July 30 (thursday),2015 ,daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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July 30, 2015 Vol 5 ,Issue VII



Machinery needed to cut post-harvest losses

HA NOI (VNS) — The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cao Duc Phat, said this

week that post-harvest losses in farm production were still high due to the low growth of

mechanisation.Phat was speaking at a conference to review the implementation of Prime

Ministerial decision No 68/2013/Qd-TTg to reduce post-harvest losses.

July, 30 2015 09:03:00

Post-harvest losses of rice in Viet Nam are estimated at more than VND20,000 billion

(US$916,600). Much of it occurs during harvesting, transporting, drying and preservation. —

Photo VNA

He said the implementation of the policy was at a low level and focused mostly on rice.Post-harvest

losses of rice in Viet Nam are estimated at more than VND20,000 billion (US$916,600). Much of it

occurs during harvesting, transporting, drying and preservation.In the past five years, the Government has

issued several polices to support farmers invest in machinery and equipment to reduce post-harvest losses.

However, An Van Khanh, deputy director general of the Department of Processing and Trade's Agro-

Forestry-Fisheries Product and Salt Production, said the reductions only focused on rice.He said no

attention had been paid to other crops, farm animals or fish and prawns. As a result, post-harvest losses of

rice were limited, while losses in orchards, fisheries and sugarcane industries were high.Prime Ministerial

decision 68 replaced two decisions (63/2010/QD-TTg and 65/2011/QD-TTg). The new regulation

broadens the variety of produce from farms. It does not include the old requirement that all machines



under the scheme must be mostly made in Viet Nam.Many rice farmers have been active in buying

machines and equipment for agriculture production thanks to these incentives.

However, the number of farmers who can access loans is still limited.According to reports from the State

Bank of Viet Nam, loans for the policy so far totalled VND3,468 billion ($158.9 million).Doan Xuan

Hoa, deputy chairman of Vietnamese Society of Agricultural Engineering, said VND1,030 billion ($47

million) had so far been paid back, but added that this was not enough.He suggested the Government raise

the total value of loans.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) wants to reduce post-harvest losses from

the current 10 per cent to between 5 and 6 per cent for rice; from 15 per cent to 9 per cent for maize; and

from 20 per cent to below 10 per cent for fisheries by 2020.To achieve the target, participants at the

conference proposed MARD to work with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to review the list of

machines and equipment that farmers can purchase under the scheme.They suggested the State Bank of

Viet Nam direct commercial banks to expand loans and help farmers get them. — VNS

http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/273753/machinery-needed-to-cut-post-harvest-losses.html

Help rice farmers, Negrense consumers urged

ERWIN P. NICAVERA

MURCIA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL -- The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice

Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) is urging Negrenses to be responsible rice consumers amid the

challenges of producing more grains supply to feed the country‘s growing population.Data from

PhilRice showed the Philippines has only around 2.4 million rice farmers for a population of

more than 90 million, each having an average per capita consumption of 114 kilograms.Ev

Angeles, senior science research specialist of DA-PhilRice who spoke at the ―Knowledge

Sharing and Learning‖ activity held at PhilRice Negros Occidental office on Tuesday said that as

the population increases, the challenge of producing more rice for the farmers also increases.

Angeles said rice farmers need the collective help of all sectors especially the consumers in

coping with other challenges such as more and stronger typhoons, adverse effects of drought,

smaller agricultural lands due to urbanization, and few extension workers.―Ordinary consumers

play a huge role in achieving the rice sufficiency level of the country that is, through responsible

rice consumption,‖ she said.Data from PhilRice further showed that the average age of Filipino

farmers is up to 58 years old only, Angeles said, adding that most of them have minimal income

and capital.The DA-PhilRice also raised concern on decreasing number of students getting

agriculture-related courses.

This is an important part in the chain especially in passing on the knowledge and skills in

agriculture to future generations, it added.As part of addressing these challenges, DA-PhilRice

together with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Agricultural Training Institute

(ATI) through their collaborative project called IPAD: Improving Performance and Delivery

conducted a two-day sharing and learning activity participated by students and teachers, micro-

finance sector representatives, seed producers, input providers, and farmers.The activity is aimed

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/erwin-p-nicavera



at making all the sectors especially the consumers realize what they can do to help farmers

overcome the challenges and inspire more people especially students to venture into and love

agriculture.

IRRI Junior Specialist Jerome Cayton Barradas said that through the activity they are sharing

with the participants various programs including researches and new technologies that can help

farmers boost their production.Barradas presented and discussed the Rice Knowledge Bank and

Rice Crop Management. These are easy to access tools like downloadable applications and

learning materials about steps on rice production and other good agricultural practices, including

pest and nutrient management.*

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on July 30, 2015. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/business/2015/07/29/help-rice-farmers-negrense-consumers-urged-

421779

10 join tilt for higher rice yield BY PEACE S.FLORES

The fourth batch of Negrense farmers participating in Palayabangan – the 10-5 Challenge of the

Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) are showcasing their

methods of producing 200 bags of rice per hectare with minimal costs at PhilRice Negros in

Murcia.The ten participants for the fourth batch Palayabangan competition include private

companies and individual farmers.

PhilRice Negros allotted 2,000 square meters for each participant who will utilize any

methodology, organic or otherwise, to produce their maximum yield using a planting area of that

size.The end goal is to produce an equivalent of ten tons or 200 bags per hectare yield at only P5

input cost per kilogram of palay, considering that the current average input cost is pegged at P11

per kilogram, Albert Christian Suñer, PhilRice Negros research and development coordinator,

said on Tuesday as he explained the mechanics of the challenge.

Suñer said that Palayabangan is PhilRice's way of supporting the government's Food Staples

Sufficiency Program and of boosting Negrense farmers' productivity.When the cropping period

ends, a P100,000 cash prize will be awarded to the winner who can produce 40 bags of rice or

more from the 2,000 square meter area, he said.The Palayabangan challenge for the fourth batch

of competitors will end in September, Suñer said.Since 2014, when Palayabangan began, the

equivalent maximum yield that previous participants produced was only 170 bags of rice, which

were 30 bags short of Palayabangan's 200 bags goal, he said.However, we are optimistic that this

goal is attainable in the near future, if not right away, Suñen added.*PSF

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2015/July/30/businessnews4.htm

Lal Bahadur ShastriAward for IIRR Scientist July 30,2015, 11.46 AM IST | | THE HANS INDIA

The Hyderabad city based Senior Scientist Dr. ShaikN.Meera bagged prestigious ‗Lal Bahadur

Shastri Outstanding Young Scientist Award 2014‘ of Indian Council of Agricultural Research,

Government of India. The award was presented during the 87thFoundation Day Celebrations and

Award Ceremony of ICAR held at Patna. Honourable Prime Minister of India Sh. Narendra Modi

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/business/2015/07/29/help-rice-farmers-negrense-consumers-urged-421779

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/business/2015/07/29/help-rice-farmers-negrense-consumers-urged-421779



participated in the ICAR Foundation Day which was followed by the award ceremony. The award

was given by Dr. Sanjeev Balyan, Minister of State for Agriculture, Government of India and Shri

MohanbhaiKundaria, Union Minister of State for Agriculture.

Dr. Meera is presently working at Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad. The award is

given every year in order to recognize the talented young scientists who have shown

extraordinary originality and dedication in their research programmes. With this award he gets

an award amount of ₹ 1.00 lakh in cash and a citation and a challenge project for three years

with budgetary provision of ₹ 30.00 lakh and ₹ 5.00 lakh for foreign training.

Dr. Meera has made outstanding contributions in Indian rice sector with innovative extension

methods and practical ICT approaches benefitting rice farmers and extension agencies. The Rice

Knowledge Management Portal developed by him is acclaimed as one of the finest ICT

applications in agriculture by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Rice Portal has

made significant impacts across the country by improving the farmers‘ access to rice knowledge.

