December 22 ,2018 Vol 9 ,Issue 12
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Climate change and major food crops of Pakistan Haseeba Maryam December 20, 2018 Climate change and major food crops of Pakistan2018-12-20T12:42:19+00:00
Haseeba Maryam M.Sc.(Hons) Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. Change in climate is mainly attributed to the unabated increase in greenhouse gases, including fluorinated gases, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which bring changes in rain
pattern, temperature, and negative effects on water and land resources, floods, and droughts. Why climate change is affecting agriculture in Pakistan? Climate change is considered to be a global phenomenon; however, its impacts are more widely felt in the developing countries, due to their greater vulnerabilities and lesser ability to mitigate the effects of climate change. Because most developing nations—including Pakistan—are
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agriculture-based economies, their agricultural sector is affected the most due to direct exposure to nature. Therefore, the major impact of climate change is on agricultural production due to changes in rain pattern, temperature, floods, droughts, and negative effects on water and land resources. In the developing states (such as Asia and Africa), the latest work has progressively considered the impacts of climate change on agricultural production.
Food security and water availability
Food security and water availability are highly vulnerable to the rapidly changing climate. During the summer season, most of the climate models expected that rainfall will increase. The Himalayan glaciers (75%) are melting, and will disappear by 2035. The reduction or escalation in the intensity may result in droughts and floods, respectively.
Climate change and food production limitations
Climate change will affect crop productivity, and can thus cause food security problems. It has been expected that global warming will increase yields due to “fertilizer effect”, but will influence poor farmers negatively. For example, countries closer to the equator will have reduced production due to global warming. African countries will experience extreme droughts and a further shortage of food. If climate change affects the productivity of the agriculture sector in the lower-income countries of Asia or Africa, a large number of people will be at risk, and the problem of food insecurity will increase. Climate change is the main driver of food security in the developing world, because it affects the productivity of the agriculture sector, its stability, and other components of the food system, including storage, access, and utilization.
Climate change distribution to different regions of world
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Generally, climate change has minor effects on global food production, but these effects are unevenly distributed geographically. Most of the losses are suffered in lower-income countries, such as those in arid and sub-humid South Asia and Africa. These regions are engaged in subsistence agriculture, and are not technically sound or financially strong enough to abate the negative impacts of climate change. Moreover, they have almost no potential for adaptation. This adversely affects the people in these countries because of their dependence on agriculture for their livelihood. According to estimates of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global number of undernourished people is 795 million. This shows a decline of nearly 200 million over the last 20 years. Conclusion Studies reveal that increasing temperature and the changing pattern of rainfall have a substantial Impact on food production. A recent study anticipates that the wheat production of South Asia will decline by 50% by 2050—equal to almost 7% of the global crop production. The Peterson Institute states that agricultural production in developing countries will further fall between 10% to 25% and global warming will decrease the agricultural capacity of India by 40% if it continues unabated. Hence, climatic change causes serious threats to food security, negative impacts on productivity of different crops, the food supply and the cost of adoption of climatic change is high. Therefore, food security has remained a prominent policy of Pakistan‟s government. Wheat, rice, and maize are the main food crops, and sugar cane is the main cash crop of Pakistan. Therefore, food security policy mainly focuses on the production of these crops. In light of the above deliberations, this study aims to examine the nexus between climatic change (maximum temperature, minimum temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunshine) and the yield of major crops including wheat, rice, maize, and sugarcane https://www.technologytimes.pk/climate-change-food-crops-pakistan/
Matco Foods‟ new plant tocome online by May next year 4|www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
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KARACHI: Matco Foods Limited (MFL), one of the top rice exporters of Pakistan, has procured most of the equipment for its rice glucose syrup and protein plant, which is expected to come online by May 2019. This new expansion would increase the total production capacity of the company to 30,000 tons rice glucose and 3,000 tons rice protein per annum, respectively. The last shipment of the equipment for the new plant would arrive by the end of December 2018, according to the MFL management. The company planned to sell off their MATCO-I site, and receipts from it would be utilised to minimise the company‟s short-term borrowing. Analyst Syed Mustafa Zamin of Taurus Securities said the company has set a target to reduce their short-term borrowing by Rs250 million in calendar year 2019, and Rs400 million by 2020. MFL constitutes one of the top 30 rice-exporters of Pakistan, and was the only publicly listed company. It holds 10 percent share in the total rice exports from Pakistan. “The management of MFL is looking forward to growth in volume; with future plans to vertically integrate themselves in other product markets ie rice, maltose, and in FMCG line,” Zamin added. The company had recently notified the Pakistan Stock Exchange that it has applied to the Competition Commission of Pakistan for a joint venture in Pakistan with Barentz International to diversify its product range. The joint venture would import raw material and sell in line with MFL‟s existing rice glucose and rice protein business, commented Matco Company Secretary Muhammad Latif Qureshi in the notification. The management of MFL expects stable rice prices in the global market, under $1,000/ton. MFL, that markets its products under the brand names, Falak, Amber and Bahar, manufactures and processes parboiled basmati rice, steam basmati rice, brown long grain rice, white long grain rice, broken rice, and other organic rice.
