12th september,2014 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine by DAILY RICE NEWS LETTER

12th September , 2014

Chinese COLOR SORTER as low as Pak Rs 22 Lakh Only A Time Limited Offer Contact: Cell: 0300 414 3493

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Customs generates P393.13-M from rice auction India notifies farm subsidies to WTO, claims no breach of limits Mizoram to import rice from Myanmar Rice supply remains stable in SurSur Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Sep 12 Standing crops, orchards spread over 200,000 acres of land damaged in Punjab Market Check: Japan - Facebook Growth and New Retail Distribution Weekly Rice Sales, Exports Reported Japan Announces Results of 2nd Ordinary Import Tender in FY2014 Pakistan offers one of world’s best investment regimes: envoy TABLE-Weekly update on India's summer crop planting Price control, rice, export growth among urgent tasks for new minister Meet a scientist: Dr. Rolfe Bryant Boro rice, paddy procurement period extended for one month U.N.'S FOOD PRICE INDEX DROPS TO FOUR-YEAR LOW Unusual host preference of a moth species could be useful for biological control What’s NEW in RICE research?-News shared by PHILIPPINE RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (PhilRice) Newsshare by Ricegrowers' Association of Australia

NEWS DETAILS: Customs generates P393.13-M from rice auction September 12, 2014 5:06pm The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Friday said it generated P393.13 million in revenues – its highest earnings generated via public auction – from the sale of rice seized late last year.The sale of the seized rice – totaling 315 container vans stored inside the Manila International Container Port (MICP) yard – will also help reduce

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congestion inside the country‘s largest port.The BOC-MICP Collection District sold about 163,775 sacks of rice through a public auction on Thursday, the agency said in an e-mailed statement Friday.BOC-MICP District Collector Elmir Dela Cruz said the sale was 31 percent higher than the minimum floor price of P299.69 million initially set. ―We are pleased with the outcome of the auction which we conducted with utmost care and consideration for transparency, accountability and compliance with policies and procedures," Glutinous (malagkit) rice was sold at an average price of P56.93 per kilogram, while white rice was sold as an average of P36.10 per kilogram.From a total of 16 bidders, three won the bidding for 4,679 metric tons (MT) of glutinous rice and 3,510 MT of white rice in eight lots.Four lots were won by Sta. Rosa Farm, three by Victor Del Rosario and one by LOM Marketing. The winning bidders paid 50 percent of the bid price at the close of the auction and were required to pay the remaining balance Friday.The rice was seized from Bold Bidder Marketing and San Carlos Multi Purpose Cooperative from October to November 2013 for lack of required import permits from the National Food Authority (NFA), which was subsequently forfeited in favor of the government. Under the law, all importations of rice require import permits from the NFA, which regulates quotas to ensure fair competition and the viability of the local rice industry.But lawyers representing Bold Bidder and Jade Bros. Farm and Livestock, who were accompanied by Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) representatives, served a 20-day temporary restraining order against the sale of the seized rice during the auction.In a two-page resolution signed by Associate Justices Lovell Bautista and Esperanza Fabon-Victorino dated September 11, the CTA‘s Third Division barred BOC from auctioning the rice shipment of Jade Bros. to prevent ―irreparable injury‖ on the petitioner while the case is still being heard.But the basis invoked by the rice traders is now moot and academic, Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla said in the same statement. "We have always maintained that all imported rice without valid NFA permits is illegal and now that the World Trade Organization has allowed the Philippines to keep imposing quotas on rice imports, this policy should be very clear by now to all rice importers,‖ he said.Proceeds from the auction will be held in trust by the BOC since the rice is still subject of on-going cases in the CTA. – Danessa O. Rivera/VS, GMA News

India notifies farm subsidies to WTO, claims no breach of limits Trade minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters on Wednesday she hoped that a permanent solution on the food subsidies issue will be simultaneously implemented with the TFA. Photo: PTI New Delhi: Ahead of

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resumption of negotiations in Geneva to end the stalemate over the Bali agreement, India has notified its farm subsidies for six years from 2004-05 to 2010-11 to the World Trade Organization (WTO). India claims that it has not breached the permissible subsidy levels under WTO rules. India had not notified its farm subsidies to the WTO since 2003-04; updating the information is expected to help it answer rich nations‘ complaints that it doesn‘t comply with WTO notification requirements, a significant move even as it fights for a permanent solution on food subsidies. As per the notification, in 2010-11, India‘s aggregate measurement of support (AMS) for rice, or subsidy for procurement of rice, has been calculated at $2.3 billion. WTO rules allow such subsidy to be within 10% of the total value of paddy produced in the country. Without revealing the total production figure, India has indicated to the WTO that its subsidy for rice is within the prescribed limit. The commerce ministry had earlier communicated unofficially that its AMS for rice was around 7% of the total value of paddy produced in 2010-11. India‘s subsidies for wheat remained in the negative, against the prescribed limit of 10%. Under WTO rules, the domestic price support is calculated as the difference between the fixed external reference price prevailing between 1986-88 and the minimum support price (MSP) provided by the Indian government. India announces MSP for as many as 23 crops but the subsidy is largely restricted to paddy and wheat, where the amount of government procurement is huge. As the government keeps increasing the MSP every year, the market-distorting subsidy limit according to WTO rules keeps increasing, too, thus threatening to breach the 10% cap prescribed by it. Developing countries including India argue that the reference period of 1986-88 is outdated and that they need to be given flexibility to stock enough grains for the food security of millions of their poor. At Bali in December 2013, developed countries agreed to find a permanent solution to this issue by 2017, until which time member countries would not be able to challenge poor and developing countries through the WTO dispute settlement mechanism if they breached the 10% cap. Experts believe India‘s farm subsidy calculations may be contested by developed countries. ―India‘s subsidy notifications will be minutely scrutinised and debated. According to some estimates, India‘s paddy subsidies are around 24% of the total value of paddy produced, well above the prescribed 10% limit,‖ Devinder Sharma, a food and trade policy analyst, said. India also notified to the WTO that its permissible farm subsidies which are exempt from reduction commitments went up to $56.1 billion in 2010-11 from $16.9 billion in 2004-05. In comparison, the farm subsidies of the US in 2009, the latest year for which it has notified data to the WTO, stood at $101 billion. India‘s input subsidies which include fertiliser and electricity subsidies almost tripled during the notification period, from $10.3 billion in 2004-05 to $29.1 billion in 20010-11. India also informed the WTO that the farm

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loan waiver including provision of loan at concessional rates rolled out by the United Progressive Alliance government in 2007-08 amounted to $13.3 billion. After the National Democratic Alliance government came to power in May, India hardened its stand on the food subsidies issue and delayed implementing the trade facilitation agreement (TFA) in July that aims to streamline goods movement across international borders. It wants a permanent solution to the food subsidy issue to be implemented simultaneously with the TFA with the latter expected to benefit developed countries more than developing ones. Following a month-long summer break, the WTO has resumed its work in Geneva. WTO director general Roberto Azevêdo has called a head of delegation meeting on 15 September to chart out the future course of action. WTO spokersperson Keith Rockwell said in an e-mail that Azevêdo had asked members in July to pause and reflect during the summer break on what should be the way forward. ―On the 15th, the DG will ask members to share their reflections with the wider membership. In the meantime, the negotiating group chairs have already begun their consultations and will continue them throughout the month,‖ he wrote. On Wednesday, India‘s trade minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters that India‘s stand is now much more appreciated by WTO members and she is hopeful that a permanent solution on food subsidies issue will be simultaneously implemented with the TFA.

