14th September,2015 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

All About Rice News

Daily Global Rice E-Newletter

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For Blog & News Letter Advertisment contact to write : Mujahid Ali [email protected]

www.ricepluss.com & www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

Aug ,2015

Vol 5,Issue XIII

September 14,2015

Vol 5,Issue XIV

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter

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News Headline...

1. Pakistan exports get more boost

2. Poland keen to strengthen agri-trade ties with India

3. Punjab rice millers threaten to boycott milling this season

4. Rice of an empire

5. Relief now has a different meaning for farmers

6. Punjab rice millers threaten to boycott milling for paddy season

7. Paddy price dips by 60%, Karnal farmers worried

8. Plastic Tubs May Hold Secrets to Producing More Rice for the World

9. China Rice Market to Open Up to U.S. Imports With Trade Accord

10. APEDA COMMODITY NEWS

11. News by USA Rice Daily News

12. Is rice cereal the best food for baby?

13. News by Phil Rice News

14. Cabinet to be asked to completely ban second-crop farming for 2015-16 season

15. Severe Drought Expected In Thailand Early 2016

16. PH to import 750,000 tons of rice

17. Cambodia businesses fret Myanmar

18. Tough blow for Thai rice farmers already in debt

19. U.S. & China to Sign Rice Protocol Agreement

20. Nepal records imports 210,600t of rice worth Rs5.74b in 2014

21. Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-Sep 14

22. Record rice output doesn’t bring smile for Bangla farmers

23. Rice output hits record, farmers not so happy

24. Flood damage estimated at 736,000 acres

25. Myanmar claims rice sufficiency despite flood

26. Second rice crop to be banned

News Detail...

Pakistan exports get more boost Mm. Aftab

September 14, 2015 | Last updated on September 14, 2015 at 07.43 am

FDI inflows were $75 million, compared to $18 million in the two comparable months.Pakistan

has formed a new strategic policy to make a big push in exports particularly to the booming

regions like Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and China.The new target to boost exports to

an all time high of $35 billion a year means that within three years the amount has to go up by

nearly $10 billion, which will require considerable effort by the industry, businesses and

services.The three-year plan called "Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) - 2015-18 has

been okayed by the Cabinet Committee on Production and Exports. Low-cost finance, reduction

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in procedures, cheaper cargo and freight services, regular supply of electricity and gas and

greater cooperation between the government and trade organisations are some of the incentives,

which are required to achieve the results.

The STPF was planned by Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan on the back of worrisome

performance of the export sector.Exports during the June 30-ended fiscal year 2015 totalled

$24.2 billion, against the official target of $27 billion.Fiscal year 2015 was the third consecutive

year of declining exports. Compared to fiscal year 2014, exports in fiscal year 2015 were down

3.5 per cent. The exports were $25.1 billion in fiscal year 2014. The actual exports in fiscal year

2015 were only $25.1 billion against the government's target of $29.9 billion."All steps will be

taken to enhance export to the $35 billion level by 2018 by expanding production of all currently

exported items and those with a future potential in the changing global market," said Finance

Minister Ishaq Dar who chaired the Cabinet Committee on Production and Exports.

"The government is cognisant of Pakistan's declining trend in exports. In view of this, we will

take all possible steps to reverse the trend," Dar said."While formulating the new strategy for

higher exports, we have taken into account the potential of the industry and the economy, as well

as the hurdles in growth, which restrained the output. These hurdles include the continued

shortage of electricity and gas, rising cost of doing business, appreciation of the rupee against the

dollar and other currencies, as well as the growing foreign competition, particularly to our

textiles," Khurrum Dastgir said.The STFP has outlined the potential markets, which will be

targeted to enhance exports. The focus for export of high-quality, "Basmati" rice will be the

Middle East, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran.

Pakistan will make a push for export of its fruits, including oranges, mangoes, vegetables,

potatoes, onions and halal meat products to the Middle East, the UAE and Iran.South East Asia

will be the target for export of horticulture products. India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Africa are

identified for export of cement. Pakistan will offer a freight subsidy for export of cement to

Africa. Items marked for export to China are rice, cotton yarn, fabrics and ready-to-wear

garments. Wheat, rice, meat and cement are identified for export to Afghanistan. In order to

expand trade, border marketing support, development, expansion of banking facilities,

improvement of the rail-link and infra-structure development will be undertaken.

Products destined for the Iran market will include provision of warehousing support, product

branding, "halal" certification.The STFP provides Rs20 billion for research and development to

expand and upgrade Pakistani exports and to achieve the targets set by this plan.The government

has also decided to undertake immediate steps for expanding farm products, further improving

the quality and range of products, especially fruits and vegetables, commodity pricing and to

examine the input cost, which will have to be restrained in order to ensure expansion of exports

and enable the country to counter foreign competition. The government will have a deeper look

at other hurdles being faced by exporters. These issues relate to R&D, technology problems,

moving out of the current concentration of traditional products, improvement of resources and

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financing of the potentially exportable products, upgradation of all products including those

needed to match with the new and developing demands of the consumers in foreign markets

where incomes, living standards and lifestyles are changing and rising, Commerce Minister

Dasgir said.

The government's Committee on Ease of Doing Business, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the central

bank, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Textiles will work jointly to achieve these objectives.

Pakistani fashion industry is constantly increasing its exports and arranging fashion show in the UAE,

Qatar and other foreign markets. One has to look at the latest foreign trade statistics in order to understand

the importance of export volumes and values in the context of the entire external balances. Some

improvement is visible in this sector according to the latest SBP statistics.

SBP says the current account deficit has narrowed down by 80 per cent to $150 million in July - the first

month of fiscal year 2016.Both exports and imports drop down in July. Exports were down to $1.76

billion from $1.91 billion in the same month last year. Imports declined to $3.5 billion from $4 billion in

the two comparable months.FDI inflows were $75 million, compared to $18 million in the two

comparable months.For the whole of fiscal year 2015, the overall current account deficit was $2.3 billion

- 27 per cent lower than the deficit in FY-14.Fiscal year 2015 also saw the overall imports totalling

$41.13 billion as compared to $41.66 billion in fiscal year 2014.

The foreign exchange reserves on September 3 were $18.497 billion, of which SBP held $13.458 billion,

enough to cover imports for three months. The forex reserves held by commercial banks were $5.050

billion. Analysts and businesses are also questioning the current rupee-dollar parity. They claim that

devaluing the rupee to a "realistic level" can reduce the current export slowdown.The open market rate of

dollar was Rs104.45/104.65 and Rs103.80/104 in the inter-bank market over the weekend. Institute for

Policy Reforms, a research group said: "The rupee remains significantly overvalued which has impaired

the competitiveness of our exports." Several businessmen said the rupee is overvalued up to five percent

against the dollar, and lowering it will help exports to rise. But the government has taken no decision on

such claims.

IMF's continued disbursement out of the $6.2 billion EFF facility, Pakistan's planned issuance of

eurobonds, and ongoing lower prices of imported oil and commodities are expected to continue support

the external balances," says SBP.This picture of the external balances indicates that an all out efforts

should go on to raise exports. And, now the STFP provides that road map.Views expressed by the author

are his own and do not reflect the newspaper's policy.

Khaleej Times

Poland keen to strengthen agri-trade ties with India

Last Updated: Mon, Sep 14, 2015 18:20 hrs

Poland is keen to strengthen agricultural trade ties with India and wants to import tea, basmati

rice, mangoes and spices, a minister from that country said today. "We have a new strategy to

promote our agricultural produce in the global market and India is one of them. We would like to

import agri produces like spices, basmati rice, mango, cashew, raisins and tea from India," the

European country's Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Urban Development, Zofia Szalczyk,

told PTI here. The minister is on a four-day visit to the country, leading a 12-member delegation

to promote Polish agricultural sector and food companies.

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Szalczyk will also visit Delhi and meet agriculture ministry officials and industry players. She

urged Indian companies to achieve European Union standards as there are vast opportunities in

Europe. She said Poland too has a lot to offer India, like dairy products, confectionery, sweets,

chocolates, fruits and vegetables. "Our environment and natural resources help in producing the

best quality produce. We export to other European Union countries with high quality standards

like France, Germany, Italy and the UK. Now we want to focus to strengthen our global export

market, including India," she added.

She said 11 years ago, Poland was a net importer of food products. However, the country

invested close to 40 million euros in new technologies for farmers, which yielded positive

results. This year, Poland has exported 22 billion euros worth of food produce to the global

market. Bi-lateral trade between India and Poland is about USD 1.69 billion. India mainly

exports cotton, textiles, chemical products, electro mechanical appliances, vehicles and vessels to

Poland and imports agro products, mineral and chemical products.

www.sify.com

Punjab rice millers threaten to boycott milling this season

Accusing state-owned procurement agencies of harassing them by demanding ―unjustified dues‖,

Punjab-based rice millers on Monday threatened to boycott milling for the upcoming paddy

procurement season.Agitating millers under the banner of Punjab Rice Millers‘ Association

sought a meeting with state Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon to

resolve their issues on urgent basis.―State-owned procurement agencies have started harassing us

unnecessarily by demanding unjustified payments from rice millers,‖ Punjab Rice Millers

Association President Tarsem Saini said.

‘Pay charges’

He added that millers are being asked to pay charges for deviating from the monthly schedule of

rice delivery.―As per usual practice, we were never asked to pay any charges for any monthly

delay in rice delivery once the rice is delivered at the end of milling season. But now they are

asking to pay charges on the same,‖ he said, adding that Value Added Tax was also being asked

to pay on the value cut of crop.Rice Millers further pointed out that the procurement agencies

have been asked to pay charges for jute bags used during 2014-15.―We will not participate in

rice milling in the coming paddy procurement season if such harassment was not stopped,‖ he

said.Millers said instead of demanding recoveries from them, the agencies should pay them the

sum owed.

