22nd may,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement [email protected]

2

May 22,2015

Vol 5,Issue V

Govt urged to procure paddy, rice directly from farmers

Farmers of Dinajpur yesterday demanded that the government procure rice and paddy directly

from farmers instead of middlemen and mill operators.They made the demand at a press

conference organised by Dinajpur unit of Jatiya Krishak Khetmajur Samity at Dinajpur Press

Club yesterday.They also urged the government to ensure fair price of paddy, direct procurement

of paddy from farmers, affordable prices of agricultural inputs, rationing system for both urban

and rural people, free irrigation facility and interest-free agriculture loan.

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter www.ricepluss.com

www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com



3

At the conference, farmers said low price of their produce this year is unprecedented. "We are

selling paddy at Tk 350 to Tk 400 per maund, whereas the production cost for the same amount

of paddy is Tk 650 to Tk 700," they said.Farmers across the country had suffered huge loss due

to countrywide political deadlock from January to March, they said, urging the government to

procure more rice from them.Bikash Roy, general secretary of the samity, read out the keynote

paper at the conference.

http://www.thedailystar.net/country/govt-urged-procure-paddy-rice-directly-farmers-85381

National Rice Month scholarships expanded

May 21, 2015Forrest Laws

High school graduates in the 2015-16 school year can apply for scholarships totaling $8,500.

The scholarship program is open to students who live in any county in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas.

Dow AgroSciences announced an

expansion of the USA Rice

Federation National Rice Month

Scholarship Program from

students in U.S.- rice producing

counties to students in all U.S.

rice-producing states.High school

graduates in the 2015-16 school

year can apply for scholarships

totaling $8,500.To apply,

students must create a promotional program that highlights U.S.-grown rice for National Rice

Month in September.

Applicants can submit a synopsis of their promotion in a variety of ways, including in video

format, which will be accepted this year for the first time.The scholarship program is now open

to students who live in any county in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and

Texas. Three scholarships will be awarded based on the originality and effectiveness of the

winning entries. ―We are thrilled Dow AgroSciences is supporting this scholarship program for

the sixth year in a row and opening up the opportunity to all youth in rice-producing states,‖ says

Darla Huff, rice product manager, Dow AgroSciences.

http://www.thedailystar.net/country/govt-urged-procure-paddy-rice-directly-farmers-85381

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



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―Supporting our youth and educating the public about agriculture is integral to the success of the

rice industry.‖Because the scholarship emphasizes education, the students‘ efforts also help build

awareness of the valuable contributions the rice industry makes to this country‘s economy, Huff

says.Nicholas Schafer, a high school senior from Carlisle, Arkansas, was the grand-prize

scholarship winner in 2014 for his promotion titled ―Do you Know Where Your Rice Comes

From?‖ The promotion educated children from his community about the origin of their food and

the intricacies of farming.

―They need to understand all the hard work put into growing rice,‖ Schafer says. ―It‘s not just

something you get from a grocery store. There‘s a lot behind it, and they need to understand the

importance of where it comes from.‖Promotions must be executed in September, and

applications must be submitted by Oct. 15, 2015. Scholarship forms and additional guidelines are

available at the USA Rice Federation website.―The USA Rice Federation is proud to once again

partner with Dow AgroSciences, which funds these three scholarship awards, to support the rice

industry and education of our youth,‖ says Betsy Ward, president and CEO of the USA Rice

Federation. ―Students who participate do an excellent job promoting the importance of U.S.-

grown rice and its role in their home states.

‖The grand-prize winner will receive a $4,000 scholarship and a trip with a chaperone this

December to the award ceremony at the 2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference in New Orleans.

The second-place winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship, and the third-place winner will

receive a $1,500 scholarship.Dow AgroSciences has a leading portfolio of rice herbicides to help

growers maximize their yield potential. The portfolio includes Clincher SF, Grandstand R, Grasp

SC, GraspXtra and RebelEX herbicides for rice grown in southern states and Clincher

CA,Grandstand CA, Granite GR and Granite SC, herbicides for use in California water-seeded

rice.

Visit www.DowRiceHerbicides.com for more information.

http://westernfarmpress.com/rice/national-rice-month-scholarships-expanded

Health Ministry will continue monitoring 'fake rice'

Bernama |Updated:May 21, 2015

(First published on: May 21, 2015 22:33 MYT)

http://www.usarice.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1043&Itemid=68

http://www.dowagro.com/en-us/usag/product-solution-finder/herbicides/clinchersf

http://www.dowagro.com/en-us/usag/product-solution-finder/herbicides/grandstandr

http://www.dowagro.com/en-us/usag/product-solution-finder/herbicides/graspsc

http://www.dowagro.com/en-us/usag/product-solution-finder/herbicides/graspsc

http://www.dowagro.com/en-us/usag/product-solution-finder/herbicides/graspxtra

http://www.dowagro.com/en-us/usag/product-solution-finder/herbicides/rebelex

http://www.dowagro.com/en-us/usag/product-solution-finder/herbicides/clincherca

http://www.dowagro.com/en-us/usag/product-solution-finder/herbicides/clincherca

http://www.dowagro.com/en-us/usag/product-solution-finder/herbicides/grandstandca

http://www.dowagro.com/en-us/usag/product-solution-finder/herbicides/granitegr

http://www.dowagro.com/en-US/usag/Product%20Solution%20Finder/Herbicides/GraniteSC

http://www.dowriceherbicides.com/

http://westernfarmpress.com/rice/national-rice-month-scholarships-expanded



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According to Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS), the majority of rice imports came from

Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will

continue to be vigilant in monitoring the issue of

'fake rice' being produced in China.In a

statement today, ministry director-general Datuk

Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry

would duly update the public if there was any

new finding that concerned food safety.He also

advised those consumers who were suspicious of

the authenticity of rice to notify the ministry via

the nearest health office or Food Safety and

Quality (FSQ) Division website http://fsq.moh.gov.my or www.facebook.com/bkkmhg.He said

the ministry was aware of the allegation circulating in the social media that 'fake rice' was being

produced in China by mixing potatoes/sweet potatoes with plastic resin.Such rice was then

exported to a number of Asian countries.

http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/health-ministry-will-continue-monitoring-fake-rice-60470?cp

If you don’t want your food genetically modified, tell nature

to stop it By Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar

May 22, 2015

Tags: CHIPOTLE | CROSS-BREEDING | DNA | ENVIRONMENTALISTS | GENE FLOW | GENES |

Chipotle hit the headlines last week when the company announced it would no longer serve

customers genetically modified foods. This despite the fact that more than a trillion meals

containing genetically modified food have already been eaten in the United States without

incident. Science has decisively found that these foods have no negative impact on

health.Chipotle‘s move seems to be based more on marketing than on science.Recent research

drives home how misled alarmists are about genetically modified food. All human beings, two

Cambridge University scientists have established, are genetically modified, including Chipotle‘s

customers. Over the years, hundreds of foreign genes have jumped into human DNA through a

natural phenomenon called ―gene flow.‖ As a result, all humans carry genes that originated in

algae, bacteria and fungi.

If humans can safely accept alien genes without mishap, why not food, too?

http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/health-ministry-will-continue-monitoring-fake-rice-60470?cp

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/tag/chipotle

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/tag/cross-breeding

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/tag/dna

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/tag/environmentalists

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/tag/gene-flow

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/tag/genes



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GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD

A scientist shows ―Golden Rice‖ (R) and ordinary rice at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna, south of

Manila, August 14, 2013. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

Farmers and breeders have for centuries used cross-breeding to improve the genetic

characteristics of crops and animals. Because this process involves gene transfers within the

same species, environmental advocates label it ―natural‖ — even though cross-breeding is

clearly man-made. Modern genetic splicing makes it possible to combine genes from completely

different species to produce much-needed products, including pest-resistant and high-yielding

crops.

Agriculturists prepares to plant ―Golden Rice‖ seedlings at a laboratory of the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos,

Laguna, south of Manila, August 14, 2013. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/tag/genetically-modified-food



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The Bt gene from pest-resistant bacteria, for example, has been inserted into cotton to create a pest-

resistant Bt cotton. The

combination has greatly

raised yields and reduced

pesticide use. But some

activists condemn this as a

crime against nature.When

fears about genetically

modified foods first arose,

little was known about gene

flow, also called horizontal

gene transfer. The idea that

genes could jump across

species violated then-

conventional wisdom. But

scientific research has

established that natural gene

transfers regularly occur. So

genetic transfers are not a human invention — just a belated human effort to imitate what nature

has been doing all along.This discovery has convinced some longtime campaigners against

genetically modified crops to make a U-turn. British author and journalist Mark Lynas, for

example, converted from being an activist opposed to genetically modified food to a firm

supporter in a notable 2013 mea culpa speech, in which he apologized for letting his opinions

trump the scientific data.Scientists once thought that gene transfers occurred naturally only in

simple organisms like bacteria. But research shows that transfers are also common in complex

species, including human beings. Does this genetic intrusion make humans a monster species?

