14th july ,2017 daily global regional & local rice e newsletter

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July 14,2017 Vol 8 Issue VII

Basmati rice challenges abound for Indian farmers as EU demands crackdown on fungicide Iran, Pakistan Optimistic over Trade Turnover Big-wheel sectors trading on the policies of partiality’ Oxfam Signs MoU to Improve the Lives of Rice Growers in Pakistan Iran invests big to boost agricultural mechanization Wheat, rice basmati soften on low demand 20,000 tonnes of rice arrive from Vietnam Drought, floods to halve Sri Lanka's Yala 2017 rice crop NFA wants more bidders for for 250,000 MT rice imports Philippines sets $451.08/tonne price ceiling for rice imports 11 show interest in gov’t-to-private importation of 250,000 MT of rice FG to stop importation of rice by December NFA wants more bidders for for 250,000 MT rice imports Tanzania: Traders Told to Brand Mbarali Rice 16,000 millers blacklisted for illegal rice hoarding Rice self-sufficiency Prof Yuan Longping — Feed The World With Hybrid Rice Genome-edited rice gets a step closer to the kitchen Waiguru, Karua endear themselves to Mwea Govt blacklists 16,000 rice millers Bangladesh blacklists 16,000 millers for illegal rice hoarding Rice millers urged to apply for loans Vietnamese private rice exporters can bid for Philippines shipments Bangladesh blacklists 16,000 millers for illegal rice hoarding Qamrul finds food stock sufficient Philippines sets $451.08/tonne price ceiling for rice imports U.S. university researchers simplify incorporation of nitrogen into molecules Costa Rice Gets a Taste of Cajun Cooking with U.S. Rice First shipment of rice from Vietnam arrives in Chittagong Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- JUL 14, 2017 VCCI proposes rice export decree be modified Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- JUL 14, 2017 New EU norms likely to hit rice exports from India Govt blacklists 16,000 rice millers Rice prices fall on weak demand Philippines sets $451.08/tonne price ceiling for rice imports Annual Mississippi Delta Rice Testing Luncheon Sept. 15 Global Wild Rice Products Market 2017 Competition by Company, Countries, Consumption, Application,Type to 2022 Online What’s hot on Sina Weibo Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 Cabinet approves rice research institute for Varanasi www .riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com Cabinet approves establishment of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Varanasi Monitor Latest Updates

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News Detail...

Basmati rice challenges abound for Indian farmers as EU demands crackdown on fungicide

Farmers sowing Basmati rice in India have been facing big challenges after the recent European Union decision to bring down the maximum residue limits for Tricyclazole in imported rice shipments.

By: FE Online | Published: July 13, 2017 2:53 PM Facebook

In a series of workshops namely farmer awareness camps focusing on the EU decision, the organization is advising to reduce the MRL for the fungicide to 0.01 parts per million (ppm), much less against the existing tolerance level of one ppm. (Reuters)

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Farmers sowing Basmati rice in India have been facing big challenges after the recent European Union (EU) decision to bring down the maximum residue limits (MRL) for Tricyclazole in imported rice shipments. Tricyclazole is a fungicide sprayed on basmati paddy crops against leaf and neck blast disease in rice 3 to 4 times that could even be done after 90 days of transplantation, reported The Indian Express quoting a farmer. But following the EU decision, the All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) is asking the farmers not to spray it beyond 70-75 days after transplanting of the popular Pusa-1401 basmati paddy variety.

In a series of workshops namely farmer awareness camps focusing on the EU decision, the organization is advising to reduce the MRL for the fungicide to 0.01 parts per million (ppm), much less against the existing tolerance level of one ppm. Thus, they need to spray Tricyclazole just once before the ‗boot leaf‘ stage, while the developing panicle is still to emerge from the stem. However, the advice has put the farmers into a dilemma. If they go against the recommendation given, they will lose their market and if they follow the advice, they may lose their crop, said the report.

The EU alone imports 3.5 lakh tonnes (lt) basmati rice annually out of India‘s total 40 lt exports, with much of it constituting Pusa-1401 and Pusa Basmati-1 rice, said the report quoting Vijay Setia, president of AIREA. According to him, the EU decision reducing the MRL for Tricyclazole to default levels can significantly affect country‘s shipments and amounts to a nontariff barrier. He further said that the government should take the matter up as so far there was no report of health-related issues because of the use of this fungicide.

AK Gupta, director of the Basmati Export Development Foundation, a society under the Union Commerce Ministry‘s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority also told The Indian Express that Tricyclazole residues remain in the plant for 30-35 days.

Therefore, if spraying is done at booting stage, the molecules will break down and there will hardly be any residues during maturity.

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Meanwhile, a New Delhi-based institute, which has developed all the well-known Pusa basmati varieties, has been working on ‗breeding for disease-resistance‘, as an alternative to spraying of pesticides

http://www.financialexpress.com/market/commodities/basmati-rice-challenges-abound-forindian-farmers-as-eu-demands-crackdown-on-fungicides/761655/

Iran, Pakistan Optimistic over Trade Turnover

Tehran, Jul 12 (Prensa Latina) Iran and Pakistan are optimistic they would achieve the target of $5 billion USD bilateral trade in coming years despite some hurdles.In an interview with Iran's news agency, IRNA, Bilal Khan Pasha, a high ranking official at Pakistani Commerce Ministry, said that Tehran and Islamabad are holding talks to take full advantage of the potential of their bilateral trade.

'Iran and Pakistan are enjoying complementary trade capacities,' as the two countries produce items that both of them need, said Khan Pasha.He added that right now under the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) only 300 items are covered in the range of 7,000 plus items.'To achieve

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the figure of $5 billion USD, we immediately need to increase that list. We need to pay more focus on the things which are in demand and Pakistan can export like agriculture items, textiles, rice and many other things to Iran and can import petroleum products, cement and other chemicals,' the Pakistani official suggested.

At the moment, Tehran and Islamabad are now holding the second round of negotiations on Free Trade Agreement in the Pakistani capital.Last year, trade turnover between Iran and Pakistan increased to more than $1 billion which shows a growing trend after the nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers, formally named Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=15477&SEO=iran-pakistan-optimistic-over-trade-turnover

Big-wheel sectors trading on the policies of partiality’ LAHORE: The bureaucracy remains confused over how to formulate policies in consultation with the businesses or business associations as in most of the cases the new measures, regulations, directives fail to please all the stakeholders.

They say the associations and business sectors recommend policies to protect their vested interests instead of national interests. Auto vendors association for instances pleads for higher import duties on auto components while the producers of cars plead for lower duties to lower the cost of cars to the consumers. The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association desires higher import duties on the import of yarn and fabric while the apparel exporters plead for duty-free access to these items for they are basic raw materials for their final products.

The bureaucracy also complains that associations provide only that data to them that strengthen their stance and conceal the one that injures their interest. For instance during the recent global recessions the exports of most of our competing economies declined but that of Bangladesh and Vietnam strengthened.

The point that the exporters missed was that the products exported from Pakistan were mostly different than the products exported by these two countries. For instance exports of basic textiles, leather and rice declined sharply in Pakistan but its apparel exports registered increase.

Bangladesh and Vietnam are in apparel export only. They entered textile trade very late but in most lucrative value-added sectors. Pakistanis are in global textile exports for more than five decades but they confined themselves mostly to low value-added basic textiles.

The dominant basic textile sector persuaded the government to protect their products from foreign competitors resulting in higher cost for basic raw materials of apparel sector. As a result, it not only hurt the basic textile exports but also stunted the growth in apparel exports.

The bureaucracy desires a free hand in formulating policies promising that technology would ensure no sector would be unduly targeted. They say that compromises are made under political pressures to change the policies. For example, they added that principle of open market economy demands there should be no subsidy on sugar exports but the political necessity says it‘s inevitable.

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There is no scope of fixed import price tariff on items that undergo constant price fluctuations. In case of used car imports, the import trade price (ITP) for different classifications and brands of cars is fixed and has not been updated on real time basis.

The used cars enjoy a tariff subsidy of one percent per month on the original tariff. Another of their arguments was if the import of used cars is allowed under the ITP fixed three years back, the tariff subsidy would be very high as the prices have jumped by 20-30 percent over that period.

Similarly the manufacturers want high duty protection for the products they market in the country while the importers plead for lowest possible duties. Here again the decisions are taken on the basis of influence. The manufacturers have proved a number of times that the imported finished products are under-invoiced. But despite having been presented hard evidence, the planners simply raised the ITP nominally or the duty by 5 to 7 percent when the actual impact demanded it to be jacked up by 500 percent or the tariff substantially. The winners, however, in all cases are those sectors that enjoy political clout https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/216105-Big-wheel-sectors-trading-on-the-policies-ofpartiality

Oxfam Signs MoU to Improve the Lives of Rice Growers in Pakistan

FAISALABAD: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and Oxfam Pakistan to improve the sustainable productivity and quality standards of Basmati rice value chain. Dr. Iqrar A. Khan, Vice Chancellor, UAF and Mr. Mohammed Qazilbash, Country Director, Oxfam Pakistan signed the MoU in a ceremony held at the university. Rice forms about 7.5% of the total export earnings. It

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is has a vibrant rice sub-system that caters to most of the production of which roughly 70% is exported. The MoU signifies mutual cooperation for reducing social, economic and environmental challenges faced by rice growers in the rice value chain.

The lives of rice growers in Pakistan are hostage to adverse socio-economic and environmental conditions. A range of factors, including a lack of sufficient monetary compensation for labor, shortage of health facilities, civic facilities, education, and government support along with natural hazards have adversely affected rice growers. The Basmati rice supply chain in Pakistan is characterized by a high number of challenges; issues of uncontrolled chemical use, causing health issues as well as pollution of soils, water and the environment. Additionally the highly volatile prices of inputs prevent rice producers from making profits. Many growers are in a debt spiral and cannot avail credit or loans. Last but not the least, climate change patterns in Punjab cause extreme weather conditions, alter the dates of cropping seasons and increase the occurrence of pests and diseases.

The project to improve the lives of rice growers in Pakistan will be piloted by Oxfam and Doaba Foundation. During the ceremony, Oxfam in Pakistan‘s Country Director Mr. Qazilbash said, ―Among the most vulnerable and marginalized people in the rice industry are the rice workers.

They are mostly women and children who work in poor conditions for low wages. It is difficult for the workers to negotiate better working conditions. Together with the technical support of UAF, Oxfam aims to facilitate research, engage experts in multi-stakeholder consultations and conduct training programs to achieve our common goals in the sector of sustainable rice production.‖ He also mentioned that rice growers have limited opportunities to learn improved farming practices, integrated pest management, alternatives to chemical fertilizers and water management.

Mr. Javed Iqbal of Doaba Foundation stated that the project ―Towards a Gender Transformative and Sustainable Basmati Rice Value Chain in Pakistan‖ is a joint effort to reduce gender discrimination and to increase the per actor yield with improvement of paddy quality. During implementation of this project different researches and studies will be conducted for further assessing the challenges of this sector. 10 rice grower organizations will be established consisting of men and women rice farmers in 10 selected villages of district Muridke. These areas will be capacitated with modern techniques for rice cultivation.( Press Release) http://thebalochistanpoint.com/oxfam-signs-mou-to-improve-the-lives-of-rice-growers-in-pakistan/

Iran invests big to boost agricultural mechanization Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-13 23:19:19|Editor: Mu Xuequan TEHRAN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian government will speed up agricultural mechanization by allocating more funds, Financial Tribune reported on Thursday.

About 395.5 million U.S. dollars will be invested in agricultural mechanization in the current Iranian year, which ranges from March 2017 to March 2018.

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The investment is 25 percent more than that of the past year, said the head of the Agricultural Mechanization Expansion Center with the Ministry of Agriculture.

"About 211 million dollars, 80 million dollars and 40 million dollars will be allocated to the fields of farming, horticulture, livestock and poultry respectively," Kambiz Abbasi said.

He added that "20 million dollars will be invested in fisheries and seafood, and 10.5 million dollars in medicinal herbs."

Since President Hassan Rouhani took office in August 2013, a total of 1.38 billion dollars of investments have gone into the mechanization of different fields of agriculture, said Abbasi.

