9th february,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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

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Nigeria, Ghana, Others to Benefit from $3.3m Rice

Production Grant

10 Feb 2015

Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on the New Partnership for Africa’s

Development (NEPAD), Mrs. Fidelia Njeze

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter

February 09 , 2015 V o l u m e 5, Issue I



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Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

Four African countries-Nigeria, Burkina

Faso, Ghana and Tanzania - are to benefit

from the $3.3 million grant provided by Bill

and Melinda Gates (BMGF) and the German

Development Cooperation (BMZ), under

their Competitive African Rice Initiative

(CARI) project.The implementing

institutions of the grant are led by GIZ,

Technoserve, the John A. Kufuor (JAK) and

Kili Trust (KT). The project, which will end

in 2017 is targeting about 120,000 small

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

millers.

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

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

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

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

will be on the basis of Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Kachel-Matthess said: "The projects are implemented at two levels of support, we support up to

40 percent of implementation cost and our Nigerian partners in the private sector have to provide

60 per cent of the implementation cost."In her remarks, the Special Adviser to President

Goodluck Jonathan on the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Mrs. Fidelia

Njeze, who was represented by Mrs. Jael Kpatuwak expressed the hope that the CARI project

will address coordination failures, create better linkages among rice value chain actors, the result

which, she said, will lead to increase in the economic returns for all stakeholders.She said the

sector holds the key to getting Nigeria out of poverty as it provides food security, employment

for the teeming population and creating the platform for a diversified economy towards an

industrialisation revolution.

Njeze said: “this focus on rice commodity is most strategic for Nigeria and the West African sub-

region which imports close to 50 percent of rice from foreign countries outside the shores of the

African continent.“In the last couple of years, Nigeria spent approximately N1 billion daily on

rice importation. This has led to the export of our jobs and financial resources meant for the

transformation of the domestic rice sector in order to achieve self-sufficiency and exports.

”According to her, the German Development Cooperation has been a major partner to NEPAD in

the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme

(CAADP), adding that GIZ had supported the organisation Nigeria’s CAADP country team

orientation workshop in 2011.Also speaking at the event, the ECOWAS Commissioner of

Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Lapodini Marc Atouga, represented by a

Director at the Commission, said rice consumption in the last two years in the sub-region had

increased from 7 to 7.7 million tons, pointing out this clearly shows that production is not

matching up with the consumption as it has to depend on international imports for 40 per cent of



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its rice supply with Thailand and Vietnam as the leading suppliers of the commodity to the

region.

As a way of achieving its regional Agriculture Investment Programme (RAIP), he said the

Commission went a step further to develop projects and programmes that will increase rice

production and productivity in the region.While commending the various initiatives, he said

ECOWAS welcomes the setting up of an advocacy platform for rice in Nigeria.He said: "I will

like to commend GIZ/CARI foor this timely initiative. The need to have a permanent and

functional platform to promote rice development cannot be overemphasised."With the current

interventions on rice in the West Africa region we must all endeavour to build sustainable rice

value chains with access to finance, technology and knowledge to move the region from a rice

deficit to a rice surplus one."

Tags: Business, Nigeria, Featured

Source with thanks:http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-ghana-others-to-benefit-from-3-3m-rice-

production-grant/201423/

Where has the RM300 rice subsidy gone?

2015-02-09 14:22

Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE

Sin Chew Daily

Kedah Regency Council deputy chairman and two rice millers have lodged a report to the

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry

Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob over suspected power abuse in handling rice subsidy,

exposing drawbacks in the RM500 million subsidy for Super Tempatan ST15% broken rice.

Poor people are unable to purchase subsidied rice, due to allegedly pocketing problems involving

senior officials in the government.However, Ismail Sabri, who was severely criticised recently

for harming racial harmony due to his boycott call, has distanced himself from the allegation,

claiming that he has no supreme decision-making power in the government’s ST15% national

rice subsidy programme.

He said that the supply of the subsidised rice is handled by the commission led by the Ministry's

Secretary-General. As the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister, how could Ismail

Sabri pass the buck just like that? The accusation does not seem to be baseless as it was openly

pointed out by the Kedah Regency Council deputy chairman, who is a rice miller himself.It was

reported that the Kedah Regency Council deputy chairman has his rice supply quota cut from

1,000 tons to 100 tons as he refused bribery while the supply of other rice millers were

completely cut off. It is believed that many other millers are facing the same problem, showing

that corruption problems in the rice subsidy programme has become increasingly serious.

