 this year as compared to Rs 75,000

during the previous year.

While country-wise bifurcation is not available, experts believe, exports to Iran has declined by

15-20 per cent this year.Iran is the largest basmati rice importer, accounting for around 60-65 per

cent of total premium rice exports from India. India exported 1.44 million tonne of basmati rice

worth $1,834 million to Iran in 2013-14. During 2012-13, however, basmati rice shipments to

Iran totaled 1.08 million tonnes worth $1187 million.Basmati was India‟s second largest export

commodity after buffalo meat.A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the

United Nations estimated Iran‟s rice output in 2014 at all time record of three million tonnes as

compared to 2.9 million tonne and 2.8 million in the two subsequent previous years. Total cereal

output in Iran, however, is estimated to decline by 4.4 per cent to 20.4 million tonne in 2014 as

compared to 21.4 million tonnes and 21.3 million tonnes in 2013 and 2012, respectively.Apart

from basmati, India exports non-basmati rice and other cereals to Iran to the tune of around $150

million annually.

Source: Business Standard

http://www.financialexpress.com/article/miscellaneous/fci-to-sell-rice-in-open-market-from-april/52638/

http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/category/commodities/freight-news/



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http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/basmati-rice-exports-to-iran-likely-to-resume-soon/

China rice deal on the cards

12 Mar 2015 at 06:00

NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS | WRITER: PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

Aram Songsuayroop, a former office worker turned farmer, displays a variety of rice from his

farm at the Thai Rice: Thainess fair hosted by the government to promote the rice industry. The

fair, which is being held outdoors next to Government House and runs until April 5, features rice

exhibitions, cooking demonstrations and the sale of rice products. CHANAT KATANYU

Agriculture, China

Thailand hopes to finalise a government-to-government (G2G) deal to

sell 2 million tonnes of rice and 200,000 tonnes of rubber to China

when authorities meet with their Chinese counterparts in early May.The

government will try to convince China to ink the rice deal at the next

meeting scheduled for May 6 in Beijing, Commerce Minister Chatchai

Sarikulya said yesterday.He spoke after meeting with Wang Xiaotao, vice-minister of China's

National Development and Reform Commission, in Bangkok about monitoring the progress of a

memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the 2-million-tonne rice sale.

The MoU was signed last December for 1 million tonnes each of old and new grains along with

the 200,000 tonnes of rubber.Deliveries of rice and rubber would be set for this year and

next.The contract will be made through the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs

Corporation, the giant state enterprise that oversees rice imports, to ensure transparency.The

transaction with China is unrelated to an earlier deal for 1 million tonnes struck by the Yingluck

Shinawatra government.

Thailand has already delivered 300,000 tonnes as part of that deal.At yesterday's meeting, the

two parties agreed to set up a joint steering committee to study in detail the rice and rubber deals

as agreed in the MoU.Gen Chatchai said Thailand would at the next meeting try to convince

China to buy other farm products too.

Charoen Laothammatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, urged officials to

wrap up the talks so that delivery of all 2 million tonnes could take place this year."The

government should settle the deal with China as fast as possible to reduce price pressure from

new supply," he said."Talks with other potential buyers such as African countries for the old

grains should also be wrapped up."The present government has vowed to dispose of 17 million

http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/basmati-rice-exports-to-iran-likely-to-resume-soon/



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tonnes of rice in state stockpiles accumulated from the previous government within two years,

with 10 million tonnes to be sold this year.

Last Thursday it sold 780,000 tonnes in the second rice auction this year, fetching more than 8

billion baht.And last month, it endorsed the sale of 496,243 tonnes worth 7.85 billion baht in the

year's first auction of state rice stocks. The Commerce Ministry has called five auctions since last

May, selling a combined 1.12 million tonnes for 13.6 billion baht.The government also early this

month secured a G-to-G contract to sell 200,000 tonnes of rice to the Philippines. Gen Chatchai

called this latest contract a good sign, as the government in 2014 won its first contract in 10

years to sell 300,000 tonnes of rice to the country.Get full Bangkok Post printed newspaper

experience on your digital devices with Bangkok Post e-newspaper. Try it out, it's totally free for

7 days.

