12 14 march ,2018 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

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News Detail‌ Global Rice Flour Market: Soaring Consumption of Rice Flour as Gluten-Free Food to Drive Market; TMR Expects Moderate CAGR of 4.4% by 2017 - 2025 NEWS PROVIDED BYTransparency Market Research Mar 13, 2018, 08:30 ET

ALBANY, New York, March 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --According to the latest market report published by Transparency Market Research titled 'Rice Flour Market': Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2017-2025', the revenue generated from rice flour exceeded a value of US$ 712.9 Mn in 2017, which is projected to increase at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period (20172025).Rising health concerns among people and the increasing need for a gluten-free diet are accelerating the demand for naturally gluten-free products, including rice flour. Growing awareness about adverse health conditions due to excess gluten consumption is an important factor driving the global rice flour market. Established markets for gluten-free or pregelatinized rice flour will continue to thrive in near future, according to Transparency Market Research's recent study.

"Global revenues of rice flour, evaluated at US$ 712.9 Mn in 2017, are expected to rise up to US$ 1,003.1 Mnby the end of 2025. The overall growth will be moderate at a CAGR of 4.4% over 2017-2025," stated a research analyst, Transparency Market Research.

Get PDF Brochure for more Professional & Technical industry insights:https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id =22856 Soaring demand for healthier, improved, easy-to-cook, and ready-to-eat foods is favoring sales of baked foods and snack products. Moreover, busier lifestyle of consumers worldwide is popularizing baked goods and other products that can be consumed on-the-go. The exploding baking industry is thus preferring rice floor over other flours, which is likely to create a heap of opportunities for flour manufacturers in near future. Volatile pricing of crops due to uncertain climatic conditions and seasonal variations will however continue to hamper the market growth

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during forecast period. Frequent fluctuations in energy, chemicals, and fertilizers prices will also remain a major restraining factor affecting the global market for rice flour.

By source, the global rice flour market will remain dominated by white rice but brown rice is slated to witness growing popularity over the forecast period. Based on the type, medium and short grain segment is likely to witness the highest and fastest growing sales. On the basis of origin, conventional segment has been larger than organic and registered over 90% revenue share in 2017. By application, rice flour will continue maximum consumption by bakery and confectionary segment, and breakfast solutions is likely to represent the most lucrative application segment by 2025 end. In terms of sales channel, direct sales will reportedly continue to win over indirect sales in near future.

Request For Custom Research: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&re p_id=22856 Regional assessment indicates that the rice flour market in APAC is anticipated to dominate the in terms of both value and volume over 2017-2025. APAC is expected to gain significant market share in terms of revenue by 2025 end. This trend is attributed to high consumer dependence on rice flour as their staple food. Moreover, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) is projected to exhibit a significant CAGR in terms of value throughout the forecast period. Transparency Market Research's report profiles some of the major companies operating in the global rice flour market, such as Associated British Foods PLC, Ebro Foods, S.A., Ingredion Incorporated, Archer-Daniels Midland Co., Wilmar International Limited, General Mills, Inc., Bunge Ltd., Whitworth Bros. Ltd., The Soufflet Group, Shipton Mill Ltd., KRÖNER-STÄRKE GmbH, Caremoli Group, Belourthe SA, Bressmer & Francke (Gmbh & Co.) KG and EDME Food Ingredients Limited.

Ask for Discount on Premium Research Report (US$ 5795) With Complete TOC:https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=2 2856 The market has been segmented as below: Global Rice flour market - By source 

White rice

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Brown rice

Global Rice flour market - By type   

Long grain Medium & short grain Pregelatinized

Global Rice flour market - By origin  

Organic Conventional

Global Rice flour market - By application    

Bakery & Confectionary Breakfast solutions Baby Food Others

Global Rice flour market - By sales channel  

Direct Indirect o Modern Trade Formats o Departmental Stores o Convenience Store o E-commerce o Other

Global Rice flour market - By region     

North America Latin America Europe APAC MEA

Popular Research Reports by TMR:

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Health Ingredients Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/healthingredients-market.html Plant Growth Regulators Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/plant-growthregulators.html

About Us Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.

Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.

Contact Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Research Blog: http://www.editiontruth.com/ SOURCE Transparency Market Research

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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-rice-flour-market-soaring-consumption-ofrice-flour-as-gluten-free-food-to-drive-market-tmr-expects-moderate-cagr-of-44-by-2017--2025-676654833.html

Organic Rice Market Trends by Key Players, Manufacturing Process, Machinery, Raw Materials, Cost and Revenue to 2022 March 13, 2018 - by Carol Harris

Organic Rice Market Report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the Organic Rice Industry for 2018-2022. Organic Rice Market report analyses the industry potential for each geographical region based on the growth rate, macroeconomic parameters, consumer buying patterns, market demand and supply scenarios.

Organic Rice Market analysis reports provide a valuable source of insightful data for business strategists and competitive analysis. It provides the overview with growth analysis and futuristic cost, revenue, demand and supply data. The research analysts provide an elaborate description of the value chain and its distributor analysis. This Organic Rice market study provides comprehensive data which enhances the understanding, scope and application of this report.

Global Organic Rice Market competition by top Manufacturers, with sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each Manufacturer; the top Manufacturers including Doguet‘s Rice, Randallorganic, Sanjeevani Organics, Kahang Organic Rice, RiceSelect, Texas Best Organics, CAPITAL RICE, YINCHUAN, URMATT and Many others.

The report split global into several key Regions, with sales (Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Organic Rice for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia and India.

Request for Sample of Report@ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/requestsample/10893807 Organic Rice Market Report provides comprehensive analysis of key market segments and subsegments with evolving market trends and dynamics, changing supply and demand scenarios by quantifying market opportunities through market sizing and market forecasting, Tracking current trends, challenges, and Competitive insights. Opportunity mapping in terms of technological breakthroughs for business development.

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In this Organic Rice Market analysis, traders and distributors analysis is given along with contact details. For material and equipment suppliers also, contact details are given. New investment feasibility analysis is included in the report. Organic Rice Market report provides the main region, market conditions with the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. the Organic Rice Market report makes some important proposals for a new project of Organic Rice Industry before evaluating its feasibility.

Purchase Organic Rice Market Research Report @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/purchase/10893807 Some of major points covered in TOC: Market Overview: Scope & Product Overview, Classification of Organic Rice by Product Category (Market Size (Sales), Market Share Comparison by Type (Product Category)), Organic Rice Market by Application/End Users (Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application), Market by Region (Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region, Status and Prospect (2012-2022)).

Organic Rice Market by Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application: Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Types & Applications (Sales and Market Share, Revenue and Share Volume and Value) Organic Rice Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data: Company, Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors, Product Category, Application and Specification with Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin, Main Business/Business Overview.

Organic Rice Market by Manufacturing Cost Analysis: Key Raw Materials Analysis, Price Trend of Key Raw Materials, Key Suppliers of Raw Materials, Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials, Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure (Raw Materials, Labour Cost), Manufacturing Process Analysis Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers: Industrial Chain Analysis, Upstream Raw Materials Sourcing, Raw Materials Sources, Downstream Buyers Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders: Marketing Channel (Direct & Indirect Marketing), Marketing Channel Development Trend, Market Positioning (Pricing Strategy, Brand Strategy, Target Client), Distributors/Traders List Inquire for further detailed information about Organic Rice Market @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/10893807

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Reasons for Buying Organic Rice Market Report: It provides a forward-looking perspective on different driving factors or restraining market growth. Organic Rice market report provides a six-year forecast assessed based on how the market is predicted to grow. It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors. Organic Rice market report helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments.

SOURCE Facts Week https://factsweek.com/ https://factsweek.com/277985/organic-rice-market-trends-by-key-players-manufacturing-process-machineryraw-materials-cost-and-revenue-to-2022/

In other agribusiness news...

Mar 12, 2018 Updated Mar 12, 2018 +6 Rod Schoenbine (Courtesy photo.)

The Angus Foundation, St. Joseph, Missouri, has added Rod Schoenbine as the development director. He started Jan. 8 and is responsible for fundraising and relationship building to help achieve the organization‘s mission of advancing education, youth and research for the Angus breed and American Angus Association members. Most recently, Schoenbine was the cattle genetics specialist for Zoetis Animal Health after serving as a territory manager for two different regions of the United States.

Lisa_Norton (Courtesy photo.)

Lisa Norton has been promoted to president and chief operating officer at BioZyme Inc., St. Joseph, Missouri. Norton most recently served as vice president of marketing and sales. Norton has worked as a professor in accounting at Missouri Western State University for 14 years and started two companies in her career, Quantitative Resources, a software development/call center support and research firm and LAN Resources, a market research business.

Chuck Blasi (Courtesy photo.)

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Chuck Blasi has been selected as the next chief credit officer at Farm Credit of Southern Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado. In his duties, he will be a member of the executive leadership team and will provide subject matter expertise and oversight for all credit activities and actions. Blasi has about 30 years of service with Farm Credit of Southern Colorado.

Billi Hunt (Courtesy photo.)

Billi Hunt has been named the executive director of the Cultivation Corridor, Des Moines, Iowa.

With 20 years of experience, Hunt had previously worked as the government affairs manager of the central region of DuPont. Cultivation Corridor focuses on developing and marketing the bioeconomy in central Iowa. +6 Cyndee Smiley (Courtesy photo.)

Cyndee Smiley, formerly division marketing manager for Region 4 combines and front-end equipment, has been named media relations and communications manager for John Deere Ag and Turf Division for the United States and Canada. Smiley replaces Beverly Flores who was named training and events manager for the U.S. and Canada for John Deere. Smiley had been responsible for go-to-market functions for Deere‘s S700 series combines and front-end equipment. +6

Martin H. Richenhagen (Courtesy photo.)

The American Institute for Contemporary German Studies, based in Washington, D.C., presented Martin H. Richenhagen, chairman and president of AGCO, with the 2017 Global Leadership Award. The award recognized Richenhagen‘s positive influence on the German-American business partnership.

Westway Feed Products, Tomball, Texas, has named Rob Brock as president. He will replace Steve Boehmer who, since 2009, has grown the company to include 27 production plants in the

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United States and Canada. Boehmer will continue to serve the company in a consulting capacity.

Brock joined Westway Feed Products in 2014.

Advanta Seeds, Irving, Texas, a global agriculture company specializing in seeds and agricultural solutions, has opened a new state-of-the-art biotechnology facility in College Station, Texas. The new biotechnology center is a result of a partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, headquartered at Texas A&M University in College Station. The center will accelerate Advanta Seeds research and development capabilities for the company‘s key crops: sorghum, corn, vegetables, sunflower, canola and rice.

PartnerRe Ltd., Pembroke, Bermuda, and Farmers Edge, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, have signed a 4-year agreement to jointly develop new agriculture insurance products in main crop growing areas worldwide, aimed at addressing the specific needs and challenges of farmers. The insurance product with integrated precision-farming capabilities will improve the efficiency and sustainability of their operations and will enable them to obtain insurance customized to their individual needs.

Holm Automotive Center Inc., Abilene, Kansas, has been awarded a 2018 DealerRater of the Year Award that recognizes automobile dealerships across the United States and Canada who deliver outstanding customer service, based on consumer reviews written on DealerRater.com.

Reviewers evaluated Holm Automotive Center Inc. on its customer service, quality of work, friendliness, pricing and overall experience.

Harvest Returns, Fort Worth, Texas, an online platform for agriculture investing, has announced the formation of a business advisory board with the appointment of Deb Dunie, Mike Gumina, Adam Hartung, Stephen Joyce and David Stanton. The board‘s role will be to provide counsel and strategic guidance as the company scales its equity crowd-funding platform. Dunie retired in 2015 as executive vice president and chief technology officer of CACI International. Gumina is CEO of RiceTec, a privately-owned company that develops and produces hybrid rice seed for American and international markets. Hartung has been CEO and managing partner of Spark

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Partners, a strategy and transformation consultancy since 2004. Retired Brig. Gen. Stephen Joyce formed Strategic Solutions in 2012 upon retiring after 33 years of service as an U.S. Army aviator. David Stanton serves as president of SUEZ in North America‘s Utility Operations and Federal Services. +6 http://www.hpj.com/machinery/in-other-agribusiness-news/article_9b4f717c-4373-58088531-d7f949d4a0fe.html

Auctions mulled for poor stocks  

13 Mar 2018 at 06:39 NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS | WRITER: PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

An employee inspects pledged rice stored at Sap Kaset Sayam warehouse in Nakhon Luang district, Ayutthaya. The government wants to sell its remaining substandard stocks. Thiti Wannamontha

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The government looks set to call a bid for inedible-grade rice stocks after having put off sales late last year to curb any potential price impacts on the new harvest.Adul Chotinisakorn, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said the department is scheduled to start calling auctions to sell state rice stocks of substandard and inedible quality, estimated at 2.04 million tonnes, starting from April.

Of the total, 1.5 million tonnes are fit for animal feed production, and 500,000 tonnes are inedible both for humans and animals, only being suitable for fuel or energy production. The remaining 40,000 tonnes was not accepted by the Department of Corrections or the winning bidders.

Mr Adul said authorities handling the rice sales will call bids on a gradual basis in May and June and possibly until July or September to sell the existing stocks.The government shoulders warehousing costs of 120-130 million baht a month for those rice stocks.

He said the department will propose the bidding plan to the national rice policy committee at its meeting on March 29, adding the selling plan will have no impact on the market, as the existing stocks being put up for auction are of low quality.Since the May 2014 coup, a total of 14.8 million tonnes of state rice stocks have been sold through auctions, fetching 135 billion baht.

Government-to-government rice deals have unloaded 3.44 million tonnes of newly harvested grains which were not a part of the rice stocks, worth 50.2 billion baht.

Mr Adul said Thai rice exports are expected to stay promising this year as global demand remains strong, particularly from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and the Philippines.

The Philippines is scheduled to hold an auction later this month to import 250,000 tonnes, and many Thai exporters are interested in this deal, he said.According to the Foreign Trade Department, as of March 12, Thailand has shipped 2 million tonnes worth US$999 million (31.3 million), up 4.17% and 22.1%, respectively, from the same period last year.

Last year, Thailand exported a record 11.6 million tonnes of milled rice, up 17.4% year-on-year, fetching 174.5 billion baht, up 12.8%.The top five importers of Thai rice were Benin, China, South Africa, Cameroon and the US. The government forecasts Thailand will export 9.5 million tonnes by the end of this year.

The Agriculture Ministry forecasts rice production for the 2018 season of 32.05 million tonnes of paddy rice, down by 1.17% from the previous season, as farmers in certain areas have shifted to growing other cash crops such as sugar cane and palm oil.

Thailand is estimated to produce 19.2 million tonnes of milled rice this year, down 5.88% from 20.4 million tonnes last year.

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Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said relevant authorities have to strictly control the remaining stocks to prevent any releases to the normal edible rice market.

He said domestic rice prices will be hit if 400,000-500,000 tonnes of rice stocks are leaked into the normal market.

In a related development, Mr Adul said the government expects border trade to grow 15% this year from 1.3 trillion baht last year, which had expanded 8.85% from 2016.

The Bangkok Post

Thailand looks to boost rice exports with intergovernmental deals Supporting farmers high on agenda ahead of election APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writer Supporting Thailand's farmers has become a government priority ahead of elections next year.

March 14, 2018 3:30 pm JST BANGKOK -- The Thai government plans to boost rice exports by negotiating sales directly with other governments in a move intended to help struggling farmers ahead of a general election to be held by February next year. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Thailand-looks-to-boost-rice-exportswith-intergovernmental-deals

Buhari to inaugurate, chair National Food Security Council

By Isiaka Wakili | Publish Date: Mar 13 2018 5:35PM*

says no reason for foodstuffs importation;

Smugglers sabotaging us - Minister President Muhammadu Buhari.President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that he would be inaugurating a National Food Security Council that he would chair personally. He said the council would include governors, ministers, security agencies and key stakeholders across the entire agricultural segments of farming, fisheries and livestock management.Buhari spoke at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday while meeting with the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Rice Millers Association and Rice Distributors.

He said the current incidents of clashes between farmers and herdsmen or the challenges fishermen face due to global warming and other environmental factors clearly demonstrated that the nation's quest for food security had a direct link to our national security objectives. President Buhari expressed optimism that the National Food Security Council would ensure alignment and bring efficiencies. He assured all Nigerians that his administration was committed to Nigeria feeding itself, saying that from what he heard, this could happen in not too distant future.

He said his government's vision had always been to promote and support programmes that would bring investments to the rural areas."Not too long ago, our nation was predominantly driven by the rural economy. Indeed, Nigeria‘s backbone was built by the farmers. Somehow, we as a

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society abandoned the Agriculture sector of our economy. Agriculture became an afterthought and we forced our farmers into poverty," he said.

The president said thankfully, Nigerians had now woken up to the fact that it is an embarrassment "for us as nation, to import most of what we eat, given the great natural gifts of our country. We have the fertile land, we have water and the manpower to feed ourselves. Therefore, we have no reason to import essential foodstuffs.―When we came in 2015, there were thirteen rice mills in Nigeria. Twelve of these were built between 2009 and 2015. This was an average of two mills per annum. But my team and I felt more could be done. And we put in place measures and policies to unlock the potential of this sector and thus, increase the rate of investments.

"You will all recall that in November 2015, I was in Birnin Kebbi to launch the CBN‘s Anchor Borrowers program and also kick off the dry season rice farming. Since then, the Vice President and I have commissioned a record number of agricultural projects and programs. From rice, to wheat, to cashew, to animal feed, to fertiliser, to drinks processing and many more."

The president also disclosed that very soon, he would be commissioning a sugar estate. "These projects are all over the country and worth billions of Naira. Clearly, our policies are working.

From your presentation today, you have shown that between 2016 and 2018, eight new rice mills have come on stream. This is equivalent to four new mills per annum. Our paddy production and productivity has also doubled compared to 2014 levels.

"This achievement just confirms what we all know. That when Nigerians are committed to execute a task, it gets done. I am particularly proud of how the narrative has changed.

Agriculture is now seen as a financially viable sector."

He expressed delight that many Nigerians, especially the youths, were choosing agriculture as a professional with former governors, ministers, legislators and major entrepreneurs moving into the sector not as a hobby but as a viable business that would generate income.

"So when we have the youth, the enabling environment and the entrepreneurs, all coming together with the same vision, Nigeria certainly cannot lose," he said.

He described the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding today between the farmers, millers and rice dealers as the natural next step.

"The coming together of these three stakeholders is a major step forward. Specially, I want to recognise the wholesalers and distributors who today, by agreeing to promote Nigerian products over imports, have demonstrated a welcome patriotism. Your commitment has guaranteed that the 11 million Nigerian farmers will remain employed. And I want to assure all of you that this Government will not let you down. We will also do our bit to ensure you are able to sell quality Nigerian rice at an affordable price," he said.

He said the Federal Government was committed to providing quality inputs at affordable prices.

"Some weeks ago, I met with the Fertiliser Producers Association, during which I urged the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Commercial Banks to support agro dealers with affordable funding that will enable them to provide quality inputs to the farmers at affordable prices, hoping to continue lowering the farmer‘s production costs."

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Buhari said his administration had been providing enabling environment, which led to the successes achieved to date, and would continue to fight the smugglers at the borders and in the markets.

The president said his government would also continue to invest in infrastructure to further lower the cost of operations.

He asked the stakeholders to meet with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Minister of Finance and the CBN Governor to discuss their proposal further, expressing confidence that "we can work together to develop an implementable program that will bring down the price of Nigerian rice to the consumers."

The president directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to engage with the State Governments, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Agriculture to develop a support mechanism for small scale millers.

He thanked the governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu, for "his unwavering commitment to the rice value chain and indeed, Agriculture as a whole. He has become a true ambassador for rural economic development."

He congratulated the CBN governor for successfully managing the Anchor Borrowers Programme, saying his collaboration and commitment with other agencies for the development of agriculture was a clear example of the alignment between the fiscal and monetary policies.

Acknowledging "the tremendous work done" by the Nigerian governors as well as members of the national and state legislatures in pushing agriculture, Buhari urged them all to continue to push this agenda, saying "This will be our legacy for generations to come."

The president wished all Nigerian farmers a very successful 2018 wet season.

Addressing State House reporters after the meeting, the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe, said smugglers were frustrating efforts towards ending food importation.

He also stated that Nigeria allowed external interests to take over the economy for nearly 40 years as "rice, sugar, milk, tomato paste and are not willing to give up.

"It is one thing to say we are no longer importing all the rice we use to do from Thailand but the Republic of Benin next door with only 11 million people, is importing more rice than China is importing. These are the problems and all of that rice is heading here. So while we are struggling to give our people jobs and improve our economy, the smugglers aided by some of our neighbours are doing their best to make sure we don‘t succeed. And the countries of these crops are aware of what they are doing to us.

