18thapril ,2017 daily globa regional & local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice

E-Newsletter

1

April 18,2017 Vol 8 Issue IV

Today Rice News Headlines...  Gov’t rice policy exposes PH to price spikes, shortages, says economist  UNDP to boost rice production  Pocharam earns Rs 2 lakh by doing labour work!  U.S. Rice Makes an Impression at FABEX  Demand for Thai rice in Peru grows  Punjab: Basmati prices up, but farmers fail to cash in  Backdoor talks conducted for rice import from Thailand?  35% TARIFF ON RICE IMPORTS, OVERHAUL OF NFA PUSHED  PHL rice output likely grew 12.8% in Q1  Demand for Thai rice in Peru grows  Govt to buy rice at Tk 34, paddy at Tk 24 per kg  Govt to procure 1.5 million tonnes of grains in Boro season

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com Monitor Latest Updates on www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

2

News Detail...

Gov’t rice policy exposes PH to price spikes, shortages, says economist By: Ronnel W. Domingo - @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer / 01:06 AM April 18, 2017

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol (left) and his predecessor, Proceso Alcala. INQUIRER The Philippine approach to rice production and supply management continues to expose the country to shortages and price spikes, as its agricultural policy remains unchanged over several administrations despite disastrous results, an economist said on Monday.

University of the Philippines professor Ramon L. Clarete said Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol was doing the same things that his predecessor had done.

Clarete was referring to Proceso Alcala, who championed the Aquino administration‟s push for rice self-sufficiency and took the blame for its failure.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

3

Piñol on Sunday lashed out at economists and think tanks after the Inquirer reported on a commentary from New York-based Global Source Partners, which warned that the Duterte administration‟s rice policy exposed the country to the risk of falling stocks and spiking prices.

As Piñol himself announced last week, “President Rody Duterte has ordered the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy the paddy rice produce of Filipino farmers and import only if there is a shortfall.”

Clarete described this policy as “local procurement first, we are not by the way against rice imports, and there is no need to import rice because we are sufficient in supply.”

Piñol took issue with economists and think tanks for suggesting that the ban on imports be reconsidered and that the NFA be allowed to import quickly as its buffer stock was running low and the lean months were approaching.

He said he never said that there should be no importation. “All that I asked the President was not to allow importation at peak harvest season.”

Wrong equation But Clarete said Piñol, like his predecessor, mistakenly equated sufficiency with no importation.

“If local supply is equal to local consumption, that is 100-percent sufficiency all right but at a higher price ,” Clarete told the Inquirer. “There is rice availability (supply may not drop) but access to that supply may not be inclusive because of the higher price.”

“So if the price goes up in the coming months, because of the „no need to import rice because we are sufficient in supply‟ policy, the supply is not enough for the poor consumers,” Clarete said.

In his post on social media, Piñol said Mr. Duterte‟s order to defer imports until after the harvest resulted in farmers‟ income rising by P24.38 billion in the first quarter.

Clarete said the beneficiaries of the P24.38 billion included “greedy big farmers who informally „bought‟ the rice lands of agrarian reform beneficiaries” as well as the few farmers (big or small) who are active members of farmers‟ associations.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

4

Farmers‟ divide “We had heard this before, and politicians do not appreciate the divide between the small and big farmers, the small farmers and traders/creditors, and the unorganized and organized rice farmers,” Clarete said.

Citing data from a satellite-data processing technology developed by the International Rice Research Institute, Piñol said farm yield in the first quarter increased to 4.14 million metric tons of palay even as the harvest area decreased to 997,687 hectares.

The economist noted that Agriculture Secretary Roberto S. Sebastian of the Ramos administration expected good production in the 1994-1995 cropping season and no rice importation, based on a survey of farmers‟ planting intentions.

“The year following he was out of office when the poor queued at the NFA warehouses for rice in an election year,” Clarete said.

Ways to fix leaks Clarete suggested three ways to “fix the leaks in the bucket” by throwing away the old bucket and getting a new one.

First is giving cash transfer directly to the bottom 60 percent of rice farmers, coupled with enabling the farmers the right to opt for paying their creditors/traders with cash from the loan proceeds using the warehouse receipts; or giving up their rice to traders in payment for their debt obligation as now practiced.