Transportation charges

―We are yet to be paid about Rs 200 crore of transportation charges for rice delivered to the FCI

in 2003-04 despite FCI paying the amount of state agencies to pay us,‖ he claimed.They further

said that they were not paid the transportation charges for transporting paddy for the last two

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seasons.Accusing procurement agencies of preparing anti-millers policies, Mr Saini said that

millers would not tolerate the ―unwarranted‖ stance of these agencies, asking the state

government to resolve their issues.Paddy procurement usually starts from October for central

pool in Punjab. – PTI

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/punjab-rice-millers-threaten-to-boycott-milling-this-

season/article7653118.ece

Rice of an empire Updated: Monday September 14, 2015 MYT 8:41:22 AM

by zieman

Apart from selling 21 different brands of rice, SFSB also offers more than 100 other food

products .

A housewife with plenty of energy and ideas in the 1960s, Faiza Bawumi sold bedsheets,

opened a spice shop, then moved into the rice wholesale business. Today her company,

SFSB, moves RM250mil’s worth of rice a year, writes ZIEMAN.

MOST people her age would prefer to kick back and take things easy, but not Faiza Bawumi

Sayed Ahmad. At 73, she is still working hard at consolidating her wholesale rice business.The

fact that the founder and managing director of Syarikat Faiza Sdn Bhd (SFSB) has seven

children and more than 30 grandchildren has not slowed her quest of building a veritable

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/punjab-rice-millers-threaten-to-boycott-milling-this-season/article7653118.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/punjab-rice-millers-threaten-to-boycott-milling-this-season/article7653118.ece

http://www.thestar.com.my/Authors?q=%22Zieman%22

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business empire. Not now and not in the last 47 years. Faiza created SFSB almost single-

handedly in 1968.

Today, SFSB is one of the most trusted brands in the region, selling 21 different brands of rice,

while its subsidiaries Faiza Marketing and Faiza Food sell more than 100 food products

including spices, noodles, ketchup, flour, rock salt and ketupat cubes. SFSB is also known for

establishing a niche market for specialty rice like Faiza Emas, Basmathi (Moghul), Moghul

Parboiled, Taj Mahal, Lagenda, Great Wall, Mongkut and Mahsuri. The Egypt-born Faiza‘s

journey to success has been a long and challenging one.―I‘ve learn something new every day

since I started my business. My mission was to build a brand and help the needy. Even today, I

still aspire to strengthen the position of my rice business. There are still many areas that need to

be beefed up,‖ she says.

Faiza came to Malaysia in 1964 with her husband, a former

kadi (a judge who handles religious legal matters), and

mastered Bahasa Malaysia within three months. She now

considers herself a true Malaysian. A young mother of one at

the time in Batu Pahat, Johor, Faiza found she could not stay

idle for long, so she started a small business.She may be 73, but

rice merchant Faiza is still raring to go.She sewed tablecloths

and sold bed sheets, pillowcases and encyclopaedias. Then she

moved on to spices.Though an Egyptian, Faiza loved the taste

of curry and ventured into the spice business, grinding and

selling fresh spices. She mastered the art of making curries and

formulated her own spice mixes by watching spice traders at

work. Her spices were packed in small packages and marketed

under the brand Bunga Raya.―I made all the spices at home,

from washing, drying and frying the spices. The spices came

from Arab Street in Singapore. Then, I did my marketing from

house to house. My sales grew and I had doubled my

production within six months.―The only snag was I couldn‘t

register the Bunga Raya brand. It was already being used and I

had no choice but to use my own name for the brand,‖ she remembers.

The spice business had grown enough by

1968 that she decided to buy grinding

machines and open a shop. Her interest

soon turned to rice. She was keen to

import rice, especially long-grained

basmati rice from Thailand, Pakistan and

India. Soon, she applied for a wholesaling

license to sell various types of rice,

including ponni, basmati and fragrant rice

from Thailand.―I shopped for the right

type of rice in India and Pakistan, and after

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each trip, I would do a survey by going to a few houses. Getting the license to be a wholesaler

for rice was not easy.

But I finally got it and started selling many types of rice,‖ says Faiza.In 2009, she bought her

first rice milling machine from Japan for RM3mil. By then, Faiza was already an expert in rice.

According to SFSB‘s head of special marketing projects, Rosli Ahmad, each of the company‘s

brands has its loyal customers. ―Each rice type has its own special characteristics in terms of

aroma, grain, stickiness. We try to cater to all the rice needs of Malaysians and will continue to

offer value-for-money rice products. Besides rice imported from Thailand and Cambodia, we are

also the pioneer in importing high-grade rice like basmati and ponni,‖ says Rosli.Rice being

packaged at the company‘s facility.The company‘s sale for rice in 2014 was RM257mil, while

the sales revenue up to July this year was RM139mil.

―One of the challenges we face in the rice business is that the company is subject to the policies

of Padiberas Nasional Bhd or Bernas, the sole permit holder for importing rice into Malaysia.

Bernas provides shorter credit terms than we provide to SFSB‘s customers. ―Recently, the

strength of the US dollar has also become an issue. Although we have a contract with Bernas,

which eliminates price fluctuation of imported rice, the recent upward trend of the US dollar

could have an impact on future contracts,‖ explains Rosli. According to Faiza, their records

indicate that Malaysian consumers still prefer the SST (Super Special Tempatan/Local super

special) grades, which is limited in supply and very competitive. This type of rice sells between

RM23 to RM26 per 10kg (inclusive of 5% broken rice), whereas the basmati retails at RM40 and

above per 5kg.

―There is a huge difference in the pricing of SST grade and basmati. The current market is highly

competitive, as competitors had also seen the potential of the niche market of high-grade rice,‖

Faiza says. ―We are still struggling to offer the best quality products and services. We still

continue to educate consumers and promote our speciality and high-grade rice brands, especially

the Taj Mahal for health-conscious consumers and the premium quality basmati brands like

Moghul, Kohinoor and Parboiled Moghul,‖ adds Faiza. In 1998, Faiza Marketing was

incorporated with Faiza‘s daughter Najwa Abu Bakar at the helm. The company manufactures

and markets a wide range of spices. With more than 20 types of products, its brands, such as

Faiza Raja Curry, Faiza Curry, Faiza Beriani and Faiza Bukhari, have become household names.

SFSB now has two facilities, one in Subang Jaya and another in Sri Gading, Batu Pahat, set up at

a cost of RM14mil.

The 40,000 sq ft production plant in Batu Pahat handles SFSB‘s rice processing and packaging.

It has a total production capacity of 200 tonnes a day and has machinery to handle de-stoning,

polishing, grading, colour sorting and packaging. Meanwhile the warehouse facility in Subang

Jaya can store 2,000 tonnes of goods and deliver 250 tonnes a day.Faiza, who now oversees a

company with 550 employees, has no intention of slowing down. She wants to give the best to

her customers and is still busy working on a strategy to strengthen SFSB‘s position in various

businesses.―I want to be one of the biggest taxpayers in Malaysia to help more poor people. That

has always been my aspiration,‖ says Faiza.

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Asian News Network

Relief now has a different meaning for farmers By Saad Hasan / Photo: Ayesha Mir

Published: September 14, 2015

Sector keenly awaits PM‘s word amid falling commodity prices. PHOTO: AYESHA

MIR/EXPRESS KARACHI:

While it is too early to paint a complete picture of what is happening in Pakistan’s

agricultural sector, one thing is for sure: the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

would have to come to the rescue of farmers who are feeling the heat of falling commodity

prices.

On its part, Islamabad has come up with a relief package, expected to be announced this week.

Details have been kept under a tight wrap and no one seems to be sure which crops will be the

main beneficiaries.Punjab Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha says that a ―significant‖

package has been worked out, but insisted it was primarily for small farmers who own land

measuring up to 12.5 acres. ―There is genuineness in the claim that farmers have had difficulty in

laying-off stocks. We are also seeing a deflationary trend.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/956175/agriculture-sector-relief-now-has-a-different-meaning-for-farmers/

http://tribune.com.pk/author/2504/saad-hasan/

http://tribune.com.pk/author/3466/photo-ayesha-mir/

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But that could be countered with timely intervention,‖ she said.She didn‘t share details of the

package, but stated that it was a nationwide programme and only the premier would announce

it.But such words will not be of any comfort for Hamid Malhi, a farmer from Narowal, who says

even someone with a thousand acres has equally been affected.―This is an unprecedented

situation for us. No one was expecting this to happen and persist for this long,‖ he says, pointing

out that government intervention had become imperative not just for large crops but vegetables

too.

The history

Pakistan‘s rural economy has seen a boom in the past few years. It started sometime in the mid-

2000s, with a rise in demand for commodities the world over, cash changed hands like never

before.―Things were on our side. Oil price was up but so was the ethanol demand (which comes

from sugarcane), there were sanctions on Iran but it bought grains from us to build up its stocks,‖

said Malhi.Times and circumstances changed swiftly in the past two years. And the most

pronounced affects could be seen in matter of rice, which is the largest commodity the country

exports.

Malhi said rice traders and millers have been left holding stocks of a million tons, worth Rs100

billion. ―Farmers are even more anxious as to what would happen if they go bankrupt and no one

comes to help lift the crop from them.‖A delegation of farmers met Federal Minister for Planning

and Development Ahsan Iqbal a couple of days ago and presented its demand, which included a

proposal to subsidise rice export by at least $200 a ton.But it is unlikely that a government,

which has imposed unpopular taxes in recent months to shore up national reserves, would agree.