"So those will be dealt with at a later stage, but I can assure you we want to stop smuggling, we want to grow our own rice and eat it, we want to create jobs and improve our market. This country is not rich enough to spend close to $5 million a day importing rice. The total import bill before now was $1.6 billion a year."

Ogbeh described Nigeria's borders as huge and porous. "People walk in and out. People on the bothers who are relatives don‘t see anything wrong in just walking across. The last consignment ceased by the customs was rice in a petrol tanker. Now when you bring that out, wash it, bag it and sell it, you are poisoning people but they don‘t care. They bring in chicken, fish. The chicken is preserved in fomalia which is dangerous to health. But anything goes as long as it is coming to Nigeria. Let me say that they are actually Nigerians actually conniving with smugglers because as far as they are concern it is their profit that is important more than the health of Nigerians."

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Bagudu said Buhari received a report that currently, Nigeria was almost producing about 17 million metric tonnes of paddy per annum, up from as little as 5.7 million metric tonnes two and half years ago.

"The milling capacity has increased, eight new mills were commissioned last year alone with the installed milling capacity almost doubling. The Rice Distributors particularly that of Iddo, GCappa and Elko market in Lagos, came to show confidence in the programme of the federal government of Mr. President as encapsulated in his statement:'Let‘s grow what we eat, and eat what we grow'. The distributors confirmed that Nigerian rice is better, more nutritious than imported rice and they are willing to partner so that Nigerian rice will be the dominate rice in the country and indeed we should be able to be exporting."

Bagudu said other countries were "undertaking economic warfare on us, there is no nation in the world that can produce and sell to Nigeria freshly grown rice equivalent to what is produced in Nigeria at the prices that Nigeria farmers are selling. So, most of the prices of smuggled rice are discounted prices that reflect the age of that rice and in some aliases as identified by NAFDAC not fit for human consumption." https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/buhari-to-inaugurate-chair-national-food-security-council.html

Chinese researchers discovered an agricultural miracle that could feed the planet without destroying it

Efficiency farming. (Reuters/Amit Dave) WRITTEN BY Chase Purdy

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March 13, 2018 The study was mammoth. It cost $54 million, and involved some 1,000 researchers and 65,000 local bureaucrats. But academics around the globe are calling the results an agricultural miracle.

The project already saved Chinese farmers more than $12.2 billion over 10 years, and in the process may have unveiled a key to answering one of China‘s biggest questions: With the global demand for food expected to double between 2005 and 2050, how will the world‘s most populous nation figure out how to feed its people without inflicting serious damage to the environment?

From 2005 to 2015, researchers working under guidance from the China Agricultural University in Beijing conducted more than 13,000 on-the-ground field studies throughout China, taking note local farming practices. Following those studies, researchers developed geographically-specific advice for farmers growing rice, corn, and wheat. That advice emphasized the idea that a onesize-fits-all farming method isn‘t as efficient as methods tailored for specific crops, regions, and weather conditions.

For instance, researchers advised rice growers in northeast China that they could reduce nitrogen-rich fertilizer use by an average of 20% if, rather than spreading it evenly on crops throughout year, they instead focused fertilizing efforts mostly in the late-spring growing season.

They also suggested planting their seeds closer together. ―The [farmers] were skeptical, but we gained their trust, and then they depended on us—that was our greatest reward,‖ project leader Cui Zhenling wrote in the study.

Following researcher advice worked. The study, published this month the journal Nature, reports crop production for rice, corn, and wheat increased by an average of 11%, with a 15% drop in fertilizer use. In all, that stopped about 1.2 million tons of nitrogen from being introduced to the environment.

These are blockbuster findings because they offer hope that we can effectively feed a growing human population while also lowering our impact on climate. Compared to the rest of the world, Chinese farmers use about four times more nitrogen (305 kg per hectare, or nearly 175,000 lbs per square mile). When the land is overloaded with fertilizer, soil microbes then expel high levels of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas.

Nitrogen emissions are a problem everywhere, and play an outsized rolein global climate change; the gas is more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Given that any farmer would be thrilled to see yield increases, these results should impact farming practices well beyond the border of China. https://qz.com/1228061/chinas-agricultural-miracle-that-could-feed-the-planet-withoutdestroying-it/

Iraq grain board chief sees bigger wheat crop as weather improves March 13, 2018, 09:20:00 AM EDT By Reuters Reuters

By Moayed Kenany

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BAGHDAD, March 13 (Reuters) - Iraq's new grain board chief said on Tuesday he expected local wheat production at no less than 2.5 million tonnes in the 2018 season, an improvement over previous forecasts on the back of recent rainfall. Iraq had said in February it expected wheat and barley production to drop by around 20 percent from 2017 due to dry weather.Iraq needs an annual wheat supply of between 4.5 million and five million tonnes, implying an import gap of around two million tonnes for the year.

"There are areas that have also now been added to our local purchasing plan like Mosul and Anbar which will fill any dips in production if they happen," Maksousi said.Iraq lost production from Nineveh, its most fertile province of which Mosul is the capital, after Islamic State took control.However, the government declared victory over Islamic State in December, having taken back all territory the militants captured in 2014 and 2015.

Maksousi has been acting head of the state grain buying agency responsible for the bulk of the country's wheat and rice imports for around a month after the previous chief, Haitham alKhishali, left to a more senior position at the trade ministry.

The grain board, which falls under the trade ministry, regularly announces international purchasing tenders, to import wheat for the country's food rationing programme, which covers flour, cooking oil, rice, sugar and baby milk formula and was created in 1991 to combat U.N. economic sanctions.

Under the system, imported wheat is mixed with local grain to produce flour. Impoverished Iraqis continue to depend on the system, which has become corrupt and wasteful over the years.

The grain board buys wheat of U.S., Canadian and Australian origin, making it one of the few major grain purchasers in the region, alongside Saudi Arabia, that has so far resisted cheaper Russian and Black Sea origins.

Black Sea sellers have provided stiff competition to the United States in North Africa and the Middle East over recent years, winning market share.

But Maksousi said Russian wheat quality was not suitable for the production of flour for the rationing programme because of the nature of its gluten content.

"If we mix Russian wheat with local wheat it will not be suitable for our bakeries," he said.

Still Maksousi did not rule out importing Russian wheat should specifications change in the future."If we find Russian wheat with Iraqi specifications, then we will start to buy it," he said.

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Iraq's trade ministry struggled to import grains last year after introducing new payment and quality terms that kept traders away from its international tenders.

In May, the cabinet authorised the ministry to make direct purchases of wheat and rice to guarantee food security, a reflection of its struggle to attract enough interest through the tender process.

Since then it purchased 500,000 tonnes of U.S. wheat in a direct deal in November outside of the tender process.

Further talks for U.S. origin grain failed to result in a second purchase this month due to high prices. Still, Maksousi said buying would continue through both methods to secure the country's needs. "When we find the need to tender we will and if we find the need to sign direct deals, we will," he said.Writing by Maha El Dahan; editing by David Evans) https://www.nasdaq.com/article/iraq-grain-board-chief-sees-bigger-wheat-crop-as-weatherimproves-20180313-00818

Chinese food and drink How to order a healthier Chinese takeaway: swap noodles for rice and avoid the soup Many dishes have been found to contain unhealthy levels of salt – but a few changes to your order could make all the difference

Felicity Cloake

Tue 13 Mar 2018 15.20 GMTLast modified on Tue 13 Mar 2018 22.00 GMT

Noodles are often cooked in sauce ‌ go for boiled or steamed rice. Photograph: Jamesmcq24/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The revelation that some popular Chinese foods contain unhealthily high levels of salt will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever woken up with a mouth drier

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than the Gobi desert after set menu No 4. Often blamed on the supposed ―Chinese restaurant syndrome‖, this raging thirst is in fact the body‘s attempt to redress the dehydrating effects of excess salt. Monosodium glutamate, a staple of Chinese food, contains about a third of the sodium of table salt, and may actually help reduce salt consumption.

More than half of the Chinese takeaway dishes analysed by the pressure group Action Against Salt contained more than half the government‘s recommended daily 6g allowance. With a pinch of common sense, however, it is easy to make better choices.

There‟s nothing Chinese about Chinese ready meals Fuchsia Dunlop It sounds obvious, but if you make a dish yourself, you can add salt to taste and substitute standard stocks and sauces with lower-salt alternatives. Check labels when buying ready meals, prepared sauces and condiments.

Choose your sauces wisely Battered pork balls may not be the lowest calorie option, but if you are trying to reduce your salt intake, go for sweet-and-sour or sweet chilli over salty oyster, black bean or hoisin sauces. One leading brand of oyster sauce contains 11.3g of salt per 100g, as opposed to 0.6g for the same brand‘s sweet-and-sour variety.

FacebookTwitterPinterest Prawn crackers – avoid. Photograph: Getty Images/iStockphoto Go for steamed dishes In general, steamed dishes such as dumplings, vegetables or seafood tend to be lower in salt than deep- or stir-fried foods, although be careful with any accompanying sauces: as above, chilli- or vinegar-based condiments are a better choice than salty soy Swap noodles for rice Steamed or boiled rice is healthier for many reasons, not least because noodles tend to be cooked in sauce. Fried rice will also often contain soy sauce or other flavour enhancers, so treat with caution.

Avoid soups and broths The rich, savoury flavour of chicken-and-sweetcorn or wonton soup comes from deliciously salty ingredients. Start your meal with steamed vegetable dumplings instead – and skip the prawn crackers.

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… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading the Guardian than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. And unlike many news organisations, we haven‘t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can. So you can see why we need to ask for your help. The Guardian‘s independent, investigative journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we believe our perspective matters – because it might well be your perspective, too.

I appreciate there not being a paywall: it is more democratic for the media to be available for all and not a commodity to be purchased by a few. I’m happy to make a contribution so others with less means still have access to information.Thomasine FR. If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as £1, you can support the Guardian – and it only takes a minute. Thank you. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2018/mar/13/how-to-order-a-healthier-chinese-takeaway-swapnoodles-for-rice-and-avoid-the-soup

Oyo Customs records N92.7million seizures N MARCH 14, 20188:15 AMIN NEWS0 COMMENTS …Arrests suspect The Oyo/Osun Command of Nigeria Customs Service ,NCS, was the beehives of activities yesterday, as the Command displayed massive seizures of rice fully loaded in over eight trucks, used tyres, bales of secondhand clothes among numerous prohibited items intercepted within few weeks of operations. The Command swiftly arrested a suspect in connection with the seizures. During a visit to the Command, it was observed that a large area of the barrack was used for packing different seizures, even as empty vehicles were not left out. Most remarkably is the fact that the Customs Operatives through the supervision of the Customs Area Controller ,CAC, of the Command, Comptroller Odibu Christopher, trailed the smugglers and seized the items without any casualty. Speaking during press conference, the CAC who has demonstrated outstanding performance and resilience within a very short period (about one month) he took over the Command, attributed the technique through which the items were seized by his men to intelligence. He said, “Customs operations globally require intelligence, which is the approach we are using now. Nigeria Customs Service at present is intelligence driven, that is why we are able to achieve positive results, as you can see here”. The CAC said, “In keeping to the mandate of the Service, Oyo/Osun Command has re-strategised its operations by utilising intelligence reports gathered by

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officers and men, which led to the recent seizures.” He explained, “It is worrisome to note that some Nigerians remain unrepentant, even as they continue to lose. The Federal Government‟s effort in transforming agriculture, especially in the area of rice production should be encouraged by all”. He went on, “Let me sound a note of warning and advice to all unpatriotic Nigerians who engage in smuggling of used cars, foreign rice and other contraband items to desist and look for other legitimate means of businesses. I want to affirm that no matter the means of conveyance or concealment of prohibited items, our officers and men are on constant surveillance, as well as monitoring, and will uncover them”. “We are appealing to the media to partner with us in the area of enlightening our local communities about the dire consequences of smuggling on the nation‟s economy”. The seized items include, DAF truck with registration number MUS 461 XK carrying 450 bags of foreign rice, another DAF truck with registration number EKY 597 XV carrying 450 bags of rice, a DAF truck with registration number EGB 530 XA, carrying 450 bags of rice, a blue DAF truck with registration number AGL 944 XC carrying 330 bags of rice, a white DAF truck with registration number AKD 977 XQ seized with 400 bags of rice and a green DAF with registration number SMK 226 XR conveying 450 bags of rice. Others include a yellow DAF with registration number MUS 961XQ carrying 450 bags of smuggled rice, another truck with registration number LND 805 XG intercepted with 450 bags of smuggled rice, another yellow truck with registration number EPE 894 XG seized with 450 bags of foreign imported rice, a red Volvo wagon with registration number DG 32 MUS conveying 50 gallons of vegetable oil, a Mazda with 30 bags of rice, 51 bales of secondhand clothes, 150 pieces of used tyres and 90 bags of rice, estimated at the Duty Paid Value ,DPV, of N92.7million.”

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/oyo-customs-records-n92-7millionseizures/ Oyo Customs records N92.7million seizures ON MARCH 14, 20188:15 AMIN NEWS0 COMMENTS …Arrests suspect The Oyo/Osun Command of Nigeria Customs Service ,NCS, was the beehives of activities yesterday, as the Command displayed massive seizures of rice fully loaded in over eight trucks, used tyres, bales of secondhand clothes among numerous prohibited items intercepted within few weeks of operations. The Command swiftly arrested a suspect in connection with the seizures. During a visit to the Command, it was observed that a large area of the barrack was used for packing different seizures, even as empty vehicles were not left out. Most remarkably is the fact that the

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Customs Operatives through the supervision of the Customs Area Controller ,CAC, of the Command, Comptroller Odibu Christopher, trailed the smugglers and seized the items without any casualty. Speaking during press conference, the CAC who has demonstrated outstanding performance and resilience within a very short period (about one month) he took over the Command, attributed the technique through which the items were seized by his men to intelligence. He said, “Customs operations globally require intelligence, which is the approach we are using now. Nigeria Customs Service at present is intelligence driven, that is why we are able to achieve positive results, as you can see here”. The CAC said, “In keeping to the mandate of the Service, Oyo/Osun Command has re-strategised its operations by utilising intelligence reports gathered by officers and men, which led to the recent seizures.” He explained, “It is worrisome to note that some Nigerians remain unrepentant, even as they continue to lose. The Federal Government‟s effort in transforming agriculture, especially in the area of rice production should be encouraged by all”. He went on, “Let me sound a note of warning and advice to all unpatriotic Nigerians who engage in smuggling of used cars, foreign rice and other contraband items to desist and look for other legitimate means of businesses. I want to affirm that no matter the means of conveyance or concealment of prohibited items, our officers and men are on constant surveillance, as well as monitoring, and will uncover them”. “We are appealing to the media to partner with us in the area of enlightening our local communities about the dire consequences of smuggling on the nation‟s economy”. The seized items include, DAF truck with registration number MUS 461 XK carrying 450 bags of foreign rice, another DAF truck with registration number EKY 597 XV carrying 450 bags of rice, a DAF truck with registration number EGB 530 XA, carrying 450 bags of rice, a blue DAF truck with registration number AGL 944 XC carrying 330 bags of rice, a white DAF truck with registration number AKD 977 XQ seized with 400 bags of rice and a green DAF with registration number SMK 226 XR conveying 450 bags of rice. Others include a yellow DAF with registration number MUS 961XQ carrying 450 bags of smuggled rice, another truck with registration number LND 805 XG intercepted with 450 bags of smuggled rice, another yellow truck with registration number EPE 894 XG seized with 450 bags of foreign imported rice, a red Volvo wagon with registration number DG 32 MUS conveying 50 gallons of vegetable oil, a Mazda with 30 bags of rice, 51 bales of secondhand clothes, 150 pieces of used tyres and 90 bags of rice, estimated at the Duty Paid Value ,DPV, of N92.7million.”

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/oyo-customs-records-n92-7millionseizures/

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Impact Of Anchor Borrowers‟ Programme On Kebbi Rice Production Published 1 min ago on March 14, 2018 By Kingsley Opurum The Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme (ABP) launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has continued to transform agricultural sector in the country. In this piece, KINGSLEY OPURUM X-rays the impact of ABP on rice production in Kebbi State.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in line with its developmental function established the Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme (ABP). The Programme which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 17, 2015 is intended to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and small holder farmers (SHFs) of the required key agricultural commodities. The programme thrust of the ABP is provision of farm inputs in kind and cash (for farm labour) to small holder farmers to boost production of these commodities, stabilize inputs supply to agro processors.

N54 billion has been released for rice revolution in the country. Kebbi Rice Revolution During his 2-day working visit to inspect rice farms across Kebbi State, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated that Federal Government‘s Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme has led to revolution in rice production in the country. He noted that the benefits accrued to rice farmers in the provision of improved seedlings, farm inputs and extension services have led to the increase of yield per hectare from 2.5 to between 10 and 11 metric tonnes.

Mohammed said, ―The difference between then and now is the Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme because with the Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme, the average farmer today is assisted in terms of input, agronomic practices and seedling. ―So, this system has now taken the burden off the farmer and given him what he normally would have gone out to buy or procure. But the important thing is that from 2.5 metric tonnes to 10 to 11 metric tonnes within the same space, I think is a new revolution.

Also, the minister of information noted that the history of rice revolution in Nigeria is not complete without Kebbi state. ―We are here to tell Nigerians what Kebbi government is doing in agricultural sector, history of rice revolution in Nigeria is not complete without Kebbi,‖ he said.

Kebbi Rice production Capacity As the highest rice producing state in the country, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Garba Muhammed Gandiga has disclosed that the State has attained self-sufficiency in the production of rice. He said that Kebbi State is targeting about 2.5 million metric tonnes of rice this year as against 1 million tonnes produced in the previous year. ―I can say that we are now self-sufficiency in rice production. But we still aspire more because we want a situation, where Kebbi State can provide Nigeria 50% of its rice requirement,‖ he said. Gandiga said that 16 Local Governments are in massive rice production in the State, which is why Kebbi State has succeeded in achieving self-sufficiency in rice production, adding that the State is targeting about 2.5 million metric tons of rice this year as against 1 million tons produced in the previous year. He noted that the State always opts for production of paddy during the Dry

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season. Also, the Commissioner observed that Dry season is more favourable to rice farmers in Kebbi vis-à-vis rainy season, which paralyses farming activities as a result of heavy flooding in the State.

Also, about three rice mills were visited during the inspection. They are Kamba Rice Mill in Dandi Local Government, Labana Rice Mills and Wacot Rice Mill. Kamba Rice Mill produces 735 metric tonnes per annum. Labana Rice Mill production capacity is 250,000 yearly. Whereas, Watcot Rice Mill in Argungu is aimed at producing 500,000 metric tonnes per annum but its current production capacity is 120,000 metric tonnes per annum. Wealth Creation Given the rich harvest recorded by rice farmers in Kebbi State between last year and now, many of them are smiling to the banks as millionaires. It was learnt that Kebbi farmers have continued to witness an influx of buyers from different parts of the country and neighbouring countries like Niger and Benin.

Millers and traders from Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Lagos, Maiduguri, Niger and Adamawa, have been coming with trucks and trailers to buy rice from the farmers. This development has enriched a lot of farmers. Recall that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele had, during the pre-commissioning of the N10 billion WACOT Rice Mill in Argungu, said that over 88,000 farmers had become millionaires in Kebbi through the Anchor Borrowers Dry Season Rice Farming programme of the bank. He added that because Kebbi was the largest rice producing state in the country, farmers would continue to make money, especially with the introduction of rice mills such as LABANA and WACOT. Also, the Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, while addressing journalists who accompanied the Information Minister to the State, said that No fewer than 200,000 farmers now grow rice on over 400,000 hectares of land in the State. Bagudu said, ―It is heart-warming for us to know that we are able to create wealth for rice farmers and that as a result of the production of rice in Kebbi, Nigeria has been able to reduce its importation of rice by over 90 per cent. This is good news and it shows that a lot of people in not just Kebbi State are now producing rice and very soon, we will start exporting the commodity. ―In Kebbi, there are farmers who are under the Central Bank of Nigeria Anchor Borrowers programme. We also have those who work for private companies.

A large number of farmers numbering about 200,000 are into rice production in our state and they now cultivate on not less than 400,000 hectares of land across the state.‖ Decline In Rice Importation It goes without saying that the importation of foreign rice into the country has significantly reduced under President Muhammadu Buhari‘s administration with the help of the ABP and the zeal of Kebbi farmers to key into the scheme. Mohammed said, ―Two years ago, Nigeria used to import 644,000 metric tonnes of rice from Thailand. Today, we import less than 20,000 metric tonnes. But I think the most important thing for us in Nigeria is to see that officially we have been able to eliminate over 90% of rice importation into Nigeria. ―As we speak today, Thailand rice growers are making passionate appeal to the Federal Government.