The government implements the ST15% national rice subsidy programme and subsidies 60,000

tons of rice each month, with RM750 subsidy for each ton. However, rice millers receive only

RM450 for each ton while the other RM300 was said to have passed to specific officials in the

http://www.thisdaylive.com/go/search/?search=Business

http://www.thisdaylive.com/go/search/?search=Nigeria

http://www.thisdaylive.com/go/search/?search=Featured

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-ghana-others-to-benefit-from-3-3m-rice-production-grant/201423/

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-ghana-others-to-benefit-from-3-3m-rice-production-grant/201423/



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Ministry. If such a saying is true, it shows the existence of corruption practices and who are the

so-called specific officials? The MACC must investigate where has the RM300 gone.

The purpose of the government to spend RM500 million for rice subsidy each year is to allow

the poor buy cheap rice, helping them to ease financial burden. The intention is good, but has

unfortunately been abused by corrupt officials and unscrupulous rice millers, who turn ST15%

broken rice into ST5% rice to gain profits from it, causing ST15% rice can no longer be seen in

the market, and the poor still need to buy expensive rice. The government's subsidy has only

benefited the senior officials. The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry has failed to

properly implement the rice subsidy programme and many problems have derived from it. The

Minister's capability should be questioned.

To solve the problem of abusing rice subsidy, the government must make a thorough reform,

such as revoking the quota system for Bumiputera rice millers. The Ministry allegedly allows

only Malay rice millers to enjoy the subsidy while shutting the door to Chinese rice millers,

rather allowing Malay millers to store up to 6,000 tons of rice and Chinese rice millers to face

shortage of supply. Unfair policy is also a factor causing corruption and abuse of power.Since

Kedah Regency Council deputy chairman has lodged a report against the Agriculture and Agro-

Based Industry Minister and officials, we hope that the MACC can launch a thorough

investigation on involving wholesalers, millers and officials in the ministry to lift the doubts of

the people, as well as allow the poor to enjoy the rice subsidy. Source with thanks:http://www.mysinchew.com/node/105893

Where has the RM300 rice subsidy gone? — Sin Chew Daily PUBLISHED: FEBRUARY 10, 2015 10:29 AM

FEBRUARY 10 — Kedah Regency Council deputy chairman and two rice millers have lodged a

report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against Agriculture and Agro-

Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob over suspected power abuse in handling

rice subsidy, exposing drawbacks in the RM500 million subsidy for Super Tempatan ST15 per

cent broken rice.

Poor people are unable to purchase subsidied rice, due to allegedly pocketing problems involving

senior officials in the government.However, Ismail Sabri, who was severely criticised recently

for harming racial harmony due to his boycott call, has distanced himself from the allegation,

claiming that he has no supreme decision-making power in the government’s ST15 per cent

national rice subsidy programme. He said that the supply of the subsidised rice is handled by the

commission led by the Ministry’s Secretary-General. As the Agriculture and Agro-Based

Industry Minister, how could Ismail Sabri pass the buck just like that? The accusation does not

seem to be baseless as it was openly pointed out by the Kedah Regency Council deputy

chairman, who is a rice miller himself.

http://www.mysinchew.com/node/105893



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It was reported that the Kedah Regency Council deputy chairman has his rice supply quota cut

from 1,000 tons to 100 tons as he refused bribery while the supply of other rice millers were

completely cut off. It is believed that many other millers are facing the same problem, showing

that corruption problems in the rice subsidy programme has become increasingly serious.The

government implements the ST15 per cent national rice subsidy programme and subsidies

60,000 tons of rice each month, with RM750 subsidy for each ton. However, rice millers receive

only RM450 for each ton while the other RM300 was said to have passed to specific officials in

the Ministry. If such a saying is true, it shows the existence of corruption practices and who are

the so-called specific officials?

The MACC must investigate where has the RM300 gone.The purpose of the government to

spend RM500 million for rice subsidy each year is to allow the poor buy cheap rice, helping

them to ease financial burden. The intention is good, but has unfortunately been abused by

corrupt officials and unscrupulous rice millers, who turn ST15 per cent broken rice into ST5 per

cent rice to gain profits from it, causing ST15% rice can no longer be seen in the market, and the

poor still need to buy expensive rice. The government’s subsidy has only benefited the senior

officials. The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry has failed to properly implement

the rice subsidy programme and many problems have derived from it. The Minister’s capability

should be questioned.

