19th june ,2017 daily global regional & local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice

E-Newsletter

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June 19,2017 Vol 8 Issue VI

Today Rice News Headlines...  Spatial database of the world’s rice production to address research and policy questions on food security  PhilRice press release on unli rice  Sen. Villar denies filing bill vs unli-rice promos  Unlimited rice  Spatial database on rice for research and policy questions on food security  A tale of Kebbi rice farmers-turned millionaires  Iran produces 61% of central, western Asia rice  IRRI scientist for raising nat'l rice yield by 50pc  MoU signed to improve socio-economic conditions of rice growers  Authorities say initial investigation debunks claims of Cap Rambutan fake rice  Fine quality rice sale in all RDO offices from today  From July 1, rice to be costlier by Rs 5/kg!  Notice to ACSO, MI for Rs 6 cr waiver to rice mills  Sylhet rice millers urge authority to fix new procurement rate  Iran Produces 61% of Central, West Asian Rice  Rice prices up in domestic, foreign markets  Vietnam’s rice exports return to growth  Ghana’s first locally bred rice on pilot in Volta Region

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News Detail...

Spatial database of the world‘s rice production to address research and policy questions on food security 16 June 2017 Twente, University of Rice is an important food source for a majority of the world population. Worldwide, on average around 60 kilograms of rice is consumed per year per person. Researchers from all over the world, including from the ITC Faculty of the University of Twente, have developed the RiceAtlas: a spatial database that answers key questions like where, when and how much rice is grown globally. The database has just been made publicly available.

RiceAtlas consists of data on rice planting and harvesting dates by growing season and estimates of monthly production for all rice-producing countries. The database represents a long term global effort to collect, and continuously update, the most detailed information on rice calendars and production worldwide. This is an important dataset that is crucial for understanding the effects of policy, trade, and global and technological change on food security.

Spatial data for strategic planning and modelling Alice Laborte, scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI): ―Several rice crop calendars exist. However, they do not adequately capture the spatial and temporal detail associated with rice production. With the help of collaborators from various countries, RiceAtlas has become the most comprehensive and detailed spatial database on global rice calendar and production.‖ Andy Nelson, Professor of Spatial Agriculture and Food Security at ITC, University of Twente: ―We developed RiceAtlas to support strategic planning and modelling which require information on the where and when of rice. Making it a global public good serves the research and policy community but also means that RiceAtlas can be regularly improved through expert knowledge and contributions.‖ Sander J. Zwart, principal researcher at AfricaRice: ―Strategic knowledge on the when and where of rice production supports the debate on food security and the development and implementation of policies across Africa. Experts from national institutes were consulted to

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contribute information to RiceAtlas that was before available only in national data bases and not shared with the greater public. RiceAtlas was already deployed to spatially analyse the impact of climate change on rice production in the different growing seasons.‖ The development of RiceAtlas is a global collaboration across institutions: the International Rice Research Institute, the Africa Rice Center, the Italian National Research Council, the International Food Policy Research Institute, the University of California, and the University of Twente; and was supported by the CGIAR Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP) and Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM), and the Global Futures Project.

Access the recently published paper in Nature Scientific Data and find out the methodology behind the most comprehensive and detailed spatial database on rice calendar and production to date. Users are invited to suggest improvements and provide better data so that RiceAtlas remains the best source of contemporary rice calendar and production information. https://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=176470&CultureCode=en

PhilRice press release on unli rice PhilRice News

to Anselmo, Beth, Bonnie, Carlos, Elvie, ent, Estrella, George, Glenn, Ilocos, inquirermindan., Jaypee, Jennifer, Joan, Joy, jun, Lailanie, Lester, lyn, Madel, manny, Melody, Melpha, Milagros, MJ Eat rice, but be riceponsible!In the light of the issue of unlimited rice serving in food establishments, one piece of advice from the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is – Be Riceponsible!The Institute, through its Be Riceponsible Campaign, has affirmed that eating too much rice has ill effects to human health.

A study by the Harvard School of Public Health showed that excessive rice intake may adversely affect glucose metabolism and insulin production of the body thus may result in diabetes.

According to study, carbohydrate content of one (1) bowl of rice is equivalent to more than twice of a can of soft drink and each plate of white rice eaten in a day raises the risk of diabetes by 11% in the overall population. ―That is the main reason why we are promoting brown or unpolished rice as it has lower glycemic index, which means that it takes longer before it is converted to blood sugar. It also has higher satiety so you tend to eat less. Those are the reasons why it is better for diabetics compared with white rice,‖ explained Be Riceponsible campaign director Myriam Layaoen.

Brown rice is the whole grain or unpolished version of white rice with its bran retained and contains superior amount of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can

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help control blood sugar level, lower bad cholesterol, prevent heart disease and the risk of developing cancer.

The campaign also tries to influence policy directions and involve farmer-cooperatives to make brown rice more accessible and affordable to the general public.―We are tapping local governments to issue ordinances and resolutions that will support the advocacy. Meanwhile, we also talk to farmer groups to produce brown rice and sell it at reasonable price. We also partner with food establishments throughout the country to encourage their participation.‖ Layaoen emphasized that brown rice is just an ordinary rice, but unpolished during milling. Its milling recovery is 10% higher than ordinary rice, hence getting more rice after milling.PhilRice executive director, Dr. Sailila Abdula said that as an R&D institution, PhilRice will consistently explore ways to improve the rice ecosystem. ―That said, we are not just looking at production but also at the other side of rice security, which is consumption. We welcome any support towards achieving rice competitiveness, especially from our colleagues in the government. The good news should start from us,‖ Abdula expressed.

PhilRice‘s new strategic plan strongly promotes competitiveness of farmers and the rice industry as a whole to become profitable, resilient, and sustainable. ―We are one in curtailing rice wastage because we believe that every grain our farmers produce means life to a Filipino, and could help in ensuring enough supply of rice for the country,‖ he added.