Image: Trade minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters on Wednesday she hoped that a permanent solution on the food subsidies issue will be simultaneously implemented with the TFA. Photo: PTI

Mizoram to import rice from Myanmar Aizawl, Sep 12 (PTI) Mizoram would import rice from Myanmar to ensure supply of the foodstuff during the 'mega block' beginning from October due to widening of railroad between Lumding and Badarpur in Assam, state Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister John Rotluangliana said here today.Rotluangliana said the widening of the railroad was proposed to be completed by March 2015 but might be delayed

Rice supply remains stable in SurSur Friday 12th of September 2014 TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 12 (PIA) – As the National Food Authority (NFA) provincial office here headed by manager Gleen Echin gears up for the joint 20th Regional Anniversary celebration on September 26 that will be held in Siargao Island for the first time with the theme ―Bigas ng NFA Para sa Taumbayan,‖ it was assured that the rice supply in Surigao del Sur remains stable.To date, Echin said that they

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have a total of about 57,000 bags of buffer rice stocks in all of their three warehouses located in Cantilan and the two cities of Tandag and Bislig.Meanwhile, she stressed that commercial rice are currently priced between P43-P44 per kilo, the same price range that was noted early last month that posted a P1.00 drop in retail price per kilo after shooting up to P45 per kilo or more for sometime based on NFA regular daily price monitoring.H owever, NFA rice still carries the same price tag of P27 and P32 per kilo, respectively, for the regular and wellmilled, it was learned.In a related development, the said agency here has already set up 26 Bigasan Sa Palengke (BSP) province-wide so far, Echin told. On the contrary, she pointed out that a total of five BSP were meted out perpetual disqualification as NFA accredited outlets due to violation of the Deed of Undertaking (DOU), citing those doing business in the towns of Marihatag, San Agustin, San Miguel, Cantilan, and in Barangay Aras-Asan in Cagwait. (NGBT/Greg Tataro Jr., Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Sep 12 Fri Sep 12, 2014 3:44pm IST Nagpur, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Gram prices in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committmee (APMC) declined sharply on lack of demand from local millers amid profit-taking selling by stockists at higher level. Easy condition on NCDEX and downward trend in Madhya Pradesh gram prices also pushed down gram prices in weak trading activity, according to sources. *

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram Kabuli recovered strongly in open market on renewed festival season demand from local traders amid tight overseas arrival. TUAR * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here matching the demand and supply position. * Moong Mogar bold firmed up in open market here on increased seasonal demand from local traders amid weak supply from producing regions. * In Akola, Tuar - 5,000-5,200, Tuar dal - 6,900-7,100, Udid at 7,200-7,300, Udid Mogar (clean) - 8,000-8,500, Moong - 7,200-7,600, Moong Mogar (clean) 8,700-9,400, Gram - 2,700-2,900, Gram Super best bold - 3,800-4,000 for 100 kg. * Wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market in thin trading activity, according to sources.

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Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 2,200-2,740 2,200-2,840 Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction n.a. 4,410-5,140 Moong Auction n.a. 5,200-5,500 Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500 Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800 Gram Super Best Bold 3,900-4,200 3,900-4,200 Gram Super Best n.a. Gram Medium Best 3,700-3,800 3,700-3,800 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a. Gram Mill Quality 3,500-3,600 3,500-3,600 Desi gram Raw 2,850-2,950 2,850-2,950 Gram Filter new 3,600-3,800 3,600-3,800 Gram Kabuli 8,400-9,700 8,200-9,700 Gram Pink 7,200-7,400 7,200-7,400 Tuar Fataka Best 7,400-7,500 7,400-7,500 Tuar Fataka Medium 7,100-7,300 7,100-7,300 Tuar Dal Best Phod 6,700-6,900 6,700-6,900 Tuar Dal Medium phod 6,500-6,600 6,500-6,600 Tuar Gavarani 5,150-5,250 5,150-5,250 Tuar Karnataka 5,300-5,400 5,300-5,400 Tuar Black 8,200-8,500 8,200-8,500 Masoor dal best 6,600-6,700 6,600-6,700 Masoor dal medium 6,300-6,450 6,300-6,450 Masoor n.a. n.a. Moong Mogar bold 9,200-10,000 9,000-10,000 Moong Mogar Medium best 8,500-8,800 8,500-8,800 Moong dal super best 7,800-7,900 7,800-7,900 Moong dal Chilka 7,700-7,900 7,700-7,900 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a. Moong Chamki best 8,000-9,000 8,000-9,000 Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 8,500-8,800 8,500-8,800 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,400-8,000 7,400-8,000 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 6,900-7,300 6,800-7,200 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,000-5,000 4,000-5,000 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,800-3,100 2,800-3,100 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,250-3,450 3,250-3,450 Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,250-3,350 3,250-3,350

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Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,900 4,400-4,900 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,200-1,500 1,200-1,500 Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,625-1,700 1,625-1,700 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,300-1,500 1,300-1,500 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,450 2,100-2,450 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,850-2,000 1,850-2,000 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a. MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,200 2,800-3,200 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,350 1,950-2,350 Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG) 1,200-1,300 1,200-1,300 Wheat Best (100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,800 1,500-1,800 Rice BPT (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,500 3,000-3,500 Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 1,800-2,000 1,800-2,000 Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700 Rice HMT (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,200 4,000-4,200 Rice HMT Shriram (100 INR/KG) 4,900-5,500 4,900-5,500 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,500-13,500 10,500-13,500 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,300-10,000 7,300-10,000 Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG) 5,400-5,700 5,400-5,700 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,600 1,400-1,600 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,800 1,700-1,800 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 29.5 degree Celsius (85.1 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp. 22.3 degree Celsius (72.1 degree Fahrenheit) Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a. Rainfall : 42.4 mm FORECAST: Cloudy sky. Rains may occur. Maximum and Minimum temperature likely to be around 32 and 23 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)

