13 february 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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World Rice News 13.02.2015

13.02.2015

USDA. All rice imports were increased 1 million hundredweight to 23 million, all in combined

medium- and short-grain rice. The forecast for all rice exports was unchanged at 103 million

hundredweight, with long grain exports increasing 1 million hundredweight to 71 million

hundredweight, and medium- and short-grain declining 1 million to 32 million hundredweight.

All rice ending stocks were raised 1 million hundredweight to nearly 42 million. Long-grain

stocks were lowered 1 million to 28.1 million, and combined medium- and short-grain stocks

were raised 2 million to 11.5 million.

***

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter

February 13 , 2015 V o l u m e 5, Issue I



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Iran to import Basmati rice from India next fiscal. Basmati rice exports to Iran, the biggest

destination for the aromatic and long-grained rice from the country, are likely to commence from

the next fiscal following assurance from the Iranian authorities. Tehran has not approved any

new contract for import of Basmati rice from India since October 2014.

***

Four African countries, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Tanzania are to benefit from the

$3.3 million grant provided by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the German

Development Cooperation (BMZ) under their competitive African Rice Initiative (CARI)

project. The implementing institutions of the grant are led by GIZ, Technserve, the John A.

Kufuor (JAK) and Kili Trust (KT). The project which will end in 2017 is targeting about 120,000

small scale rice producers, while secondary beneficiaries are the rural service providers and rice

millers. More information on grain market can be found in UkrAgroConsult newsletters and

daily reports or through on-line access to thewebsite.

http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/world-rice-news-13-02.2015

Company revitalises rice farming

Ropate Valemei

Friday, February 13, 2015

Grace Road Food Company staff members and management with residents of Galoa Village in

Navua. Picture: SUPPLIED

THROUGH its continuous investment in farm development, a

rice company in Navua is expanding its farming project from

Navua to Galoa.Grace Road Food Company Ltd managing

director Daniel Kim said the Galoa farming site was their second

farming initiative.Mr Kim said they would continuously develop

farm lands in full partnership with the residents of Galoa.He said

the land the company agreed to develop was about 200 acres.

"We are confident that this jungle-like land will be transformed into a beautiful farm," he said.He

said the company's machinery would also expand as native farm lands needed advanced

development for rice farming.He said other agricultural machinery would also be brought in to

suit Fiji's climate.Senior agricultural officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, John Cox, said the

company provided the spark to revitalise the rice farming sector last year, adding that spark was

turning into flames in 2015.Meanwhile, the company is hosting the International Conference on

Rice Farming for Food Security in Fiji on February 19 in Navua

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=294889

http://www.blackseagrain.net/analytics/newsletters-daily-reports

http://www.blackseagrain.net/analytics/newsletters-daily-reports

http://www.blackseagrain.net/analytics/outlook-comments

http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/world-rice-news-13-02.2015

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=294889

http://www.fijitimes.com/images/artpics/294889.jpg



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PhilRice promotes Rural Transformation Movement for

farmers

February 13, 2015

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 13 (PIA) – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Agusan is

promoting its Rural Transformation Movement (RTM) for the welfare of the community farmers

not only in the province of Agusan del Norte but in the entire Caraga region.In an interview over

Advanced Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS) Network of the Philippine

Information Agency (PIA) Caraga in this city, Marilyn Amoin, Science Research Specialist 1 of

PhilRice Agusan bared that its Rural Transformation Movement is intended to make the farmers

more diversified and integrated."We want to help the farmers earn more by venturing into other

products and livelihood.

We want to see them improve their lives through different strategies," said Amoin.Amoin also

said that the pilot area for its Rural Transformation Movement is in Brgy. Basilisa, RTR, Agusan

del Norte. "We are encouraging the community farmers to avail of this opportunity and be a

millionaire. We call this Movement because we wanted to see our farmers experience the

changes in their lives while they are into this program of PhilRice. We should act and move

forward to achieve this goal," she added.With the said movement, farmers are encouraged to

produce other products such as livestock raising, vegetable production and byproducts."Together

with PhilRice personnel from our central office, we are still on the process of conducting social

diagnostic and mapping in Brgy.

Basilisa, as well as in other communities where we can identify qualified farmers for the Rural

Transformation Movement, which we are promoting. We are also looking into and assessing the

needs of the farmers and on how we can better improve their present livelihood," shared

Arbutante.As to the criteria on how community farmers can avail of the PhilRice's RTM,

Ginalyn Arbutante, Science Research Assistant of PhilRice Agusan also revealed that they are

still finalizing the criteria and will soon release it to the public. "It is an advantage on the part of

the farmers who are also land owners because they have big chances to expand their livelihood,"

she said.Arbutante further disclosed that PhilRice is also promoting technology development for

the farmers to improve their production and increase their income. The institute also produces

quality seeds available for the farmers.