Or should it be left to the market forces?

―Maybe so,‖ says a leading member of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP).

―Commodity price did not come down overnight. It was the greed of the trader who waited

month after month instead of booking the loss.‖Yet, beyond the debate of subsidies and relief,

the government must look at the cost-related issues with agriculture. ―Hasn‘t anyone noticed the

kind of money fertiliser makers have been making on subsidised natural gas?‖

While stocks of wheat has also been rising, the private sector has not yet felt the heat as most of

the excess goes to government go-downs. However, concerns are now being shared about next

season‘s crop.Aamer Sarfraz, the founder of internationally active investment firm Indus Basin

Holdings, has another way of looking at the situation.He agrees that uncertainty remains with

regards to the outlook of commodity price, but at the same time he says there is a lot of

opportunity in Pakistan.

―A new type of rice is being introduced, which is both drought and flood resistant,‖ he says,

noting that his ventures deal with small rice farmers who are also told about which seeds to

use.―While farmers still use diesel-run generators to water the crops, we have seen a general

improvement in electricity supply over the years.‖―The problem, even bigger than the plunge in

price is the lack of guidance,‖ he said.―Most of the seeds sold to farmers in Pakistan are not

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classified as basmati. So a grower works hard and grows it and when it reaches the market, he

does not get the right price.‖

The writer is a staff correspondent

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th

, 2015 http://tribune.com.pk/story/956175/agriculture-sector-relief-now-has-a-different-meaning-for-farmers/

Punjab rice millers threaten to boycott milling for paddy

season

Press Trust of India | Chandigarh September 14, 2015 Last Updated at 17:02 IST

Punjab Youth Cong workers protest against "misrule" in Punjab Punjab National Bank Q1 net profit

nearly halves Punjab National Bank standalone net profit declines 48.71% in the June 2015 quarter

Punjab National Bank standalone net profit declines 61.98% in the March 2015 quarter Punjab National

Bank receives capital infusion of Rs 870 crore from GoI

Accusing state-owned procurement agencies of harassing them by demanding "unjustified dues", Punjab-

based rice millers today threatened to boycott milling for the upcoming paddy procurement

season.Agitating millers under the banner of Punjab Rice Millers' Association sought a meeting with state

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon to resolve their issues on urgent

basis."State-owned procurement agencies have started harassing us unnecessarily by demanding

unjustified payments from rice millers," Punjab Rice Millers Association President Tarsem Saini said

today.He added that millers are being asked to pay charges for deviating from the monthly schedule of

rice delivery.

"As per usual practice, we were never asked to pay any charges for any monthly delay in rice delivery

once the rice is delivered at the end of milling season. But now they are asking to pay charges on the

same," he said, adding that Value Added Tax was also being asked to pay on the value cut of crop.Rice

Millers further pointed out that the procurement agencies have also been asked to pay charges for jute

bags used during 2014-15."We will not participate in rice milling in the coming paddy procurement

season if such harassment was not stopped," he said.Millers said instead of demanding recoveries from

them, the agencies should pay them the sum owed.

"We are yet to be paid about Rs 200 crore of transportation charges for rice delivered to the FCI in 2003-

04 despite FCI paying the amount of state agencies to pay us," he claimed.They further said that they

were also not paid the transportation charges for transporting paddy for the last two seasons.Accusing

procurement agencies of preparing anti-millers policies, Saini said that millers would not tolerate the

"unwarranted" stance of these agencies, asking the state government to resolve their issues.Paddy

procurement usually starts from October for central pool in Punjab.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/956175/agriculture-sector-relief-now-has-a-different-meaning-for-farmers/

All About Rice News


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http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/pb-rice-millers-threaten-to-boycott-milling-for-

paddy-season-115091400661_1.html

Paddy price dips by 60%, Karnal farmers worried

Karnal, September 14

Farmers who planted paddy variety-1509 across the state are a worried lot as the price has taken a sharp

hit due to a fall in prices of the crop this year by 50 to 60 per cent, compared to last year.

The variety is being sold at Rs1,200-1,300 per quintal, while it was sold for Rs 2,800-3,400 per quintal

last year. Similarly, farmers, who have cultivated other paddy varieties including hybrid-3325, 834, 222,

are also in deep trouble as they too are not getting a proper price of their produce.Farmers and

commission agents have demanded that the government fix a price of these varieties and to start

government auctioning at the earliest.

They alleged that with a game plan several rice millers have been purchasing these varieties at a less price

resulting in huge losses to farmers.Surinder, a farmer who came from Dadupur, with the produce of 1509

variety, said he received only Rs1,281 per quintal of his produce, while he got Rs3,400 per quintal last

year. This is just a monopoly of the rice millers and it should be stopped. The government should start the

auctioning with immediate effect and fix a price for it.Malak Singh from Jalmana said his produce of

1509 variety was sold for a mere Rs1,250 per quintal. He received Rs 2,700-3,000 per quintal last

year.Rajinder Kumar, a commission agent at the Karnal grain market, said it was a strategy of the rice

sellers and the government should keep a check on such buying.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/

Plastic Tubs May Hold Secrets to Producing More Rice for

the World Released: 14-Sep-2015 10:05 AM EDT

Source Newsroom: Texas A&M AgriLife

Newswise — BEAUMONT — Dozens of plastic tubs stacked in a room may look ordinary, but

they store what could be the secrets to more rice to feed the world.The containers are the resting

place for what‘s known by scientists as a ―core collection,‖ or fraction of all the known varieties

of rice on Earth. Yet, even from their plastic vaults housed at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research

and Extension Center in Beaumont, these grains are yielding data scientists say will help make

better varieties for years to come.―Beaumont is the only location where the full collection has

been grown for the purpose of analyzing the chemical element composition,‖ said Dr. Lee

Tarpley, an AgriLife Research plant physiologist, who is using the collection extensively in his

studies there.

http://newswise.com/institutions/newsroom/15211/

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In all, thousands of rice varieties made their way into the collection by way of numerous

scientists, who over decades ventured across North and South America, Europe, Africa, Australia

and Asia in search of samples, Tarpley said.The seeds most recently were used for a massive

study to determine which varieties are most capable of using major nutrients, such as phosphorus

or potassium, from the soil.―The lines that are most capable of using key elements, which are

valued for either plant or human nutrition, could be potentially used in breeding programs to

develop new rice varieties,‖ Tarpley explained.Because of the importance of the world‘s

diversity of rice for farmers and for human consumption, he teamed with Dr. Shannon Pinson of

the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Stuttgart, Arkansas, Dr. David Salt at the University of

Aberdeen in Scotland and Dr. Mary Lou Guerinot at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New

Hampshire, on a National Science Foundation-funded research project to examine huge numbers

of genotypes of rice varieties to find out what elements they contain.

According to the International Rice Research Institute, the commodity is a staple for about 3.5

billion people and is grown on almost 400 million acres worldwide. U.S. farmers raise the crop

on about 3 million acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s Economic Research

Service.Over a period of five years, the 1,700 varieties were grown in the fields around the

Beaumont center, carefully harvested and tagged, then sent to the University of Aberdeen where

Salt has a system for measuring 17 different elements simultaneously, Tarpley said.―We

measured both leaf and grain so that when we saw differences in the grain, we could start to

understand their physiological basis,‖ Tarpley said. ―We could question, ‗Is that something that

shows up as a difference in the leaf and therefore might actually be a difference in uptake of the

roots changing the level throughout the plant?‘ or ‗Is it something that gets sequestered in the

leaves that‘s never going to make it to the grain?‘‖

The team found some surprising differences in leaf levels of these various minerals, he said,

indicating that some types were taking up higher levels of these elements compared to an

average rice variety.―What we found for most of the elements is that there are a few extreme

lines that are very good at taking up or have very high levels of one or more of the elements,‖ he

said. ―And, it‘s easier to find the ones that take up higher amounts than it is low amounts.‖The

team already has started making crosses with the high accumulating lines and a normal

accumulating line. The next step is to screen and evaluate the progeny to determine the kind of

inheritance that resulted.―We are working towards identifying possible regions of the

chromosomes that might have the genes involved in the results of the progeny,‖ he said.

―The main goal of the overall research project was gene identification — to take advantage of

our knowledge of the rice genome to identify the functions of all the genes. But ultimately that‘s

for the purpose of more precise breeding of plants.―Take phosphorus, for example, which can be

limited in various soil types in Texas,‖ Tarpley noted. ―If we had a line that was better at

grabbing the phosphorus that is in the soil, that could potentially save some money in terms of

not having to apply phosphorus fertilizer. It could be that we would want a good soil uptake in

all the rice we grow, so that it would be more robust for different growing conditions.

―The research provides the potential to allow decreased fertilizer use and increased sustainability

in Texas rice production,‖ he said.Tarpley noted that the extensive data obtained may allow

All About Rice News


14

scientists now to do numerous studies without having to grow the 1,700 varieties in the field

again.―We are finding some patterns in the grain and leaf material, for example, which seem to

indicate different elements are more common in rice varieties from the same part of the world,‖

he said. ―Elements such as molybdenum or cobalt have shown up more in some areas than

others. It‘s a lot of fun to try and understand why they might‘ve had that adaptation.‖

http://newswise.com/articles/plastic-tubs-may-hold-secrets-to-producing-more-rice-for-the-world

China Rice Market to Open Up to U.S. Imports With Trade

Accord

Megan Durisin

September 14, 2015 — 2:58 PM PDT Updated on September 14, 2015 — 9:01 PM PDT

China, the world‘s largest rice market, is poised to open up to U.S. exports with both countries‘

governments due to sign an accord later this month ratifying American imports.The so-called

phytosanitary protocol for rice is expected to be signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping‘s

visit to Washington, the Houston-based U.S. Rice Producers Association said Monday in a

statement.―It‘s a significant event that they would buy rice from the western hemisphere,‖ Milo

Hamilton, president of Austin, Texas-based Firstgrain, a rice-trading advisory company, said in a

telephone interview.