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The company‟s rice-export composition consists of over 60 countries, including the European Union (30 percent), Middle East (20 percent), Australia (20 percent), and United States (five percent). MFL‟s rice-export composition consists of EU (30 percent), Middle East (20 percent), Australia (20 percent), and USA (5 percent). In 2018, MFL increased its cash reserves by 618.88 percent, or Rs711.97 million. Cash flow from financing totalled Rs750.66 million or 10.91 percent of revenues. In addition the company generated 131.88 million in cash from operations, while cash used for investing totalled Rs176.67 million. MFL‟s 66 percent of rice syrup was being consumed in the domestic market, whereas the remaining 33 percent was exported. The company also manufactures rice bran powder, rice glucose, rice bran oil, rice protein, jasmine rice, pink salt, iodized salt, vermicelli and other snack foods, such as biscuits, wafers and baked chips. Year on year MFL revenues have grown 11.71 percent from Rs6.16 billion to Rs6.88 billion, while net income improved 11.15 percent from Rs277.15 million to Rs308.07 million during 2018. Also, the company‟s year on year growth in earnings per share excluding extraordinary items increased 31.62 percent. On Thursday, MFL shares closed at Rs28.61, 18.64 percent above the 52 week low of 24.11 set on October 15, 2018. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/408573-matco-foods-new-plant-tocome-online-by-may-next-year
Christmas dinner menus for Scottish jails revealed Prisoners are being served a Christmas dinner despite being behind bars. SARAH WARD
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10:38, 21 DEC 2018 UPDATED12:08, 21 DEC 2018
Turkey is on the Christmas menu at HMP Barlinnie (Image: SWNS)
Menus detailing what prisoners will be served on Christmas Day have been revealed. Inmates at HMP Barlinnie appear to have the most luxurious Christmas fare, with their food served up with an accompanying Irn Bru. All prisoners at Barlinnie can also choose to be served Christmas pudding with rum cream. They will be also have a roast dinner including turkey, chipolata sausages, roast potatoes, carrots, sprouts, cranberry gravy and creamed potatoes.Veggie lags can opt for nut roast, and a halal option will be served too, which is lamb curry with Basmati rice and naan bread. And following a 'Christmas tea', including Cup-A-Soup and a roll for a starter, and either a beef burger, falafel burger for a main course, prisoners can jave a tangerine, mince pie, Christmas slice and an Irn Bru. The especially decorated menu wishes lags a 'Merry Christmas' and includes a picture of a
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At HMP Edinburgh Soup will be served as a starter, with gateaux and cream for dessert - and inmates even start the day with a continental breakfast, making a change from their usual morning meal of cereal, a roll and jam and milk. In the evening, prisoners can tuck into either a cold meat platter served with pasta or spicy vegetable burger with potato wedges.At HMP Perth, prisoners will have their usual breakfast of cereal, roll and jam and milk, follows by a fry-up for lunch. Black pudding, a boiled egg, potato scone and tomato along with a lorne roll and soup will be on the menu for omnivores. Veggie prisoners at the high security jail can opt for meat-free sausages instead of black pudding. For Christmas tea, roast potatoes, spouts and carrots will be served along with chicken fillet, bacon and gravy, or a vegetable kiev instead of meat. And chocolate orange gateaux will be served as a sweet treat or a healthy option of fruit, followed by a snack pack.