He has contributed to the introduction of several new rice varieties/ hybrids/ technologies by

coordinating more than 7000 Frontline Demonstrations in last 6 years, benefitting 18318 rice

farmers directly.

He introduced impact acceleration concepts such as ‗India Rice Check‘, ‗Sustainable

Livelihoods‘, ‗e-learning‘ for extension systems‘. From extension research to extension service,

he struck an effective balance to blend Information and Communication Technologies with



traditional extension methods that resulted in improving the livelihoods of thousands of Indian

rice farmers. Dr. Meera is currently working on Mobile applications for Indian Rice farmers in

several local languages. If this project is successful, Indian farmers can get reliable and time

critical information directly from the research stations that may revolutionise rice farming in the

country

http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2015-07-30/Lal-Bahadur-ShastriAward-for-IIRR-

Scientist-166794

Health Guide: 7 Foods That Should Not Be Reheated

Opening your fridge and remembering that you have pizza left over from the night before is the best feeling

especially when you are starving.

Leftovers can make a quick lunch or give you an excuse to skip cooking dinner. All in all, they‘re great.

That is, until you have to reheat them.Some foods reheat quickly and nicely in the microwave, while

others require the stove top and a little added oil. And then there are some foods that should absolutely

under no circumstance be reheated ever.

We‘ve outlined the foods that you shouldn‘t reheat you. Have a look!

Coffee:

Just drink it hot the first time around, please. If you absolutely must, you can give coffee a couple seconds

in the microwave but it will never taste the same.

http://www.pakistantribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/foods-you-shouldnt-reheat.jpg



Potato:

Potatoes are nutritious but they lose their nutritional value if you let them be at room temperature for

long. They can actually become toxic and cause illnesses, such as food-poisoning.

Eggs:

You should never ever reheat your eggs. Eat them cold as they‘re really good like that. Don‘t eat them at

all.

Baked Green Vegetables:

If it was cooked in the oven, it should be reheated in the oven and when it comes to roasted veggies, only

the oven will bring them back to their former glory.

Pizza:

When you want to reheat pizza, the worst thing you can do is stick it in the microwave. Putting it in the

oven on a pizza stone or baking sheet is a better option. To crisp the bottom of the crust in the skillet for a

few minutes, and then add a few drops of water, cover, and allow the steam to melt the cheese.

Chicken:

Chicken is one of the most commonly reheated foods but also the most dangerous to due to the high

content of protein in it. Reheating it after a day or two can cause digestive problems. If it has to be eaten

after a few days, it‘s best to be consumed alone.

Rice:

Uncooked rice can contain spores of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can cause the illness. When the rice

is cooked, the spores can survive but if left at room temperature, the spores can grow into bacteria. These

bacteria can multiply and may produce toxins that cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea. The longer the

cooked rice is left at room temperature, the more likely it is that the bacteria or toxins could make it

unsafe to eat.

http://www.pakistantribe.com/story/42477/health-guide-7-foods-that-should-not-be-reheated/

APEDA INDI News

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 29-07-2015

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price



Rice

1 Pakistani 100%, FOB Karachi (USD/t) 318

2 Pakistani 25% Broken (USD/t) 383

3 Pakistani 15% Broken (USD/t) 365

Sultanas

1 Australian 5 Crown, CIF UK (USD/t) 2997

2 Iranian natural sultanas (Gouchan), CIF UK (USD/t) 1887

3 Turkish No 9 standard, FOB Izmir (USD/t) 2300

White Sugar

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

2 Thai VHP, FOB Thailand (USD/t) 405

3 Thai, FOB (USD/t) 415

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch

Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 29-07-2015

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Rice

1 Jhagadiya (Gujarat) Other 1950 3100

2 Chala (Kerala) Other 2620 2940

3 Bonai (Orissa) Other 2200 2400

Wheat

1 Dhing (Assam) Other 1500 1700

2 Amod (Gujarat) Other 1600 1800



3 Vasai (Maharashtra) Other 1560 2300

Papaya

1 Alappuzha (Kerala) Other 2500 2600

2 Sirhind (Punjab) Other 1000 2000

3 Haldwani (Uttrakhand) Other 1500 1500

Cauliflower

1 Palayam (Kerala) Other 2200 2500

2 Bhadrak (Orissa) Other 2500 4000

3 Surat (Gujarat) Other 1000 1300

Source:agra-net For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 29-07-2015

Product Market Center Price

1 Ahmedabad 350

2 Mysore 345

3 Chittoor 348

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 28-07-2015

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Potatoes Package: 50 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Colorado Russet 22.75 22.75

2 Chicago Idaho Russet 21 24

http://e2necc.com/



3 Detroit Idaho Russet 20.50 20.50

Cucumbers Package: cartons film wrapped

1 Atlanta Canada Long Seedless 9 10

2 Chicago Mexico Long Seedless 13 13

3 Dallas California Long Seedless 12 13

Grapes Package: 18 lb containers bagged

1 Atlanta Mexico Red Globe 25 26

2 Baltimore California Red Globe 26 26

3 Miami Mexico Red Globe 22 24

Source:USDA

NFA eyes 1.3 million metric tons of rice import by Joey Pavia - July 30, 2015

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The National Food Authority (NFA) is set to import 1.3 million

metric tons (MMT) of rice this year, according to NFA Administrator Renan B. Dalisay who

visited the NFA-Pampanga office here on Thursday.―The importation will be between 1.3 MMT

to 1.5 MMT based on our assessment,‖ Dalisay said.He explained the importation is expected to

meet the annual local consumption of about 12.5 MMT of rice. He added that the NFA needs to

have 14 MMT of rice in 2015, including at least 1.5 MMT as ―buffer‖ supply.Dalisay stressed

that the Aquino administration had ―only‖ shipped in some 4 MMT of rice from 2010 to 2014.

He added that from 2004 to 2010, the Arroyo government bought some 12 MMT of rice, mostly

coming from Vietnam and Thailand.That‘s only about 23 percent compared to the importation of

the previous [Estrada] administration, according to Dalisay.Saying his marching orders is to

stabilize the prices of rice, Dalisay said ―the only way to do it is to ensure there is enough

production.‖ ―We have to be sure that the rice supplies are distributed well in the entire

country.‖Dalisay claims the NFA had successfully stabilized rice prices because ―we can see

many fancy rice varieties cost less than P40 per kilo.

‖The NFA, as of July 23, has a national inventory recorded at 15,503,242 bags, or 775,165

metric tons, which can last for 25 days based on the national daily consumption

requirement.NFA-Pampanga Manager Elvira Obana showed to Dalisay the two warehouses of

the NFA main office in Pampanga. He was impressed when informed by Obana that they have

―30 days of buffer supply.‖―We are required to have at least 15 days of buffer supply. We can

supply Metro Manila in case a strong earthquake will happen there,‖ Obana said

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/author/joeypavia/



http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/nfa-eyes-additional-1-3-million-metric-tons-of-rice-import/

RPT-Global rice prices to surge by year-end as El Nino hits

Asian supply Thu Jul 30, 2015 3:49am GMT

(Repeats with no changes to text)

* Rice prices likely to rise 10-20 percent by year end

* Lower overall stocks at top exporters to fuel price rise

* Demand to perk up on signs rice prices have reached floor

By Rajendra Jadhav

MUMBAI, July 29 (Reuters) - Global rice prices are likely to surge by 10 percent to 20 percent

in the next few months as an El Nino weather pattern grips top producers in Asia, baking the

region's croplands and whittling down stocks of the grain to multi-year lows.While higher prices

of a key staple would be bad news for impoverished countries in Asia and Africa, lower output

will help No.2 exporter Thailand offload its bulging stockpiles that have weighed on the rice

market and pushed benchmark prices RI-THBKN5-P1 down to 7-1/2-year lows of $367.50 per

tonne in June.Below-average rainfall linked to El Nino has already disrupted rice transplantation

in India, led to a drought in seven out of 67 Thai provinces during what should be the wet season

and cut Vietnam's output expectations.