To solve the problem of abusing rice subsidy, the government must make a thorough reform,

such as revoking the quota system for Bumiputera rice millers. The Ministry allegedly allows

only Malay rice millers to enjoy the subsidy while shutting the door to Chinese rice millers,

rather allowing Malay millers to store up to 6,000 tons of rice and Chinese rice millers to face

shortage of supply.

Unfair policy is also a factor causing corruption and abuse of power.Since Kedah Regency

Council deputy chairman has lodged a report against the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry

Minister and officials, we hope that the MACC can launch a thorough investigation on involving

wholesalers, millers and officials in the ministry to lift the doubts of the people, as well as allow

the poor to enjoy the rice subsidy. — Sin Chew Daily

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily

represent the views of Malay Mail Online.

Source with thanks:http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/where-has-the-rm300-rice-

subsidy-gone-sin-chew-daily#sthash.fMyQdn2j.dpuf

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/where-has-the-rm300-rice-subsidy-gone-sin-chew-daily#sthash.fMyQdn2j.dpuf

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/where-has-the-rm300-rice-subsidy-gone-sin-chew-daily#sthash.fMyQdn2j.dpuf



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AMTek Microwaves lends equipment for research in rice

drying, processing

Posted: Monday, February 9, 2015 12:00 am

Bringing in a microwave to dry harvested rice could do more than just get the job done faster.

Researchers at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture seek to use it to

prevent cracking of dried rice kernels and maintain milling quality.The Food Science

Department is working with equipment on loan from AMTek Microwaves of Cedar Rapids,

Iowa, to determine the capabilities.

“This is new for rice, especially for drying rice,” said Griffiths Atungulu, an assistant professor

of grain processing and engineering in the department who is leading the research effort.

“Traditionally, rice has been dried in the U.S. using natural air in-bin, and heated-air, high-

temperature cross-flow drying systems. The microwave is another potential new technology. We

are working with AMTek to see how we can optimize the new technology to maintain quality of

the dried rice.”

Atungulu sees considerable potential for microwave drying and the benefits it can offer in rice

processing. Microwave dryers use volumetric heating—heating the entire kernel nearly all at

once—that may allow for rapid drying. The volumetric heating of rice accorded by microwaves

reduces chances of high moisture content gradients developing in the rice kernels, which in turn

reduces the likelihood of kernels cracking from stress.

When such cracking is prevented, the kernels are less susceptible to breakage during milling.

Breakage can reduce the rice milling yield, which has a negative economic impact for rice

producers and processors.“One of the things we look for is to dry rice quickly, but in ways that

maintain rice quality in terms of milling, nutrition, sensory and functionality.” Atungulu said.

“Rice milling quality is very sensitive to moisture content and temperature gradients encountered

during drying. This particular equipment is designed with modular processing features, which we

hope to optimize with an optimal goal that rice could be dried to safe storage moisture content in

a single pass and not introduce huge moisture content gradients that might produce fissures or

cracking.

”Atungulu also sees some potential for using the technology to achieve not only drying but also

disinfestation and decontamination of any insects that may be deleterious to rice quality during

storage.The research project being pursued by Division researchers would be on a pilot-scale

using the AMTek microwave and other facilities on campus. The results could be applicable on a

larger industrial scale. Atungulu said it is important to experiment with various bed-layer

thicknesses on the conveyor belt to determine drying characteristics. The microwave energy

supplied to mass amounts of rice such as would be the case in a scaled-up process should take

into account the thickness of the rice bed and initial moisture content.“Those are some of the

parameters we need to define very carefully.

” Atungulu said. “What is that optimal bed thickness? What intensity of heat does the microwave

correspond to that will give us desired drying duration and product quality for rice at a given

initial moisture content? Those must be determined before anyone can begin thinking about



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scaling up for industry.”The research team expects to work on the project while testing different

cultivars of rice and at different seasons. The company’s equipment is on loan throughout that

process, said Stephen Rogers, AMTek vice president.

AMTek joined with the Division of Agriculture after the company was asked by a foreign nation

to develop a rice drying machine, Rogers explained. He said AMTek personnel weren’t familiar

with rice drying techniques, but then they discovered papers on the topic written by Atungulu

and Terry Siebenmorgen, director of the Division’s Rice Processing Program.“So we contacted

them and have been working to establish this relationship to have them help us figure out how to

dry rice using microwaves,” Rogers said. The project is expected to take three years.