Second, in the next five years, enact a good warehouse receipts law in which farmers can deposit their paddy rice and use the warehouse receipts to borrow money from rural banks or Landbank coupled with enabling the farmers the right to two options similar to the cash transfer proposal.

For the long haul, “(let us) free agriculture from agriculture secretaries who equate good performance with zero rice imports,” Clarete said.Piñol said he never called for zero importation. “Tell (Clarete) the Philippines must be free from armchair economic experts who could not even read properly. I have an extra pair of eyeglasses. I could give it to him https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/889910/govt-rice-policy-exposes-ph-to-price-spikes-shortages-sayseconomist

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

5

UNDP to boost rice production Posted By: Daniel Essiet On: April 17, 2017

Concerned about rice production, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has moved to enhance local production and boost international acceptance in the global market.

Agribusiness Specialist, Agribusiness Supplier Development Programme (ASDP), Inclusive Growth Unit, UNDP, Dr Nelson Abila, said the organisation was determined to make local farmers adopt improved and adapted rice varieties, enhance availability of certified seeds and transfer of knowledge.

He said UNDP was in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agencyâ€&#x;s (JICA) to ensure that rice was produced to boost yields for commercial farmers.

The JICA Nigeria, he explained, has evolved the standard for paddy quality checking on the fields, aggregation centres and at the reception points and laboratories at the integrated rice mills.

This involves the use of kits and go through some processes for checking rice quality. Bringing this innovation to the awareness of rice farmers, paddy dealers, rice millers, extension agents among other actors in the value chain is critical towards ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth of the rice sector in the country.

To sustain the tempo, stakeholders must have the knowledge of paddy and ensure compliances, he said.

According to him, the intention is to provide opportunities for promoting resource use efficiency, business flows throughout the value chain of the rice sector and deliver real results to the lives of rice farmers.

The organisations will seek to strengthen partnerships for post-harvest handling, and help farmers and other rice producers add value by developing and marketing rice by-products rich in

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

6

proteins and micronutrients, and explore the appropriate use of rice by-products to generate energy, animal feed and other agricultural products.

In addition, they will work together to ensure that farmers can participate in viable, safe and dignified entrepreneurial opportunities in the rice value chain, and that there is an improvement in work conditions in the rice sector. http://thenationonlineng.net/undp-boost-rice-production/

Pocharam earns Rs 2 lakh by doing labour work!

Siyasat,Hyderabad Mon,17 Apr 2017

Summary: This Yasangi season we are expecting more yield of 65 metric tons to 70 metric tons. He offered work at the market yard in the town and sold rice to the customers besides carrying some bags. Rice Millers Association has offered the minister Rs 2 lakhs of cheque for his work on the occasion. As part of “Gulabi Coolie Dinalu� from April 1420, Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy today done coolie work at Bansuvada marketyard in Nizamabad district and earned Rs 2 lakhs. Stating that there is no shortage for gunny bags he said that 18 lakhs metric of tons of paddy was procured through 2800 centers.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

7

As part of “Gulabi Coolie Dinalu� from April 14-20, Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy today done coolie work at Bansuvada marketyard in Nizamabad district and earned Rs 2 lakhs. He offered work at the market yard in the town and sold rice to the customers besides carrying some bags. Rice Millers Association has offered the minister Rs 2 lakhs of cheque for his work on the occasion. After launching a paddy purchase center, the minister said that the TRS boss and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has asked them to work for plenary and public meeting and get money to be spent for transportation and bringing public. This Yasangi season we are expecting more yield of 65 metric tons to 70 metric tons.

Stating that there is no shortage for gunny bags he said that 18 lakhs metric of tons of paddy was procured through 2800 centers. The paddy so purchased is immediately being shifted to goddowns and make payments to the farmers in 48 hours, he said. (NSS).

Source: http://www.siasat.com/news/pocharam-earns-rs-2-lakh-labour-work-1171596/ https://www.nyoooz.com/news/hyderabad/786275/pocharam-earns-rs-2-lakh-by-doing-labour-work

U.S. Rice Makes an Impression at FABEX

By Hugh Maginnis

TOKYO, JAPAN -- Last week, USA Rice participated in FABEX, the World Food and Beverage Great Expo, introducing new menu ideas using U.S. medium grain rice. FABEX is a trade exhibition targeting foodservice and deli operators, and more than 77,000 traders visited during this year's three-day show.