Exports from the three countries, which account for 68 percent of the world rice trade, are seen at

27.2 million tonnes this year, down 6.2 percent from a year ago, according to the U.N. Food and

Agriculture Organization (FAO)."The market has not yet factored in prospects of lower

production in key producing countries," B.V. Krishna Rao, managing director of leading Indian

rice shipper Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt Ltd, told Reuters."Prices could jump 10 percent by the year

end," Rao said, reversing similar losses seen in the past five months.

In fact prices could rise even more, given that weather bureaus from across the world are

predicting a strong El Nino, which typically leads to crop-damaging scorching weather across

Asia and east Africa but heavy rains and floods in South America."If August rains remain

patchy, like July, then rice prices could rise up to 20 percent in a few months," said a New Delhi-

based dealer with a global grains trading company.Lower overall inventories at key exporters

after stellar exports in 2014 will further fuel the price gain, traders said.

DEPLETED STOCKS

The FAO estimates the stock-to-use ratio, the level of inventories relative to domestic

consumption and exports, at the world's top five rice exporting countries will drop to 19 percent

in 2015/16, the lowest since 2007/08.Rice stocks in the five - India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan

and the United States - were drawn down in 2014 when world trade in rice rose to a record 42.8

million tonnes.Industry sources say the impact of Thailand's inventory, built up under the

previous government's rice-buying programme, is also waning as only 60 percent of it, or about 9

million tonnes, is fit for human consumption after prolonged storage.



Demand, however, is expected to pick up as buyers rush in to stock up on the grain on fears El

Nino will eat into supply.The Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, indicated last

week that it could ship in more rice to boost buffer stocks and keep local prices stable.Traders

are expecting top importer China, as well as Nigeria, to react similarly in the coming

months.China's 2014/15 imports could rise 8 percent to 4 million tonnes, while overseas

purchases by Nigeria could jump to 3.7 million tonnes, up 9 percent from last year, according to

International Grains Council estimates."Importers haven't built inventory since prices were

continuously falling. Once prices start rising, they will increase purchases" to avoid having to

buy at even higher rates later, said a Bangkok-based rice exporter. (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav, Additional reporting by Ho Binh Minh in HANOI; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

http://af.reuters.com/article/nigeriaNews/idAFL3N10A1WD20150730?sp=true

Drought threatens RI food security target Suherdjoko and Jon Afrizal, The Jakarta Post, Semarang/Jambi | Headlines | Thu, July 30 2015, 4:28 PM

The government‘s efforts to improve food security are facing a tough road ahead after several

regions across the archipelago have reported massive harvest failure over the past few months

caused by the long dry season. In Central Java, one of the country‘s largest rice-producing

regions, 6,578 hectares of paddy fields in several regencies, including Grobogan, Blora and Pati,

have experienced crop failure this year due to severe drought, according to the Central Java

Agriculture Agency‘s food crop cultivation head Nuswantoro SP.Nuswantoro said that almost

27,000 ha of paddy fields in the province, along with 294 ha of corn fields and 237 ha of soybean

fields, were on the verge of crop failure as well, as they were yet to be sufficiently irrigated.

―Out of the 35 regencies and municipalities in Central Java, 29 of them have been struggling

with the impact of the drought,‖ he said on Wednesday. Meanwhile the local Disaster Mitigation

Agency (BPBD) in Jambi declared emergency standby status for drought in the province on

Monday after eight out of the province‘s 11 regions experienced severe drought in the midst of a

long dry season. The province‘s Agriculture Agency also reported that 68 ha of paddy fields

have experienced crop failure.―One hectare of paddy field can produce an average of 5 tons of

rice. This means that we have lost a potential of 340 tons of rice during this year‘s harvest

season,‖ agency head Amrin Aziz said. Indonesia imported at least 425,000 tons of rice from

Thailand and Vietnam last year.

President Joko ―Jokowi‖ Widodo has previously pledged to lead the country to become self-

sufficient in rice production within three years.However, the National Disaster Mitigation

Agency (BNPB) revealed on Tuesday that 25,000 ha of crop fields across the archipelago have

experienced harvest failure due to the El Niño weather phenomenon, which affects temperatures

and rainfall patterns. It also revealed that 77 regencies and municipalities in 12 provinces,

including West Java, Central Java, South Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara and Papua, have also

been struggling with a water crisis due to the long absence of rain.



The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has predicted that

the El Niño effect will extend Indonesia‘s dry season, which normally occurs between April and

September, until November.In Boyolali, Central Java, the local BPBD has reported that

thousands of residents over 42 sub-districts in the regency have been struggling with a water

crisis.Residents in Kalimati sub-district, Juwangi district, for example, must dig up soil near a

dried-up river in search of water. They have to wait around an hour until murky and smelly water

emerges from the holes.―The water can be directly used for showers or washing clothes. But we

must allow the water to settle for at least one day before boiling it [for drinking water],‖ said 37-

year-old Suyekti, a local resident.

Meanwhile in Southeast Minahasa regency,

North Sulawesi, residents of the regency capital

of Ratahan reported that water supply from the

regional administration-run tap water company

(PDAM) has been disrupted for the past several

days. PDAM official Steven Kawenas said the

disruptions have been triggered by both

technical problems and the decreasing amount

of raw water supply in the city.―We only have

one raw water source [for the city]. Water

reserves have been decreasing, while the

demand for tap water is increasing,‖ he said.

Ganug Nugroho Adi in Boyolali and Lita Aruperes in Manado contributed to the article.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/07/30/drought-threatens-ri-food-security-

target.html#sthash.6OvymKAy.dpuf

Rice farmers in Bontanga and Golinga double yields Category: General News JULY 30, 2015 30

Farmers who cultivated rice under a new fertilizer application method called Urea Deep

Placement (UDP) during the dry season at both the Bontanga and Golinga Irrigation Schemes in the

Northern Region recorded between 100 to 350 per cent yield increase.The farmers told the GNA on

Wednesday that the traditional method of applying fertilizer by broadcasting was more expensive and

environmentally unfriendly compared to the new method by which the fertilizer is compressed and

inserted between four rice plants to enable it absorb the nutrient gradually and directly.Aside the UDP

technology, farmers were also introduced to good land preparation, effective water management and

transplanting by the Feed the Future Ghana Agriculture Technology Transfer project at the two irrigation

schemes during the dry season.

https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Rice.jpg



Speaking at the sidelines of a ceremony to celebrate the increase in yield, Dalung-Naa Alhaji Adam

Amidu, Chief of Dalung, advised rice farmers to adopt the new technology due to its good yields.The

occasion was organized by the chief in Dalung for women UDP applicators and farmers in the area and to

encourage other farmers to adopt the technology to complement government‘s efforts to ensure food

security.

Some farmers the GNA spoke to attested that most rice farmers under the scheme, after comparing the

yield of farmer learning centers cultivated under UDP technology and those of the traditional method,

were convinced about the improved technologies.Mr Abu Alhassan, a farmer, observed that due to the

positive results, many farmers were cultivating rice under rain fed which was not usually the case.

Source: GNA

Rice exports can still recover from floods By Htin Lynn Aung | Thursday, 30 July 2015

Though more than 60,000 acres of monsoon paddy may have been destroyed by recent

flooding, not all is lost, said U Ye Min Aung, general secretary of the Myanmar Rice

Federation.