Agriculture Hall of Distinction honors 3 veteran farmers, one

from Morehouse Parish

Posted: Thu 5:56 PM, Mar 12, 2015,By: Bob Walters

The 2015 inductees were Jimmy Hoppe of Jeff Davis Parish, Lucien Laborde of Hamburg in

Avoyelles Parish, and Edwards Barham of Oak Ridge in Morehouse Parish who was honored

posthumously.PICTURED ABOVE: Taking part in ceremonies honoring the 2015 inductees into

the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction are, from left, Louisiana Radio: Network Farm

Director Don Molino with Erle Barham, whose father, Edwards Barham of Morehouse Parish,

was honored posthumously. The ceremonies were held on March 5 in Baton Rouge.

BATON ROUGE, La. (KNOE 8 News & La. Radio Network) - An accomplished rice grower, a

veteran conservationist and a pioneer in agricultural aviation were recently inducted into the

Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction, which annually honors individuals who make

extraordinary contributions to Louisiana agribusiness.

The 2015 inductees were Jimmy Hoppe of Jeff Davis Parish, Lucien Laborde of Hamburg in

Avoyelles Parish, and Edwards Barham of Oak Ridge in Morehouse Parish who was honored

posthumously.Hoppe, who retired from farming in 2012 and now runs a specialty rice-packaging

business, was recognized for his long list of accomplishments as a rice grower. Known for his

advocacy of sustainable practices and efficient use of resources, Hoppe was named U.S. Rice

Farmer of the Year in 1999. He is also known for his contributions in cutting-edge agricultural

research and working with the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station.

Laborde, a veteran farmer with more than 50 years in the industry, was honored for his work in

cattle and seed farming. He is known as a strong soil, water and wildlife conservationist, as well

as an ardent supporter of higher education. Laborde served as director of the LSU Foundation



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and as the first president of the LSU-Alexandria Foundation. A World War II veteran, Laborde

landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and earned a Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Army.

Barham, who passed away in 2014, was honored for his contributions to cotton, rice, corn and

soybean farming, as well as his pioneering work in agricultural aviation. As the founder of

Flying Tiger Aviation in Rayville, one of the country‟s top agricultural flying schools, Barham

helped break new ground with the use of aviation in farming. Widely respected for his dedication

to conservation and higher education, Barham served on the state board of regents, the board of

supervisors for the University of Louisiana System, the board of supervisors for the Louisiana

Community and Technical College System, and he served as a state senator.

The Hall of Distinction honors outstanding contributions to Louisiana agriculture in farming,

ranching, forestry, aquaculture, education and agribusiness. It is presented by Louisiana Radio

Network in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the LSU

AgCenter. Monsanto was the title sponsor and First South Farm Credit was the presenting

sponsor.

http://www.knoe.com/home/headlines/La-Agriculture-Hall-of-Distinction-Honors--

296138211.html

Iowa rice farmer inducted into Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction Posted: Mar 12, 2015 11:06 AM PDTUpdated: Mar 12, 2015 11:06 AM PDT

By Michael Cooper

Jeff Davis Parish farmer Jimmy Hoppe, right, and Louisiana Radio Network Farm Director Don

Molino. (Source: Louisiana Radio Network)

BATON ROUGE, LA (KPLC)

Jimmy Hoppe, a third-generation rice farmer from the Iowa area,

has been inducted the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of

Distinction.Hoppe retired from farming in 2012 and now runs a

specialty rice-packaging business. He was recognized on March 5

for his long list of accomplishments as a rice grower. Known for

his advocacy of sustainable practices and efficient use of resources,

Hoppe was named U.S. Rice Farmer of the Year in 1999. He is also known for his contributions

in cutting-edge agricultural research and working with the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station.

In February, Hoppe was featured by KPLC. You can read more about Hoppe's career HERE.