The Be Riceponsible Campaign is DA‘s nationwide initiative to promote responsible rice consumption by reducing rice wastage in households and eating healthier forms of rice such as brown rice. http://www.philrice.gov.ph/eat-rice-riceponsible/

Sen. Villar denies filing bill vs unli-rice promos

By AJ Press Published: June 16, 2017 | No Comments

AFTER instantly receiving criticism over her remarks on rice, Sen. Cynthia Villar explained that

she was misconstrued and denied that she‘s initiating a measure to ban restaurants and fast food establishments from offering unlimited rice.During a committee hearing, Villar, who is also the chair of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, proposed an initiative to curb the habit of eating too much rice among Filipinos who are known to be heavy consumers of rice. She further encouraged the consumption of more vegetables over white rice, which is said to cause diseases such as type 2 diabetes. ―I think we should learn how to eat vegetables because it‘s healthier. Kasi sasabihin mas mura ang rice sa vegetables eh ang mahal naman magpagamot ng diabetes (I think we should learn how to eat vegetables because it’s healthier. People would say vegetable are way more expensive than rice, but look at how much it would cost you to pay your medical bills due to diabetes),‖ said Villar during a hearing on rice production and consumption.

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Villar clarified that she was merely ―voicing out‖ her concern on the health risks of excessive consumption of rice when she made a statement during a Senate hearing on rice importation and rice self-sufficiency on Wednesday, June 14. ―I just voiced out my concern that eating too much rice is one of the main causes of high blood sugar that leads to diabetes,‖ said Villar.

Meanwhile, the senator has tasked the Department of Agriculture (DA) to stop rice importation starting 2018, a directive which that coincides with an earlier statement by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol before the committee who said that he aims to end the country‘s need to import rice by next year.

According to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice), self-sufficiency in food staples means the country must produce the national food requirement while also maintaining a buffer stock to be used in times of need.

Villar touted that attaining rice self-sufficiency for the country is a no easy job, but she is quite bullish that the DA can solve the rice problem given that it has implemented effective measures in addressing various issues on rice production.―Iyon ang projection (2018) ni Secretary Piñol, kung makukuha niya. Kasi ang importation depends on production. (That was the projection of Secretary Piñol for 2018. Rice importation depends on the production). If the production can meet the consumption, then no importation. Marami nang nag-project nang ganoon, hindi naman natupad,‖ she explained to reporters.

Present during the hearing were representatives from the Department of Agriculture, National Food Authority (NFA), and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio ―Jun‖ Evasco, chair of the NFA Council.

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Further, Villar also told the officials to encourage the consumption of brown rice, instead of well-milled rice.―We should not encourage well-milled rice. Kung pwedeng brown rice, brown rice na lang. Kasi pag kinain mo, mabigat sa tiyan, konti lang nakakain mo (If possible, consume brown rice because of its fiber content, making you feel full even with a small amount, thus, you eat less),‖ she added.

However, Villar‘s proposal to end unli-rice was met with a barrage of negative comments from netizens— from serious suggestions on other viable options to manage the production of rice, to comments with comical undertones, and those that accuse Villar of being ―cruel‖ for denying them a simple joy. (With reports from Jennifer Soriano/AJPress) http://asianjournal.com/news/sen-villar-denies-filing-bill-vs-unli-rice-promos/

Unlimited rice

BY THE MANILA TIMES ON JUNE 17, 2017

THE statistics are staggering. According to the International Rice Research Institute, the Philippines wastes more than 300,000 tons of rice annually. This translates to a cost of more than P20 million a day, or about P8 billion annually.

To put this in the proper perspective, the annual volume of rice wastage is equivalent to a third of rice imports, an issue that is fraught with political, economic and even health considerations. All this because Filipinos, on the average, are said to waste three tablespoons of rice every day.

But the proposal to ban ―unlimited rice‖ servings in some restaurants, apparently a knee-jerk one,

by Sen. Cynthia Villar, seems misplaced. This week, in a Senate hearing on the country‘s rice importation and failed attempts to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production, these statistics on rice wastage were again brought up, along with the ill effects of too much rice consumption on the health.

Betraying the Big-Brother or draconian tendencies many Filipino politicians have, Villar proposed to stop restaurants from offering ―unlimited rice‖ promotions to their customers. It touched a raw nerve especially on social media, with the senator being the subject of a few memes.

On Twitter, parody accounts of local fast-food chains made fun of the proposed ―unli-rice ban.‖ It‘s likely a manifestation of Filipinos‘ frustrations with the misplaced priorities of some politicos. Indeed, there are bigger problems to tackle than restaurants‘ unli-rice promos. As expected, Villar walked back her proposal.

Equating unli-rice to wastage is a debatable proposition. Perhaps Villar has not eaten in restaurants offering these promos. Waiters often make it a point to ask customers how many cups of rice they need, and serve rice only when requested. The restaurants, it seems, are aware of the likelihood of wastage, and often use very small cups.

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Needless to say, these promos are popular. To many working-class Filipinos, it‘s perhaps the only luxury they could afford given the rising cost of food, but one that could easily fill their stomachs. Thus, the immediate backlash on the senator.

A more sound proposal is Senate Bill 1863 filed by former senator Ferdinand ―Bongbong‖ Marcos Jr. in 2013. It sought to penalize not unli-rice promos, but the practice among restaurants of refusing to serve less than a cup of rice, and proposed to fine these establishments up to P100,000. To keen observers of Filipino habit, the wastage happens with those who order more rice than they are able to consume, not with those who are willing to pay for an extra serving.