According to the report, the share of mechanized rice farming has risen from 12.5 percent to 80 percent over the past four years.

"The incumbent government has invested a record high of about 156 million dollars in the mechanization of rice production," Abbasi said.

Mechanization has helped lower costs of production and harvest and increase productivity, he said, adding that rice production in 250,000 hectares of paddy fields have become automated over the past four years.

The volume of agricultural waste in Iran is twice the global average. Currently, up to 30 percent of agro products go to waste in the country during the pre-harvest, harvest, post-harvest and supply stages.

According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, 1.3 billion tons of food, mainly fruit, vegetables, fish and grains, are wasted globally every year and Iran is responsible for 2.7 percent of it, equal to about 35 million tons of the total sum.

Old machinery is the main culprit contributing to agricultural waste, which is said to cost Iran's economy over 5 billion dollars annually.

Last year, Iran imported renowned brands of rice planting machinery, heavy tractors, combines and orchard tractors, Abbasi said, adding that most of the imports came from Germany, Italy, France, South Korea and Japan.

Iranian government has also plans to invest some 870 million dollars to modernize irrigation systems across the country this year, Iranian Deputy Agriculture Minister Alimorad Akbari said http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-07/13/c_136441920.htm

Wheat, rice basmati soften on low demand PTI | Jul 13, 2017, 02:37 PM IST

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New Delhi, Jul 13 () Prices of wheat and rice basmati eased by up to Rs 100 per quintal at wholesale grains market today owing to slackened demand against sufficient stocks position.

However, other bold grains rose on pick-up in demand from consuming industries.

Traders said fall in demand from flour mills and stockists against sufficient stocks position helped wheat and rice basmati prices to trade lower.

In the national capital, wheat dara (for mills) shed Rs 5 to Rs 1,760-1,765 per quintal. Atta chakki delivery enquired lower by a similar margin to Rs 1,765-1,770 per 90 kg.

Rice basmati common and Pusa-1121 variety also slipped to Rs 6,800-7,100 and Rs 5,600-5,650 from previous levels of Rs 6,800-7,200 and Rs 6,800-7,200 per quintal, respectively.

On the other hand, other bold grains like, bajra, maize and barley settled higher at Rs 1,1901,200, Rs 1,335-1,340 and Rs 1,460-1,470 from previous levels of Rs 1,135-1,145, Rs 1,2951,305 and Rs 1,410-1,430 per quintal, respectively.

Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal): Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,100-2,345, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,760-1,765, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,765-1,770, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 260-300, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour mill Rs 975-980 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1010-1020 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,035-1,040 (50 kg).

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 6,800-7,100, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 5,600-5,650, Permal raw Rs 2,2252,250, Permal wand Rs 2,275-2,300, Sela Rs 2,500-2,600 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,850-1,900, Bajra Rs 1,190-1,200, Jowar yellow Rs 1,450-1,500, white Rs 2,900-3,100, Maize Rs 1,335-1,340, Barley Rs 1,460-1,470. SUN KPS SBT http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/wheat-rice-basmati-soften-on-lowdemand/articleshow/59576612.cms

20,000 tonnes of rice arrive from Vietnam Anwar Hussain, Chittagong Published at 01:22 PM July 13, 2017 Last updated at 04:53 PM July 13, 2017

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Unloading of the rice may begin by Saturday or Sunday The first consignment of rice that the government purchased from Vietnam has arrived at the Chittagong port.The ship carrying 20,000 tonnes of rice anchored around 9:30am Thursday at the Kutubdia outer anchorage, Controller of Movement and Storage Jahirul Islam of the Department of Food Chittagong told the Dhaka Tribune.The department will now assess the rice for quality, he said. This will be followed by other customs formalities. ―All considered we can hopefully allow the unloading of the rice to begin by Saturday or Sunday,‖ he said.He said the next to consignments will arrive on July 18 and 22.The government has purchased 200,000 tonnes of white rice at $430 per tonne and 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice at $470 per tonne from Vietnam to maintain immediate availability of stock in the market, as well as reserves.The country‘s rice stock has hit a five year low, at 193,000 tonnes.

‘Rice reserve to be 1.2m tonnes by September’ The government‘s rice reserve is expected to stand at 1.2 million tonnes by September, Food Minister Qamrul Islam told journalists later in the day.―We are expecting 22,000 tonnes on July 18, 21,000 tonnes on July 24 and 24,000 tonnes more on July 30. Another 40,000 tonnes of rice will arrive by August. The rice that was bought through tender between July 15 and July 20 will also be arriving. We have invited bids for four tenders, and one is being processed,‖ he said. The

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minister said that 16,000 dealers had been blacklisted by the government for three years for creating artificial shortage to raise the price of rice.

More rice is also expected from India, Myanmar and Thailand. The minister said: ―450,000 tonnes of rice will be arriving from various sources in August. We are expecting a team of representatives from India on Sunday. The delegation from Thailand will be arriving on July 24.

There will be government-to-government contracts with India and Thailand. I will also be going to Cambodia on August 1 or 2 to sign a contract for more rice.

After the import duty on rice was cut by 18%, 84,000 tonnes of rice have come from India through the private sector. Dealers that had been reluctant to sell rice to the government have begun selling us their rice now as well, Qamrul said.―We are expecting to collect 3-4 lakh tonnes of rice from local markets as well,‖ he added.When asked about the government‘s current stocks of grains, he said: ―We have sufficient stores of food. There are no plans to distribute the rice except for emergency relief.‖ http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/commerce/2017/07/13/20000-tonnes-rice-arrives-vietnam/

Drought, floods to halve Sri Lanka's Yala 2017 rice crop Jul 13, 2017 06:58 AM GMT+0530 | ECONOMYNEXT - Sri Lanka is expecting paddy output during the minor Yala cropping season to fall 48 percent to 789,000 metric tonnes in 2017 from a year earlier amid lagging effects of last year's drought and floods in the wet zone.Sri Lanka's main Maha season paddy output has already plunged 49 percent to an estimated 1.478 million tonnes, down from last year's record 2.9 million tonnes, the state Department of Agriculture said.

Rains returned in the first quarter of 2017 with floods in the Western and South-Western areas of the island, but major irrigation tanks in the dry zone remain at low levels.

Dry zone tanks are filled during the North Eastern monsoon in the last quarter of the year. Both monsoons failed in 2016, leading to low water levels for rice growing this year.

Floods in Colombo, Gampaha, Matara, Ratnapura and Hambantota destroyed 5,349 hectares of newly sown paddy, leading to 16,870 metric tonnes of crop losses.

This year, only about 400,000 hactares of rice is expected to be sown, down 20 percent from last year.

In a weather update in June the Department of Agriculture said dry weather will prevail in the dry and intermediate zones until mid-September with only occasional showers, which will not be enough to boost storage in irrigation tanks, requiring stringent water issue.

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Total expected paddy output in 2017 would be 2.267 million tonnes, down 48 percent from last year's 4,420 million tonnes.

After setting aside stocks for seed paddy and wastage, 2.28 million tonnes of paddy is expected to be available for milling. About 1.38 million tonnes of rice is expected to be milled this year, generating a deficit of 978,00 tonnes of rice.

However, reliable data 8310.htmlhttp://www.economynext.com/Drought,_floods_to_have_Sri_Lanka_s_Yala_2017_rice_crop3-8310.html

NFA wants more bidders for for 250,000 MT rice imports

By Louise Maureen Simeon (philstar.com) | Updated July 13, 2017 - 3:20pm

According to NFA, previous G2P schemes several years ago had an average of 10 to 15 bidders. Philstar.com/file photo MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority wants more bidders for the procurement of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice as part of the planned government-to-private sector (G2P) importation scheme.During the pre-bidding conference Thursday, only 11 bidders bought bid

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documents for the the 250,000 MT (25 percent brokens, long grain white rice, well-milled) to be divided in eight lots.

Although the NFA did not set a target number of bidders to participate, the agency wants to have as many as possible."We have eight lots and 11 bidders. We are not saying that it is not enough but we would want to have more and to open up to many bidders as possible," NFA Special Assistant to the Administrator Rachel Miguel said.

"The very purpose of the NFA Council is for more private participation and that the volume will not be from a single supplier only," NFA deputy administrator Tomas Escarez added.According to NFA, previous G2P schemes several years ago had an average of 10 to 15 bidders.Of the 11 bidders, five are from Thailand: Ponglarp Co. Ltd., Thai Hua Co. Ltd., Capital Cereals Co. Ltd., Asia Golden Rice Co. Ltd. and Thai Granlux International Inc. Vietnam has four: Vietnam Northern Food Corp., Vietnam Southern Food Corp. II, Gentraco, and Gia International Corp.The remaining bidders are Olam International Ltd. from Singapore and Louis Dreyfus Co. from the Netherlands.The NFA will still accept bidders until the opening of bid documents on July 25.

Of the total import volume, 100,000 MT will be discharged in the port of Manila, 30,000 MT in Batangas, 25,000 MT each in Tabaco, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, 20,000 MT in Poro Pt. in La Union, 15,000 MT in Davao and 10,000 MT in General Santos City.The imported volume is expected to arrive starting August until September, the period of the lean season, and the agency has allotted P5.6 billion for the procurement.Current NFA inventory can only last for five days compared to its mandated buffer stock of having reserves good for at least 15 days at any given time.

Starting this month, which marks the onset of the lean season for rice, the NFA must have at least a 30-day buffer stock to meet the requirements of victims of calamities and emergencies."We continue to monitor the supply and we are ready with any eventuality. Nothing to worry, because in the next three weeks, the importation will arrive and we will also be opening the MAV (minimum access volume)," Escarez said.Based on computations, the 250,000 MT can only cover for seven days.

Following the 32,000-MT daily consumption of the country, at least 544,000 MT is needed to maintain the agency‘s buffer stocking mandate.Escarez said the NFA Council is set to meet next week to prepare the documents for the approval of the terms of reference for the 805,000 MT to be shouldered by the private sector.

Meanwhile, prospective bidders for the 250,000 MT may bid for any of the lots provided that the bid must be the minimum or maximum of the imported rice allocated per lot. The maximum quantity to be awarded per supplier must not be higher than 50,000 MT.NFA said rice must be shipped in break bulk where packing shall be in 50 kilograms net each in woven polypropylene

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bags suitable for rice export with NFA markings, designs and specifications.Winning bidders shall deliver the goods free of obligations and expenses of NFA up to NFA‘s designated warehouses. http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2017/07/13/1719215/nfa-wants-more-bidders-250000-mt-riceimports

Philippines sets $451.08/tonne price ceiling for rice imports MANILA, July 13 (Reuters) - The Philippines' state grains agency said on Thursday it set a price ceiling of $451.08 a tonne for the 250,000 tonnes of rice it was seeking from international suppliers, and identified 11 prospective bidders from Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore.

The Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, usually buys from major sellers Vietnam and Thailand, where export prices have fallen amid weak demand.

The National Food Authority (NFA) is seeking supply of 25 percent broken long grain white rice for delivery between August and September to boost its thinning stockpile ahead of the typhoon season later this year.

That variety is trading at around $393-$398 a tonne in Vietnam RI-VNBKN25-P1 and quoted at $393 a tonne RI-THWHT25-A by the Thai Rice Exporters Association.

"That (price ceiling) is the average of all the rice prices including (shipping) expenses," Tomas Escarez, head of the bids and awards panel at the NFA, told reporters after meeting with prospective bidders.

The NFA's initial list of prospective bidders includes Olam International Ltd and Louis Dreyfus Corp of Singapore, and Vietnam Northern Food Corp, also known as Vinafood I, and Vinafood II.Thai suppliers Asia Golden Rice Co Ltd, Ponglarp Co Ltd, Thai Hua Co Ltd, Capital Cereals Co Ltd and Thai Granlux International Inc, and Vietnamese traders Gentraco and Gia International Corp are also interested in bidding, the NFA said.Bids must be submitted on or before July 25, when the sealed offers will be opened. The NFA will award a maximum 50,000 tonnes to each winning bidder.