The accord ―does not mean they will buy rice from the U.S. It means they can buy rice from the

U.S.‖China is the biggest producer and importer of rice. While it‘s still largely self-sufficient, its

imports have gradually climbed in recent years. Inbound shipments of milled rice are expected to

be 4.7 million metric tons in the 2015-16 marketing year, up from 540,000 tons five years earlier,

according to U.S. government data.Most of the imports come from neighboring Vietnam because

of ―price, proximity, and quality,‖ the producers association said. U.S. sellers haven‘t been able

to ship to China because rice wasn‘t included in earlier trade negotiations that now allow the

annual sale of millions of tons of other American agricultural commodities including

soybeans.The rice producers group has been lobbying for Chinese market access for more than

15 years.

―When we started on this process, China wasn‘t involved on the international marketplace,‖

Dwight Roberts, the group‘s president, said in a telephone interview. ―We‘ve learned that things

change. We‘re at the end of a long process.‖In the short term, China may import 200,000 to

250,000 tons of high-quality U.S. rice per year, providing a "significant boost" to the American

industry, the group said. In total, the U.S. is expected to export 3.08 million tons in the year that

began Aug. 1, down from 3.21 million in the prior year.The U.S. is forecast to produce 6.02

million tons, equivalent to about 4 percent of Chinese output.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-14/china-rice-market-to-open-up-to-u-s-imports-with-

trade-accord

http://www.bloomberg.com/authors/AROex4-5Kho/megan-durisin

https://www.firstgrain.com/

http://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/circulars/grain-rice.pdf

http://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdquery.aspx

http://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde/latest.pdf

All About Rice News


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APEDA COMMODITY NEWS

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 11-09-2015

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Garlic

1 Chinese first grade granules, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 2100

2 Chinese Grade A dehydrated flakes, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 2000

3 Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 1800

Ginger

1 Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 4600

2 Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 5100

3 Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 3000

Guar Gum Powder

1 Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 4280

2 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 1700

3 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps technical grade, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 3535

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch

Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 11-09-2015

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Maize

1 Dahod (Gujarat) Yellow 1475 1575

2 Shikaripura (Karnataka) Local 1100 1380

3 Thirukovilur (Tamil Nadu) Other 1063 1589

Wheat

1 Gangavathi (Karnataka) Local 1500 1510

2 Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh) Other 1461 2125

3 Baran (Rajasthan) Other 1490 1675

Mousambi

1 Manjeri (Kerala) Other 2200 2400

2 Roorkee (Uttrakhand) Other 600 1500

3 Mechua (West Bengal) Other 2400 2900

Cabbage

1 Shillong (Meghalaya) Other 1400 1800

2 Sambalpur (Orissa) Other 1100 1200

3 Haldwani (Uttrakhand) Other 700 2000

All About Rice News


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Source:agmarknet.nic.in For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 12-09-2015

Product Market Center Price

1 Pune 316

2 Hyderabad 295

3 Nagapur 292

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per

package

Price on 11-09-2015

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Potatoes Package: 50 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Colorado Russet 21.75 21.75

2 Baltimore Canada Russet 14 14

3 Detroit Idaho Russet 12 14.50

Cauliflower Package: cartons film wrapped

1 Atlanta Mexico White 26 26

2 Dallas California White 17 17

3 Detroit California White 23.50 27.50

Grapes Package: 19 lb containers bagged

1 Atlanta California Red Globe 25 26

2 Chicago California Red Globe 18 20

3 Philadelphia California Red Globe 21 22

Source:USDA

Update: U.S./China Phytosanitary Agreement

ARLINGTON, VA -- The phytosanitary protocol that promises to pave the way for export trade with

China appears to be tracking toward a successful resolution, maybe as soon as next week when China's

President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the United States. However, USDA's Animal Plant Health

Inspection Service (APHIS) said this afternoon they are awaiting agreement on the language of the

protocol from AQSIQ, their counterpart in China, before the deal can be finalized.

http://agmarknet.nic.in/

http://e2necc.com/

All About Rice News


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USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward said, "USA Rice has been at the forefront of this process for a

very long time. And while everyone is anxious to complete this deal, it's imperative that the operational

details are in place that are in the best interest of the U.S. rice industry. We will continue to work with

APHIS as they finalize this deal and with our members on implementation of this unique protocol."

Contact: Jim Guinn (703) 236-1474

National Rice Month Issue of Whole Grain Going to Press

ARLINGTON, VA -- The September issue of USA Rice's

award-winning publication, Whole Grain, is in production and

should be in subscribers' mailboxes soon.The special National

Rice Month (NRM) edition features a cover story about the

many facets of USA Rice's NRM activities that are designed

to raise awareness, and encourage use, of U.S.-grown rice.

Readers will also enjoy a preview of the 2015 USA Rice

Outlook Conference coming to New Orleans this December; a

behind-the-scenes look at why Tariff Rate Quotas - though

nobody's first choice when it comes to fair trade - do often

bring great benefits to industry when implemented

thoughtfully; as well as updates on Iraq, and a look at the

surprise number one milled rice market for the U.S.,

Colombia.All that and more, coming soon.If you do not

receive Whole Grain, would like to order a complimentary

subscription for someone you know, or are interested in

advertising in the newspaper, contact Colleen Klemczewski at

(703) 236-1446 or [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

tel:%28703%29%20236-1474

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Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458

Promote National Rice Month and Earn Scholarship Money

ARLINGTON, VA -- During the month of September, students across the U.S. will be conducting rice

promotional programs for entry in the annual National Rice Month (NRM) scholarship contest, sponsored

by Dow AgroSciences. Be on the lookout for promotions going on in your state to support scholarship

applicants. Encourage high school seniors to review the contest application and plan a promotion. There

is still time to compete!

Three scholarship prizes totaling $8,500 will be awarded. The grand prize is a $4,000 scholarship and a

trip to the scholarship presentation in December at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in New Orleans,

Louisiana. Second place is a $3,000 scholarship and the third-place winner will receive $1,500. Entries

will be judged on their creativity and impact in promoting U.S.-grown rice, NRM, and the importance of

rice in their state. For more details and the official contest entry form, visit the scholarship web page.

High school graduating students from rice-growing states -- Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi,

Missouri and Texas -- are eligible. Entry forms are due October 15.

Contact: Amy Doane (703) 236-1454

Crop Progress: 2015 Crop 44 Percent Harvested

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WASHINGTON, DC -- Forty-four percent of the nation's 2015 rice acreage is harvested, according to today's U.S.

Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report.

Rice Headed, Selected States

Week Ending

State Sept 13,

2014

Sept 6,

2015

Sept 13,

2015

2010-2014

average

Percent

Arkansas 28 30 41 42

California 5 1 10 3

Louisiana 85 90 94 89

Mississippi 29 34 45 49

Missouri 12 2 8 24

Texas 89 76 93 95

Six States 35 35 44 44

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Preliminary): Closing Rough Rice Futures for September 14

Month Price Net Change

September 2015 $12.785 + $0.185

November 2015 $12.995 + $0.165

January 2016 $13.275 + $0.165

March 2016 $13.490 + $0.175

May 2016 $13.645 + $0.200

July 2016 $13.735 + $0.140

September 2016 $12.885 + $0.075

November 2016 $12.885 UNCH

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001UXa0IwFB5jEPBSHY8FM4Gk96yEF74KmyykJ7awb9BbLpDwUmRS_PGo_kshegUXUaj6WAR3is9T1aiQbbwMbgkyW4lSbqVf6_5hAGYMcXSJuxJ3gvUJHhYuTHiH0_Y4wke6QcyEI17xaUIkhBIkoXPfFmelHXF0DPyii4rMpIZdnEmy_YB1eZX5zRHtu88bl2Lkh5nncym_UXnHuhRHkv6S3OjXBvq9HwXkwd5P7Ae-8t8TIvbxxvtAh40nZBoO6V&c=3WkbYyxCsZ-GtjRr0_iKaiFAtx9nnLva5YvtXEhjGn0HH9wL9AfEPA==&ch=oUzF_9x1G67E1L5qhLa-yALX34BKeGc-zaufXB8KlhbvrkOiPyHBqw==

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001UXa0IwFB5jEPBSHY8FM4Gk96yEF74KmyykJ7awb9BbLpDwUmRS_PGmS0LPZ2WAreW_REEBGXl52kOK2tqatQ7WnIl3gkEfuNdGx-RaCWEbdsptSo2wUK8ZXBSZPO2XIewGgPanHLw2ghsTsImxddpNOkpt0HTyQA1TwytJJsAWI_G2wYrSO0KK-BTtLUcy6XNjfWsqcN0hszwR5zURkrX-aDj8SiI0IhZTW1pnaEgTkl5Fx2yeMP-ulUTffRuH1El96uaShqmJrS1IePxgHoaj4x774YeMY_&c=3WkbYyxCsZ-GtjRr0_iKaiFAtx9nnLva5YvtXEhjGn0HH9wL9AfEPA==&ch=oUzF_9x1G67E1L5qhLa-yALX34BKeGc-zaufXB8KlhbvrkOiPyHBqw==

All About Rice News


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Is rice cereal the best food for baby?