"For inquiries about our Rural Transformation Movement, the public can send it along with their

other concerns thru PhilRice's Text Center at 09209111398. We will be very glad to

accommodate them," highlighted Arbutante.Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is a

government corporate entity attached to the Department of Agriculture created through

Executive Order 1061 on 5 November 1985 (as amended) to help develop high-yielding and



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cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos. (Jennifer P.

Gaitano, PIA-Caraga)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2041423736179/philrice-promotes-rural-transformation-movement-

for-farmers#sthash.K6m7U7Gp.dpuf

Grace Road Hosts First Conference February 12

09:182015

by Ranoba Baoa, SUVA

Grace Road Food Company Limited, will host its

first major International Conference on Rice

Farming for Food Security in Fiji on February

19.The conference dubbed will be enabled through

world-wide leading rice seed researcher Dr Kyung-

Ho Kang (National institute of Crop Science,

RDA). It will be held at its Deuba Rice-farm office

with 80 people expected to attend.Also in attendance will be Professor of Biotechnology Dr.

Seong-Gene Lee (Chonnam National University)

Dr Kyung-Ho Kang worked for IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) from 2008 to 2010,

and is currently working for KAFACI (Korea-Africa Food & Agriculture Cooperation Initiative)

and NICS (National Institute of Crop Science, RDA).Dr Kyung-Ho Kang is also associated with

the National Institute of Crop Science of South Korea.He will also explain the discoveries behind

his research, examples of his rice-seed research, and the performance of his research

application.Through the keynote speech, he will enunciate a proposal of the best suited type of

rice for Fiji.

Additionally, Dr Seong-Gene Lee of Chonnam National University in South Korea will explain

the importance of food security in preparation of worldwide climate change.Grace Road

managing director Daniel Kim said: ―Grace Road Food Company Limitedis currently

undertaking tremendous amount of effort in order to raise the rice-farming

industry.―Establishment of Research Center, out of all the effort being put in Grace Road Food

Company Limited, is the most essential matter.

―With Dr. Kang at its core, establishment of Grace Road Food Company Limited’s research

center will bring a monumental transformation in advancement of Fijian rice

industry.―Additionally, the purpose of this conference is to announce to the Fijians the

importance offood security, the necessity of rice production in order for food security and the

value of high rice yield and quality through seed improvement.He added: ―Along with this goal,

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2041423736179/philrice-promotes-rural-transformation-movement-for-farmers#sthash.K6m7U7Gp.dpuf

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Grace Road Food Company Limited will also announce its plan about how we can achieverice

self-sufficiency by the year 2020.‖is the missing link we have been looking for.‖

http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/02/12/grace-road-hosts-first-conference/

Rice Production Grant: Nigeria, Three Others To Benefit

Feb 13th, 2015 and filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through

the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Four African countries, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Tanzania are to benefit from the $3.3

million grant provided by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the German

Development Cooperation (BMZ) under their competitive African Rice Initiative (CARI)

project.The implementing institutions of the grant are led by GIZ, Technserve, the John A.

Kufuor (JAK) and Kili Trust (KT).The project which will end in 2017 is targeting about 120,000

small scale rice producers, while secondary beneficiaries are the rural service providers and rice

millers.

The initiative is geared towards improving their sourcing capacity of quality supply. Speaking on

the establishment of the Nigeria/ECOWAS Rice Sector Policy and Regulation Advocacy

Platform in Abuja, CARI’s project coordinator, Mr. Stefan Kachelriess-Matthess, stated that the

main instrument for the implementation of CARI across the four countries on the matching grant

will be on the basis of Public Private Partnership (PPP).Kachel-Mathhess said the projects would

be implemented at two levels of support, adding that CARI’s support was up to 40 per cent of

implementation cost.He said CARI’s Nigerian partners in the private sector would provide 60 per

cent of the implementation cost.

He said CARI’s Nigerian partners in the private sector would provide 60 per cent of the

implementation cost.In her remark, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on the

New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Mrs. Fidelia Njeze, who was represented

by Mrs. Jael Kpatuwak expressed the hope that the CARI project would address coordination

failures. She expressed that the process would create better linkages among rice value chain

actors the results of which she said would lead to increase in economic returns for all

stakeholders.