To be sure, the solution to rice wastage is education, not Machiavellian impositions. Villar could instead fund an extensive campaign to curb rice wastage, for instance, by emphasizing the ill effects of a high-carbohydrate diet, among them diabetes and heart disease http://www.manilatimes.net/unlimited-rice/333208/

Spatial database on rice for research and policy questions on food security June 16, 2017 by Laurens Van Der Velde

Credit: University of Twente

Rice is an important food source for a majority of the world population. Worldwide, on average around 60 kilograms of rice is consumed per year per person. Researchers from all over the

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world, including from the ITC Faculty of the University of Twente, have developed the RiceAtlas.

The RiceAtlas is a spatial database that answers key questions like where, when and how much rice is grown globally. The database has just been made publicly available. It consists of data on rice planting and harvesting dates by growing season and estimates of monthly production for all rice-producing countries. The database represents a long term global effort to collect, and continuously update, the most detailed information on rice calendars and production worldwide.

This is an important dataset that is crucial for understanding the effects of policy, trade, and global and technological change on food security.

Spatial data for strategic planning and modelling Alice Laborte, scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI): "Several rice crop calendars exist. However, they do not adequately capture the spatial and temporal detail associated with rice production. With the help of collaborators from various countries, RiceAtlas has become the most comprehensive and detailed spatial database on global rice calendar and production."

Andy Nelson, Professor of Spatial Agriculture and Food Security at ITC, University of Twente: "We developed RiceAtlas to support strategic planning and modelling which require information on the where and when of rice. Making it a global public good serves the research and policy community but also means that RiceAtlas can be regularly improved through expert knowledge and contributions."

Sander J. Zwart, principal researcher at AfricaRice: "Strategic knowledge on the when and where of rice production supports the debate on food security and the development and implementation of policies across Africa. Experts from national institutes were consulted to contribute information to RiceAtlas that was before available only in national data bases and not shared with the greater public. RiceAtlas was already deployed to spatially analyse the impact of climate change on rice production in the different growing seasons.

https://phys.org/news/2017-06-spatial-database-rice-policy-food.html

A tale of Kebbi rice farmers-turned millionaires

By Ismail Adebayo, Birnin Kebbi | Publish Date: Jun 18 2017 8:10AM

Rice farmers working on their farm Given the rich harvest recorded by rice farmers in Kebbi State between last year and now, many of them are smiling to the banks as millionaires.

The chairman of the Rice Farmers Association in Kebbi State, Alhaji Sahabi Augie, told our correspondent that they had witnessed an influx of buyers from different parts of the country and neighbouring countries like Niger and Benin.

He added that millers and traders from Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Lagos, Maiduguri, Niger and Adamawa, had come with trucks and trailers to buy rice from the farmers, saying this led to an

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increase in the price of the commodity beyond expectations. According to him, this development has enriched farmers.

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele had, during the precommissioning of the N10billion WACOT Rice Mill in Argungu, said that over 88,000 farmers had become millionaires in Kebbi through the Anchor Borrowers Dry Season Rice Farming programme of the bank. He added that because Kebbi was the largest rice producing state in the country, farmers would continue to make money, especially with the introduction of rice mills such as LABANA and WACOT. The chairman of rice farmers association in the state, Augie said: ―By the end of 2019, additional 250,000 millionaires would have been created in Kebbi through rice farming. ―We were lucky the weather was favourable and the input given to the farmers by government was efficient. This greatly assisted in raising the yield during last year‘s harvest and putting more money into the hands of the rice farmers. I must say that the harvest was very good for us. It had never been like this before. We harvested rice in a way we had never harvested it before in Kebbi.‖ Under the Anchor Borrowers programme, 78,000 farmers were engaged to produce rice in the state. Each of them was given the required input to cultivate one hectare of farm. Apart from this, there are over 300,000 rice farmers in the state that were not captured under the programme, but are also producing rice on their own.

During an interview with Daily Trust on Sunday, Justice Uthman Mohammed (retired), who is a patron of the Kebbi State Rice Farmers Association, spoke about his interest in rice farming. ―I have over 50 hectares of rice field. I harvested over 1,000 bags of rice last year. People have been coming on excursion to my farm to see what I have done there. Last year, a bag of rice was sold at N10,000. ―Because of the boost in rice farming, most of the young men have gone into it. If you go to the FADAMA area in Argungu, you would be amazed. When the Federal Government asked Governor Atiku Bagudu if we could produce a million metric tonnes of rice from Kebbi State last year, I told the president that we would exceed the target. Last year, we achieved over 1million metric tonnes of rice production capacity. ―There is no reason for us to import what we can grow in our country. And I am happy the farmers have taken the challenge very seriously, particularly now that we have a rice mill in Argungu. During last year‘s dry season harvest, a bag of paddy rice was sold at N15,000, against the initial price of N10,000,‖ the retired justice said.

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This year, projections show that the price of paddy rice may be higher. Under the Anchor Borrowers arrangement, the government is expected to buy rice from the registered farmers at the rate of N113,000 per tonne.

Speaking to Daily Trust on Sunday, a rice farmer, Ahmed Idris Bunza said, ―I can hardly find a word to commend facilitators o of this rice programme. Before now, we were making farmers from other countries millionaires while we remained poor. There were moves to take up similar initiatives, but the policies were inconsistent. However, today we are lucky that the president and our governor are determined to address the issue. We can‘t quantify the economic advantage it has brought to many of our farmers in Kebbi State. ―Last year, after harvest I got over 600 bags of paddy rice. That year, I made money I had not made in the past 30 years as a rice farmer. I was able to build my own house, buy a car and I marry a new wife. This year, my rice farm is bigger and I expect to make more money.‖ ―It is true that we made unexpected profit from our rice last year, and we have started making more profit from this year‘s harvest. Some of us made so much that they could build houses, some bought cars and even married more wives. I was able to complete my two house projects, one at Bunza, my home town and the other one in Sokoto. ―It is a fact that we made so much money, but many of us are still indebted to the government.