Standing crops, orchards spread over 200,000 acres of land damaged in Punjab Friday, September-12-2014 The ongoing floods in various parts of Punjab have so far damaged standing crops and orchards standing over 200,000 acres of land impacting cotton, rice, sugarcane and other commodities, it has been learnt.Sources in the

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Punjab Agriculture Department (PAD) told Business Recorder here on Thursday that confirmed figures, however, would be made public after all the flood-hit districts constitute committees comprising officials from revenue, agriculture and other departments for surveying the affected villages. 'Administration of all the districts hit by floods have been asked to constitute these committees at the earliest for notifying the calamity hit villages and preparing a final report of loss of crops, livestock, houses and lives for submission to the provincial revenue board,' the sources added. They said that keeping in view the damages and finalisation of the reports by survey committee a package for support of the flood-hit areas will be announced by the government. They said survey in Gujranwala district had been started and hopefully would be completed within a week. Agri Forum Pakistan Chairman Dr Muhammad Ibrahim Mughal said that information reached to him through office-bearers of his organisation from different flood-hit areas revealed that sugarcane crop standing over 70,000 acre had been damaged by the present flood. It had also damaged paddy standing over 130,000 acres, cotton over 60,000 acres, vegetables, fodder and fruits also hit over 30,000 acres of land accumulatively.Similarly, he claimed that from 700 to 800 poultry farms and around 7,000 cattle heads had been disappeared from various flood-hit areas. He said the recent flood had caused a loss of Rs 50 to 60 billion to the agricultural sector. Throwing light upon the reason, Mughal said that quantum of water was not that much as compared to the losses caused to the agriculture sector, just because the money allocated for repair and cleanliness of canals and other irrigation infrastructure was misused by the Irrigation Staff. He alleged that Irrigation Staff had allowed the people to carry out farming in the river beds and even people from bureaucracy were using river areas for farming and earning money. He said the loss could have been far less if this water had a smooth running. Agri Forum Pakistan urged the government to carry out accountability of irrigation, flood control and disaster management departments for avoiding such huge loss in future. He said that maintenance and repair of canals should not be carried out by the irrigation department rather this should be given to FWO to ensure proper usage of money. He said the situation had once again highlighted the need of construction of small and large dams in the country. Meanwhile Kisan Board Pakistan (KBP) Chief Sardar Zafar Hussein has accused the rulers of showing an indifferent attitude towards the growers who had suffered losses due to ongoing flood.He said crops of billions of rupees had been destroyed because of flood in Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi and Sutluj rivers. Hundred of human beings and thousands of cattle heads had lost their lives, but no body from the ruling party had given a sympathetic hearing to the plight of growers sitting under open sky after this destruction. KBP also termed the ongoing floods as 'water war' launched by the Indian government through releasing water in the rivers without intimation to Pakistan. He said that the Board and other patriotic elements had time and again drew the attention of Indian water aggression against Pakistan but our rulers had always turned a deaf ear to these calls. He urged

the government to take up this issue at international level and also announce a relief package for the growers immediately.

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Market Check: Japan - Facebook Growth and New Retail Distribution Japanese Facebook page Like Curry Like! TOKYO, JAPAN - While trade negotiations to improve U.S. rice access to Japan drag on, the USA Rice Federation continues to pave the way for the home-grown grain.USA Rice's Japanese Facebook page, translated as "Curry LIKE!" has just passed a fan milestone. The page now has more than 14,000 fans and is the second largest curry-based Facebook site in Japan.Curries are very popular here, providing U.S.-grown rice with a natural entrĂŠe into the market," said Bill Farmer, USA Rice's director of Asia programs. "We update the Facebook page with at least ten recipes and five news items each month to ensure fresh content, giving consumers a reason to visit often."Farmer says they are also at the tail end of a four-week promotion offering Facebook fans a free sample of U.S. medium grain and a U.S. rice curry recipe book. He added that the increased Facebook fan base has resulted in increased traffic to the USA Rice Japan website that contains valuable nutritional information, additional recipes, and more. Speaking of U.S. medium grain, a new retail bag product has recently been launched here New rice packaing in Japan Eat your vegetables...er, rice! by Nishimoto Trading Co., Ltd., an international Japanese food company.

Nishimoto is taking a unique approach to marketing the product. Some rice is packaged and sold in the traditional rice section, but they are also packaging some differently and displaying the product in fresh vegetable sections with a message "rice to enjoy like a vegetable".

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This twist on rice marketing follows several successful USA Rice promotional activities in Japan designed to introduce Japanese consumers to new and creative uses for U.S.-grown rice, such as cold rice salads. (see USA Rice Daily stories April 9, April 21, and August 14, 2014.) "I think the availability of the one pound retail bags will help stimulate demand for U.S. medium grain rice here," Farmer said. "We'll keep publicizing new recipes and uses and help this market grow however we can."

Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458

Weekly Rice Sales, Exports Reported WASHINGTON, DC -- Net sales of 32,000 MT for 2014/2015were down 43 percent from the previous week and 55 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for Mexico (7,800 MT), Ghana (7,000 MT), Honduras (5,300 MT, including 2,000 MT switched from unknown destinations and decreases of 200 MT), Costa Rica (4,000 MT), and Turkey (3,000 MT) according to today's Export Sales Highlights report.. Decreases were reported for unknown destinations (2,000 MT). Net sales reductions of 3,300 MT for 2015/2016 resulted as increases for Mexico (200 MT), were more than offset by decreases for Honduras (3,500 MT). Exports of 19,700 MT were down 53 percent from the previous week and from the prior 4-week average. The primary destinations were to Haiti (7,100 MT), Honduras (4,300 MT), Mexico (2,800 MT), Jordan (1,800 MT), and Canada (1,300 MT). This summary is based on reports from exporters from the period August 29-September 4.

