15th december,2014 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine by DAILY RICE NEWS LETTER

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine www.ricepluss.com

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter 15 December, 2014

Volume 4 Issue: XI

Vol 4, Issue XII

Today’s News Headlines…  Ban on rice: Mexican team holds talks with officials  Stuttgart’s Baden among those recognized with 2014 Rice Awards  CSIR closes in on 10 new rice varieties  farmers have successful second crop  Ban on rice: Mexican team holds talks with officials  PH allows traders to import 187,000T rice  Rice farmers have successful second crop  Mekong Delta suffers high post harvest losses of rice  Rice export policy in the works  Iraq issues tender to buy at least 30,000 tons of rice  400,000 tonnes for fourth rice auction  In Memory: Debbie Warshaw  Troublesome WOTUS Rule Struck Down in Omnibus Appropriations Bill  CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures  Rice farms could provide offsets in carbon market

Contact & Visit www.ricepluss.com mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 7th Floor,Suite 11 Central Plaza New Garden Town Lahore-54600 Landline :92 3584 5551 For Advertisement Specs & Rates: Contact: mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 92 321 3692874

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine News Detailâ&#x20AC;Ś. Ban on rice: Mexican team holds talks with officials December 13, 2014 RECORDER REPORT A two-member Mexican rice quarantine delegation comprising of Olegario Barrera and Richardo Mendoza held talks with the Pakistani authorities on the prospects of removal of ban on the import of rice from Pakistan to Mexico. The visit of the delegation has been co-ordinated by the efforts of TDAP. Pakistani rice exporters have hoped for the revival of Mexican market for the Pakistani rice and with the specific Mexican quarantine experts' visit to Pakistan. It is being expected that rice export from Pakistan to Mexico would soon be reinstated after addressing all the concerned quarantine related issues being faced by the two countries. Mexico has been the potential market for the Pakistani rice in the recent years. According to the spokesperson of the TDAP during the visit, the delegates were taken to Green Industrial Products where they were apprised about the rice processing, storage, inspection, packing and treatment/ fumigation. The delegates were also taken to a rice farm in Chiniot and visited Iqbal Rice Mills where they were informed about the rice production, quality and care maintenance besides its storage and packing and cargo facilities. Meanwhile TDAP hosted a dinner in honour of the Mexican delegates. It has been noticed that Mexico has been a vibrant market for the Pakistani rice exporters and according to the Federal Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan exported rice worth US $15.7 million to Mexico in 2013-14. Mexico had imported around 16,000 tones of Pakistani rice in the first half of 2013 and 7400 tones in 2012

which shows an increase of rice export to Mexico in the first semester of 2013. http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-aallied/183/1251651/

Stuttgartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Baden among those recognized with 2014 Rice Awards Marvin "Butch" Baden is a well deserving recipient of the Rice Lifetime Achievement award having worked in the rice industry for 56 years. By USA Rice Federation Posted Dec. 12, 2014 @ 10:29 am Winners of the 2014 Rice Awards were announced recently at a luncheon in their honor. Awards are presented in the categories of farmer, industry and lifetime achievement. This year's winners are Fred Zaunbrecher, farmer of the year, Kent McKenzie, Ph.D., rice industry award winner, and Marvin Baden, rice lifetime achievement award winner.Zaunbrecher is a fifth generation rice farmer from Duson, Louisiana, who started helping out on the family farm when he was only 9 years old. Together with his three brothers, Zaunbrecher operates GF&P Zaunbrecher Farms where they grow 2,000 acres of rice. The Zaunbrechers are known for their interest in innovation, utilization of new technology and collaboration with research scientists at the LSU AgCenter. Zaunbrecher is a graduate of the Rice Leadership Development Class and currently serves as chairman of the USA Rice Council.McKenzie is a native Californian, who has worked in rice research in Arkansas, Louisiana and California. McKenzie became the director the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation (CCRRF) in 2000. Through his research at CCRRF, he has developed several rice varieties like the