By Julie Revelant,Published September 13, 2015

Perhaps one of the most exciting times as a mom is when your pediatrician gives you the green

light to start your baby on solid food, which usually happens around 6 months of age.For years,

rice cereal has been the standby first food, likely because it‘s easily digestible. Marketing has a

lot to do with it/ too, since boxed rice cereal is cheap and convenient—just add some breast milk,

formula or water and you‘ve got a meal.Yet what may surprise you is that babies at this age

don‘t need rice cereal— or grains for that matter. They need complex carbohydrates like those

found in sweet potatoes, which are an excellent source of energy, said Sara Peternell, a master

nutrition therapist in Denver, Colo. and co-author of ―Little Foodie: Baby Food Recipes for

Babies and Toddlers with Taste.

‖The reason is that until around their first birthdays, babies don‘t have amylase, an enzyme

which breaks down grains and makes them easily digestible.Nevertheless, grains are a great

source vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins which provide energy, support the nervous

system and help with metabolism. Grains can also add fiber, protein and variety to your baby‘s

diet.This combination of calories, carbohydrates and nutrients are what will help babies grow at

the rate they need to, said Angela Lemond, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Plano, Texas and

spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).

Rice cereal might not be the best option

True, rice cereal is fortified with iron, folate and B vitamins, which can help prevent your baby

http://www.foxnews.com/archive/julie-revelant

All About Rice News


21

from having nutritional deficiencies. However, since it‘s processed in a way that removes all of

the nutrients, and then is re-fortified with synthetic vitamins and minerals, it‘s not an ideal grain,

Peternell said.Another concern that has garnered a lot of attention in recent years is arsenic,

which is found in both organic and non-organic rice varieties and has been linked to many types

of cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In fact, data released last year from Consumer

Reports showed that a serving of rice cereal can have much more arsenic than levels found in

2012.―Arsenic is a particular concern for rice because most rice in the world is grown in flooded

fields.

When you flood the fields, that anaerobic environment seems to encourage the release of arsenic

from the ground and the rice plant readily absorbs it,‖ said Herman Suhirman, marketing

manager for Mighty Rice.Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to set

a federal limit for the amount of arsenic in rice, last July, Codex, a joint commission of the Food

and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization

(WHO), set new standards for governments to allow no more than 200 parts of arsenic per billion

in white rice and no more than 400 parts per billion in brown rice. Although it‘s a good start,

experts agree it‘s not necessarily a safe limit.Consumer Reports recommends that if you do feed

your baby rice cereal, limit it to one serving a day.

Also, look for rice from regions with upland rice, or rice grown on dry soil, or rice grown in

California, India and Pakistan, which have less arsenic.Although brown rice is more nutritious

than white, white rice of the same variety will always have less arsenic.―That outer layer [in

brown rice] that contains all of the nutrients also holds all the chemicals,‖ Suhirman said.You

can eliminate about 30 percent of arsenic from rice if you rinse it well before cooking, using a

ratio of 6 cups of water per 1 cup of rice. Use as much water to cook it as you would for

pasta, and drain the rice halfway through, boil fresh water and finish cooking.

Tasty alternatives for your baby

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents offer their babies a variety of foods

such as oats, wheat and barley to avoid arsenic.In fact, feeding your baby too many whole

grains— which also equals too much fiber— could be problematic. Since fiber slows down

gastric emptying and aids with weight loss, it could slow down your baby‘s growth as well,

Lemond said.Another thing to consider is that since a baby‘s digestive system is still developing,

gluten-free grains are a good idea. Peternell says many babies who have tummy troubles after

introducing wheat are told by the pediatrician that they‘re allergic to wheat, when it might just be

that their immature GI tracts are not ready for it.―Often times food sensitivities can arise when

we give babies first-year foods with too many of the larger protein molecules,‖ she said.

All grains have similar nutrient profiles but some are standouts. Oats are naturally gluten-free but

be sure to check the label since they‘re often grown in fields that are cross-contaminated with

wheat. Quinoa is another gluten-free grain but because it‘s also a high source of protein, you may

want to introduce it slowly and in small amounts. Other grains to try include millet, amaranth,

buckwheat and kamut.Soaking and sprouting grains can also help to break down the enzymes

All About Rice News


22

that inhibit absorption, Peternell said. Simmering grains for an hour or cooking them in the slow

cooker will also ensure they‘re the right consistency for your baby.Regardless of whether you

offer grains from the get-go or hold off for a while, when it comes to feeding your baby,

nutrition, variety and balance should always be the goal.―You want to get that flavor in so when

they get older and can handle more fiber and whole grains, they‘re going to choose that for

themselves,‖ Lemond said.

Julie Revelant is a health journalist and a consultant who provides content marketing and

copywriting services for the healthcare industry. She’s also a mom of two. Learn more about

Julie at revelantwriting.com.

Phil Rice News

PhilRice’s scientific publications up by 74%

Researchers from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) produced over 40 research papers

published by major science journals in 2014, 74% higher than the total publications in 2010.In the past 4

years, the Institute has continued to increase the number of refereed scientific papers published in the

Thomson Reuters/ Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science-listed journals. Of 40

published, 24 came out in ISI journals. From 2010-2014, the Institute published over 140 publications.

With a pool of 57 PhD and 266 master‘s degree holders, PhilRice has managed to publish in some well-

respected journals here and abroad.

Some of them are the Journal of Food Agriculture and Environment, International Journal of Ecology

and Conservation, Philippine Journal of Crop Science, and the Philippine Agricultural Scientist.

―The painstaking efforts of PhilRice R&D staff members in carrying out rice science and technology-

based knowledge dissemination are indeed commendable. We are not only doing our mandated functions

but we are also enriching the body of scientific knowledge on rice through research, publication, training,

and other information dissemination activities,‖ said Dr. Manuel Jose C. Regalado, PhilRice deputy

executive director for research.Regalado hopes the number of scientific publications will steadily increase

given the proper training of young and budding scientists and researchers of the Institute.This year alone,

PhilRice has already published 29 refereed papers.The Institute‘s publications were also recognized in

national and international scientific conferences.Eight studies were recipients of best paper awards and

four studies received best poster award.

Researchers of the Institute also received major awards in their respective fields of specialization. Among

them were Thelma F. Padolina (International Senadhira Rice Research Award), Gina D. Balleras

(Outstanding Filipino Research Leader), and Engr. Noel G. Ganotisi (Outstanding Agricultural Engineer

in the Field of Soil and Water Management).―We hope that our researchers will generate more scientific

outputs that will not only usher them in the scientific career path, but will also provide our rice farmers

the information and technologies they need which have been rigorously developed and tested using

scientific R&D methods and passed through the crucible of scientific peer review and critique,‖ Regalado

said.

Policy reforms needed for climate change resiliency – expert

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/09/13/is-rice-cereal-best-food-for-baby/revelantwriting.com

All About Rice News


23

The agriculture sector needs policy reforms in order to be resilient, a prominent climate change expert

said. During the opening of the 28th National Rice Research and Development Conference at PhilRice, 9

Sept, Dennis Dela Torre of the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG)

and House of Representatives Special Committee on Climate Change, said that there are many challenges

that hinder the agriculture sector to become a key development investment area.

Policy reforms

Dele Torre called for policy reforms that would direct the focus of government institutions, the private

sector, and even foreign funders to agriculture.The Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997

and the Agri-Agra Act of 2009 which have provisions on finance mobilization also needs to be

reviewed.He said that under the Agri-Agra law, the bank sector should devote 25% of loanable amounts

to agriculture but studies reveal that banks are just willing to pay the fines.―We should look at our farmers

as potential targets for investment in human capital,‖ Dela Torre argued.Meanwhile, he encouraged the

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that skills in agriculture must be one of the

conditions in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a conditional cash transfer scheme of the

government to address poverty.

Climate lens and planning

Data from PAGASA on the annual mean temperature in the Philippines projects that there would be a

widespread warming in most parts of the country by 2020 and 2050. Dela Torre then emphasized the

importance of careful planning based on historical and projected data.According to him, efforts against

climate change must look both at the past and what will happen in the future to plan properly.Recently,

there have been a growing concern on saline intrusion and the projected sea level rise that affects coastal

integrity. This serves as a threat to agricultural production areas near the coastlines.

Hence, research institutions such as PhilRice must continuously develop saline-tolerant crop varieties to

address this challenge.Among the saline-tolerant varieties developed by PhilRice are NSIC Rc184 (6.3

t/ha maximum yield), NSIC Rc186 (4.2 t/ha maximum yield), NSIC Rc188 (3.8 t/ha maximum yield),

NSIC Rc190 (5.1 t/ha maximum yield), and NSIC Rc290 (5.7 t/ha maximum yield).Dela Torre also cited

that if irrigation infrastructures failed to resist environmental threats, its quality would definitely be

compromised. As a result, implementing agencies would then reinstitute innovations which would lead to

a pain point in funding.The former Chief on Research and Policy Development of CCC said that

projection and planning are important keys to withstand all environmental threats.

―That‘s what climate change is forcing us to do ― to think better, to design, and plan better,‖ he

reiterated.The 28th National Rice Research and Development Conference is annually hosted by PhilRice

that gathers around 500 researchers, academicians, students, farmers, and extension workers from all over

the country.

Cabinet to be asked to completely ban second-crop farming

for 2015-16 season By editor on 2015-09-12 Thailand

http://news.thaivisa.com/author/editor/

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/

All About Rice News


24

Cabinet to be asked to completely ban second-crop farming for 2015-16 season

BANGKOK: — The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will ask the cabinet at a

meeting next Tuesday to completely ban second rice crop cultivation covering 15 million

rai of farmland during the November 1, 2015-April 30, 2016 crop year due to anticipated

serious water shortage.