State inventories have shrunk to the least in more than three years, just enough to cover five days of national requirement, or just a fraction of the 30-day buffer stock required during the lean harvest season from July to September.Escarez said the NFA will also allow local private rice traders to import up to 805,000 tonnes of rice under an annual quota scheme, which should arrive between December and February next year. (Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Additional reporting by My Pham in HANOI and Patpicha Tanakasempipat in BANGKOK; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri http://www.reuters.com/article/philippines-rice-idUSL4N1K42VF

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11 show interest in gov’t-to-private importation of 250,000 MT of rice Published July 13, 2017, 10:01 PM

By Madelaine B. Miraflor With less than a couple of weeks left, state-run grains agency National Food Authority (NFA) is still hoping that more companies would participate in the government-to-private (G2P) auction of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice after having to attract only 11 companies so far.

During a pre-bid conference held yesterday in Quezon City, NFA Deputy Administrator Tomas Escarez said only 11 interested firms have so far formally expressed interest to join the bidding.

These 11 companies are Olam International Limited, Ponglarp Co. Limited, Thai Hua Co. Limited, Vietnam Southern Food Corp. II, Gentraco, Gia International Corp., Louis Dreyfus Company, Vietnam Northern Food Corp. (Vinafood I), Capital Cereals Co. Ltd., Asia Golden Rice Co. Ltd., Thai Granlux International, Inc. ―The very purpose of the NFA Council is for more private sector participation. The more participants the better so one supplier can‘t have all the contracts,‖ Escarez said in an interview.―We want more. Even one day before the bidding day, we will accept interested bidders,‖ he added.NFA is particularly inviting interested bidders for the supply contracts of 250,000 MT of 25 percent brokens long grain white rice well-milled.

The exact bidding date is happening on July 25 (Tuesday).The government will only allot eight to 10 lots for this auction, with the maximum quantity to be awarded per supplier only stood at 50,000 MT.When asked if putting a cap on the volume to be awarded to each supplier might defeat the purpose of bidding, Escarez only said ―it is a collective decision of the NFA council, we are just implementing it.‖ To recall, NFA Council Chairman Leoncio B. Evasco said before the government decided to transition to G2P importation from government to government (G2G) in order to ensure a corrupt free and competitive bidding process at the NFA.―The Council is looking at dividing the importation to 8 to 10 lots with minimum of 25,000 MT and maximum of 50,000 MT per lot. This year‘s government to private importation seeks to do away with the old G2G that lacks transparency and competition,‖ Evasco said before.

For this G2P deal, the NFA will only purchase for $451 per MT of rice, totaling to R5.6 billion.

130,000 MT of the imported volume is expected to arrive in tranches starting August, while the remaining 120,000 should be here by September.

As of now, NFA‘s buffer stock is only meant to last for five days.NFA Spokesperso Marietta Ablaza said earlier that the additional 250,000 MT of rice will boost the said inventory only for seven days.Escarez said there‘s no need to worry about the dwindling rice supply as the country can also tap the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) importation.MAV refers to the volume of

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commodities that is allowed to be imported by a member country as a commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Aside from the G2P importation, NFA is also pushing for the approval of the guidelines that will formally allow the purchase of another 805,000 MT of rice through MAV.―There is still no approval from the NFA Council but based on the proposal, that (MAV importation) would start by the last week of December up to February 2018,‖ Escarez said.―We have a regular council meeting every third week of the month. We haven‘t received a notice yet but (there‘s a meeting) probably next week,‖ he added.According to him, the documents are now being prepared for the approval of Term of Reference (TOR) for MAV importation http://business.mb.com.ph/2017/07/13/11-show-interest-in-govt-to-private-importation-of250000-mt-of-rice/

FG to stop importation of rice by December Oluwole Ige - Osogbo Top News

Minister of Agric, Audu Ogbeh THE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, on Wednesday in Osogbo, Osun State capital, said the Federal Government has concluded plans to stop importation of rice into the country by December, 2017.Ogbeh, who made this disclosure when he paid a courtesy call on the Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola also hinted that the Federal Government was ready to partner with Osun State government in the current process of massive food production as part of the measure to tackle economic recession.

He lamented that it was unfortunate that Nigeria was still spending billions of dollars on food importation, thereby calling for maximum collaboration and partnership between and among the various authorities to revamp agriculture.

Ogbeh maintained that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture had been restructured to meet the nation‘s needs on food production so as to bring an end to all forms of food importation, adding that his visit was aimed at solidifying the existing relationship between the Osun State Government and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture on the need to achieve a better agricultural productivity.

According to him, ―By December this year, we will stop importation of rice into the country. It is a pity that as a nation we spend about five million dollars on the importation of rice on a daily

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basis. We have no choice in this country now but to get back to go back to farm and begin to cultivate it so as to be able to free ourselves and the land from poverty because oil and gas can no longer do it. ―Our dreams of big foreign exchange earnings must stop and it is a pity that all our revenue is being spent to service debts. In Osun, there is a lot of potentialities through various crops. Just two crops alone are enough for Osun to make over three billion dollars in a month. ―We have to find extraordinary means to make agriculture work in this country because by 2050 Nigeria‘s population would have risen to about 450 million and we have to quickly begin to look for means of being capable to feed ourselves by then,‖ he remarked.

Ogbeh continued, ―If care is not taken, it will be very difficult to finance the debt which the nation owed all in the name of food importation. We have to put a stop to this. We have to rededicate ourselves and look inward in order to chart a new course for our nation. The only feasible alternative we have to cushion the adverse effect of the present economy is for all to go back to farm.

In his remarks, Aregbesola, said there was no aspect of agriculture that his government had not touched, stressing that the present economy has left Nigerians with options of either to develop or destroy, thus calling for massive participation in agriculture.

The governor stated, ―An alternative to oil is a quest of all nations. A time is coming when oil will no longer serve the mono-economic that it serves now, thus, Nigeria must come to that grim reality that in 25 years to come, there will not be revenue from oil. ‖http://tribuneonlineng.com/fg-stop-importation-rice-december/

NFA wants more bidders for for 250,000 MT rice imports

By Louise Maureen Simeon (philstar.com) | Updated July 13, 2017 - 3:20pm

According to NFA, previous G2P schemes several years ago had an average of 10 to 15 bidders MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority wants more bidders for the procurement of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice as part of the planned government-to-private sector (G2P) importation scheme.During the pre-bidding conference Thursday, only 11 bidders bought bid documents for the the 250,000 MT (25 percent brokens, long grain white rice, well-milled) to be divided in eight lots.

Although the NFA did not set a target number of bidders to participate, the agency wants to have as many as possible."We have eight lots and 11 bidders. We are not saying that it is not enough but we would want to have more and to open up to many bidders as possible," NFA Special Assistant to the Administrator Rachel Miguel said.

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"The very purpose of the NFA Council is for more private participation and that the volume will not be from a single supplier only," NFA deputy administrator Tomas Escarez added.According to NFA, previous G2P schemes several years ago had an average of 10 to 15 bidders.Of the 11 bidders, five are from Thailand: Ponglarp Co. Ltd., Thai Hua Co. Ltd., Capital Cereals Co. Ltd., Asia Golden Rice Co. Ltd. and Thai Granlux International Inc.

Vietnam has four: Vietnam Northern Food Corp., Vietnam Southern Food Corp. II, Gentraco, and Gia International Corp. The remaining bidders are Olam International Ltd. from Singapore and Louis Dreyfus Co. from the Netherlands.

The NFA will still accept bidders until the opening of bid documents on July 25.Of the total import volume, 100,000 MT will be discharged in the port of Manila, 30,000 MT in Batangas, 25,000 MT each in Tabaco, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, 20,000 MT in Poro Pt. in La Union, 15,000 MT in Davao and 10,000 MT in General Santos City.The imported volume is expected to arrive starting August until September, the period of the lean season, and the agency has allotted P5.6 billion for the procurement.

Current NFA inventory can only last for five days compared to its mandated buffer stock of having reserves good for at least 15 days at any given time.Starting this month, which marks the onset of the lean season for rice, the NFA must have at least a 30-day buffer stock to meet the

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requirements of victims of calamities and emergencies."We continue to monitor the supply and we are ready with any eventuality. Nothing to worry, because in the next three weeks, the importation will arrive and we will also be opening the MAV (minimum access volume)," Escarez said.

Based on computations, the 250,000 MT can only cover for seven days.Following the 32,000MT daily consumption of the country, at least 544,000 MT is needed to maintain the agency‘s buffer stocking mandate.Escarez said the NFA Council is set to meet next week to prepare the documents for the approval of the terms of reference for the 805,000 MT to be shouldered by the private sector.

Meanwhile, prospective bidders for the 250,000 MT may bid for any of the lots provided that the bid must be the minimum or maximum of the imported rice allocated per lot. The maximum quantity to be awarded per supplier must not be higher than 50,000 MT.NFA said rice must be shipped in break bulk where packing shall be in 50 kilograms net each in woven polypropylene bags suitable for rice export with NFA markings, designs and specifications. Winning bidders shall deliver the goods free of obligations and expenses of NFA up to NFA‘s designated warehouses. http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2017/07/13/1719215/nfa-wants-more-bidders-250000-mtrice-imports

Tanzania: Traders Told to Brand Mbarali Rice

By Godfrey Kahango TheCitizenTz gkahango@tz.nationmedia.com Mbarali. Mr Reuben Mfune, the Mbarali District Commissioner (DC), has reminded rice traders of the importance of branding and packaging before the product enters the market.Mr Mfune said the aim is to ensure that rice from the district was well recognised to avoid profit-mongering traders who sell produce from other regions claiming that it is from Mbarali.

The commissioner made the remark after visiting paddy mills at Ubaruku Ward where he disclosed that the district had a total of 18 mills plus the other for producing packing materials.

"We will now allow people to take rice out of Mbarali, but we need traders to transport the commodity in special packages bearing the logo of the district," said the DC."Customers nowadays go to the market to buy rice, but unscrupulous traders sell to them substandard rice claiming that it is from Mbarali. We don't want this to continue that's why we must package and brand our product."

He added that the rice production has gone down this year because of insufficient rains, adding that a big number of farmers decided not to cultivate. Besides, the DC advised the Mbarali residents not to sell their yields to avoid hunger. "We had low rainfall this season, which has

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affected the quantity of production, for instance, last year we had a surplus of 200,000 tons of paddy, but this year, it is impossible to get to that figure. Our early estimates show that we will have at least 87,000 tons," he said. "So, I would like to advise the residents that they should keep preserving what they have reaped this season. They must not be tempted to sell because of high prices that are on offer,' said the DC. A rice trader at Ubaruku Ward, George Mbilah, said the decision of the government calling for better package of rice was good for it would make the Mbarali rice to be uniquely identified in and outside the district.

However, he said this would be possible only if a proper system was introduced on how to obtain such packages at affordable prices.A farmer, Joseph Ngungulu, concurred with the district administration on food storage, urging every household to heed the advice

16,000 millers blacklisted for illegal rice hoarding July 13, 2017 The government has blacklisted 16,000 rice millers for hoarding in an effort to manipulate prices, reports bdnews24.comFood Minister Qamrul Islam said on Thursday that they will not procure rice from these millers for the next three years.―The only reason behind spiralling rice prices was stockpiling by unscrupulous traders following the flash floods in the haor area,‖ he said at a media briefing at the ministry.Islam said the government‘s target for procuring rice hit snags for the ‗huge difference‘ between the market price and the government-fixed rate of Tk 34 for a kg.

There are 20,000 rice mills in the country, according to Md Badrul Hasan, director general of Directorate General of Food.Consumers enjoyed steady rice prices in the last couple of years with abundance in production but this year, flash floods hit hard the ‗Boro‘ rice cultivation damaging around 600,000 tonnes of paddy in the backswamps in northeastern Bangladesh.

The government‘s stock of rice also thinned following the ‗Rice at Tk 10 per kg‘ project for poor families.

At this point, import duty on rice was slashed to 10 percent, from the existing 28 percent, to encourage private traders to purchase more from abroad.Wholesalers blamed the hike during Ramadan, when rice prices soared to Tk 60 a kg, on some industrialists trying to control the rice market countrywide with auto-mills.At the end of June, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blamed ―unscrupulous traders‖ for the ―abnormal rice price hike‖ during a session in parliament.