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine premium medium grain M-402 that are still in production today. McKenzie is a member of several committees and research task forces for USA Rice.Marvin "Butch" Baden is a well deserving recipient of the Rice Lifetime Achievement award having worked in the rice industry for 56 years. Starting out as an office clerk, Baden eventually worked his way into a career in rice sales. His particular expertise is in the area of export sales, and over the course of his career, he has logged over eight million miles traveling the world selling rice. Baden was elected as a director on the inaugural USA Rice Board of Directors and recently received the Rice Millers' Association Distinguished Service Award. Read more: http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/article/20 141212/News/141219849#ixzz3LplKqYe1

CSIR closes in on 10 new rice varieties Dr. Wilson Dogbe, Head of Rice Programme at Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) at Nyankpala in the Northern Region, has said that the institute is close to introducing 10 new rice varieties next year as part of efforts to improve local rice production.SARI, a research institution under the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is positive the new varieties will help to increase farm yields as the country bids to cut rice

imports. The efforts of SARI add to other developments at the Crop Research Institute (CRI) at Fumesua in the Ashanti Region, where researchers are also developing new rice varieties with extremely desirable qualities such as being highyielding and resistant to common pests and diseases.Dr. Dogbe is therefore advocating a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to promote and boost rice production in the country.The support, he noted, will enable the farmers get access to logistics needed to increase their farm produce for local consumption and export. Currently, Ghana’s rice import bill stands at about US$500million, which could more than double if statistical projections on rice imports are realised as consumption is projected to reach about 1.6 million tonnes within the next five years.The country now produces about 30% of the total annual rice consumption of 800,000 metric tonnes in the country.Dr. Dogbe is confident Ghana can be rice sufficient if the right strategies are put in place to assist rice farmers to increase their production.“If the farmers were supported with the needed farming inputs at the right time, with high yielding seeds coupled with education on new farming methods and good agronomic practices, Ghana would not rely heavily on rice imports to meet local consumption,” he explained at a rice demonstration farm at Cheshei, a farming community in the Tamale Metropolis. The visit also afforded the team to interact with Farmer-based Organisations (FBOs) that are beneficiaries of an Agricultural Value Chain and Mentorship Project (AVCMP) being implemented by SARI, a research institution under the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and other partners. It is being funded by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).Dr. Dogbe said more than

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine 16,000 smallholder farmers in 16 districts in the Northern Region will benefit directly from the project using rice, maize and soya beans value chains, while another 32,000 will be reached indirectly through radio and video shows.

“Producers (are) doing a much better job of managing that second crop,” he said. “Nine years out of 10 it is successful.”The risk is that a severe story or an early frost might visit, ruining the second crop. The last time that happened, he

He said the project is also aimed at helping farmers to increase their incomes, ensure food security and create access to a wider market.Some farmers who shared their experiences under the project were encouraged by the efforts of SARI and its partner implementing agencies, as well as AGRA, in helping them to improve on their livelihoods by boosting production output.The secretary of the Cheshei FBO, Stephen Issifu, appealed for government to support them with tractors for their farming activities, as one of the main challenges for the farmers is access to tractors to plough farms before cultivation.

said, was in 2002 when Hurricane Lillie came calling.Not this year. Linscombe said this year may be the best second crop farmers have enjoyed.Acadia farmer wins top honors Rice farmer Fred Zaunbrecher of Acadia Parish was honored last week as Farmer of the Year at the USA

Rice

Federation

Conference.Zaunbrecher,

Outlook

fifth-generation

farmer and a member of the Louisiana Rice Research Board, was recognized for his farming career and leadership in the rice industry. He farms rice, crawfish and soybeans on 4,600 acres with his brothers — Paul, Philip and Bill

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/busi

— and he said their commitment to the farm allowed him to participate in organizations

ness/artikel.php?ID=339009Rice

including the USA Rice Federation.He credited

farmers have successful second crop

his parents and his wife, Candee, for his farming success. “It takes a very special person to live with a farmer,” he said.His father, Glenn Zaunbrecher, worked at the LSU AgCenter Rice

