28th December,2015 Daily Global Regional,Local Rice E_Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

8/20/2019 28th December,2015 Daily Global Regional,Local Rice E_Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

1 | w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m

December 28,2015 Vol 5 Iss

www.ricepluss.com [email protected] 92 321 36


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Editorial Board

Chief Editor

Hamlik

Managing Editor

Abdul Sattar Shah

Rahmat Ullah

Rozeen Shaukat

English Editor

Maryam Editor

Legal Advisor

Advocate Zaheer Minha

Editorial Associates

Admiral (R) Hamid Kh

Javed Islam Agha

Ch.Hamid Malhi

Dr.Akhtar Hussain

Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Sidd

Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UA

Islam Akhtar Khan

Editorial Advisory Board

Dr.Malik Mohammad

HashimAssistant Professor, Goma

University DIK

Dr.Hasina GulAssistant Director, Agriculture KP

Dr.Hidayat UllahAssistant Professor, Unive

of Swabi

Dr.Abdul BasirAssistant Professor, Unive

of Swabi

Zahid MehmoodPSO,NIFA Peshawar

Falak Naz ShahHead Food Science &

Technology ART, Peshawar

Today Rice News Headlines...

Local Rice Miller Denies Involvement in N117bn Rice Importation

Scam C‟GARH FARMERS GREATEST AGRI SCIENTISTS, CLAIMSCM

Eating fish and meat before rice can help control blood sugar,researchers say

Govt tightens rules of jute packaging Rice prices likely to skyrocket Plant protection team visits blast-affected paddy fields APEDA Commodity News Cambodia 2015 Paddy Rice Production Declines

News Detail...Local Rice Miller Denies Involvement in

N117bn Rice Importation Scam28 Dec 2015

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

The Chairman of Umza International Farms Limited, Alhaji Mohammed

Abubakar Maifata, has denied the allegation that his company smuggled

rice into the country through land borders.Maifata, in his reaction to an

online report, with the headline, „Inside the massive fraud in Nigeria‟s N117

billion rice import quota scheme,‟ said instead of smuggling, his company

had contributed immensely to Nigeria‟s local rice production scheme

through its Kano plant.He alleged that the report was sponsored by some

foreign and local merchants who were disenchanted by the success being

recorded in the country‟s local rice production and wanted to frustrate it.

“It is most disheartening that Premium Times, an online newspaper, claimed

to have conducted an investigation into the alleged massive fraud in therice import quota and even went ahead to publish their falsehood without

even respecting the basic tenets of journalism of hearing from the other side

that were maligned by their malicious falsehood before publication,”

Maifata said in a statement in Abuja at the weekend.He said to underscore


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The truth of this matter is that Umza International Milling Plant has a current milling capacity of

72,000 metric tons per annum and the company is currently in the process of further increasing

the milling capacity to about 120,000 metric tons per annum.

“In this vein, we challenge Premium Times, its paymasters and sponsors to a working tour ofUmza International Rice Milling Plant in Kano at our expense in the company of independent

experts from any part of this world to determine the true capacity of our mill,” Maifata

added.According to him, Umza Farms has been partnering the United States Agency for

International Department (USAID) in the last three years for the training and sponsorship of over

10,000 rice farmers.He also said Umza Farms has been partnering local rice production bodies as

well in state such as Kebbi, adding that its success in rice production recently earned it 11,000

hectares of land from Niger State Government.

“Our partnership with Rice Farmers Association in Kebbi State is another area where Umza

Farms has proven its investments in rice value chain where we are currently working with

farmers especially from Suru Local Government Area in the cultivation of paddy.“Umza

International Farms has also secured the approval from Niger State Government for 11,000

hectares of land in Agaie Local Government Area of the state for its backward integration

programme,” he further said.Maifata described as laughable the claim in the report that Umza

has been importing rice into the country from Thailand, saying it only imported rice when the

Federal Ministry of Agriculture gave it the mandate to do so.

“It‟s also very important that we state at this juncture that Umza Farms has only imported rice in

occasions where the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development had genuine fears

about the capacity of the local millers to meet the local rice consumption/demand and had

encouraged the local rice millers to import rice in order to bridge the gap between what is locally

produced and what is consumed.“Outside these occasions where Umza Farms is duly licenced to

import rice for national interest, Umza Farms has not and never imported rice as part of its core

business plan. Umza Farms is strictly a local rice milling plant and would never dabble into rice

importation as its ordinary business.