Source with thanks:http://www.hpj.com/general/article_b8c35268-edbe-522c-b18a-4c25d673071c.html

Authentic American Rice Logo Debuts in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- The USA

Rice Federation officially unveiled the first

ever American rice origin seal for an

overseas market at a trade and press

breakfast event here last Thursday. The

purpose of the logo is to allow the Mexican

consumer to easily identify the high quality,

consistency, and safety of American-origin

rice, heretofore difficult for the public. The logo kick-off for "Arroz Americano Autentico" drew

more than 40 members of the Mexican rice trade, as well as representatives of the U.S. Embassy,

Agricultural Trade Office, Mexican Rice Council, major packers, millers, culinary school

directors, magazine editors, supermarket reps, and TV and newspaper reporters.

"I love the logo which clearly identifies the U.S. as the quality origin of rice, and kudos to USA

Rice for the initiative," said Joseph Lopez, Acting Minister Counselor for Agricultural Affairs

and Director of the U.S. Agricultural Trade Office in Mexico."We're the largest importer of U.S.

paddy rice and we are interested in the growth of our brands," said Karen Reiterhart, Marketing

Manager of Schettino Hermanos. "We consider the logo is going to help distinguish our brand as

the highest quality and safest in the market."

"The logo lets the consumer distinguish the high quality, food safety, and research that goes into

American rice," said Guillermo Cardenas, Director General of Agri-Grain, a key importer of

U.S. rice, and President of Consejo Agroalimentario de Productos Básicos, a trade group of

major importers, wholesalers, and distributors of basic commodities. "Congratulations to USA

Rice. We look forward to using the new logo for our leading U.S.-origin rice brand," said

http://www.hpj.com/general/article_b8c35268-edbe-522c-b18a-4c25d673071c.html



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Alejandro Alvarez, Director General of La Merced, the second most popular rice brand in

Mexico.USA Rice Vice President of International Promotion Jim Guinn, attended the event and

said, "The Authentic American Rice quality seal will be promoted by USA Rice in Mexico

specifically emphasizing the quality, versatility, safety, and consistency of U.S. rice. Co-

promotions are being planned for those packers and distributors that utilize the logo."

Contact: Marvin Lehrer (210) 663-0360

Source with thanks:USA Rice Federation

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for February 9

Month Price Net Change

March 2015 $10.435 - $0.305

May 2015 $10.690 - $0.310

July 2015 $10.945 - $0.305

September 2015 $10.955 - $0.145

November 2015 $11.010 + $0.065

January 2016 $11.100 + $0.065

March 2016 $11.100 + $0.065

Source with thanks:USA Rice Federation

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016l2y8DbWSQ2i_MhcztI2Vbd4_dfEw9hagdOfdi0bIxWsHAQyLte-j1lWFywqEWkuVFdf8O738WwSlLFhQmJxLHUbFsdSDEm6S_u1pZeJt_hD3ziCpx4bdiZ3ZPh5c-IcqFNWPuWRIJUQ0CZRm5Nw7JQq6HYvUzOJ3OzPvpW1VvNQENg2iKqsTVMbuHVwPnazFdN_d_nqb-y10k52aad8EnNSzggF_wijN3Uult4-lZ8B6ZRYYSGPIr6by1kqWHhX4ONR_8-brQblIEO_FKV7SwDTHa9VrjUuWZetXFBZvbegIhtHTx2HpvhWNM3c8178AL4jiqst3hS4HRkNFYDR6bOViiyNnPIevmHH66fHFA4z3-xWJSQpcx4yOfByoxtP1tMusFeIkinPi8jU8KriAk2MnEes7LEpYmeMqbm5UECLD_fRq1DLetg_K77Gbq5jnXRwhIir5LqHyRl3IsV5SafwXAuXCo8k&c=DB7EcRESIE-nOFSoreBToIiyen8RO4065OBMr9WE15hm559sUuyl8A==&ch=Yz2Uux3I5cUSHjGHuWDrgv7gKPolg48ZzgXh6xLRuDAn3t35uDg06w==



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CAMBODIA PRESS-Rice federation may rely on banks,

govt for capital - Cambodia Daily

By REUTERS

PUBLISHED: 03:48 GMT, 9 February 2015 | UPDATED: 03:48 GMT, 9 February 2015

The Cambodian Rice Federation plans to borrow at least $400,000 for international marketing

campaigns if it fails to meet its goal of raising $777,000 for the plans through export fees on

members, Cambodia Daily reported, citing president Sok Puthyvuth.Puthyvuth said the

federation may turn to commercial banks or the government to cover costs, or even look further

afield, it reported.