"Going into FABEX, USA Rice had three strategic objectives," said Jim Guinn, USA Rice staff who attended the trade show. "First was to showcase new uses of Calrose, second was to provide taste-testing opportunities for targeted traders, and third was to share information about U.S.-grown rice across the supply chain."

Guinn said Calrose was highlighted in twelve menu samples packed in plastic containers for deli take-out, a growing sector. Additionally, more than 1,500 samples of two menus - rice salad sushi style and gumbo with turmeric rice - were shared with visitors.

"We also conducted one-on-one taste-testing sessions for 19 foodservice-related companies who invited their rice suppliers - leading wholesalers," Guinn added. "Half the companies were already using U.S. medium grain but all said the new style menus had inspired them to get creative when coming up with their own original dishes using U.S. medium grain."

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

8

Private import of U.S. rice under the Simultaneous-Buy-Sell (SBS) has risen dramatically in the past year due in part to the dearth of reasonably priced local varieties of rice suitable for foodservice and Guinn said at least 150 traders requested additional materials and samples to learn more about U.S.-grown rice.

Demand for Thai rice in Peru grows BANGKOK, 17 April 2017 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce is set to launch a marketing scheme aimed at boosting Thai rice exports to Peru following an escalating demand.

According to Commerce Minister Apiradee Tantaraporn, Peru consumes 1.8 million tons of rice each year, the largest amount in Latin America. 65% of imported rice is from Uruguay, 22% from Brazil, 9% from Thailand, and the rest from elsewhere.

In the past five years, demand for Thai rice in Peru has grown continuously with the export value

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

9

standing at 15.3 million US dollars in 2016, a significant 72% increase from the year before.

To boost demand for Thai rice, the Ministry of Commerce has instructed the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) to develop a marketing plan and continue its effort to promote Thai rice among Peruvian importers. https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/978809-demand-for-thai-rice-in-peru-grows/

Punjab: Basmati prices up, but farmers fail to cash in Farmers cannot wait to sell their crops in the wait of good price as they neither have heavy storage capacity nor enough money.

Written by Anju Agnihotri Chaba | Jalandhar | Published:April 17, 2017 8:34 am ALTHOUGH THE price of basmati has gone up, farmers of Punjab have no reason to smile as they have already sold their produce to private players at a low price at the end of the harvesting season in October-November last year. Farmers cannot wait to sell their crops in the wait of good price as they neither have heavy storage capacity nor enough money. Just a handful of big farmers can afford to wait for a good price to sell their crop.

In the past six weeks, the rate of 1121 Basmati has been going for Rs 3,600-4,000 per quintal and 1509 Basmati Rs 3,200-3,300 per quintal which is said to be one of the best prices in the recent past since the crop has met with poor fate in the past few years. This is one of the best prices since 2014, said rice sellers.

“We are getting Rs 3,600-4,000 per quintal for 1121 Basamti rice as the rates of Basmati have gone up since March,” said Vinod Gupta, a Fazilka-based commission agent and former president of Arhtiya Association where basmati has one of the biggest mandis. He said since March, the rates have gone up from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,600-4,000 per quintal.

He admitted that farmers could not sell it beyond Rs 2,000 and Rs 2300, which was almost half the current price of the crop per quintal after harvesting as they cannot hold the crop for long.

“Not only 1121, which is fetching around Rs 4,000 per quintal, but the 1509 variety, too, is getting a very good price between Rs 3,200 and Rs 3,300,” said rice seller Sanjiv Anad from Mukerian, adding that the crop rates are decided by the rate in the international market and this time, it is fetching good price.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

10

“We are growing basmati on 5 to 7 acres and after selling it, we have to make arrangements for the next crop with the income,” said Jaswinder Singh, a farmer from Mukerian, adding that whatever price was available at the time of harvest, farmers have to do with that only as there is no minimum support price (MSP) for it like paddy crop.

“Farmers cannot hold the crop for long as they do not have the space to hold it and they have to sell it then and there only,” said another farmer Ramanjit Singh, adding that traders and commission agents have huge space and godowns where they can hold the crop and wait for a good rate.