Agriculture Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikalya pointed out that by the end of the rainy season at

the end of October, it was anticipated that the country‘s main dams would be able to store a total

of 3,600 million cubic metres of water which is hardly enough for agricultural purpose. The

minister admitted that the anticipated water crisis was beyond the ability of the Agriculture

Ministry to handle and, therefore, he would propose the cabinet to completely ban the second

crop cultivation which is due to start in November and, at the same time, set up a crisis

committee to mobilize all available sources to help the farmers when they cannot cultivate.

Due to water shortage this year, main croup cultivation covering 870,000 rai of farmland was not

possible as the Irrigation Department substantially cut down the amount of water released into

the Chao Phraya river basin, said the minister.But despite the water cutback, he said farmers

defied the warning and cultivated second crop in 6 million rai of farmland.Although water

shortage is expected to be serious at the end of this year and next year, General Chatchai noted

that the situation would not warrant the invocation of Section 44 of the interim charter.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/cabinet-to-be-asked-to-completely-ban-second-crop-

farming-for-2015-16-season

Severe Drought Expected In Thailand Early 2016

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BANGKOK, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- Farmers are asked not to grow rice during off-season in 2016 after the

state-run Royal Irrigation Department (RID) made a forecast that Thailand would face severe drought,

Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.Meanwhile, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister General Chatchai

Sarikulya plans to propose to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha to assist the farmers, the news

agency said.Although several areas in the country are experiencing heavy rainfalls, the amount of rain

was still less compared to previous years, said Suthep Noipairoj, deputy director-general of the RID,

adding that water stored at major dams was not sufficient to grow off-season rice.

He said that a meeting was held recently with relevant government agencies, and that the Agriculture and

Cooperatives Minister has assigned several departments to find ways in assisting farmers who would be

affected by the expected severe drought.Suthep said that Gen Chatchai would propose to the prime

minister to direct ministries to help farmers in providing temporary jobs.This would enable them to get

income to feed their families as they could not grow rice during the off-season, he said.

BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/wn/newsworld.php?id=1170698

PH to import 750,000 tons of rice

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales | Sep. 09, 2015 at 11:50pm

The Philippines will import an additional 250,000 metric tons of rice this year and another

500,000 MT next year under a government-to-government procurement arrangement to prepare

for a prolonged El Niño dry spell, state-run National Food Authority said Wednesday.NFA said

in a statement the inter-agency Food Security Committee on Rice allowed the NFA Council to

proceed with the importation of the volume to beef up the country‘s rice stock.The FSC, which is

chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority, earlier approved the importation

of 250,000 MT.NFA said the importation of 500,000 MT of rice was approved by FSC to cover

the projected production deficit in 2016. The shipment would be delivered early next year. More to come. A worker carries a sack of rice at a store in Manila on Wednesday Sept. 9. The Aquino

administration says it will import additional 750,000 tons of rice to boost stocks and keep local prices

stable because of El Niño. DANNY PATA

Weather forecasters said the drought was predicted to intensify beginning October this year and

would last until May 2016.NFA administrator Renan Dalisay said an invitation was sent to

Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia to participate in the supply of 250,000 MT well-milled rice

with 25 percent brokens intended for the year and 500,000 MT well-milled rice with 25 percent

brokens in 2016.Dalisay assured the food agency would have sufficient stock until the end of the

year and that prices would remain stable.

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He said the government-to-government bidding for the 250,000 MT would be held on Sept.

17, with the first shipment of 125,000 MT expected to arrived by end-November and 125,000

MT by end-December.Dalisay said of the 2016 imports of 500,000 MT, the first shipment of

175,000 MT would arrived by end of January, 175,000 MT by end of February and 150,000 MT

by end of March next year.NFA said the total volume of rice that entered the country this year

already reached 937,000 MT.Weather forecasters said traditional rice granaries including the

provinces of Isabela, Mindoro, Quezon, Albay, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, South Cotabato, Sultan

Kudarat and Zamboanga were among the provinces that would be hardly hit by El Niño.

Rice harvest is expected to drop this year, because of the impact of the El Niño dry spell that

delayed planting and reduced the farm area, the Philippine Statistics Authority said in an earlier

report.PSA said in its rice and corn outlook palay (unmilled rice) production in 2015 could

decline 0.6 percent to 18.86 million MT from 18.97 million MT in 2014.Rice production in the

first half fell 0.7 percent to 8.32 million MT

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/09/09/ph-to-import-750-000-tons-of-rice/

Cambodia businesses fret Myanmar

By The Phnom Penh Post | Monday, 14 September 2015

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27

While Cambodia’s economic development is often compared to that of neighbouring

Vietnam and Thailand’s, industry insiders say the Cambodia needs to keep a close eye on

the steady progress being made in Myanmar, which is predicted to eat into Cambodia’s

exports in the long term.

Cambodian farmers work on a rice field in Kandal province. The country‘s rice production faces

competition from Myanmar. Photo: EPA

An improved business environment in Myanmar

propelled its gross domestic product growth to

7.7 percent in 2014, and it is expected to reach

8.3pc for 2015, according to the Asian

Development Bank.While Myanmar may not

pose an immediate threat to Cambodia, Jayant

Menon, lead economist at the Asian

Development Bank‘s office of regional

economic integration, said Cambodia will need

to improve its productivity and increase its pool

of skilled labour.Trade costs in Myanmar are

still high, given the dearth of investment and

infrastructure development, but as economic reforms begin to kick in the country will

increasingly grow its presence on the ASEAN stage, Mr Menon added.

―In the longer term, Cambodia may have to lift its productivity if it is to compete with the well-

educated workforce available at relatively low cost in Myanmar.‖On the rice export front,

Cambodia is already facing steep competition from Myanmar. Rice shipments leaving the

Kingdom last year totalled a little more than 387,000 tonnes, compared to Myanmar‘s 1.7

million tonnes – a large amount of it going to China.Cambodia may currently have the edge in

exporting higher-quality fragrant rice, said Song Saran, CEO of leading rice exporter Amru Rice,

but Myanmar is fast catching up and moving beyond its export of lower quality broken rice and

parboiled rice.―In the long term, Myanmar will be a big threat to Cambodia, because they have

started to improve their facilities,‖ Mr Saran said.

―And in the next four to five years there will be more stress for Cambodian rice in the European

market.‖Mr Saran said that when Cambodia graduates to a low-middle income economy and

loses its European Union-granted Everything But Arms (EBA) status – giving least developed

countries duty free exports to the economic bloc – Myanmar, which also enjoys the preferential

treatment, could extend its advantage given that its exports will be cheaper than the

Kingdom‘s.―When EBA is off, we are going to have more hardship and the possibility of losing

market share to Myanmar,‖ he said.―But with jasmine rice, I am still optimistic that we can

maintain our market share even if EBA is off.‖On the economic front, both countries are using

similar sectors, including rice and garments to fuel growth.

However, Myanmar also has to deal with the ―overhang of the elections‖ in November, as well

as ethnic and religious tensions, said Grant Knuckey, CEO of ANZ Royal Bank, who is also the

head of Myanmar operations for ANZ.―Despite that, Myanmar is a genuine threat based on both

All About Rice News


28

potential and clear intent,‖ Mr Knuckey said, referring to economic reforms that are focused on

increasing commodity exports.Infrastructure and logistical capacities are two key issues holding

back both nations, but, according to Mr Knuckey, investments made in deep sea ports and a

better special economic zone policy can help Myanmar leapfrog the progress made by Cambodia

in the past few years.―Myanmar will soon have a real edge, with deep sea capacity at both

Thilawa and later Dawei,‖ he said.

―Myanmar has also moved very aggressively on the SEZ framework, where Thilawa is more of a

special administrative zone than an industrial park, which is the current Cambodia model.‖Srey

Chanthy, an independent economist, said that as Myanmar grapples with the same ―pitfalls‖ that

Cambodia has had to address, such as low productivity, it will have to make good use of its

young and well-educated population to accelerate its ascent up the ASEAN pecking order.―If the

Myanmar government can significantly improve the domestic business-enabling environment to

attract direct foreign investment, these things can be done in the short to medium terms, they

need not wait for the long term.‖

– The Phnom Penh Post http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/16458-cambodia-

businesses-fret-myanmar.html

Tough blow for Thai rice farmers already in debt By editor on 2015-09-14 Thailand

FARMING

Tough blow for rice farmers already in debt VISARUT SANKHAM

THE NATION

If cabinet decides to block water for off-season crop ‘it would hit us hard’

BANGKOK: — IF THE Cabinet resolves tomorrow to turn off irrigated water for people seeking

to grow off-season rice it would deal another serious blow to farmers already drowning in debt.

―We haven‘t planted any paddy three times already (for two off-season crops and one main

crop), and now the government tells us not to plant any rice again. Now we have nothing,‖

Ubolsak Bualuang-ngam, chairman of the central agricultural committee, said last week.―Most

rice farmers in Lop Buri have Bt350,000 in debt and some farmers even hung themselves on a

tree to avoid debt,‖ said Ubolsak, who also leads the Lop Buri Farmers Assembly.This central

province and the Pasak River basin have already suffered from a severe shortage of water for

farming.The idea to suspend the planting of off-season crop on 15 million rai of paddy fields will

be proposed to the Cabinet by Agriculture Minister Chatchai Sarikalya because of an estimate

that by the end of the wet season next month, stored water would amount to 3.6 billion cubic

metres – which is not enough for farming.

―This crisis is more severe than the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry can handle alone, so

we have to ask the Cabinet to set up a committee to solve it at the national level,‖ Chatchai

said.―We also have to gather projects under various agencies to hire farmers. This is to let the

http://news.thaivisa.com/author/editor/

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/

All About Rice News


29

farmers earn some money to replace the missed income from past rice growing sessions this year

(which affected 87,000 rai) and the off-season rice growing at 15 million |rai of irrigation-zoned

rice fields from November 1 to April 30,‖ he said.