A farmer plows his field.Heavy rains hsve caused problems for local farmers.Photo:AFP The rains have come early enough in the season that farmers will have the opportunity to replant – if

they can afford

to, he said. ―Their

paddy yields will

be a bit lower, but

exports won‘t

suffer much as a

result,‖ he said.

―And the state

will have to help

farmers with new

laws passed

which protect

farmers.

‖―We can‘t help

them now

because the

flooding is still

taking place, but

we will act

according to the

situation when

the floodwater subsides.‖Heavy rainfall since mid-July has caused flooding particularly in parts of

Sagaing Region, Shan State and Kachin State. U Ye Min Aung said this has flooded out tens of



thousands of acres of paddy field.Fortunate for the affected farmers, the rice harvest generally occurs

later in the year in Upper Myanmar than it does in the delta.U Myo Myint, a prominent farmer based

in Sagaing Region, said there is still time to replant this year.―There‘s still time to plant again.

This can be done until the start of September,‖ he said.A larger concern is the need to purchase more

fertiliser and paddy, which will hit the pocketbooks of farmers. Fields that had not been harvested

from the smaller summer crop could also be damaged.A statement from the Ministry of Agriculture

and Irrigation said that as of July 19, 2453 acres of summer paddy fields, 36,689 acres of monsoon

paddy fields and more than 3100 acres of seedling fields have been flooded. These figures were

released earlier in the month.Some looked at the bright side. ―We can say it is a good point that there

are not many flooded fields in lower Myanmar, where they always flood every year,‖ he

said.Myanmar Rice Traders Association vice chair U Aung Than Oo said that with the large quantity

of rice fields that are flooded each year, it is necessary to start crop insurance.

―Paddy fields in some townships in Bago and Ayeyarwady regions flood each year,‖ he said. ―There

should be comprehensive crop insurance plans in these regions‘ farmland, as well as Rakhine State,

when the weather is rough, organised by the government.‖Previous figures from the Myanmar Rice

Federation say it hopes to have an annual paddy yield of over 14 million tonnes, though about 2

million tonnes of rice can be exported.

Translation by Thiri Min Htun http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/15749-rice-exports-can-still-recover-from-floods.html

Government aims to procure millions of tons of rice Thursday, 30 July 2015 - 7:22pm IST | Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI

The government has fixed rice procurement target of 30 million tonnes for the 2015-16 marketing year

starting October and while directing States to open adequate number of purchasing centres.The

government has fixed riceprocurement target of 30 million tonnes for the 2015-16 marketing year starting

October and while directing States to open adequate number of purchasing centres.Rice procurement has

already surpassed the target of 30 million tonnes set for the ongoing 2014-15 marketing year (October

September).

The Food Corporation of India (FCI), the nodal agency for foodgrain procurement and distribution, has so

far purchased 31.51 million tonnes."The procurement target for the 2015-16 marketing season has been

finalised 30 million tonnes," an official statement said. India is estimated to have produced over 102

million tonnes of rice in 2014-15 crop year (July-June).Target for Chhattisgarh has been kept at 3.6

million tonnes, Haryana (2.34 million tonnes), Andhra Pradesh and Bihar (2 million tonnes each),

Jharkhand (3,00,000 tonnes), Kerala (1,00,000 tonnes), Karnataka (95,000 tonnes) and Assam (50,000

tonnes), it said.Rice procurement target was fixed at the meeting of the state food secretaries chaired by

Union Food Secretary Vrinda Sarup.

The meeting also reviewed arrangements for procurement of paddy and coarse grains for 2015-16.To

ensure smooth procurement operation, the states have been asked to open adequate purchase centres and

http://www.dnaindia.com/topic/rice



deploy sufficient manpower. States have also been advised to make arrangements to publicise about

minimum support price (MSP) as well as about procurement centres both in print and audio-visual media

and pamphlets in local languages.On storage front, the state governments have also been asked to give

details of storage plan for the ensuing kharif marketing season and prepare action plan to meet the deficit

in storage requirement.

Regarding packaging material, states have been told to place indents for purchase of jute bags in time to

avoid last minute shortage of packaging material. The states have also been directed to furnish, on daily

basis, the district-wise procurement details of previous day for Online Procurement Monitoring System

(OPMS).

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-government-aims-to-procure-millions-of-tons-of-rice-2109611

Government aims to procure 30 million tons of rice in 2015-

16 By PTI | 30 Jul, 2015, 07.59PM IST

Rice procurement has already surpassed the target

of 30 million tonnes set for the ongoing 2014-15

marketing year (October September).NEW

DELHI: The government has fixed rice

procurement target of 30 million tonnes for the

2015-16 marketing year starting October and while

directing States to open adequate number of

purchasing centres. Rice procurement has already

surpassed the target of 30 million tonnes set for the

ongoing 2014-15 marketing year (October

September). The Food Corporation of India (FCI),

the nodal agency for foodgrain procurement and

distribution, has so far purchased 31.51 million

tonnes.

"The procurement target for the 2015-16 marketing season has been finalised 30 million tonnes," an

official statement said. India is estimated to have produced over 102 million tonnes of rice in 2014-15

crop year (July-June). Target for Chhattisgarh has been kept at 3.6 million tonnes, Haryana (2.34 million

tonnes), Andhra Pradesh and Bihar (2 million tonnes each), Jharkhand (3,00,000 tonnes), Kerala

(1,00,000 tonnes), Karnataka (95,000 tonnes) and Assam (50,000 tonnes), it said. Rice procurement target

was fixed at the meeting of the state food secretaries chaired by Union Food Secretary Vrinda Sarup. The

meeting also reviewed arrangements for procurement of paddy and coarse grains for 2015-16.

To ensure smooth procurement operation, the states have been asked to open adequate purchase centres

and deploy sufficient manpower. States have also been advised to make arrangements to publicise about

minimum support price (MSP) as well as about procurement centres both in print and audio-visual media

and pamphlets in local languages. On storage front, the state governments have also been asked to give



details of storage plan for the ensuing kharif marketing season and prepare action plan to meet the deficit

in storage requirement. Regarding packaging material, states have been told to place indents for purchase

of jute bags in time to avoid last minute shortage of packaging material.

The states have also been directed to furnish, on daily basis, the district-wise procurement details of previous day for Online

Procurement Monitoring System (OPMS).

Rice procurement target set at 30 million tonnes for 2015-16 New Delhi, July 30:

The procurement target for rice was set at 30 million tonnes (mt) for the 2015-16 marketing year

for the 2015-16 Kharif marketing season. The decision was taken at meeting of State Food

Secretaries chaired by Union Food Secretary Vrinda Sarup held here on Thursday. Arrangements

for procurement of paddy and coarse grains in producing States were reviewed with a focus

―particularly in decentralised procurement States and other non-traditional States to maximise

procurement of paddy/rice and coarse grains during 2015-16 season,‖ according to an official

statement. ―States have also been advised to make arrangements for publicising MSP (minimum

support price) fixed, procurement centres opened through print and audio-visual media as well as

through pamphlets in local languages,‖ the statement said.

The secretaries were also requested to place indents for purchase of jute bags in time to avoid

last-minute shortages and were also requested to furnish, on a daily basis, the district-wise

procurement revenue details of the previous day for the Online Procurement Monitoring System.