You know it was government that gave us money, fertilizer, seeds and herbicides during the farming season. I have settled my debt. I will urge other farmers to do same so that we can be considered for more loans. I learnt that government was planning to give 140,000 farmers loans under the Anchor Borrowers programme, so it will be better for them to settle their debt.‘‘ Hamisu Garba, a farmer in the Duku area of Birnin Kebbi, told our correspondent that although it was the first time he ventured into rice cultivation, he made a huge profit. ―I encountered some problems during the farming season because it was new to me, but at the end I was shocked beyond imagination to make the kind of money I made after harvesting my rice. Today, I own a house and two cars. Last year, I only cultivated one hectare of rice farm, but this year, I am doing three hectares,‖ he said.

Another rice farmer, Kabiru Usman, who said he cultivated five hectares during last year‘s season, told our correspondent how millers came to his farm to buy up his harvest. ―It was like a dream when traders bought everything I harvested right from the farm. I didn‘t buy a car because I am planning to build a house. We must thank God and the government who allowed us to make the kind of money we made. I have been engaged in rice farming for the past 15 years, but I never made the kind of money I made last year.‖

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Speaking to our correspondent in his palace, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Mera, who is also a rice farmer, said, ―When you talk about agriculture here, it is rice first. The late Emir of Argungu started the dry season farming in Kebbi State. The good news for our farmers is that there is available market for their produce. With the WACOT Rice Mill, market is guaranteed. In the past, 100kg bag of rice cost between N3,000 and N4,000. People simply cultivated rice to feed their families and sold the little leftover. But rice has since become profitable. These days we see company directors closing their offices and coming to farm in Argungu, because there is a guaranteed market for the produce.‖

Malama Halimatu Muhammed said that when she started, government gave her two pumping machines, fertilisers, insecticides, 44 seeds and money, under the Anchor Borrowers Programme. ―You know the farming method has changed. What we are witnessing in rice farming now in Kebbi has never happened before. During last year‘s dry season farming I harvested over 200 bags of rice. This year, my rice is doing well and I am expected to harvest over 500 bags. If I get more money I could produce more than 1,000 bags of paddy rice,‖ Malama Halimatu said.

The secretary of Rice and Wheat Farmers Association, Alhaji Muhammed Bello, told our correspondent that rice traders and millers now follow the farmers to their farms to buy up their produce. ―Many of us are being offered large sums of money to sell our rice as they are being harvested at the farm. We are also being patronised from Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa, Maiduguri and even Lagos. Even people from the eastern states come here to buy rice in large quantities,‖ he said.

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Hajiya Hadiza Abdullahi also said: ―This is my seventh year in rice farming. Before my husband died, I was helping him in the farm, but now the ―rice farming is better than it was in the past. I was able to achieve a lot during last year‘s harvest. The incentives given to me by LABANA Rice Mills really helped to increase the yield. I farmed rice across one hectare of land last year and I made a lot of money. For this year‘s harvest, I am expecting over 400 bags of rice. https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/weekend-mag/a-tale-of-kebbi-rice-farmers-turnedmillionaires/202275.html

Iran produces 61% of central, western Asia rice

18 JUNE, 2017

18 June 2017 Tehran – Head of International workshop on national rice development strategies for Central and West Asia (RRTC-CWA) Dr. Shahdi Komala said that 54 percent of total area for cultivation of rice in Central and West Asia is in Iran, but Iran is producing 61 percent of total rice of the region.

Shahdi pointed to the rising demand for rice in this region, so in order to face increasing demand, establishment of food security and reduction of poverty, we need to increase rice production by 25 percent more in the region until year 2035.

Head of (RRTC-CWA) said that rice consumption in the region has increased by threefold since 1980.He stressed that according to prediction of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) rice consumption in the region will increase from around 9 million tons currently to 16.5 million tons in year 2035.

Shahdi said Iran and Iraq will allocate 50 percent of this demand until 2035 to themselves lonely.

He said that the center is trying to coordinate member-states for new scientific progresses and increase in production function and scientific, research cooperation with the world rice scientific society.Shahdi said 10 countries of Iran, Azerbaijan Republic, Turkey, Iraq, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are covered by the center.

Head of Central and West Asian Rice Center said effects of global climate change on rice production through increase of greenhouse gases, increase in population, reduction of area for cultivation of rice, because of land use patterns and supplying less percent of world rice production in the market are the most important challenges of production of this crop in the level of international and regional.

The center has defined 15 goals to face the problems like promotion of cooperation among

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regional countries among themselves and other international institutes, development of scientific, research, cultural, economic and social relations between countries of the region with Iran's key role for its permanent hosting advantage, development of trans-territorial cultivation, improving quantity and quality of function, helping self-sufficiency of member-states, organizing and promoting knowledge level of farmers, experts through training, research and consultation, cooperation and participation and organizing associations and unions either public or private.

International Rice Research Institute located in Philippines and its Middle Eastern branch opened in Northern Province of Mazandaran in Iran in 2010 http://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/Iran_produces_61_of_central_western_Asia_riceZAWYA20170618041035/

IRRI scientist for raising nat'l rice yield by 50pc Published : 17 Jun 2017, 22:42:19 A scientist of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has suggested increasing national rice yield by at least 50 per cent to meet the increasing demand of the staple food grain in rice consuming countries.

Peter Jennings, a senior scientist emeritus at IRRI, made the recommendation in an article, published in IRRI's regular publication Rice on Saturday.Jennings led the team that bred IR8 in the early 1960s.The first generation high yield rice variety was also a breakthrough for Bangladesh agriculture sector. Many farmers in the country grew more rice for years by replacing local rice varieties with the IR8.In the article, Jennings strongly recommended that the rice growing countries should take effective steps to increase the national yield to six tonnes per hectare from current four tonnes.