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Inmates at HMP Grampian will have the choice of either soup and fruit for their Christmas lunch, served with two Lorne rolls, or of two Quorn sausage rolls served with yoghurt.
HMP Grampian has a Halal option on it's New Year menu (Image: SWNS)
The main meal will be either chicken breast or a pastry made with Wensleydale cheese, leek and clotted cream, both served with boiled and roast potatoes, sprouts, carrots and gravy. Dessert at the north east prison, which is also home to many young offenders, who's meal cost slightly more at £2.85 each, would consist of sticky chocolate and orange cake, or cream and fruit, as well as a snack pack. The menu costs the Scottish Prison Service £2.58 per head, the same as the rest of the year. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/serial-killer-peter-tobin-among-13762064
Palace: Rice tariffication bill up for Duterte’s signature Published December 19, 2018 3:18pm Updated December 19, 2018 5:29pm By VIRGIL LOPEZ, GMA News President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign into law soon the rice tariffication bill, a measure certified as urgent by the chief executive, Malacañang said Wednesday. "If it was submitted to the Office of the President, I suppose it will be signed anytime," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference. Asked why the President has not signed the measure yet, Panelo pointed to Duterte's heavy workload. Under the bill, the private sector will be allowed to import rice as long as they have secured a phytosanitary permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry and pay the 35 percent tariff for shipments from neighbors in Southeast Asia.
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It will earmark P10 billion for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement fund, P5 billion of which will be allotted to farm mechanization and P3 billion to seedlings. The fund intends to ensure that rice imports won‟t drown out the agriculture sector and rob farmers of their livelihood. In endorsing the bill, Duterte told Congress about the "urgent need to improve availability of rice in the country, prevent artificial rice shortage, reduce the prices of rice in the market and curtail the prevalence of corruption and cartel domination in the rice industry." By January, at least 500,000 metric tons of imported NFA rice will arrive in the country, but such supply will only last until March 2019, according to the government. Told about potential backlash from consumers, Panelo said liberalization in rice market will foster competition. "Magpapababaan sila ng presyo otherwise di sila bibili. Kaya nga law of supply and demand yan," Panelo said. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, for his part, said that even with the law's passage, the NFA "shall continue to provide the public, particularly the less fortunate, with rice that is affordable and safe." "Once the law is passed, the NFA will be directed to buy palay from our local farmers and, together with the Department of Agriculture, to focus on developing cost-efficient systems that will help reduce the production costs of locally-produced rice and stabilize prices so that this food staple is accessibly priced," he said. — RSJ, GMA News https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/678759/palace-rice-tariffication-bill-up-for-dutertes-signature/story/
‘NFA to sell rice at low price even after removal of QR’ By BusinessMirror December 20, 2018
By Bernadette D. Nicolas & Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas
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RICE from the National Food Authority (NFA) will remain available to the public and will be cheaper than the commercial varieties even after a measure that will remove import caps is signed into law by President Duterte. Quoting Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said governmentsubsidized rice will still be available to the public even after the President signs a law that will lift the quantitative restriction (QR) on imports. Piñol said, however, that selling government-subsidized rice at P27 per kilogram (kg) may no longer be viable, as this could cause the NFA to incur more financial losses. “Unless [the] government subsidizes NFA rice, it cannot be sold at P27 per kg because it would mean a loss of P9 per kg for the grains agency,” he said in a Facebook post. He said the provision disallowing the NFA to import rice for its buffer stock and local markets was supported by the Department of Agriculture and stakeholders in the rice sector. Presidential
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Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said on Wednesday that the proposed Rice Tariffication Act will be signed into law by Duterte “anytime soon.”