Hardly.The Economist used the headline ―Genetically Modified People‖ for a report on genetic

research by Alastair Crisp and Chiara Boschetti, the two Cambridge scientists. They have

identified 145 genes that have crossed over from other species to humans.

A genetically modified grape vine plant in an enclosure of the state-financed National Institute

for Agricultural Research site in Colmar, eastern France, September 14, 2005.

REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

This is, of course, a tiny fraction of the 20,000 odd genes in a human body. Why then should

environmentalists lose sleep over the introduction of a single alien gene into crops?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/richardlevick/2013/01/17/i-was-wrong-how-one-activists-apology-changes-the-gmo-debate/



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Research on gene flow is still in its infancy.

It could ultimately reveal thousands of alien

genes that have entered human DNA. This

should be no surprise: Nature has had almost

a million years to do its work.One gene

identified by the Cambridge researchers

helps hold cells together; it crossed over into

humans from a fungus. Marine algae appear

to be the source of another human gene

associated with fat mass. Bacteria have

provided a third gene that helps define blood

groups.Apart from human transfers, the

scientists examined gene transfers in nine

other primate species, 12 fruit fly species and

four nematode worms. They found that the

phenomenon was ubiquitous. The

researchers considered the possibility that

what looked like gene transfers between

species might actually be genes both had

inherited from a common ancestor millions

of years ago.Genes found in another animal

could be a common ancient inheritance. But

genes in animals that came from plants or

bacteria would almost certainly represent

gene flow. Crisp and Boschetti found that,

on average, worms had 173 gene transfers,

fruit flies 40, and primates had 109. Humans,

with 145 transfers, were more genetically

modified than other primates.The researchers found two imported genes for amino-acid

metabolism, 13 for fat metabolism and 15 for modifying large molecules. They identified five

immigrant genes that generated valuable anti-oxidants, and seven that aided the immune

system.Far from creating monsters, the scientists found that genes from alien species appear

beneficial. Activists against genetically modified organisms can argue that natural gene transfers

have been spaced out over millennia, giving species time to adapt. But every time a natural gene

transfer occurred, it carried the same risks as the insertion of a Bt gene into cotton or

eggplants.Besides, all crops, genetically modified or otherwise, are field-tested for safety before

commercial release. The United States has approved dozens of genetically modified crops for

commercial use. Virtually all U.S. corn and soybeans today are genetically modified.Chipotle‘s

claim of serving food free of genetic modifications is dubious because the meats it serves come

from animals and chickens likely fed on genetically modified corn and soybean meal. More

important, why should Chipotle even make the claim when its own customers are genetically

modified? http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2015/05/21/if-you-dont-want-your-food-genetically-modified-tell-

nature-to-stop-it/



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The Union Of Small And Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) In

A Prior To Budget Meeting Of Its Forum Urged The Federal

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar To Ensure Facilities For The

Majority Sector Namely The Micro,Small And Medium

Enterprises (MSME) And To Ensure A Balanced Budget

Providing Level Playing Field To All Sectors Of The

Economy. UNISAME Has Proposed Practical Scientific

Measures For The Promotion And Development Of The

Sector.

President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver reiterated the requ irements of the MSME

sector and invited the attention of the Ishaq Dar to the lack of access to finance.

The commercial banks definitely need training in risk management and for this

reason the aspect of collateral management needs to be carried out with e mphasis.

The MSMEs need finance to purchase raw material, install machinery for balancing

modernization and replacement. They need bridge financing and post shipment

financing and the access to finance which is lacking for want of collateral. This

aspect needs to be addressed seriously.

The budget must allocate funds for specialized subsidized financing under special

schemes for the MSMES.Whilst appreciating the reduction in discounting rates, he

pointed out that the with holding tax on profit on deposits needs to be reduced to

encourage savings and to make sure that the senior citizens income from savings is

not insufficient for survival.The federal minister needs to realize that banking,

insurance, leasing and logistics are the pillars of the economy and t hese tools need

to be sharpened to facilitate the MSMEs.Again whilst appreciating the credit

guarantee insurance scheme for the banks to make them comfortable the UNISAME

chief stressed the need to increase the share of the government to 60% instead of

40%.The other aspect is to make doing business easy and attracting investment by

one window operation in the true sense. The government needs to seriously promote

collaboration, joint ventures and transfer of technology and provide funds in the

budget for the promotion of joint ventures and collaborations especially with

China.For promotion of alternate energy all energy generation equipment and

devices must be exempt from all duties and taxes.

The solar energy installations are proving costly and need to be s ubsidized for fast

track installations and must be made mandatory for all new buildings, factories and

schools and hospitals as an alternate line of energy resource. The country enjoys the

blessings of sunlight and this could be utilized ,The other important requirement is



10

land at concession and easy payment facilities to enable the entrepreneur to pay the

cost of the land on easy installments in industrial estates and special economic

zones.Thaver said it is needless to say but the SME Chamber of Commerce, SME

Institute, specific SME bank, SME export house and ombudsman promises in the

SME policy remain unimplemented. He urged the finance minister to consider the

importance and the necessity of these institutions for SME promotion and

development.

The union also called upon the minister to strengthen the Small and Medium

Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and provide for increasing the scope

of the authority in the budget. SMEDA needs to be strengthened with more

personnel and must have wider outreach to cater to the primary, secondary and the

tertiary sectors of the economy.UNISAME appealed to the minister to lower the rate

of taxes for enterprises and exempt the new industries for a period of 3 years.

Import substitution and innovative industries must be provided additional relief for

their innovative role.Imported raw material and packing materials imports must be

allowed on lower letter of credit margins and duties must be reduced to encourage

industrialization.

The tax exemption limit must be enhanced up to Rs 600000 per annum and income

tax on association of persons (AOP) must be rationalized to avoid double taxation

on individuals and firms as most of the enterprises are family businesses.The cash

withdrawal from banks limit for the purpose of withholding tax must be enhanced to

Rs 100000 from Rs 50000 to facilitate smooth transactions.The government needs

to realize the fact that whatever relief is given to the sector it will be returned back

in the shape of increased revenue due to growth of the sector and the government

must not increase taxes on the existing tax payers but broaden its tax net.The

MSMES are bothered by corruption and have to pay illegal gratification and most of

the departments are now calling it speed money. The anti -corruption department

must be strengthened to cover the several organizations and the monitoring must be

sharpened.

The law and order situation could be strengthened with the setting up of protection

squads in industrial areas and for this UNISAME has proposed the setti ng up of the

SME Liaison Committee (SME-LC) under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)

or the Rangers as the police cannot cope up with the criminal activities of the

miscreants who enjoy political patronage.UNISAME has invited the attention of the

federal finance minister to the vast potential of the sector and urged him not to

undermine the sector which could turn the destiny of Pakistan if seriously

promoted, supported, facilitated and encouraged. http://www.unisame.org/unisame-reiterates-demands-for-facilitating-msmes-in-budget/

Chinese scientists find gene that improves rice yields by 20

per cent PUBLISHED : Friday, 22 May, 2015, 8:01am

UPDATED : Friday, 22 May, 2015, 8:01am



11

Stephen [email protected]

Rice fields in southwest China's Yunnan Province. A new discovery could lead to the most productive rice strain increasing its

yield by more than 20 per cent. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese scientists have discovered a new

―dwarf‖ gene in rice, which could increase the

yield of the most productive hybrid rice in

China by a further 20 per cent.By reducing the

rice plant‘s height, the gene reduced the

incidence of stem collapse prior to harvest and

increased the number of tillers per plant,

enabling a significant increase in grain

yield.The study, led by professor Wu Yuejin

with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Hefei Institute Physicial Science and professor

Fu Xiangdong of the CAS Institute of Genetics and Development Biology, was detailed in the

journal Plos One earlier this month.To feed the world‘s largest population, China launched an

ambitious project to develop high-yielding ―super rice‖ in the mid 1990s. Over time scientists

had significantly improved the productivity of hybrid rice, and by last year the yield of ―super

rice‖ plants had exceeded 15 tons per hectare, nearly three times the global average.But the yield

increase came with a problem. Farmers complained that the super rice plants, with their heavy

heads of grains, were prone to snapping, especially in windy days before harvest.

A regular super rice plant (left) and the new shorter variant. Photo: SCMP pictures

A lot of research worldwide has gone

into trying to find sturdy stems. Wu and

Fu‘s team chose to bombard rice seeds

with heavy ions and after some years

found that some seeds mutated to

produce plants with reduced heights and

an increased number of tillers. The

scientists identified the mutant gene and

called it sdt, meaning ―semi-dwarf and

high-tillering‖.Further experiments

confirmed the discovery and then the

gene was cloned onto super rice,

resulting in reduced plant heights and an increase in yield of over 20 per cent.Though the super

rice was more productive than traditional hybrid rice, ―the continuing growth of the world‘s

population and the limited arable land resources require that grain yield capability of rice will

have to be raised yet further,‖ the researchers said in their paper.The sdt mutant ―will be useful

for farmers and breeders to improve grain yield potential of rice over what is currently

available.‖

http://www.scmp.com/tech/science-research/article/1805288/chinese-scientists-find-gene-

improves-rice-yields-20-cent

mailto:[email protected]

https://cdn3.scmp.com/sites/default/files/2015/05/21/rice.jpg

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Scientists develop high-zinc rice to fight malnutrition in

Chhattisgarh

By PTI | 22 May, 2015, 12.32PM IST

'Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1', the first zinc bio-

fortified rice variety in India, was launched by

State Variety Release Committee.ET

SPECIAL:Love visual aspect of news? Enjoy

this exclusive slideshows treat!RAIPUR :

Scientists here have developed a high zinc-

enriched variety of rice that is expected to play

a crucial role in fighting malnutrition in tribal-

dominated Chhattisgarh where nearly seven

lakh children are still malnourished. The new

paddy seed, called 'Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1',

the first zinc bio-fortified rice variety in India,

was launched by State Variety Release Committee, the authority for official release of new

varieties of seeds, in March and its production is likely to begin from the next kharif season.