The scientist made the suggestion specifically to the Philippines authorities, but said that "it equally apply to all countries currently mired at an average yield of some 4 tonnes per hectare".

"To reach an average of six tons per hectare, farmers require many improvements including better farmto-market roads, modernised rice mills, earthen dams to capture rainwater where topography permits and credit for tube wells and low-lift pumps," he said.

Besides, he recommended subsidies to reduce electricity costs to run the pumps, a massive increase in skilled agriculture extension staff and reduction of multiple deficiencies in crop management that constrain yieldhttp://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/06/17/74157/IRRI-scientist-for-raisingnat%27l-rice-yield-by-50pc

MoU signed to improve socio-economic conditions of rice growers Amanullah Khan

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Karachi A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Matco Foods, Pakistan‘s largest Basmati rice exporter, Oxfam in Pakistan and Doaba Foundation pledging to improve the socioeconomic conditions of rice growers in Pakistan. The MoU was signed in a ceremony organized at the Matco Foods factory in Sadhoke and was attended by the senior management of the three organizations.

Under the project called ‗Towards a Gender Transformative and Sustainable Basmati Rice Value Chain in Pakistan‘: Matco and Oxfam aim to work with rice growers and workers in 10 villages in Punjab as a pilot project. The overall objectives of the project is ―Empowered and organized women and men rice growers and workers in Punjab, Pakistan achieving better prices for their sustainably produced rice, earning a higher income, and lobbying for improved working conditions‖.

Expressing his views on the occasion, Faizan Ghori, Director, Matco Foods said, ―As a responsible corporate citizen, Matco is delighted to partner with Oxfam to help improve the livelihood of farmers in the Basmati rice growing areas of Pakistan. We believe this initiative has both a social and commercial impact. Greater productivity and sustainable production of rice will help farmers and also strengthen Matco‘s supply chain.‖ Oxfam‘s Program Director Ms. Javeria Afzal and Senior Program Manager Mr. Qaisar Arafat were present at the signing ceremony. Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Ms Javeria Afzal noted that rice growers in Pakistan have limited opportunities for learning improved farming practices such as integrated pest management, alternatives to chemical fertilizers and water management. Moreover, Ms Afzal said a lack of understanding of market dynamics means many growers are unable to get a fair price for their produce. ―Rice growers, most of whom are women in children working for low wages, are among some of the most vulnerable and marginalized in the rice industry,‖ she said.

The goal of the collaboration is to fight poverty and improve food security by implementing a joint development project. Matco Foods has shown willingness to develop partnership and collaboration on rice value chain work in Pakistan. Under the Rice value chain project in Muridke, Sheikhupura district, Matco Foods will support in providing technical support on sustainable rice production practices and improve knowledge and agricultural practices at field level http://pakobserver.net/mou-signed-improve-socio-economic-conditions-rice-growers/

Authorities say initial investigation debunks claims of Cap Rambutan fake rice Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

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Sunday June 18, 2017 06:54 PM GMT+8

Acting director of the Kedah Paddy Regulatory Office, Mohd Hidzir Selamat, said following an

inspection conducted by him and a team of five this morning, they found that the rice at the Cap Rambutan factory came from a genuine source. — Reuters picALOR SETAR, June 18 — Initial investigation carried out on ‗Cap Rambutan‘ rice wholesaler, OEL Distribution (Kedah) Sdn Bhd near here, following a viral video claiming that it used fake rice made from plastic, revealed that the company used genuine rice.

Acting director of the Kedah Paddy Regulatory Office, Mohd Hidzir Selamat, said following an inspection conducted by him and a team of five this morning, they found that the rice at the company‘s factory came from a genuine source. ―We have taken a sample of their rice and carried out texture and iodine tests. We have even cooked the rice. The results reveal that the rice produced by Cap Rambutan contains starch and is of pure origin. ―We have also examined the rice clamping machinery and its premises... and no traces of fake rice were detected. However, we will still send a sample of the rice to the Chemistry Department to gauge its actual contents and composition which will provide a more accurate result,‖ he said

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when contacted by Bernama here today.Mohd Hidzir also advised the public to not easily believe unverified information made viral on the social media, but to check on the information from the authorities first. — Bernama http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/authorities-say-initial-investigation-debunksclaims-of-cap-rambutan-fake-r

Fine quality rice sale in all RDO offices from today THE HANS INDIA |

Jun 19,2017 , 12:32 AM IST

A Mallkarjuna

Kakinada: East Godavari joint collector(JC) and collector for civil supplies A Mallkarjuna said that the sale of fine quality rice (Gidda Masuri variety) will be extended to all the seven RDO offices in the district, 10 municipalities and two municipal corporation offices in the district from Monday.

Highlights:   

JC says the sale will be extended to all municipal offices These are in addition to the rice miller counters at Rythu Bazaars The district authorities initiated the measure in view of sharp rise in price of fine quality of rice

Speaking to The Hans India on Saturday at his chambers, the JC said that these sale points are in addition to Rythu Bazaars rice mill counters in the district. The district authorities

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initiated these measures in view of sharp rise in price of fine quality of rice in open market in the last two weeks crossing Rs 50 per kg.

Mallikarjuna said that negotiations were going on with wholesalers to reduce the price of fine quality of rice in market also. ―We will wait for next two days and initiate the future course of action,‖ he said.The joint collector said all these counters will be managed by East Godavari rice millers‘ association and each person will be entitled to get 10 kg of rice at any of these counters as one transaction.

Commenting on the stoppage of kerosene supply under PDS from June, the JC said that as the coverage of LPG had almost been extended to BPL cardholders, the kerosene supplies have been withdrawn except in Rampachodavaram mandal in East Godavari Agency where 17,000 PDS cardholders are to be covered with LPG http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2017-06-19/Fine-quality-rice-sale-in-all-RDOoffices-from-today/307283

From July 1, rice to be costlier by Rs 5/kg!