What they are doing now is that they want to set up rice mills in Nigeria, which means we have won.‖ Governor Bagudu also said that the country has been able to reduce its importation of rice by over 90 per cent, adding that in no time, Nigeria will start exporting rice to other countries.

Call For More Funding Governor Bagudu has called for greater investment in agriculture, stating that N54 billion was the total amount made available for the rice revolution programme by the

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CBN, while about N4tn was used by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria to save the banking sector some years back. ―So for the fact that N54 billion was used for rice revolution and we have this kind of impact, you will agree with me that it is something commendable. It therefore means that we need massive investment in agriculture and greater lending should be channelled to this sector,‖ he said. The governor added, ―Countries that achieved food sufficiency spent decades supporting agriculture and subsidising inputs for farmers, among other forms of support. So, it is important we look for better ways to support this sector for the greater good of all. ‖ Also, the former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo advised in Ibadan last year that the only way to eradicate poverty in Nigeria was to take agricultural business serious as well as encouraging Nigerians to go into agricultural business if they must bid farewell to hunger.

Obasanjo gave the advice at the launching of Agro-Impact Projects Empowerment Programme, an initiative of the University of Ibadan Women Society (UIWS). He noted that Nigeria‘s social economic problems began with the unwillingness of many Nigerians to engage in agricultural business, observing that nobody wanted to be identified as a farmer. The former President who insisted that agriculture remained the solution to the country‘s myriad problems suggested that farming should be glamorized by changing the nomenclature to agricultural business, saying ―calling someone a farmer somewhat sounds derogatory, but when you address him as Agric Business entrepreneur, he is happy and more people will be willing to be so identified‖.

According to him, ―our youth don‘t want to do farming. They want to be governor and President, whereas farmers are kings because once hunger is removed from the plethora of problems you have, the problems are halved. Therefore let us do everything possible to take agriculture seriously. ―I am happy with the launching of this initiative because when you see women in the university pioneering this kind of initiative, then, I can see that we have embarked on a social economic recovery path‖, the former President remarked, promising to collaborate with the UIWS for the sustainability of the project‖.

https://leadership.ng/2018/03/14/impact-of-anchor-borrowers-programme-on-kebbi-riceproduction/

Oyo/Osun Customs Command intercepts N92.77m goods  

The Area Comptroller, Christopher Odibu, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Ibadan, said the seizures were made through the utilisation of the intelligence reports by its office Published: 13.03.2018 Pulse News Agency Local by NAN The Nigeria Custom Service has made great leaps in 2017.

(The Guardian)

24/7 Live - Subscribe to the Pulse Newsletter!

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The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) on Tuesday said it intercepted contraband goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N92.77 million in February.

The Area Comptroller, Christopher Odibu, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Ibadan, said the seizures were made through the utilisation of the intelligence reports by its officers.

Odibu said that 4,000 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice with duty paid value of N48,596,321 and nine trucks and two used cars with duty paid value of N34,782,792 were seized during the period under review.Other items seized include 150 pieces of used tyres with DPV of N1,298,345.53, 51 bales of second hand clothes with DPV of N7,043,205 and 50 kegs (25litres) of vegetable oil worth N1,057,375.

He said that the total Duty Paid Value of the seized goods was N92, 778, 048.

Odibu said some of the seizure were made along Opara/Bodo Musa axis of Iwajowa Local Government Area of the state while one suspect was arrested. ―Let me sound a note of warning and advice to all unpatriotic Nigerians, who engage in smuggling of rice and other contraband goods, to desist. ―It is worrisome to note that some Nigerians remain unrepentant even as they continue to lose. ―The Federal Government‘s efforts in transforming the agricultural sector, especially in the area of rice production, should be encouraged while importation of rice should be discouraged by all,‖ he said.

Odibu, however, called for collaboration between the command and the media, especially in the area of enlightenment of local communities on the consequences of smuggling activities on the nation‘s economy. http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oyo-osun-customs-command-intercepts-n92-77m-goodsid8109506.html

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Buhari To Inaugurate National Food Security Council

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari says he will soon inaugurate a National Food Security Council aimed at achieving the nation‘s quest for food security, and to ensure efficiency in the agricultural sector of the economy.He said members of the council will include governors, ministers, security agencies and key stakeholders across the entire agricultural segments of farming, fisheries and livestock management.

The President, who made this known when he met with Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Rice Millers Association and Rice Distributors, including the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefile and Governors of Jigawa and Kebbi, Abubakar Badaru and Atiku Bagudu respectively, said he would chair the Council. ―Our experiences today of clashes between farmers and herdsmen or the challenges fishermen face due to global warming and other environmental factors clearly demonstrates that our quest for food security has a direct link to our national security objectives.―The Food Security Council will ensure alignment and bring efficiencies.―I want to assure all Nigerians that this administration is committed to Nigeria feeding itself. And from what I have heard today this can happen in not too distant future,‘‘ he said.

On rice production, President Buhari disclosed that he took deliberate steps to shore up rice production in the country, surpassing what his predecessor could not achieve in seven straight years.He revealed that his administration inherited 12 rice mills as at 2015, adding that between 2016 and 2018, eight new rice mills came on stream, an equivalent of four new mills per

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annum.He regretted that Nigerians abandoned agriculture for oil despite economic potentials inherent in it.The President, however, noted that since the inception of his administration the tide had changed for the better.―Indeed, Nigeria‘s backbone was built by the farmers. Somehow, we as a society abandoned the agriculture sector of our economy. ―Agriculture became an afterthought and we forced our farmers into poverty. ―Thankfully, Nigerians have now woken up to the fact that it is an embarrassment for us, as a nation, to import most of what we eat, given the great natural gifts of our country. ―We have the fertile land, we have water and the manpower to feed ourselves. Therefore, we have no reason to import essential foodstuffs. ―When we came in 2015, there were 13 rice mills in Nigeria. Twelve of these were built between 2009 and 2015. This was an average of two mills per annum. But my team and I felt more could be done. ―And we put in place measures and policies to unlock the potential of this sector and thus, increase the rate of investments,‘‘ he said.

Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, who led the rice stakeholders to the Villa, told State House reporters that ―Nigeria currently produces about 17 million metric tons of paddy rice per annum, up from 5.7 million metric tons in 2015.‘‘ He, however, frowned at the activities of smugglers whom he said had been flooding the country with foreign rice, thereby compromising efforts of government in rice production.

Bagudu described the inaction of those countries allowing smuggled rice into the country as undertaking economic warfare on Nigeria.

He said: ―Yesterday (Monday), the Economic Management Team discussed the issue of smuggling and today it was an important feature at this meeting too. ―It has been recognized, everyone who knows Mr President‘s commitment to the Nigerian economy will appreciate his annoyance with smuggling and smugglers. ―But it is a collective responsibility and so we want all Nigerians to participate in stopping this menace of importing this commodity, rice. ―The narrative out there is wrong, other countries are undertaking economic warfare on us, there is no nation in the world that can produce and sell to Nigeria freshly grown rice equivalent to what is produced in Nigeria at the prices that Nigeria farmers are selling. ―So, most of the prices of smuggled rice are discounted prices that reflect the age of that rice and in some cases, as identified by NAFDAC, not fit for human consumption.‖ https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/03/13/buhari-to-inaugurate-national-food-securitycouncil/

Global Calrose Rice Market 2018 – California Family Foods, American Commodity Company, Farmers‘ Rice Cooperative

By Nicole March 13, 2018

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Kerala: Millers reject „poorâ€&#x; paddy DECCAN CHRONICLE. | ABHISH K BOSE PublishedMar 14, 2018, 1:22 am IST UpdatedMar 14, 2018, 1:22 am IST Farmers in penury as Supplyco fails to pay arrears.

Paddy is being harvested at a field Kallara in upper Kuttanad near Neendoor in Kottayam.

(Photo: Rajeev Prasad) KOTTAYAM: The paddy farmers of Upper Kuttanad are in trouble as the rice mills have not been procuring paddy rice from them citing poor quality of the grain. Over 40 tonnes of paddy rice is lying accumulated in various places, including Kumarakom and Vechur panchayats in Vaikom and Pulinkunnu, Thakazhy, Kavalam, Edat-hua and Punnapra in

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Alappuzha district. The Supplyco which procures the rice from 29 mills in Alappuzha district and 18 in Kottayam has to pay arrears of Rs 18 crore and Rs 12 lakh respectively to the farmers in the two districts, said Mr P.R. Salim Kumar, president of Kerala paddy farmers association.

The mill owners have said that the paddy rice lacks quality and hence have demanded excess quantity for procuring it. Principal agricultural officer S. Jayalalitha told this newspaper that procurement has not been taking place due to the dispute. ―The mill owners insist that 1,000 paddy grain should have a weight of 26 grams. Otherwise, they want more grain to compensate for the weight loss,‖ she said. The paddy rice does not have sufficient weight due to the increasing acidity content in the soil, she added. The quality is also affected by the absence of water in the paddy fields, Mr Salim Kumar added. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/140318/kerala-millers-reject-poorpaddy.html

President to inaugurate National Food Security Council The President made this known when he met with Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Rice Millers Association and Rice Distributors.  

Published: 13.03.2018 Pulse News Agency Local by NAN

play President Buhari (State House) 24/7 Live - Subscribe to the Pulse Newsletter!

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Subscribe President Muhammadu Buhari says he will soon inaugurate a National Food Security Council aimed at achieving the nation‘s quest for food security, and to ensure efficiency in the agricultural sector of the economy.

He said members of the council will include governors, ministers, security agencies and key stakeholders across the entire agricultural segments of farming, fisheries and livestock management.

The President, who made this known when he met with Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Rice Millers Association and Rice Distributors, including the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefile and Governors of Jigawa and Kebbi, Abubakar Badaru and Atiku Bagudu respectively, said he would chair the Council.

“Our experiences today of clashes between farmers and herdsmen or the challenges fishermen face due to global warming and other environmental factors clearly demonstrates that our quest for food security has a direct link to our national security objectives.

“The Food Security Council will ensure alignment and bring efficiencies.

“I want to assure all Nigerians that this administration is committed to Nigeria feeding itself.

And from what I have heard today this can happen in not too distant future,’’ he said.

On rice production, President Buhari disclosed that he took deliberate steps to shore up rice production in the country, surpassing what his predecessor could not achieve in seven straight years.

He revealed that his administration inherited 12 rice mills as at 2015, adding that between 2016 and 2018, eight new rice mills came on stream, an equivalent of four new mills per annum.

He regretted that Nigerians abandoned agriculture for oil despite economic potentials inherent in it.

The President, however, noted that since the inception of his administration the tide had changed for the better.

“Indeed, Nigeria’s backbone was built by the farmers. Somehow, we as a society abandoned the agriculture sector of our economy.

“Agriculture became an afterthought and we forced our farmers into poverty.

“Thankfully, Nigerians have now woken up to the fact that it is an embarrassment for us, as a nation, to import most of what we eat, given the great natural gifts of our country.

“We have the fertile land, we have water and the manpower to feed ourselves. Therefore, we have no reason to import essential foodstuffs.

“When we came in 2015, there were 13 rice mills in Nigeria. Twelve of these were built between 2009 and 2015. This was an average of two mills per annum. But my team and I felt more could be done.

“And we put in place measures and policies to unlock the potential of this sector and thus, increase the rate of investments,’’ he said.

Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, who led the rice stakeholders to the Villa, told State House reporters that ―Nigeria currently produces about 17 million metric tons of paddy rice per annum, up from 5.7 million metric tons in 2015.‘‘ He, however, frowned at the activities of smugglers whom he said had been flooding the country with foreign rice, thereby compromising efforts of government in rice production.

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Bagudu described the inaction of those countries allowing smuggled rice into the country as undertaking economic warfare on Nigeria.

ALSO READ: Bakare calls Buhari insensitive for attending Kano wedding He said: “Yesterday (Monday), the Economic Management Team discussed the issue of smuggling and today it was an important feature at this meeting too.

“It has been recognized, everyone who knows Mr President’s commitment to the Nigerian economy will appreciate his annoyance with smuggling and smugglers.

“But it is a collective responsibility and so we want all Nigerians to participate in stopping this menace of importing this commodity, rice.

“The narrative out there is wrong, other countries are undertaking economic warfare on us, there is no nation in the world that can produce and sell to Nigeria freshly grown rice equivalent to what is produced in Nigeria at the prices that Nigeria farmers are selling.

“So, most of the prices of smuggled rice are discounted prices that reflect the age of that rice and in some cases, as identified by NAFDAC, not fit for human consumption.” http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/buhari-to-inaugurate-national-food-security-councilid8110702.html

Speech of President Buhari at Stake Holders in the Rice Value Chain Buhari, Domestic, Economy, News March 14, 2018

PROTOCOLS: I am very pleased to receive you today.

Firstly, let me congratulate the farmers, the processors and the rice dealers for all the successes you have achieved to date.Specifically, I want to thank you for believing in this Administration and our commitment to economic diversification and inclusive growth.Your investments of over Three Hundred Billion Naira are located in some of the most remote, and indeed, most forgotten parts of the country. And a significant percentage of these investments were made during the recession. This shows you have great confidence in our policies and programs.

Our vision, as a Government, has always been to promote and support programs that will bring investments to these rural areas.

Not too long ago, our nation was predominantly driven by the rural economy. Indeed, Nigeria‘s backbone was built by the farmers.

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Somehow, we as a society abandoned the Agriculture sector of our economy. Agriculture became an afterthought and we forced our farmers into poverty.

Thankfully, Nigerians have now woken up to the fact that it is an embarrassment for us, as a nation, to import most of what we eat, given the great natural gifts of our country.

We have the fertile land, we have water and the manpower to feed ourselves. Therefore, we have no reason to import essential foodstuffs.

When we came in 2015, there were thirteen rice mills in Nigeria. Twelve of these were built between 2009 and 2015. This was an average of two mills per annum.

But my team and I felt more could be done. And we put in place measures and policies to unlock the potential of this sector and thus, increase the rate of investments.

You will all recall that in November 2015, I was in Birnin Kebbi to launch the CBN‘s Anchor Borrowers program and also kick off the dry season rice farming. Since then, the Vice President and I have commissioned a record number of agricultural projects and programs. From rice, to wheat, to cashew, to animal feed, to fertiliser, to drinks processing and many more.

And very soon, I will also be commissioning a sugar estate. These projects are all over the country and worth billions of Naira. Clearly, our policies are working.

From your presentation today, you have shown that between 2016 and 2018, eight new rice mills have come on stream. This is equivalent to four new mills per annum. Our paddy production and productivity has also doubled compared to 2014 levels.

This achievement just confirms what we all know. That when Nigerians are committed to execute a task, it gets done.

I am particularly proud of how the narrative has changed. Agriculture is now seen as a financially viable sector. Many Nigerians, especially the youth, are choosing agriculture, as a profession.

We have former Governors, Ministers, legislators and major entrepreneurs moving into agriculture. Not as a hobby. But as a viable business that will generate income.

So when we have the youth, the enabling environment and the entrepreneurs, all coming together with the same vision, Nigeria certainly cannot lose.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding today between the farmers, millers and rice dealers is the natural next step.

The coming together of these three stakeholders is a major step forward. Specially, I want to recognise the wholesalers and distributors who today, by agreeing to promote Nigerian products over imports, have demonstrated a welcome patriotism.

Your commitment has guaranteed that the 11 million Nigerian farmers will remain employed.

And I want to assure all of you that this Government will not let you down. We will also do our bit to ensure you are able to sell quality Nigerian rice at an affordable price.

We are committed to providing quality inputs at affordable prices. Some weeks ago, I met with the Fertiliser Producers Association, during which I urged the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Commercial Banks to support agro dealers with affordable funding that will enable them to provide quality inputs to the farmers at affordable prices, hoping to continue lowering the farmer‘s production costs.

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This Administration has been providing enabling environment, which led to the successes achieved to date. We shall continue to fight the smugglers at the borders and in the markets. We will also continue to invest in infrastructure to further lower the cost of operations.

Therefore, I want you to meet with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister of Finance and the CBN Governor to discuss your proposal further. I am confident we can work together to develop an implementable program that will bring down the price of Nigerian rice to the consumers.

I am impressed by the tremendous, but understated contributions of the small scale millers.

These entrepreneurs must be supported. I am hereby directing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to engage with the State Governments, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Agriculture to develop a support mechanism for these small scale millers.

I want to thank the Governor of Kebbi State for his unwavering commitment to the rice value chain and indeed, Agriculture as a whole. He has become a true ambassador for rural economic development.

I also must congratulate the CBN Governor for successfully managing the Anchor Borrowers Program. Your collaboration and commitment with other Agencies for the development of agriculture is a clear example of the alignment between the fiscal and monetary policies.

We must acknowledge the tremendous work done by the Nigerian Governors, as well as members of the National and State legislatures in pushing agriculture. I want to encourage you all to continue to push this agenda. This will be our legacy for generations to come.

I will be inaugurating a National Food Security Council that I will personally Chair. The council will include Governors, Ministers, Security Agencies and key stakeholders across the entire agricultural segments of farming, fisheries and livestock management.

Our experiences today of clashes between farmers and herdsmen or the challenges fishermen face due to global warming and other environmental factors clearly demonstrates that our quest for food security has a direct link to our national security objectives. The Food Security Council will ensure alignment and bring efficiencies.

I want to assure all Nigerians that this Administration is committed to Nigeria feeding itself. And from what I have heard today, this can happen in not too distant future.

As I look forward to receiving your joint proposal, I wish all Nigerian farmers, a very successful 2018 wet season. http://www.nta.ng/news/20180314-speech-of-president-buhari-at-stake-holders-in-the-ricevalue-chain/

RiceBran Technologies to Host 2017 Year End Financial Results Conference Call on March 15, 2018 at 4:30 PM EDT NEWS PROVIDED BY RiceBran Technologies

Mar 12, 2018, 09:00 ET SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

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RiceBran Technologies (NASDAQ: RIBT and NASDAQ: RIBTW) (the "Company" or "RBT"), a global leader in the production and marketing of value added products derived from rice bran, today announced that Dr. Robert Smith, CEO & President of RBT, will host a conference call on Thursday, March 15th at 4:30 p.m. EDTto discuss the Company's financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2017.

Also joining Dr. Smith on the call from management will be, Brent Rystrom - COO & CFO, and Michael Goose- President of Ingredients Sales.

The call information is as follows:      

Date: March 15, 2018 Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time Direct Dial-in number for US/Canada: (201)493-6780 Toll Free Dial-in number for US/Canada: ( 877)407-3982 Dial-In number for international callers: (201)493-6780 Participants will ask for the RiceBran Technologies 2017 Year End Financial Results Call

This call is being webcast by ViaVid and can be accessed at http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=128749.

The call will also be available for replay by accessing http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=128749.

About RiceBran Technologies RiceBran Technologies is a specialty ingredient company servicing the food, animal nutrition and specialty ingredient products markets. We utilize our proprietary and patented intellectual property to convert rice bran, one of the world's most underutilized food sources, into a number of highly nutritious and clean label ingredient products. The global target markets for our products include food and animal nutrition manufacturers and retailers, as well as specialty food, functional food and nutritional supplement manufacturers and retailers. More information can be found in the Company's filings with the SEC and by visiting our website at http://www.ricebrantech.com.

Investor Contact: Ascendant Partners, LLC Richard Galterio +1-(732)410-9810 rich@ascendantpartnersllc.com SOURCE RiceBran Technologies https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ricebran-technologies-to-host-2017-year-end-financialresults-conference-call-on-march-15-2018-at-430-pm-edt-676539433.html

Ensure bank guarantees from millers, officials told THE HANS INDIA | Mar 14,2018 , 04:41 AM IST

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Imtiaz Ahmed Nellore: Joint Collector Imtiaz Ahmed directed the Tahsildars on Tuesday to bring bank guarantees from the millers by Wednesday. He said 10,000 MT of paddy reached the PPCs worth Rs 16 crore and assured the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the farmers.

He reviewed with the officials of Civil Supplies department and owners of rice mills on Tuesday and said so far payments of Rs 2 crore have been made to farmers regarding purchase of paddy.

Joint Collector said this year yielding is very good and they would take measures to implement the MSP strictly. He asked the rice millers to provide bank guarantees and said millers from Guntur also came to purchase paddy and they had accepted a bank guarantee of Rs 20 crore.