11:07 p.m. CST December 12, 2014

Research

Station

Crowley

before

farming.Steve Linscombe, director of the Rice South Louisiana rice farmers are enjoying an excellent second crop this year, a “ratoon crop,” Steve Linscombe of the LSU AgCenter in Crowley confirmed.He said that crop comes

Research Station, said the Zaunbrechers are outstanding farmers. “The farming operation of this group of brothers is one of the most progressive in the region,” Linscombe said.

from the stubble remaining when rice farmers harvest their initial crop in August. If weather is

Mexico opens up oil areas for bids

good, that second crop can appear on about onethird of the acreage within three months, giving farmers an additional harvest in November.That crop is more than just lagniappe or a bonus. Linscombe said farmers have come to rely on it.

Mexico continues to press ahead in its efforts to open up its oil business to international investment, including to private companies in Lafayette

and

Acadiana.The

Mexican

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine government on Thursday announced that 14 blocks of potential oil development in shallow water are open for bids by national and international companies. The blocks are off the coast of southern Veracruz, Tabasco and Campeche

the

Gulf

Mexico,

the

government said in a news release. There are some minimum requirements set for experience

and

financial

strength

the

companies making the bids.Mauricio Garcia Palacios, trade and investment commissioner for the Port of Frontera, Centla Tabasco and president of the Association of Southeastern Mexico Oil Cos., has visited Lafayette twice to talk

about

investment

opportunities

for

companies here. He said last week that three local companies are continuing to talk with him about those opportunities.During his visit, Garcia

Palacios

suggested

that

Lafayette

companies, which have experience drilling in marshland, might want to bid on projects in shallow water or might want to bid on projects that include reopening established wells that have been closed. http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/money/busi ness/2014/12/13/rice-farmers-successful-secondcrop/20316569/

Ban on rice: Mexican team holds talks with officials

Pakistan to Mexico. The visit of the delegation has been co-ordinated by the efforts of TDAP. Pakistani rice exporters have hoped for the revival of Mexican market for the Pakistani rice and with the specific Mexican quarantine experts' visit to Pakistan. It is being expected that rice export from Pakistan to Mexico would soon be reinstated after addressing all the concerned quarantine related issues being faced by the two countries. Mexico has been the potential market for the Pakistani rice in the recent years. According to the spokesperson of the TDAP during the visit, the delegates were taken to Green Industrial Products where they were apprised about the rice processing, storage, inspection, packing and treatment/ fumigation. The delegates were also taken to a rice farm in Chiniot and visited Iqbal Rice Mills where they were informed about the rice production, quality and care maintenance besides its storage and packing and cargo facilities. Meanwhile TDAP hosted a dinner in honour of the Mexican delegates. It has been noticed that Mexico has been a vibrant market for the Pakistani rice exporters and according to the Federal Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan exported rice worth US $15.7 million to Mexico in 2013-14. Mexico had imported around 16,000 tones of Pakistani rice in the first half of 2013 and 7400 tones in 2012 which shows an increase of rice export to Mexico in the first semester of 2013.

December 13, 2014 RECORDER REPORT

A two-member Mexican rice quarantine delegation comprising of Olegario Barrera and Richardo Mendoza held talks with the Pakistani authorities on the prospects of removal of ban on the import of rice from

Source with thanks: http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-aallied/183/1251651

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine PH allows traders to import 187,000T rice Reuters Posted at 12/15/2014 7:29 PM MANILA - The Philippines' state grains procurement agency said on Monday private traders can import 187,000 tonnes of rice and shipments must arrive on or before Feb. 28.The volume is on top of the expected purchases by the National Food Authority (NFA), which is looking initially at importing 600,000 tonnes to boost its stockpile for next year's requirements.Traders may apply for import permits starting Dec. 28 until Jan. 31, the NFA said in a statement.They can bring in rice under the government's Minimum Access Volume - Omnibus Rice Importation programme, which allows each importer to buy up to 5,000 tonnes from any country.The programme covers only highvalue varieties such as glutinous rice, jasponica rice, basmati rice, and other aromatic varieties. They can also import 5 percent broken, 10 percent broken, and 15 percent broken varieties.In June, the government said it would loosen restrictions on rice imports starting next year, cutting tariff on grain shipped in by the private sector to 35 percent from 40 percent for a maximum annual volume of 805,200 tonnes.The NFA bought more than 1.8 million tonnes from Vietnam and Thailand over the past 12 months, the biggest annual volume in four years, to shore up its buffer stocks as local retail prices soared to record highs amid tight domestic supply.