By Team Asianet Newsable | 01:33 PM June 18, 2017

  

Quick Summary The New Goods and Services Tax Act to be implemented from next month Rice will carry the new tax of 6.50 per cent under the GST Branded and packed rice varieties to pinch more

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Think twice before inviting guests over an elaborate Biryani dish at home, this year. For, the price of rice will go up by from Rs 3 to Rs 5 per kilogram with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be implemented by July 1.

Branded and packed rice varieties are expected to cost more as they are being sold with the new GST cess, 6.50 per cent tax - 5 per cent tax under GST and 1.50 tax under the Karnataka Sales Tax. This will be applied to all varieties of rice, said KG Nagaraj, joint secretary of Karnataka State Rice Millers' Association to Kannada Prabha.

Karnataka along with West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Punjab are the predominant rice-growing states. Till now, except for the 1.50 per cent sales tax, the state had not imposed any tax. However, with the GST all set to roll out next month, it is sure to pinch customers' pockets.

How does it affect: Rice millers in the state purchase rice from paddy growers and they sell the rice under their own brand or trade mark in the market. There are at least 900 varieties of rice in the state of which 500 types are being sold through various brands and other 400 types through trademarks. They carried only 1.50 per cent sales tax, earlier.

At present, Sona Masuri, steamed rice and raw rice is available from Rs 28 to Rs 62 per kg.

There are other brands of rice and their price ranges from Rs 52 to Rs 62. The branded or the packed rice costs Rs 80 to Rs 180. Now, with 6.50 per cent of GST, the price of rice will only soar with every KG. This would not only affect the consumers but even farmers will also be severely, impacted. For, the rice millers may not take the price quoted by the farmers while purchasing the rice from them, reports Kannada Prabha.

There are fears that such a price rise may lead to rice hoarding. There are chances that free rice provided by the state government may be sold through the black market. Even rice millers can sell substandard variety of rice through their packaging. The Millers' Associations are expected to meet Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and explain him the impact of GST on rice http://newsable.asianetnews.tv/karnataka/rice-to-be-costly-gst-in-karnataka

Notice to ACSO, MI for Rs 6 cr waiver to rice mills June 18 2017 Jajpur: In the wake of allegations of a Rs 4 crore loss by district supply officials by showing undue favour to millers, the deputy secretary, state food supplies and consumer welfare department has issued a notice to the assistant civil supply officer (ACSO) and the marketing inspector to appear in person in his office for a probe June 24. ACSO Prahallad Chandra Sethy and MI Biswajit Mishra have been asked to bring relevant documents with them and be present in the office of the deputy secretary by 11 am June 24. However, no notice has been issued to civil supply officer Kushal Majhi who may be called for a probe at a later date.

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19 The state food supplies and consumer welfare department framed a charge-sheet against the CSO, ACSO and the MI for incurring a loss of Rs 4 crore by showing undue favour to rice millers during 2015-16 paddy procurement season.

These officials allegedly connived with each other and waived of Rs 6 core security deposit to six rice millers. Among the six mills, Sabitri Industries got the highest waiver of Rs 3.34 crore and the creditor auctioned its properties.

After reports surfaced the state food supplies and consumer welfare department framed charge-sheet against the CSO Majhi, ACSO who doubled up as an authorized officer for Mahabali rice mill and marketing inspector Mishra on charge of negligence and connivance.

Managing director of Orissa state civil supply corporation Niranjan Nayak asked these errant officials to send their replies within 30 days. Their charge-sheet claimed that they violated clause-16 of the Orissa Government Employees Act. Majhi had joined as CSO, Jajpur December 5, 2015.

The officials were required to provide paddy to rice mills on the basis of their milling capacity and security deposits which they failed to ensure. Moreover, they failed to supervise the milling and delivery of rice in regular intervals http://www.orissapost.com/notice-to-acso-mi-for-rs-6-cr-waiver-to-rice-mills/

Sylhet rice millers urge authority to fix new procurement rate Aus paddy cultivation going on in full swing Sylhet rice millers urge authority to fix new procurement rate A partial view of an Aus paddy field in Golapganj upazila of Sylhet. — FE Photo Our Correspondent SYLHET: Only 45 millers out of 482 listed signed contracts with the Food Department for supplying 1358 tonnes of rice from the four districts of the division.However, sources said most of them wouldn't be able to supply as the region had lost almost 95 per cent Boro crops in Sunamagnj while the other districts also suffered much.Besides, the other millers even on repeated requests from the Food Department, didn't respond that way for signing contracts, said Regional Controller of Food, Sylhet division, Md Anisuzzaman.

Only one miller managed supplying 22.5 tonnes of rice in Jogonnathpur upazila till as yet.Of the total, only two millers out of 85 in Sylhet district signed contracts while it is 36 against a total of 49 in Moulvibazar and only seven in Sunamganj against the total 270. None among 78 millers in Habiganj responded to sign contract. A number of millers, requesting to remain unquoted, said the decision of rice procurement in the division was wrong one this year as the effects of disastrous floods is still visible in the haor region.

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20 Besides, market price of rice is higher all over the country than the rate government is offering during the drive, a good number of millers said. They urged the authority concerned to fix a new procurement rate.Meanwhile, Aus cultivation is going on in full swing across Sylhet division.

Additional Director of DAE, Sylhet divisional office, Md Altabur Rahman said the department had revised the division's target from 133,028 hectares to 1176,919 hectares for the season in a bid to recoup the loss of Boro paddy due the repeated and early floods this year.

Over 90 per cent of the new target is achieved yet, he said, adding, the area stood at 170,578 till Saturday last.