The order, to be strictly followed and enforced, would not need to be announced under Section

44 of the provisional charter, he said.Pasak Jolasid Dam, which receives 1.23 million cubic

metres of water daily, now has 73 million cu m and was releasing five cu m per second or 1.3

million cu m a day, Irrigation Office 10 director Attaporn Panyachom said.Most dams in Lop

Buri were also at less than 50 per cent of capacity, he said. The Kut Ta Phet Reservoir in Lam

Sonthi district was down to 23 per cent, Sap Takhian Reservoir in the same district down to 7 per

cent and Huai Hin Reservoir in Chai Badan district to 24 per cent, he said.

The government claims that it has arranged income-generating projects to help farmers, but Ong-

art Suwanphong from the Farmers‘ School in Ang Thong‘s Chaiyo district said that he didn‘t see

any such scheme being implemented. Farmers would actually prefer water supply to

compensation, but if the government must stop the water supply for rice, they should make sure

the compensation for farmers is sufficient, he said. ―Farmers are disheartened. Many of those

with five to 10 rai of paddy fields gave up.―Last year they suffered from a rat outbreak and this

year saw their hope of regaining rice-growing income shattered by the lack of water supplies – so

they turned to doing odd jobs,‖ he said.

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/tough-blow-for-thai-rice-farmers-already-in-debt/114136/

All About Rice News


30

U.S. & China to Sign Rice Protocol Agreement

HOUSTON, Sept. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Officials from the United States and

the Peoples' Republic of China will sign a phytosanitary protocol during the week of September

21st when Chinese President Xi Jinping leads a delegation on an official visit to Washington,

DC. Culminating an effort that reaches back more than 15 years, the US Rice Producers

Association (USRPA) has been pushing to open the Chinese market to U.S. rice. In those

intervening ten years, China has switched from being a rice exporter to (in recent years)

importing two million tons or more of long grain rice. Vietnam has been the origin of most of the

Chinese imports, due to a combination of price, proximity, and quality. The U.S. has not been

permitted to ship to China because rice was not included in the original negotiations that resulted

in the sale of millions of tons of soybeans and cotton and other grains.

That now changes with the new phytosanitary protocol.USRPA applied for funding from

USDA/FAS under their Emerging Markets Program to travel to China to determine if there

would be demand for U.S. long grain milled rice should it ever be permitted. Over the years,

consumer preferences were recorded and analyzed, and the conclusion was obvious — rice

milled in the United States would be considered a preferred product deserving of a premium

price in the opinion of the growing consumer class in China. In recent years, medium grain rice

from both the South and California has been included in these consumer surveys, and the result

is the same: "When can we buy it?"

A number of importers and distributors in China have been identified, and it is likely that the

newly-permitted trade will get off to a fast start. It is not clear how large the trade could become

once the logistics and the commercial terms are perfected, but China could represent a significant

boost to the U.S. rice market, which recently has been slammed by the loss of markets and low-

priced subsidized foreign competition. "This has been a long and exhaustive process and

sometimes that's the nature of international market development, while I must compliment the

USRPA staff and its board members including past Chairmen, B.J. Campbell of Missouri and

Ray Stoesser of Texas, who along with officials of the Foreign Agricultural Service and Animal

Plant Health Inspection Service of the USDA, have not hesitated in pursuing this effort that is so

important to our rice farming and milling industry," says Dwight Roberts, President & CEO of

the organization. "Our analysis of the China market goes back to 1998 when at the time no one

thought China would ever be a significant importer," added Roberts.

Recently elected Chairman, Tommy Turner from El Campo, Texas who has plans to travel next

month to China is excited about the outlook saying, "our focus has already turned towards

working with the identified Chinese buyers and importers while continuing to conduct additional

promotional surveys of Chinese consumers," while adding, "this is great news for our farmers

and is a shot in the arm for the market that is so sorely needed."The US Rice Producers

Association, representing rice producers in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi,

Missouri and Texas, is the only national rice producers' organization comprised by producers,

elected by producers and representing producers in all six rice-producing states.

SOURCE US Rice Producers Association

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31

Nepal records imports 210,600t of rice worth Rs5.74b in

2014

Reported by: `Customs Today Report September 14, 2015

KATHMANDU: Rice mills in the Bara-Parsa area are having a hard time staying afloat as they

can‘t compete with cheaper Indian products. In the past four years, 250 out of the 300 rice mills

there have closed down. Half of the remaining 50 are also in the red, said traders.Domestic rice

producers started facing hard times after India withdrew restrictions on rice exports in September

2011. The Indian government has cancelled the ban on the export of almost all types of rice

except Basmati. This led to Nepali markets being flooded with cheap Indian products.Last year,

Nepal imported 210,600 tonnes of rice worth Rs5.74 billion through Birgunj Customs alone, its

records show. In fiscal 2013-14, rice imports through this customs point amounted to Rs3.54

billion.

http://www.customstoday.com.pk/nepal-records-imports-210600t-of-rice-worth-rs5-74b-in-2014/

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-Sep 14

Nagpur, Sept 14 Gram prices firmed up again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and

Marketing Committee (APMC) here on good festival season demand from local millers amid

thin

supply from producing regions. Healthy rise in Madhya Pradesh gram prices, reported demand

from

South-based millers and notable hike on NCDEX also boosted prices, according to sources.

* * * *

FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM

* Gram varieties reported strong in open market on increased seasonal buying support

from local traders amid weak supply from millers.

TUAR

* Tuar varieties recovered strongly in open market on renewed demand from local

traders. Reports about weak overseas arrival also pushed up prices.

* Batri dal zoomed up in open market on good buying support from local traders amid

tight supply from producing regions.

http://www.customstoday.com.pk/author/sania/

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32

* In Akola, Tuar - 9,7900-10,300, Tuar dal - 14,100-14,500, Udid at 9,600-10,000,

Udid Mogar (clean) - 12,100-12,600, Moong - 7,600-7,800, Moong Mogar

(clean) 9,200-9,800, Gram - 4,900-5,050, Gram Super best bold - 6,400-6,600

for 100 kg.

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

in thin trading activity, according to sources.

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

FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close

Gram Auction 3,850-4,900 3,850-4,760

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

Tuar Auction n.a. 8,000-9,375

Moong Auction n.a. 6,000-6,400

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

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

Gram Super Best Bold 6,600-6,900 6,500-6,800

Gram Super Best n.a.

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

Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a.

Gram Mill Quality 5,900-6,000 5,800-5,900

Desi gram Raw 5,300-5,350 5,200-5,250

Gram Filter new 6,300-6,500 6,200-6,400

Gram Kabuli 6,600-7,600 6,400-7,500

Gram Pink 7,000-7,200 6,800-7,000

Tuar Fataka Best 14,600-14,900 14,500-14,800

Tuar Fataka Medium 13,400-14,000 13,300-13,900

Tuar Dal Best Phod 13,000-13,200 12,900-13,100

Tuar Dal Medium phod 12,400-12,900 12,300-12,800

Tuar Gavarani New 10,400-10,600 10,300-10,500

Tuar Karnataka 10,500-10,900 10,400-10,800

Tuar Black 12,200-12,400 12,100-12,300

Masoor dal best 8,500-8,700 8,500-8,700

Masoor dal medium 8,200-8,400 8,200-8,400

Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold 9,900-10,300 9,900-10,300

Moong Mogar Medium best 8,800-9,500 8,800-9,500

Moong dal Chilka 8,700-8,900 8,700-8,900

Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 8,400-9,200 8,400-9,200

Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 12,500-13,700 12,500-13,700

Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 11,500-12,000 11,500-12,000

Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 10,200-10,400 10,200-10,400

Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,300-5,650 5,200-5,600

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33

Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 4,000-4,200 4,000-4,200

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

Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,200 3,000-3,200

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,600 3,300-3,600

Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,500 1,400-1,500

Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,650-1,750 1,650-1,750

Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,350-1,550 1,350-1,550

Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,300-2,400

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

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

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,400-3,700 3,400-3,700

MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,750-2,800 2,750-2,800

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

Rice BPT medium(100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,000 2,800-3,000

Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,900 1,700-1,900

Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,300 2,000-2,300

Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,000 1,900-2,000

Rice HMT best(100 INR/KG) 3,500-3,900 3,500-3,900

Rice HMT medium(100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,300 3,200-3,300

Rice HMT Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,100 4,800-5,100

Rice HMT Shriram med.(100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,500 4,000-4,500

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

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

Rice Chinnor best (100 INR/KG) 5,200-5,400 4,900-5,100

Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 4,700-5,000 4,400-4,800

Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,350 2,100-2,350

Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500

WEATHER (NAGPUR)

Maximum temp. 35.4 degree Celsius (95.7 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.

24.0 degree Celsius (75.2 degree Fahrenheit)

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

Rainfall : nil

FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and

34 and 24 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available

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

Record rice output doesn‘t bring smile for Bangla farmers ANN/ The Daily Star/ Sohel Parvez

| 14 September, 2015

(Photo: Getty Images)

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34

Farmers in Bangladesh bagged a record

19.1 million tonnes of boro rice last

season, enabling the country to log in its

highest rice output and attain self-

sufficiency in staple food.Overall, rice

output stood at a total of 34.7 million

tonnes in fiscal 2014-15, up 1 per cent

year-on-year, according to Bangladesh

Bureau of Statistics.The increased

production though has not brought smiles

to the farmers' faces: many had to accept

prices lower than their production costs.―It

felt good to have higher crops, but ultimately it did not benefit me,‖ said Rafiqul Islam, a farmer in

Lalmonirhat, a bordering district in the north.His production costs were higher than the prices he was

compelled to accept.Islam grew the hybrid and high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of rice on one acre of land

in the last boro season, which started in April and ended in May.