Similarly, researchers from Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU), Raipur, led by

Professor Girish Chandel, have rolled out two varieties of high zinc rice, of which one has been

released. "We focused on increasing our crop production since the inception of the Green

Revolution in the country aiming to eliminate hunger. In the process, we managed to yield high

production, but the quality of crop did not improve," Chandel told PTI. In 2000, the Centre,

along with, health organisations in a survey found that 60-70 per cent of population was

suffering from malnutrition because of deficiency of micro-nutrients, particularly iron, zinc and

Vitamin A.

Following this, the government decided to come out with a research programme to improve the

variety of three staple crops - rice, wheat and maize - in different states, he said. Under the

programme, Chhattisgarh, considered as the rice bowl of the country, decided to work on the

quality aspect and took up 'Rice Bio Fortification Research Project'.Chandel said the zinc content

varies between 22-24 PPM, around 8-9 PPM more than the level of the regular variety prevalent

in the country. "The university, along with the state government, is already planning to take this

new variety of rice to farmers in a wider way so that in the coming year, its production can be

enhanced to a great extent," Chandel added.

This variety of crop is expected to not only help combat malnutrition, but provide a great source

of nutrients for pregnant women. Thus, the plan is to introduce it in several government schemes

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows.cms

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows.cms

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/commoditysummary/symbol-ZINC.cms

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/kharif

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Indira-Gandhi-Agriculture-University

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Girish-Chandel



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like mid-day meal and others. Hailing the efforts of IGAU, renowned nutritionist Dr Aruna Palta

suggested scientists need to develop both zinc- and iron-enriched varieties of food with an urgent

need to bring down the malnutrition rate. In the first phase of the project in 2003-05, some 200

rice germplasm lines with high grain nutritive values but low-yielding quality were identified, he

said. ubsequently, in the next phase of 2006-11, seeds were multiplied and subjected to genetic

improvement exercise, which led to seven high-yielding zinc-enriched rice varieties.

In 2013, the Centre decided to conduct a separate exercise coordinated by Directorate of Rice

Research (DRR), Hyderabad, to analyse the outcome of the researches being conducted in

different parts of the country. Finally, four varieties were adjudged best in terms of quality, of

which the top two came from Chhattisgarh"Currently, we have 100 kg seeds of this new variety

and we are further planning to multiply it in 10 acres. By November-December this year, we will

distribute it to around 5,000 farmers across the state. Its sowing would be started in the next c

season," he said.

the Economic Times

Pre-monsoon showers and sowing preparations predict a

good harvest of grains

By Madhvi Sally, ET Bureau | 22 May, 2015, 03.37AM IST

Agrawal said the current prices of soybean at

Rs 3,900 per quintal compared to government

rate of Rs 2,700 will persuade farmers to plant

more.NEW DELHI: With the June-September

monsoon close at hand, farmers are getting

ready for sowing. They are preparing land and

readying nurseries besides buying seeds and

fertilizer for the sowing of paddy, soyabean,

pulses, cotton, bajra, jowar, groundnut and

maize, raising hopes for a bigger harvest of

grains this year. Deficient rain last year

lowered grain production to 251.12 million

tonne in FY15, 13.92 million tonne less than

in FY14.

"The pre-monsoon rains are encouraging. If it continues, farmers will pick up rice planting.

However, our concern is that if El Nino weakens or makes rain distribution uneven across the

country, it will impact yield," said Trilochan Mohapatra, director, Central Rice Research

Institute, Cuttack. Area under rice, the main foodgrain grown in the kharif season, was estimated

at 37.48 million hectares, more than 37.42 million hectares in 2013. Mohapatra said that the

initial sowing of early rice of 90-100 days had started in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

Also, in the irrigated belts of Punjab and Haryana, which contribute approximately 4.5 million

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Directorate-of-Rice-Research

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Directorate-of-Rice-Research

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/etreporter/author-madhvi-sally.cms

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/monsoon

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/harvest

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Chhattisgarh



14

hectares of the total area under rice, farmers have started raising nurseries and will transplant

them to the fields by June second week. "With over 45% area under paddy rainfed, mostly

farmers will start preparing nurseries in June for transplanting in July," said Mohapatra.

Rainfed regions include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and

Odisha. After rice, soyabean is the second-largest cultivable crop followed by cotton and

pulses—tur, arhar and moong. Coarse cereals like bajra and jowar are also sown in the rainfed

areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka. As long as the distribution of rainfall is even, "4-5% deficit

rainfall doesn't mean much," said Rajesh Agrawal, a former chairman of the Soyabean

Processors Association of India (SPAI).

"Looking at the price realisation to farmers, planting should be similar or higher to the previous

year of 10-11 million hectares." Agrawal said the current prices of soybean at Rs 3,900 per

quintal compared to government rate of Rs 2,700 will persuade farmers to plant more.

Meanwhile, the government is focussing on increased planting of oilseeds and pulses. "Higher

prices of pulses will attract farmers to plant more this season," said Pravin Dongre, chairman of

the Indian Pulses and Grains Association.

India is the biggest producer of pulses at 19 million tonnes and its biggest importer at 3.5-4

million tonne.

The Economic Times

Thai rice grabs over 60% market share in Hong Kong in Business | May 5, 2015 12:32 pm (205 views)

Although Thai rice exports showed a drop of 3% in the first three months of 2015, but

in Hong Kong Thai rice has grabbed over 60% market share there.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce,

Duangkamon Chiambut said the Hong Kong

Trade and Industry imported up to 80,400 tons of

rice during the first three months this year,

increasing by 0.75%.Of this rice import figure, up

to 49,900 tons were Thai rice, increasing by

48.9%.Vietnam, Thailand‘s main competitor,

exported less rice to Hong Kong dropping from

40% to 27%.Price fall of Thai Hom Mali rice and

importers‘ higher confidence in Thai rice were

among factors which led to the first quarter growth.

The higher rice exports to Hong Kong brought Thailand‘s market share in Hong Kong to

62.2%.However, Thai rice exporters are urged to continue to promote inexpensive and high-

quality rice, she said.Ministry of Commerce earlier reported that Thailand exported 2.1 million

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Bihar

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Madhya-Pradesh

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/West-Bengal

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/chairman

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Soyabean-Processors-Association-of-India

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/topic/Soyabean-Processors-Association-of-India

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/category/business



15

tons of rice during the first three months of this year, down 3.6%, since buyers went for cheaper

rice sold by Thailand‘s competitors.Meanwhile, rice export to Nigeria went up 71%, which

turned the country into the largest importer of Thai rice, followed by Philippines, where rice

import from Thailand increased by 283%.However, rice exports to Ivory Coast dropped 15.9%

and also 8.2% down for China.South Africa increased its rice import from Thailand by 44%.

Tags: Business, grabbed, Hong Kong, inexpensive, market share, promote, rice export, Thai Hom Mali rice.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thai -rice-grabs-over-60-market-share-in-hong-kong

Artificial rice unlikely to enter Sarawak market, says authority Posted on May 23, 2015, Saturday

KUCHING: The state‘s Padi and Rice Division under Agriculture and Agro Based Industry

Ministry (MOA) has assured all that there is little possibility for the controversial artificial rice

entering the local market.According to division‘s director Ismail Sahari, the state has not been

importing rice from China over the past 20 years; thus it is very unlikely for the fake grains to be

sold here.―At the moment, we have not received reports or complaints on the discovery of

artificial rice in our market,‖ he told The Borneo Post yesterday.He also said rice importers were

required to have approved permits (AP), adding that the constant close monitoring of the grade

and quality of rice brought into the state would ensure that the supply comply with the nation‘s

food safety and quality standards.According to Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), Vietnam,

Thailand and Pakistan are currently the main rice exporters to Sarawak.