(http://bit.ly/1KyvIdX)

----

NOTE: Reuters has not verified this story and does not vouch for its accuracy. (Compiled by

Phnom Penh Newsroom; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)

Source with thanks:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-2945385/CAMBODIA-

PRESS-Rice-federation-rely-banks-govt-capital--Cambodia-Daily.html

Egyptian rice exporters say tariff is too high Mon Feb 9, 2015 7:42am GMT

"Effectively, what you are doing is paying the government around $480 a tonne to export while

the value of the rice is around $400 which makes you end up with a cost and freight price of

around $880 a tonne," another rice exporter, Adham El Welely, executive director of El Welely

group, said.Egypt, which produced around 4.3 million tonnes of rice in the 2014 season, only

consumes around 3.3 million tonnes.Egyptian medium grain rice mainly competes with U.S.,

Russian and Italian rice on the international market with some rice from those countries selling

for around $750 a tonne.

"We used to export around 120,000 tonnes a year before the ban was imposed, mainly to Middle

East markets such as Syria, Turkey, Kuwait and Dubai," El Welely said.El Welely has licences

to export around 5,000 tonnes under the new system and has so far exported around 1,000

tonnes, mainly to Syria.Egypt first imposed a ban on exports in 2008 saying it needed to save the

rice for local consumption and wanted to discourage rice farmers from growing the crop to save

water.However, rice exporters have complained that the ban on free exports has led to illicit

trading.

"When smugglers sell the rice at $750 a tonne they make an almost 100 percent profit on it and

there are a million ways they find to do that," Karim Otabachi, import and export manager of

Egyptian grains trader Wakalex said.One way is to buy cheaper Indian rice for re-export and then

substitute those exports with Egyptian rice, leaving the Indian rice to be sold on the local market

instead. ($1 = 7.6300 Egyptian pounds) (Editing by Greg Mahlich)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Reuters

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-2945385/CAMBODIA-PRESS-Rice-federation-rely-banks-govt-capital--Cambodia-Daily.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-2945385/CAMBODIA-PRESS-Rice-federation-rely-banks-govt-capital--Cambodia-Daily.html


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

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Source with

thanks:http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL5N0VJ0FD20150209?pageNumber=2&virtualBran

dChannel=0

Investors eye Myanmar's rich potential for rice growing

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

THE NATION February 9, 2015 1:00 am

MYANMAR may go back to being one of the world's major rice exporters in five to 10 years, as

many Thai and foreign investors are looking to expand in rice mills and farms in the

country.Thai traders and experts all believe that Myanmar has great potential to become a major

rice producer in the near future because it has plenty of land with good quality soil for raising

rice, abundant water and a strategic location for distributing rice. Vichai Sriprasert, honorary

president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said last week that some rice millers and

exporters have started exploring Myanmar to establish mills and parboiled rice processing plants

after realising the country's potential to produce large quantities of the commodity for export.

Thai investors are studying Myanmar's investment laws and regulations. Once all issues are

clarified, they can start investing in a few years," he said. Most investors are considering setting

up large-scale rice mills to make their investment worthwhile. To build a large mill that

processes up to 500 tonnes of rice a year, an investment of up to Bt300 million is required, not

including the cost of land. The areas that Thai rice traders are eyeing are around Yangon and in

rice-growing areas along major rivers in Myanmar, such as the Ayeyarwaddy River and Bago,

which flows through the central region, the Thanlwin or Salween River, which connects to

Thailand, and the Sittaung River, which lies in the east-central part of the country.

Besides the existing rice growing areas, 40 million to 50 million rai of land in the country could

be developed and promoted for growing rice.Other foreign investors that are also keen on

investing in the farming industry, including rice, come from mainland China, Japan and Korea,

and from the Middle East.Myanmar used to be the world's largest rice supplier before the 1980s.

However, after the military government closed the country, local farmers shunned rice, as the

returns became less attractive. However, to invest in rice or other farming businesses, Thai

companies need to form a joint venture with local operators, as local farming businesses are

restricted to only Myanmar citizens.Chareon Laothammatas, president of the association, said

that with the food security policy of many foreign governments, many rice importing countries

are looking to expand to developing countries including Myanmar and other countries in Asean.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, Myanmar is projected to export 1.3 million-1.5

million tonnes of rice this year, up from about 1.3 million tonnes last year. In 2014-15, rice

production in Myanmar is forecast to increase by 1 per cent to 12.16 million tonnes in

anticipation of continued expansion of the growing area. The construction of eight dams, which

were targeted to be completed last year, and the renovation of drainage canals in flood zones and

deep-water areas in the Ayeyarwaddy region, are likely to increase the planting acreage for dry

season rice.Aat Pisanwanich, director of the Centre for International Trade Studies, said

Myanmar is one of the high-potential countries that have attracted the interest of many Thai

investors and rice is one of the potential businesses.

http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL5N0VJ0FD20150209?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL5N0VJ0FD20150209?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0



11


Rice production in Myanmar is cheaper than in Thailand, while Myanmar has many positive

factors including plenty of space, water supply and a location to support rice growing and

exporting.The study found the cost of rice production in Myanmar is about Bt7,122 per rai, and

could be lower after state dams are built and operating.