Japan Announces Results of 2nd Ordinary Import Tender in FY2014 Japan Announces Results of 2nd Ordinary Import Tender in FY2014 Country of Origin

Variety

U.S.A

Nonglutinous milled rice (Medium grain)

Thailand

Number of Quantity Participated Amount importers (MT) bidders of bids (MT) 2

24,000

156,000

Non-

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glutinous milled rice (Long grain) Grand total Average price for successful bids

18,000

150,000

42,000

306,000

JPY (tax excl.) 87,596/MT (tax excl.) JPY 94,604/MT

Pakistan offers one of world’s best investment regimes: envoy APP September 12, 2014

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan‘s Ambassador to Germany Syed Hasan Javed on Thursday urged the German medium and small enterprises (SMEs) to invest in Pakistan as it offers one of the best investment regimes in the world on foreign investment.He was addressing the participants of a ―Pakistan Business Day‖ conference organised by the embassy under the aegis of Asia-Pacific Forum Berlin, according to a message received here from Pakistan‘s Embassy in Berlin, Germany. The Ambassador said that a new Economic Forum with the name, GATE-Pakistan has been launched last month, which would open a new era of long term mutually beneficial economic and trade partnership between the two countries.Despite being faced with natural and man made disasters, Pakistan has been able to maintain a sustained GDP growth rate of nearly 5% for six decades, Ambassador Javed added. He presented a vivid picture of various natural resources, both explored and unexplored, that existed in Pakistan and highlighted the importance of its location in geographical map of the world and concluded that Pakistan was poised to become a hub of economic activities in the near future.Dr. Stefan Oswald, Director General, German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development said that Pakistan and Germany had a longstanding partnership that started with the signing of Bilateral Investment Treaty back in 1959.He said that his Ministry had been extending support to Pakistan in the field of energy conservation measures and

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improvement of energy related infrastructure including vocational training to improve the efficiency of the existing system and overcome the energy crises in the country. Rizwan Tariq, Commercial Counsellor, Consulate General of Pakistan, Frankfurt made a presentation on the investment opportunities available in different sectors of Pakistan and the Investment Policy of the Government for foreign investors.Dr. Uwe Greier, General Manager, Pakistan Promotion Office, Frankfurt highlighted the innovative ways and means to promote business and trade activities between Pakistan and Germany. Earlier the Vice President of the Asia-Pacific Forum, Berlin, Dr. Talat Mahmood welcomed the participants and highlighted the various steps taken by the present Government in Pakistan to overcome the energy crises and put the economy on right track.A documentary film, ―Indus, the River of Cultures and Mohenjo-Daro‖, was also screened on this occasion.The Embassy put up an Info-Cultural Stall, where books and brochures on Pakistan, Investment Policy, Economic Opportunities available for Foreign Investors and handicrafts from Pakistan were put on display.The visitors to the stall were served with complimentary ‗Biryani‘ made of Pakistani Basmati rice and spices.

TABLE-Weekly update on India's summer crop planting Fri Sep 5, 2014 5:36pm IST Sept 5 (Reuters) - Rice planting in India has crossed normal coverage, aided by a late revival of monsoon rains in growing areas, the latest farm ministry update showed on Friday. But the latest coverage was lower than in the year-ago period. The overall planting for most of the summer crops, except cotton and urd, lagged behind the coverage area from a year earlier on this year's weak monsoon rains, the update showed on Friday. Weather officials expect the monsoon rains to remain active over the next week. Table below shows the area sown with major crops between June 1 and Sept. 5, in million hectares. Figures are provisional. --------------------------------------CROP Normal Area 2014 2013 --------------------------------------* Rice 34.64 36.06 36.41 * Corn 7.41 7.71 8.09 * Pulses -Tur -Urd

10.29 9.72 10.37 3.54 3.48 3.78 2.30 2.42 2.34

* Oilseeds 17.30 -Soybean 10.40 -Groundnut 4.25

17.34 18.89 11.03 12.18 3.58 4.23

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* Cane 4.84 4.87 5.03 * Cotton 10.98 12.37 11.31 --------------------------------------Source: Agriculture Ministry

Price control, rice, export growth among urgent tasks for new minister Petchanet Pratruangkrai The Nation September 10, 2014 1:00 am Newly appointed Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikalya and Deputy Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn have a host of important issues to address, with urgent decisions needing to be made on some, and long-term development plans needing to be drawn up in relation to others.Their priority tasks include controlling the cost of living and goods prices, selling and managing huge rice stockpiles of up to 18 million tonnes, driving up rice prices in the market and reducing the cost of production for farmers, and stimulating overall export growth. The current retail price-freeze agreement between consumer-goods manufacturers and the Commerce Ministry is scheduled to end in November. Santichai Santawanpas, deputy director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said the agency would urgently seek the new ministers' consideration of whether to continue the measure or allow goods prices to increase.The government will also have to take into consideration the consequences of next year's rise in the rate of value-added tax, which will result in a higher burden for consumers. It needs to consider carefully whether to allow prices to increase or to maintain the price-freeze policy, which could damage manufacturers and traders.Moreover, the government needs to drive up and then stabilise the prices of major crops - mainly rice, rubber, maize and cassava. With the next main rice-harvest season starting in late October, the new ministers must consider their policy for the crop carefully because, if the government continued to sell off its stockpile, market prices would fall - to the detriment of farmers. However, if the government delayed selling rice, an enormous quantity in the warehouses would continue to deteriorate in quality, besides which the authorities would have the added burden of handling high stockpile costs.Chookiat Opaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the government needed to manage its rice stockpiles as well as ensure that prices for the new crop did not fall significantly and hurt farmers.The deputy commerce minister is aware of the stockpile-management problem and is consulting with exporters over how to promote Thai rice exports this year and next, he said."Apiradi has called for the association's cooperation to outline strategies in promoting Thai rice exports. The government needs to work closely with the private sector to manage rice stocks within a suitable period, as well as prices, so that it does not face huge stockpiles and high operating costs," Chookiat said.The government should also create a sustainable plan to stabilise rice prices and reduce farmers' production costs without any subsidy measures, he added.On the broader front, overall Thai exports shrank by 0.42 per cent in the first seven months of the year. The government therefore needs to find measures to stimulate shipments to the targeted level of 3.5-per-cent expansion, or 1.9 per cent at the very least, for the full year.Amid the slowing global

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economic recovery - mainly in China and Asean - and the approaching loss of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) tariff benefits in the European Union, the new ministers must rapidly find new creative strategies and plans to drive Thai shipments.Paiboon Ponsuwanna, vice chairman of the Thai National Shippers Council, said the government should look beyond this year's exports and draw up plans for next year's performance. Patchrintanakul, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the government should find new strategies to drive export growth. The resumption of negotiations over a free-trade agreement(FTA) between Thailand and the EU is also needed, because the country will lose its GSP benefits by the end of this year, he said.However, as it is a military-led government, the current administration may find it difficult to get the EU to agree to further FTA talks at this time, he added.Another key task in Chatchai's and Apiradi's in-trays is how to increase Thailand's competitive-ness with a view to facilitating trading and investment growth and turning the Kingdom into an Asean hub.Additionally, the ministers need to solve the bad reputation that the country and some industries have in regard to labour issues, given that the United States has downgraded Thailand to its list of the worst countries for human trafficking. The Commerce Ministry must also stringently suppress violation of intellectual property rights (IPR) as well as enforce relevant laws, in order to show the government's sincerity in combating infringement and punishing violators.Washington has for a number of years maintained Thailand on its Priority Watch List of countries it deems to be weak in their efforts to solve IPR problems. Thailand is seen as lacking stringent laws to punish violators, which has put at risk its GSP benefits for exports to the US.