“It‟s so unimaginable to think that Umza Farms could be waging a war against its own bu siness

going by the falsehood perpetrated by Premium Times when it maliciously and literally stated in

the said online publication that Umza Farms is involved in rice smuggling,” the statement added.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/local-rice-miller-denies-involvement-in-n117bn-rice-importation-scam/229000/


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C’GARH FARMERS GREATEST AGRI SCIENTISTS,

CLAIMS CMSunday, 27 December 2015 | Staff Reporter | Raipur | in Raipur

Chief Minister Raman Singh on Saturday heaped praise on farmers of the State for combiningtraditional methods and experience with modern technology for increasing agriculture output.

“Chhattisgarh‟s farmers are actually the greatest agriculture scientists. It is because of their hardwork that we have taken a leap from only rice export to the export of fruits and vegetables alongwith rice,‟‟ Singh remarked while inaugurating a three-day National Agriculture Fair at villageJora on the outskirts of capital Raipur.The fair has been organised by State Government'sAgriculture Department, in association with CII.

Chief Minister dedicated new species of paddy- „Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1‟, recently developed by Indira Gandhi Agriculture University Raipur, to farmers. He distributed 1500 mini-kits of thisnew species of paddy. Chief Minister also felicitated farmer Dushyant Singh of Janjgir-Champadistrict for individually preserving an old species of paddy- „Ramjeera‟ for past 50years.Agriculture and Water Resource Minister Brijmohan Agrawal presided over the inaugural programme of Farmers Fair. In the programme, Raipur MP Ramesh Bais, ParliamentarySecretary Tokhan Sahu, MLA Devji Bhai Patel, Apex Bank Chairman Ashok Bajaj andChairman of Raipur Milk Federation Rasik Parmar were also present as special guests.

Chief Minister said in his speech that this national fair was one great opportunity to learn aboutthe progress of Chhattisgarh in agro-sector in last 15 years. He said that with their perseveranceand dedication, “our farmers have brought a revolution in the field of agriculture. Various

schemes run by Agriculture Department in coordination with Indira Gandhi Agriculture

University have also accelerated growth of agro-sector”.Chief Minister further added thatagriculture and farmers are the strong pillars of our economy. Development of agriculture sectoris empowerment our economy and also an important source of employment.

The credit of three Krishi Karman Awards conferred on Chhattisgarh Government in past alsogoes to the farmers of State, said Singh.

In this national fair, all the modern methods of agriculture have been put on display. StateGovernment has organised this fair to educate farmers about advancement in agriculture methodsaround the world and encourage them to adopt the modern ways.Chief Minister informed that inthis fair, farmers will get to know about soil test and modern ways of cultivation. Agricultureseminars will be organised in Agriculture Development Centres outside capital city. They will

also be informed about method of cultivation with limited water supply during droughtconditions.

Singh said that State Government is committed to bring practical experiments of laboratories tothe field, in larger interest of farmers. He also talked about success in agriculture sector in remoteareas of Bastar and Surguja, and also cited achievements of Kondagaon and Dantewada districtsin organic farming.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/raipurhttp://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/raipurhttp://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/raipurhttp://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/raipur


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While presiding over the programme, Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal said that nearly50,000 farmers will visit the fair in three days. It is a great opportunity for farmers to learn andupgrade their ways of cultivation, as per the advancement in global technology. He mentionedthat Chhattisgarh Government is the first Government to provide financial aid to drought-hitfarmers under RBC.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/cgarh-farmers-greatest-agri-scientists-claims-cm.html

Eating fish and meat before rice can help control blood

sugar, researchers say

DEC 26, 2015

OSAKA – Eating fish or meat ahead of rice can help curb spikes in blood sugar by slowing down the

stomach, a Japanese study has found.“Dietary therapy focusing on the sequence of food intakes may lead

to diabetes prevention and treatment,” said Daisuke Yabe, deputy director-general of the Kansai Electric

Power Medical Research Institute.In a three-day research project involving 12 patients with type 2diabetes and 10 healthy people, the group monitored changes in blood sugar levels four hours after the

subjects had meals in which rice was consumed either first or last.

When boiled mackerel and grilled beef were eaten 15 minutes before rice, their sugar levels were about

30 percent and 40 percent lower, respectively, compared with when they ate rice first.According to their

findings, eating fish and beef first promoted the secretion of incretin, a gastrointestinal hormone, which

slowed stomach motility and thus the rise in blood sugar.This technique may become even more effective

if vegetables are eaten ahead of fish, meat and rice, the group

said.http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/12/26/national/science-health/eating-fish-and-meat-before-

rice-can-help-control-blood-sugar-researchers-say/#.VoEMAPl94dX


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Govt tightens rules of jute packaging The government has tightened the rules of compulsory jute packaging for six commodities in aneffort to ensure a wider use of the green fibre and support the jute sector.The textiles and juteministry made jute bags and sacks compulsory for packing any quantity of paddy, rice, wheat,maize, fertiliser and sugar, cancelling its previous order that mandated the use of jute bags for packaging only 20kg of goods and above.