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There are currently 16,000 auto rice mills in the country, according to Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Rice Mill Owners. These mills have taken over the traditional rice production methods.

When asked whether the demand can be met through only 4,000 registered mills, Badrul said: ―The government procures around 1.2 million tonnes of rice internally which can be easily collected from 2,000 to 2,500 mills.‖Hoarders are now releasing the stocks as consignments have started to arrive from India, the minister said.Bangladesh is importing a quarter million tonnes of rice from Vietnam under a government-to-government deal, the first consignment of which has already arrived.

With 20,000 metric tonnes of rice, the ship arrived at Chittagong port on Thursday, said Qamrul. ―The ship will be unloaded after finishing customs formalities,‖ he said. The second onsignment with 22,000 tonnes of rice will arrive on Jul 18 while two more consignments with 21,000 tonnes and 30,000 tonnes of rice will arrive on Jul 30.Neither the minister nor other officials of his ministry responded to reporters‘ repeated queries on what the exact amount of rice the government has in reserve.

Qamrul only said: ―There is enough.‖―We do not need to spare from our stock at this moment except for some relief work.‖He called on journalists to refrain from publishing ―negative news‖ over rice stock.When asked why the rice import was delayed, he said: ―We issued a letter asking for removal of tariff earlier but the prime minister was thoughtful about farmers. It was removed after farmers received due prices for their produces. http://businessnews24bd.com/16000-millers-blacklisted-for-illegal-rice-hoarding/

Rice self-sufficiency Many of the estimated 1,700 varieties of rice that have evolved to suit the country's micro-climates and soils are now in danger of becoming extinct Sean Shoemaker SEAN SHOEMAKER

HIGH BREED: Women planting paddy at the 15th annual Paddy Festival on 29 June in Pokhara.

Nepal is one of the most diverse countries for rice in the world, with paddy growing from the heights of the 3,000m Sinja Valley to the plains of Ilam, at 100m. However, many of the estimated 1,700 varieties of rice that have evolved to suit the country's micro-climates and soils are now in danger of becoming extinct.

Scientists say this would worsen Nepal‘s already precarious food security situation, and the country would be much more dependent on imported hybrids. Nepal‘s rice varieties are also threatened by climate change and rapid urbanisation of fertile valleys, as well as the outmigration of young men.

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―The educated stay abroad, only us elderly farmers remain in the village. A lot of terraces are now fallow, they have turned into jungle,‖ says Surya Prasad Adhikari from Sundari Danda near Pokhara, who has been at the forefront of a farmer-driven effort to preserve the genetic diversity of rice seeds by cross-breeding rice varieties to make them more resilient. ―Local strains of rice are being abandoned not only because farmers have left, but also because some are attracted to higher yields of hybrid varieties. Local strains can better resist climate change, and if they are preserved maybe some farmers would even return to their land,‖ says

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Adhikari, who has worked closely for the Pokhara-based group, Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) that helps cooperatives practice sustainable agriculture. ―The farmers protect quality seeds so they can breed improved varieties, and planting them in turn protects the soil,‖ explains LI-BIRD‘s plant breeder, Rajeev Dhakal.

Nepal has an annual rice deficit of about 1 million tons even during years with good monsoons.

Rice production is averaging about 5 million tons because only 18% of the land is irrigated, and productivity is low. This year, only 40% of rice fields have been planted because of late monsoons and elections.

However, hope may be at hand. Three irrigation projects that will divert water to huge tracts of the Tarai are about to launch in the central and western plains. This means farmers will be able to plant spring rice as well. New techniques like System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and crossbreeding by farmers like Adhikari have improved yields, and these techniques need to be scaled up.

SRI is now being practised in 12 districts and has doubled the yield in many places, while using half the amount of seedlings and much less water. SRI combined with mechanisation has boosted productivity in Tarai farms from an average of 3 tons/hectare to 9 tons/hectare at a lower cost.

Power tillers, automatic paddy planters and harvesters are replacing manual farming even in the hills.

Says Rajendra Uprety at the Regional Directorate of Agriculture in Biratnagar and a strong proponent of SRI: ―We need to grow more rice to achieve food security, and need a new methodology for local seeds for higher yields. SRI is suitable to achieve that objective.‖ http://nepalitimes.com/article/nation/rice-self-sufficiency,3834

Prof Yuan Longping — Feed The World With Hybrid Rice

BY TARA LOA DER W ILK INSO N J ULY 1 4 , 20 17 01 :0 5 AM

Prof Yuan Longping: ―I believe our world stands a good chance of wiping out the chronic scourge of human starvation.‖ Prof Yuan Longping has invented a rice species that produces 50 percent more grains.

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There are 852 million people globally that live in a constant state of starvation and, each year, 50,000 children die of hunger or malnutrition. More appallingly, the absolute number of hungerstricken people in three-quarters of Third World countries has risen over the past five years.

Despite efforts of governments and charities, the declarations made by the United Nations, the G7 and the G20, global hunger persists on a horrific scale. One only need look at the situation in the remote villages of South Sudan and Somalia this year to see that the status quo is not working.

Perhaps a more sustainable approach needs to be adopted — such as if poor rice-growing communities could continue to grow rice, but grow a species that withstood the elements and produced up to 50 percent more grains. This is the theory of Prof Yuan Longping, an 86-year-old agricultural scientist who is credited with inventing the first hybrid rice varieties in the 1970s. He has dedicated his life — often putting it in mortal danger — to its development. Last year he was honoured with the inaugural LUI Che Woo Prize for sustainability.

Prof Yuan Longping tells his remarkable story.

How could hybrid rice wipe out starvation?

There are 150 million rice-growing hectares in the world today. If we succeed in planting hybrid rice in half of the total rice-growing hectares, the increased yield each year will be able to feed 400-500 million people more globally. Therefore, I believe our world stands a good chance of wiping out the chronic scourge of human starvation.

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Could hybrid rice be grown in areas of drought like Somalia, South Sudan and elsewhere in Africa?

As for the development of hybrid rice in Africa, in tropical areas such as South Sudan and Somalia, the climate is not an issue. One of the key requirements for carrying out hybrid rice technology tests is whether there are enough water resources. We have carried out hybrid rice drought tests under dry weather conditions before, and positive results have been made. Piracy and safety issues are amongst the main concerns in Somalia. And it would be difficult to provide teaching and instruction on hybrid rice technology if these problems can‘t be addressed.

What was your experience of living through the famine?

In the three-year-long period of extreme difficulties in the 1960s, China experienced a widespread famine. Witnessing people collapsing dead on the roadside at the ridge of the fields or under a bridge was very upsetting. As an intellectual specialising in farming research and trained by the state since the founding of the new China, I felt very guilty seeing a decrease in yield on a large scale and a nationwide famine. From that moment forth, I had a greater determination to try my utmost to increase the grain yield and never let our people suffer from hunger again.

What led you to imagine you could create hybrid rice?

It was a natural hybrid rice plant. In July 1961, I went to the paddy fields and I found a peculiarly strong rice plant. I planted its seeds but by the time the plants fully matured the following spring, I was disappointed to find that none of them showed anything resembling their parent plants in morphology: some tillered early, some late; some plantswere tall, some short. I felt low, but I had a sudden inspiration: the rice is a self-pollinated plant and so strains of a pure line cannot exhibit the behaviour of genetic segregation. Why did these show a variety of diverse and varied traits in morphology? At last, I had discovered that the segregation ratio between the tall phenotypes and the short phenotypes was 3:1, in perfect agreement with Mendel‘s law of segregation. A plant that I had picked out from the farmland because of its superb morphology had turned out to be a natural hybrid rice plant!

So I reasoned: if nature breeds its own hybrid rice in a spontaneous way, this means rice has its own heterosis, and it must be possible for us to make use of the hybrid heterosis of rice in an artificial way. The idea of cultivating hybrid rice cultivars came into my mind.

It must have been very difficult to get resources for your research, or even enough food to feed yourself at the time?

In 1967, I drafted a plan for the selective breeding of the male sterile line of rice in school. In response, the provincial science and technology commission made a decision to list our research work into projects funded by the provincial authorities and granted us an annual fund of up to 400 yuan. The letter from the State Science and Technology Commission played the role of a protective shield, not only protecting me from political persecution, but also providing a certain shelter so that the initial stage of our research was immune from disturbances.

When did you publish your findings?

There were a lot of hardships and setbacks during the early stage of our research. Hua Guofeng, chief of the Hunan Provincial Revolutionary Committee, fully affirmed the staged results scored by our tentative exploration, despite exceedingly difficult conditions, and instructed us to propagate our research work to the grassroots masses.

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Afterwards, our research on hybrid rice was listed as an independent entry in the research projects whose enforcement was to be well coordinated by all research bodies throughout the province. We had proven that the ‗three-lines‘ approach and the cooperation of the different research bodies were key to sustaining the progress of our research and in driving our breakthrough. After we made the discovery of wild abortive rice, we shared our findings with 18 research units across the nation. Thanks to the collective hard work and effort of the teams nationwide, we successfully established a complete set of the ‗three lines‘ to develop hybrid rice cultivars in 1973. If we had kept it a secret, it would have taken us much longer to achieve such success.

How do you feel that your rice became the first case of intellectual property moving from China to the US? During the 1980s, US agro-scientists explored the potential for heterosis in rice. Our success in studying hybrid rice attracted worldwide attention and, on 9 May 1980, Chen Yiwu, Du Shenyu and I flew to Los Angeles. Our US tour for propagating the know-how of hybrid rice and the resulting media coverage enabled more people to learn about the hybrid rice. So far, I have made five visits in succession to the US to popularise our research knowledge and findings. We have helped our US colleagues solve several tough problems and issues, and our work in the US was often praised by the late president Lyndon Johnson.

How many lives have you saved?

The total acreage planted with various hybrid rice in the world today has amounted to six million hectares. In the upcoming five to six years, the global acreage of croplands devoted to hybrid rice might be expected to go up to 15 million hectares worldwide, so the increased yield might reach some 30 million tons each year, which is capable of feeding an additional 100 million people. In the future, I will remain dedicated to promoting the hybrid rice cultivars, especially in developing countries. I believe the development of hybrid rice cultivars in the world is the solution to food shortages. http://www.billionaire.com/philanthropy/environment/2881/prof-yuan-longping-feed-the-world-withhybrid-rice

Genome-edited rice gets a step closer to the kitchen Scientists in Japan await first harvest of crop developed using new GMO technology July 13, 2017 10:00 am JST TOMOYUKI ENDO, Nikkei staff writer

Seedlings of genome-edited rice strains are planted outdoors to test their real-world viability.

(Courtesy NARO) TOKYO Japan has begun its first outdoor test-planting of rice strains developed using genome editing. This technology, which allows scientists to make changes to specific genes, promises a more efficient method for improving agricultural strains of all types.

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On May 23, the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, or NARO, planted two modified strains of rice in a paddy at its facility in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture. The main purpose is to determine whether the plants will show the desired improvements in yield when grown outdoors rather than in a lab environment.

NARO modified one of the strains to produce larger grains, and the other to produce more grains per ear. The organization plans to harvest the rice as early as October to analyze crop volume and other factors.

"With this technology we can reduce the time needed to develop new strains from between three and five years, at best, to just one," said Hiroshi Ezura, a professor at the University of Tsukuba who specializes in genome editing.

AN ELEGANT SOLUTION Genome editing changes how genes work by removing and altering targeted pieces of the genome. Like text editing, it allows specific changes to be made in targeted locations, making it possible to produce improvements with a single edit.

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Conventional methods of strain improvement use induced genetic mutation triggered by, for example, dipping amounts of rice in a chemical solution. Any resulting plants that manifest the desired trait, like larger grains, are selected for further breeding. This approach, however, involves a large degree of chance. As a result, it usually takes a long time to obtain a strain with the exact intended trait.

The first genome-editing technology was unveiled in 1996. Steady improvements have led to the current CRISPR/Cas method, and research in the field has blossomed. Genome editing has been used to improve not only crops, but also fish and other farmed products. Much is also expected from its application in the medical field.