Meet a scientist: Dr. Rolfe Bryant Editor's Note: This is the sixth in a series introducing the scientists of the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center By Dawn Teer dteer@stuttgartdailyleader.com Posted Sep. 11, 2014 @ 4:45 pm STUTTGART

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Meet Dr. Rolfe Bryant, research chemist. Describe what you study and what you do at DBNRRC. At DBNRRC I examine rice for its cooking and processing qualities. In other words, I determine if new rice varieties will cook and taste according to consumer and industry expectations. I also assist breeders in six states — Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri and California — and evaluate several thousand breeding lines for their cooking and processing qualities. This is done in order to select the best possible selections for release as new varieties to farmers. We evaluate grain chemistry traits to assure that new varieties have uniform cooking quality. One characteristic important to the rice industry is amylose concentration, which is part of the rice grain‘s starch

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content and makes the rice sticky or fluffy when cooked. The higher the amylose content, the less sticky it is. This is important in regards to the end use of the rice crop. For example the best sushi rice has little amylose making it sticky, while parboiled rice, which is used in frozen and canned products, has up to 24-26% percent amylose, and regular long grain table rice has about 21 percent amylose. How did you get involved in this line of work? After completing my PhD in food science at Alabama A&M in Normal, Alabama, I went to work for the US Department of Agriculture in New Orleans, determining how rice could be used in making different products, such as rice fries and rice milk. When a position became available here at the National Rice Research Center for a scientist to study rice quality, I applied and the rest is history. Did you always love science? What was your fascination with it that made you want to do the type of work you do? Yes, I always loved science and what fascinates me the most is answering the question, â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Why?â&#x20AC;&#x2013;. Why do things behave the way they do? What causes things (like rice) to behave differently? What causes these changes? The answer for the rice grain is in the chemical makeup. What brought you to DBNRRC? An opportunity to look inside the rice gain, chemically, in order to determine why different rice varieties cook and process differently. What project are you working on now? One of my research projects is to determine the effect starch enzymes have on making rice chalky. Chalk is a white spot in the rice that makes that kernel undesirable because it cooks and processes differently than the nonchalky area of the rice kernel and causes breakage during milling which reduces the value of the crop. Another project is looking at the impact of variable weather conditions on rice grain quality and how this relates to starch biosynthesis.

Boro rice, paddy procurement period extended for one month Move aims at achieving target Talha Bin Habib The government has extended its Boro rice and paddy procurement period for one month to achieve the target, officials said. The ongoing Boro procurement drive started in May last and was supposed to end in August. he

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government has extended the deadline until September as it could not fulfil the target on scheduled time due to flash floods in some parts of the country. "We extended the deadline till September 30 for fulfilling our Boro rice and paddy procurement target," Shaikh Roka Mia, Additional Director (Procurement), Directorate General of Food told the FE. Earlier, the government had fixed the target to procure 0.9 million tonnes of boiled rice while 0.1 million tonnes of nonboiled rice and 0.15 million tonnes of paddy. The procurement price for per kg Boro rice this year has been fixed at Tk 31 while non-boiled rice at Tk 30 and paddy at Tk 20 per kg.The production cost of paddy was Tk 17.50 per kg while that of rice Tk 26.50. Last year, the government had procured paddy at Tk 18.50 per kg while rice at Tk 29.After the start of the ongoing procurement drive the government has revised its target for procuring a total of 9, 65,000 tonnes boiled rice as it reduced the target to procure paddy to 50,000 tonnes from the previous 0.15 million tonnes. The government converted 0.1 million tonnes of paddy to 65,000 tonnes of rice out of its earlier declared procurement target of 0.15 million tonnes of paddy.The total target for procuring Boro boiled and non-boiled rice now stands at 1.065 millions tonnes (0.965 million tonnes boiled rice + 0.1 million tonnes non-boiled rice = 1.065 million tonnes).To fulfil the procurement target the government has signed contracts with 14,444 millers to supply 0.99 tonnes of boiled rice while 618 millers will supply 0.1 million tonnes of non-boiled rice to the government. Till date the DG Food has procured 0.83 million tonnes of boiled rice, showing 86.52 per cent success for achieving the target. It has already procured 69,785 tonnes of non-boiled rice. The rate of success for reaching the target is 69.79 per cent, according to the official data.Last year the government had targeted to procure 0.9 million tonnes of rice and 0.15 million tonnes of paddy and that was fulfilled.The total food grains stock in the country is now 1.49 million tonnes. Out of the quantity 1.14 million tonnes are rice while 0.34 million tonnes are wheat and 10,098 tonnes are paddy, according to DG Food.

U.N.'S FOOD PRICE INDEX DROPS TO FOUR-YEAR LOW Sep. 12, 2014 Source:

U.N.'s

Food

and

Agriculture

Organization

(FAO)

news

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FAO's monthly food price index registered another drop in August, continuing a 5-month downward run and reaching its lowest level since September 2010. The index's August average of 196.6 points represents a decrease of 7.3 points (3.6 percent) from July. With the exception of meat, prices for all of the commodities measured by the index dipped markedly. Dairy led the pack, with FAO's sub-index for dairy products averaging 200.8 points in August, down 25.3 points (11.2 percent) versus July and 46.8 points (18.9 percent) compared to

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a year ago - the result of abundant supplies for export coupled with reduced import demand. Russia's prohibition at the beginning of the month on imports of dairy products from several countries helped depress prices, while slackening imports of whole milk powder by China (the world's largest importer) also contributed to market uncertainty. FAO's price index for cereals averaged 182.5 points in August, down 2.8 points (1.5 percent) from last month and 24.2 points (11.7 percent) versus August 2013. With 2014 being another record year for wheat production, prices for the staple grain continued to slide in August, reaching their lowest value since July 2010. Similarly, near-ideal growing conditions in key producing areas, coupled with abundant stocks, have seen maize prices retreat to a 4-year low. However rice bucked the trend in grains, with its prices rising in August, reflecting increased import demand, lower-than-expected releases from stockpiles by Thailand, and unfavorable weather affecting some crops in Asia. "Rice supplies appear to be ample world-wide, but stocks are very much concentrated in a small number of countries, and often owned by governments. This means that these countries can very much influence world prices, by deciding whether to let those supplies flow to the market or not," said FAO economist Concepci贸n Calpe. "The fact that Thailand is still limiting sales of the huge rice volume held in public warehouses has been one of the principal factors underpinning world prices in recent months."