Heading: Division to work closely with ministry on rice import

―We will still be monitoring the market and working closely with the KPDNKK (Domestic

Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry), despite that we have not been importing rice

from China,‖ Ismail said, adding that his division‘s headquarters in Putrajaya had issued

directives to all divisions nationwide requiring them to remain vigilant and continue with their

monitoring efforts.State KPDNKK director Dato Stanley Tan, when contacted, also said his side

had yet to hear any complaint on the sale of artificial rice in Sarawak.―We will also be keeping

tabs on the sale of rice and monitor our (consumer) complaints hotline.‖Meanwhile, a source

close to the ministry said the whole artificial rice issue could not be verified as information based

on news reports was rather sketchy.According to the source, rice is a very cheap commodity in

China, which is able to produce a yearly output of around 130 million tonnes – for both local

consumption and export market.―This questions the logic as to why someone would produce

artificial rice. The production cost, which includes that for polishing the grains, would be very

high and will affect its selling price,‖ the source said.

The controversial issue had been making headlines across Asean, in which it stated that it was

possible to manufacture artificial rice by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and synthetic resin or

plastic together. It is said that the target markets are countries with large rural population such as

India, Indonesia and Vietnam.Apparently, the reports also highlighted the danger of the fake

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tag/business

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tag/grabbed

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tag/hong-kong

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tag/inexpensive

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tag/market-share

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tag/promote

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tag/rice-export

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tag/thai-hom-mali-rice



16

grains to the human digestive system.An online news portal explained that the artificial rice

would remain solid even after being boiled for hours, while the resin used to mold the ‗grain‘

would emit the smell of burnt plastics whenever it got heated.A press statement from the Health

Ministry (MOH) said it would continue to monitor the situation closely.―We would duly update

the public if there‘re new findings concerning food safety,‖ said the ministry‘s director-general

Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. At the same time, he advised consumers who were suspicious

of the authenticity of rice in the market to notify the ministry via the nearest Health Office, or by

accessing the Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) Division on http://fsq.moh.gov.my.

http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/05/23/artificial-rice-unlikely-to-enter-sarawak-market-says-

authority/#ixzz3axHxyiWU

Philippines to import 250,000 tonnes of rice if El Nino

worsens

The move would be good news for regional rice markets that have been flagging this year due to oversupply,

The Philippines, one of the world‘s biggest rice importers, is seeking 250,000 tonnes of the grain

to boost its buffer stocks and could buy more if the drought-inducing El Nino weather

phenomenon intensifies. Officials at the state grains agency yesterday said the country was

preparing to issue a tender in early June for the supply of 25% broken variety of rice via a

government-to-government deal.

The move would be good news for regional rice markets that have been flagging this year due to

oversupply, with an official telling Reuters by text that Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia were

qualified to submit offers. Delivery should be between July and August, in time for the onset of

the lean harvest season in the Philippines, he said.

http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/05/23/artificial-rice-unlikely-to-enter-sarawak-market-says-authority/#ixzz3axHxyiWU

http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/05/23/artificial-rice-unlikely-to-enter-sarawak-market-says-authority/#ixzz3axHxyiWU



17

The government hopes to avert a potential spike in food prices due to possible supply disruptions

that could be caused by El Nino, which Japan last week confirmed had set in. President Benigno

Aquino has approved the additional rice purchases and has also given the National Food

Authority (NFA) permission to import a further 250,000 tonnes later this year should El Nino

intensify, another official said in a text message.The Southeast Asian nation recently bought

500,000 tonnes via government-to-government deals with key sellers Vietnam and Thailand.

Last year, the NFA imported about 1.7mn tonnes, the country‘s biggest purchase since Aquino

took power in 2010. The NFA plans to issue an official advisory on the additional imports within

a day, said Food Security Chief Francis Pangilinan. The Philippine government last week revised

down its estimate of first-half domestic rice production, with dry weather already affecting more

than half of the country‘s 81 provinces.Thailand, the world‘s No 2 rice exporter after India, has

said it plans to sell 2mn tonnes of rice over the next two months from stockpiles built up under

the previous administration‘s failed buying programme. In Vietnam, the world‘s third-largest

exporter where prices have weakened this week on a lack of buying demand, a new crop harvest

will begin from around late June, traders said.

http://www.gulf-times.com/asean-philippines/188/details/440323/philippines-to-import-250,000-tonnes-

of-rice-if-el-nino-worsens

Farmers suffer in a time of plenty

Abu Bakar Siddique A decision to allow rice to be imported this year following a surplus crop last year has hit the

Boro paddy market, with farmers seeing the lowest prices for the Boro harvest in recent

memory.Millers, the primary buyers of paddy from farmers, are reluctant to procure more from

local markets because they are already well-stocked with rice and paddy from last year‘s

yield.Excess stocks of low-price Indian rice imports have deterred millers from procuring paddy

from the local market. And depressed market prices for local paddy are now lower than the cost

of production.

―We have around 100,000 tonnes of rice and paddy collected last season in our godowns in

Naogaon district alone and imported rice is also available in the market causing millers to back

away from fresh purchases of new paddy. This is ultimately causing paddy prices to fall this

season,‖ said Nirod Baraon Saha, convener of Noagaon Rice Mill Owners‘ Association.Experts

said permitting the private sector to import rice this fiscal year despite surplus local production

last year was the reason for this season‘s fall in the domestic price of Boro paddy.Quazi

Shahabuddin, an agricultural economist, said the government should not have permitted the

importation of such a huge volume of rice while there were available food grains at home.He

said the government had mismanaged the rice procurement situation, ultimately causing farmers

to suffer.

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the Directorate General of Food (DgoF) say the

country produced 34.465 million tonnes of rice last season, against a demand of 31 million

http://www.dhakatribune.com/author/abu-bakar-siddique



18

tonnes.But data from the Ministry of Food shows that private sector traders were permitted to

open Letters of Credit (LC) to import 1.524 million tonnes of rice this fiscal year.Bangladesh

Bank data shows that the private sector imported rice worth $416 million between July 2014 and

March 2015. By contrast, the corresponding figure in fiscal year 2013-14 was just $71

million.Ministry of Food data shows that the government‘s rice reserve as of yesterday was

776,000 tonnes; the previous year the reserve was 593,000 tonnes.

Paradoxical procurement

Experts noted a paradox in the government‘s policies, as the import order came at a time when

the government itself declared a food production surplus in the country and took the initiative to

export 50,000 tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka last year.Meanwhile, the government has fixed a Boro

procurement target of 1,000,000 tonnes of rice and 100,000 tonnes of Boro paddy from May this

year.Quazi Shahabuddin suggested the government procure large amounts of rice from the fields

instead of stopping at the fixed procurement target, otherwise farmers may not survive.

Too little, too late

At the beginning of the month, the National Board of Revenue imposed a 10% import duty on

rice imported from India, a measure rice millers have been calling for since the beginning of the

fiscal year.Finance Minister AMA Muhith told the media on May 10 that the government had

taken the step to slow rice imports because the country had achieved self-sufficiency in the

production of rice.For the last three years, the government itself has not imported rice although

some quantities were imported by the private sector.

Farmers widely believe they are not getting fair prices because of the importation of rice from

India at low prices.Criticising the government‘s imposition of a 10% import duty so late in the

day, Quazi Shahabuddin, a former director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development

Studies, said the government should have imposed the duty much earlier.He said a 10% import

duty was not enough to fix the situation, adding that the government should impose an import

duty nearer 30%, otherwise imported and local rice prices would be unevenly matched,

benefiting importers and achieving little gain for farmers.

Producers’ plight

This season, Boro farmers have seen the lowest prices – Tk450-500 per maund (40kgs) – for

their product, the lowest levels in the last few years.Boro is the largest rice harvest in the country

with a production of around 18.9 million tonnes out of a total of 34.6 million tonnes of paddy in

2013-14.At these prices, farmers are at serious risk of losing big. Currently, while the market

price per maund of Boro paddy is Tk450-500, the production cost is Tk650.―This means,

ultimately, the farmers will be the losers,‖ Masud Chowdhury, a farmer from Dinajpur, said.

http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/may/23/farmers-suffer-time-plenty#sthash.7MNjnBSj.dpuf



19

U.S. Rice at the Smithsonian Museum

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Last week, USA Rice attended a sushi-centric event held at the

Chef Kaz (l) and USA Rice's Maher: One day the student shall become the master

Smithsonian National Museum of American History. More than 150 people attended the sold out

"Sushi for Sale" event that explored how sushi, a Japanese delicacy, has transformed into a

mainstream American favorite. The evening opened with a panel discussion featuring Chef Kaz

Okochi of D.C.'s KAZ Sushi Bistro, Bonny Wolf of American Food Roots, and FoodStory

founder Yoko Isassi. During the conversation, the importance of quality rice was stressed as a

crucial ingredient in sushi. Kaz Okochi confirmed that he exclusively uses U.S.-grown rice to

make sushi, and that its texture and taste make it a desirable sushi staple.

Following the panel, Chef Kaz Okochi hosted interactive sushi-making demonstrations that

offered participants one-on-one tutorials on the art of making sushi. Attendees sampled a wide



20

variety of sushi and sake, both rice-based products. "Events like this are valuable because they

cost next to nothing, and you have a world-famous chef amplifying our message, helping to raise

awareness for U.S. grown rice," said Katie Maher, USA Rice's manager of domestic promotions

who participated in the event.