Punjab (8.2 mt) has the highest target, followed by Chhattisgarh (3.6 mt), Odisha (2.8 mt), Uttar

Pradesh (2.75 mt), Haryana (2.35 mt), Andhra Pradesh and Bihar (2 mt each), Telangana and

West Bengal (1.8 mt each). (This article was published on July 30, 2015)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/rice-procurement-target-set-at-30-

million-tonnes-for-201516/article7481993.ece

Scientists Discover New GMO Rice That Can Help Reduce

Greenhouse Gas Emissions By Guneet Bhatia @Guneet_B on July 30 2015 4:51 PM EDT

Researchers have developed a new variety of genetically modified rice that grows in paddies producing

no climate-changing methane emmisions. Reuters

Even though rice is the staple food of a majority of the world's population, it has also led to an

increase in atmospheric methane, a greenhouse gas. In an attempt to provide a solution to the

problem, an international team of scientists has created a new variety of genetically modified rice

that can help reduce the methane emissions from rice paddies.A team of scientists from the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE), Sweden's University of Agricultural Sciences, and China's Hunan

Agricultural University and Fujian Academy collaborated develop the GMO rice by

http://www.ibtimes.com/reporters/guneet-bhatia

http://www.twitter.com/Guneet_B



introducing a new gene. The researchers claim that cultivation of the new variety will produce

rice paddies that yield no methane.

During development of the genetically modified rice, named SUSIBA2, the researchers

introduced a single barley gene into the genome of the common rice. According to the

researchers, the resultant rice starves off methane-producing bacteria in the soil. Therefore, when

grown, it is able to better feed its leaves, stems and grains, resulting in a superior-quality rice

variety.In addition to not emitting the greenhouse gas, researchers say that the new rice variety

will be packed with other properties when grown, such as increased starch and biomass. The

complete details of the study have been published in the journal Nature.

"The need to increase starch content and lower methane emissions from rice production is widely

recognized, but the ability to do both simultaneously has eluded researchers," said DOE

scientist Christer Jansson."As the world's population grows, so will rice production. And as the

Earth warms, so will rice paddies, resulting in even more methane emissions. It's an issue that

must be addressed."The press release states that nearly 17 percent of global methane emissions,

or 100 million tons, come from rice paddies. Even though the percentage is small when

compared to the total annual emissions of carbon dioxide, the contribution is still worth

discussing since methane is 20 times more effective in trapping heat than carbon dioxide. http://www.ibtimes.com/scientists-discover-new-gmo-rice-can-help-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions-

2031106

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-07/dnnl-tgo072915.php

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/72670/20150729/new-gmo-rice-can-lower-greenhouse-gas-emission-for-food-production.htm



Government aims to procure millions of tons of rice Thursday, 30 July 2015 - 7:22pm IST | Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI

The government has fixed rice procurement target of 30 million tonnes for the 2015-16 marketing year

starting October and while directing States to open adequate number of purchasing centres.

The government has fixed riceprocurement target of 30 million tonnes for the 2015-16

marketing year starting October and while directing States to open adequate number of

purchasing centres.Rice procurement has already surpassed the target of 30 million tonnes set for

the ongoing 2014-15 marketing year (October September). The Food Corporation of India (FCI),

the nodal agency for foodgrain procurement and distribution, has so far purchased 31.51 million

tonnes."The procurement target for the 2015-16 marketing season has been finalised 30 million

http://www.dnaindia.com/topic/rice



tonnes," an official statement said. India is estimated to have produced over 102 million tonnes

of rice in 2014-15 crop year (July-June).

Target for Chhattisgarh has been kept at 3.6 million tonnes, Haryana (2.34 million tonnes),

Andhra Pradesh and Bihar (2 million tonnes each), Jharkhand (3,00,000 tonnes), Kerala

(1,00,000 tonnes), Karnataka (95,000 tonnes) and Assam (50,000 tonnes), it said.Rice

procurement target was fixed at the meeting of the state food secretaries chaired by Union Food

Secretary Vrinda Sarup. The meeting also reviewed arrangements for procurement of paddy and

coarse grains for 2015-16.To ensure smooth procurement operation, the states have been asked

to open adequate purchase centres and deploy sufficient manpower. States have also been

advised to make arrangements to publicise about minimum support price (MSP) as well as about

procurement centres both in print and audio-visual media and pamphlets in local languages.

On storage front, the state governments have also been asked to give details of storage plan for

the ensuing kharif marketing season and prepare action plan to meet the deficit in storage

requirement.Regarding packaging material, states have been told to place indents for purchase of

jute bags in time to avoid last minute shortage of packaging material. The states have also been

directed to furnish, on daily basis, the district-wise procurement details of previous day for

Online Procurement Monitoring System (OPMS).

Intercontinental Hotels risks forceful closure by Customs over rice

import debt July 30, 2015 | Filed under: Breaking News,Maritime | Author: AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it may be forced to shut-down the famous

Intercontinental Hotels Lagos, following the alleged refusal of the hotel‘s parent company, Milan

Group, to pay rice duty.Speaking during a phone interview this morning on a radio programme

by Ships and Ports, Wale Adeniyi, National Public Relations Officer of Customs said this was

because Milan Group which has refused to pay rice subsidy after exceeding its rice quota for

2014 is housed in the same premises as Intercontinental Hotel and shares the same owners.―We

are not unmindful that they have guests in the hotel.

We are making representations to them to ensure that they either pay Customs duty or they

evacuate their guests before we seal the hotel premises because it is the hotel that houses Milan

Group‖ Adeniyi said.Continuing, he said: ―The owner of the companies is the same. So, we‘ve

given them options; either to make do their payment or we have no choice but to stop them from

operating. We don‘t want to create unnecessary scenes so we are going to be civil in our

approach to the Intercontinental issue. The planned operation was due to government directives

that the premises of all defaulting importers be sealed off.‖Customs has been given a directive to

seal the business premises of all defaulting importers.

―It is a directive from federal government and we are going to carry out. So we‘ll give them one

or two days notice to get their guests and their customers informed so that we don‘t end up

embarrassing anybody.‖According to Adeniyi, some of the companies have falsely claimed that

the quotas given to them were to be carried over to 2015. ―The documents conveying the quotas

http://businessdayonline.com/category/breaking-news/

http://businessdayonline.com/category/business-economy/maritime/

http://businessdayonline.com/author/testuser/



were explicit. The quotas were meant to bridge supply gap of 1.3 metric tonnes, estimated to be

the volume needed by Nigeria to bridge the supply gap in 2014, and that it should be imported in

a concessionary way. Also, stated that any company that exceeded the quota will have to pay

what others who didn‘t get concessions would pay, and that is 70 percent duty.‖In this case, he

stated, Milan imported 750,000 metric tonnes in excess. Recall on 28 of June published the

names of four rice importers, which owes the service over N23 billion debts for importing rice in

excess of the government approved quota.

http://businessdayonline.com/2015/07/intercontinental-hotels-risks-forceful-closure-by-customs-over-

rice-import-debt/#.VbtJoflVikp

Senate urges FG to stop waivers on rice importation

Friends �

Advertisement The senate has urged the federal

government to stop all waivers on rice importation, and

other agricultural products. The senate also asked the

government to mandate the governor of Central Bank of

Nigeria (CBN) and the comptroller-general of the Nigeria

Customs Service to recover all duty due to the

government.

It noted that the government had a policy to encourage agriculture, and agriculture business as a

deliberate policy to diversify the economy, but observed that the policy had become significantly eroded

and gradually rendered useless by the indiscriminate granting of waivers, concessions and grants,

especially on rice importation. The senate also observed that the abuse of the waiver scheme had severely

eroded the government‘s rice production policy by importing huge quantities of the commodity in excess

of the approved quota. It lamented that the government ―loses annually N71 billion on duty waivers,

especially to importers of rice, palm oil, energy equipment, steel and vegetable oil,‖ and observed that ―in

2011, the government gave import waivers to 10 rice and palm oil importing companies alone, amounting

to N150 billion.