He informed that fine quality of Jilakara Masoori in the district will be converted as boiled rice and hence the millers are preferring MSP under general variety rather than Grade-A. He said Grade-A variety would be paid Rs 13,515 and normal variety at Rs 13,175 per Putti.

The Joint Collector also said they are ready purchase paddy from all centres where they had made arrangements. Civil Supplies Officer Ramana asked the staff members to be vigilant at the PPCs across the district as they had handed over the list of centres to the Collector and other officials, who will inspect at any point of time.

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Joint Director of Agriculture Chandra Naik, Assistant Director of Marketing Upendra, district manager of civil supplies Krishna Reddy, owners of rice mills and other officials were present. http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2018-03-14/Ensure-bank-guaranteesfrom-millers-officials-told/366019

Smart Rice Cooker Market: Global Growth by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 March 12, 2018 - by Akshay J

The Smart Rice Cooker Market research report offers a comprehensive assessment of the Smart Rice Cooker and consists of Historical data, Scope and Significant approaches of the global market. In addition to these, it also includes anticipated facts that are assessed with the aid of an appropriate set of postulations and techniques. The Smart Rice Cooker Market report evaluates the Range factors of the Smart Rice Cooker industry, such as definition, demands, share, analysis, supply, sales, size, specification, forecast trends, production, classification, industry policy, news, and application. The Smart Rice Cooker Market Report will offer you a key manufacturer of the products, applications and others. Report on the Smart Rice Cooker Market 2017 gives the complete description of the market across the globe.

Request For Sample of Smart Rice Cooker Market Report:@ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/request-sample/11039260 Global Smart Rice Cooker market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Smart Rice Cooker sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD), Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data, Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including: Midea Joyoung Panasonic PHILIPS SUPOR ZO JIRUSHI TIGER Povos Toshiba

On the basis of product type, Smart Rice Cooker market report displays the production, revenue, price, Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) and growth rate of each type (2012-2022), primarily split into: Single Layer Double Layers Three Layers

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Houshold Commercial

After the basic overview Smart Rice Cooker Market report estimates 2017-2022 market development trends of Smart Rice Cooker industry. The report analyses impact of Buyers, Substitutes, New entrants, Competitors, and Suppliers on the market. Smart Rice Cooker Market report is analysed based on four regions, namely Europe, North America, China, Japan, Southeast Asia. The report will provide significant and reliable information on the market clearly in structured format.

Do You Have Any Query or Specific Requirement? Ask to Our Industry Expert @https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/11039260 Key Audience of Smart Rice Cooker Market Report:     

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Purchase Complete Smart Rice Cooker Market Report at $3500 (SUL) @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/purchase/11039260 Finally, the complete analysis of the competitive landscape of the Smart Rice Cooker industry is provided in the report. The report provides comprehensive information on each and every segment covered of the Smart Rice Cooker market. Smart Rice Cooker Market report is the believable source for gaining the market research that will exponentially accelerate your business. https://factsweek.com/269320/smart-rice-cooker-market-global-growth-by-manufacturersregions-type-and-application-forecast-to-2022/

American-Made Sushi Gets Great Reviews in Japan

By Jim Guinn TOKYO, JAPAN -- At FOODEX Japan here last week, USA Rice hosted a taste-testing demonstration featuring a new style of sushi called Inari where the rice is wrapped in fried bean

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curd. The Inari sushi was made with U.S. medium grain rice, flavored and colored with purple yam, vinegar, and beets.

More than 370 people visited the USA Agricultural Trade Office booth for a taste test and when asked for feedback on the new style sushi, more than 75 percent of those who responded said the Inari was good and presented many potential use opportunities for U.S. medium grain.

After garnering positive results at the FOODEX taste test, USA Rice plans to get input on additional sushi menu ideas from recipe consultants and sushi chefs, and promote those new recipes at FABEX, another major trade exhibition here in mid-April targeting the foodservice industry.

"Up to now we had promoted U.S. medium grain in salads, soups, risotto, and other nontraditional uses of rice," said Sarah Moran, USA Rice vice president international. "However, due to a recent Japanese government policy incentivizing the production of rice for feed use, there is a shortage of reasonably priced local rice available to the foodservice industry. The fact that U.S. medium grain is highly prized among Japanese consumers, coupled with research by the Japan Cooked Rice Association saying U.S. medium grain rice is perfectly acceptable in the production of sushi, gives us the green light to promote U.S. rice in that cuisine."

Last year was the first time in several years the entire 100,000 MT of Simultaneous-Buy-Sell (SBS) quota of rice was purchased. Due to the strong demand for high quality imported rice, the U.S. sold 58,782 MT for a 59 percent market share and that demand has continued into 2018.

Global Basmati Rice Market 2018 Tempting Investment Scheme positioning of key manufacturers to 2025 The licensed report on Global Basmati Rice Market is represent the professional and comprehensive research of industry. The aforesaid research study includes comprehensive analysis of various Basmati Rice industry portion based on the type of applications, type of product Components and services, and different geographical regions. The research study offers superlative knowledge of the global Basmati Rice market structure, accounts and outlines its variable aspects & applications.

The report, aims to focus on the present as well as upcoming featured aspects of the Basmati Rice industry. That arranged by an intensely accomplished team of analysts and data experts, carries a formation of tables and graphs besides qualitative analyses. The study document titled Global Basmati Rice Market gives helpful observations into the general trends as well as the points that actuate this World-wide market. This industry examine completely covers the notable highlights of the Global Basmati Rice market regarding the industry structure and even

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landscape designs , the difficulties , desire ideas , along with projected current market effectiveness.

Any Enquiry regarding report or customization visit @ https://www.invantresearch.com/report-enquiry/14445 The Basmati Rice market research report mainly focuses on Basmati Rice industry in worldwide market. The research report examines the market for Basmati Rice in the world through region wise assessment of the market players, the production capacity and market share, price and gross margin, supply (production), consumption, Import and export The main regions that are responsible for the development of Basmati Rice market mainly cover Basmati Rice market in Region: United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, India Gadget such as market positioning of Basmati Rice key players and tempting investment scheme provide the readers with perception on the competitive scenario of the worldwide Basmati Rice market. The report focuses on global major leading market players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information. What‘s more, the Basmati Rice market development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.

This research report for Global Basmati Rice Market explore different topics such as product scope, product market by end users or application, product market by region, market size for the specific product, sales and revenue by region, manufacturing cost analysis, Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers, Market Effect Factors Analysis, market size forecast, and more. The research gives a forecast for the Global Basmati Rice industry till the year 2025.

The research experts have evaluated the general sales of Global Basmati Rice Market and its revenue generation. Furthermore, it also gives extensive study of root market trends and many governing elements along with improvements in the market in every segment. Furthermore, it contains diverse profiles of key market players.

Invant Research gives full information about report visit @ https://www.invantresearch.com/basmati-rice-market-report-by-company-regions-types-andapplications-global-status-and-forecast-to-2025-14445 All aspects of the Basmati Rice industry report are quantitatively as well as qualitatively assessed to study the Global as well as regional market comparatively. The basic information such as the definition, prevalent chain and the government regulations pertaining to the Taximeters market are also discussed in the report.

Major Table Of Contents: 1. Introduction 2. Executive Summary 3. Market Analysis 4. Basmati Rice Market Analysis By Product Type 5. Basmati Rice Market Analysis By End User 6. Basmati Rice Market Analysis By Geography 7. Competitive Landscape Of The Basmati Rice Companies 8. Company Profiles Of The Basmati Rice Industry

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Invantresearch.com is the most comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We provide the current industry scenario, technical data, manufacturing plants, qualitative and quantitive analysis, also regional study, development trends and investment feasibility analysis of the competitors through our exclusive syndicated research. http://www.communiqueasia.com/2018/03/11/global-basmati-rice-market-2018-2025/

Global Rice Sales market to grow as Global Rice Sales heats up Vivian Briscoe — March 12, 2018

Questale released a detailed assessment of trends in Global Rice Sales market. The research report includes diverse topics like total market size, key market drivers, challenges, growth opportunities, key players etc. We have also covered key market updates, the impact of regulations and technological updates in ,, . New startups entering the space of Global Rice Sales need to carefully pick their niches and genres so that they can compete on an equal footing with global companies who have an end to end development studios, production capabilities and global skills and experience backing them.

The research will provide a forecast for Global Rice Sales market till 2022. The report is vital for anyone involved in the Global Rice Sales industry. The study gives a very comprehensive outlook of the entire ,, markets.

You can get free access to samples from the report here: https://questale.com/report/globalrice-sales-market-report-2018/273711

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A well-thought community management and growth marketing plan for Global Rice Sales , working with right publishers to craft a go-to-market strategy for competitive genres, and tactful use of digital marketing is the need of the hour for companies aiming to capture the mindshare of their audience post-launch.

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Global Rice Sales will grow by 20-45% per year While it is usually 20-45% per cent or more in developed economies, this Global Rice Sales category will continue to rise at a significantly higher rate than overall ,, Global Rice Sales growth in the coming years, the report added.

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You will get details about the production of Global Rice Sales materials in a million USD, along with their consumption and revenue figures. Also get details about the growth rate of composite materials in the ,, and the market share of different segments thereof.

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With growing competition in the market, both local and regional competitors have come head to head with each other. They are engaging in M&A activities and technological innovation to gain an edge over their competition for finding the largest share of end-users.

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Three new varieties of rice to boost Bengal's paddy production Team MP | 11 March 2018 11:53 PM Kolkata: Scientists of the state Agriculture department have discovered three new varieties of rice, which will ensure further increase in paddy production in Bengal. The scientists of the

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department, who are posted in its different research institutes, had been working for a period of time on it. The three new varieties of rice that the people of Bengal are going to get soon in the market are Bhupesh, Rajdip and Dhruba. The production of these varieties has already been started in some places, following necessary tests by the department's scientists. Asish Banerjee, the state Agriculture minister, said: "All the three varieties of rice will ensure further increase in paddy production in the state. " The state Agriculture department has chalked out an elaborate plan to ensure that all the three varieties are produced in the entire state. The varieties of aromatic flavor will further increase demand of rice from Bengal. This comes at the time when the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has written to the state Food and Supplies department to supply rice for distribution in three states – Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Jharkhand. According to experts, the demand was made as Bengal is the highest producer of rice in the country and several varieties of rice are cultivated here.

Moreover, production has increased in the past few years, with several steps being taken by the Mamata Banerjee government. Besides organising training programmes for farmers, tools required for agriculture were also distributed among them. The new varieties of rice will be cultivated across the state and the production will increase manifold, which will be beneficial for the farmers. At the same time, a new variety of jute has also been discovered by scientists of the state Agriculture department. The name of the new variety of jute is ARO 4 and cultivating this variety of the crop will help farmers make some profit as its production is comparatively lesser.

It may be recalled that the state Agriculture department has also taken a major step to utilise its land, which remained unused for the most part of a year and sought suggestions of scientists who are working in the field of agriculture http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/three-new-varieties-of-rice-to-boost-bengals-paddyproduction-289031 handigarh

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Rakhra gets IARI research centre Mar 12, 2018, 2:26 AM; last updated: Mar 12, 2018, 2:26 AM (IST)

Dignitaries during the inauguration of the IARI Rakhra Collaboration Outstation Research Centre at Rakhra in Patiala. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar Tribune News Service Rakhra (Patiala), March 11 The Rakhra Kisan Mela, organised by the Punjab Young Farmers Association, was inaugurated

by Dr AK Singh, Director, ICAR, and Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, here on Saturday. He laid emphasis on adoption of technologies developed by IARI. The theme of the mela was ‗Enhancing the income of farmers‘. Thousands of farmers from across the state and neighbouring Rajasthan and Haryana thronged the fair. Farmers started standing in queues to obtain foundation seeds of PUSA varieties of paddy since morning. They were eager to obtain the seeds of the newly released PUSA Basmati 1728 and PUSA Basmati 1637 varieties. The new varieties are substitutes for the PUSA Basmati–1 and PUSA Basmati 1401 varieties. The new varieties have been made from the diseases of blast and bacterial blight, respectively, by increasing their yield potential. There was a great enthusiasm among farmers for planning varieties since they received a favourable price for their basmati produce this year.

The renowned breeder of Basmati varieties, Dr Ashok Kumar Singh, who heads the division of genetics of IARI, explained to farmers the characteristic of various varieties of basmati.

He said PUSA Basmati 1401 variety of rice has been rated above all from the quality point of view. Rice of Pusa Basmati 1121, which is internationally acclaimed, is being exported to Gulf countries and other nations on a large scale.

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He said soon the farmers would get the seed of PUSA Basmati 1718, a bacterial blight resistant rice variety in the genetic background PUSA Basmati 1121. He said 90 per cent area in the GI zone of basmati was grown with PUSA varieties and IARI was known for research in basmati.

Dr Trichona Mohapatra, director-general of ICAR, and secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, GoI, inaugurated the IARI Rakhra Collaboration Outstation Research Centre on the YFA campus here. This is the first centre of IARI set up in Punjab. Farmers will now be able to acquaint themselves with the IARI technologies and PUSA seeds at the Rakhra centre. The testing of various varieties of crops, particularly of rice and wheat, to suit Punjab soil and environment will also be done here.

He said this centre would be instrumental in introducing the ICAR-IARI developed research and technologies to the farmers. The establishment of the centre would facilitate farmers to interact with ICAR-IARI scientists.

Dr Pushpinder Singh Aulakh, Director, Horticulture, Punjab, said the department had opened a centre of excellence at Kartarpur and Doraha for supplying seedlings and plants of various vegetables, fruits and flowers to the farmers.

He said there was a scope for switching to the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, reducing the area under paddy cultivation which was resulting in the depletion of underground water and causing pollution. Dr Swaran Singh Mann told the farmers about various schemes implemented by the Department of Horticulture. Dr SC Khurana, State Horticulture Consultant, also spoke and stressed upon the importance of vegetable and fruit cultivation for enhancing growers‘ income.

Bhagwan Dass, secretary general, Punjab Young Farmers Association, said diversification through cultivation of basmati varieties, fruits and vegetable yield result in enhancing the income of growers and solving the water depletion and pollution problems of the state. He said the government should consider the demand of the farmers for enhancing the MSP of basmati.

Balishter Singh Mann, officiating president of the Young Farmers Association, welcomed the farmers and told them the future programme of the association.

Dr DK Yadav, Assistance Director General (Seeds), ICAR and Head, Division of Seed Science, IARI, and Dr Akshay Talukdar, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, Collaboration Outstation Research Centre, were among those others who addressed the gathering.

IARI Rakhra Collaboration Outstation Research Centre on the YFA campus is the first centre of IARI set up in Punjab. Farmers will now be able to acquaint themselves with the IARI technologies and PUSA seeds at the establishment. The testing of various varieties of crops, particularly of rice and wheat, to suit Punjab soil and environment will also be done there. http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/rakhra-gets-iari-researchcentre/556605.html

Global and Chinese Rice Milling Machinery Industry – 2017 March 11, 2018 - by Igor Stachowiak The new manufacturing and construction report has been published today. It provides updated in 2018 year analysis of manufacturing and construction industries.The 'Global and Chinese Rice Milling Machinery Industry – 2017' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of

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the global Rice Milling Machinery industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Rice Milling Machinery manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.

Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2012-2017 market shares for each company.

Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of the Rice Milling Machinery industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis. The report then estimates 2017-2022 market development trends of the Rice Milling Machinery industry.

Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out.

In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of the Rice Milling Machinery Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2012-2022 global and Chinese Rice Milling Machinery industry covering all important parameters.

PLEASE NOTE: This report will be completed after order and will take approximately 2-3 business days after the confirmation of payment. https://www.satprnews.com/2018/03/11/global-and-chinese-rice-milling-machinery-industry2017-2/

Farmers in Mayapur working to produce aromatic rice variety Team MP | 12 March 2018 10:21 PM Kolkata: The farmers of Chaitanya Chandradaya Agricultural Trust (CCAT) in Mayapur are producing aromatic rice which had become extinct. A local tribal Jetha Hansda has been involved in cultivation of extinct varieties of aromatic rice such as – RadhaTilak , Kala Bhat also known as Brown rice, Red rice Dudheshwar , Hamai, Jhumpuri, Khara, Balam to name a few for more than a year. They have been motivated and guided in this endeavour by expert scientists of Agricultural Training centre (ATC), Fulia. According to Anupam Paul, Director of ATC, Fulia, post conducting research, the scientists believed that both the weather and land are favourable to this endeavour and they started training the local farmers and also supplied the seeds. The cultivation is being done without using any artificial chemicals so that the genuine aroma, physical benefits of each variety of rice is intact and it causes no health hazards, informed Paul. He said different varieties of rice being produced have multiple benefits. Specifically, Paul pointed out about Black rice which is world's most nutritive rice as it contains iron, zinc and fibre in high content.

The Glycemic index of this rice is low so it is anti-diabetic, Paul pointed out. Currently, this project is underway in 11 districts of West Bengal. Meanwhile Jetha Hansda,

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Chairman of the Chaitanya Chandradaya Agricultural Trust thanked the initiative of the ATC Fulia in bringing back the glorious days of aromatic rice of West Bengal into reality.

Further, he also appealed to the Minister of Agriculture, for Rubber Huller machine to be installed by the government which will help the farmers to hull the special varieties of rice – black rice and red rice without disturbing their nutritional and medicinal benefits. http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/farmers-in-mayapur-working-to-produce-aromatic-rice-variety-289158

Sanusi Junid‘s passion to help the disadvantaged Tuesday March 13, 2018 8:33 AM GMT+8

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A former managing editor of The Malay Mail newspaper, Terence is today a media and perception management consultant. With 20 years of journalism behind him, he has received numerous awards for investigative reporting and public service journalism notably from the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) and the Society of Publishers Asia (SOPA).

MARCH 13 — Four years ago I found myself added to a WhatsApp chat group titled ―My Indian Friends.‖As I did not recognise the number of the administrator of the chat group, i.e. the person who added me, I sent a message to that number asking who it was. ―Sanusi‖ came the typed message.―Sorry,‖ I typed, ―I don‘t remember any Sanusi.‖ ―Sanusi Junid‖ came the response.I responded with a profuse apology for my daftness. Weeks earlier, I had bumped into the former Kedah mentri besar who had also served as rural development minister and agriculture minister at a restaurant in town.

We exchanged numbers. Obviously, I had forgotten to key his into my phone.

I first met Tan Sri Sanusi Junid at the airport in Banda Aceh in 2005. The city had been devastated by the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004.

My father, a project co-ordinator for an NGO who was rebuilding schools and conducting education rehabilitation programmes, was there to pick me up.

He introduced me to Sanusi who was flying back to Kuala Lumpur after conducting his own programmes and aid distribution.

Sanusi, after all, was the president of Persatuan Ikatan Masyarakat Aceh Malaysia, a MalaysiaAceh Alliance and had been busy spearheading relief and rehabilitation efforts. Not to mention his own personal contributions as well. ―After all, saya ni darah Aceh you know!‖ he laughed, proudly acknowledging his roots.

Sanusi, like some of his peers, had decided that being put out to pasture did not mean going quietly into the night... especially if he saw something which he felt was not right. ―It is the responsibility of those who came before to ensure that those who inherit the care of this country are worthy of it,‖ he said.

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image: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/uploads/articles/201510/Sanusi_Junid_0310_(2).jpg

The veteran politician died on Saturday at the age of 74. — Picture by Yusof Mat IsaHis blog sanusijunid.blogspot had served as a critique of the nation‘s trustees... he did not mince his words and was not afraid to call a spade a spade and labelling those who chose to hoodwink the government and the people as ―liars.‖ To the young and uninitiated, it also serves as a history lesson to a simpler time when ―… the competition in Umno in those days was to give as much service to the people as possible.‖ His passion for helping the economically disadvantaged was the primary mover for his efforts that made him mentri besar of the nation‘s rice bowl as well as heading the agriculture and rural development ministries.It started even before his foray into politics where as a banker he initiated the Credit Guarantee Corporation to give out low interest loans to padi farmers who were being squeezed by the rice millers.The last time we met, at a shopping centre in Bangsar, he shared his concern over the divisive politics that seemed to be condoned by some of our leaders. ―During my time, we would nip all these talk in the bud. There is no place for such rhetoric in this country,‖ he said, with a tinge of disappointment.

His postings and exchanges in our chat group revealed a man who embraced diversity and reminded us ethnic minorities to be proud of our heritage and how Malaysia is what it is today because of the blood, sweat and tears of every individual irrespective of religion, ethnicity and social standing. He was conversant in Tamil and at times peppered his conversations with his

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Indian friends with Tamil words.The night before he died, Sanusi, a member of Bersatu was at the launch of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto.Still active and affirming his position as a stakeholder in this country — and that as a former senior politician himself, he knew that he had the obligation to make his voice and opinions heard and count.