Two months after harvest, he sold each maund of hybrid rice at 460 taka (US$5.9), which is 20 per cent

lower than his average production cost, he told The Daily Star by phone last week.Farmers in other

growing regions too are having similar experiences.The prices of rice have remained lower than last

year's level since April as a result of a supply glut in the market caused by higher output and soaring

imports mainly from India.Rice imports by private traders soared nearly four times last fiscal year to 1.49

million tonnes, according to data from the food ministry.

As a result, the total rice availability ended up being higher than Bangladesh's requirement.The country's

annual demand for the food grain is 30 million tonnes, according to the Bangladesh Institute of

Development Studies.The research organisation estimated that the daily per capita food grain

consumption is 509 grams, including rice at 462 grams.There is an ample supply of imported rice, so the

demand for locally grown rice is low, said Nirod Boron Saha, a paddy and rice wholesaler in northern

Naogaon district, one of the main hubs for rice and paddy trade.Traders and millers earlier blamed the

soaring rice imports for the price fall.

Coarse rice, which was 32-37 taka each kilogram in Dhaka city in the second week of April, traded at 30-

34 taka per kilogram yesterday. On the same day last year, it traded at 35-38 taka.The superior quality

rice prices are also lower than last year's, according to Trading Corporation of Bangladesh.Amid repeated

calls from farm stakeholders, the government imposed a 10 per cent duty on rice imports, which many

found too late a move.Saha said the prices of paddy rose after the government slapped duty on rice

imports. But the spike was temporary.

The prices declined later as Indian suppliers came up with lower rates, he said.However, paddy prices

have started rising recently, upon news of crop damage from recent floods, he said.Floods, resulting from

heavy rainfall, have damaged more than 260,000 hectares of aman crop land, according to the Department

of Agricultural Extension.Islam, the farmer from Lalmonirhat district, said he planted aman rice on four

acres of land but floods destroyed crops on 1.20 acres of it. ―Floods have just eaten up the land. I cannot

grow paddy here this aman season anymore. I will have to go for potato,‖ he added.Mohammad Zahidul

All About Rice News


35

Haque, a farmer in Kurigram district, also suffered losses for low prices of boro. And the floods have also

damaged part of his aman crop.―All my recently planted seedlings have gone under the water -- it is going

to deepen my losses.‖

http://www.thestatesman.com/news/business/record-rice-output-doesn-t-bring-smile-for-bangla-

farmers/89973.html

Rice output hits record, farmers not so happy

Photo: Star/File Sohel Parvez

Farmers bagged a record 1.91 crore tonnes of boro rice last season, enabling the country to log in

its highest rice output and attain self-sufficiency in staple food.Overall, rice output stood at a

total of 3.47 crore tonnes in fiscal 2014-15, up 1 percent year-on-year, according to Bangladesh

Bureau of Statistics.The increased production though has not brought smiles to the farmers'

faces: many had to accept prices lower than their production costs.―It felt good to have higher

crops, but ultimately it did not benefit me,‖ said Rafiqul Islam, a farmer in Lalmonirhat, a

bordering district in the north.His production costs were higher than the prices he was compelled

to accept.Islam grew the hybrid and high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of rice on one acre of land in

the last boro season, which started in April and ended in May.Two months after harvest, he sold

each maund of hybrid rice at Tk 460, which is 20 percent lower than his average production cost,

he told The Daily Star by phone last week.

Farmers in other growing regions too are having similar experiences.The prices of rice have

remained lower than last year's level since April as a result of a supply glut in the market caused

by higher output and soaring imports mainly from India.Rice imports by private traders soared

http://www.thestatesman.com/news/business/record-rice-output-doesn-t-bring-smile-for-bangla-farmers/89973.html

http://www.thestatesman.com/news/business/record-rice-output-doesn-t-bring-smile-for-bangla-farmers/89973.html

http://www.thedailystar.net/author/sohel-parvez

All About Rice News


36

nearly four times last fiscal year to 14.90 lakh tonnes, according to data from the food ministry.

As a result, the total rice availability ended up being higher than Bangladesh's requirement.The

country's annual demand for the food grain is three crore tonnes, according to the Bangladesh

Institute of Development Studies.The research organisation estimated that the daily per capita

food grain consumption is 509 grams, including rice at 462 grams.

There is an ample supply of imported rice, so the demand for locally grown rice is low, said

Nirod Boron Saha, a paddy and rice wholesaler in Naogaon, one of the main hubs for rice and

paddy trade.Traders and millers earlier blamed the soaring rice imports for the price fall.Coarse

rice, which was Tk 32-37 each kilogram in Dhaka city in the second week of April, traded at Tk

30-34 per kilogram yesterday. On the same day last year, it traded at Tk 35-38. The superior

quality rice prices are also lower than last year's, according to Trading Corporation of

Bangladesh.

Amid repeated calls from farm stakeholders, the government imposed a 10 percent duty on rice imports,

which many found too late a move.Saha said the prices of paddy rose after the government slapped duty

on rice imports. But the spike was temporary.The prices declined later as Indian suppliers came up with

lower rates, he said.However, paddy prices have started rising recently, upon news of crop damage from

recent floods, he said.Floods, resulting from heavy rainfall, have damaged more than 2.6 lakh hectares of

aman crop land, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension.

Islam, the farmer from Lalmonirhat, said he planted aman rice on four acres of land but floods destroyed

crops on 1.20 acres of it. ―Floods have just eaten up the land. I cannot grow paddy here this aman season

anymore. I will have to go for potato,‖ he added.Mohammad Zahidul Haque, a farmer in Kurigram, also

suffered losses for low prices of boro. And the floods have also damaged part of his aman crop.―All my

recently planted seedlings have gone under the water -- it is going to deepen my losses.

All About Rice News


37

‖http://www.thedailystar.net/business/rice-output-hits-record-farmers-not-so-happy-142351

Flood damage estimated at 736,000 acres

Farmers re-grow in flood-damaged farms in Rakhine State. (Photo-Min Thein Naing/EMG)

The rain-triggered floods destroyed more than

736,000 acres (283,300 hectares) of monsoon

paddy across the country, according to the

Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.Cyclone

Komen flooded more than 1.4 million acres of

farmland in July and August. Of them, 736,000

acres were damaged, the ministry said on

September 11.Around 414,000 acres of monsoon

paddy have reportedly been re-grown. The damage

is estimated at Ks174 billion (US$135 million).

Rakhine and Chin states are the worst affected areas, according to the National Natural Disaster

Management Committee.The committee‘s report says 1,447,000 acres of farmland were flooded.

Of them, 842,000 acres were totally ruined. Myanmar usually grows around 15 million acres of

monsoon paddy and three million acres of summer paddy, producing around 1,350 million

baskets of rice a year, much of which is exported.The ministry urges farmers to re-grow using

short-term strains and direct seeding methods.

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/local/flood-damage-estimated-736000-acres

Myanmar claims rice sufficiency despite flood

Myanmar claims rice sufficiency despite flood

YANGON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar has claimed sufficiency of rice supply until the end of

this year despite recent flood which slowed down rice production, according to an official report

Sunday.Over 500,000 tons of rice are still in stock for the next three months, the Ministry of

Commerce was quoted as saying.Flood has affected more than 1.4 million acres (567,000

hectares) of paddy field and destroyed more than 800,000 acres, it said.However, Ayeyawaddy

region, the country's prime source of rice, was not affected by the flooding as severely as other

regions thanks to the quick recession of flood, it added.

Myanmar's harvest season for rice planted in rain-fed field will start in October.Deadly flood,

triggered by heavy rainfall since June, has affected 12 regions and states out of 14 in Myanmar,

destroying houses, farmland, railway lines, bridges and roads.The Myanmar government

declared on July 31 four disaster zones, namely Rakhine, Chin, Sagaing and Magway, among

which Rakhine state was the worst-hit.Nationwide death toll of the severe flooding rose to more

than 121 so far, while more than 1.6 million people across the country have been affected.

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/local/flood-damage-estimated-736000-acres

All About Rice News


38

http://www.globalpost.com/article/6648118/2015/09/12/myanmar-claims-rice-sufficiency-despite-flood

Second rice crop to be banned 12 Sep 2015 at 14:34 5,268

WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS

Agriculture Minister Chatchai Sarikulya will propose to the cabinet on Tuesday a ban on the

second crop of rice totalling 15 million rai as water shortages have become more serious than

previously estimated.Water reserves are expected to total 3.6 million cubic metres at the end of

the rainy season on Oct 31, an inadequate amount for farming, said Gen Chatchai.The

Agriculture Ministry will also propose that the cabinet set up a national committee to manage the

situation. Ministries in charge of government projects must also be instructed to hire farmers so

they have some income.

The ban means rice farmers will not be able to grow rice for most part of the 2015 crop year.

This involves 870,000 rai that have not been farmed and the 15 million rai on which planting will

be banned. Some farmers have ignored the order and continued to farm on 6 million rai

anyway."This time it's critical. All farming must be totally banned. All ministries must also try to

help farmers," said Gen Chatchai.However, he dismissed the need for the junta chief to use

Section 44 of the interim constitution to enforce the ban."The ministry must tell farmers now

what they are supposed to do if they can't farm and what relief measures they can expect from

the government. We may promote raising animals and find extra jobs for them," he added. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/690620/second-rice-crop-ban-sought

http://search.bangkokpost.com/search/result_advanced?category=news&columnistName=Online+Reporters

Date post:	17-Jul-2016
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14th September,2015 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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