But the technology is currently most effective in agriculture, where much progress has been made in analyzing the genomes of various crops. This analysis has helped identify genes that influence yield, sweetness and other characteristics of grains, rice in particular, and of tomatoes and vegetables. Targeting these genes for editing makes strain improvement more efficient.

Corporations in the U.S., too, are using genome editing to improve crop strains. DuPont Pioneer, for instance, has developed a high-yield strain of corn and test-grown it outdoors. The company expects to commercialize the product in four years. Seed giant Monsanto recently formed a partnership with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, which develops genome editing technologies.

Crop improvements announced in Japan include herbicide-resistant rice and tomatoes that require no pollination, but cultivation of all of these new strains remains limited to closed greenhouses. http://asia.nikkei.com/magazine/20170713/Tech-Science/Genome-edited-rice-gets-a-step-closer-to-thekitchen

Waiguru, Karua endear themselves to Mwea Jul. 14, 2017, 12:00 am

By GEOFFREY KIBISU

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JP governor aspirant Anne Waiguru in jacket and her running mate Peter The top two contenders for Kirinyaga governor, Anne Waiguru of Jubilee and Martha Karua of Narc Kenya, have set their sights on the vote-rich Mwea.Waiguru camped in the area on Tuesday and Wednesday last week and was spotted buying tomatoes and cereals from hawkers in Ngurubani town. Mwea is known for its delicious pishori rice.Karua was in the area on Thursday and Friday. She visited Nice rice millers together with her running mate Kirinyaga Central MP Joseph Gitari.

Karua and Gitari rode on boda bodas instead of their vehicles.Waiguru and Karua are trying to endear themselves to the voters by portraying themselves as down-to-earth and in touch with the common mwananchi.Waiguru's running mate Peter Ndambiri comes from Ngariama South village, Mwea, and is expected to deliver the Mwea vote.Gitari says he has two subcounties, Mwea West and Mwea East. ''I grew up and schooled in Kimbimbi. That is my home and my family is still here in Mwea. I'm one of your sons, kindly give us a chance to lead you since I understand the problems facing my kinsmen and we have the solution,' he told a crowd at Ngurubani town on Friday.Mwea has 122,380 votes and is considered a swing vote.

A strategist in the Karua camp yesterday told the Star on the phone they are targetting between 60 and 70 per cent votes in Mwea.''If we manage over 60 per cent in Mwea we are going to win

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this thing ( sic) by 2pm on Election Day,'' said the strategist, who did not want to be named.In Mwea West Karua has tasked JP Senate primary loser Elias Nganga to deliver the vote.

Nganga, who lost to senator Daniel Karaba, comes from Rukanga village in Mwea West.He has been meeting women and youth groups and urging them to vote for Karua, saying she has an agenda for the people of Kirinyaga.During the Jubilee primaries on April 24 Waiguru was trailing Gitari, who was also vying for the governor ticket, with results from Gichugu, Ndia and Kirinyaga Central. The number, however, satrted tiltinh in Waiguru's favour when the results from Mwea started flowing in. She won with a landslide. That's how important the Mwea vote is http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2017/07/14/waiguru-karua-endear-themselves-to-mwea_c1596144

Govt blacklists 16,000 rice millers ‗Stockpiling by them one of the reasons behind price hike‘ Some 16,000 rice millers have been blacklisted for illegally hoarding rice, said Food Minister Qamrul Islam on Thursday, reports UNB."The government won't procure rice from these millers for the next three years," the minister told a press briefing at the secretariat.Replying to a question, he said stockpiling the staple food by the vested millers is one of the main reasons behind the rice price hike."The prices of different varieties of rice are decreasing after the lifting of tariff on rice import to encourage the private sector," he added.

Dismissing the allegation of shortfall in government stock behind the rice price hike, Qamrul Islam said the government has enough rice in its stock.Describing the government efforts to ensure adequate rice supply to meet the demand, he said the government's rice stock will reach 0.8-1.0 million tonnes in August next, while 1.2 million tonnes in September.At present, the government is allocating rice for relief for the flood-affected people, he said.

BSS adds: The country's rice stock will be increased to 1.0 million (10 lakh) tonnes by August to ensure supply of the staple food-grain and meet any emergency demand, Food Minister Qamrul Islam said."There is no food crisis in the country", the minister asserted at the press conference.

According to the minister, 110 thousand tonnes of rice would reach Chittagong Port from Vietnam by July when another 180 thousand tonnes would come in August."The government is procuring a total of 2.5 lakh tonnes (250 thousand tones) of rice from Vietnam on G2G (government to government) contract basis, of which 20 thousand tonnes arrived in the outer anchorage of the Chittagong Port," the minister said. http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/07/14/76853/Govt-blacklists-16,000-rice-millers

Bangladesh blacklists 16,000 millers for illegal rice hoarding Senior Correspondent, bdnews24.com

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2017-07-13 16:15:12.0 BdST Updated: 2017-07-13 18:15:18.0 BdST

Food Minister Qamrul Islam addressing the media at the ministry on Thursday.

The government has blacklisted 16,000 rice millers for hoarding in an effort to manipulate prices.Food Minister Qamrul Islam said on Thursday that they will not procure rice from these millers for the next three years."The only reason behind spiralling rice prices was stockpiling by unscrupulous traders following the flash floods in the haor area," he said at a media briefing at the ministry.Islam said the government's target for procuring rice hit snags for the 'huge difference' between the market price and the government-fixed rate of Tk 34 for a kg.

There are 20,000 rice mills in the country, according to Md Badrul Hasan, director general of Directorate General of Food.Consumers enjoyed steady rice prices in the last couple of years with abundance in production but this year, flash floods hit hard the ‗Boro‘ rice cultivation damaging around 600,000 tonnes of paddy in the backswamps in northeastern Bangladesh.

The government‘s stock of rice also thinned following the 'Rice at Tk 10 per kg' project for poor families.At this point, import duty on rice was slashed to 10 percent, from the existing 28 percent, to encourage private traders to purchase more from abroad.

Wholesalers blamed the hike during Ramadan, when rice prices soared to Tk 60 a kg, on some industrialists trying to control the rice market countrywide with auto-mills.At the end of June, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blamed ―unscrupulous traders‖ for the ―abnormal rice price hike‖ during a session in parliament.There are currently 16,000 auto rice mills in the country,

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according to Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Rice Mill Owners. These mills have taken over the traditional rice production methods.

When asked whether the demand can be met through only 4,000 registered mills, Badrul said: ―The government procures around 1.2 million tonnes of rice internally which can be easily collected from 2,000 to 2,500 mills.‖Hoarders are now releasing the stocks as consignments have started to arrive from India, the minister said.

Bangladesh is importing a quarter million tonnes of rice from Vietnam under a government-togovernment deal, the first consignment of which has already arrived.With 20,000 metric tonnes of rice, the ship arrived at Chittagong port on Thursday, said Qamrul.―The ship will be unloaded after finishing customs formalities,‖ he said. The second consignment with 22,000 tonnes of rice will arrive on Jul 18 while two more consignments with 21,000 tonnes and 30,000 tonnes of rice will arrive on Jul 30.

Neither the minister nor other officials of his ministry responded to reporters‘ repeated queries on what the exact amount of rice the government has in reserve.Qamrul only said: ―There is enough.‖―We do not need to spare from our stock at this moment except for some relief work.‖He called on journalists to refrain from publishing ―negative news‖ over rice stock.When asked why the rice import was delayed, he said: ―We issued a letter asking for removal of tariff earlier but the prime minister was thoughtful about farmers. It was removed after farmers received due prices for their produces.‖ http://bdnews24.com/business/2017/07/13/bangladesh-blacklists-16000-millers-for-illegal-rice-hoarding

Rice millers urged to apply for loans

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Rice millers say government loans are crucial for sustaining their business. KT/Chor Sokunthea The government is preparing short-term emergency loans for rice millers to bolster paddy prices for farmers in the upcoming harvest season. Local officials, rice millers, and provincial governors in Battambang and Banteay Meanchey provinces met this week to discuss the plan.

Rice millers are now preparing relevant documents for the loans, according to Kao Thach, president of the government-backed Rural Development Bank. ―I have held talks with rice millers, local officials and provincial governors to inform them about the availability of emergency loans from the government, which will be disbursed to rice millers to make sure they have funds to buy paddy in the upcoming rice harvest season,‖ Mr Thach said yesterday. ―This will boost purchases of paddy from farmers.‖The RDB wants rice millers to prepare documents including warehouse and rice inventories, plus sales contracts, to act as collateral for any loan, Mr Thach said.

The amount available for emergency loans this year will be the same as last year and the interest rate will be unchanged, he added. Last year, the government launched its first one-year emergency loan offer through the RDB to help rice millers buy paddy rice from farmers. The fund was worth about $27 million with an interest rate of 7 percent per annum. Rice sector representatives requested the loans from government, warning the country‘s rice sector would collapse if they did not have enough funds to buy paddy.

Mr Thach said the amount paid out of the emergency loan fund will be adjusted to market demand. ―At the moment, the emergency loan package this year will be the same as last year and the interest rate will be the same.If demand is more than that, we may increase what is available according to the situation. The interest rate will be the same, but if possible, we will pull it down a bit more than last year,‖ he said.

Mr Thach suggested the amount of loans disbursed this year could increase, since rice millers have been given more time to apply than last year. Last year, five rice millers applied for nearly $5 million worth of loans from RDB. They had all paid the entirety back by its maturity date in May. Phou Poy, president of Baitong Rice Mill in Battambang province, said that provision of emergency loans from RDB is important for sustaining the business of rice millers.―Rice millers who are interested in getting loans to buy paddy should prepare now,‖ Mr Poy said. Demand for loans will likely increase this year, Mr Poy said, but rice millers are still hoping for a cut in the interest rate.

Responding to that concern, Mr Thach said he will raise the issue with RDB‘s board council.

Meanwhile, rice farmers can expect some kind of short respite due to current high prices caused by a depletion of rice stockpiles in neighbouring Thailand.Hun Lak, vice president of the Cambodia Rice Federation, said rice prices had gone up by about 17 percent with the cost price

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of white rice at $425 per tonne and jasmine rice fetching between $690 to $700 per tonne. ―Cambodia can be expected to benefit from this price rise,‖ said Mr Lak. Song Saran, CEO of Amru Rice, said that rice prices are high now due to demand from the Middle East, Bangladesh and the Philippines. ―The Thai stockpile is almost finished so there is a global shortage,‖ said Mr Saran. ―Cambodia will benefit because we have different markets, compared with Thailand and Vietnam.―Our main markets are China and Europe and we hope this coming year we can reach out to the Middle East and the US,‖ he said http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/40296/rice-millers-urged-to-apply-for-loans/

Vietnamese private rice exporters can bid for Philippines shipments Update: July, 14/2017 - 13:20

Viet Nam News HCM CITY — Vietnamese private rice exporters will be allowed to participate in the bidding for the supply contract of 250,000 tonnes of rice to Philippines on July 25.The announcement was made by the Việt Nam Food Association (VFA) while raising concerns over strict regulations for the participants.

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35

According to the VFA, it is the first time that the Philippines‘ National Food Authority (NFA) will open bidding for private suppliers from participating countries, instead of limiting the bidders to government counterparts.

In previous years, NFA‘s auctions for rice were done through a government-to-government importation regime, where state-run suppliers from Việt Nam, Thailand and Cambodia were invited to participate.

However, requirements for private enterprises to be invited in the bidding are quite strict and Vietnamese rice exporters do not have much experience in executing procedures for the bidding, VFA said.

Those satisfying the requirements would be allowed to bid and take full responsibility of the shipment. The Vietnamese Government‘s Decree 109/2010/NĐ-CP on rice trading and the Ministry of Industry and Trade‘s Circular 44 on guiding the implementation of the decree will not be applied in these cases.

The total volume of 25 per cent broken long grain well-milled white rice is expected to arrive between August and September as requested by the NFA. The imported volume is divided to eight lots -- six lots with 25,000 tonnes each and two lots with 50,000 tonnes each.

Prospective bidders may bid for any of the lots, provided that the bid must be the minimum or maximum of the imported rice allocated per lot, but the maximum quantity to be awarded per supplier must not be higher than 50,000 tonnes.

Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development revealed that Philippines was the second largest importer of Vietnamese rice in the first five months of the year with 8.6 per cent of the market share.

Rice export to the market in the period reached 237,400 tonnes in volume and US$90.4 million in value, representing a year-on-year increase of 23.4 per cent and 10.4 per cent, respectively. — VNS

http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/380139/vietnamese-private-rice-exporters-can-bidfor-philippines-shipments.html#FZwv8jvMZqfsLVdb.99

Bangladesh blacklists 16,000 millers for illegal rice hoarding Senior Correspondent, bdnews24.com Published: 2017-07-13 16:15:12.0 BdST Updated: 2017-07-13 18:15:18.0 BdST

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Food Minister Qamrul Islam addressing the media at the ministry on Thursday.

The government has blacklisted 16,000 rice millers for hoarding in an effort to manipulate prices.

Food Minister Qamrul Islam said on Thursday that they will not procure rice from these millers for the next three years.

"The only reason behind spiralling rice prices was stockpiling by unscrupulous traders following the flash floods in the haor area," he said at a media briefing at the ministry.

Islam said the government's target for procuring rice hit snags for the 'huge difference' between the market price and the government-fixed rate of Tk 34 for a kg.

There are 20,000 rice mills in the country, according to Md Badrul Hasan, director general of Directorate General of Food.

Consumers enjoyed steady rice prices in the last couple of years with abundance in production but this year, flash floods hit hard the ‗Boro‘ rice cultivation damaging around 600,000 tonnes of paddy in the backswamps in northeastern Bangladesh.

The government‘s stock of rice also thinned following the 'Rice at Tk 10 per kg' project for poor families.

At this point, import duty on rice was slashed to 10 percent, from the existing 28 percent, to encourage private traders to purchase more from abroad.

Wholesalers blamed the hike during Ramadan, when rice prices soared to Tk 60 a kg, on some industrialists trying to control the rice market countrywide with auto-mills.

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37 At the end of June, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blamed ―unscrupulous traders‖ for the ―abnormal rice price hike‖ during a session in parliament.

There are currently 16,000 auto rice mills in the country, according to Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Rice Mill Owners. These mills have taken over the traditional rice production methods.

When asked whether the demand can be met through only 4,000 registered mills, Badrul said: ―The government procures around 1.2 million tonnes of rice internally which can be easily collected from 2,000 to 2,500 mills.‖ Hoarders are now releasing the stocks as consignments have started to arrive from India, the minister said.

Bangladesh is importing a quarter million tonnes of rice from Vietnam under a government-to-government deal, the first consignment of which has already arrived.

With 20,000 metric tonnes of rice, the ship arrived at Chittagong port on Thursday, said Qamrul. ―The ship will be unloaded after finishing customs formalities,‖ he said. The second consignment with 22,000 tonnes of rice will arrive on Jul 18 while two more consignments with 21,000 tonnes and 30,000 tonnes of rice will arrive on Jul 30.

Neither the minister nor other officials of his ministry responded to reporters‘ repeated queries on what the exact amount of rice the government has in reserve.

Qamrul only said: ―There is enough.‖ ―We do not need to spare from our stock at this moment except for some relief work.‖ He called on journalists to refrain from publishing ―negative news‖ over rice stock.

When asked why the rice import was delayed, he said: ―We issued a letter asking for removal of tariff earlier but the prime minister was thoughtful about farmers. It was removed after farmers received due prices for their produces.‖

http://bdnews24.com/business/2017/07/13/bangladesh-blacklists-16000-millers-for-illegal-rice-hoarding

Qamrul finds food stock sufficient Bins media reports but won't share information on current rice reserve

Staff Correspondent Food Minister Qamrul Islam yesterday trashed some recent media reports on low food stock in public granaries, claiming that the government had sufficient stock.He, however, refused to share

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specific information about the current food reserve.Speaking at a press conference at his ministry, he said the country would have at least 12 lakh tonnes of food in stock by September.Pressed several times on the current food reserve, Qamrul said, ―I don't want to speak further.‖ Interestingly, the official website of his ministry shows that the government silos have a stock of only 3.37 lakh tonnes now. The minister blamed the recent price hike of rice on unscrupulous traders and rice millers who took advantage of flashflood in Haor areas.He hoped the prices would come down soon with the first consignment (20,000 tonnes) of rice, imported by the government, reaching Chittagong Port yesterday.He said the government struck a deal with Vietnam to import 2.5 lakh tonnes of rice. Of the amount, 1.1 lakh tonnes would reach the country by July 24 and the rest by next month.

More rice is being imported through international tenders and the government is hopeful that 4.5 lakh tonnes rice will reach Bangladesh within next month, said Qamrul.The minister told reporters that he would visit Cambodia on August 1 to explore the possibility of importing rice from there. Also, two Indian and Thai delegations would visit Bangladesh within next few days for the same purpose.

Private traders brought in 84,000 tonnes of rice from India since June 20 when the government slashed the import duty from 28 percent to 10 percent, he added.According to government statistics, coarse rice prices increased 47 percent on a year-on-year basis. The Daily Star ran a report yesterday on the food ministry's indifference to low stock and delayed decisions on rice

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import and cutting import tariff.Asked why the decision on rice import was delayed, he said they started importing rice in ―proper time‖.

He said the ministry had earlier written to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to withdraw rice import tariff, but she took a ―proper and timely decision‖ considering the farmers' benefit and the people were being benefitted from the PM's decision.He expressed optimism that the government would be able to collect 3 to 4 lakh tonnes of rice through internal procurement within next month.―We'll be able to build a handsome stock within next month. Our stock would be at least 8 to 10 lakh tonnes within August and 12 lakh tonnes within September.‖―You won't have any opportunity to run negative news on food stock,‖ he added.

About the recent media reports on low food stock, he said, ―Your news has no basis. I am telling you we have sufficient stock. Except for relief work, we don't need to supply rice to any other sector now.... We have sufficient stock to carry out relief work.‖Asked about a report on the sixyear low food stock and its adverse impact on rice prices, he said, ―Those who are saying this are giving a wrong explanation.‖ The government blacklisted some 16,000 millers for refusing to sell rice to it and stockpiling the staple, the minister said, adding that the government would not buy rice from them for next three years.Qamrul said his ministry was not responsible for supplying food to market and controlling prices.When a journalist pointed out that rice prices increased by Tk 30 to Tk 40 per mound due to flood, the minister said, ―Your information is totally false. There is no question of price hike of rice. Don't ask such irrelevant questions.‖ http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/qamrul-finds-food-stock-sufficient-1432867

Philippines sets $451.08/tonne price ceiling for rice imports JULY 13, 2017 / 1:04 PM / A DAY AGO MANILA, July 13 (Reuters) - The Philippines' state grains agency said on Thursday it set a price ceiling of $451.08 a tonne for the 250,000 tonnes of rice it was seeking from international suppliers, and identified 11 prospective bidders from Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore.The Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, usually buys from major sellers Vietnam and Thailand, where export prices have fallen amid weak demand.

The National Food Authority (NFA) is seeking supply of 25 percent broken long grain white rice for delivery between August and September to boost its thinning stockpile ahead of the typhoon season later this year.That variety is trading at around $393-$398 a tonne in Vietnam RIVNBKN25-P1 and quoted at $393 a tonne RI-THWHT25-A by the Thai Rice Exporters Association."That (price ceiling) is the average of all the rice prices including (shipping)

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expenses," Tomas Escarez, head of the bids and awards panel at the NFA, told reporters after meeting with prospective bidders.

The NFA's initial list of prospective bidders includes Olam International Ltd and Louis Dreyfus Corp of Singapore, and Vietnam Northern Food Corp, also known as Vinafood I, and Vinafood II.Thai suppliers Asia Golden Rice Co Ltd, Ponglarp Co Ltd, Thai Hua Co Ltd, Capital Cereals Co Ltd and Thai Granlux International Inc, and Vietnamese traders Gentraco and Gia International Corp are also interested in bidding, the NFA said.Bids must be submitted on or before July 25, when the sealed offers will be opened. The NFA will award a maximum 50,000 tonnes to each winning bidder.

State inventories have shrunk to the least in more than three years, just enough to cover five days of national requirement, or just a fraction of the 30-day buffer stock required during the lean harvest season from July to September.Escarez said the NFA will also allow local private rice traders to import up to 805,000 tonnes of rice under an annual quota scheme, which should arrive between December and February next year. (Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Additional reporting by My Pham in HANOI and Patpicha Tanakasempipat in BANGKOK; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri) http://www.reuters.com/article/philippines-rice-idUSL4N1K42VF

U.S. university researchers simplify incorporation of nitrogen into molecules Source: Xinhua| 2017-07-14 03:06:20|Editor: Mu Xuequan

HOUSTON, July 13 (Xinhua) -- A research team of the Rice University in Texas state found a way to incorporate nitrogen atoms into molecules in a single efficient step, which may help design for drugs and agricultural compounds.

According to a news release published recently by the Rice University, researchers who specializes in synthesizing reagents and intermediate molecules for the design and manufacture of drugs and other fine chemicals has delivered on a promise to generalize the synthesis of electrophilic (electron-poor) aminating agents.

Aminating agents are valuable building blocks that can incorporate nitrogen atoms into molecules in a single efficient step without the use of contaminating metals or catalysts.Lรกszlรณ

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Kürti, Rice synthetic organic chemist, said the novel approach represents an operationally simple, scalable and environmentally friendly alternative to transition metal-catalyzed, carbonnitrogen cross-coupling methods that are currently used to access structurally diverse amines http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-07/14/c_136442069.htm

Costa Rice Gets a Taste of Cajun Cooking with U.S. Rice

By Sarah Moran SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA -- Late last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture hosted a cooking event with the U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Stafford Haney. USA Rice was one of the groups that supported this culinary diplomacy event, which shared Cajun cooking with Costa Rican chefs and consumers. Chef Ryan Hughes and Ambassador Haney cooked a Cajun chicken étoufée, utilizing U.S. rice.

"Cajun cooking is all about the layering of spices and flavors," said Chef Hughes, who can normally be found at Purloo, his restaurant inside the Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans. "Building one spice upon another is what makes this tasty dish a staple in Southern cooking." Chef Hughes continued, "This [U.S.] rice that we import [here], it's got this beautiful shine to it."

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42 "Local media outlets covered the event, commenting on the tasty and diverse flavors of Louisiana," said Hugh Maginnis, USA Rice vice president international. "We know they hold U.S.-grown rice in high regard here as Costa Rica has imported over 70,000 MT - valued at nearly $20 million - in the first five months of this year, 41 percent more than the same time period last year." http://www.reuters.com/article/philippines-rice-idUSL4N1K42VF

First shipment of rice from Vietnam arrives in Chittagong Chittagong Bureau, bdnews24.com Published: 2017-07-13 13:41:21.0 BdST Updated: 2017-07-13 13:53:26.0 BdST

Government data shows a 47 percent rise in the price of coarse rice while a fine variety saw around 20 percent rise in a year.

The first shipment of rice from Vietnam has arrived at the Chittagong port.The Directorate of Food said that the ship carrying 20,000 tonnes of rice anchored at the port on Thursday morning.―We believe the next shipment will arrive on Jul 18 and the third will arrive on the 22nd,‖ Md Jahirul Islam, controller of its Movement, Storage and Silo Division, told bdnews24.com.

Bangladesh decided to import 250,000 tonnes of rice from the Southeast Asian country after flooding in haor areas destroyed crops and depleted the government‘s rice reserves.On Jun 14 this year, the government cleared the 9.08 billion procurement under a under a government-togovernment deal.

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According to the agreement, Bangladesh will buy 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice for around Tk 1.95 billion, or $470 a tonne and 200,000 tonnes of white rice for about Tk 7.14 billion at $430 a tonne.Vietnam‘s state-run Vinafood 2 will supply 60 percent of shipments through Chittagong port and the rest through the Mongla port http://bdnews24.com/economy/2017/07/13/first-shipment-of-rice-from-vietnam-arrives-in-chittagong

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- JUL 14, 2017 Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-July 14 Nagpur, July 14 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices reported strong in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) on increased buying support from local millers amid weak supply from producing regions. Good recovery on NCDEX, fresh hike in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and enquiries from South-based millers also jacked up prices.