Contact: Colleen Klemczewski (703) 236-1446

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 22

Month Price Net Change

July 2015 $9.430 - $0.185

September 2015 $9.705 - $0.175

November 2015 $9.960 - $0.175

January 2016 $10.220 - $0.170

March 2016 $10.285 - $0.170

May 2016 $10.285 - $0.170

July 2016 $10.285 - $0.170

Weather, prices depress planting estimates for Arkansas May 22, 2015Mary Hightower, University of Arkansas | Delta Farm Press

Weather, declining prices denting rice, corn acres in Arkansas

April saw 20-cent slip in corn prices

RELATED MEDIA

Weather and declining prices are putting a dent in the expected

total of rice and corn acres planted, said Scott Stiles, Extension

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-5U1DOUzfTuVACAy7svkESFrBN6GpkV9MTFjqdm0wpBhsK2Vsr8o1yzu_CNBIQ7kzKfb5obF5_29NZYu7LcGgrhf5wyHrNMmPQOOntr-3NVSQ72j8FHOf2L7Y3AODT-mrIRG85rZMIAnI2fl1Cv99ydY3yIouPf7rxYmygb2VYhkKYlxDsOKIWyf-8h0QUIFkl1_JYm6YjdqBARhToR_Aeyj3cdnR35ZtUyMWfczzqdTFnCYTVsKfIehJsrZMPLevgEt3gOeBmKtnitBLiuYEAn2gwGvaYtwtEzmwHtcP8a5jHx_74iK9F5Bi2U8eVIQoDbLFdpzaHWzVRCrIsK4iyItZxvspHLAwxVp703rdgrx4TMXlg4FofI_u_WZybOCUnoqUPNiHUb_dbDAuSLzfKcHAbyqi8pqys8O31eS2Yr_V0Fqo2Q4dUDzyM6gZGs5jW5Cf7yWcvAkkVG35JR_Tq17VnrKuz79&c=nHQ-vi0TN2aTGcSzG3D0p7QyFjqD9553ca0Y4wyypmH_m2xBx-u0Xw==&ch=8T87Dnpy0Ulb3pjbyFfCDtzaCYKghemnMvqE8YfoLii9sLLKHpx0-g==

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/how-manage-rice-herbicide-drift



21

economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.Meanwhile, rice

growers were bumping up against insurance deadlines for planting.The Risk Management

Agency of the U.S. Agriculture Department pegs the final planting date for rice at May 25.The

late planting period begins the day after the final planting date and ends 15 days after the final

planting date,‖ Stiles said. ―For insured crop acreage planted during the late planting period, the

production guarantee for each acre will be reduced by 1 percent for each day planted after the

final planting date for the first through the 15th day.For growers, ―Your prevented planting

coverage is 45 percent of your production guarantee for timely planted acreage,‖ he said.Rice

was 89 percent planted for the week ending May 17, according to the National Agricultural

Statistics Service.

That‘s ahead of the 85 percent five-year average.Corn was 98 percent planted, right on the five-

year average.Stiles noted private figures forecasting 470,000 acres of corn in Arkansas versus

USDA‘s March 31 ―Prospective Plantings‖ report estimate of 530,000 acres. The estimates also

predicted lower rice acreage at 1.425 million acres, compared with USDA‘s 1.441 million acres.

The company‘s estimates were right in line with USDA‘s figures for sorghum at 250,000 acres;

soybeans at 3.45 million acres; and cotton at 230,000 acres.In Arkansas, ―there are two factors at

work that have reduced acreage: weather and price. Weather is likely the dominant factor,‖ Stiles

said. ―At the end of March we only had 2 percent of the corn in the ground. Roughly 85 percent

of corn was planted in April.September futures prices slipped 20 cents in April, ―but, I think the

calendar was more of a factor in any acreage reduction,‖ he said.The National Agricultural

Statistics Service ―indicated we didn't have any rice planted by March 29 and only 37 percent

planted by April 26,‖ Stiles said, which means that ―two-thirds will go in the ground in May and

we certainly hope planting doesn‘t extend into June.

‖He said that rice prices relative to everything else won't encourage growers to plant rice

extremely late. ―Given the weather delays thus far and severe price collapse, it seems very like

some of the intended rice acres will switch to soybeans or remain fallow,‖ Stiles said.NASS

issues its annual ―Acreage Report‖ on June 30, reflecting a producer survey of planted acres

around the United States. The survey period is during the first two weeks of June.

http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/weather-prices-depress-planting-estimates-

arkansas?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+May+22%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+Decem

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

LSU AgCenter rice field days begin May 28

May 22, 2015LSU AgCenter | Delta Farm Press



22

The LSU AgCenter will host a

series of rice field days across

Louisiana during the growing

season.Topics will include variety

development updates, control of

weeds, insects and disease,

fertilization and soybean

production.On May 28, the

Southwest Rice Field Day will be

at the Fenton Cooperative in

Fenton at 1311 U.S. Highway

165.

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., and the program begins at 9 a.m. The event will travel to the

Jimmy Hoppe farm to view research plots.Also on May 28, the Vermilion Parish Rice Field Day

will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Lounsberry Farm 1 mile east of Lake Arthur on Louisiana

Highway 14.On June 9, the Evangeline Parish Rice Field Day will be held at the Joey Hebert

Farm with cooperating producer, Kenneth LaHaye. On Bieber Road about 4 miles west of

Mamou, turn right at Daugeraux Road and drive a half mile, then turn left at a well and follow

signs to the research plots. The second part of the event will be at Bieber Farms on Bieber Road

1 mile west of Mamou.

On June 16, the Acadia Parish Rice Field Day will be at the South Farm of the Rice Research

Station, in Crowley, off Louisiana Highway 13. It will start with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the

program at 9 a.m.The Rice Research Station‘s annual field day will be July 1. The day will start

with field tours beginning at 7:15 a.m. The last one begins no later than 9 a.m.The Northeast

Louisiana Rice Field Day will be July 21 at 9 a.m. at the Woodsland Plantation in Richland

Parish 4 miles west of the intersection of La. Highways 15 and 133 until 11 a.m. when the event

reconvenes at the Rayville Civic Center.A St. Landry Parish Rice Field Day also will be held,

but details are pending. http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/lsu-agcenter-rice-field-days-begin-may-

28?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+May+22%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13

%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

NFA OKs up to 500,000 MT rice imports as buffer stock

By Czeriza Valencia (The Philippine Star) | Updated May 23, 2015 - 12:00am

http://www.philstar.com/author/Czeriza%20Valencia/



23

STAR/File photo

MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) has approved the importation

through government-to-government procurement scheme of an additional 250,000 metric tons

(MT) of rice that would be used as buffer stock during the lean months beginning in July.Also

approved on standby is the importation of another 250,000 MT that would be used in the event

that domestic production suffers significant loses due to the effect of the prevailing dry spell. The

Food Security Committee would evaluate the supply situation and make a recommendation to

the NFA.

The Food Security Committee is chaired by the National Economic Development Authority

(NEDA), with members composed of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department

of Finance (DOF), Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomic Services

Administration (Pagasa), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

(BSP), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the

National Food Authority.The governments of Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia will be invited

to participate in the government-to-government procurement scheme as these countries have

existing procurement agreements with the Philippine government.The Philippines would be

procuring rice of the 25 percent brokens variety.The Philippines awarded in February the supply

contract for a total of 500,000 MT of rice to Vietnam and Thailand that was expected to arrive

between March and April.



24

Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

The prevailing dry spell is expected to affect domestic palay (unhusked rice) production as

plantings have been delayed.The DA has already revised this year‘s palay production target to

19.02 million MT from the original target of 20 million MT.The Philippine Statistics Authority

(PSA) reported that palay production in the second quarter of the year is expected to fall 4.21

percent to 3.90 million MT. Harvest area may contract from 939,000 hectares to 918,000

hectares. Yield per hectare may drop to 4.25 MT from 4.34 MT per hectare in 2014.

http://www.philstar.com/business/2015/05/23/1457615/nfa-oks-500000-mt-rice-imports-buffer-stock

Vietnam’s rice exports drop as Thailand offloads overstocks

Vietnam’s rice exports have struggled to compete with cheaper shipments from Thailand in the

first four months of 2015 as the Thai government has sought to offload inventories at highly

discounted prices.As a result, a representative of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) said the

country‘s exports to highly price sensitive markets such as those in Africa could fall by as much

as 60% from the figures in 2014.Lower exports are resulting in more rice remaining in

Vietnamese miller‘s and farmers inventories, piling pressure on already-bulging storage and

raising the spectre of grain spoiling in temporary silos.The Thai government began executing a

subsidized scheme earlier this year in which it plans to sell 10 million tonnes of broken rice in

2015 and an additional seven million tonnes in 2016 at prices substantially below market prices.