‖ In a motion moved by Adebayo Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara south), the senate also noted that ―the tax

incentives offered to encourage foreign direct investments (FDI) into the country were now doing more

harm than good to the economy, as funds which could have been invested in public schools, hospitals,

roads and other social infrastructure are lost mindlessly without consequences.‖ It, therefore, asked the

government to stop waivers on all agricultural products forthwith. To ensure that due diligence was done

to the matter, Bukola Saraki, senate president, set up an ad hoc committee to look into all waivers and



grants and to carry out holistic review to determine the full recovery of all government revenues.

Chairman of the committee is Adamu Ailero while some members are Sam Egwu, Stella Oduah and

Taiwo Alasoadura. Follow us on twitter @thecableng Copyright 2015 TheCable. Permission to use

quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.thecable.ng as the

source.

https://www.thecable.ng/senate-urges-fg-stop-waivers-rice-importation

Nigerian senate wants all waivers on rice import revoked Jul 30 2015 - 4:35pm

PDP‘s bags of rice imported for the March election The Senate on Thursday passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to revoke all import waivers

on rice and other agricultural products and ensure all outstanding revenues were collected.In a two-prayer

motion moved by Sen. Rafui Ibrahim (APC Kwara South), the Senate set up a nine-man committee to

look into all waivers, concessions and grants.The committee, headed by Adamu Aliero (APC Kebbi

Central), is charged with the responsibility of reviewing all such related policy to recover all government

revenues and block leakages.In his remark, the President of the Senate Bukola Saraki, said that the Ad

hoc Committee was hinged on the determination of the new administration to cut revenue leakages.Saraki

http://2511ox21fzt21wi8m3xjj0n1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/PDP-rice.jpg



said that there was an urgent need to protect the nation‘s agriculture to ensure self sufficiency rather than

relying on importation.He expressed displeasure at the impunity with which people who owed

government billions of naira continued to do businesses free as if ―nothing will happen‘‘.―This too must

stop; this is the first ad hoc committee that will be set up for this kind of thing and the committee will not

stop until every penny is recovered,‖ he said.

He, therefore, charged members of the committee to be relentless in discharging their

function.Earlier, some senators who made contribution advocated complete removal of all

waivers, concessions, and grants on all products and commodities that could be manufactured

locally.Sen. Philip Aduda (PDP FCT), gave example with cement production in the country and

said that for any local production to thrive, importation of such products must be stopped.He

argued that waivers should only be given on products that were required but not produced

locally.―There is an urgent need to review the granting of waivers, especially on finished goods,

whatever is produced in Nigeria should not be granted waivers.Sen. Eyinaya Abaraibe (PDP

Abia-South) supported the motion, and noted that waivers were good at the inception but should

have long been stopped.

He said that the removal of waiver should serve as a starting point in doing away with all

government policies that had hampered local manufacturing.Abaribe recalled that when the

Federal Government banned importation of furniture, there was huge investment in the local

industry but regretted that ban was lifted shortly after.―We should task all our committees to look

inward and see to it that all policies that are inimical to the economy of Nigeria are reversed.Sen.

Dino Melaye (APC Kogi-West) advocated a drastic measure on the motion, alleging that there

was collaboration between the Customs Officials, Ministry of Finance and importers.He said

importers currently owing the government should not be allowed to clear their goods in the ports

until they paid in full what they owed.Sen. Ibrahim Gobir (APC Sokoto East) expressed fear that

if allowed to continue, waiver on rice import alone would cost Nigeria N2.4 trillion by 2015.

Gobir argued that the money saved from the waivers could be used to establish industries in the

country to employ over 5,000 Nigerians in every state.He also advocated that waivers should

only be granted on products that were not being produced locally.Sen. Ali Wakili (APC Bauchi

South), a former Comptroller of Customs Service, vindicated the service on the alleged

collaboration, saying that the service merely implement the policies on waivers.He alleged that

issuance of waivers, which began in the 80s became rampant under former President Olusegun

Obasanjo, when party faithful were flagrantly issues waivers.The Senate thereafter adjourned

plenary to Tuesday, Aug. 4 after which it proceeded to inaugurate all committees that had been

set up during the week.The committees are Senate Selection Committee, Rules and Business

Committee, Ethics and Privileges Committee, ad-hoc Committee on Publicity and ad-hoc

committee on waivers.

http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2015/07/30/nigerian-senate-wants-all-waivers-on-rice-import-revoked/



Only 25 pc rice bran being used to produce edible oil

Yasir Wardad

A study by the Bangladesh Tariff Commission (BTC) has revealed

that less than 25 per cent of rice bran was being used by local oil

companies in the country. Its use should be maximised to increase

domestic edible oil production, it suggested.The BTC, in its latest

finding said Bangladeshi rice millers produce 2.5 million tonnes of

bran annually of which only 0.5 million tonnes are used to make

edible oil.The local edible oil mills produce hardly 0.1 million tonnes

of bran oil annually which could be increased by seven times if they

ensure maximum use of rice bran, it said. The Commission in its

analysis on 'Rice Bran Oil and its Prospect in Bangladesh' said the

country's 70 per cent of rice mills are automatic or semi-automatic

while 30 per cent are yet to be modernised.BTC member and team

leader of the study Md Abdul Quaiyum said paddy production in the

country is now more than 51.0 million tonnes from which 2.5 million

tonnes of bran is collected.He said bran production could be

minimum 3.6 million tonnes if the rest of the mills become auto or

semi-auto."We have found out that nearly 0.7 million tonnes of oil

could be produced by such volume of rice bran if 100 per cent rice

mills come under automation by 2021," he told the FE.

"Within 2021, demand for edible oil will be nearly 2.47 million tonnes from 1.5 million tonnes presently.

This means local producers will be able to produce 30 per cent of the then demand," he said.The BTC

report also recommended increasing awareness of consuming rice bran oil for its market promotion.The

Tariff Commission report also found a positive trend that export of rice barn is on the wane.Bangladeshi

exporters shipped rice bran to the tune of 90,781 tonnes worth Tk1.29 billion in financial year 2012-13

(FY'13) which declined to 27,076 tonnes worth Tk371 million in FY'14.Some refiners and feed

companies also imported the same from India as BTC found a small import of 382 tonnes worth Tk11.3

million in 2013.

Secretary of Bangladesh Rice Bran Oil Mills Association and a leading rice miller Md Abdur Rashid told

the FE: "Fifteen local companies have capacity of producing maximum 7,000 tonnes per day but we are

making less than 500 tonnes now."Mr Rashid, also president of the Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking

Mills Owners Association expressed his optimism that rice bran oil will be in great most demand within

next five years in Bangladesh with rising health consciousness.

Md Arman Habib, executive director of Nilsagor Agro Industries Ltd, distributor of Spondon rice bran

oil in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, said the demand for the oil was increasing but in a slower pace.He

said 52 tonnes of Spondon oil is now sold per month in the 16 districts of the two northern divisions



against a total demand of 100 tonnes. He said apart from the private sector, the government will have to

take steps to raise awareness on consuming rice bran.Health-related programmes on government and

private media should focus the usefulness of the oil.

When asked, he said prices of different brands are now nearly the same like soybean oil."Different

qualities of rice bran oil per litre, made in Bangladesh, are being sold at between Tk80 and Tk112," he

said.Prof Dr Golam Maula of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, Dhaka University said rice bran

oil contains a high level of gamma oryzanol which increases HDL (good) cholesterol and lowers LDL

(bad) cholesterol and triglycerides.He said rice bran oil is much healthier than that of soybean, palm oil or

mustard oil.He said it also contains the relatively high fractions of tocopherols and tocotrienols, together

known as vitamin E which is powerful antioxidant and has antimutagenic properties which prevent

cancer.Vitamin E also helps boost immunity in body, he added.The nutrition specialist also echoed the

need for raising awareness on the use of rice bran oil for better health of the people.However, the BTC

study and recommendation will be made public within a few days, said officials.