That many politicians from both sides of the divide closed ranks to pay their last respects was a testament to the reverence he commanded and their acknowledgement of his services and contribution to the country.Unlike the way he died, at dawn on Saturday, after taking his ablution for the subuh prayers, Sanusi did not go quietly into the night.

Rest in peace, Sir, and thank you. http://www.themalaymailonline.com/opinion/terence-fernandez/article/sanusi-junids-passion-to-helpthe-disadvantaged#0uHps2mWysqy616T.97

Kano: Customs Impounds Rice, Macaroni Worth N7m March 13, 2018

By ABDULLAHI YAKUBU In a swift move to ensure compliance with the federal government‘s directive on the banning of some commodities in to the country, Kano/Jigawa Customs Command, yesterday impounded over 300 bags of smuggled foreign rice and macaroni valued at N7 million. Dropping the hint, the Comptroller of the Command, Yusuf Abba-Kassim, informed newsmen on the seizure, and said two suspects were arrested in connection with the smuggled items.

According to him, ten vehicles which conveyed the smuggled items were also impounded by his men at Babura village, a border town between Kano and Jigawa. Kassim said that the rice were loaded in Babura, a border town between Jigawa and Kano, in five Golf Cars with the intention of smuggling it into the country. He said, ―I am here to showcase to you the suppression of smugglers in Kano/Jigawa Command; and the arrest of those foreign items were carried out within three days. He added that the two suspects arrested will be prosecuted in the Court of Law. 

https://leadership.ng/2018/03/13/kano-customs-impounds-rice-macaroni-worth-n7m/Classifieds Contact Us

UMPI starting agriculture degree, halfway toward greenhouse Anthony Brino • March 12, 2018

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A rendering of the future Zilman Family teaching and research greenhouse at the University of Maine Presque Isle. (Courtesy of UMPI)

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PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — This fall the University of Maine Presque Isle will start offering a bachelor‘s degree in agriculture and is also expecting to open a new research greenhouse.

After many years of Aroostook County students studying agriculture at the University of Maine Orono, UMPI will be offering a bachelor of science degree in agriculture that covers the multidisciplinary nature of modern farming, said president Ray Rice during a March 7 event at the president‘s house.

UMPI faculty and administrators have been brainstorming for years about offering agriculture courses or a degree, Rice said. In 2015, UMPI started a sustainable agriculture minor and since then Rice said that high school educators from around the area urged the university to launch an agriculture degree.

The degree program is set to launch for fall 2018, along with the anticipated opening of a new research greenhouse.―People realize this is a natural fit,‖ said Jason Johnston, dean of UMPI‘s college of arts and sciences. ―We‘re surrounded by farmland.‖Johnston said the degree program will include courses in agricultural science as well as technology and business.―We have four or five business courses that we‘re designing new to really serve emerging business needs in management and decision analytics,‖ Johnston said.

There will be ―a lot of hands on coursework that really is going to train students how to drive a tractor with a GPS system, how to operate greenhouse and irrigation equipment, and how to run a modern, big farm,‖ Johnston said.He added that the program will feature guest speakers, adjunct teachers from the local farming industry and collaboration with the Cooperative Extension and organizations such as the Maine Potato Board and Maine Sustainable Agriculture Association.Ag program students also will have the chance to participate in research projects at the new 2,400 square foot greenhouse that will be built near Gentile Hall.

Coming to a total cost of $495,000, the greenhouse will have two seperate climate-controlled sections that can support two research projects and teaching at the same time, Johnston said.

The greenhouse will be named after Don and Linda Zillman, who donated $100,000 to the project. Don Zillman, a University of Maine law professor, was a former UMPI president from 2006 to 2012 and was credited with starting sustainability initiatives such as the campus wind turbine, Rice said. ―It continues the tradition of great faculty researchers and teachers,‖ Zillman said of the degree program and greenhouse.The university has roughly $250,000 left to raise to complete the greenhouse project, and there are several active grant applications and discussions with potential donors underway, said Deborah Roark, university advancement and enrollment director. https://thecounty.me/2018/03/12/news/umpi-starting-agriculture-degree-halfway-towardgreenhouse/

Nigeria‘s food imports dropping drastically — FG ON MARCH 12, 20184:50 PMIN NEWS22

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By Michael Eboh The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria is recording a massive decline in food importation, stating that its agricultural policies have started to have far-reaching effects on the transformation of the sector. Speaking at the inauguration of chairpersons and members of Boards of 23 agencies and parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, weekend, Minister of State in charge of the Ministry, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, however, stated that while the country had achieved significant results in its bid to grow the sector, it still has a lot of work to do. According to Lokpobiri, over the last couple of months, the importation of food items including rice and fish into the country had reduced significantly, while he noted that efforts are in progress to further reduce all food imports to the barest minimum. ―Efforts on developing other agricultural products like cassava, millet, cocoa, hibiscus flower (zobo), ginger, cashew nuts and so on, are yielding positive results,‖ he added.

Lokpobiri further stated that since the inception of the current administration, concerted efforts had been made to diversify the economy and agriculture is the foremost sector being explored in this regard. He explained that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has the responsibility of developing agriculture, making it the key driver of rural development for the transformation of the economy, with a view of attaining food security, generating employment and becoming a net exporter of agricultural produce and earner of foreign exchange. ―Our Agricultural Research institutions and colleges have a vital role to play in achieving this goal as they have a mandate to ensure the development of new technologies, inputs, production techniques, storage and distribution techniques and processes through research for improved yield and reduction in losses. Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation also plays a major role in protecting farmers from agricultural losses in the entire value chain,‖ he added. He urged the newly inaugurated chairmen and board members, to view their appointments as a clarion call to service, and be partners in progress, stating that their competencies and wealth of experience would be required to support the institutions they are appointed into, giving strategic direction and ensuring attainment at the goals they were set up to deliver. However, he said, ―Please note that your role is non-executive and part time. As Board chairmen and members, you are to ensure the adherence to the tenets of corporate governance and remember that you have statutory responsibilities to bring your wealth of experience to bear on policy articulation and formulation for your agencies. The heads of Agencies and Parastatals are enjoined to work amicably with their Boards.‖ In addition, Lokpobiri averred that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is devoted to ensuring positive change in the lives of Nigerians and also improve standard of living across the country.

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According to him, this can only be achieved through transparency and accountability in the conduct of government‘s business.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/nigerias-food-importsdropping-drastically-fg/

Namibian flagship rice project may suffer yield losses due to flood Source: Xinhua 2018-03-12 21:33:46

WINDHOEK, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's flagship Kalimbeza Green Scheme Irrigation Project in the northeastern part of the country may suffer major losses as flood reduces its IRGA medium rice variety yields, said Matengu Simataa, an official at the project on Monday.

Namibia's Meteorological Services predicts that the Zambezi River will continue to rise, leaving surrounding communities more prone to flooding, including Kalimbeza.

According to Simataa, due to flooding, the rice yields for medium grain rice variety is anticipated to be poor this year, compared to the two previous years.

"Some of the rice has been submerged and under water; leading to massive damage. Some of the grains have changed its color to black. The project may not therefore harvest the targeted metric tonnes of rice as expected," he said.

To prevent further losses, the project has since deployed casual workers to harvest the unspoiled rice in the flooded plains.

"Flooding has made it difficult to harvest the rice with machinery, thus we have resorted to hiring casual workers to harvest to prevent further wastage of the rice if not harvested. However, the casual workers can also only do it within reach," he said.

After planting medium grain rice variety on 47 hectares of land, the project will have to harvest rice covering 22 hectares of land, according to Simataa.

Meanwhile, he said that other rice varieties including the Supa long rice are not at risk due to its ability to sustain and resist high water levels.

Kalimbeza rice, commercialized in 2014, has been farming with Angola Basmati, Supa long rice varieties and IRGA (medium grain) since 2007.

Kalimbeza rice project is one of the ventures benefitting from an agreement on South to South Cooperation signed between China and Namibia.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-03/12/c_137034151.htm

Government invests in rice industry 57

Posted on March 13, 2018 by admin in Agriculture, Business, Development, Government, News, Northern Division, Press Releases, Public Minister for Agriculture (middle) Hon. Inia Seruiratu with Stakeholders, Rice Farmers and Government Officials during the opening of the two new modern Dryers and Husk Crusher in Dreketi. Photo; MOA

Rice farmers in Dreketi will not need to wait long to get their paddy weighed at the mill now.

This is after the Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, National Disaster Management and Meteorological Services, Hon. Inia Seruiratu commissioned two dryers and a husk crusher at Fiji Rice Limited mill in Dreketi, Macuata recently. The Government has invested $60,000 for two more dryers and this should be installed in three months.

Minister Seruiratu said the husk crusher would diversify into animal feed production. ―This is another milestone for the company as this venture will generate more income for the company and at the same time creates more employment for the rural community in Dreketi,‖ Minister Seruiratu said. ―I would like to remind the stakeholders to do their part and assist the industry grow. Let me assure you that Government is committed to provide all the assistance in terms of funding, machinery, subsidy and extra for the rice industry.‖―We need to modernise because of the huge demand that is there for Fiji‘s product, not only locally also abroad. We know the time for manual has gone,‖ he said. ―We need machinery, mechanization and technology not only that we need to produce the volume that are necessary but most importantly for us to be able to adapt to the changing environment in terms of climate change, the dynamics of world economy and the need for us to feed our people in terms of food and nutrition security,‖ Minister Seruiratu said.He added the opening of this mill is part of the mechanisation plan in the 2020 agriculture policy agenda and in that modernisation they will look at the value chain from the farm level right through to the market and the responsibilities of all stakeholders. ―I am here again to remind all of us that we all have a responsibility in that modernization plan,‖ Minister Seruiratu said. http://www.thejetnewspaper.com/2018/03/13/rice-industry-received-government-assistance/

New machinery commissioned at Dreketi rice mill Timoci Vula Monday, March 12, 2018 Minister for Agriculture Inia Seruiratu with Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Fiji Rice Ltd chairperson Raj Sharma. Picture: SUPPLIED Update: 7:17PM GOVERNMENT recently commissioned two dryers and a husk crusher at the Fiji Rice Limited mill in Dreketi, Macuata.

With this machinery installed, it means rice farmers in Dreketi will not need to wait long to get their paddy weighed at the mill.

Fiji's Minister for Agriculture Inia Seruiratu commissioned the two dryers and the husk crusher in Dreketi, and says the Government has invested $60,000 for two more dryers, which should be installed in three months.

He said the husk crusher would diversify into animal feed production.

"This is another milestone for the company as this venture will generate more income for the company, and at the same time create more employment for the rural community in Dreketi," Mr Seruiratu was quoted saying in a Government statement issued today.

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"I would like to remind the stakeholders to do their part and assist the industry grow. Let me assure you that Government is committed to provide all the assistance in terms of funding, machinery, subsidy and extra for the rice industry.

"We need to modernise because of the huge demand that is there for Fiji's product, not only locally also abroad. We know the time for manual has gone.

"We need machinery, mechanisation and technology not only that we need to produce the volume that are necessary but most importantly for us to be able to adapt to the changing environment in terms of climate change, the dynamics of world economy and the need for us to feed our people in terms of food and nutrition security." http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=437739

PHL rice stocks fall to 5-month low

By Jasper Y. Arcalas March 11, 2018

Philippine rice inventory as of February 1 fell to its lowest in five months due mainly to the depletion of the National Food Authority‘s (NFA) stockpile, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Data from the PSA showed that the country‘s rice stocks declined by nearly 22 percent to 1.795 million metric tons (MMT), from 2.296 MMT recorded in February 2017.

The rice inventory during the period was the lowest since September 2017, when it reached 1.422 MMT, PSA data showed. The PSA said the total rice inventory as of February 1 was sufficient for 53 days.

The NFA‘s rice stockpile as of February 1 plunged to its lowest level in two decades. It also declined by 86.8 percent to 61,400 MT, from the previous year‘s 465,260 MT. Data from the PSA showed that nearly 89 percent of the food agency‘s buffer stock was comprised of imported rice. ―Year-on-year, rice stocks inventory level dropped in the households, commercial warehouses and NFA depositories by 5 percent, 5.74 percent and 86.8 percent, respectively,‖ the PSA said in its monthly report titled, ―Rice and Corn Stocks Inventory,‖ published recently. ―With reference to the previous month‘s rice stocks inventory level, a decrease of 17.93 percent was observed in the households, 24.58 percent in commercial warehouses and 42.54 percent in NFA depositories,‖ it added.

Of the total rice inventory as of February 1, about 60.58 percent were from households, 36 percent were held by commercial warehouses and 3.42 percent were in NFA depositories, according to the PSA. The total volume of rice held by households during the period reached 1.087 MMT, while those in the commercial warehouses amounted to 646,560 MT. The government periodically monitors rice inventory to determine whether it would need to import the staple to boost local stocks.

During the period, PSA data also showed that total corn-stock inventory stood at 410,300 MT, 6.65 percent lower than the last year‘s record of 439,570 MT. The corn-stock inventory as of February 1 declined by more than half from the 951,600 MT recorded in January.

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The PSA said the bulk of corn-stock inventory in February, or 81.84 percent, was in commercial warehouses, while households accounted for 18.06 percent. NFA depositories accounted for a mere 0.10 percent.

Corn stocks in commercial warehouses amounted to 335,820 MT, 74,120 MT in households and 390 MT in NFA warehouses. ―Corn stocks both in the households and NFA depositories decreased in comparison to their levels in the previous year. Stocks dropped by 51.27 percent in the households and 83.56 percent in NFA depositories. However, an increase of 17.79 percent was recorded in commercial warehouses,‖ the report read. ―Compared with the previous month, corn-stocks inventory level in all sectors decreased. Stocks dropped by 1.16 percent in the households, 61.67 percent in commercial warehouses and 9.07 percent in NFA depositories,‖ it added.

The PSA sources its data for the rice inventory held by household from its monthly Palay and Corn Stocks Survey, which covers farming and nonfarming households nationwide. The survey, which is done in the first four days of the month, covers all provinces except Batanes.

Meanwhile, the data on commercial stocks are sourced from registered grains businessmen through the Commercial Stocks Survey, conducted by the NFA, the results of which are submitted to PSA. NFA stocks are monitored from their warehouses/depositories, according to the PSA. „Aggressive palay buying‟ To beef up its stockpile, the NFA said over the weekend that it is ready to compete with private traders for local palay during the summer crop harvest from March to May. NFA Administrator Jason Aquino said in a statement that the food agency will focus all its logistics, funds and personnel on aggressive palay buying as harvest starts to peak in some areas.

As early as January, palay procurement funds had already been remitted to areas expected to start harvesting earlier than the others. These include Iloilo, Aklan, Bukidnon, La Union, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Batangas, San Jose and Mamburao in Mindoro Occidental, Sultan Kudarat, and other areas in Mindanao.

The agency attached to the Office of the President said it plans to deploy mobile procurement teams in far-flung areas to buy paddy directly from farmers. They are instructed to buy even freshly harvested or wet palay based on the respective drying capacities of each NFA provincial and regional office.

Almost all NFA provincial offices and half of its buying stations across the country have mechanical driers and solar drying facilities.

All NFA buying stations will also be opened and utilized during the whole harvest period.

Procurement personnel shall be required to render overtime work if necessary, Aquino said. ―Historically when harvest peaks, ex-farm prices go down, though minimal, during the summer crop because this is the season when farmers produce better quality palay than during the wet crop so traders also buy aggressively,‖ Aquino said. ―Farm-gate prices may go down as rice from the private sector‘s minimum access volume imports start to be released in the market. When that happens, the NFA shall seize the opportunity to also aggressively buy local harvest,‖ he added.

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Aquino said the NFA has made it easier for famers to sell their palay to the agency by simplifying its procedures and payment scheme. In less risky areas, NFA will pay palay deliveries in cash on the same day.

NFA buys palay at P17 per kilogram (kg) clean and dry with an additional P0.20 per kg drying incentive and P0.20-P0.50 per kilogram delivery incentive. For farmer organizations an additional P0.30 per kilogram is given as cooperative development incentive fee. Effectively, the NFA said its palay buying price ranges from P17.70 per kg to P18.00 per kg.

During year-round Ugnayan meetings with farmers and local government officials, NFA reminds them that in selling palay to NFA, an individual farmer only needs to secure a passbook to prove that he is a legitimate farmer. The passbook is given free of charge.

Also, the NFA said a farmer needs to submit an information sheet with identification picture, and certification from the barangay captain, municipal agriculturist, municipal agrarian officer or national irrigation administration where his farm is located. For farmer organizations, a master passbook must be secured by submitting their certificate of registration, assembly resolution and master list of members.

But even without a passbook, a farmer can still sell his produce to the NFA up to 200 bags for the first time. Farmers may also deliver more than their marketable surplus provided there is a certification on the volume of their harvest from the municipal agriculture officer.

For 2018, NFA targets to buy 6 million bags of palay, equivalent to 300,000 MT, to boost the government‘s buffer stock and rice distribution requirements.

FacebookTwitterGoogle+PinterestTumblrGoogle GmailWhatsAppKindle ItViberYahoo Mailblogger_postEvernoteInstapaperLinkedInSMS https://businessmirror.com.ph/phl-rice-stocks-fall-to-5-month-low/

White rice is associated with diabetes Mar 11, 2018 10:29 am by Chris Dunkan Large consumption of white rice increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new American survey. The findings confirm that paddy brown rice is healthier and reduces the risk of diabetes.

Replacement of white rice, which increases blood sugar, brown rice and other whole grains may reduce the likelihood of diabetes by one-third.

People who eat at least five servings of white rice a week are 17% more likely to develop diabetes than those who eat less than one serving per month (each portion is estimated to be 150 grams). On the other hand, those who eat two or more servings of brown rice a week have an 11% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who eat less than one serving a month.

The study, which examined 22-year-old data from 197,000 adults, was conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and published in the medical journal Archives of Internal Medicine, according to Reuters and French BBC.

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According to the researchers, replacing the consumption of white rice and other processed cereals with whole grains and brown rice helps reduce the risk of diabetes. Even replacing on a daily basis only one-third of rice (about 50 grams) of a typical white portion of white with the same amount of brown rice may reduce the risk of diabetes by 16%. Replacing white rice with other full grains can reduce the risk of diabetes by 36%

https://theweeklyobserver.com/white-rice-associated-diabetes/32754/

Three new varieties of rice to boost Bengal's paddy production Team MP | 11 March 2018 11:53 PM Kolkata: Scientists of the state Agriculture department have discovered three new varieties of rice, which will ensure further increase in paddy production in Bengal. The scientists of the department, who are posted in its different research institutes, had been working for a period of time on it.

The three new varieties of rice that the people of Bengal are going to get soon in the market are Bhupesh, Rajdip and Dhruba. The production of these varieties has already been started in some places, following necessary tests by the department's scientists.

Asish Banerjee, the state Agriculture minister, said: "All the three varieties of rice will ensure further increase in paddy production in the state.

" The state Agriculture department has chalked out an elaborate plan to ensure that all the three varieties are produced in the entire state. The varieties of aromatic flavor will further increase demand of rice from Bengal. This comes at the time when the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has written to the state Food and Supplies department to supply rice for distribution in three states – Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Jharkhand.

According to experts, the demand was made as Bengal is the highest producer of rice in the country and several varieties of rice are cultivated here. Moreover, production

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has increased in the past few years, with several steps being taken by the Mamata Banerjee government. Besides organising training programmes for farmers, tools required for agriculture were also distributed among them. The new varieties of rice will be cultivated across the state and the production will increase manifold, which will be beneficial for the farmers. At the same time, a new variety of jute has also been discovered by scientists of the state Agriculture department. The name of the new variety of jute is ARO 4 and cultivating this variety of the crop will help farmers make some profit as its production is comparatively lesser. It may be recalled that the state Agriculture department has also taken a major step to utilise its land, which remained unused for the most part of a year and sought suggestions of scientists who are working in the field of agriculture. http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/three-new-varieties-of-rice-to-boost-bengalspaddy-production-289031 http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/three-new-varieties-of-rice-to-boost-bengalspaddy-production-289031

Pakistan rice exports register 27% growth Last Updated On 12 March,2018 01:19 pm

This year, Pakistan exported total 2.59 million metric tons of rice amounting to US$ 1.224 billion.

KARACHI (Dunya News) - Rice exports from Pakistan have seen sizeable growth of overall 27% at the end of February, 2018. This statement was given by Mr. Rafique Suleman, Senior Vice Chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan, while talking with news reporters.