The centre's study also forecast that Thailand would lose a total of Bt87.5 billion (or Bt8.7

billion per year) in rice exports to 2022 if a serious effort is not made to develop the industry.

The Thai share of the world market is tipped to drop to 2.3 per cent from 2.5 per cent last year.

The lost market share will go to neighbouring countries - Vietnam and Myanmar. Thailand's

market share in Asia would slump from 1.3 per cent in 2013 to just 0.3 per cent in 10 years

because other rice-exporting nations - mainly Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar - will play a

more significant role in supplying the continental market.

Source with thanks:http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Investors-eye-Myanmars-rich-

potential-for-rice-gro-30253650.html

China to help build rice mills

Published on Monday, 09 February 2015 08:22

Under a contract signed between Myanmar and China, 200-tonne advanced rice mills will

be built in Nyaungdone, Ayeyarwady Region, according to the Myanmar Rice Millers

Association (MRMA).“Myanmar Rice Miller Company is formed under the MRMA. The

company has signed an agreement with the China CAMC Engineering Co (CAMCE). Under the

agreement, both sides will cooperate on the construction of the international-standard rice mills.

Afterwards, we will carry out rice grinding and then export quality rice to China as well as to

other international markets,” said Nay Lin Zin, joint secretary from the MRMA.

The construction will start this year and is due to be completed by 2017. “We have brought the

plots of land for the first rice mill in Sarmalauk in Nyaungdone, and will build two 200-tonne

rice mills. As a first step, we will build a 200-tonne rice mill,” he added. Under the deal between

the Myanmar Rice Federation and the Chinese firm, COFCO, China will purchase 100,000

tonnes of rice at the market price after the completion of the work. The MRF will coordinate the

direct sales of rice with COFCO, with both sides preparing the grinding and export of the rice

types and quality favoured in China.

Source with

thanks:http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8967:china-

to-help-build-rice-mills&catid=33:business&Itemid=356

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Investors-eye-Myanmars-rich-potential-for-rice-gro-30253650.html

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Investors-eye-Myanmars-rich-potential-for-rice-gro-30253650.html

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8967:china-to-help-build-rice-mills&catid=33:business&Itemid=356





12


H1 rice import on meteoric rise

Yasir Wardad

Rice import surged 440 per cent in the first half (H1) of the current financial year, traders said, in

a peculiar paradox while the government has opted for and already begun export of the

staple.Millers lament that the rice import on such a large scale is posing a serious threat to local

rice mills.Food Ministry officials said the volume of imports in the July-January period of the

current financial year (FY'15) surpassed the overall import made in the FY '14.Bangladesh

Bank's latest data shows private traders imported rice worth $248.5 million (settled LCs) in July-

December period of the current fiscal. The figure was only $46.1 million in the corresponding

period of the FY '14.

The overall import of rice amounted to $377.22 million in the FY '14.The central-bank data

shows that private importers brought in rice worth $60 million just in December.An official at

the Directorate-General of Food (DGoF) said importers brought 0.72 million tonnes of rice in the

July-January period of the FY '15. The overall import in the FY '14 was 0.371 million

tonnes.Local millers have almost trembled down as nearly 60 per cent of mills were forced to

stop their operation in the peak 'rice-milling season' following the import coupled with the

ongoing political turmoil that severely hampered transportation, said leading mill owners.

Secretary of Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mills Owners' Association (BAMHMOA), the

biggest platform of the country's rice millers, KM Layek Ali said that the sector was in a big

trouble due to the import and the ongoing blockade.He pointed out that the government fixed

Aman-rice price at Tk 33 per kilogram while the importers brought rice at prices below Tk 27-28

per kg from India."The millers are facing an uneven competition which may have a disastrous

impact on market stability in future," he said.He made a disconcerting disclosure that 60 per cent

out of 20,000 mills across the country stopped their operation. It will, in his assumption, have a

serious impact on the market as prices of the staple may shoot up significantly.