[email protected]

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/07/31/102170

Only if the rice millers face competition will the environment for

paddy farmers improve

Dear Editor,

The stranglehold rice millers have over paddy farmers is a perpetual problem that has been around for

decades. Paddy farmers deliver their paddy to millers with the expectation of being paid in full within the

shortest possible time, but this outcome may never materialize. The reason being that paddy farmers do

not have an enforceable contract with millers that specifies spot-payment terms for paddy delivered to the

mill. Without such a contract in this unbalanced relationship, millers will continue to have a significant

advantage over paddy farmers, where it is likely that lower than expected grades are given for paddy sold,

resulting in relatively low paddy prices and less than expected income for paddy farmers.

The miller‘s advantage is based on the notion that there are many small paddy farmers who have no

alternative but to indirectly compete with each other in order to sell their paddy to a few millers.

Simultaneously, the few millers in any location can in turn pick and choose which farmers they will

accommodate in the milling season, given that millers would prefer to pay farmers from the money they

receive from rice sales, instead of paying paddy farmers from their own capital which has an opportunity

cost, or from interest bearing loans sourced from the banking system.Consequently, the manifestation of

the rice millers‘ power is observed in delayed payments and perhaps in concerns raised about grading that

can run counter to paddy farmers‘ expectations.



In a competitive environment, where millers would have had to compete with each other to procure

paddy for their mills, the power play by millers would have been reduced. Specifically, millers in this

environment would of necessity have to pay paddy farmers on the spot, using their own working capital

or loan financing obtained from banking institutions. Regrettably, this is not the norm observed in the

industry and paddy farmers are burdened with the interest cost from the time they deliver their paddy to

the miller to the time when the miller in turn takes many weeks or months to complete the full payment

for the paddy.During this interregnum, paddy farmers suffer a cash flow squeeze that curtails replanting;

it reduces paddy profitability; and it increases loan default through the power play by rice millers at the

expense of the paddy farmer.

Furthermore, as noted by many others, including the CEO of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, Mr

John Tracy (SN, July 27), the Rice Factory Act is useless in such an environment, even as commercial

banks avoid the task of taking on the risk associated with agriculture for a number of reasons. In previous

letters I covered this topic on the absence of commercial banks in high risk agriculture, and I need not

present those arguments again; but changing the dynamics between paddy farmers and millers is a topic

that requires a brief presentation. This can be explored through small farmers pooling their resources to

acquire their own rice mill; and in turn managing the rice milling and marketing operations in a

transparent, efficient and profitable manner. This is the way forward for paddy producers, for only

competition with private millers will improve the environment. Policy-makers and paddy farmers need to

seriously examine this approach aimed at rebalancing the market for buying paddy.

Yours faithfully,

C Kenrick Hunte

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/opinion/letters/07/30/only-if-the-rice-millers-face-competition-will-

the-environment-for-paddy-farmers-improve/

News from USA Rice Daily

USA Rice Producers' Group Grows into USA Rice Farmers

ARLINGTON, VA -- The USA Rice

Producers' Group, the largest sector of

USA Rice with representation by

farmers from each of the six rice-

growing states, has voted to change

the group's name to "USA Rice

Farmers" effective August 1, 2015.

Members of the almost 60-member



Board of Directors discussed the change at their recent annual business meeting in Dallas, Texas and

concluded that on Capitol Hill and amongst the non-agricultural sector, 'farmers' was more universally

recognized than the term 'producers.'

Missouri rice farmer and incoming chairman of USA Rice Farmers, Blake Gerard, said, "This change is

appropriate because it will help identify exactly who we are and what we do and help us clearly and

effectively tell our story."USA Rice's Vice President of Marketing and Communications Michael Klein,

added that the Producers' Group name change coincides with the umbrella organization, USA Rice

Federation, dropping the word "Federation" from their logo and common usage."It's all about

communicating clearly and as succinctly as possible with our audiences," Klein said. "The words

'Federation' and 'producers' did neither and so we're retiring them."

Contact: Peter Bachmann (703) 236-1475

At A Glance: Indian Export Market

Data Source: FAS Global Agricultural

Trade System; United Nations

ARLINGTON, VA -- Over the past several years, Asian exporters have looked to diversify their export

markets and with relatively low prices, have grown their market share in many areas in Africa, the

Western Hemisphere and in developing countries. India has had phenomenal growth in their exports,

particularly to developing countries which now account for nearly 80 percent of their exports. In

particular, least developed countries (LDCs) have become increasingly important markets for Indian

exporters and the Indian agricultural trade surplus with these markets has soared. India is now the world's

seventh-largest agricultural exporter, up from 13th a decade ago. In 2013, India became the top

agricultural supplier to LDCs, with overall sales of $5.2 billion. This is nearly $1 billion more than the

European Union, which is the second largest supplier.

Rice is one of India's largest agricultural exports. Indian rice exports grew from $2.4 billion in 2009 to

more than $8 billion in 2013 and shipments have been particularly strong to LDCs. In 2009, rice exports

to LDCs accounted for only 3 percent of India's total rice exports; by 2013, it accounted for 22 percent!

Ironically, this increase in Indian exports has come at the same time many of these countries are seeking

to attain rice self-sufficiency.

Rapidly increasing government support for both production and exports has contributed to India's surge

in exports. India's public stockholding program has been especially instrumental in increasing rice

exports to LDCs. As noted in the recent Section 332 study on Rice: the Global Competitiveness of the

U.S. Industry, the Indian government purchases rice at minimum support prices that are announced well

before the planting seasons. There are also several types of subsidies for inputs, including fertilizer,

irrigation, electricity, seeds, and machinery.



"Ensuring that there is a level playing field is becoming more important as many of our competitors are

ramping up production and increasing their market share in our export markets," says Jim Guinn, USA

Rice vice president for international promotion. "That is why research which monitors our competitors,

such as this Section 332 study, and a constant reevaluation of potentially new or growing markets is an

important part of what we do."

Contact: Sarah Moran (703) 236-1457

Weekly Rice Sales, Exports Reported

WASHINGTON, DC -- Net rice sales of 8,400 MT for 2014/2015 were down 11 percent from the

previous week and 82 percent from the prior four-week average, according to today's Export Sales

Highlights report. Increases were reported for Japan (3,000 MT), unknown destinations (2,000 MT),

Canada (1,200 MT), the United Kingdom (600 MT), and Mexico (400 MT). Net sales of 49,000 MT for

2015/2016 were reported for Venezuela (30,000 MT), unknown destinations (5,900 MT), El Salvador

(5,500 MT), and South Korea (5,000 MT). Exports of 105,900 MT were up 15 percent from the previous

week and 60 percent from the prior four-week average. The primary destinations were Japan (31,800

MT), Venezuela (29,900 MT), South Korea (17,800 MT), Mexico (12,000 MT), and Haiti (10,000

MT). This summary is based on reports from exporters from the period July 17-23, 2015.