Unusual host preference of a moth species could be useful for biological control Posted By News On September 11, 2014 - 3:30pm

A team of Iranian researchers from the Rice Research Institute of Iran have discovered that Gynnodomorpha permixtana, a wellknown moth species from Europe and Asia, has changed its host preferences in order to adjust to Iran's northern region environmental conditions. The importance of this adaptation for biological control of problematic weeds in rice fields and the biology of the moth on new host plant have been described in the open access journal Nota Lepidopterologica.The larvae of G. permixtana have been so far reported to feed on the seeds and flowers of plant species such as water-plantain, eyebright, lousewort, bitter root and European yellow-rattle, which are weeds commonly present across Europe and Asia. A new study of the populations in northern Iran, however has revealed a new host Sagittaria trifolia, commonly known as arrowhead. This new discovery suggests that climatic and environmental conditions in northern regions of Iran resulted in the choice

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of a new new host plant, and provides an exciting insight into how adaptation mechanisms work. Arrowheads are groups of problematic perennial broadleaf weeds that thrive in rice fields and waterways. Favorable climatic condition after rice harvesting results in continued activity and thriving populations throughout the year. This is part of rice field after harvesting that is heavily infested with arrowheads. Their white flowers making them distinguishable from other weeds. (Photo Credit: Atousa Farahpour Haghani) The economic importance of this weed has prompted researchers from the Rice Research Institute of Iran to seek for possible solutions for the management of arrowhead. Their studies have revealed that the larvae of a certain moth species feeding on the fruits and seeds of the problematic weed, can lead to a dramatic decrease of its germination potential. After this discovery the moth was sent for identification to Dr Leif Aarvik from the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, who have diagnosed the species as the commonly known G. permixtana, which was in this case demonstrating a very uncommon host preference. 'To our surprise, it looks like this moth chose new host plant in Iran. This moth was reported in 2009 from the northern regions of the country, but its host plant was unknown. Its usual host plants, such as water-plantain, also grow in Iran but peculiarly we couldn't find its damage symptoms on them. That made this moth host range and biology in Iran rather mysterious at that point, and the recent discovery of arrowheads as its preferred host in the region brings even more peculiarity in the story.' commented the lead author of the study Atousa Farahpour Haghani a Phd student from, Rice Research Institute of Iran.'Many factors can possibly influence host plant choice including food quality and quantity, climatic conditions, synchronization, physiological conditions in both insect and food plant, genetic modifications etc. Some of these factors are not stable and change in different environmental conditions, so an insect can change its choice of food plant on the basis of seeking the most beneficial complex of factors. It seems that in the northern regions of Iran, and luckily for rice crops, the problematic arrowheads present the best choice for G. permixtana.' added Haghani. This is a newly emerged moth resting on arrowhead infested fruits with its exuded exuvium that is partly visible. (Photo Credit: Atousa Farahpour Haghani) Source: Pensoft Publishers

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What’s NEW in RICE research? PHILIPPINE RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (PhilRice)

Telefax: (044) 456-0113 loc. 511 or 512

Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, 3119 Nueva Ecija

E-mail: prri@email.philrice.gov.ph

New Mobile App for farming developed

Farming gets more high-tech with the mobile applications (app) being developed by information technologists in Nueva Ecija, the country‘s rice granary.Android mobile app that can do three functions: measure farm area, calculate fertilizer needs, and assess nitrogen deficiency garnered the Most Innovative Application and the Special Jury Award during the recent AGRI-Hackathon hosted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).―With this app, estimates will be lessened. It is important for the farmers to know their exact farm area to optimize it; while fertilizer application must also be accurate for crop‘s health and to avoid unnecessary fertilizer expenses,‖ developers Jermaine M. Germino and Michael L. De Guzman said.The mobile app also incorporated the principles of Leaf Color Chart (LCC) or the four-stripped plastic ―ruler‖ used in assessing nitrogen status of rice plant.Germino and de Guzman, instructors of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST), said that instead of comparing the color of the leaves with the ruler, the farmer will now take photos of the leaves for the app to analyze.―In seconds, accurate assessment will be generated,‖ they said.Meanwhile, the E-Survey app by team Agrisive of the Central Luzon State University was given the Best Research and Survey Management Application. This application contains an e-form that respondents fill up based on the researchers‘ information needs.The I-Tanim of the I-Tech team from NEUST also received the Best Farmer Information Technology Application. I-Tanim is an e-book in a single app containing the LCC, PalayCheck, tutorials on selecting seeds, and mini-encyclopedia on plant disorders.The mobile applications are being further developed.AGRI-Hackathon is a competition for information technologists to create either web or mobile app. Microsoft Philippines, Eqela, Blackberry, Freelancer, and PhilRice sponsored the event.

Rice science museum re-launched The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) re-launched the ten-year-old Rice Science Museum with the theme, Lovelife with Rice during the recent 27th National Rice Research and Development Conference held in Nueva Ecija.―This modified, redesigned science museum serves as our springboard in building a Rice Science Exploratorium that we hope to accomplish five years from now,‖ Diadem Gonzales-Esmero, museum curator, said.While there are museums around the country, she said a museum is yet to be intensively dedicated to ―spread the history, culture, arts and science behind the Filipinos` staple.‖ Collection in the re-launched museum is increased and expanded to retain its relevance in keeping the cultural heritage and in fostering human development.

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―There`s undeniable value in establishing a rice science museum, especially if it will be realized into a Rice Science Exploratorium. This one of a kind museum promotes rice history and its cultural importance, influences generations of Filipinos to appreciate rice science on a different light, and encourages farming communities to practice modern rice farming technologies,‖ Gonzales-Esmero said.The museum curator said the Lovelife with Rice theme shows the intimate connection between a farmer, research and development worker, and the ordinary passer-by with rice. She said that the collections tell about the struggles of humans – from the establishment of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, green revolution, until the development of modern technologies, to improve its relationship with rice.Currently, the museum houses old and modern farm implements, artworks, and interactives on rice structure, ecosystems, biodiversity, and crop management.The establishment of Rice Science Exploratorium was approved in the Institute`s Board of Trustees Meeting in July. With its approval, PhilRice hopes to generate support from the private and public sector advancing the arts and culture, education, and social progress. Dr. Segfredo Serrano, undersecretary for Policy, and Planning, Project Development, R&D, and Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (DA); Edilberto de Luna, assistant secretary for Operations and DA National Rice and Corn Program coordinator; Juliet Annanayo, vice mayor of Hungduan, Ifugao; and Roscoe Kalaw, head of Ifugao Cultural Office, graced the unveiling of the new Rice Science Museum. ###