According to her, the sector holds the key to getting Nigeria out of poverty as it provides food

security, employment for the teeming population and creating the platform for a diversified

economy towards an industrial revolution.Also speaking at the event, the ECOWAS

Commissioner of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Lapodini Marc Atouga,

represented by a Director at the commission, said rice consumption in the last two years in the

sub-region had increased from 7 to 7.7 million tons.He pointed out that this was an indication

that production was not matching up with consumption as it has to depend on international

http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/02/12/grace-road-hosts-first-conference/

http://www.thetidenewsonline.com/category/business/

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imports for 40 per cent of its rice supply with Thailand and Vietnam as the leading suppliers of

the commodity to the region.

http://www.parc.gov.pk/index.php/en/senior-managements

No power cuts for firms: Etela Rajender

DC CORRESPONDENT | February 14, 2015, 03.02 am IST

Telangana Finance Minister Etela Rajender (Photo: DC)

Warangal: Telangana finance and civil supplies minister Etela

Rajender said there will not be any power cuts even for one hour

for the industries from 2016. He was addressing the rice millers at

the inauguration of rice trade expo at the Hayagreeva Chary ground

in Hanamkonda on Friday. The minister asked the millers to

cooperate with the government in fulfilling their promises. He

asked the millers to cultivate only BPT fine rice. He also warned

them against any irregularities on their part. ―The government is people friendly, but we will not

tolerate any irregularities. Please do not give us the situation to show our other side,‖ he said.

The rice expo will is being organised by the Telangana rice millers association and will be

continued till February 15.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150214/nation-current-affairs/article/no-power-cuts-firms-etela-rajender

USA Rice Staff Urge Louisiana Growers on Farm Bill Sign-Ups,

Provide Issue Briefings

Ben Mosely

ALEXANDRIA and DELHI, LOUISIANA -- USA Rice staff

continued their travel through the Pelican State this week to

brief growers at the Central Louisiana Rice Growers Association

membership meeting and the Northeast Louisiana Rice Growers

Association rice forum. USA Rice Vice President of

Government Affairs Ben Mosely stressed to growers that time is

running out for them to make base acre reallocations and yield

updates under the new farm bill. "You have until February 27th

to make changes and I don't see any indication that USDA is

going to be offering extensions," Mosely said.

"If you miss this opportunity, not only are you stuck for five years, but you're leaving money on

the table right now."USA Rice President and CEO Betsy Ward shared information on key

markets and what new and expanding market access could mean for Louisiana's growers."I'm

confident we can recapture most of the Cuban market once the legal and legislative hurdles have

http://www.parc.gov.pk/index.php/en/senior-managements

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150214/nation-current-affairs/article/no-power-cuts-firms-etela-rajender



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been cleared," she offered. "And frankly, given your proximity to Cuba, you are poised to

benefit perhaps the most."Michael Klein

Michael Klein, USA Rice's Vice President of Marketing,

Communications & Domestic Promotion, updated attendees on

exciting domestic promotion activities that are paid for by the state's

check-off contributions."Our popular classroom outreach programs

are a very effective grassroots education initiative," he told audiences.

"We work with educators to teach kids about rice, and they in turn

teach their parents, friends, neighbors, and families.We reach

thousands of teachers and tens of thousands of kids in all six rice states magnifying our message.

The true value of the impact is difficult to measure, but that's what we do - we stretch those

promotion dollars as far as we can.""We appreciate the opportunity to speak directly to the

growers to share with them just a few of the things we are working on their behalf," Ward said.

"I also value the feedback we receive from them that we take back to Washington."

Contact: Randy Jemison (337) 738-7009

Visit USA Rice at the 63rd Annual Mid-South Farm & Gin Show

MEMPHIS, TN -- Plan to visit the USA Rice Federation at Booth 2080

during the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, February 27-28 at the

Memphis Cook Convention Center. The event is one of the largest farm

shows in the region. In 2014 more than 400 companies and groups from

more than 40 states exhibited over the two-day trade show.View

attendee registration details online. Download the show's mobile app

to receive updates and search "rice" in the exhibitor section for more

information on rice-related exhibitors and booth locations.

2015 Rice Leadership Class takes center stage Feb 13, 2015Forrest Laws | Delta Farm Press

Greg Van Dyke, Pleasant Grove, Calif.; Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter; Paul Johnson, Welsh, La.; Hudgens Jeter, Stuttgart,

Ark.; Collin Holzhauer, Southern Rice & Cotton; Nat McKnight, Cleveland, Miss.; and Nicole Creason, Jonesboro, Ark., will

participate in rice leadership class activities in 2015 and 2016.