Already the farmers have completed farming on 64,621 hectares of land against the target of 67,509 hectares in Sylhet, 48,337 hectares in Moulvibazar, 45,120 hecatres in Habiganj and 12,500 hectares in Sunamganj district. http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/06/18/74223/Sylhet-rice-millers-urge-authority-to-fix-newprocurement-rate

Iran Produces 61% of Central, West Asian Rice With around 54% of Central and West Asia's paddy fields located in Iran, the country accounts for 61% of the regions' combined rice production, the Central and West Asia Rice Center said.

According to CWARice, in order to meet growing demand, achieve food security and reduce

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poverty in Central and West Asia, a 25% increase in rice production is needed by 2035, IRNA reported.

CWARice was officially established in 2010 at the Rice Research Institute of Iran in the city of Rasht in Iran's northern Gilan Province. Its member states include Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The mission of CWARice is to conduct advanced rice research with an emphasis on new production technologies that will be required to adapt rice production systems in the region to climate change, the center's official website said.

The International Rice Research Institute has estimated that rice consumption in Central and West Asia will rise from the current 9 million tons to around 16.5 million tons in 2035. The International Rice Research Institute is the world‘s premier research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations.

IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960.

Headquartered in Los Banos, the Philippines, IRRI has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa. Iranians consume 3.2 million tons of rice a year, of which more than 2.2 million tons are supplied by domestic farmers.

The Agriculture Ministry expects domestic rice production to increase by 10-15% in the current Iranian year (started March 21), because of favorable weather condition and timely distribution of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, machinery and equipment among local farmers. The government periodically places a ban on imports during the harvest season to support local farmers. Import tariffs have increased from 22% four years ago to 40% at present for the same reason. The two northern provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran are home to the majority of Iran‘s paddy fields.

Director General of Grains and Staple Foods Office with the Ministry of Agriculture Kaveh Khaksar said about 81% and 70% of rice harvest in the two provinces respectively were mechanized in the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2017), Mehr News Agency reported. ―The figures are estimated to increase to 86% for Mazandaran and 80% for Gilan in the current year. Mechanization expansion is done with the aim of increasing productivity and achieving self-sufficiency. A 100% automation of rice harvest is projected by the end of the sixth five-year development plan (2017-22),‖ he said. Khaksar added that out of the 185,000 hectares of paddy

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fields in Mazandaran, 38,000 hectares went under mechanized rice planting. In Gilan, mechanized rice planting was carried out over 95,000 hectares from the total of 238,000 hectares of paddy fields. According to Kambiz Abbasi, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture, the government of President Hassan Rouhani invested 6 trillion rials (about $156 million) on mechanization of rice production, which investment is ―unprecedented‖. He added that mechanization would cut rice harvesting costs by up to 70%. Abbasi also noted that in view of water shortage in Iran, the administration is not willing to expand paddy fields in provinces other than the northern Mazandaran and Gilan. https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-domestic-economy/66736/iran-produces-61-ofcentral-west-asian-rice

Rice prices up in domestic, foreign markets

Rice bags being loaded for export at the Sài Gòn Port. — VNA/VNS Photo Đình Huê Viet Nam News HCM CITY — The price of Vietnamese rice has increased strongly in both domestic and foreign markets recently because of high demand and limited supply, local reports say. In the world market, Vietnamese rice is only priced lower than that from Thailand Jasmine rice is now priced at US$565-570 per tonne, $65-70 per tonne higher than three weeks earlier. Việt Nam‘s 5 per cent broken rice is selling at $410-420 per tonne, up $35-45 per tonne, while 25 per cent broken rice is fetching $25-30 per tonne higher at $370-375 per tonne. Rice prices have also increased in the domestic market by an average of more than VNĐ1 million ($44) per tonne, said Đặng Thị Kim Liên, director of Long An Food and Foodstuff Co Ltd. Nguyễn Văn Đôn, director of Việt Hưng Co Ltd in the Mekong Delta province of Tiền Giang, said demand for jasmine rice has surged recently while supply was low. Some farmers are waiting for even higher prices before selling their harvest, he said. The competition between local businesses has pushed domestic rice prices higher than export prices. Some enterprises which have signed export contracts at lower prices are now facing difficulties. Rising

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consumption Market observers have attributed the price recovery in both domestic and foreign markets to a global surge in consumption.

Recent information on demand for Vietnamese rise in some countries like Bangladesh, the Philippines and Malaysia has also heated up the domestic market. Bangladesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Việt Nam on rice trade and announced its intention of importing 250,000-300,000 tonnes of Việt Nam‘s 5-per-cent broken rice in the coming month and about 500,000 tonnes for the whole year. The Philippines has also revealed its plan to buy 250,000 tonnes of rice in June and July. According to the Việt Nam Food Association, Việt Nam saw a drop in rice exports in the first five months of this year. However, there has been a recovery since May, with exports of the grain rising 27.3 per cent in volume and 24 per cent in value. Việt Nam is expected to be the world‘s fifth largest rice producer in 2017, according to the Crop Prospects and Food Situation report released by the UN‘s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The FAO has forecast that the biggest rice producer this year will be China with 142.3 million tonnes, followed by India with 110.4 million tonnes. The report said the global rice output was likely to increase by 0.7 per cent to 502.3 million tonnes, thanks to production facilitation policies in Asia and yield recovery in South America and Australia. After declining for two years, globally, rice exports are predicted to expand by 5 per cent in 2017 to 44.2 million tonnes, compared to 43.6 million tonnes the previous year. — VNS Read more at http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/378512/rice-prices-up-in-domestic-foreignmarkets.html#PJUvyHwXDckvE0Xb.99

Vietnam‘s rice exports return to growth NDO - After months of significant reductions, Vietnam‘s rice exports have finally returned to growth thanks to positive market news.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam shipped 2.3 tonnes of rice in the first five months of 2017, bringing in US$1 billion, up 1.6% in volume and 1.2% in value. Thanks to such positive figures, the rice sector has escaped a long period of shrinking exports and re-joined the club of commodities with respective export values reaching over US$1 billion. China is currently the largest buyer of Vietnamese rice, importing 815,000 tonnes worth US$376 million, up 16% over the same period of 2016. Shipments to China, which has a preference for glutinous and jasmine rice from Vietnam, account for 47.5% of Vietnam‘s total rice exports.