Pinoy farmers like Korean rice Korean rice cultivars being tested in the Philippines are found to be acceptable for farmers in Region III.In a recent sensory evaluation conducted in the Central Experiment Station of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, three Korean rice cultivars received higher acceptable rating over the local Philippine rice variety.Miyang, Dasanbyeo, and Saegyejinmi obtained an acceptable rating ranging from 85 to 87 percent from 100 farmers. Meanwhile, IR64, a Philippine variety widely grown indica rice in South and Southeast Asia, received only 75 percent.The Korean rice cultivars are becoming popular to Tarlac, Pangasinan, and Nueva Ecija farmers as demonstration trials show that they can yield from 6 to 10 t/ha. IR64 yields 5 t/ha. Dr. Norvie Manigbas, who handles the testing of these cultivars under the Korea Project on International Agriculture (KOPIA), said that the cultivars are not intended to replace the local rice varieties.―These cultivars are additional choices for farmers who are in constant search for varieties that are high yielding and have good eating quality. They are always looking for varieties that will be acceptable to the market,‖ he said.Since 2010, the KOPIA project hosted at PhilRice is being implemented with the Rural Development Administration of Korea and Department of Agriculture to assist the country in increasing its rice production.

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PhilRice prepares farmers for El Niño

Help the rice farmers cope with the onslaught of El Niño through adequate information.Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country`s lead agency in rice science and development, had produced and rolled out information materials on El Niño to equip the farmers with better chances of adapting to the warmer-than-usual phenomenon.Jaime A. Manalo IV, Development Communication Division head, said print, modules, audio, and videos are uploaded in the agency`s website and were distributed to the regional information officers of the Department of Agriculture across the country.Manalo said that brochures and leaflets on El Niño-ready varieties and the science of the phenomenon, which was explained in simple, non-technical way were also distributed.―We know the power of information. Let`s make the farmers be prepared! Download the materials from http://www.philrice.gov.ph/index.php?page=resources&page3=elnino and share them in the social media,‖ he said.Farmers in highly vulnerable areas are also informed through forum. In Isabela, farmers were briefed on Alternate Wetting and Drying, a water-saving technology where rice fields are alternately flooded and drained.Manalo also encouraged the rice tillers to contact the Farmers` Text Center (0920-911-1398) should they want to know more about El Niño and the technologies that can reduce the losses brought about by the phenomenon. ###

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Text may save rice plants

Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country`s lead in rice research and development, is encouraging farmers to avail of its SMS service to manage pests and diseases. Rice blast, the world`s most prevalent disease reducing yield by 50 to 85 percent, may be expected in some fields in the country as its occurrence is triggered by frequent rains and high relative humidity. ―Thanks to PhilRice Text Center (09209111398)! I have now peace of mind as I now know how to manage rice blast this wet season,‖ Francisco C. Cerdana, 52 of Sultan Kudarat, said in Filipino. Through the PhilRice Text Center, farmers can receive instant information on rats, tungro, bacterial leaf blight, bakanae, and green leafhopper. Information on golden apple snail, rice black bug, leaf folder, and stem borer are also available. To complement the SMS service, PhilRice pilot-tested a Text Aralan in Sultan Kudarat, in which registered farmers received information on managing rice blast for a week. ―This service is ok. Information are easy to understand and I saved time from going to the technician‘s office,‖ farmer Warly Ragual said. Other than SMS, the PhilRice Text Center also handles transaction on PhilRice products and sends out weather advisory. Think of the future`s survival, agri official urges researchers

With uncertainties brought about by trade liberalization and climate change, an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) challenged more than 500 rice workers to step up researches during the recent 27th National Rice Research and Development (R&D) Conference held at Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).―Our population had reached 100 million and when given opportunities and with proper investment, we can depend on our people as the most valuable resource that will drive good economy. Priorities then must be given in saving our people from displacement and calamities,‖ said Dr. Segfredo R. Serrano, DA undersecretary for Policy, and Planning, Project Development, R&D, and Regulations.Serrano emphasized the need to improve R&D activities so Filipinos can cope with the slow onset events of climate change, which include increasing temperatures, rising sea level, and salinization. ―Nothing is more important than the survival and future of our people,‖ he said.Meanwhile, Edilberto de Luna, assistant secretary for Operations and DA National Rice and Corn Program coordinator, said that R&D work is ―even heroic because it can help solve poverty, malnutrition, and unemployment.‖In ensuring the future`s survival, de Luna said that the supply of rice and other staples including white corn, sweet potato, cassava, and banana must be safe and nutritious.―I commend PhilRice for coming up with [researches] on green and smart farming, grain quality, biodiversity conservation, and information and promotion delivery,‖ de Luna said. ###

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Water-saving technology to help farmers adapt to drought Farmers need not panic about the impending drought that PAGASA projected. This is according to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)-Isabela.―There are ways to adapt to drought in case it happens,‖ Arlina Golonan, PhilRice researcher, said.One of these techniques is Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), a water-saving technology where rice fields are alternately flooded and drained.Golonan said that this technology provides timely water needs of farms that do not have enough water-supply and helps farmers save up to 30% water.PhilRice study reveals that farmers can reduce water by 16-35% without decreasing grain yield.The Institute is conducting a technical briefing to explain this technology as the Magat Dam, the source of irrigation for the fields of most Isabela farmers, cannot supply all the needed water.―As of last week, the water level is at 168 meters. The level is way below the normal 175 meters for the dam to fully irrigate the province,‖ Emiliano P. Camba, San Mateo, Isabela Municipal Agriculturist, said.In San Mateo, Isabela alone, 1,503 ha out of 8,353 ha remains uncultivated due to insufficient water for irrigation.The few instances of heavy rain in the past months gave only 2-5 meter water-level increase in the dam according to Jimmy Rillon, Agricultural Technologist of San Mateo, Isabela. He explained that this is still insignificant to fully irrigate rice areas especially those near tail-end irrigation canals.―Should farmers learn and apply AWD technology, then water will be enough for every rice field,‖ Golonan said.For more information, please visit or contact DA-PhilRice at Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija with telephone number (044) 456-0285 loc 511/512 or any PhilRice station near you. You may also visit their website at www.philrice.gov.ph or text your questions to 0920-911-1398.