RELATED MEDIA

2015 National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice Conference Photos

Members of the 2015 Rice Leadership Development Program class

were announced during the annual Rice Awards Luncheon at the 2014

USA Rice Outlook Conference. The class is comprised of five rice

producers and two industry-related professionals selected by a

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

http://deltafarmpress.com/management/2015-national-conservation-systems-cotton-and-rice-conference-photos

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tbsyaAwQVDYjHT8kHo097HjWN4K7BZVeAwTq3Kxs82sGPO1Lf0p8MhLMEBYPxPSJ8O80hETlaAgdQaFVHRScLtJbaDnj88mY_Dld7I2O--p5BryudiNMZfxifwW6Dx5sA8wVozN1HrfuwfxkKK0hZUdG0kL9HXqEhQzpxXI7wUANuVsCsIcWdW5-9K6rUamC9klQEkb9ol7FBjkxOMKN6Wb27ZtU36IFpO75pS46uOPxZMxJU7o3BGhtjauQAc-nrOGn1G9em10o9beTm3iUdHv55vsyweue8pMPmzXM0ADT_QdUoTNGGeNIp-OzEBVoUepkJF3O0DY38384H5frHJ6YVvbCfTOi76HUvqonT3_e9ue7bycGd-OCTFkGNhwsFBOfEg2M0Q3t9psxJ2qDUt1NFynQL3iZuZLkiKS2i4WUYi4BTIF98W0g1pbktHDxvLyWn2cLsKxr8ynaqC_Educ60FKZMLgYjrSnuQphEdSY7_-2rPAzzg==&c=OO6B87YO1KIOuMGP5ehY2uF5gKatf_HnlEQlq5d4Q23lW2H85cr5pw==&ch=HAMj9ndgOOw15SWkLdcZfBt_2duAvdmM0DhhpfPFrW898kV756SpiA==

http://deltafarmpress.com/management/2015-national-conservation-systems-cotton-and-rice-conference-photos



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committee of agribusiness leaders. ―The rice industry enjoys strong leadership, and has a bright

future. This program plays a critical role thanks to the intensive training and the high caliber

participants,‖ said Rice Foundation Chairman Todd Burich.The new rice-producer class members are

Nicole Creason, Jonesboro, Ark.; Hudgens Jeter, Stuttgart, Ark.; Paul Johnson, Welsh, La.; Nat

McKnight, Cleveland, Miss.; and Greg Van Dyke, Pleasant Grove, Calif.

The new industry-related class members are Dustin Harrell of the

LSU AgCenter, and Collin Holzhauer with Southern Rice &

Cotton.The Rice Leadership Development Program gives young

men and women a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. rice

industry, with an emphasis on personal development and

communication training. During a two-year period, class members

attend four one-week sessions that are designed to strengthen their leadership skills.John Deere

Company, RiceTec, Inc., and American Commodity Company are sponsors of the Rice Leadership

Development Program through a grant to The Rice Foundation. The USA Rice Federation manages

the program.

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/2015-rice-leadership-class-takes-center-

stage?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+February+13%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=ema

il

State's private, public lands being altered for birds Courtney [email protected]:52 a.m. CST February 13,

2015

Migratory birds are flourishing on private lands that are part

of a federal initiative to create and maintain more land as

flooded habitat, a Mississippi State University study

finds.The land the study references is part of the U.S.

Department of Agriculture's Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative,

which incentivizes private landowners, such as rice and

crawfish farmers, to keep land flooded at a shallower depth

and for a longer period of time in the summer and early fall.

The most participation out of eight states is in Louisiana, and the program is open to private

landowners in the northwest part of the state, though it's most popular in the east and south

where rice and crawfish farming are more prevalent.

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/2015-rice-leadership-class-takes-center-stage?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+February+13%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email



http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/life/2014/11/01/bird-watcher-paradise/18336661/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=



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Rice paddies and crawfish farms already are equipped with levees and water control structures

that can pump or release water to precise depths over many acres, making the private farms the

most efficient and cost-effective candidates for the federal private lands program.Flooded, out of

use farmland mimics the migratory birds' naturally preferred habitat along the Mississippi and

Central flyways, the main routes waterfowl and shore birds take south for the winter.