About 1,200 of gram and 650 bags of tuar were available for auctions, according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders amid ample stock in ready position.

TUAR

* Tuar gavarani reported higher in open market on renewed seasonal demand from local traders.

* Rice BPT and rice Swarna showed weak tednecny in open market on poor demand from local traders amid good supply from producing regions.

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* In Akola, Tuar New – 3,900-4,000, Tuar dal (clean) – 5,500-5,700, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,200-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,300-7,000, Gram – 5,100-5,350, Gram Super best – 7,200-8,000

* Wheat, other varieties of rice and other commodities 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 Gram Auction Gram Pink Auction Tuar Auction Moong Auction Udid Auction Masoor Auction

Available prices 4,700-5,240 n.a.

3,500-3,725 3,900-4,200

4,300-4,500

n.a.

Gram Super Best Bold

Gram Medium Best

2,100-2,600

n.a.

Wheat Mill quality Auction

Gram Super Best

4,600-5,100

3,500-3,850

n.a.

Previous close

2,600-2,800 1,550-1,650 7,600-8,100

n.a.

1,550-1,650 7,600-8,100

n.a.

6,700-7,100

6,700-7,100

Gram Dal Medium

n.a.

n.a

Gram Mill Quality

5,100-5,200

5,100-5,200

Desi gram Raw

5,500-5,600

5,500-5,600

Gram Yellow

7,100-8,100

Gram Kabuli

12,300-13,400

7,100-8,100 12,300-13,400

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45 Tuar Fataka Best-New

5,800-6,000

Tuar Fataka Medium-New

5,800-6,000

5,400-5,600

Tuar Dal Best Phod-New

5,400-5,600

5,200-5,400

Tuar Dal Medium phod-New Tuar Gavarani New

5,200-5,400

4,800-5,000

3,950-4,050

4,800-5,000

3,900-4,000

Tuar Karnataka

4,000-4,100

4,000-4,100

Masoor dal best

5,000-5,200

5,000-5,200

Masoor dal medium Masoor

4,600-4,900

n.a.

4,700-4,900

n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New)

6,500-7,000

Moong Mogar Medium

6,000-6,500

Moong dal Chilka

5,000-5,900

6,500-7,000 6,000-6,500

5,000-5,900

Moong Mill quality

n.a.

n.a.

Moong Chamki best

6,500-7,500

6,500-7,500

Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,500-8,500

7,500-8,500

Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)

6,800-7,200

Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) Batri dal (100 INR/KG)

6,800-7,200

4,400-4,900

4,500-5,000

Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)

4,400-4,900

4,500-5,000

2,850-3,000

Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)

2,850-3,000

2,800-2,900

2,800-2,900

Watana White (100 INR/KG)

3,500-3,700

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG)

4,100-4,600

Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)

1,900-2,000

Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)

4,100-4,600

1,900-2,000

1,700-1,800

2,100-2,300

Wheat Lokwan new (100 INR/KG)

3,500-3,700

1,900-2,100

1,700-1,800 2,100-2,300 1,900-2,100

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46 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)

2,100-2,350

2,100-2,350

Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,050 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)

n.a.

n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,600 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)

1,900-2,050

3,000-3,600

2,200-2,700

2,200-2,700

Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG)

2,700-3,300

2,800-3,400

Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG)

3,300-3,500

3,500-3,700

Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)

3,000-3,100

2,500-2,800

Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)

2,300-2,400

Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)

2,500-2,650

Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) Rice HMT New (100 INR/KG)

3,000-3,200

2,500-2,800 2,300-2,500 2,600-2,800

2,300-2,400

3,600-4,000

Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG)

2,400-2,500 3,600-4,000

4,500-5,000

4,500-5,000

Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)

4,100-4,300

4,100-4,300

Rice Shriram New(100 INR/KG)

4,800-5,500

4,800-5,500

Rice Shriram best 100 INR/KG) 6,500-6,800 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)

6,500-6,800

5,800-6,200

5,800-6,200

Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,000-13,500 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Chinnor New(100 INR/KG)

5,000-7,500 4,600-5,000

Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,000 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)

10,000-13,500

4,600-5,000 5,800-6,000

5,400-5,600

1,900-2,200 1,800-1,900

5,000-7,500

5,400-5,600 1,900-2,200

1,800-1,900

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47 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 29.2 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 24.5 degree Celsius Rainfall : 1.4 mm FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rains or thunder-showers. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 29 and 24 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices) http://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL4N1K535Q

VCCI proposes rice export decree be modified 12/07/2017

Chamber expresses concerns over rice export decree and planned amendments.

by Hai Van The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has proposed the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) remove unreasonable business conditions relating to a decree on rice exports.

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It said that the abolition of regulations on rice exporters and draft amendments to Decree No.109 on expanding the freedom of business in rice exports shows that MoIT has listened to the business community and made an appropriate policy response. The amendments, including removing barriers in the rice business, expanding markets, and diversifying distribution channels, are the basis for the rice sector to develop and compete.

However, the draft still contains many limitations and inappropriate articles so needs to be revised.

Specifically, regarding the conditions on warehouses and rice husking facilities, the draft uses the phrase ―specialized warehouse‖, which can be understood differently by different people.

Therefore, VCCI proposed that MoIT modify the draft so it only requires that enterprises have the right to use specialized warehouses, through ownership or leases.VCCI also recommends that MoIT remove the compulsory conditions on raw material areas and linked production in the draft as such conditions will limit export opportunities for enterprises and restrict markets.

Mr. Dau Tuan Anh, Chief Legal Officer at VCCI, pointed out that administrative procedures are too complex. Enterprises must complete three procedures, including those with Departments of Industry and Trade endorsing storage, those with Departments of Agriculture to obtain certificates of eligibility for food safety, and those with MoIT to obtain certificates of eligibility to export rice.He added that MoIT‘s draft decree replaces the mechanism for registration of rice export contracts into rice export contract notices that are implemented via the ministry‘s electronic information portal. However, the draft also requires contracts be announced in order to secure customs clearance.

It isn‘t necessary for an enterprise to announce information when they export rice, because when carrying out customs procedures for exports they must submit customs declarations. ―Therefore, we propose the agency that manages rice exports receive information from the customs department instead of requiring enterprises to carry out notification procedures,‖ he said. http://www.vneconomictimes.com/article/vietnam-today/vcci-proposes-rice-export-decree-bemodified

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- JUL 14, 2017 Jul 14, 2017, 02:10 PM IST

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices - APMC/Open Market-July 14 Nagpur, July 14 (Reuters) - Gram and tuar prices reported strong in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) on

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increased buying support from local millers amid weak supply from producing regions. Good recovery on NCDEX, fresh hike in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and enquiries from South-based millers also jacked up prices. About 1,200 of gram and 650 bags of tuar were available for auctions, according to sources. FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders amid ample stock in ready position. TUAR * Tuar gavarani reported higher in open market on renewed seasonal demand from local traders. * Rice BPT and rice Swarnashowed weak tednecny in open market on poor demand from local traders amid good supply from producing regions. * In Akola, Tuar New 3,900-4,000, Tuar dal (clean) - 5,500-5,700, Udid Mogar (clean) - 7,200-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,300-7,000, Gram - 5,100-5,350, Gram Super best - 7,200-8,000 * Wheat, other varieties of rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in thin trading activity. Nagpur foodgrains APMCauction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 4,700-5,240 4,600-5,100 Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 3,500-3,850 3,500-3,725 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 1,550-1,650 1,550-1,650 Gram Super Best Bold 7,600-8,100 7,600-8,100 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a. Gram Medium Best 6,700-7,100 6,700-7,100 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 5,100-5,200 5,100-5,200 Desi gram Raw 5,500-5,600 5,500-5,600 Gram Yellow 7,100-8,100 7,100-8,100 Gram Kabuli 12,300-13,400 12,300-13,400 Tuar Fataka BestNew 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,200-5,400 5,200-5,400 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 4,800-5,000 4,800-5,000 Tuar Gavarani New 3,950-4,050 3,900-4,000 Tuar Karnataka 4,000-4,100 4,000-4,100 Masoor dal best 5,000-5,200 5,000-5,200 Masoor dal medium 4,600-4,900 4,700-4,900 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New) 6,500-7,000 6,500-7,000 Moong Mogar Medium 6,000-6,500 6,0006,500 Moong dal Chilka 5,000-5,900 5,000-5,900 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a. Moong Chamki best 6,500-7,500 6,500-7,500 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,500-8,500 7,500-8,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,800-7,200 6,800-7,200 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,900 4,400-4,900 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,500-5,000 4,500-5,000 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,850-3,000 2,850-3,000 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 2,800-2,900 2,800-2,900 Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,500-3,700 3,500-3,700 Watana Green Best(100 INR/KG) 4,1004,600 4,100-4,600 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,000 1,900-2,000 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,800 1,700-1,800 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,300 2,100-2,300 Wheat

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Lokwan new (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100 1,900-2,100 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,1002,350 2,100-2,350 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,050 1,900-2,050 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a. MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,600 3,000-3,600 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,700 2,200-2,700 Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,300 2,800-3,400 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,500 3,500-3,700 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,100 3,000-3,200 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,800 2,5002,800 Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,300-2,500 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,650 2,600-2,800 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,4002,500 Rice HMT New (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,000 3,600-4,000 Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,500-5,000 4,500-5,000 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 4,100-4,300 4,100-4,300 Rice Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,500 4,800-5,500 Rice Shriram best 100 INR/KG) 6,500-6,800 6,500-6,800 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,200 5,800-6,200 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,000-13,500 10,000-13,500 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,500 5,000-7,500 Rice Chinnor New(100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,000 4,600-5,000 Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,200 1,900-2,200 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-1,900 1,800-1,900 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 29.2 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 24.5 degree Celsius Rainfall : 1.4 mm FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rains or thunder-showers. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 29 and 24 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices) http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-jul-142017/articleshow/59592864.cms

New EU norms likely to hit rice exports from India The new criteria for the maximum residue limit (MRL) for tricyclazole, a chemical used in India to treat rice, to the level of 0.01 ppm (parts per million) from 1ppm by European Union (EU) has left rice exporters in the lurch.The EU has also fixed a deadline to bring down the MRL of tricyclazole to 0.01 ppm by January 1, 2018 while the paddy crop, which would be exported in 2018 after processing, is being cultivated in the fields and the rice exporters have very less time.Rice exporters are worried that that this criteria may hit the rice exports of around 3.5 lakh tonne to the EU.

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The exporters have approached the Union government to make efforts for providing Indian industry more time from the EU. Besides, they are approaching the farmers for the perfect use of pesticides. As many as 24 workshops would be organised in various parts of basmati-growing areas like Haryana, UP and Punjab to educate farmers.―Tricyclazole is a good chemical to save the plant from leaf and neck blast, but the haphazard use of this chemical by farmers may hit the export of around 3.5 lakh tonne of rice varieties — PUSA basmati-1 and PUSA basmati-1401 to EU,‖ said Vijay Setia, president, All India Rice Exporters‘ Association.―Earlier, the MRL for tricyclazole was fixed at 1ppm in EU, while it is still 3ppm in the US. It is very tough to meet the new EU norms and it can pose hardships for the exporters and farmers,‖ he said.―We have already conducted more than 10 workshops and the rest would be conducted by the end of this month so that we can educate farmers about the proper use of pesticides,‖ he said. http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/new-eu-norms-likely-to-hit-rice-exports-fromindia/436151.html

Govt blacklists 16,000 rice millers ‗Stockpiling by them one of the reasons behind price hike‘

Some 16,000 rice millers have been blacklisted for illegally hoarding rice, said Food Minister Qamrul Islam on Thursday, reports UNB."The government won't procure rice from these millers for the next three years," the minister told a press briefing at the secretariat. Replying to a question, he said stockpiling the staple food by the vested millers is one of the main reasons behind the rice price hike. "The prices of different varieties of rice are decreasing after the lifting of tariff on rice import to encourage the private sector," he added. Dismissing the allegation of shortfall in government stock behind the rice price hike, Qamrul Islam said the government has enough rice in its stock.