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for July 30

Month Price Net Change

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001vEVa7pMpuaBd2wojgP9ha7HNyeTDAYadtDsGhrBrnshO2N3gP3kFqevMIDzyDDPLWNw8tIYSxiATY9CViayPhaLpF7BzrVWLP4bE3p4y-qz6FK3DzLd-0PKz2jerxM6HBHt9wzaUi6SxN2dyvY-IhHOVltq4_iYLHZn0yM0rpiCKjKxuT7H9VNo1K8_i6_lpUyxXXOz4t1gpfUNUKTaWpPHRgleGMS70cxvTEZRNBEy4xjTegppx6cgoCHxWgRZlA_74Z1jYNWMQyQjONQjinZzykQOTeGaF69C6nCW39p19IvQ0sEqiI44oZYByYF0sZsUPScOIsjJeVmkjzLYMApyCd-3A8OckFVE1Po60BEU_QFncaxyFwaWi_DgD2ATfZzoADEoh1ao=&c=PeeZ1bXcFOAqiqy9C5j89nmHbEhDqpYv4src9XW1sTKO3dgJXxvZVg==&ch=1GAqMfaTRvWlQMT47owAl6W2H2souSKe9QAGaYId_oSAbeyiRm6QSw==

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001vEVa7pMpuaBd2wojgP9ha7HNyeTDAYadtDsGhrBrnshO2N3gP3kFqevMIDzyDDPLWNw8tIYSxiATY9CViayPhaLpF7BzrVWLP4bE3p4y-qz6FK3DzLd-0PKz2jerxM6HBHt9wzaUi6SxN2dyvY-IhHOVltq4_iYLHZn0yM0rpiCKjKxuT7H9VNo1K8_i6_lpUyxXXOz4t1gpfUNUKTaWpPHRgleGMS70cxvTEZRNBEy4xjTegppx6cgoCHxWgRZlA_74Z1jYNWMQyQjONQjinZzykQOTeGaF69C6nCW39p19IvQ0sEqiI44oZYByYF0sZsUPScOIsjJeVmkjzLYMApyCd-3A8OckFVE1Po60BEU_QFncaxyFwaWi_DgD2ATfZzoADEoh1ao=&c=PeeZ1bXcFOAqiqy9C5j89nmHbEhDqpYv4src9XW1sTKO3dgJXxvZVg==&ch=1GAqMfaTRvWlQMT47owAl6W2H2souSKe9QAGaYId_oSAbeyiRm6QSw==

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September 2015 $11.435 + $0.235

November 2015 $11.700 + $0.235

January 2016 $11.970 + $0.235

March 2016 $12.180 + $0.245

May 2016 $12.365 + $0.245

July 2016 $12.365 + $0.245

September 2016 $11.950 UNCH

Rice price hike forecast due to El Nino

MUMBAI, July 30, 2015:

Global rice prices are likely to surge by 10-20% in the next few months as an El Nino weather pattern

grips top producers in Asia, baking the region‘s croplands and whittling down stocks of the grain to



multi-year lows.While higher prices of a key staple would be bad news for impoverished countries in

Asia and Africa, lower output will help No 2 exporter Thailand offload its bulging stockpiles that have

weighed on the rice market and pushed benchmark prices down to 7½-year lows of US$367.50

(RM1,398) per tonne in June.Below-average rainfall linked to El Nino has already disrupted rice

transplantation in India, led to a drought in seven out of 67 Thai provinces during what should be the wet

season and cut Vietnam‘s output expectations.

Exports from the three countries, which account for 68% of the world rice trade, are seen at 27.2 million

tonnes this year, down 6.2% from a year ago, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation

(FAO).―The market has not yet factored in prospects of lower production in key producing countries,‖

said B.V. Krishna Rao, managing director of leading Indian rice shipper Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt

Ltd.―Prices could jump 10% by the year end,‖ Rao said, reversing similar losses seen in the past five

months.

In fact prices could rise even more, given that weather bureaus from across the world are predicting a

strong El Nino, which typically leads to crop-damaging scorching weather across Asia and east Africa but

heavy rains and floods in South America.―If August rains remain patchy, like July, then rice prices could

rise up to 20% in a few months,‖ said a New Delhi-based dealer with a global grains trading

company.Lower overall inventories at key exporters after stellar exports in 2014 will further fuel the price

gain, traders said.

The FAO estimates the stock-to-use ratio, the level of inventories relative to domestic consumption and

exports, at the world‘s top five rice exporting countries will drop to 19% in 2015/16, the lowest since

2007/08.Rice stocks in the five – India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and the US – were drawn down in

2014 when world trade in rice rose to a record 42.8 million tonnes.Industry sources say the impact of

Thailand‘s inventory, built up under the previous government‘s rice-buying programme, is also waning as

only 60% of it, or about nine million tonnes, is fit for human consumption after prolonged storage.

Demand, however, is expected to pick up as buyers rush in to stock up on the grain on fears El Nino will

eat into supply.The Philippines, one of the world‘s biggest rice importers, indicated last week that it could

ship in more rice to boost buffer stocks and keep local prices stable.Traders are expecting top importer

China, as well as Nigeria, to react similarly in the coming months.China‘s 2014/15 imports could rise 8%

to four million tonnes, while overseas purchases by Nigeria could jump to 3.7 million tonnes, up 9% from

last year, according to International Grains Council estimates.―Importers haven‘t built inventory since

prices were continuously falling. Once prices start rising, they will increase purchases‖ to avoid having to

buy at even higher rates later, said a Bangkok-based rice exporter.

http://www.therakyatpost.com/business/2015/07/30/rice-price-hike-forecast-due-to-el-

nino/?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+July+30%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+

13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

Water bill gets thumbs up from locals

Public to get bigger say in management



30 Jul 2015 at 06:47 2,187 viewed2 comments

Rice growers pump water in a bid to save their paddy fields from drought in Ayutthaya province in July.

(Photo by Patipat Janthong)

Civil networks across 25 river basins have lent their support for the National Reform Council (NRC)

water resource management bill empowering people to manage their own water resources.Prachern

Khondhet, chairman of the Thachin River Basin Foundation in Nakhon Pathom, said his alliance of

networks from 28 provinces in the lower Chao Phraya River basin will talk to local people about how

they can benefit from the bill.Mr Prachern said the networks are in favour of the bill as the NRC had

based it on an earlier draft prepared by the alliance, which said water resources are a public asset and do

not belong to the state.This means the government will not be the sole manager of water resources and

will be required to listen to people who live in the river basins, he said."We will see a new dimension of

water resource management," Mr Prachern said."It will not be manipulated by politicians who see water

as a significant source of political power. Representatives from the river basins will play a more active

role in water management."The chairman was speaking at a seminar titled "The Right Time for Water

Resource Management Reform", organised by the NRC's committee on natural resources and

environment reform.

The NRC took around eight months to draft the bill, based on a version that had been drafted by the

public under the old constitution, which was voided by the coup d'etat last year. Under the new bill

comprising 106 sections, a river basin committee will be set up composed of representatives from state

agencies, local people and academics, increasing public power in decision-making over water

resources.During any water crisis the committee will play a key role in coming up with an action plan for

water management.Ethanol Alumroot, a representative from the lower Chao Phraya River basin in

Pathum Thani, said the bill is a significant step as people will be able to participate in more dimensions of

the country's water resource management.

The bill also provides for a water resource fund from which people would get compensation if they are

affected by any aspects of water management.The fund will be partly financed by the government as well

as a fee collected from major water users such as industry.Pramote Maiklad, chairman of the NRC's

committee on natural resources and environment reform, said the bill has been approved by the NRC and

will be forwarded for cabinet approval, and then on to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).He

agreed the state should not continue to be the sole arbiter on water management as many errors in water

management had arisen during the drought and flooding crises. It was time to give the public a say.

Proper management should be carried out based on close cooperation by all stakeholders, especially

locals who have lived in the river basins throughout their lives.Surachit Chiravej, a former senator from

Samut Songkram, said the bill should be considered by the NLA in the next couple of months, as water

management was an urgent issue needing proper legal steps.He said his alliance will try its best to push it

through during the term of the current military government, as the bill might face tough passage under an



elected government. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/638280/water-bill-gets-thumbs-up-from-

locals.

July 30 (thursday),2015 ,daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Food

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