SHREVEPORTTIMES.COM

Bird watcher paradise

Though Northwest Louisiana doesn't have as many rice fields and even fewer crawfish farms,

plenty of land is being flooded locally, though not on private lands as with the initiative. The

flooding practice is being put to use on publicly owned acreage maintained by Red River

Wildlife Refuge, which has been purchasing land in the river bottoms since 2002 using the

federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and funds generated by the federally instated hunting

duck stamp.According to Red River Wildlife Refuge director Pat Stinson, the average number of

ducks on refuge lands in Northwest Louisiana has risen since the group began habitat

maintenance.uvenile white Ibis fishes in Lake Caroline recently at the Red River National

At the refuge's Bayou Pierre unit about 20 miles south of Shreveport, for example, Stinson has

seen the average number of ducks on flooded lands in winter months climb from about 1,000 to

between 5,000 and 6,000.The refuge purchased and installed water control systems over its

collection of reclaimed and out of use rice farms using offshore mineral lease royalties from the

federal government.The USDA private lands program started in 2010 after the Gulf oil spill to

provide more habitat should the birds' wetlands be impacted.

"The worst case scenario for the oil spill didn't happen. It didn't blow up here with bad weather

and land on the habitat for these birds, but we provided crucial habitat for them," said John Pitre,

a wildlife biologist and state resource conservationist with the USDA's Natural Resource

Conservation Service.Louisiana's participation in the project spans 194,000 acres that stretch

from the northeastern to the southwestern corners of the state. Farmers in parishes such as

Acadia, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis and Evangeline are taking the most advantage, Pitre said,

though the incentive isn't very high.

Birds fly over the water at Red River Wildlife Refuge's Bayou Pierre unit. (Photo: Henrietta

Wildsmith/The Times)

"For instance, a crawfish farmer will flood his fields to about 18 inches of water and start

flooding in October when nights are getting cool. He'll hold it until the spring, but as the water

goes anoxic they're letting water go.

It's a mud flat for two days and dries up," Pitre said. "What we get them to do for just a couple

of dollars an acre is instead of draining it immediately, draw a little water off and make it






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shallow for longer." Mississippi State University's study found during the winters of 2011 and

2012, nearly three times as many ducks were found on the managed land in parts of Mississippi

and Louisiana as on land that was not part of the initiative.

Modern agriculture practices such as damming and the channeling

of rivers for flood control have interrupted the "natural cycles" of

flooding plains near rivers — where birds would find plenty of

habitat and in the appropriate seasons, according to Matt Brady, a

graduate student at Louisiana State University studying

biogeography of Louisiana birds.Brady said data shows that due to

modern agriculture and irrigation, bottomland hardwood forests are

not faring as well as they could. Floods that would bring more water, silt and nutrients are not

occurring throughout the year.

"Also with the advent of large-scale agriculture, it has shifted a lot of

habitat used by the birds, too. There used to be tracts of land that were

on the natural rhythm … These sort of changes have changed the

habitats that used to be really appropriate for birds. They're no longer as

appropriate," Brady said. "The building of levees has really messed

with the hydrology of Louisiana."Modern farming of monocultures

such as vast fields of soybeans are "deserts for wildlife," Brady said.

Louisiana duck hunting offers mixed bag

"Go to the middle of a soybean field, and there's not a bird there. Without a real diversity of

plants, the field can't support that many organisms. Also, they're sprayed with pesticides, which

kill the things birds otherwise would eat," he said.According to Pitre, the decline of a migrating

bird population due to a lack of habitat isn't just of national importance — it could affect the

entire hemisphere.Maintaining healthy populations of migrating birds is integral because bird

diseases that are communicable to humans occur when populations are stressed or in habitats

where they shouldn't be.

"When you meet their habitat, food and space needs they are healthier," he said.The Western

Hemisphere's migrating birds travel from arctic regions to the Southern Hemisphere in some

cases.Stops along the birds' journey include farmlands, and this fact alone is why many farmers

do their part to provide more habitat, according to Pitre.Farmers — the "stewards of the land" —

like to see birds on their farmlands, he said."A farm full of a diverse population probably means

you are caring for the environment and you don't have over-use of chemicals," Pitre said. "And

most farmers grew up hunting and watching birds.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/outdoors/2014/12/30/louisiana-duck-hunting-offers-mixed-bag/21035157/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/outdoors/2014/12/30/louisiana-duck-hunting-offers-mixed-bag/21035157/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=



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Their grandfathers probably taught them about the roseate spoonbill and the sandhill

crane."Maintaining habitat for these birds also is important to the state's economy and its identity

as a sportsman's paradise, said Stinson.The Red River Wildlife Refuge covering about 16,000

acres in northwest Louisiana floods about 1,700 acres each year for the migrating and wintering

birds, with the same goal to provide waterfowl and shore birds habitat as they travel through the

state.