As one example, the Thai government in March sold 5% broken rice from its inventories at

around US$236 to US$378 per tonne compared to the global market price of US$405 per

tonne.A representative of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, who declined to be identified, in

turn justified the programme by saying that the government's rice is old and has been stored for a

long time so its value has depreciated (Reuters).There is always a large price gap between new

rice and old rice, the official said.The nation‘s rice industry can compete with private Thai

traders, but not with the Thai government as it slashes prices to bolster demand for old low

quality stock, said a VFA representative.In the four months leading up to May, Vietnam‘s rice

exports dipped 12.73% in volume and 16.37% in value on-year to 1.686 million tonnes valued at

US$707 million according to VFA statistics.In addition to lower export prices and fierce

competition with Thailand, in 2015, Vietnam exporters are at risk of shrinking markets in other

countries, particularly the Chinese market.

China has been the largest importer of Vietnam's rice for the past three years. In 2014 alone,

Vietnam exported 2.1 million tonnes of rice to China, accounting for 30% of the nation‘s export

market.However, Vietnam's rice exports to China during 2015 are likely to see a substantial

decline as the Chinese government diversifies its import strategy to increase rice import quota

from multiple sources.To address the situation, Deputy Prime Minister Hai has asked the VFA in

collaboration with relevant government offices and those in the private sector to develop specific

marketing plans for each foreign market.In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister asked the parties

to lay out a scheme to restructure production and shift rice cultivation areas to planting crops

with higher profit margins.



25

Hai said for 2014 Vietnam rice cultivation area stood at around 7.6 million hectares with an

estimated production of around 43.4 million tonnes of paddy rice. Rice production exceeds

consumption, but the country imports tonnes of soybeans and corn annually.The government will

guide farmers to shift to crops to soybeans, corn or other crops that will help them improve their

overall profits, Hai stressed. http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/131354/vietnam-s-rice-exports-drop-as-thailand-offloads-

overstocks.html

UPDATE 1-Philippines to import 250,000 T of rice, maybe

more if El Nino worsens Fri May 22, 2015 2:10am GMT

* Seeks govt-to-govt deal, tender in early June

* Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia qualified to bid

* Additional imports possible if El Nino intensifies (Add comment, detail)

By Enrico Dela Cruz

MANILA, May 22 (Reuters) - The Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, is

seeking 250,000 tonnes of the grain to boost its buffer stocks and could buy more if the drought-

inducing El Nino weather phenomenon intensifies.Officials at the state grains agency on Friday

said the country was preparing to issue a tender in early June for the supply of 25-percent broken

variety of rice via a government-to-government deal.The move would be good news for regional

rice markets that have been flagging this year due to oversupply, with an official telling Reuters

by text that Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia were qualified to submit offers.

Delivery should be between July and August, in time for the onset of the lean harvest season in

the Philippines, he said.The government hopes to avert a potential spike in food prices due to

possible supply disruptions that could be caused by El Nino, which Japan last week confirmed

had set in.President Benigno Aquino has approved the additional rice purchases and has also

given the National Food Authority (NFA) permission to import a further 250,000 tonnes later

this year should El Nino intensify, another official said in a text message.The Southeast Asian

nation recently bought 500,000 tonnes via government-to-government deals with key sellers

Vietnam and Thailand. Last year, the NFA imported about 1.7 million tonnes, the country's

biggest purchase since Aquino took power in 2010.The NFA plans to issue an official advisory

on the additional imports within a day, said Food Security Chief Francis Pangilinan.

The Philippine government last week revised down its estimate of first-half domestic rice

production, with dry weather already affecting more than half of the country's 81

provinces.Thailand, the world's No.2 rice exporter after India, has said it plans to sell 2 million

tonnes of rice over the next two months from stockpiles built up under the previous

administration's failed buying programme.In Vietnam, the world's third-largest exporter where



26

prices have weakened this week on a lack of buying demand, a new crop harvest will begin from

around late June, traders said.

(Reporting by Erik dela Cruz; Editing by Joseph Radford)

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL3N0YD08N20150522?sp=true

Gov’t braces for El Niño impact with additional rice imports

THE GOVERNMENT is beefing up the country’s rice buffer stock as it faces a double

whammy of a lean season and the possibility of an intense El Niño episode that coincide with

signs of lower production this semester, the state grains agency said in a brief statement on

Friday.

Specifically, it is prepared to import as much as 500,000 metric tons (MT) through government-

to-government deals on top of the acquisition of the same volume last March.―The National

Food Authority (NFA) Council, through the recommendation of the Food Security Committee,

approved an additional importation of 250,000 MT in preparation for the lean months beginning

July and to stabilize rice prices during the lean months,‖ the statement read.

Existing bilateral rice agreements allow the Philippines to import from Thailand, Vietnam and

Cambodia through government-to-government procurement mode.The imports will involve 25%

broken rice variety.These are scheduled to be delivered by July 1, Presidential Assistant for Food

Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis N. Pangilinan -- who makes import

recommendations together with the NFA Council -- said in a text message.NFA Administrator

Renan B. Dalisay said separately that invitations to bid were sent to embassies concerned on

Friday.―With invitations to bid sent out today (Friday), timeline is June 5 for the actual bidding,‖

Mr. Dalisay said via text message.

EL NIÑO

The NFA is also prepared to import more rice should the need arise amid the onslaught of El

Niño and the prolonged dry spell it brings.―Another importation of 250,000 MT is on standby in

case there will be significant effects on production brought by El Niño...‖ the NFA said,

clarifying that this additional volume is still subject to the evaluation and recommendation of the

Food Security Committee.The committee is headed by the National Economic and Development

Authority and consists besides of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance,

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomic Services Administration, Philippine

Statistics Authority, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Irrigation Administration, Department

of Agriculture, and NFA itself.



27

Earlier this month, Australia‘s weather bureau said El Niño has already formed and that models

indicated a ―substantial‖ event, while the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed the weather

pattern‘s emergence, forecasting it would persist into late 2015.

Last March, Vietnam and Thailand bagged contracts to supply a total of 500,000 MT of rice to

boost the Philippines‘ buffer stock for the three-month lean season that starts in July. Under the

Feb. 27 auction, Vietnam bagged the contract to supply 300,000 MT, involving 150,000 MT

each of the 15% and 25% broken varieties, while Thailand will deliver the remaining 200,000

MT to cover the balance of each rice variety.Last year, the government imported around 1.5

million MT of rice, equivalent to 8% of 2014‘s total domestic output of 18.97 million MT that, in

turn, was 2.87% more than 2013‘s 18.44 million MT and topped an 18.88-million MT target.

POOR START

Production of unmilled rice -- known locally as palay -- rose by 1.41% to 4.37 million MT last

quarter from 4.31 million MT in 2014‘s comparable three months, but still fell short of a 4.47-

million MT projection.This quarter, palay output is expected to drop by 4.21% to 3.90 million

MT from 4.07 million MT a year ago, leading to a 1.32% decline to 8.27 million MT this

semester from 8.38 million MT in 2014‘s comparable six months.The government expects a

recovery next quarter, with output to improve by 11.7% to 3.38 million MT from 3.03 million

MT in 2014‘s comparable three months.That, in turn, is expected to drive nine-month production

up 2.14% annually to 11.65 million MT from 11.41 million MT. -- Claire-Ann Marie C.

Feliciano

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=gov&rsquot-braces-for-el-niobr-

impact-with-additionalbr-rice-imports&id=108426

Trade talks aim to boost quota Fri, 22 May 2015

Chan Muyhong

A young woman pours rice on to a pile at a paddy in Battambang province earlier this year. A delegation from China

is set to arrive on Monday to discuss Cambodia‘s proposal to double rice exports to China. Heng Chivoan

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/author/chan-muyhong/20335

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/author/heng-chivoan/416



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A Chinese trade delegation due to arrive in Cambodia next week has added to the hopes that the

Kingdom‘s rice export quota to China will be drastically raised.The three-day visit, which will be

led by China‘s Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Yan, begins on Monday and will discuss

strengthening trade ties with Cambodia, according to the Ministry of Commerce.―This time, the

visit will discuss the possibility of expanding trade cooperation between Cambodia and China. A

rice deal and the possibility of exporting more agricultural products from Cambodia to China

will also be on the agenda,‖ said Ministry of Commerce spokesman Ken Ratha.

Cambodian Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol sent a letter to Gao Yan in April seeking to

double Cambodia‘s rice export quota to 200,000 tonnes for the period between May 2015 and

April 2016.―It is expected that there will be detailed discussion of Cambodia‘s request to double

the rice quota to China to 200,000 tonnes,‖ Ratha said, adding, however, that no agreement or

memorandum of understanding is expected to be signed.Hun Lak, vice president of the

Cambodia Rice Federation, said yesterday that he has high hopes for a positive response due to

the successful implementation of the previous 100,000-tonne rice quota between the China

National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) and the Cambodian state-owned

Green Trade Company.―[COFCO] ordered 100,000 tonnes and we successfully delivered it to

them. It shows that we can supply on time,‖ he explained.

Lak added that the doubling of the Chinese rice export quota would help Cambodia diversify

from the European market.―Although the other markets we supply now are doing well, especially

the EU, we should not be too reliant on the EU market. We should expand the market in Asian

countries, [and] China is a huge market for Cambodia.‖Export figures released by the CRF

showed that China was the biggest importer of Cambodian rice for the first three months of

2015, importing 36,081 tonnes, followed by Malaysia and France.Thanks largely to a boost in

shipments to China, the Kingdom increased its exports to 75,867 tonnes overall in March, more

than doubling the 37,676 tonnes exported the month before.China is also looking to import more

of Cambodia‘s other agricultural products such as corn, bananas and mangos.