Another farmer, HS Shergil, said the government should fix MSP for basamti so that farmers can also benefit. He added that only the big farmers can hold the crop for few months, not the small and medium ones http://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-basmati-prices-up-but-farmers-fail-to-cash-in-4616079/

Backdoor talks conducted for rice import from Thailand?

By Louise Maureen Simeon (The Philippine Star) | Updated April 17, 2017 - 12:00am

State-run National Food Authority (NFA) may have conducted backdoor negotiations for a possible rice importation from Thailand despite a recent order from President Duterte to prioritize rice purchase from local farmers to boost stockpiles. File photo

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

11

MANILA, Philippines - State-run National Food Authority (NFA) may have conducted backdoor negotiations for a possible rice importation from Thailand despite a recent order from President Duterte to prioritize rice purchase from local farmers to boost stockpiles.

Based on documents sent to reporters, NFA administrator Jason Aquino may have negotiated behind the NFA Council‟s back for the importation of 1.3 million metric tons (MT) of rice from Thailand.

This was confirmed last week after reports from a Thai-based news outfit revealed that the Thai Commerce Ministry confirmed the Philippines‟ plan to import that much rice.

Thailand‟s Department of Foreign Trade deputy director-general Keerati Rushchano was quoted as saying NFA will import up to 1.3 million MT this year, a huge jump from the 450,000 MT of rice in 2016.

Thailand‟s average rice export to the Philippines stands at 400,000 MT annually. It has already exported close to 200,000 MT for the past two months, an increase of almost 90 percent compared to imports last year.

“Aquino with his deputy were given travel authorities mid-March this year by the Office of the President to go to Thailand to attend the Asean Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve conference.

Backdoor negotiation is believed to have taken place during this period,” the document said. The said “negotiation” is believed to be beyond the scope of authority of the NFA and has taken over the function of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which should negotiate on behalf of the NFA Council.Currently, the Philippines has two standing contracts – with Vietnam and Thailand – for a government-to-government (G2G) importation scheme.

“Such acts of the administrator are unauthorized. It is the NFA Council, the governing board of the NFA, that has sole authority to determine if there is a need to import or not. It appears that Aquino has already made up his mind that the NFA will definitely import via G2G,” the document further stated.NFA has been pushing for a G2G importation, saying that it can no longer buy more and hit its target of local palay (unhusked rice) procurement following higher prices offered by private traders.Aquino iterated that it cannot buy its target volume for buffer stocking because of NFA‟s significantly lower buying price compared with prices offered by private traders http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/04/17/1691060/backdoor-talks-conducted-rice-import-thailand

35% TARIFF ON RICE IMPORTS, OVERHAUL OF NFA PUSHED Philippine Daily Inquirer

17 Apr 2017

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

12

By Ben O. de Vera @bendeveraINQ

Slapping an import tariff of 35 percent on rice imports alongside reforms in the agency mandated to stabilize both the supply and prices of the Filipino staple food will help temper rising inflation in the near term, the country‟s chief economist said.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia told the Inquirer last week that among the measures that could mitigate rising prices of basic goods included “passing the law that can tarrify rice in lieu of qualitative restriction (QR)” as well as “reforming the National Food Authority to allow timely importation to forestall impending shortages.”

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia told the Inquirer last week that among the measures that could mitigate rising prices of basic goods included “passing the law that can tarrify rice in lieu of qualitative restriction (QR)” as well as “reforming the National Food Authority to allow timely importation to forestall impending shortages.”

Pernia earlier said the recent upward trend in inflation needed to be closely monitored such that the government needed to implement timely mitigating measures to ensure that prices remained stable after headline inflation rose 3.4 percent year-on-year in March, the fastest rate of increase in prices of basic goods in 28 months.

Inflation averaged 3.1 percent in the first quarter, past the midpoint of the government‟s 2 to 4 percent target range for 2017. In contrast, the average inflation rates during the past two years were both below 2 percent.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects further monthly inflation upticks until the third quarter.

Pernia said the state-planning agency National Economic and Development Authority, which he headed, was amenable to the proposal of state-run think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) to slap a 35-percent tariff on rice when the import quota system expires by the middle of this year.

Besides tarrification, PIDS was also pitching subsidies to farmers to improve agricultural productivity.