Others inducted with Hoppe were Lucien Laborde of Hamburg in Avoyelles Parish and Edwards

Barham of Oak Ridge in Morehouse Parish.The Hall of Distinction honors outstanding

contributions to Louisiana agriculture in farming, ranching, forestry, aquaculture, education and

agribusiness. It is presented by Louisiana Radio Network in conjunction with the Louisiana

Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the LSU AgCenter.

http://www.knoe.com/home/headlines/La-Agriculture-Hall-of-Distinction-Honors--296138211.html

http://www.knoe.com/home/headlines/La-Agriculture-Hall-of-Distinction-Honors--296138211.html

http://www.kplctv.com/story/28027000/iowa-rice-farmer-to-be-inducted-into-louisiana-agriculture-hall-of-distinction

http://kplc.images.worldnow.com/images/7048479_G.jpg



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http://www.kplctv.com/story/28407238/iowa-rice-farmer-inducted-into-louisiana-agriculture-

hall-of-distinction

NGOs oppose Greenpeace co-founder's campaign to

promote `golden rice'

12 March 2015

Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore is bringing his `Allow Golden Rice Campaign', launched

in the Philippines on 6 March and in Bangladesh on Wednesday, to India now.Moore is

launching a country-wide campaign in India on 16 March to allow the ''golden rice'' that claims

to help tackle Vitamin A deficiency.The campaign, however, faces opposition from a group of

20 non-governmental organisations across the world under the banner of ''Stop Golden Rice

Alliance''.The NGOs allege that Moore is in league with the GM food industry and that the

campaign for launching the Vitamin A-enriched golden rice is a covert attempt to win wider

approval for genetically modified food.

''It (golden rice) will not solve the problems of malnutrition,'' the alliance said in a

statement.According to the Alliance, Vitamin A deficiency, like other problems of malnutrition

and hunger, is not caused by the lack of the vitamin in foodgrains, but by people's inability to

achieve a balanced diet.In a statement in Dhaka on Wednesday, Moore said, ''Golden rice is the

obvious cure, but because it was created with genetic science, Greenpeace and the anti-GMO

movement fervently oppose it.

No country has approved it for cultivation.''If golden rice was a cure for a disease like malaria,

cancer, or ebola it would have been approved years ago,'' said Moore, who quit Greenpeace in

1986 saying the organisation did not care about people and it was more worried about politics

than science.According to Moore, golden rice has been proven to deliver Vitamin A to both

adults and children and it could save millions of lives.The Alliance said that the Green

Revolution, with a bias towards monocultures of staple crops, has led to unbalanced patterns of

food production around the world.''As the UNICEF and the Food and Agriculture Organisation

have stated, variety and diversifying food is the key to solving vitamin deficiency; in countries

where people eat more than 200 gm of vegetables per day, Vitamin A deficiency is not a major

problem,'' it said.

Issues underlying Vitamin A deficiency can never be addressed by promoting genetically-

modified golden rice, the Alliance said, adding that the increased complexity of the gene

constructs of golden rice makes it more hazardous than the existing genetically modified

plants.''With inexpensive Vitamin A available in abundance from various natural sources,

produced by small-scale and backyard producers, it is a mistake to turn blindly to golden rice, a

crop that the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) itself admits that it has not yet

determined if it can actually improve the Vitamin A intake,'' said the Alliance.

http://www.domain-

b.com/economy/agriculture/20150312_golden_rice.html#sthash.oVwHVFjR.dpuf

http://www.kplctv.com/story/28407238/iowa-rice-farmer-inducted-into-louisiana-agriculture-hall-of-distinction

http://www.kplctv.com/story/28407238/iowa-rice-farmer-inducted-into-louisiana-agriculture-hall-of-distinction

http://www.domain-b.com/economy/agriculture/20150312_golden_rice.html#sthash.oVwHVFjR.dpuf

http://www.domain-b.com/economy/agriculture/20150312_golden_rice.html#sthash.oVwHVFjR.dpuf

12th march,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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