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Last chance to be part of the Energy Efficiency Pilot Program: applications due 15 September, 2014 Are you interested in a technical investigation or an audit of your equipment to identify opportunities to save money on your electricity bill? Do you meet the criteria listed below? If so, you may be eligible for a subsidised on-farm energy audit of your irrigation equipment (groundwater pumps, river pumps, farm supply pumps or pressurised on-farm irrigation equipment).

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Cotton Australia, with NSW Irrigators' Council and the NSW Office of the Environment and Heritage, have launched an Energy Saver program. Applications are due by 15 September, 2014. Eligibility criteria To be considered for the project, an individual or corporation need to meet the following criteria;  Based in NSW  Electricity bill greater than $70,000 a year (annual electricity consumption above approximately 120MWh)  Electricity must be used for groundwater pumps, river pumps, farm supply pumps or pressurised on-farm irrigation equipment  Farm must have no history of previous energy efficiency works For more detailed information about the project, click here. Alternatively, please contact:  Leah Ross, Cotton Australia: LeahR@cotton.org.au or 02 9669 5222  Stefanie Schulte, NSWIC: Stefanie@nswic.org.au or 02 9251 8466

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Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists Club Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists Club would like to invite you to a presentation by Martin Odino on his work in the rice fields of the Bunyala district of Western Kenya. Date: Thursday, 18 September Where: Leeton Library – Yellow Room at 7:30pm. Contact: Max O’Sullivan 6953 4726 if you would be interested in attending Martin's presentation as arrangements for seating need to be organised beforehand. Over the past 3 years or more Martin has been working to stop the indiscriminate poisoning of all bird species not just the pest species that feed on the rice crops at Bunyala. Of major concern are the migratory wading birds that use the rice fields as a refueling site on their long flights from their breeding grounds in Northern Europe to their summer feeding grounds in Southern Africa. All of these birds are severely threatened by loss of habitat and Martin is trying to educate the local rice growers to protect these and other local species that fall victim to the untargeted poisoning. He will be talking about his endeavours to prevent the killing of so many of these birds and his attempts to convince the local villagers of the need to protect those species that cause little or no damage to their rice crops.

NSW Weeds Action Program – Innovation Grants for Weeds 2014-15 – call for submissions It has just been announced that there is now over $1 Million available for innovative projects addressing high priority weeds in NSW. The new funding builds on the NSW Government's $10.1 million NSW Weeds Action Program (WAP), which

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addresses priorities of the NSW Invasive Species Plan. To date there are 31 regional WAP projects in place covering most of NSW and with nearly 200 partner organisations participating. This is an open call to a range of organisations for new, innovative project submissions addressing the criteria. Project submissions must be lodged by email with the Department of Primary Industries by Friday 26 September 2014 to admin.weeds@dpi.nsw.gov.au Further information is available at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pestsweeds/weeds/legislation or you may contact your local DPI Invasive Species Officer or email admin.weeds@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Rabobank Farm Experience Program Rabobank Australia has always maintained a strong connection with the communities in which it operates. Rabobank‘s Client Council forums involve leading farmers and bank representatives, who come together on a regular basis to discuss trends and issues and how they impact farmers at a local level. Key among the industry challenges identified and discussed by the Client Council groups has been long-term industry capacity to attract and retain youth in farming. The challenge of the ‗urbanrural divide‘ is of great concern. As a result, in partnership with its clients, Rabobank is piloting the Farm Experience (FX) Program, an initiative enabling 12 urban students (aged between 15 and17-year-old) to experience rural life for a week hosted by a farming family – Rabobank clients. In early September, six students from Galston High School

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(Western Sydney), will be hosted by three Western Riverina rice growers families – Trent and Jenny Gardiner, Peter and Erin Draper and Peter and Kim O‘Connor. The students will have the opportunity to ‗shadow‘ their hosts and then share the on-farm experiences with fellow school mates upon their return. The hosts will give the students as much on-farm experience as possible and show them a clear picture of the day-to-day activities on the farm. Given the visit timing, activities will include irrigating, helping with the ground preparation work for the summer cropping season and lamb marking. The hosts will also show the students the technology involved in agriculture and the different enterprises and will attend a sheep sale. The FX program is a Rabobank Client Council initiative which aims to address the urban-rural divide by increasing awareness of farming, food and fibre production and the agricultural supply chain. The students will also have the opportunity to learn about different rural professions by visiting the local Rabobank branch as well as find out about agricultural processing visiting the Southern Cotton Gin, as well as Hutcheon & Pearce Machinery at Griffith and Yenda Producers Co-op. Through raising awareness about the wider career opportunities associated with the industry, Rabobank hopes that the FX program will promote agriculture as a career, thus contributing to long-term industry sustainability.

Career Opportunities: Rice Agronomists, Rice Farm Managers Profile Silo (www.profilesilo.com) is an executive search firm, specialised in global agricultural commodity supply chains. A number of our clients (major international companies) are expanding their "up-stream" asset base in various commodities,

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including food crops, which entails the acquisition / establishment of large-scale farms in various crops, in supplydeficient or cost competitive countries. We are currently looking for a number of senior rice farming professionals (Agronomists, General Managers, Farm Managers), for major multinationals establishing large-scale rice farms in Africa (3000ha – 20 000ha). The farms are mechanized, modern farms and we are looking for suitably qualified and experienced farming professionals to drive best-practice across farming operations. On offer are excellent expat packages and international career progression opportunities. For further information please contact Riaan Lazenby at riaan@profilesilo.com or cellphone +27 82 294 2826.

BR&C Agents - helping you reach your full potential At BR&C Agents we‘ve been proudly supporting our farmers and community since 1987. The experienced staff at our stores at Swan Hill, Mildura, Ouyen, Broken Hill and Barham offer outstanding customer service and a wide range of specialist products and services in: • Agronomy • Livestock • Rural Merchandise • Real Estate

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• Insurance • Water trading through Ruralco Water Brokers Our agronomists are leaders in their field whose focus is on helping you achieve premium outputs from your cropping enterprise. Their expertise and local knowledge is backed-up with access to state-of the-art technology and the industry‘s leading suppliers and they can assist you with all aspects of your crop or pasture operation. Agronomic services include: • On-farm visits • Paddock inspections for weeds, pests and diseases • Chemical, fertiliser and seed recommendations and supply • Advice on rotations, fertiliser requirements, new crops • Pasture management and production advice • Soil and tissue testing • VRT application maps for fertiliser using ‗cut & fill‘ maps and NVDI imagery in-crop. Call into your local BR&C Agents store today for great advice and competitively priced, quality products that will help you get the great results you’re looking for. Visit www.brcagents.com.au

Advertising SPECS & RATES Contact: Advertising Department Mujahid Ali mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com +92 321 369 2874

Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 92 321 369 2874