He shared the figures of rice exports during the period of July to February 2018. He said that at the end of February 2018, rice exports for fiscal year 2017-18 (July to Feb 2018) a significant growth has been observed as compared to last fiscal year 2016-17 (July to Feb 2017).

He said that this year we exported total 2.59 million metric tons of rice amounting to US$ 1.224 billion, whereas last fiscal year in the same period we had exported 2.27 Million Metric Tons of rice amounting to US$.961 Million, which shows over all a significant growth of 27% in terms values and 14% in terms of quantity.

He expressed his pleasure to inform the media persons that by the grace of Almighty Allah, we have come out of the crisis which we have been observing since last three years. Further with the coordination of REAP Office Bearers with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Customs, value of rice export trade is showing improvement which is a good sign for our country. Further, REAP members are putting their untiring efforts and aggressive marketing to increase the rice exports and to earn valueable foreign exchange for our beloved country

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Pakistan.

He informed that last month REAP had organized International Buyers Recognition Awards in Dubai and as a result we are observing that rice exports to UAE showing good growth. In 8 months of current fiscal year, we have exported more than 100,000 Metric tons of rice amounting to US$ 67 Million. Kenya is the largest buyer of Pakistani Non Basmati rice and during eight months of this fiscal year (July to Feb 2018) we have exported 323,000 Metric Tons of rice amounting to US$ 118 Million. He also said that China is the 2nd largest destination for Pakistani Non Basmati rice. As at the end of February 2018, we have exported 233,000 Metric tons of rice valueing US$ 83 Million. He expressed his gratitude to authorities of Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan for obtaining more benefits for Pakistani rice in the recent negotiations during 2nd round of Pakistan China Free Trade Agreement which will result into substantial growth in rice exports to China.

He briefed that right now international demand for rice has been increased around the globe. He was happy to inform that this year we had a very good crop in terms of quality and quantity.

Further, prices of Pakistani rice are comparatively cheaper than our competitors, Thailand, Vietnam etc. which is also in our favour.

He added that Pakistani rice exporters are putting their extra ordinary efforts for fetching valueable foreign exchange for the growth of economy of our beloved country and making huge investment for installing world‘s latest rice machinery and most modern technology for value addition in rice. https://dunyanews.tv/en/Business/430819-Pakistan-rice-exports-growth-February

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Global and Chinese Rice Milling Machinery Industry – 2017 11 March 2018 - by Igor Stachowiak

The Manufacturing and Construction Report has been published today. It provides updated in 2018 year analysis of manufacturing and construction industries.

The 'Global and Chinese Rice Milling Machinery Industry – 2017' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Rice Milling Machinery industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Rice Milling Machinery manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.

Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2012-2017 market shares for each company.

Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of the Rice Milling Machinery industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis. The report then estimates 2017-2022 market development trends of the Rice Milling Machinery industry.

Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out.

In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of the Rice Milling Machinery Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2012-2022 global and Chinese Rice Milling Machinery industry covering all important parameters.

PLEASE NOTE: This report will be completed after order and will take approximately 2-3 business days after the confirmation of payment.

https://www.military-technologies.net/2018/03/11/global-and-chinese-ricemilling-machinery-industry-2017-2/

Progress to more salt resistant rice brian wang | March 10, 2018

87-year-old Chinese scientist Yuan Longping is developing a new high-yield strain of rice that grows in saltwater.

Swamps, bogs, and clay-like or salty coastal waters make up roughly a third of the total arable land in China. Growing rice in these locales is nearly impossible because salt stresses plants‘ water-absorption process. Specifically, saltwater makes photosynthesis and respiration more difficult for stalks and slows their growth to death.

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Four types of rice registered an estimated output of between 6.5 to 9.3 tonnes per hectare, at Qingdao saline-alkali tolerant rice research and development center.

China improve its resilience to climate change, seawater rice could help bring 200,000 square kilometers of land with salty, alkaline soil into production, according to Chinese media site Xinhua. Even cultivating an additional 670 square kilometers of formerly unproductive land with seawater rice could provide an extra 30 billion kilograms of rice a year – enough to feed 80 million people.

In 2013, 13% of China‘s grain was imported, according to Qian Keming, chief economist of China‘s Ministry of Agriculture. This is expected to rise to 15% in 2020.

The water used to irrigate Yuan‘s seawater rice trials had salt content of 0.6%. On average, the salinity of seawater is between 2-3.5% in coastal waters.

Yuan‘s most recent trial batch is selling well at 54 yuan a kg (US$8) – eight times the cost of normal rice. South China Morning Post reports that there had been almost 1000 orders for seawater rice on the online retail platform Tmall.com. They hope to sell rice worth 10 million yuan (US$1.5 million) in 2017.

Salt from coastal flooding and tides has left just a fraction of China‘s total land open to freshwater rice farming, and in Dongying, a region on China‘s eastern coast, 40 percent of land has a salt concentration higher than 0.5 percent, according to the World Bank.

Experts expect the rising waters from global climate change to exacerbate this problem.

For his research, Longping planted 200 different saltwater-tolerant rice strains at the Qindao Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice Research and Development Center on the Yellow Sea. According to China‘s Xinhua News Agency, his efforts yielded 8,030 pounds of rice

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per acre. For comparison, most commercial U.S. growers harvest between 7,200-7,600 pounds per acre annually.

Though promising, Longping‘s experiment did not mimic the actual conditions in China, instead using water with a much lower salt concentration than could be found in nature.

Longping‘s rice could also free up freshwater lands that are currently reserved for rice to grow other foods. More affluent Chinese citizens are demanding more meatand less grain-based food, but meeting that need has proven increasingly difficult given the amount of freshwater land reserved for rice cultivation. https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2018/03/progress-to-more-salt-resistant-rice.html

Trade deficit expands despite export growth: High import dependency persistent weakness Despite an impressive export growth last year, the trade deficit of US$9.6 billion was the country‘s highest trade deficit. Although exports reached a record high of US$11.4 billion, imports increased to US$21 billion. The high propensity to import has been the underlying cause for large trade deficits.

Import dependency Imports exceeding exports has been a regular feature of the country‘s trade balance. In the 67 years since 1950 there were only 5 years of a trade surplus. The last trade surplus was as far back as forty years ago in 1977, when a small trade surplus was achieved with stringent import and exchange controls. This reveals the endemic import dependency of the Sri Lankan economy.

Balance of payments surpluses Nevertheless, the balance of payments has been in surplus in many more years owing to earnings from services, remittances and capital inflows. In recent years the significant growth in workers‘ remittances have offset as much as about 70 percent of the trade deficit. This important source of funds has decreased last year by 1.1 percent mainly due to political upheavals and security conditions in some Middle Eastern countries.

Despite this setback, remittances of US$7.2 billion and tourist earnings of US$3.6 billion offset the trade deficit of US$9.6 billion and the balance of payments recorded a surplus of US$2 billion last year.

Trade performance in 2017 In 2017 exports expanded by 10.2 percent to reach a new high of US$11.4 billion. However the trade deficit expanded to a massive US$9.6 billion owing to imports increasing to US$21 billion. Consequently, the trade deficit increased from US$8.4 billion in 2016 to US$9.4 billion in 2017.

Import composition Sri Lanka‘s import dependency is in all three categories of imports: consumer goods, intermediate goods and capital goods. In recent years capital goods imports have been significant owing to huge infrastructure projects that require machinery, transport equipment and

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other capital goods. Such projects have also increased imports of intermediate goods like cement, fuel and steel.

However in 2017, capital goods imports declined slightly from US$4.5 billion to 4.3 billion.

Of the total imports of US$21 billion, capital goods imports accounted for US$4.9 billion, intermediate goods for US$11.4 billion and consumer goods imports for US$4.2 billion. Therefore the largest component of imports is intermediate imports that constituted over half (54.3 percent) of imports in 2017. These include essential items such as fuel imports that increased by 39 percent last year. Other essential imports include textiles, fertiliser, chemicals and iron.

These are all essential items and there is very little possibility of cutting down such imports. In fact most exports have a high import content. Import expenditure on these items are dependent on international prices and fuel prices are especially significant. In 2017 there was both an increase in the amount of oil imports and an increase in prices.

Food Despite near self-sufficiency in rice in normal years, food imports are significant. Last year‘s food imports were high owing to a shortfall in food crops, especially rice, owing to a prolonged drought. Food imports amounted to US$1.8 billion last year. This excludes the major item of wheat that is classified as an intermediate good as it is processed to flour locally. Wheat imports increased by 43 percent last year, but constituted only a small proportion of total imports at a cost of only US$356 million.

Therefore total food imports cost U$2.5 billion or 11.5 percent of total imports. Food imports include many basic and essential items such as wheat, sugar, milk, dhal and basic foods. In brief, import expenditure in 2017 was the highest ever at US$21 billion. This large increase was owing to higher imports of fuel and rice and wheat mainly owing to the prolonged drought. In addition, expenditure on gold also increased significantly during the year.

However, import expenditure on machinery and equipment, sugar, spices and fertiliser declined during the year.

Policy implications The reduction of the trade deficit is of fundamental importance in improving the balance of payments and strengthening foreign reserves. Unfortunately there was a deterioration in the trade performance last year owing to higher imports of food, fuel and essential intermediate goods. It is therefore vital that non-essential imports are contained.

Fiscal and monetary policies should be designed to reduce imports. However some of the budgetary proposals are likely to increase imports, while fuel costs may rise owing to international prices increasing. Already electric car imports have increased. Rice and wheat imports are likely to decrease in the second half of this year owing to better harvests. Vigilance on other imports such as motor vehicles is vital to achieve a lesser trade deficit in 2018.

BOP surplus vital In view of the very large foreign debt repayments in 2019 and beyond, it is vital for the country‘s balance of payments to generate a significant surplus. The key to an improvement in the trade balance is much higher export earnings and enhanced earnings from services. The setback in tourism must be corrected and much higher earrings must be from IT services. Fiscal, monetary and exchange rate policies must be geared to increasing exports and restraining imports.

In the context of the increasing trade deficit, where export growth was nullified by higher import growth, there has to be a concerted set of policies that would restrain non-essential imports. Fiscal, monetary and exchange rate policies should be geared to restrain imports. There does not seem to be an adequate policy thrust to restrain aggregate demand. There is a need to change the policy stance on interest rates to restrain aggregate demand.

Concluding reflections All things considered, Sri Lanka‘s prospects lie in enhancing exports significantly. Some commentators have pointed out quite rightly that our exports have a high import content and that tourist earnings and remittances too increase imports. This being so there is a need to expand exports exponentially to ensure a trade surplus. The scope for reduced import expenditure is limited owing to the essential nature of most imports.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180311/columns/trade-deficit-expands-despite-export-growth-high-importdependency-persistent-weakness-285642.html

IISc bangalore and US researchers develop new 2-D flat material gallenene 68

news

10 March 2018 Banglore's Indian Institute of Science and US researchers have developed a method to make atomically flat gallium that shows promise for nanoscale electronics. Pulickel Ajayan, Rice University lab of materials scientist and IISc scientists created two-dimensional gallenene, a thin-film of conductive material that is to gallium what graphene is to carbon. Extracted into a two-dimensional form, the novel material appears to have an affinity for binding with semiconductors like silicon and could make an efficient metal contact in two-dimensional electronic devices, the researchers said.

The new material was introduced in Science Advances.

Gallium is a metal with a low melting point; unlike graphene and many other 2-D structures, it cannot yet be grown with vapour phase deposition methods. Moreover, gallium also has a tendency to oxidise quickly. And, while early samples of graphene were removed from graphite with adhesive tape, the bonds between gallium layers are too strong for such a simple approach.

So Atanu Samanta, a student at the Indian Institute of Science, and the the Rice team led by co-authors Vidya Kochat, a former postdoctoral researcher at Rice, used heat instead of force.

Rather than a bottom-up approach, the researchers worked their way down from bulk gallium by heating it to 29.7 degrees Celsius (about 85 degrees Fahrenheit), just below the element's melting point. That was enough to drip gallium onto a glass slide. As a drop cooled just a bit, the researchers pressed a flat piece of silicon dioxide on top to lift just a few flat layers of gallenene.

They successfully exfoliated gallenene onto other substrates, including gallium nitride, gallium arsenide, silicone and nickel. That allowed them to confirm that particular gallenene-substrate combinations have different electronic properties and to suggest that these properties can be tuned for applications.

"The current work utilises the weak interfaces of solids and liquids to separate thin 2-D sheets of gallium," said Chandra Sekhar Tiwary, principal investigator on the project he completed at Rice before becoming an assistant professor at the Indian Institute of Technology in Gandhinagar, India. "The same method can be explored for other metals and compounds with low melting points."

Gallenene's plasmonic and other properties are being investigated, according to Ajayan. "Near 2-D metals are difficult to extract, since these are mostly high-strength, nonlayered structures, so gallenene is an exception that could bridge the need for metals in the 2-D world," he said. http://www.domain-b.com/technology/electronics/20180310_nanoscale.html

BREEDING BUGS TO FEED THE SALMON AROUND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - Scientists at UC Davis have come up with a new way to save the salmon population in Northern California.

Posted: Mar. 9, 2018 4:39 PM Updated: Mar. 9, 2018 4:39 PM Jafet Serrato

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - Scientists at UC Davis have come up with a new way to save the salmon population in Northern California.

The fish are often cut off from their traditional food source of bugs, which are mostly in the rice fields.

Researchers want local farmers to harvest "water fleas" in rice fields, this mimics floodplains where salmon traditionally went to get their "fish food.‖ The bugs reproduce by the millions and the fish food then flows into the river, where salmon can feed.

Scientists say that so far, the results have been impressive. ―They're robust, they're strong, they have shoulders and a belly, they've packed their lunch, they're ready for that long journey to the ocean and they have a much better likelihood of surviving,‖ said Jacob Kratz.

Thus far, a handful of farmers have opened up their rice fields to grow bugs.

The goal is to have the movement spread throughout the state

Parched in State‟s rice bowl K.A. Shaji PALAKKAD, MARCH 10, 2018 22:21 IST

Palakkad hots up like never before posing threat of water scarcity If there is anything that has put people in Palakkad into a tizzy these days, it is the blistering heat, which shows no sign of abating any time soon. With the mercury soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in the first fortnight of March itself, the entire district is now inching towards a blazing summer with extreme scarcity of drinking water and frequent outbreak of epidemics.

With the much awaited summer showers nowhere in sight, areas such as eastern Attappady and Chittur have started wilting under the blistering heat.

Drinking water has already turned into a precious commodity even in urban areas like Ottappalam, Pattambi and Thrithala.

The highest temperature is now being recorded in Malampuzha, Mundur and Pattambi where people prefer to keep themselves indoors to avoid sunstroke.

Flouride content in water While eastern Attappady depends heavily on water-carrying tanker lorries, the water situation remains extremely precarious in Eruthempathy, Kozhinjampra and Vadakarapathy grama panchayats of Chittur taluk, where groundwater remains inconsumable due to high fluoride content. The poor allocation of Kerala‘s share from the Aliyar reservoir under the inter-State ParambikulamAliyar Project (PAP) has affected the drinking water supply projects in the three panchayats adversely. The arid regions located close to Pollachi in Tamil Nadu have also been hit by water shortage.

As far as people in the tribal regions of Attappady are concerned, the drinking water situation is showing a little improvement with the construction of make shift check-dams in the Siruvani river using sand bags, ignoring stiff opposition from Tamil Nadu. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/parched-in-states-rice-bowl/article23036310.ece

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Millers condemn Revanthâ€&#x;s allegations on Etela Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, District Rice Millers Association president Bachu Bhaskar termed the allegation as false and said the State government had taken the decision as about 3,000 millers staged a dharna at Indira Park on November 12, 2015.

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By AuthorTelanganaToday | Published: 10th Mar 2018 10:57 pm

Karimnagar: Karimnagar Rice Millers Association condemned Congress leader A Revanth Reddy‘s allegation that Finance and Civil Supplies Minister Etela Rajender enhanced custom milling charges by accepting a bribe from rice millers.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, District Rice Millers Association president Bachu Bhaskar termed the allegation as false and said the State government had taken the decision as about 3,000 millers staged a dharna at Indira Park on November 12, 2015.

All political parties, including TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy, was also extended support for their protest. Realising their demand, the government had taken the decision.

Reacting to another allegation that rice millers were supplying rice to the Civil Supplies Corporation by polishing normal rice into fine rice, he said that there was no such machine in the world to convert normal rice into fine variety ones.

There was no truth in the allegation that Laxman, who was booked under PD Act for illegally transporting rice, was the follower of the Finance Minister. Laxman belongs to Jagityal. The opposition was not interested in continue rice mills in the State, he opined. http://telanganatoday.com/millers-condemn-revanths-allegations-etela

Rice exports up 14 percent in eight months KARACHI: Rice exports from Pakistan have seen sizeable growth of 14 percent in quantity and 27 percent in value during the eight months of the current fiscal year; July 2017-February 2018, Rafique Suleman, senior vice chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) said on Friday.

Sharing the figures, Suleman said this year they exported 2.59 million tons amounting to $1.224 billion, whereas last fiscal year in the same period 2.27 million tons amounting to $.961 million were exported, which shows a growth of 27 percent in value terms and 14 percent in terms of quantity.

He said they had come out of the crisis, which was observed in the last three years.

Due to the coordination of REAP office bearers with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Customs, he said, value of rice export trade was showing improvement which was a good sign for the country.

The senior vice chairman said last month REAP had organised International Buyers Recognition Awards in Dubai, and as a result they observed that rice exports to UAE showed good growth. In eight months of the current fiscal year, more than 100,000 tons of rice amounting to $67 million were exported to UAE.

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Kenya is the largest buyer of Pakistani non-Basmati rice and during eight months of this fiscal year, 323,000 tons of rice, amounting to $118 million, were exported to Kenya.

China came out as the second largest destination for Pakistani non-basmati rice, as 233,000 tons valuing $83 million were exported to the country.

He expressed his gratitude to authorities of Ministry of Commerce for obtaining more benefits for Pakistani rice in the recent negotiations during the 2nd round of Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement which will result into substantial growth in rice exports to China.

Rafique Suleman said the international demand for rice has increased around the globe. He was happy to inform that this year the country had a very good crop in terms of quality and quantity. ―Further, prices of Pakistani rice are comparatively cheaper than our competitors, Thailand, Vietnam etc, which is also in our favour,‖ he said.

Pakistani rice exporters were putting in efforts for fetching valuable foreign exchange for the growth of the economy, he said, and added that they were making a huge investment for installing the world‘s latest rice machinery and most modern technology for value-addition in the commodity. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/290547-rice-exports-up-14-percent-in-eight-months Aerial Tour of California Rice Fields and Lake Oroville Dam! Watch Video by Clickign Next Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMnkMHbFiBo&feature=youtu.be

Webinar: International Rice Outlook 2017-2027, March 15 Posted on March 13, 2018

By Bobby Coats, University of Arkansas Professor of Economics Rice harvest. ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography This week‘s webinar will feature Dr. Alvaro Durand-Morat, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas. He will give an overview of the International Rice Outlook for the next ten years.The International Rice Outlook developed by the Arkansas Global Rice Economics Program contains updated baseline rice projections for U.S. and international rice economies as of January 2018. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the current state and the expected directions of the rice economies in the world by assessing their potential supply and demand paths over the next decade.

Time: March 15, 2018 at 3 p.m. CST Register here.

About the presenter: Dr. Alvaro Durand-Morat is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas. Before joining the University of Arkansas, he was a policy and economic advisor to the rice industry in Argentina. He has a B.S. in agricultural engineering, a M.Sc. degree in agricultural economics, and a Ph.D. in public policy. Dr. Durand-Morat specializes in agricultural trade, grain economics with emphasis on rice, and food policy. https://agfax.com/2018/03/13/webinar-international-rice-outlook-2017-2027-march-15/

Rice Production in Arkansas 72

Rice production reportedly began in Arkansas in 1902 with one acre of rice grown in Lonoke County. However, some historical records suggest that rice was grown in some parts of Arkansas prior to the Civil War. Official state records for rice production have been kept since 1905 for yields, harvested acres, and prices. Rice acreage gradually increased until 1955 when the first government acreage controls stabilized rice production on about 500,000 acres. Marketing quotas were lifted in 1974 and rice acreage increased, reaching a peak in 1981 at 1.54 million harvested acres, which was not surpassed until 1999. The record harvested acreage for Arkansas was achieved in 2010 with 1.785 million acres.