The refuge is prime for duck hunting, which occurs on much of the land, Stinson said, a sport

that's "extremely important in the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas."The

refuge, one of about 20 in the state's network, starts flooding in June and July for shore birds that

are migrating, and then later in August and September for dabbling and diving ducks.Migratory

birds are flourishing on private lands that are part of a federal initiative to create and maintain

more land as flooded habitat, a Mississippi State University study finds.

The Associated Press contributed to this article

Mississippi State University Evaluation of the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative Report

findings

•Flooded rice lands in Louisiana and Texas supported high densities of migrating and wintering

waterbirds during fall 2010 through spring 2011, averaging 15 birds per acre versus two birds per

acre on non-flooded rice fields.•During peak fall migration 2013, the Migratory Bird Habitat

Initiative sites had more than seven times more birds per acre than on state or federally managed

or conserved coastal wetlands in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi combined.

•Wetlands enrolled in the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative in Louisiana and Mississippi

contained 1.3 to 1.5 times more biomass (dry weight) of seeds known to be consumed by

waterfowl than non-managed wetlands.•Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative-managed ratoon

(leaving roots and lower parts of the plant uncut) rice fields in Louisiana contained the greatest

density of waste rice for waterfowl.•177,000 acres of Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative land in

southwest Louisiana provided one-fourth of the region's duck energy needs.

See the full report at www.fwrc.msstate.edu.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2015/02/12/states-private-public-lands-altered-

birds/23290439/?utm_campaign=%5B%27Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013%27%5D&utm_source=%5B%27USA+Rice+Daily%2C+February+13%2C+2015%

27%5D&utm_medium=%5B%27email%27%5D

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

http://www.fwrc.msstate.edu/pubs/mbhi_bulletin.pdf

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CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for February 13

Month Price Net Change

March 2015 $10.525 + $0.195

May 2015 $10.765 + $0.195

July 2015 $11.015 + $0.195

September 2015 $11.055 + $0.190

November 2015 $11.225 + $0.125

January 2016 $11.315 + $0.125

March 2016 $11.315 + $0.125

Duty drawback restored for rice exports

K. R. SRIVATS/VISHWANATH KULKARNI

Duty drawback facility is being restored on rice exports after a span of nearly seven years.

The facility, withdrawn in 2008, will now be available if shippers apply separately

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, FEB 12:

In a move that will bring some cheer to rice exporters, the Finance Ministry has restored duty

drawback after a span of nearly seven years.However, this time round, the duty drawback will be

extended under the concept of brand rate basis, which means that each exporter will have to

separately apply to the Finance Ministry to get a rate approved, official sources said. Listed rice

firms such as KRBL, LT Foods and Kohinoor may gain from this.

Duty drawback payments are made to exporters to compensate them for the customs and excise

duties paid on inputs used in the manufacture of exportable products. Such payments are either

made as all-industry rates (fixed as a percentage of free-on-board) or as brand rates.―The Finance

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tbsyaAwQVDYjHT8kHo097HjWN4K7BZVeAwTq3Kxs82sGPO1Lf0p8Mgb9qfH3oSfFEH2JypHf0w03r7vFvaGSF-r5q336ON9GuS3Vz7-C-sQHC6gdpekBIrRjzV8L4ULWtG4_iUlX9ONEXn2BeqZSEpH7Lw_rdJA7TybG4VC9IhBPBunSXdlGLkrASi56GQpo7IVkEbVxTxbXL8Y87dxlgEtndZmT4OHgUSVsqe6rux8Y8W_sx-UoSzVExfzPO-gzBFZRxIOVsro21L9v2mGotutHTss7k76svRmVQxO9427vWm1R94MA6jRn596tR_RkLiwjIHICSsyun6Bm4RFDs8_cAeVTzPERBdXKRvDyH1Yc7ClWcFcLkXBg1HEDg3YnWJZlhGmgzOMfV4wRzo-rwPxeyvhA7QZ9gOc9kQ5-Fc7NEGa9b0qgIQPKY8gKWcnUjWTXO2Vc4cZE2KVwHB9AzLKJ0Ko0rmCC&c=OO6B87YO1KIOuMGP5ehY2uF5gKatf_HnlEQlq5d4Q23lW2H85cr5pw==&ch=HAMj9ndgOOw15SWkLdcZfBt_2duAvdmM0DhhpfPFrW898kV756SpiA==



13


Ministry’s decision will help neutralise the duty suffered on packaging material by rice

exporters,‖ Ajay Sahai, Director General and CEO of Federation of Indian Export Organisation

(FIEO), told BusinessLine.