http://www.abscbnnews.com/business/12/15/14/ph-allowstraders-import-187000t-rice

Rice farmers have successful second crop Louisiana7:25 p.m. CST December 13, 2014 South Louisiana rice farmers are enjoying an excellent second crop this year, a "ratoon crop," Steve Linscombe of the LSU AgCenter in Crowley confirmed.He said that crop comes from the stubble remaining when rice farmers harvest their initial crop in August. If weather is good, that second crop can appear on about one-third of the acreage within three months, giving farmers an additional harvest in November. That crop is more than just lagniappe or a bonus. Linscombe said farmers have come to rely on it."Producers (are) doing a much better job of managing that second crop," he said. "Nine years out of 10 it is successful."The risk is that a severe story or an early frost might visit, ruining the second crop. The last time that happened, he said, was in 2002 when Hurricane Lillie came calling.Not this year. Linscombe said this year may be the best second crop farmers have enjoyed. Acadia farmer wins top honors

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Rice farmer Fred Zaunbrecher of Acadia Parish was honored last week as Farmer of the Year at the USA Rice Federation Outlook Conference.Zaunbrecher, a fifthgeneration farmer and a member of the Louisiana Rice Research Board, was recognized for his farming career and leadership in the rice industry.He farms rice, crawfish and soybeans on 4,600 acres with his brothers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Paul, Philip and Bill â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and he said their commitment to the farm allowed him to participate in organizations including the USA Rice Federation. He credited his parents and his wife, Candee, for his farming success. "It takes a very special person to live with a farmer," he said.His father, Glenn Zaunbrecher, worked at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station in Crowley before farming.Steve Linscombe, director of the Rice Research Station, said the Zaunbrechers are outstanding farmers. "The farming operation of this group of brothers is one of the most progressive in the region," Linscombe said.

Mexico continues to press ahead in its efforts to open up its oil business to international investment, including to private companies in Lafayette and Acadiana. The Mexican government on Thursday announced that 14 blocks of potential oil development in shallow water are open for bids by national and international companies. The blocks are off the coast of southern Veracruz, Tabasco and Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico, the government said in a news release. There are some minimum requirements set for experience and financial strength of the companies making the bids.Mauricio Garcia Palacios, trade and investment commissioner for the Port of Frontera, Centla Tabasco and president of the Association of Southeastern Mexico Oil Cos., has visited Lafayette twice to talk about investment opportunities for companies here. He said last week that three local companies are continuing to talk with him about those opportunities.During his visit, Garcia Palacios suggested that Lafayette companies, which have experience drilling in marshland, might want to bid on projects in shallow water or might want to bid on projects that include reopening established wells that have been closed.

Mekong Delta suffers high post harvest losses of rice

Mexico opens up oil areas for bids Post harvest losses of rice in the Mekong Delta appropriate 13.7 percent, equivalent to 20

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine But the rice policy comprises manufacturing processes as well. In addition, we will prioritise drawing a rice export policy," said Dr Maung Aung, an advisor to the ministry.These policies are meant to make rice exporting more consistent and to maintain the quality of Myanmar rice exports.