In 2015, Arkansas rice producers harvested 1,286,000 acres and the state average yield of 163 bu/acre (7,340 lb/acre) was the fourth highest on record. Arkansas accounted for 49% of total U.S. rice production and 50% of the total acres planted in 2015. Currently, rice is grown in 40 of the state's 75 counties and ranks as one of the top three crop commodities in cash receipts for Arkansas farmers.

The Arkansas rice-producing area is primarily in the eastern one-half of the state. Rice is also produced in the Arkansas River Valley and in the Ouachita and Red River Valleys in southwest Arkansas. The state latitude range is from about 33° N where Arkansas borders Louisiana in the south to 36° 30´ N along the northern border shared with Missouri. The state longitude ranges from 89° 36´ W where Arkansas borders Tennessee and Mississippi to the east to 94° 36´ W along the western border shared with Oklahoma and Texas.

Rice Production Practices Rice Research and Extension personnel are constantly working to refine and create new recommendations and practices to improve Arkansas rice production.

https://www.uaex.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/rice/

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- March 13, 2018 Reuters Staff Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-March 13, 2018 Nagpur, Mar 13 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on lack of demand from local millers amid high moisture content arrival. Downward trend on NCDEX, easy condition in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and release of stock from stockists also pulled down prices.

About 2,000 bags of gram and 1,700 bags of tuar reported for auction in Nagpur APMC, according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor.

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TUAR * Tuar varieties quoted static in open market here on lack of demand from traders. * Batri dal and watana dal firmed up in open market here on good seasonal demand from local traders. * In Akola, Tuar New – 3,900-4,100, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,300-6,500, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,500-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,200-7,600, Gram – 3,700-3,900, Gram Super best – 5,400-5,800 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in thin trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 3,100-3,510 3,250-3,570 Gram Pink Auction n.a.

2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 3,400-4,040 3,500-4,050 Moong Auction n.a.

3,900-4,200 Udid Auction n.a.

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

2,600-2,800 Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,650-1,700 1,680-1,780 Gram Super Best Bold 5,500-6,000 5,500-6,000 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.

Gram Medium Best 5,150-5,350 5,200-5,400 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 3,650-3,750 3,650-3,750 Desi gram Raw 3,700-3,800 3,700-3,800 Gram Kabuli 12,500-13,100 12,500-13,100 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,600-6,800 6,600-6,800 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 6,200-6,400 6,200-6,400 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,900-6,100 5,900-6,100 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,500-5,800 5,500-5,800 Tuar Gavarani New 4,300-4,400 4,300-4,400 Tuar Karnataka 4,550-4,750 4,550-4,750 Masoor dal best 4,800-5,200 4,800-5,200 Masoor dal medium 4,500-4,700 4,500-4,700 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000 Moong Mogar Medium 6,500-7,000 6,500-7,000 Moong dal Chilka 5,600-6,600 5,600-6,600 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 7,400-7,900 7,400-7,900 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,000-8,500 8,000-8,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,900-6,800 5,900-6,800 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 6,100-6,300 6,100-6,300 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,500 4,800-5,200 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,600-2,700 2,600-2,700 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,450-3,600 3,400-3,500 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,300 4,200-4,300 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,100 2,000-2,100

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Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,000 1,900-2,000 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,150-2,350 2,150-2,350 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,350-2,450 2,350-2,450 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-4,000 3,200-4,000 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,800 2,400-2,800 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,500-4,000 3,500-4,000 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,400 3,000-3,400 Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) 3,500-4,000 3,500-4,000 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,800 2,600-2,800 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500 Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500 Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,800 4,200-4,800 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,200 3,600-4,200 Rice HMT new (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,600 4,200-4,600 Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 4,900-5,500 4,900-5,500 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,600-4,800 4,600-4,800 Rice Shriram new (100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,500 5,000-5,500 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 9,500-14,000 9,500-13,500 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,500 5,000-7,500 Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 6,100-6,500 6,100-6,500 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,900 5,500-5,900 Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,100 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-2,000 1,700-2,000 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 37.0 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 18.7 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 37 and 18 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices)

https://in.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-tillerson-asia/tokyo-bids-farewell-to-trustworthytillerson-seoul-awaits-seasoned-pompeo-idINKCN1GQ0G5

Turkey Tenders to Buy 30,000 Tonnes Rice 13.03.2018 | UkrAgroConsult Turkey's state grain board TMO has issued a series of international tenders to purchase a total 30,000 tonnes of rice, European traders said on Monday. The tenders close on March 30. The TMO had made no purchase in its previous tenders for 41,250 tonnes of rice on March 8 when only one company participated, partly because of a rapid shipment period of March 15 to April 6.Shipment in the new tenders was also

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quick, requested between March 26 to April 16.

The TMO has issued 30 separate tenders of 1,000 tonnes, long grain or calrose medium grain rice is sought.

The TMO reserves the right to purchase 20 percent more or less than the tender volumes.

The TMO has also issued separate tenders for 149,000 tonnes of animal feed corn closing on Tuesday.

Lafayette lady lands in Hollywood - all because of rice Updated: Mar 12, 2018 09:00 PM CDT 281

(The Daily Advertiser) Candy Domengeaux, 43, is a married mother of two from Lafayette, Louisiana. She works for a local agency called the Graham Group, managing the marketing and advertising for Supreme Rice, a milling operation located in Crowley.

Domengeaux leads a relatively simple life - but earlier this month, she found herself in Beverly Hills dancing with Jamie Foxx at a party for the Academy Awards.

So how did this country girl wind up in one of the biggest cities in America, bumping elbows with Hollywood celebrities?

According to her, it all comes down to the power of social media.

"A couple weeks before the Oscars," she explains, "celebrity chef Bryan-David Scottcommented on one of my social media posts and asked to get in touch with me. He wanted information about Supreme Rice, because he never saw a rice brand on Instagram and loved the marketing."

Turns out, he quickly acquired a taste for the product, too.

"He said, 'This is everything I want to use in my dishes,' " Domengeaux says. "He wanted to latch onto a product that was local, family-owned and philanthropic. He loved that about

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Supreme Rice. I sent him some samples, and when he got them, he told me, 'Candy, this rice is truly supreme.' " Scott shared the rice with other celebrity chefs, and immediately, they were hooked.

"He said that he was cooking for some pre-Oscar dinners and wanted to use Supreme Rice. He told me that everyone was raving about it."

And that's when Domengeaux got the invitation of a lifetime.

"Scott told me that he wanted me and the client to come to Beverly Hills as VIPs for a party the Friday night before the Oscars," she says.

Throughout the weekend, Domengeaux indulged in some other festivities, including one of Hollywood's most star-studded bashes - producer Byron Allen's Oscar Gala Viewing Party for the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (the fundraiser raised more than $1.5 million).

"I always loved the Oscars," Domengeaux says. "I have my own viewing parties every year, and it‘s always been a dream of mine to go – it‘s crazy that Supreme Rice got me there."

Not only did it get her there - it landed her on stage next to Jamie Foxx, with whom she was photographed dancing.

"First, we got a selfie," Domengeaux says. "I thought that was the highlight of my night. But after the party was over, I was on the side of the stage, Jamie was dancing to a song, and he reached down, grabbed my hand and pulled me up there."

Photos quickly made rounds on social media, and virtually overnight, Domengeaux's very innocent "dance" with Jamie Foxx was seen around the world.

"I had no idea that paparazzi was there, snapping pictures," she says. "My biggest regret was that I didn't have a bag of Supreme Rice in my hand!"

Copyright 2018 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. http://www.klfy.com/news/local/lafayette-lady-lands-in-hollywood-all-because-ofrice/1034837391

Basmati Rice Market Regional Production, Size, Demand, Sales Growth Analysis 2018 to 2025 March 9, 2018 tanmay@marketinsightsreports.com

Global Basmati Rice Market Professional Survey Report 2018 provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global Basmati Rice sector. The global Basmati Rice market is expected to reach USD XX billion by 2025, from an estimated USD XX billion in 2018, growing at a CAGR of XX% during 2018-2025.

Request sample of the report @ https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/0308297300/basmati-rice-marketreport-by-company-regions-types-and-applications-global-status-and-forecast-to2025/inquiry The report covers the factors impacting the market, Porter 5 Forces, Market Share Analysis, Price trend analysis, Product Benchmarking, and company profiles. Basmati Rice Market is segmented based on the additives such as Indian Basmati Rice, Pakistani Basmati Rice, Kenya Basmati Rice, Other. Further, the market is segmented based on the applications such

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as Direct Edible, Deep Processing. The report segments the geographies by regions, which include North America: United States, Canada and Mexico Europe: Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.

Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam) South America: Brazil etc.

Middle East and Africa: North Africa and GCC Countries.

Sales of Basmati Riceon basis of each region for each year is analyzed in the report. Report provides Basmati Ricemarket size by regions, type and applications. It also provides market share by regions, type and applications.

The Basmati RiceMarket report profiles the following companies, which includes KRBL Limited, Amira Nature Foods, LT Foods, Best Foods, Kohinoor Rice, Aeroplane Rice, Tilda Basmati Rice, Matco Foods, Amar Singh Chawal Wala, Hanuman Rice Mills, Adani Wilmar, HAS Rice Pakistan, Galaxy Rice Mill, Dunar Foods, Sungold. Each major player‘s companies overview, revenue and financial analysis, revenue split by business segment and by geography, recent news are covered in the report.Competitors regional analysis is done where as high, low and medium penetrating regions are analyzed.

Avail Discount on this 146 pages report @ https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/0308297300/basmati-rice-marketreport-by-company-regions-types-and-applications-global-status-and-forecast-to2025/discount Basmati Rice Market Report gives emphases on market dynamics where general trend, Technological Advancement, growth drivers, challenges ahead, market restraints and market opportunities are considered.Report also provides forecast of basis of trends, trade analysis and on other macro-economic factors.

The report gives in depth industry analysis on Basmati Rice. It gives a detailed picture of the Basmati Ricemarket. It helps in visualizing the composition of the Basmati Ricemarket across each indication, in terms of type and applications, highlighting the key commercial assets and players. Report Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change. This study helps in understanding the competitive environment, the market‘s major players and leading brands. The five-year forecasts can help to assess how the market is predicted to develop. This analysis provides a study on the regions that are expected to witness fastest growth during the forecast period. Identify the latest developments, market shares and strategies employed by the major market players by reading complete report @ https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/0308297300/basmati-rice-marketreport-by-company-regions-types-and-applications-global-status-and-forecast-to-2025 There are almost 10 Chapters to deeply display the global Basmati Rice market: Chapter 1 gives Parent Market Synopsis, Basmati Rice Introduction, product scope, market overview.

Chapter 2 gives executive summary and key insights of Basmati Rice market.

Chapter 3 talks about research methodology used for Basmati Rice market study.

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Chapter 4 provides competitors regional and overall analysis with sales, revenue, and price of Basmati Rice in 2017 and 2018.

Chapter 5 will show the global Basmati Rice market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share for year 2017 and 2018.

Chapter 6 analyses the key regions, with sales, revenue and Basmati Rice market share by key countries in these regions.

Chapter 7analysesBasmati Rice market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application from year 2018 to 2025 Chapter 8 gives insights of Basmati Rice market forecast, by regions, type and Application, with sales and revenue from 2018 to 2025.

Chapter 9 briefs us about Basmati Rice sales channel, distributors, traders and dealers.

Chapter 10 talks about Basmati Rice market dynamics with focusing about growth drivers, growth barriers, general trends,Technological Advancement, market challenges ahead, market restraints and opportunities.

About Us: – MarketInsightsReports provides syndicated Market research reports to industries, organizations or even individuals with an aim of helping them in their decision making process. MarketInsightsReports has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. https://businessservices24.com/10798/basmati-rice-market-regional-production-size-demand-salesgrowth-analysis-2018-to-2025/ Auctions mulled for poor stocks 13 Mar 2018 at 06:39 436 viewed0 comments NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS | WRITER: PHUSADEE ARUNMAS An employee inspects pledged rice stored at Sap Kaset Sayam warehouse in...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link:https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1427147/auctions-mulled-for-poor-stocks. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. Š Post Publishing PCL. All rights reserved. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1427147/auctions-mulled-for-poor-stocks

Rice Prices as on : 14-03-2018 11:09:57 AM Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.

Arrivals Current

Price % change

Season cumulative

Modal

Prev.

Modal

Prev.Yr %change

Rice Lakhimpur(UP)

35.00

NC

745.00

2170

2170

NC

79

Sehjanwa(UP)

18.00

-5.26

345.00

2000

2000

-

Dhekiajuli(ASM)

12.50

-26.47

61.50

2100

2200

-8.70

Silapathar(ASM)

7.70

126.47

30.60

2600

2600

-13.33

Dibrugarh(ASM)

6.40

6.67

272.40

2400

2400

6.67

Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP)

4.00

-20

164.50

2240

2250

NC

Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)

2.00

100

54.90

2800

2500

12.00

Khairagarh(UP)

1.20

-20

46.00

2500

2520

-2.72

Jagnair(UP)

1.10

NC

40.60

2500

2520

-1.57

Published on March 14, 2018 https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-prices/article23237279.ece

Rice stock levels continue to drop By: Karl R. Ocampo- @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:09 AM March 12, 2018 The country‘s total rice inventory in February this year continued to dwindle compared to year-ago and month-ago levels, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

Stocks in commercial warehouses, households, and National Food Authority (NFA) depositories were pegged at 1.79 million metric tons. This is 21.8 percent lower than the 2.30 million MT inventory level in February last year, and the January level of 2.29 million MT. Rice stocks inventory for both households and commercial warehouses dipped by 5 percent and 5.74 percent year-on-year, respectively. Current stocks for households are at 1.097 million MT while commercial stocks are at 646,580 MT. Meanwhile, stocks in NFA depositories shrank by a hefty 86.80 percent to 61,400 MT. Of the month‘s total inventory, about 60.58 percent were from households, 36 percent from commercial warehouses, and 3.42 percent from the NFA. The country‘s total rice inventory for the month is sufficient for 53 days.

More than a month since the NFA announced a rice shortage on its part, it has yet to act on measures to replenish its stocks.

NFA spokesperson Rex Estoperez said that while there were many suggestions from lawmakers to shore up the NFA‘s rice supply, one of them by raising the agency‘s palay buying price, the agency could not act without the NFA council‘s approval.

With the absence of subsidized rice in the market, rice prices have climbed for eight straight weeks to the current P39.38 per kilogram for regular milled rice and P43.24 per kilogram for well-milled rice.

Compared to year-ago levels, prices have gone up by 6.15 percent and 3.87 percent, respectively.

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Estoperez said ―rice prices will continue to increase as long as the cheaper NFA rice is not in the market.‖

https://business.inquirer.net/247501/rice-stock-levels-continue-drop

Thailand to auction remaining state stockpiles of rice commerce ministry BANGKOK, March 12 (Reuters) - Thailand plans to offer for sale 2 million tonnes of rice still remaining in state stockpiles next month or in May, the country‘s commerce ministry said on Monday.Thailand‘s military government inherited 18.7 million tonnes of rice stocks built up under the previous government‘s rice subsidy scheme, and has held several auctions since taking power in May 2014. The last auction was in July 2017.―Currently there is constant demand for rice in both domestic and international markets,‖ said Adul Chotinisakorn, director-general of the commerce ministry‘s department of foreign trade.An auction that will be set for next month or May will aim to offload the remaining amount, which includes 40,000 tonnes of rice for human consumption and 2 million tonnes of rice unfit for human or animal consumption and intended for industrial use.

If the amount sold is short of the target, another auction might open in the third quarter this year, Adul said.

Thailand has already exported 2 million tonnes of rice so far in 2018, up 4.17 percent from the same period last year. The amount sold was worth almost $1 billion.

Thailand, the world‘s second-biggest rice exporter after India, aims to export 9.5 million tonnes this year. The country shipped a record 11.63 million tonnes of rice in 2017.

The commerce ministry said Thailand has received rice orders from China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan so far this year.The Thai government will ship 100,000 tonnes of rice on a government-to-government deal with China‘s state-owned trader COFCO Corporation this month or next month, the ministry said.Thailand is planning to participate in a rice tender due out from the Philippines, which is looking to import 250,000 tonnes https://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL3N1QU37J

Rice exports up 14 percent in eight months 81

KARACHI: Rice exports from Pakistan have seen sizeable growth of 14 percent in quantity and 27 percent in value during the eight months of the current fiscal year; July 2017-February 2018, Rafique Suleman, senior vice chairman, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) said on Friday.

Sharing the figures, Suleman said this year they exported 2.59 million tons amounting to $1.224 billion, whereas last fiscal year in the same period 2.27 million tons amounting to $.961 million were exported, which shows a growth of 27 percent in value terms and 14 percent in terms of quantity.

He said they had come out of the crisis, which was observed in the last three years.

Due to the coordination of REAP office bearers with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Customs, he said, value of rice export trade was showing improvement which was a good sign for the country.

The senior vice chairman said last month REAP had organised International Buyers Recognition Awards in Dubai, and as a result they observed that rice exports to UAE showed good growth. In eight months of the current fiscal year, more than 100,000 tons of rice amounting to $67 million were exported to UAE. Kenya is the largest buyer of Pakistani non-Basmati rice and during eight months of this fiscal year, 323,000 tons of rice, amounting to $118 million, were exported to Kenya.

China came out as the second largest destination for Pakistani non-basmati rice, as 233,000 tons valuing $83 million were exported to the country.

He expressed his gratitude to authorities of Ministry of Commerce for obtaining more benefits for Pakistani rice in the recent negotiations during the 2nd round of Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement which will result into substantial growth in rice exports to China.

Rafique Suleman said the international demand for rice has increased around the globe. He was happy to inform that this year the country had a very good crop in terms of quality and quantity. ―Further, prices of Pakistani rice are comparatively cheaper than our competitors, Thailand, Vietnam etc, which is also in our favour,‖ he said.

Pakistani rice exporters were putting in efforts for fetching valuable foreign exchange for the growth of the economy, he said, and added that they were making a huge investment for installing the world‘s latest rice machinery and most modern technology for value-addition in the commodity. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/290547-rice-exports-up-14-percent-in-eight-months

Turkey Tenders to Buy 30,000 Tonnes Rice Posted by Michelle Howard March 12, 2018 © nakornkhai/ Adobe Stock

Turkey's state grain board TMO has issued a series of international tenders to purchase a total 30,000 tonnes of rice, European traders said on Monday.

The tenders close on March 30.

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The TMO had made no purchase in its previous tenders for 41,250 tonnes of rice on March 8 when only one company participated, partly because of a rapid shipment period of March 15 to April 6.

Shipment in the new tenders was also quick, requested between March 26 to April 16.

The TMO has issued 30 separate tenders of 1,000 tonnes, long grain or calrose medium grain rice is sought.

The TMO reserves the right to purchase 20 percent more or less than the tender volumes.

The TMO has also issued separate tenders for 149,000 tonnes of animal feed corn closing on Tuesday. https://www.marinelink.com/news/tenders-turkey-tonnes434951

Adapting to water shortages, Egypt reduces rice cultivation Egypt‟s rice cultivation required about 1.8 billion metres of water in evaporation, transpiration and irrigation every year.

March 11, 2018 Limited resources. Farmers transplant rice seedlings in a paddy field in Qalyub in Egypt‘s ElKalubia governorate. (Reuters) CAIRO - Egypt is reducing cultivation of water-consuming crops, including rice, raising concern about a deterioration of the quality of the country‘s most fertile farmland and fears of increasing food prices and shortages.―By suspending the growing of some crops, we are risking the loss of massive farmland,‖ warned Nader Noureddine, a professor of agriculture and irrigation at Cairo University. ―This will affect the salinity of the soil in some farmland, which will be devastating to the agriculture sector.‖ An average of 1,400 litres of water are used in the production of every kilogram of rice. Egypt used to cultivate 445,000 hectares of farmland with rice, producing 4.4 million tonnes yearly.

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This satisfies local demand (3.8 million tonnes) and leaves the rest for export. Cairo imposed an intermittent rice export ban since 2008 to preserve stocks for domestic markets.

Egypt‘s rice cultivation required about 1.8 billion metres of water in evaporation, transpiration and irrigation every year.

This year, however, agricultural authorities specified 284,100 acres of farmland for rice cultivation. The government threatened to fine farmers who grow rice in areas not specified for crop cultivation and Egypt‘s Supply Ministry has kept in place a rice export ban for the coming harvest.

The Ministry of Irrigation said the drop in rice cultivation space is necessary if Egypt is to ensure that it has sufficient water to cultivate other groups and for domestic use. ―We cannot do anything else in the light of the limited amounts of water we have,‖ Abdelatif Khalid, head of the Irrigation Department at the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, said. ―We have to grow less rice to save the water for other uses.‖ The plan to grow less rice — among other measures — comes amid reports of a potential deal between Cairo, Khartoum and Addis Ababa to end a deadlock over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project. When the hydro-electric dam goes online, it is expected to significantly reduce the amount of water available to Egypt via the Nile, Egypt‘s main source of water.