Shahidur Rahman Patwary Mohan, an executive member of BAMHMOA, said: "Apart from

imports, the ongoing political turbulence also has battered our business."He said in peak seasons

like Boro and Aman farming, millers husk nearly 60,000 tonnes of paddy per day (for three

months) which has been reduced to just 15,000 tonnes.The milling crash occurred as orders from

Dhaka, Chittagong and elsewhere in the country are being cancelled in fear of vandalism on

highways. He said truck owners were not willing to run their vehicles and the owners who were

taking risks were charging double fares.

According to him, in addition to about 22 million farmers, nearly 7.0 million people are directly

involved with rice milling while another 4.0 million indirectly depend on it.The industry leader

said: "The mill owners and the workers are passing a tough time due to the imports and



13


blockades."Most of the mills depend on bank loans and count interest of 17-19 per cent which is

adjusted on a three-month basis. And "hundreds of millers will turn loan defaulters, if this

present trend continues".

Economist Dr Md Enamul Hoque said the government should have checks and balances on local

production, supply and price trend before initiating a perfect rice import policy. "It is necessary

to safeguard the local rice mills which are the compulsory segment for ensuring food security in

the country."According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, overall rice production in the last

financial year (FY'14) was at an all-time high of 34.35 million tonnes against the local demand

for 31.0 million tonnes.

[email protected]

Source with thanks:http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/02/09/80249

Research and Markets: Global Rice Seed Industry Report

2014

February 9, 2015

DUBLIN — Research and Markets

(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/jnp62f/global_rice_seed) has announced the

addition of the "Global Rice Seed Industry Report 2014" report to their offering.The report

provides an overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and

industry chain structure. The rice seed market analysis is provided for the international markets

including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development

status.Development policies and plans are also discussed and manufacturing processes and cost

structures analyzed.

Rice seed industry import/export consumption, supply and demand figures and cost price and

production value gross margins are also provided.The report focuses on nineteen industry players

providing information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity

production, price, cost, production value and contact information. Upstream raw materials and

equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out. The rice seed industry

development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new

investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Rice Seed Industry Overview

2. Rice Seed International and China Market Analysis

3. Rice Seed Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis

4. Rice Seed Production by Regions By Technology By Applications

5. Rice Seed Manufacturing Process and Cost Structure

6. 2009-2014 Rice Seed Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/02/09/80249

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/jnp62f/global_rice_seed

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/jnp62f/global_rice_seed



14


7. Rice Seed Key Manufacturers Analysis

8. Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis

9. Rice Seed Marketing Channels Analysis

10. 2015-2020 Rice Seed Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast

11. Rice Seed Industry Development Proposals

12. Rice Seed New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis

13. Global Rice Seed Industry Research Conclusions

Companies Mentioned

Bayer

CP Seed

China National Seed

Dabeinong

Dupont Pionner

Gansu Dunhuang Seed

Grand Agriseeds

Grand Agriseeds Technology, Inc

HEFEI FENGLE SEED

Hancock Farm & Seed Company

Jiangsu Dahua

Kester's Nursery

Longping High-tech

Nidera

Syngenta

The Great Northern Wilderness Kenfeng seed Limited by Share Ltd

Winall Hi-tech Seed

Zhongnongfa Seed

Goldoctor

For more information

visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/jnp62f/global_rice_seed

Source with thanks:http://www.heraldonline.com/2015/02/09/6779677/research-and-markets-global-

rice.html#storylink=cpy

Cheated 'Rice Berry' farmers paid

Published: 9 Feb 2015 at 17.18 Online news: General

Writer: Chinnawat Singha

Farmers in Phitsanulok's Bang Rakam district have received overdue money from their rice

berry. (Bangkok Post photo)

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/jnp62f/global_rice_seed%0bhttp:/www.heraldonline.com/2015/02/09/6779677/research-and-markets-global-rice.html#storylink=cpy






15


PHITSANULOK - A group of

farmers who delivered their crops

of a new strain of grain, Rice

Berry, to a wholesaler but did not

get paid have finally received the

first down payment on their

harvests. The 71 farmers last year

delivered a total of 600 tonnes of

Rice Berry, a new strain of

premium quality rice, to Amporn

Pholthao.They said he persuaded

the group to grow the new strain

and promised them a high price.

Five months after delivering their grain the farmers still had not received any money, so they

sought for help from the agricultural ministry’s local office.The farmers, assisted by agriculture

officials, have so far sold 200 tonnes of their rice, earning 1.18 million baht in total, The money

was distributed to between the farmers on Monday by Anan Kittrattanwasin, the chief of Bang

Rakam district.