Although rice exports are still experiencing some difficulties, shipments to China remain strong, especially through official channels. Vietnam has also received good news from Bangladesh after a memorandum between the two countries was renewed until 2022, under which Vietnam will provide Bangladesh with one million tonnes of rice of different strains depending on the South Asian country‘s demand and market prices. Immediately after this agreement was signed, Bangladesh placed an order for 250,000-300,000 tonnes of Vietnam‘s 5% broken white rice this year. The Bangladesh side has also invited a Vietnamese representative to visit Bangladesh as soon as possible to discuss the price, quantity and delivery method for the order. In addition, the

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National Food Authority of the Philippines recently announced that it would hold a bidding session in June to purchase 250,000 tonnes of rice to increase its national reserve ahead of typhoon season. Enterprises from Thailand, Vietnam, India and Pakistan can all offer their bids.

In addition, the Philippines will have to import at least 1.5 million tonnes of rice from now until the first quarter of 2018 to meet domestic demand, which is a good opportunity for Vietnamese rice exporters.

There are also some bright signs from the supply side as Thailand has unloaded most of its stockpile, a significant factor which will help the global rice trade to return to normal without a strong pressure on prices as of late. Thanks to such positive news, Vietnam‘s rice export prices have been on the rise.

According to the Vietnam Food Association, the price for a tonne of 5% broken rice has increased from US$360-380 at the end of May to US$390, the highest level since December 2014. Domestic prices have also risen by VND250-550 per kilogram. However, it is predicted that Vietnam‘s rice sector will continue experiencing numerous difficulties. For example, China is tightening cross-border rice trade and increasing imports through official channels.

The Philippines has also changed to a new rice import mechanism in which rice will be bought by private enterprises instead of through government bidding. Although this may make

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Vietnamese enterprises more proactive in approaching foreign customers but if the quality is not improved and Vietnamese brands remain unknown, Vietnamese exporters will find it hard to compete with other suppliers from regional countries. Therefore, it is necessary to fine-tune existing policies to facilitate rice exports, in addition to the immediate task of finding new orders. Recently the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) finished compiling a new decree on rice trading with many amendments such as loosened requirements on warehouses and supportive measures to develop high-quality rice growing areas.

The new decree, expected to create the most favourable conditions for rice exporters, has been publicised for feedback and will soon be promulgated. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the MOIT‘s Export-Import Department, said the majority of feedback from rice exporters and local governments in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam‘s rice bowl, has been positive due to the MOIT‘s more relaxed conditions for rice exports. http://en.nhandan.org.vn/business/item/5285002-vietnam-s-rice-exports-return-to-growth.html

Ghana’s first locally bred rice on pilot in Volta Region Source: GNA Date: 18-06-2017 Time: 09:06:41:am

The Crop Research Institute (CRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is test-planting Ghana's first locally bred rice varieties at Dzamlome in the Kadjebi District of the Volta Region. Three market-quality upland varieties; the B3 P6, B1 P5, and the B4 P1 are the

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products of years of cross breeding between lowland Jasmine 85 and upland Nerica1 stocks, under the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa initiative.The Project is being supported by the Korea-Africa Food and Agriculture Corporation Initiative whose programme; ―Dissemination of Market Quality Rice Varieties to Reduce Rice Importation in Ghana,‖ is expected to end in July 2019.

The Centre for Conflict and Development, based in the USA, is also collaborating with the project seeking to resettle homeless persons on farms.Dr Stella Ama Annin, the Chief Research Director of CRI, speaking at the launch of the testing and dissemination programme of the new varieties, said the project‘s aim was to ―improve food security and outcomes of farmers through the use of adapted high yielding market quality rice varieties.‖She said the cereals had the quality and matched the taste of imported brands and were expected to drive efforts at reducing rice imports.

Dr Annin said the varieties were expected to produce four tonnes per hector on 40 farmers‘ fields over two years, from the use of new varieties and obtained agronomic practices, and would result in at least a 10 per cent farmer revenue increment.She said thousands of farmers would benefit from the project which would provide them with improved technologies for producing the rice and also link them to processing mills.

Dr Annin said the Kadjebi District was chosen for its proximity to the Wurawura Rice Mill and would set up demonstration fields in the villages and on the premises of the mill to enable testing.She said mills with the capacity of Wurawura Rice Mill would further the commercialisation of the varieties by purchasing the licence for the varieties and distributing them to farmers.

Dr Annin urged farmers, the Kadjebi District Assembly, and other stakeholders to justify the selection of the District as the pioneer of the project by supporting the initiative.

Dr Kofi Dartey, a Senior Research Scientist at CRI, who bred the stocks, said the varieties were a hybrid of high yielding Jasmine 85 as the parent, and high amylose (non-starchy) Nerica stocks to produce long and slender grains, which were soft when boiled.

He said the breeding process involved the crossing of over 100 varieties at the research facility in Kumasi and considered factors such as growth rate, pest, and disease infection.

Dr Dartey called for the patronage of the new varieties and said the lesser the milling and polishing, the more protein and roughage it contained.Mr Maxwell Kofi Asiedu, the District Chief Executive, promised to provide a mill for the community if farmers would devote their time to producing the rice.A multipurpose power tiller was provided for the project http://www.myjoyonline.com/business/2017/June-18th/ghanas-first-locally-bred-rice-on-pilot-in-voltaregion.php

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