In a policy note published last month titled “Quantitative restriction on rice imports: Issues and alternatives” authored by Roehlano M. Briones, Ivory Myka Galang and Lovely Ann Tolin, the PIDS said there were two policy options that the government could pursue following the expiration of the socalled QR. lished last month titled “Quantitative restriction on rice imports: Issues and alternatives” authored by Roehlano M. Briones, Ivory Myka Galang and Lovely Ann Tolin, the PIDS said there were two policy options that the government could pursue following the expiration of the socalled QR.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

13

“First is to extend the QR for two more years. The second and the preferred option is to pursue tariffication, with revenues earmarked as safety net for rice farmers,” Pids said.

Specifically, a 35-percent tariff rate seems appropriate as a tariff equivalent, according to the PIDS. Alongside slapping import duty on the Filipino staple food, PIDS proposed to financially support farmers. “A safety net for rice farmers can be as much as P20 billion annually and can be financed entirely by earmarking funds from the tariff revenue.”

Alongside slapping import duty on the Filipino staple food, PIDS proposed to financially support farmers. “A safety net for rice farmers can be as much as P20 billion annually and can be financed entirely by earmarking funds from the tariff revenue.”

According to the PIDS, “tariffication with safety nets will bring down the price of rice and ease the dislocation of rice farmers.”

Pids said that ultimately, removal of the QR would also increase imports and depress palay prices.

Based on PIDS‟ projections under a scenario that the QR would be ultimately repealed while imposing a 35-percent tariff on rice, imports were expected to double and reach 4.4 million tons a year on the average from 2017 to 2022.

WWW.pressreader.com

PHL rice output likely grew 12.8% in Q1 ByJasper Y. Arcalas

APRIL 17, 2017 The country‟s rice production in the first quarter may have expanded by 12.8 percent to 4.44 million metric tons (MMT), from 3.93 MMT recorded a year ago.The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) made this forecast in its latest report, titled “Updates on January-March 2017 Palay and Corn Forecasts”. The figure is consistent with the projection it made in February.

“Palay production for January-March 2017 may reach 4.44 MMT, 2.1 percent below the January 2017 round forecast of 4.53 MMT, but 12.8 percent higher than the previous year‟s output of 3.93 MMT,” the report read.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

14

The projected palay production in the first quarter of the year is higher than the actual first quarter output of 4.36 MMT recorded in 2015.

In the January round of its survey, titled “Rice and Corn Situation Outlook”, the PSA said the probable increase in first quarter rice output is due to the expansion in harvest area. The availability of irrigation water and the use of high-yielding rice varieties would also boost production.“Probable increments in production are foreseen in all regions, except Calabarzon,” the report read.In its latest report, the PSA said some areas recorded lower harvests due to unfavorable weather and pest infestation.

“The probable decrease in palay production may be attributed to lower yield as a result of infestation of rats, rice black bug, plant hoppers and stemborer in Iloilo, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Leyte, Cavite, Negros Oriental, Guimaras, Misamis Occidental and Sarangani,” the report read.“The continuous and heavy rainfall and strong winds that were experienced during the vegetative and reproductive stages of the crop in Capiz, South Cotabato, Leyte, Compostela Valley, Aurora, Aklan, Surigao Norte and Negros Oriental may cause production of these provinces to go down,” it added.The PSA noted that continuous and heavy rainfall and strong winds affected the vegetative and reproductive stages of the crop and resulted in the decline in the rice production of Capiz, South Cotabato, Leyte, Compostela Valley, Bohol, Aurora, Aklan and Negros Oriental.

The PSA said harvest area in the January-to-March period may contract to 1.15 million hectares, from 1.16 million hectares, or by 0.9 percent. Also, yield per hectare may decline to 3.85 metric tons (MT), from 3.92 MT. “Probable decreases in area and yield may be due to floods in Davao, North Cotabato, Negros Occidental, Misamis Occidental and Bukidnon. The adverse effects of Typhoon Nina in December 2016 in Catanduanes and Quezon, and heavy rains caused by tropical depression Auring early January this year in Bohol, Surigao del Norte, Cebu and Agusan del Sur,” the report read.The PSA noted that about 566,270 hectares of the updated standing crop have been harvested.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

15

As of March 1, about 93.1 percent, or almost 855,790 hectares, of the farmers‟ planting intentions for the April-to-June period have materialized.“Of the 1.43-million-hectare standing palay crop, 19.8 percent were at vegetative stage; 47.0 percent at reproductive stage; and 33.2 percent at maturing stage,” the report read.The PSA‟s palay production forecast in the first quarter is 7.25 percent higher, or about 300,000 MT, higher than the 4.14 MMT projected by the Department of Agriculture (DA).Citing data from the Philippine Rice Satellite Monitoring (Prism), Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said palay output in the first quarter increased by 5.34 percent to 4.14 MMT, from the 3.93 MMT, a year go.