Farmers show their overdue money

received on Monday. Direk Yimhoi,

chief of the district’s Agricultural

Extension Office, said the office

would try to find buyers for the

remaining rice at 11,000 baht a tonne,

and hoped to market the grain, a form

of black rice, in the near future.He

suggested farmers who want to invest

in new crops or new projects should

first consult his office to prevent

problems. His staff could assist with

technical issues and quality examination, and with marketing.

In July 2012 it was announced Thai scientists had developed new rice strains with a high anti-

oxidant component that could help prevent the development of cancer and thalassemia.Rice

Science Centre then-director Apichart Vanavichit earlier said the new strains, Rice Berry and Sin

Lek, were full of anti-oxidants, iron and magnesium substances based on a clinical test by

Kasetsart University.The bran and bran oil of Rice Berry contained lupeol that could help

prevent cancer cell development or even kill the cells, he said.



16


Source with thanks: The Bangkok Post

Paddy procurement target fixed

It has been planned to procure five lakh tonnes paddy through Direct Purchase Centres (DPC)

established to benefit farmers in Thanjavur district during the current harvest season. With samba

harvest in full swing, staff at the DPCs in many places are having their hands full as the heavy

arrivals reflect the positive response from farmers.Paddy has been raised in over 1.35 lakh

hectares under samba and thalady crops in Thanjavur district this season. Harvest has peaked in

many regions of the district as so far over 55,000 hectares have been completed.

On the remaining 85,000 hectares, harvest would be undertaken soon for which the Agriculture

Department, district administration, and the State Government were extending all facilities to

farmers by offering them remunerative price for their produce, Dr. Subbaiyan said.Based on the

demand from farmers, the TNCSC has established 308 DPCs across the district through which so

far 60,000 tonnes of paddy had been procured from farmers against which Rs. 8.75 crore has

been disbursed to the suppliers. To monitor the procurement process, 14 flying squads had been

pressed into service

Source with thanks:http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/paddy-procurement-target-

fixed/article6870288.ece

Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 09-02-2015

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs/Qtl

Product Market Center Variety Min

Price Max Price

Maize

1 Amirgadh (Gujarat) Other 1410 1410

2 Athani (Karnataka) Local 1150 1200

3 Saharsa (Bihar) Other 1400 1450

Jowar (Sorgham)

1 Haveri (Karnataka) Local 1100 1130

2 Botad (Gujarat) Other 1000 1000

3 Kota (Rajasthan) Other 1470 1500

Papaya

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/paddy-procurement-target-fixed/article6870288.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/paddy-procurement-target-fixed/article6870288.ece



17


1 Batala (Punjab) Other 1500 1600

2 Palampur(Himachal Pradesh) Other 1800 2000

3 Dadri(Uttar Pradesh) Other 1400 1620

Brinjal

1 Chala (Kerala) Other 2800 2850

2 Jowai (Meghalaya) Other 2000 4000

3 Bonai (Orissa) Other 1500 2000

Source: agmarknet for more products

Egg Rs per 100 No.

Price on 09-02-2015

Product Market Center Price

1 Ahmedabad 309

2 Namakkal 290

3 Hyderabad 275

Source: e2necc.com

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 09-02-2015

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Apricots

1 Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 6125

2 Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 4875

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

Currants

1 Greek provincial, CIF UK (USD/t) 1619

2 Greek Vostizza, CIF UK (USD/t) 1739

http://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/ind_prices/ind_prices.aspx

http://e2necc.com/



18


Honey

1 Argentine 50mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 4360

2 Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 4310

3 Australian extra light/light amber, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 5340

Source:agra-net for more products

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ / package

Price on 09-02-2015

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Mangoes Package: flats 1 layer

1 Atlanta Peru

Kent 11 12

2 Detroit Ecuador Kent

9 10

3 Miami Peru

Kent 10 10

Cabbage Package: 50 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Florida

Round Green Type

10 13

2 Detroit Georgia

Round Green

Type 12 14.50

3 Miami Florida

Round Green

Type 11 12

Apples Package: cartons tray pack

1 Atlanta Idaho Red Delicious

10 10.50

2 Baltimore

New York

Red

Delicious 22 22

Source with thanks: APEDA

http://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/int_prices/international_price.aspx

9th february,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Documents

percent of rice

rice millers

rice commodity

rice importation

global rice enewsletter

domestic rice sector

rice production grant

rice value chain actors