The move came after millers started selling rice in 19.5kg plastic bags or lower to circumvent the

jute packaging law, industry stakeholders said."We discovered the practice after starting a drive

to ensure compliance with the law,” said a senior official of the Department of Jute. "So, the use

of jute is now a must for any quantity of these commodities.”The jute ministry has also formed a

nine-member panel to look into the production and use of plastic bags. The committee's report,

due by December 30, will be used to make recommendations for the control of plastic bagsIn the

face of continued non-compliance, the jute ministry began a crackdown to enforce the law

throughout Bangladesh.

In October, Bangladesh Bank asked all

banks not to lend money to organisations

and traders that do not use jute items to pack

these commodities.The government in 2010

passed a law making jute packaging

mandatory for certain percentage of food

items and fertiliser, to cushion the jute sector

against the vagaries of the global market and

limit the use of environmentally harmful

plastic bags.

In 2013, the government framed rules to implement the law, stipulating that all traders as well as

government organisations must use jute bags to pack these commodities. It also asked all rice

millers and traders to clear their stock of plastic bags by December 31 of the same year.

However, private companies remained non-compliant, citing reasons such as higher cost of jute

sacks compared to plastic bags and problems in branding.Millers said the added costs from

compliance to the law will be passed on to consumers, in the form of higher rice prices. They

also blame a lack of availability of jute sacks for non-compliance.Jute millers have claimed to

have adequate stocks to meet rice millers' demand.

http://www.thedailystar.net/business/govt-tightens-rules-jute-packaging-192946

Rice prices likely to skyrocket


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December 27,2015, 12.40 AM IST | | THE HANS INDIA

Hyderabad: Though new rice crop has arrived in city markets, there appears to be no relief for the

consumer as the price of fine variety is sold at Rs 40 a kg. Last year the same variety was Rs 30 a

kg.According to the Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy Rice Millers Association leader S Balaiah, this year the

demand for rice stocks has seen a new high, particularly from super markets and retailers. There is near panic buying of rice in the backdrop of poor kharif yield.

Balaiah said though at the moment the price of fine variety of rice is around Rs 55 a kg, but when the

existing stocks were exhausted in next three months, the new stocks of rice would go up to Rs 70 or more

a kg. Last year, newly processed fine rice variety was sold at the rate of Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,400 a quintal

and tis time the price went up to Rs 4,000 a quintal.

The second grade quality was priced between Rs 3,500 and Rs 3,700 a quintal. The officials of the

State Agriculture Department told The Hans India that low paddy production led to the rice prices

increasing abnormally. After March, fine quality rice price may touch Rs 8,000 a quintal and the

secondary quality grains may witness 30 to 40 per cent increase from the present rate.The officials said

the total area under paddy cultivation was 6.15 lakh hectares only during kharif, which was almost half of

the total target of 11. 70 lakh hectares

http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2015-12-27/Rice-prices-likely-to-skyrocket--195683

Plant protection team visits blast-affected paddy fields The team of scientists of Rice Research Station, Ambasamudram, and Agriculture Department officials in a paddy field nearVasudevanallur in Tirunelveli district recently.

Step taken on Collector’s order following representations from farmers

The newly formed district-level plant protection team, comprising scientists of Rice ResearchStation, Ambasamudram, and officials of Agricultural Department, has started inspecting blast-affected paddy fields in the district.After receiving representations from agriculturists during therecent farmers‟ grievances day meeting, Collector M. Karunakaran ordered the officials to

inspect the affected fields in Vasudevanallur block and prescribe suitable remedialmeasures.Subsequently, a district-level „Plant Protection Team‟, headed by Joint Director ofAgriculture L. Perumal, was constituted. The team includes Professor and Head, Rice ResearchStation, Ambasamudram, Arumugachamy, Professor of Entomology M.A.K. Pillai, AssistantProfessor of Plant Pathology Rajini Mala and block-level officials of Agricultural Department.