Piñol said the increase in production could be attributed to good weather and the use of highyielding hybrid rice seeds.The PSA, the government‟s major statistical agency, is set to release the actual rice output next month.

The PSA maintained its original corn production forecast of 2.38 MMT for the first quarter. The figure is 24 percent higher than the 1.92 MMT recorded in the same period last year.The PSA

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

16

also said that as of March 1, around 289,740 hectares, or 73.9 percent, of the planting intentions for the April-to-June harvests have been materialized.

Earlier, Piñol said agriculture production in the first three months of the year could grow by 2 percent, as favorable weather encouraged farmers to plant more crops.Piñol said the crops subsector would still be the main driver of the farm sector‟s growth during the January-to-March period, particularly rice and corn.The DA is eyeing to hike palay production to 18.57 MMT this year. The figure is 5.33 percent higher than last year‟s output of 17.63 MMT. https://www.printfriendly.com/

Demand for Thai rice in Peru grows BANGKOK, 17 April 2017 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce is set to launch a marketing scheme aimed at boosting Thai rice exports to Peru following an escalating demand. According to Commerce Minister Apiradee Tantaraporn, Peru consumes 1.8 million tons of rice each year, the largest amount in Latin America. 65% of imported rice is from Uruguay, 22% from Brazil, 9% from Thailand, and the rest from elsewhere.

In the past five years, demand for Thai rice in Peru has grown continuously with the export value standing at 15.3 million US dollars in 2016, a significant 72% increase from the year before. To boost demand for Thai rice, the Ministry of Commerce has instructed the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) to develop a marketing plan and continue its effort to promote Thai rice among Peruvian importers.

Govt to buy rice at Tk 34, paddy at Tk 24 per kg Star Online Report

The government has decided to buy Boro rice and paddy at Tk 34 and Tk 24 a kilogramme respectively through the direct purchasing scheme from the farmers.

Alongside, the government will purchase wheat at Tk 28 a kg from April 18 to June 30, reports a handout issued by the food ministry.“We will purchase a total of 8 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 7 lakh metric tonnes of paddy and 1 lakh metric tonnes of wheat from May 2 to August 31,” Food minister Qamrul Islam told reporters after a meeting at his secretariat office this afternoon.“We will bring change in the purchasing system

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

17 to encourage farmers and to stop unsolicited influence of middlemen,” Qamrul said, adding that the farmers will be paid through account pay cheques.The minister said the production cost of a kg of rice and paddy was Tk 31 and 22 this year while it was Tk 29 and 20.70 in the last year.

http://www.thedailystar.net/country/govt-buy-rice-tk-34-paddy-tk-24-kg-1391866

Govt to procure 1.5 million tonnes of grains in Boro season Senior Correspondent, bdnews24.com Published: 2017-04-16 16:04:53.0 BdST Updated: 2017-04-16 16:21:44.0 BdST

The government plans to buy 1.5 million tonnes of grains during the Boro crop season this year, a 15 percent rise from last year.Food Minister Qamrul Islam told reporters after a meeting on Sunday that 800,000 tonnes of rice and 700,000 tonnes of paddy would be purchased at Tk 34 per kg and Tk 24 respectively.

Procurement will continue from May 2 to Aug 31.Last year the government purchased 700,000 tonnes of Boro rice at Tk 32 per kg and 600,000 tonnes of paddy at Tk 23.The government will also buy 100,000 tonnes of wheat at Tk 28 per kg between Apr 18 and Jun 30.“The production cost of wheat per kg was this year around Tk 28,” said the food minister.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

18

Govt to procure 1.5 million tonnes of grains in Boro season Senior Correspondent, bdnews24.com Published: 2017-04-16 16:04:53.0 BdST Updated: 2017-04-16 16:21:44.0 BdST

The government plans to buy 1.5 million tonnes of grains during the Boro crop season this year, a 15 percent rise from last year.