million tons or US$635,000 a year, revealed scientists at a seminar in Can Tho City on Friday.Combine harvesters help reduce post harvest losses of rice in Mekong Delta (Photo: SGGP) Despite of considerable advances in preservation technologies, the loss rate is still high in most post harvest stages, they said.Of these, cleaning and drying loss as much as 4.2 percent, milling 3 percent, and preserving 2.6 percent.Rice milling plants are short of capital to equip driers and advanced milling machines, and build storehouses.The government should provide capital or interest rate assistances so that local farmers and businesses can buy machines for post harvest processing of rice, they proposed. http://www.saigongpdaily.com.vn/Business/Economy/2014/12/111 863/

Rice export policy in the works Myanmar Eleven December 14, 2014 1:00 am A policy to explore foreign rice markets and to ensure the product quality is currently in the pipeline, according to the Ministry of Commerce."We've just started drawing it. The team responsible for this was formed very recently. It's a trade-related policy. The Export Strategy (NES) focuses particularly on exports.

Ministry officials are working under the guidance of the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) and other relevant organisations.Dr Min Aung, a senior advisor at the MRF, urged the quick drafting process."Some procedures in rice industry need to be relaxed. Rice merchants face difficulties, like losing market demand. On the other hand, the farmers also struggle with price drops and quality control problems. I advised the government to draw a policy that can relieve the anxieties of both farmers and merchants," Dr Min Aung suggested. As agriculture is the central pillar of Myanmar's export economy, a policy that solves all the challenges such as growing local consumption, swelling foreign exports, quality assurance and maintaining a sustainable paddy industry is urgently needed."Domestic consumption is the first priority. The livelihoods of farmers, merchants and each and every individual involved in the rice business is the second-most important point," said Tin Htut Oo, a presidential economic advisor.The supply chain from the paddy field to the platter should be consistent under a policy, the presidential advisor said."But such a policy is not available yet."The NES, which is meant to enhance the quality and quantity of exports, is set to be released late this year. It allocates rice, beans, fishery products, wood-based materials and garments as the country's highest potential export products.

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine "The [rice] policy is currently being drafted. It is important and also related to the export strategy. Besides export process, domestic consumption and prices are also needed to be considered. It takes a well-built policy to make sure the whole supply chain grows strong," said Win Myint, the director of Department of Trade Promotion under the Commerce Ministry.

Last Update: Monday, 15 December 2014 KSA 13:47 GMT 10:4

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Riceexport-policy-in-the-works-30249768.html

Published: 13 Dec 2014 at 08.42 Newspaper section: Business Writer: Post Reporters

Iraq issues tender to buy at least 30,000 tons of ricehe closing date for the

valid ntil December 26

Reuters, Baghdad Monday, 15 December 2014 Iraqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s state grain buyer issued an international tender to buy at least 30,000 tons of rice, the trade ministry said in a statement on Monday.The closing date for the tender is December 22, and offers should stay valid until December 26.The rice can be sourced from the Unites States, Uruguay, Argentina, Vietnam, Brazil and Thailand. Thai white rice will be accepted, the statement said.

400,000 tonnes for fourth rice auction |Bangkok Post: business 400,000 tonnes for fourth rice auction

The government is scheduled to put up almost 400,000 tonnes of its rice stocks for the fourth auction on Dec 22. On hand will be mainly broken rice, which is believed to be in strong demand.Banjongjit Angsusingh, deputy director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said the working panel overseeing the government's rice sales agreed to auction off 398,346 tonnes of rice from 84 warehouses nationwide.Of that amount, broken rice will make up 330,000 tonnes, glutinous rice 52,000 tonnes, 5% white rice 12,039 tonnes and 25% white rice the rest.Ms Banjoingjit insists all the grains put on auction will be of good quality, as certified by the Commerce Ministry. The ministry sold a combined 348,836 tonnes in the first three auctions, raising 3.6 billion baht.After halting rice sales to carry out nationwide inspections, the government resumed sales of 167,000 tonnes on Aug 7.Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikulya said the government pledged to accelerate efforts to sell as many of the remaining 17 million tonnes of state rice stocks as possible next year.A new roadmap will soon be submitted to the National Rice Policy Committee to facilitate disposal of the government's rice stockpile.Following the nationwide rice stock inspection, authorities are now in the process of classifying rice grades.