Difference of opinion

FIEO, however, is of the view that the Ministry should extend

all-industry duty drawback rates for rice exports, rather than

provide brand rate, which will be company-specific.Reacting

to the move, Rajen Sundaresan, Executive Director of All-

India Rice Exporters’ Association (AIREA) said the drawback

will provide some relief to exporters.―We have been

demanding the drawback since 2008, when it was withdrawn.

We re-submitted our demand seeking drawback about four-months ago,‖ he added.

The industry had argued that rice, which undergoes processing, should be extended the drawback

as exporters of other grains such as maize and wheat are already getting such a benefit. India

exported 10.9 million tonnes of rice, including basmati, in 2013-14, with shipments valued at

$7.789 billion, a growth of 25.32 per cent over the previous year.In the current financial year,

from April till November, rice exports stood at 7.4 mt, valued at $5.12 billion. In December last,

rice exports had seen a 7 per cent decline to about $725 million, industry sources said.

[email protected]

(This article was published on February 12, 2015)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/policy/duty-drawback-facility-restored-for-rice-

exports/article6887489.ece

Nimrat Kaur: It is a bitter-sweet love story, perfect for V-

day TNN | Feb 13, 2015, 12.00AM IST

The Lunchbox, co-produced by Anurag Kashyap along with Essel Vision and directed by Ritesh

Batra, raked in 100 crores at the global box-office. Director Karan Johar says, "I couldn't have made

a film as good as The Lunchbox." With the film premiering on TV on Valentine's Day, we spoke to

Ritesh Batra and its actress Nimrat Kaur:

Why is the film perfect for V-Day?

Ritesh Batra: It is a love story and there couldn't be a better day to premiere the film.

Nimrat Kaur: I'm delighted that the movie will premier on television. I feel that it is a perfect

Valentine's Day offering for viewers because it's a bitter-sweet story.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/policy/duty-drawback-facility-restored-for-rice-exports/article6887489.ece

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/policy/duty-drawback-facility-restored-for-rice-exports/article6887489.ece

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Karan-Johar



14


How would you describe the relationship between the two characters in the film?

RB: I think both these characters, Saajan (Irrfan) and Ila (Nimrat), are lonely, and like the rest of us,

are in prisons of their own making. Through this story, they find a way out of these prisons and a

way to connect with each other. Shaikh's (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) character is very similar to the

Mumbai city and it keeps changing and evolving.

NK: It's a love story between a married woman who is unhappy in her marriage and a widower, how

an accidental lunchbox brings both of them together over small handwritten notes.

Tell us about any interesting incident during the making of the film...

RB: The day when we were shooting one of the canteen scenes

with Irrfan and Nawaz, I had asked both the actors to feel free

to improvise based on the notes I had shared on the set. We

started rolling and it kept going on and on because I forgot to

say 'cut'. I got so involved in their performance that it slipped

out of my mind. It was beautiful to watch Irrfan and Nawaz

perform together.

NK: The kitchen where I was shooting in the film was so cramped up that I would find it difficult to

move. I would move and a cutter would hit me, and then I would accidently turn off the lights

because my hands would hit the switch. But the funny part is despite the suffocation I had to face, it

actually translated beautifully onscreen, and displayed Ila's claustrophobia in her marriage.

Valentine's Day Premiere of India Gate Basmati Rice presents The Lunchbox with hygiene partner,

Tempo, on Saturday February 14, at 8 pm on &pictures.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Nimrat-Kaur-It-is-a-bitter-sweet-

love-story-perfect-for-V-day/articleshow/46216701.cms

Dining out: Allison's cadre of fans grows and for good reason

Terra Walters, Correspondent 12:43 p.m. EST, February 12, 2015

An award-winning movie currently in theaters chronicles the life of a boy over a 12-year period.

A novel approach to a movie, but we have a similar kind of chronicle that has played out in a

popular Crofton restaurant. When Allison's first opened in 2006, owner and chef Jim Hamrock's

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Nimrat-Kaur-It-is-a-bitter-sweet-love-story-perfect-for-V-day/articleshow/46216701.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Nimrat-Kaur-It-is-a-bitter-sweet-love-story-perfect-for-V-day/articleshow/46216701.cms



15


daughter Allison (for whom, of course, the restaurant is named) was just an adorable little girl.

Now, she's a college student in California. Easy to imagine the strains of "Sunrise, Sunset"

playing as you remember the cute kid while looking at a recent photograph of grown-up Allison

framed on the wall.