Food Minister Qamrul Islam told reporters after a meeting on Sunday that 800,000 tonnes of rice and 700,000 tonnes of paddy would be purchased at Tk 34 per kg and Tk 24 respectively.Procurement will continue from May 2 to Aug 31.Last year the government purchased 700,000 tonnes of Boro rice at Tk 32 per kg and 600,000 tonnes of paddy at Tk 23.The government will also buy 100,000 tonnes of wheat at Tk 28 per kg between Apr 18 and Jun 30.“The production cost of wheat per kg was this year around Tk 28,� said the food minister.

Iraq says to import wheat and rice through direct contracts April 16, 2017, 10:22:00 AM EDT By Reuters

Reuters * Direct contracts being negotiated after failed tenders

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

19

* Staggered payment mechanism put suppliers off * Iraq imports food for its rationing programme

By Ahmed RasheedBAGHDAD, April 16 (Reuters) - Iraq'sTrade Ministry said onSunday it was negotiating direct contracts for the import ofrice and wheat after multiple failures to secure them throughinternational tenders. Iraq had been struggling to import the grains for its foodsubsidy programme after introducing new payment and qualityterms that kept traders away from its international tenders The ministry said in a statement its Central ContractsCommittee was about to sign a deal for jasmine rice from theIraqi Vietnamese Company, but it did not mention the quantitiesagreed upon. It said it was negotiating to import wheat from severalorigins for its food rationing programme. "The Central Committee, after a failure of several tendersas a result of the new mechanisms for contracts, has begun tonegotiate with large international companies to contract wheat,"the ministry said.

Major global wheat and rice buyer Iraq had told suppliersearlier this year it would pay for its grains in instalments.

Traders said they were informed by Iraq's Grain Board thatlow oil prices and other financial factors were forcing thecountry to stagger payments. Iraq created a rationing program for flour, cooking oil,rice, sugar and baby milk formula in 1991 to combat U.N.economic sanctions. On Sunday, the trade ministry said it had contracted forquantities of vegetable oils that had arrived at southern portsand would be distributed shortly. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Maha El Dahan; Editing

by Robin Pomeroy) ((Maha.Dahan@thomsonreuters.com; + 9712 4082101; Reuters Messaging: maha.dahan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) http://www.nasdaq.com/article/iraq-says-to-import-wheat-and-rice-through-direct-contracts-2017041600051

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

20

NIGER partners National Cereals Research Institute to boost rice farming

By Innocent Senyo April 17, 2017 16:18:58pm GMT

|

RiceWorldStage Newsonline-Niger State Government has announced plans to partner the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi in its bid to boost rice and sugar farming.The state Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa said during a visit to NCRI that the partnership would boost agriculture produce and provide improved seedlings for farmers in the state to have good harvest.He said, "We have so many things to gain from the Institute and we are willing to partner with the NCRI. We want to close the gap between us and the institute so that our farmers can produce the best crops especially with varieties of seedlings.

"As we go into partnership with them, they will get us improved seeds on rice, soya beans, sugar cane and other cereals, and we will be able to feed the country and even the whole of West Africa."We have the human resources, the farmlands and by the time we get the improved seedlings Niger will be the state to beat. Governor Abubakar Sani Bello is ready to provide the facilities for the irrigation farming."Earlier, the Acting Executive Director of the NCRI, Dr. Samuel Agboire said the Institute had the potentials to support the state and help the farmers improve on their farming urging the state government to take irrigation serious.

"We have the potentials to support the state; we coordinate activities of States in the north central zone where Niger state is. Light and water are our major problems. If we must compete favourably with other states, then irrigation facilities must be revived."To be number one producer of rice in the country, irrigation facilities must be put in place. This is a rice producing state, we have 70 rice varieties which can benefit farmers in the state. Other states have overtaken Niger that has the land mass, suitable soil, human resources and NCRI, the oldest cereals institute in the country.

http://www.worldstagegroup.com/worldstagenew/index.php?active=news&newscid=35584&

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com