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Selling is expected to be easier once authorities complete grading of the rice, as they can then sell the stocks based on grade.The government is also committed to selling as much of the rice as possible via government-to-government (G-to-G) contracts.Several potential buyers including Hong Kong and Iraq are reportedly interested.The Foreign Trade Department earlier said the government expected to deliver 900,000 to 1 million tonnes of rice this year through G-to-G contracts.Thailand has so far shipped more than 700,000 tonnes through G-to-G deals, mainly to China, Indonesia and the Philippines.Talks to sell more rice from state stocks are also under way with several African and Middle East countries. Gen Chatchai said the Commerce Ministry would work more closely with millers, exporters and farmers to discuss evening out the rice pricing structure and ensure farmers fetch the prices promised by the ministry.Thailand exported 8.77 million tonnes of rice in the first 10 months of this year, fetching 140 billion baht. Export volume rose by 62.4% year-on-year and value by 27%.

In Memory: Debbie Warshaw Debbie Warshaw USA Rice extends deepest condolences to the family and friends of Deborah Marie Warshaw, 55, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, who passed away on December 12. Throughout her threeyear battle with cancer, Debbie inspired many with her faith, strength, and courage. Survivors include her husband, James (Jamie) Warshaw, CEO of Farmers Rice Milling Company and a

past chairman of the USA Rice Millers' Association and the USA Rice Federation, three children and one grandchild. Our heartfelt sympathy is with the Warshaw family," said USA Rice Federation President and CEO Betsy Ward. "Debbie was a joy to know and she will be greatly missed by the USA Rice family. Her grace and courageous spirit touched us all." Visitation will be at from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, December 15, Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA, with a Scripture service and rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 3939 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 617 W. Claude Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605, or to Debbie's favorite school, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School, 3908 Creole Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605. An online guestbook is available for messages to the family.

Troublesome WOTUS Rule Struck Down in Omnibus Appropriations Bill WASHINGTON, DC -- The $1.1 trillion fiscal 2015 spending bill that funds most of the federal government for the remainder of FY 2015 passed the Senate over the weekend. The bill includes a series of policy riders important to agriculture. Under the legislation, both the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development program (FMD) will receive full authorized funding of $200 million and $34.5 million respectively for FY 2015.Another directive included in H.R. 83, the

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine so-called 'Crominbus' bill, kills an interpretive rule detailing agricultural exemptions to Clean Water Act permitting requirements. The interpretive rule was issued in conjunction with a proposed rule defining what areas are regulated as "waters of the United States," or WOTUS, and has created confusion in the oversight agencies as to what practices they can regulate with and without permits. "This legislation is positive on a couple fronts for the U.S. rice industry," said Ben Mosely, the USA Rice Federation vice president of government affairs. "Uninterrupted funding for international market promotion keeps our promotion programs overseas running smoothly and consistently. And the WOTUS rule, which some of our producers refer to as 'significantly nebulous,' had the potential to create more problems than it promised to solve."H.R. 83 now goes to President Obama to be signed into law.

Contact: Steve Hensley (703) 236-1445

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

January 2015

$12.430

+ $0.080

March 2015

$12.695

+ $0.080

May 2015

$12.975

+ $0.085

July 2015

$13.090

+ $0.010

September 2015

$12.440

+ $0.045

November 2015

$12.355

+ $0.070

January 2016

$12.365

+ $0.070

Rice farms could provide offsets in carbon market BY KAREN ROSS SPECIAL TO THE BEE 12/13/2014 4:00 PM 12/14/2014 12:00 AM The California Air Resources Board this week will hear a staff proposal for a set of management practices that will give rice growers incentives that could be used to reduce the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. LEILANI HU SACRAMENTO BEE FILE Sometimes it takes a crisis

CME Group (Preliminary): Closing Rough Rice Futures for December 15

climate

change to reveal a golden

opportunity.