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29

Agriculture and mining are other sectors that China is eyeing in Cambodia, said Lim Heng, vice

president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce.Cambodia‘s rich natural resources,

agricultural products, cheap labour costs and investment incentives are significant attractions for

Chinese investors to choose Cambodia over neighbouring countries, he said.―We have always

encouraged Chinese investors to invest in agricultural processing in Cambodia as the country has

high demand for this kind of investment,‖ he added.In late 2012, China and Cambodia pledged to

increase bilateral trade to $5 billion by the end of this year http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/trade-talks-aim-boost-quota

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 22 Nagpur, May 22 Gram and tuar prices reported down again in Nagpur Agriculture

Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on lack of buying support from local millers

amid

poor quality arrival. Release of stock from stockists and fresh fall in Madhya Pradesh pulses

also pushed down prices in weak trading activity, according to sources.

* * * *

FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM

* Gram super best bold and medium best moved down in open market here in absence of

buyers amid increased supply from millers.

TUAR

* Tuar gavarani new recovered in open market on good demand from local traders.

Reports about weak overseas supply also fuelled prices.

* Moong dal chilka declined sharply in open market here on poor buying support from

local traders amid healthy supply from producing regions.

* In Akola, Tuar - 7,200-7,500, Tuar dal - 9,900-10,300, Udid at 9,100-9,600,

Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,700-11,100, Moong - 9,000-9,200, Moong Mogar

(clean) 10,700-11,100, Gram - 4,100-4,400, Gram Super best bold - 6,000-6,200

for 100 kg.

* Whear, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market

in poor trading activity, according to sources.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg

FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close

Gram Auction 3,500-4,470 3,500-4,490

Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600

Tuar Auction 5,500-7,210 5,620-7,370



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Moong Auction n.a. 6,000-6,300

Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500

Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800

Gram Super Best Bold 6,200-6,400 6,300-6,500

Gram Super Best n.a.

Gram Medium Best 5,900-6,100 6,000-6,200

Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a.

Gram Mill Quality 5,250-5,450 5,250-5,450

Desi gram Raw 4,500-4,650 4,500-4,650

Gram Filter new 6,050-6,150 6,050-6,150

Gram Kabuli 5,100-6,900 5,100-6,900

Gram Pink 6,300-6,500 6,300-6,500

Tuar Fataka Best 10,500-10,800 10,500-10,800

Tuar Fataka Medium 10,000-10,300 10,000-10,300

Tuar Dal Best Phod 9,500-9,800 9,500-9,800

Tuar Dal Medium phod 9,000-9,350 9,000-9,350

Tuar Gavarani New 7,800-7,900 7,750-7,850

Tuar Karnataka 7,900-8,000 7,900-8,000

Tuar Black 10,700-11,000 10,700-11,000

Masoor dal best 8,100-8,300 8,100-8,300

Masoor dal medium 7,500-7,800 7,500-7,800

Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold 11,000-11,500 11,000-11,500

Moong Mogar Medium best 10,200-10,600 10,200-10,600

Moong dal Chilka 9,100-9,650 9,200-9,7050

Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 9,600-9,900 9,600-9,900

Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 11,200-11,600 11,200-11,600

Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 9,900-10,600 9,900-10,600

Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 8,500-8,900 8,500-8,900

Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,300-4,500 4,300-4,500

Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 3,150-3,300 3,150-3,300

Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,450 3,200-3,450

Watana White (100 INR/KG) 2,450-2,625 2,450-2,625

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,700-4,800 3,600-4,800

Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,600 1,400-1,600

Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,700 1,500-1,700

Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,600 1,400-1,600

Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,450 2,200-2,450

Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,800-1,950 1,800-1,950

Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,700 3,100-3,700

MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,000 2,800-3,000

Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,500 1,400-1,500

Wheat Best (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,200



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Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,800 2,500-2,800

Rice BPT (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,300 3,000-3,300

Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 1,600-1,800 1,600-1,800

Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,400 2,100-2,400

Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700

Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,700 3,300-3,700

Rice HMT (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,400 4,000-4,400

Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500 4,200-4,500

Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,200 4,600-5,200

Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,000-10,000 8,000-10,000

Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,000-7,500 6,000-7,500

Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,200 4,600-5,200

Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG) 5,600-6,000 5,600-6,000

Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,300 2,100-2,200

Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,550 2,300-2,450

WEATHER (NAGPUR)

Maximum temp. 47.0 degree Celsius (116.6 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.

29.9 degree Celsius (85.8 degree Fahrenheit)

Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.

Rainfall : nil

FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 47

and 30 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available

(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices.)

http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/05/22/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N0YD3F520150522

Punjab to bring 4.44 million acres of land under paddy

cultivation

May 22, 2015

RECORDER REPORT

The Punjab has fixed a target of bringing 4.44 million acres of land under paddy cultivation for

the forthcoming season with a production target of 3.5 million tonnes. A Punjab Agriculture

Department spokesman on Thursday urged farmers to only sow approved varieties for achieving

maximum per acre yield of paddy and said approved varieties with higher production capabilities

were super basmati, basmati-370, basmati-385, basmati Pak (Kernal basmati), basmati-2000,

basmati-515, PS-2, PK-386 and Basmati 198 (for Sahiwal, Okara and adjoining areas). "Nursery

of these varieties should be sown between June 1 and June 20 while suitable time of nursery

preparation for Shaheen basmati is between June 15 and June 30," he added.



32

http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183:pakistan/1188885:punjab-to-bring-444-million-acres-

of-land-under-paddy-cultivation/?date=2015-05-22

Rice sowing gathers pace, cane area rises

Tomojit Basu

Rural women engaged in paddy sowing operations at Bhavadevarapalli village in

Krishna District. (file photo)

New Delhi, May 22:

The sowing of rice, the main foodgrain

grown during the Kharif season, is

gathering pace with 2.68 lakh hectares

(lh) covered as of Friday, as per the

latest estimates provided by the

Agriculture Ministry. The figure during

the corresponding period last year stood

at 2.28 lh.―About 2.68 lh area coverage

under rice has been reported from

Assam (1.10 lh), Nagaland (0.85 lh),

Arunachal Pradesh (0.52 lh), Tamil nadu

(0.19 lh) and Odisha (0.02 lh),‖ said an

official statement.Overall, area under

Kharif crops increased to 56.22 lh from

49.04 lh at the same time last year.

Monsoon concerns

Pre-monsoon showers have been encouraging say experts but warn that official estimates of

lower rainfall during the four-month southwest monsoon could have an impact in low-lying rain-

fed cultivation areas in eastern India which accounts for 60 per cent of

the rice growing area with almost 50 per cent reliant on rain.The Indian Meteorological

Department has predicted rainfall this Kharif at 93 per cent of long-period average of 89 cm.,

driven mainly by the El Nino weather phenomenon. Last season, deficient rainfall estimated at

88 per cent resulted foodgrain output declining by 13.92 million tonne (mt) to 251.12 mt.―Pre-

monsoon showers should benefit farmers planting the early ‗aus‘ varieties of 90-110 days

duration.

However, heat waves have been strong, and if the lower rainfall prediction is true, there could be

some apprehension about large scale sowing particularly in eastern India,‖ said Trilochan

Mohapatra, Director, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack.He did not expect rice acreage to

increase beyond the 37.48 million hectares registered last season if there is a rainfall deficit and



33

any predictions about sowing could only be made once there were estimates of distribution made

public.―If there is a delayed monsoon, farmers in States like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand,

Bihar and parts of West Bengal and eastern Uttar Pradesh, could opt to not plant rice,‖ said

Mohapatra.

He added that even if water levels in reservoirs were up due to the pre-monsoon rain, it would be

difficult to supply the water in the areas mentioned given the lack of infrastructure.In better-

irrigated States like Haryana and Punjab, sowing would start by early June with nurseries being

raised already. Long-duration varieties are generally sown between end-May and early-July

across eastern and southern India, ahead of the heavy showers between July-early September.

Cane acreage up

Acreage for sugarcane has also risen to 40.7 lh from 40.58 lh at the same time last year with

increased area reported from Uttar Pradesh (0.38 lh), Madhya Pradesh 0.43 lh) and Gujarat (0.19

lh) and decline reported from Maharashtra (0.61 lh), Karnataka (0.88 lh) among

others.Area under jute and mesta has also shown an uptick with 6.72 lh under the crop as

compared to 6.18 lh at the same time in 2014.

(This article was published on May 22, 2015)

The Hindu

Mahindra Group to acquire 33% stake in Japan's Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery

This deal will enable strategic growth avenues for MAM, which has been providing OEM

tractors to Mahindra USA and technical license to Mahindra for rice planters & tractor in

India

BS B2B Bureau | Mumbai May 22, 2015 Last Updated at 12:10 IST

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M), part of the Mahindra

Group, has agreed to acquire 33% stake in Mitsubishi

Agricultural Machinery Co Ltd (MAM), a subsidiary of

Japan‘s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI), for $ 25

million (about Rs 159 crores).The agreement was signed by

Kazuaki Kimura, president and CEO, MHI Machinery,

Equipment & Infrastructure; Katsumi Tottori, president,

MAM; and Rajesh Jejurikar, president & chief executive (farm

equipment & two wheeler), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. The

deal is expected to close by October 1, 2015, with the new

funding to be used to increase MAM‘s capital base.

Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery is a full range agri-machinery company producing and selling

tractors, combine harvesters, rice transplanters and other agri-machinery. It had revenues of

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Mitsubishi+Agricultural+Machinery

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Mitsubishi+Agricultural+Machinery

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Mhi



34

approximately Yen 50 billion ($ 408 million) in 2014-15.Commenting on the partnership, Rajesh

Jejurikar, president & chief executive (farm equipment & two wheeler division), M&Msaid, ―It

is a matter of pride for us to have signed this alliance today which is a ‗win-win‘ for the

agricultural machinery businesses of both companies. This will enable strategic growth avenues

for Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery (MAM) through Mahindra USA, China and other

international markets, thereby speeding up international expansion.

It will also provide a platform for both the companies to leverage technology and product

development synergies.‖Mahindra is the world‘s largest tractor manufacturer by volume with a

very strong leadership position in India. MAM has been supplying OEM tractors to Mahindra

USA (subsidiary of M&M in the US) as well as providing technical license to Mahindra for

walk-behind rice planters and new tractor in India.The new partnership will help both companies

to jointly develop products to address global opportunities in the tractor and agri-machinery

space. In addition, the partnership will enable MAM and Mahindra to improve cost

competitiveness though joint procurement and optimise the supply chain,

http://www.business-standard.com/content/b2b-manufacturing-industry/mahindra-group-to-acquire-33-

stake-in-japan-s-mitsubishi-agricultural-machinery-115052200933_1.html

Raipur scientists develop high-zinc rice to fight

malnutrition in Chhattisgarh

Sourav Roy | May 22, 2015 at 10:43 pm 125 113 12

0 0 inShare Scientists from Raipur have developed a

high zinc-enriched variety of rice that is expected to

play a crucial role in fighting malnutrition in tribal-

dominated Chhattisgarh where nearly seven lakh

children are still malnourished. The new paddy seed,

called ‗Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1′, the first zinc bio-

fortified rice variety in India, was launched by State Variety Release Committee, the authority

for official release of new varieties of seeds, in March and its production is likely to begin from

the next kharif season.

Similarly, researchers from Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU), Raipur, led by

Professor Girish Chandel, have rolled out two varieties of high zinc rice, of which one has been

released. ―We focused on increasing our crop production since the inception of the Green

Revolution in the country aiming to eliminate hunger. In the process, we managed to yield high

production, but the quality of crop did not improve,‖ Chandel told PTI. In 2000, the Centre,

along with, health organisations in a survey found that 60-70 per cent of population was

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=M%26m

http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=Tractor



35

suffering from malnutrition because of deficiency of micro-nutrients, particularly iron, zinc and

Vitamin A.

Following this, the government decided to come out with a research programme to improve the

variety of three staple crops – rice, wheat and maize – in different states, he said. According to

PTI, Under the programme, Chhattisgarh, considered as the rice bowl of the country, decided to

work on the quality aspect and took up ‗Rice Bio Fortification Research Project‘. In the first

phase of the project in 2003-05, some 200 rice germplasm lines with high grain nutritive values

but low-yielding quality were identified, he said. Subsequently, in the next phase of 2006-11,

seeds were multiplied and subjected to genetic improvement exercise, which led to seven high-

yielding zinc-enriched rice varieties.

In 2013, the Centre decided to conduct a separate exercise coordinated by Directorate of Rice

Research (DRR), Hyderabad, to analyse the outcome of the researches being conducted in

different parts of the country. Finally, four varieties were adjudged best in terms of quality, of

which the top two came from Chhattisgarh. ―Currently, we have 100 kg seeds of this new variety

and we are further planning to multiply it in 10 acres. By November-December this year, we will

distribute it to around 5,000 farmers across the state. Its sowing would be started in the next

kharif season,‖ he said. Image Credit : Shutterstock ... read more onsocial.yourstory.com

http://social.yourstory.com/2015/05/raipur-scientists-zinc-rice/

Rain hurting Louisiana wheat crop, affecting others

Excessive rain across Louisiana is compounding existing problems with the state‘s 2015 wheat

crop and leading to what LSU Agricultural Center experts call a disastrous season.Heavy rains

also are causing problems for some soybean and corn farmers, especially in the north part of the

state where a storm system brought as much as 10 inches of rain in some areas in the past week.

Also being affected are cotton, pastures and cattle.Less affected by rain are sugar cane and rice,

AgCenter experts said.

WHEAT: Wheat is normally harvested from mid-May to the first week of June in south

Louisiana and from the end of May to mid- to late-June in north Louisiana, said Steve Harrison,

LSU AgCenter wheat breeder. But rain is keeping farmers out of muddy fields and causing the

quality of the crop to deteriorate and also contributing to what is commonly called scab disease.

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36

Some of the wheat being harvested has a low weight, reducing its value.―A normal test weight is

60 pounds per bushel,‖ said Josh Lofton, LSU AgCenter extension wheat specialist. ―But down

south we‘re seeing wheat in the high 40s and low 50s.‖Grain elevators are either rejecting the

low-quality wheat or significantly docking the price, he said.Some of the wheat will be left in the

field because it‘s not worth harvesting.

―They‘ll plow it under and plant soybeans,‖ Harrison said, adding that some farmers will let the

damaged fields go fallow for a year.Harrison expects yield losses of 30 percent to 40 percent for

the 2015 wheat crop. Yield losses could translate into about a $13 million economic loss, based

on the 130,000 acres planted to wheat, LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry estimated.Lofton

said the wheat season started with poor planting conditions through late fall, followed by freezes

in March when the wheat was growing rapidly.

The low temperatures didn‘t kill the crop but caused damage that weakened the stems and

resulted in the crop collapsing when heads formed as heavy storms hit. These conditions can

cause wheat to fall over, and harvesters can‘t pick up the crop as easily. Harvesting becomes less

efficient and more costly.In addition, the continual wet conditions are favorable for development

of a disease on wheat commonly known as scab, which can lead to low yields, low test weight,

dockage and even rejection at the elevator.―This is the worst year by far for scab,‖ said Boyd

Padgett, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist and director of the Central Region, who‘s been

studying diseases in wheat for more than 20 years.

SOYBEANS: Ron Levy, LSU AgCenter soybean specialist, said some fields of young soybeans

have been too wet. ―We may have some losses and have to replant.‖Levy said some farmers have

been waiting to plant, but the excess moisture makes that difficult.Delayed planting will

probably mean yields will be affected, he said. A late-planted soybean crop faces more stress

from intense summer heat and more disease and insect pressure.In southwest Louisiana, as much

as a third of the soybean crop may have to be replanted, said Barrett Courville, LSU AgCenter

county agent in Acadia and Jefferson Davis parishes.The wet ground also is delaying farmers

from getting into fields to spray herbicides, Courville said. But some areas haven‘t received

much rain, and the fields are ready to be planted.

CORN: Dan Fromme, LSU AgCenter corn specialist, said corn benefits from the rain as long as

the fields are not flooded. ―We‘re in the rapid growth stage right now.‖Some fields hit by high

winds had corn tip over, he said. Corn will suffer from a lack of oxygen in fields with



37

waterlogged soil. Corn farmers had to deal with excess moisture during planting in March and

April.

COTTON: Cotton in Louisiana is 80-90 percent planted, but flooding for that commodity is not

good for the crop.Donna Lee, LSU AgCenter county agent in East Carroll Parish, and Keith

Collins, county agent in Richland Parish, said water from recent heavy rains appear to have

drained, but low-lying areas have standing water.―Now we need sunny weather,‖ Lee said.She

said the cotton, corn, soybeans and milo she has seen in northeast Louisiana look good so far.

But cool weather that came on May 21 could slow plant growth.―The most susceptible crops

were those that are small,‖ said Collins.

CANE: Sugar cane is not as affected by heavy rains now, said Kenneth Gravois, LSU AgCenter

sugarcane specialist. ―At this stage, cane is pretty resilient.‖He said sugar cane farmers have

made herbicide and fertilizer applications. ―It would be better if it were a bit drier, but going into

the summer with good moisture is good. Overall prospects for the crop continue to look good,‖

Gravois said.

RICE: Even though rice thrives in a wet environment, the frequent rainfall has caused problems

for rice farmers.―In a lot of places, farmers are struggling to get done what‘s needed in the

fields,‖ said Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter rice specialist.He said landing strips for airplanes

have been too wet to use for midseason nitrogen fertilizer applications. Flying services are using

hard-surfaced runways, which are often several miles from a field, and the extra distance is

resulting in higher fees, he said.He said young rice is struggling, and an early outbreak of leaf

blast disease has been found because of frequent rains.

22nd may,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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