The team visited Viswanathaperi village in Vasudevanallur block recently and inspected the

blast-affected paddy fields.“We found that the paddy fields have been affected by Neck BlastDisease, which will manifest in grey colour dots in the neck of the panicle. It will affect the„grain filling‟ in the panicle to hit the yield,” Mr. Perumal said.The blast disease first affected theweeds in the bunds and spread into paddy fields. Hence farmers should keep the bunds clean, headded.“Nitrogenous fertilizer should be applied in the affected field in split doses. Fungicidescan also be mixed and applied in affected field,” Mr. Perumal said.


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The spraying of fungicide can be repeated for 15 days after the first spray.Besides giving these plant protection recommendations to the farmers, the team members also explained themagronomic practices and plant protections measures to be adopted.“The joint field visits byscientists and the officials will also be done in other blocks if the situation demands,” Mr.

Perumal added.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/plant-protection-team-visits-blastaffected-paddy-

fields/article8035797.ece

APEDA Commodity News

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 22-12-2015


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Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Apricots

1 Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 4875

2 Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 4375

3 Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t) 3625

Sultanas

1 Australian 5 Crown, CIF UK (USD/t) 2867

2 South African Orange River, CIF UK (USD/t) 2558

3 Turkish No 9 standard, FOB Izmir (USD/t) 1900

White Sugar

1 CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t) 851

2 Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t) 691

3 Pakistani refined sugar, EXW Akbari Mandi (USD/t) 516

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch

Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 26-12-2015

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Maize

1 Hirekerur (Karnataka) Local 1300 1430

2 Khargone (Madhya Pradesh) Other 1053 1455

3 Dahod (Gujarat) Yellow 1525 1575

Paddy(Dhan)

1 Kasargod (Kerala) Other 1500 1600


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2 Junagarh (Orissa) Other 1410 1450

3 Sindevahi (Maharashtra) Other 1600 1700

Orange

1 Barnala (Punjab) Other 1000 2000

2 Harippad (Kerala) Other 2500 2500

3 Nagpur (Maharashtra) Other 300 1000

Cabbage

1 Alappuzha (Kerala) Other 2200 2300

2 Kolhapur(Maharashtra) Other 800 1500

3 Ahmedabad (Gujarat) Other 400 800

Source:agmarknet.nic.in For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 26-12-2015

Product Market Center Price

1 Ahmedabad 444

2 Chittoor 421

3 Nagapur 400

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 21-12-2015

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Potatoes Package: 50 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Colorado Russet 16 17.50

2 Chicago Idaho Russet 13 16.50

http://agmarknet.nic.in/http://agmarknet.nic.in/http://agmarknet.nic.in/http://e2necc.com/http://e2necc.com/http://e2necc.com/http://e2necc.com/http://agmarknet.nic.in/


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3 Dallas Idaho Russet 14 19

Carrots Package: 20 1-lb film bags

1 Atlanta California Baby Peeled 18.50 20.50

2 Chicago California Baby Peeled 17 17.50

3 Dallas Arizona Baby Peeled 16 16.75

Apples Package: cartons tray pack

1 Atlanta Virginia Red Delicious 27 28

2 Chicago Washington Red Delicious 26 26.50

3 Miami Washington Red Delicious 22 24

Source:USDA

Cambodia 2015 Paddy Rice Production Declines Slightly to

9.2 Million Tons, Says Agriculture Ministry

Dec 28, 2015

Cambodia's paddy rice production has declined slightly to around 9.2 million tons in 2015 fromaround 9.3 million tons in 2014, Khmer Times quoted preliminary data from the Ministry of

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.The slight decline in production is attributed to drought insome areas, according to the Deputy Director General of Department of Agriculture. The officialexpressed confidence that the decline would not impact exports or domestic supplies as thecountry has about 3 million tons of rice stocks.He also noted that the Ministry of WaterResources has alerted farmers to use water sparingly as it is anticipating lesser rains next yearalso. The Agriculture Ministry spokesman added that the government is ensuring uninterruptedwater supplies for farming in about 420,000 hectares across 14 provinces along the Mekong andTonle Sap rivers.

Some farmers told reporters that they are continuing to grow rice during the 2015-16 dry season(October - April) despite harvesting lesser rice in the main season (May - February). They are

however, concerned about the prices, which have declined to around $250 per ton this year fromaround $300 per ton in 2014.USDA estimates Cambodia to produce about 4.7 million tons ofrice in MY 2014-15 (January - December 2015), down from around 4.725 million tons in MY2013-14. It estimates Cambodia to export 1.1 million tons of rice (including official andunofficial exports to Vietnam and Thailand through borders) in 2015, up from an estimated 1million tons in 2014. Oryza.com

28th December,2015 Daily Global Regional,Local Rice E_Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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