Our rice farmers in Month

Price

Net Change

Northern

California

have long been exemplary stewards of their

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine land, both in terms of providing habitat for

for increased participation in the future as

waterfowl and other wildlife and for their

more growers learn about the benefits of

ongoing efforts to work with environmental

these practices.

and research organizations to improve their farming practices. Now, in response to

I am pleased to see progress toward this

climate change, they stand ready to take the

voluntary incentive program for rice farmers

next step.

in the Sacramento Valley, where they have already made tremendous strides on other

This week, the California Air Resources

environmental issues. For example, rice

Board will hear a staff proposal for a set of

farmers here provide their agricultural fields

management practices that will give rice

during the winter months as valuable open

growers incentives that could be used to

space and habitat for 230 species of wildlife

reduce the release of methane, a potent

and 7 million ducks and geese that migrate

greenhouse gas that contributes to climate

along the Pacific Flyway each year.It is

change. For these farmers, who grow more

worth noting that, in developing these

than 95 percent of Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rice within

practices, the ARB took precautions such as

100 miles of our state capital, it presents a

excluding

proactive opportunity to contribute to the

Management Area, which has the highest

stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

objectives.The

concentration of waterfowl per acre in the

proposed Compliance Offset Protocol Rice

world, to ensure that this important wildlife

Cultivation

habitat is unaffected by the implementation

climate

change

Projects

would

allow

rice

farmers in the Sacramento Valley to

the

Butte

Sink

Wildlife

of any rice cultivation projects.

generate greenhouse gas offsets that can then be sold in the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carbon trading market. Rice would represent the first cropbased agricultural offset protocol, paving the way

for

additional

agriculture-based

protocols to be developed. The management practices listed in this protocol are based on sound science and have proved successful around the world. We know that these practices will be adopted slowly at first, but we are hopeful Contact us for Advertisement & Specs: mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com +92 321 369 2847

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Even more importantly, the ARB has elected

agrees that climate change has and will have

to exclude program options that could lead

a disastrous or at least dramatic effect on

to reduced winter flooding throughout the

agriculture.

Valley, a practice that now provides critical habitat to millions of waterbirds in a state

With California’s rich history of innovative

where 95 percent of original wetlands are

farmers

gone. Additionally, the development of this

stewardship, provide ecosystem services and

protocol has exemplified what collaboration

strive for sustainability, it makes sense that

is all about by bringing together the rice

the California rice industry is at the forefront

industry, environmental groups, multiple

state agencies, national organizations and

practices.This protocol has the potential to

federal

California

move early innovators in the industry to get

Department of Food and Agriculture call the

involved and start moving the needle on

multiple benefits to nature provided by

climate change.

farmers

partners.We

and

ranchers

the

beyond

food

production “ecosystem services.

who

promote

incorporating

environmental

climate-friendly

My department will continue to work across agencies to encourage its implementation,

” These services include valuable open

along with technology-based verification

space and wildlife habitat and farming

techniques. Any protocol proposed to the

practices

ARB for consideration must have real,

that

enhance

environmental

quality, provide recreational opportunities

quantifiable,

and offer social benefits.The protocol

metrics,

provides financial incentives for growers to

yields.California agriculture is incredibly

help the state reach its emission-reduction

resilient and innovative, and our farmers

goals by 2020. It’s timely, and recognizes

offer many benefits beyond food production.

rice farmers for one of the many ecosystem

Voluntary incentive programs, such as the

services

carbon

rice protocol, offer farmers in California

crediting initiatives are taking place all over

meaningful opportunities to ensure that as

the country. For example, the USDA worked

they produce food, they are also providing

with Chevrolet to purchase almost 40,000

important environmental benefits.

they

provide.

Similar

carbon dioxide reduction tons generated on working ranch grasslands in the Prairie Pothole region of North Dakota.As the

verifiable

without

and

enforceable

compromising

crop

Karen Ross was appointed secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture by Gov. Jerry Brown.

source withtnaks: ttp://www.sacbee.com/opinion/oped/soapbox/article4453841.html#storylink=cpy

magazine Modern Farmer put it, “everyone Contact us for Advertisement & Specs: mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com +92 321 369 2847