Egyptian media reported that the expected plan would have seen Egypt accept a deduction of 425 million cubic metres of water out of its annual share of 1.56 billion cubic metres over three years the Renaissance dam reservoir was to be filled.

To make up for the loss of agricultural produce during those years, Egypt would see increased imports offset by Ethiopia.

While it is unclear if this deal is viable following the unexpected resignation of Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, importing certain crops could be less costly for Egypt than growing them, particularly water-consuming produce, at home. ―Egypt is water-poor already and it cannot keep growing crops that need huge amounts of water,‖ Khalid said. ―Growing crops like rice and exporting it is akin to exporting water, which should not be allowed for a country like Egypt.‖ Egypt suffers an annual deficit of more than 566 million cubic metres of water. The filling of the Ethiopian Renaissance dam will create greater water shortages.

Suspending the cultivation of water-consuming crops is only one of a series of measures Egypt is taking. Cairo is spending billions of dollars on building seawater desalination projects and establishing sewage treatment plants.

The government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has a plan to establish 100,000 greenhouses to produce major vegetables and fruit yields utilising comparably small amounts of water.

Agriculture consumes more than 80% of Egypt‘s water resources and experts said the country must institute strict measures to cope with increasingly severe water shortages. ―We have to economise on our water consumption or we will not be able to produce food for this growing population,‖ said Gamal Seyam, a professor of agricultural economics at Cairo University.

Egypt‘s population, now 96 million, is expected to grow by about 55 million by 2050.

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―Suspending the cultivation of rice will destroy large swaths of farmland in the Nile Delta, the most fertile in this country,‖ Noureddine said. ―Increased salinity will mean that the farmland will be destroyed forever and in an irreversible way.‖ https://thearabweekly.com/adapting-water-shortages-egypt-reduces-rice-cultivation

Namibian flagship rice project may suffer yield losses due to flood Source: Xinhua 2018-03-12 21:33:46 WINDHOEK, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's flagship Kalimbeza Green Scheme Irrigation Project in the northeastern part of the country may suffer major losses as flood reduces its IRGA medium rice variety yields, said Matengu Simataa, an official at the project on Monday.

Namibia's Meteorological Services predicts that the Zambezi River will continue to rise, leaving surrounding communities more prone to flooding, including Kalimbeza.

According to Simataa, due to flooding, the rice yields for medium grain rice variety is anticipated to be poor this year, compared to the two previous years.

"Some of the rice has been submerged and under water; leading to massive damage. Some of the grains have changed its color to black. The project may not therefore harvest the targeted metric tonnes of rice as expected," he said.

To prevent further losses, the project has since deployed casual workers to harvest the unspoiled rice in the flooded plains.

"Flooding has made it difficult to harvest the rice with machinery, thus we have resorted to hiring casual workers to harvest to prevent further wastage of the rice if not harvested. However, the casual workers can also only do it within reach," he said.

After planting medium grain rice variety on 47 hectares of land, the project will have to harvest rice covering 22 hectares of land, according to Simataa.

Meanwhile, he said that other rice varieties including the Supa long rice are not at risk due to its ability to sustain and resist high water levels.

Kalimbeza rice, commercialized in 2014, has been farming with Angola Basmati, Supa long rice varieties and IRGA (medium grain) since 2007.

Kalimbeza rice project is one of the ventures benefitting from an agreement on South to South Cooperation signed between China and Namibia. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-03/12/c_137034151.htm

Rice Farmers Pull Out Of RIFAN Loan Over Alleged Shady Deals A massive rice farm.

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Rice Farmers‘ Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Zaria Local Government chapter, said on Monday that it had withdrawn from the Federal Government‘s RIFAN loan scheme due to alleged shady deals.

The Chairman, Malam Mohammed Lawal-Jibril, made the disclosure while addressing Journalists in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The Federal Government, in collaboration with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had introduced the RIFAN loan scheme to boost rice production and make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production.

Lawal-Jibril said his members pulled out of the scheme because it was not designed to assist the poor farmers, instead, it was meant to enrich some few individuals outside the business.

The chairman lauded the efforts of the Federal Government and the (CBN) for initiating the scheme.

He, however, said the entire scheme was hijacked by some selfish individuals, who were now exploiting the opportunity to their advantage at the expense of genuine farmers. ―Fertiliser was sold at N5,500 government approved price; but why should rice farmers pay N8,500 for a bag? ―If it cannot be subsidised below N5,500 why not give it to us at government price. ―In a similar vein, the prices of sprayer, seeds, chemicals and all other tools are inflated. Apart from that, harrowing, planting and harvest per hectare were all inflated because it is going to done by somebody not the farmer himself. ―Therefore, RIFAN Zaria chapter is pulling out of this scheme because of some shady deals there; there are some regulations that are detrimental to farmers and farming business. ―We have carefully examined the scheme and realised that a farmer will eventually gain nothing at the end of the programme,‖ he said.

The chairman said that at the initial stage, they were told something different but when things unfolded, they saw something different from what they were told.

He recalled that when the RIFAN Chairman in Kaduna State, Alhaji Junaidu Zubairu-BirninDaji visited Zaria, he publicly admitted that the scheme had encountered some problems Lawal-Jibril said the state chairman, however, pledged to bring sanity into the scheme with a view to correcting the scheme for the good of both individual farmer and the entire society.

He wondered how a farmer could benefit from a scheme where all the farming activities would be done by separate companies on his farmland?

He advised the Federal Government to urgently re-visit the scheme in order to make necessary corrections to enable the progrmme record the desired success.

When contacted, the RIFAN Chairman in Kaduna State, Alhaji Junaidu Zubairu-Birnin-Daji, debunked the allegation, saying that Zaria chapter needed to be given money instead of farming inputs. ―They are not real farmers, they want us to give them money not the inputs. If you are a real farmer and you are given the farming inputs, all you have to do is to go ahead and continue with the business. ―However, on the issue of harrowing, ploughing and ridging, this is where they should have emphasised because N10,000 is set aside for each of these per hectare.

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―We arrived at this after estimating how much will be spent to cultivate a hectare of land,‖ he said.

On farmers benefits after the exercise, the chairman said it was expected that the water pump machines, sprayers and other tools would still be useful to the farmer because they were not to be refunded. https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/03/12/rice-farmers-pull-out-of-fgs-rifan-loan-over-alleged-shadydeals/

UPDATE 1-Iraq makes no purchase after talks on U.S. wheat and rice AM ET Mon, 12 March 2018Reuters

(Adds details, quotes) DUBAI/HAMBURG, March 12 (Reuters) - Iraq's trade ministry failed to seal a deal for U.S.origin rice and wheat, in what would have been its second direct purchase outside the formal tender process in less than a year, because prices were too high, trade sources said on Monday.

Iraq's cabinet authorized the ministry of trade last May to make direct purchases of wheat and rice to guarantee food security.

In recent talks with the United States, Iraq had sought to buy at least 30,000 tonnes of U.S.origin long grain rice and 50,000 tonnes of U.S. wheat, trade sources said.

ADM made offers for 30,000 tonnes of rice at $759 a tonne cost, insurance and freight and 50,000 tonnes of wheat at $348.59 a tonne CIF, but the trade ministry viewed the prices to be too high, the sources said.

"The Trade Ministry is free to have talks with all wheat suppliers and it is normal to switch to other alternates in case we were offered higher than acceptable wheat prices," one trade ministry source, who declined to be named, told Reuters.

In November, Iraq bought 500,000 tonnes of wheat and 90,000 tonnes of rice of U.S. origin in direct deals outside the tender process after signing a memorandum of understanding with the United States late last year for the supply of grains.

The rice was purchased from ADM and the wheat from Cargill, ADM and an unnamed third firm.

On Sunday Iraq announced an international purchase tender for at least 50,000 tonnes of wheat of U.S., Australian and Canadian origin.

"The U.S. invite has fallen through and that's why they issued a new global tender," one Middle East trading source said.

The Middle East buyer had been struggling to import the grains for its food subsidy program after introducing new payment and quality terms that kept traders away from its international tenders earlier this year.

"U.S. origins are not the cheapest at the moment and a direct deal with the U.S. would have been more expensive than a tender including several origins," one European trader said. (Reporting by Maha El Dahan and Michael Hogan, editing by Louise Heavens and Susan Fenton) https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/12/reuters-america-update-1-iraq-makes-nopurchase-after-talks-on-u-s-wheat-and-rice.html

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Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- March 14, 2018 Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-March 14, 2018 Nagpur, Mar 14 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices moved down again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on poor demand from local millers amid good supply from producing regions. Fresh fall in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and high moisture content arrival also affected prices.

About 1,600 bags of gram and 2,300 bags of tuar reported for auction in Nagpur APMC, according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Desi gram raw reported higher in open market here on renewed seasonal demand from local traders.

TUAR * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor. * Rice Shriram varieties firmed up in open market here on good seasonal demand from local traders. * In Akola, Tuar New – 3,900-4,100, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,300-6,500, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,500-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,200-7,600, Gram – 3,700-3,900, Gram Super best – 5,400-5,800 * Wheat, other varieties of rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 3,100-3,490 3,250-3,530 Gram Pink Auction n.a.

2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 3,500-3,950 3,500-4,050 Moong Auction n.a.

3,900-4,200 Udid Auction n.a.

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

2,600-2,800 Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,650-1,700 1,680-1,780 Gram Super Best Bold 5,500-6,000 5,500-6,000 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.

Gram Medium Best 5,150-5,350 5,200-5,400 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 3,650-3,750 3,650-3,750 Desi gram Raw 3,750-3,850 3,700-3,800 Gram Kabuli 12,500-13,100 12,500-13,100 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,600-6,800 6,600-6,800 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 6,200-6,400 6,200-6,400 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,900-6,100 5,900-6,100

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Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,500-5,800 5,500-5,800 Tuar Gavarani New 4,300-4,400 4,300-4,400 Tuar Karnataka 4,550-4,750 4,550-4,750 Masoor dal best 4,800-5,200 4,800-5,200 Masoor dal medium 4,500-4,700 4,500-4,700 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000 Moong Mogar Medium 6,500-7,000 6,500-7,000 Moong dal Chilka 5,600-6,600 5,600-6,600 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 7,400-7,900 7,400-7,900 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,000-8,500 8,000-8,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,900-6,800 5,900-6,800 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 6,100-6,300 6,100-6,300 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,500 5,000-5,500 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,600-2,700 2,600-2,700 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,450-3,600 3,450-3,600 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,300 4,200-4,300 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,100 2,000-2,100 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,000 1,900-2,000 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,150-2,350 2,150-2,350 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,350-2,450 2,350-2,450 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-4,000 3,200-4,000 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,800 2,400-2,800 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,500-4,000 3,500-4,000 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,400 3,000-3,400 Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) 3,500-4,000 3,500-4,000 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,800 2,600-2,800 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500 Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500 Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,800 4,200-4,800 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,200 3,600-4,200 Rice HMT new (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,600 4,200-4,600 Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,600 4,900-5,500 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,700-4,900 4,600-4,800 Rice Shriram new (100 INR/KG) 5,100-5,600 5,000-5,500 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 9,500-14,000 9,500-13,500 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,500 5,000-7,500 Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 6,100-6,500 6,100-6,500 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,900 5,500-5,900 Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,100 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-2,000 1,700-2,000 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 38.5 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 20.1 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 38 and 20 degree Celsius respectively.

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Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices)

https://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-march-14-2018idINL3N1QW3K4

UPDATE 1-Iraq makes no purchase after talks on U.S. wheat and rice Published 36 Mins AgoReuters

(Adds details, quotes) DUBAI/HAMBURG, March 12 (Reuters) - Iraq's trade ministry failed to seal a deal for U.S.origin rice and wheat, in what would have been its second direct purchase outside the formal tender process in less than a year, because prices were too high, trade sources said on Monday.

Iraq's cabinet authorized the ministry of trade last May to make direct purchases of wheat and rice to guarantee food security.

In recent talks with the United States, Iraq had sought to buy at least 30,000 tonnes of U.S.origin long grain rice and 50,000 tonnes of U.S. wheat, trade sources said.

ADM made offers for 30,000 tonnes of rice at $759 a tonne cost, insurance and freight and 50,000 tonnes of wheat at $348.59 a tonne CIF, but the trade ministry viewed the prices to be too high, the sources said.

"The Trade Ministry is free to have talks with all wheat suppliers and it is normal to switch to other alternates in case we were offered higher than acceptable wheat prices," one trade ministry source, who declined to be named, told Reuters.

In November, Iraq bought 500,000 tonnes of wheat and 90,000 tonnes of rice of U.S. origin in direct deals outside the tender process after signing a memorandum of understanding with the United States late last year for the supply of grains.

The rice was purchased from ADM and the wheat from Cargill, ADM and an unnamed third firm.

On Sunday Iraq announced an international purchase tender for at least 50,000 tonnes of wheat of U.S., Australian and Canadian origin.

"The U.S. invite has fallen through and that's why they issued a new global tender," one Middle East trading source said.

The Middle East buyer had been struggling to import the grains for its food subsidy program after introducing new payment and quality terms that kept traders away from its international tenders earlier this year.

"U.S. origins are not the cheapest at the moment and a direct deal with the U.S. would have been more expensive than a tender including several origins," one European trader said. (Reporting by Maha El Dahan and Michael Hogan, editing by Louise Heavens and Susan Fenton) https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/12/reuters-america-update-1-iraq-makes-no-purchase-after-talks-on-u-s-wheat-andrice.html.

Japonica to become Việt Nam‘s leading export rice Update: March, 12/2018 - 15:30 In 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development expects the country to export 6.5 million tonnes of rice. — Photo alogao.com.vn

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Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Japonica rice is set to become one of the main export rice categories of Việt Nam in the coming time, according to the Việt Nam Food Association (VFA).

This variety earlier accounted for a small share of the rice export structure, but it has grown significantly over the past year, comprising 4.4 per cent of rice export by 2017, said the VFA. The variety and quality of Việt Nam‘s export rice has changed dramatically in recent years. Fragrant rice has witnessed a dramatic growth from 6.6 per cent in 2011 to 23.5 per cent in 2017. In addition, sticky rice exports have witnessed the same growth during the same period.

According to VFA, this is a positive trend as it will gradually reduce low-grade rice and enable the switch to high-quality rice, improving the efficiency of rice production and export business.

Last year, Việt Nam earned US$2.6 billion by exporting 5.8 million tonnes of rice.

In 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development expects the country to export 6.5 million tonnes of rice. — VNS http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/424197/japonica-to-become-viet-nams-leading-export-rice.html#TyJLfUjoKi62Ol1

Rice stock levels continue to drop By: Karl R. Ocampo- @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:09 AM March 12, 2018 The country‘s total rice inventory in February this year continued to dwindle compared to year-ago and month-ago levels, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.Stocks in commercial warehouses, households, and National Food Authority (NFA) depositories were pegged at 1.79 million metric tons. This is 21.8 percent lower than the 2.30 million MT inventory level in February last year, and the January level of 2.29 million MT. Rice stocks inventory for both households and commercial warehouses dipped by 5 percent and 5.74 percent year-on-year, respectively. Current stocks for households are at 1.097 million MT while commercial stocks are at 646,580 MT. Meanwhile, stocks in NFA depositories shrank by a hefty 86.80 percent to 61,400 MT. Of the month‘s total inventory, about 60.58 percent were from households, 36 percent from commercial warehouses, and 3.42 percent from the NFA. The country‘s total rice inventory for the month is sufficient for 53 days.

More than a month since the NFA announced a rice shortage on its part, it has yet to act on measures to replenish its stocks.

NFA spokesperson Rex Estoperez said that while there were many suggestions from lawmakers to shore up the NFA‘s rice supply, one of them by raising the agency‘s palay buying price, the agency could not act without the NFA council‘s approval.

With the absence of subsidized rice in the market, rice prices have climbed for eight straight weeks to the current P39.38 per kilogram for regular milled rice and P43.24 per kilogram for well-milled rice.

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Compared to year-ago levels, prices have gone up by 6.15 percent and 3.87 percent, respectively.

Estoperez said ―rice prices will continue to increase as long as the cheaper NFA rice is not in the market.‖

http://business.inquirer.net/247501/rice-stock-levels-continue-drop#ixzz59iloPnkt

Global Basmati Rice Market 2018 Research, Industry Trends, Supply, Sales, Demands, Analysis & Insights March 10, 2018 - by pr@letsbrandconsultancy.com

MarketResearchNest.com adds ―Global Basmati Rice Market Research Report 2018‖ new report to its research database. The report spread across 118 pages with multiple tables and figures in it.

Global Basmati Rice Market Research Nest 2018 offers a comprehensive study on Basmati Rice Industry including the current Basmati Rice market trends and market status. Global Basmati Rice Market 2018 Research refines essential aspects of the Basmati Rice market and presents them within the form of a united and all-inclusive document. Worldwide Basmati Rice market report focuses on the top leading manufacturers industry.

Browse full table of contents and data tables athttps://www.marketresearchnest.com/GlobalBasmati-Rice-Market-Research-Report-2018.html Major players in the market are identified through secondary research and their market revenues determined through primary and secondary research. The major players in Global Basmati Rice market include KRBL Limited, Amira Nature Foods, LT Foods, Best Foods, Kohinoor Rice, Aeroplane Rice, Tilda Basmati Rice, Matco Foods, Amar Singh Chawal Wala, Hanuman Rice Mills, Adani Wilmar, HAS Rice Pakistan, Galaxy Rice Mill, Dunar Foods, Sungold.

Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Basmati Rice in these regions, from 2012 to 2023 (forecast), covering North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, India.

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A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent market Important changes in market dynamics Market segmentation up to the second or third level Historical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volume Reporting and evaluation of recent industry developments Market shares and strategies of key players Global Basmati Rice niche segments and regional markets An objective assessment of the trajectory of the market

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9. Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the market

Request a sample copy athttps://www.marketresearchnest.com/report/requestsample/319332 On the basis of product, the Basmati Rice market is primarily split into 1. Indian Basmati Rice 2. Pakistani Basmati Rice 3. Kenya Basmati Rice

On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption, market share and growth rate of Basmati Rice for each application, including: 1. Direct Edible 2. Deep Processing.

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How is the Global Basmati Rice market evolving?

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At what stage of development are the key Basmati Rice? Are there any planned, existing or successful demonstration and pilot projects going?

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5. What key challenges do Global Basmati Rice have to overcome to become fully commercially viable? Is their development and commercialization dependent on cost reductions or seeks technological/application wise breakthroughs?

6. What is the outlook for key Global Basmati Rice?

7. What difference does performance characteristics of Basmati Rice creates from those of established entities?

8. Which companies, organizations are involved with Global Basmati Rice growth story?

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https://www.satprnews.com/2018/03/10/global-basmati-rice-market-2018-research-industry-trendssupply-sales-demands-analysis-insights/

Three new varieties of rice to boost Bengal's paddy production Team MP | 11 March 2018 11:53 PM Kolkata: Scientists of the state Agriculture department have discovered three new varieties of rice, which will ensure further increase in paddy production in Bengal. The scientists of the department, who are posted in its different research institutes, had been working for a period of time on it. The three new varieties of rice that the people of Bengal are going to get soon in the market are Bhupesh, Rajdip and Dhruba. The production of these varieties has already been started in some places, following necessary tests by the department's scientists.

Asish Banerjee, the state Agriculture minister, said: "All the three varieties of rice will ensure further increase in paddy production in the state." The state Agriculture department has chalked out an elaborate plan to ensure that all the three varieties are produced in the entire state. The varieties of aromatic flavor will further increase demand of rice from Bengal. This comes at the time when the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has written to the state Food and Supplies department to supply rice for distribution in three states – Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Jharkhand.

According to experts, the demand was made as Bengal is the highest producer of rice in the country and several varieties of rice are cultivated here. Moreover, production has increased in the past few years, with several steps being taken by the Mamata Banerjee government. Besides organising training programmes for farmers, tools required for agriculture were also distributed among them. The new varieties of rice will be cultivated across the state and the production will increase manifold, which will be beneficial for the farmers.

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At the same time, a new variety of jute has also been discovered by scientists of the state Agriculture department. The name of the new variety of jute is ARO 4 and cultivating this variety of the crop will help farmers make some profit as its production is comparatively lesser.

It may be recalled that the state Agriculture department has also taken a major step to utilise its land, which remained unused for the most part of a year and sought suggestions of scientists who are working in the field of agriculture. http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/three-new-varieties-of-rice-to-boost-bengals-paddy-production289031

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