Describing the government efforts to ensure adequate rice supply to meet the demand, he said the government's rice stock will reach 0.8-1.0 million tonnes in August next, while 1.2 million tonnes in September. At present, the government is allocating rice for relief for the flood-affected people, he said. BSS adds: The country's rice stock will be increased to 1.0 million (10 lakh) tonnes by August to ensure supply of the staple food-grain and meet any emergency demand, Food Minister Qamrul Islam said.

"There is no food crisis in the country", the minister asserted at the press conference. According to the minister, 110 thousand tonnes of rice would reach Chittagong Port from Vietnam by July when another 180 thousand tonnes would come in August. "The government is procuring a total of 2.5 lakh tonnes (250 thousand tones) of rice from Vietnam on G2G (government to government) contract basis, of which 20 thousand tonnes arrived in the outer anchorage of the Chittagong Port," the minister said. http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/07/14/76853/Govt-blacklists-16,000-rice-millers

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Rice prices fall on weak demand BANGKOK (Reuters) – Rice prices in India and Thailand, the world‘s top two exporters of the grain, fell this week on low export demand, traders said yesterday. Thailand‘s benchmark 5percent broken rice was quoted at $400 to $405 per tonne yesterday compared with $420 to $430 per tonne last week. ―Big markets are done with their purchases, and exporters have also stopped buying as the loading is done,‖ said a trader in Bangkok. The arrival of off-season crops from next month and potential new deals also dragged down prices, Chookiat Ophaswongse, the honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said. The Philippines issued an international tender last week to buy 250,000 tonnes of rice and bids for this need to be submitted on or before July 25. ―A contract to sell 200,000 tonnes of 5 percent parboiled rice to Bangladesh has been drawn up,‖ he said, adding that a delegation from Bangladesh was in Thailand last week to discuss the government-to-government rice deal. Thailand‘s Commerce Ministry said last week that the shipment to Bangladesh can be expected around September to October. It also said it will negotiate deals with Iraq and Sri Lanka, which is expected to buy 200,000 tonnes of Thai rice.

In India, the 5 percent broken parboiled rice prices eased by $8 per tonne to $411-$414 per tonne. ―Buyers were quoting lower prices due to a fall in prices in other markets,‖ said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, adding that demand from Asian and African buyers was weak as they were waiting for a drop in prices. India mainly exports nonbasmati rice to African countries and premier basmati rice to the Middle East. ―An appreciating rupee has been denting our profit margin. We could not lower prices further,‖ said a Mumbaibased dealer with a global trading firm. http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/40330/rice-prices-fall-on-weak-demand/

Philippines sets $451.08/tonne price ceiling for rice imports MANILA, July 13 (Reuters) - The Philippines' state grains agency said on Thursday it set a price ceiling of $451.08 a tonne for the 250,000 tonnes of rice it was seeking from international suppliers, and identified 11 prospective bidders from Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore.

The Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, usually buys from major sellers Vietnam and Thailand, where export prices have fallen amid weak demand.The National Food Authority (NFA) is seeking supply of 25 percent broken long grain white rice for delivery between August and September to boost its thinning stockpile ahead of the typhoon season later this year.

That variety is trading at around $393-$398 a tonne in Vietnam RI-VNBKN25-P1 and quoted at $393 a tonne RI-THWHT25-A by the Thai Rice Exporters Association."That (price ceiling) is

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the average of all the rice prices including (shipping) expenses," Tomas Escarez, head of the bids and awards panel at the NFA, told reporters after meeting with prospective bidders.

The NFA's initial list of prospective bidders includes Olam International Ltd and Louis Dreyfus Corp of Singapore, and Vietnam Northern Food Corp, also known as Vinafood I, and Vinafood II. Thai suppliers Asia Golden Rice Co Ltd, Ponglarp Co Ltd, Thai Hua Co Ltd, Capital Cereals Co Ltd and Thai Granlux International Inc, and Vietnamese traders Gentraco and Gia International Corp are also interested in bidding, the NFA said.

Bids must be submitted on or before July 25, when the sealed offers will be opened. The NFA will award a maximum 50,000 tonnes to each winning bidder.State inventories have shrunk to the least in more than three years, just enough to cover five days of national requirement, or just a fraction of the 30-day buffer stock required during the lean harvest season from July to September.

Escarez said the NFA will also allow local private rice traders to import up to 805,000 tonnes of rice under an annual quota scheme, which should arrive between December and February next year. (Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Additional reporting by My Pham in HANOI and Patpicha Tanakasempipat in BANGKOK; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri)

Annual Mississippi Delta Rice Testing Luncheon Sept. 15 Delta Rice Promotions hosting the 27th annual Rice Tasting Luncheon, which will feature over 300 rice dishes.

Jul 12, 2017 Delta Rice Promotions, Inc., will participate in National Rice Month (September) by hosting the 27th annual Rice Tasting Luncheon on Sept. 15.This year‘s Rice Tasting Luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. at Walter Sillers Coliseum on the Delta State University campus in Cleveland, Miss.

It will feature over 300 rice dishes. Around 1,000 people from various states and other countries attend this event.The rice dishes are prepared by local rice-growing families and Delta restaurants. Most recipes served at the luncheon can be found in the rice cookbook Between the

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Levees, which will be on sale at the luncheon for $10.Delta Rice Promotions, Inc., is a group of farmers, agri-businesseses, farm organizations and government agencies, whose sole purpose is to promote Mississippi rice.

For additional information, call Laura Giaccaglia at (662) 843-8371 http://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/annual-mississippi-delta-rice-testing-luncheon-sept-15

Global Wild Rice Products Market 2017 Competition by Company, Countries, Consumption, Application,Type to 2022 July 14, 2017 by bristol

Wild Rice Products

The latest report Wild Rice Products Market by QY Research added to it‘s database and brings to light the comprehensive study and factual information of global market. The report also provides the global market segmentation based on applications, end-users, technology, and geography. The Wild Rice Products research report offers a comprehensive assessment of the Wild Rice Products market and consists of historical data, scope, significant approaches and statistical data of the global

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56 http://eeejournal.com/2017/07/14/global-wild-rice-products-market-2017-competition-by-companycountries-consumption-applicationtype-to-2022/

What’s hot on Sina Weibo Source:Global Times Published: 2017/7/13 19:03:39 #Ph. D supervisor tutors 8-year-olds to do academic research# views: 54k Four kids all 8-years-old from West China's Chongqing participated in a "doctoral research camp" held by a Ph. D supervisor and were reported to have performed "perfectly."Zhou Qing, Ph. D supervisor at Chongqing University and father of an 8-year-old son, organized a five-day tutoring program for his son and three others between June 19 and 23 to let them think and research like Ph. D candidates.

The kids chose their own research topics, discussed them, and even did literature reviews with Zhou's help."Their performances were amazing," Zhou said. #People born in year of goat less popular on blind dates# views: 3.3m Even if they own apartments, vehicles and live in Beijing, people born in the lunar year of the goat are less popular at blind date fairs in the city.Peng Shunli, a 26-year-old Beijing local with a master's degree from a prestigious Chinese university, was shocked to find that she was not a popular pick just because she was born in the year of the goat.

Girls born in these years are often believed to be unlucky.Beijing has long been a popular place for blind dates, where financial and social status and even horoscopes of young participants are scrutinized rigorously. #Woman refuses to return dead boy's phone to his family# views: 29.54m A woman in Central China's Hubei Province, who picked up the cell phone of a boy who committed suicide last Friday, has refused to return it to his family.The woman can be seen picking up the 17-year-old boy's phone after he jumped off a bridge in Yichang and then quickly leaving the scene in video footage of the incident.

The boy's sister said the woman wanted money in return for the phone. "She refused to give us the phone and demanded money," said the boy's sister, "We need it back to figure out why my brother killed himself."The woman still hasn't returned the phone and has rejected calls from the boy's family. #Rice expert Yuan Longping delivers 20-minute speech in English# views: 3.54m Yuan Longping, an academic from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivered a 20-minute speech in English at the 10th High-level Overseas Talent Forum held in Beijing Tuesday.Yuan

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gave a talk on the current development of hybrid rice with supporting research at the forum in what he said was "poor English."Yuan is considered to be a pioneer of rice crop innovation in China. http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1056240.shtml

Cabinet approves rice research institute for Varanasi JULY 12TH, 2017 New Delhi, July 12 (IANS) The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), South Asia Regional Center (ISARC) in Varanasi, which will work to develop special rice varieties.It will be the first such international centre in eastern India and will play a major role in sustaining rice production in the region.

The ISARC will be established on the campus of the National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC) in Varanasi.―Under the proposal, a Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) will be set up in Varanasi. This will include a modern and sophisticated laboratory with capacity to determine quality and status of heavy metals in grain and straw. The Centre will also undertake capacity building exercises for stakeholders across the rice value chain,‖ read a release.―It is expected to be a boon for food production and skill development in eastern India and similar ecologies in other South Asian and African countries,‖ it said http://www.canindia.com/cabinet-approves-rice-research-institute-for-varanasi/

Cabinet approves establishment of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Varanasi 12-07-2017 New Delhi, July 12: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the establishment of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), South Asia Regional Center (ISARC) at campus of National Seed Research and Training Center (NSRTC) in Varanasi. Under the proposal, a Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) will be set up in Varanasi. This will include a modern and sophisticated laboratory with capacity to determine quality and status of heavy metals in grain and straw. The Centre will also undertake capacity building exercises for stakeholders across the rice value chain.

This Center will be the first international Center in the eastern India and it will play a major role in harnessing and sustaining rice production in the region. It is expected to be a boon for food production and skill development in the eastern India and similar ecologies in other South Asian and African countries.

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Benefits from ISARC The Centre will help in utilizing the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties.

This will help India to achieve higher per hectare yields and improved nutritional contents.

India's food and nutritional security issues will also be addressed. The Centre will support in adopting value chain based production system in the country. This will reduce wastage, add value and generate higher income for the farmers. The farmers in Eastern India will benefit in particular, besides those in South Asian and African countries.

Management of ISARC ISARC will operate under the governance of the IRRI Board of Trustees who will appoint an appropriate IRRI staff member as Director. A Coordination Committee will be headed by Director General, IRRI as Chair and Secretary, Government of India, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DACFW) as Co-Chair. The other members of Coordination Committee are Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences), ICAR; Director, NSRTC; IRRI representative in India, representative of Government of UP and representatives of Governments of Nepal & Bangladesh and Private Sector.

For setting up of the Centre, A Memorandum of Agreement, will be signed between DAC&FW and IRRI, Philippines. The Department of DAC&FW will provide physical space for laboratories, offices, training classes, etc. with associated infrastructure and land at NSRTC, Varanasi. The Centre will be commissioned within six months

http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-253688.html

‫بدین میں چاول کی بڑے پیمانے پر کاشت شروع ہوگئی‬ 13 01:01( 7102 ‫)جوالئی‬ ‫بذیي‬

‫بذیي(صببح ًیوز)ضلغ بذیي هیں بڑے پیوبًے پرچبول کی کبشت کب آغبز ہو گیب‬ ‫ہے۔ضلغ بذیي کب شوبر هلک هیں چبول کی کبشت کے لحبظ سے اہن‬ ‫اضالع هیں کیب جبتب ہے۔زهیي کے سیٌے پرسخت هحٌت و هشقت کے‬ ‫رریؼے دھبى کب تٌکب تٌکب بوًے والییہ کبشتکبر دراصل اپٌے هستقبل کی‬ ٍ‫اهیذ کبشت کرتے ہیں ۔آببدگبر تٌظیووں کے هطببق ضلغ بذیي هیں ببر‬ ‫الکھ ایکڑ اراضی پر چبول کبشت کیب جبتب ہے اور یہبں جو اقسبم کبشت‬ ‫کی جبتی ہیں اى هیں گبًجب اور اری چھ کی دیسی اجٌبس سویت ہبئی برڈ کب هوٹب چبول شبهل ہے۔اى‬ ‫کبشتکبروں کب کہٌب ہے کہ زرػی شؼبے اور کبشتکبروں کے استحکبم کےلئےفصل کی هؼقول قیوت پر‬ ‫خریذ و فروخت ضروری ہے۔‬ ‫ڈیلی پبکستبى‬

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