There are a multitude of changes that take place as

children grow up and move on, but there's one thing

that's stayed the same at Allison's: The food was

super in 2006 and it's still super in 2015.This was

proved once more as friends drove up from Virginia

for the express purpose of going to Allison's. Driving

50 miles in snowy sub-freezing weather is quite an

impressive tribute to anyone's cuisine.Our server was

happy to return to the kitchen in order to find out if

the Cornmeal Crusted Oysters ($9.50) were gluten-

free, and the desired answer came back — they could

be made without gluten. (Over the course of the

evening, the server had to make that trip several other times, so it may be time to put together at

least a cheat-sheet so servers will have that information available instantly. On a busy evening,

the back and forth trips could slow down service considerably.)

The oysters were as delectable as we remembered, and if the

preparation had been altered to render them GF? Nothing was lost

in translation, for they were outstanding: succulent, briny oysters

that were fresh and plump, encased in a crisp and savory batter

that pointed up the bi-valves as opposed to overwhelming

them.Good manners would have dictated that the two non gluten-

restricted members of our party order only GF items as well,

considering that we were sharing. But that would have meant passing on Allison's extraordinary

Fried Calamari ($9.50). As has been mentioned previously in this space, when you can find a

kitchen skilled at frying stuff? Let them fry you something. Not only did we not use the dipping

sauce, we couldn't remember later what it had been.

The solution to our temporary lapse of manners came in the form of a sublime Tomato and Crab

Soup ($5) relegated entirely (after one tasty sip each by the calamari folks) to the gluten-free

diner who savored every steaming spoonful. Wish that soup were on the menu all the time

instead of just as an occasional soup of the day.Our wine selection of the evening, a Pedroncelli

Sauvignon Blanc ($28), made a seamless transition from first courses to main courses. Crisp,

refreshing and versatile. We'll certainly revisit that one, especially when the weather warms

up.Not only is it gratifying to see a restaurant stay consistently good over the years, it's also

pleasing to see a restaurant maintain a patron-friendly price point. Three out of three members of

our group ordered main courses that were exceptional and all three dishes were under $20.

Kudos!

Chicken Limone ($14) features lightly-battered pieces of chicken breast in a scrumptious lemon

butter and white wine sauce. Broccoli florets and angel hair pasta with marinara sauce

accompanied. The price is even more impressive considering that the dish made two meals.It's

http://www.capitalgazette.com/entertainment/cg-allisons-restaurant-crofton-maryland-20150212,0,4104685.photogallery



16


hard to say which one dish should be ordered at Allison's above all the others, but feet to the

fire? Go with the Grilled Salmon Fillet ($19) presented with a fresh mango salsa and an accent of

pomegranate molasses. Basmati rice and grilled asparagus accompanied. It's easy to taste every

minute of chef Hamrock's Culinary Institute of America training in this dish.The final diner in

our party opted for the Grilled Italian Sausage ($17), a perfect wintertime treat.

The sausage popped with flavor and was graced with the inclusion of roasted potatoes, onions,

asparagus and grilled peppers. Memorable.The dessert excuse du jour was that we wanted to end

our meal with a hot drink (two cups of good coffee plus a hot tea) and needed something to go

with the beverages. Crème Brulée ($6) got the nod, and we all enjoyed the rich creaminess of the

custard though it would have benefited by a longer zap from the culinary blowtorch. (We prefer

our topping to be a hot crackle of caramelized sugar.)

It's a mark of what a good restaurant this is, when one considers that in the eight-plus years since

Allison's opened its doors, at least two dozen new eateries have opened in their vicinity. How has

that affected Allison's? Their cadre of devoted regulars just continues to grow. That kind of

dedication really makes a statement.

A FINAL NOTE: Also noted in the thriving Crofton and Gambrills restaurant scene, the arrival

of a "western" branch of the well-liked Eastport favorite, Grump's Café.That felicitous blend of

good fun, good food, and trendy-cum-funky cachet has taken over the space that was formerly

the home of Roundz Gourmet Catering.

Terra Walters is a freelance writer and editor based in Annapolis.

WHEN YOU GO

WHAT: Allison's Restaurant. http://www.capitalgazette.com/entertainment/ph-ac-en-dining-allisons-0212-

20150212,0,189622.story#sthash.8dF9SR3v.dpuf

The bottom line is, when people are crystal clear about the

most important priorities of the organization and team they

work with and prioritized their work around those top

priorities, not only are they many times more productive, they

discover they have the time they need to have a whole life.

Stephen Covey

13 february 2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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