„Unclear‟ THE NFA on Wednesday said in a statement that it is looking into its future role with the impending enactment of the proposed Rice Tariffication Act. Under Senate Bill (SB) 1998, or “An Act Liberalizing the Importation, Exportation and Trading of Rice, Lifting for the Purpose the Quantitative Import Restriction on Rice and for Other Purposes,” rider provisions were inserted that clipped most of the powers and functions of the NFA in implementing its food security and stabilization role. The NFA was left with the mere function of buffer stocking for a specific purpose: to sustain the disaster- relief programs of the government during natural or man-made calamities. Under Section 3, buffer stock is defined as “the optimal level of rice inventory that shall be maintained at any given time to be used for emergency situations and to sustain the disaster relief programs of the government during natural or man-made calamities.” It technically removed the function of rice buffer stocking for the purpose of stabilizing consumer prices. Other NFA powers and functions repealed under SB 1998 are: The registration, licensing and supervision of persons and entities engaged in the grains business; the regulation of grains importation and exportation; monitoring and enforcement of grains trading rules and regulations; and the power to contract indebtedness and import rice for food security buffer stocking, among others. “What will happen during the lean months, a period of no harvest, when rice prices traditionally increase? Will it not be treated as an emergency situation requiring government intervention? How do we ensure that those who cannot afford to buy high-priced commercial rice will still have rice on their table?” NFA OIC Administrator Tomas R. Escarez said.
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In its 46 years of existence, the NFA said it has been supplying 60 to 80 percent of the rice needs of remote barangays and island provinces. These are the places where selling low-priced rice will not be attractive for profit-oriented businessmen, as add-on costs would not make a feasible business proposition. The NFA noted that at least 10 million Filipinos, or about 10 percent of the current population of 106 million rely on low-priced government rice for their daily sustenance. “If NFA‟s palay procurement would be limited for what is the „optimal volume‟ needed for calamities and man-made emergencies, NFA may no longer be able to influence palay farm-gate prices. The country‟s rice requirement for calamities averages at only about 500,000 metric tons annually, or only about 4 percent of the average 12 million MT annual rice production of the country,” Escarez said. With unhampered rice importation, the NFA said more traders will also resort to buying rice than palay that will entail more expenses for processing, storage, handling, trucking and distribution to retailers. “Even small rice traders will also be affected under the rice tariffication law, as rice retailing and wholesaling will be completely placed in the hands of the private sector. There are presently 74,875 NFA-licensed grains businessmen nationwide. More than 50,000 of them are into grains retailing,” Escarez said. “The NFA‟s 15,892 accredited retailers that sell NFA rice at P27 and P32/kg will eventually lose their livelihood and consumers will no longer have access to rice at these prices,” he added. Although the NFA is still awaiting the final approval of the bill and the ensuing implementing rules and regulations of the prospective law, Escarez said the agency is already studying and preparing recommendations on how to ensure rice price and supply stabilization. Economic managers have been pusing for the passage of the measure, as this was seen to bring down the prices of the staple by P2 to P7 per kg.
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Panelo said competition among traders would pull down rice prices. “If you liberalize [the rice sector], there will be competition in the market, so they will be competing with lower prices.” https://businessmirror.com.ph/nfa-to-sell-rice-at-low-price-even-after-removal-of-qr/
India rice rates hit more than three-month high, Chinese rules weigh on Vietnam By Reuters December 21, 2018 | 10:39 am GMT+7
A man gets sample for quality checking at a rice processing factory in Vietnam's southern Mekong delta, Vietnam. Photo by Reuters/Kham Rice export prices in India rose to their highest in more than three months as a key producing region hiked procurement rates for domestic paddy. Top exporter India‟s 5 percent broken parboiled variety was quoted at $375-$382 per tonne this week, the highest since Sept. 7. The central state of Chhattisgarh, a leading rice producer, raised the minimum paddy buying price to 2,500 rupees per 100 kg, from 1,750 rupees earlier this week. "Importers are not ready to pay a higher price. Exports are likely to slow down in coming months," said an exporter based at Kakinada, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Prices of Vietnam‟s 5 percent broken rice declined for the fifth straight week to $385 a tonne as activity remained muted, traders said. "Prices fell further because we are concerned that China‟s move to impose stricter conditions on Vietnamese rice will have a long-term impact," a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said. "It‟s not clear if China is buying more from Cambodia and Myanmar to compensate for the possible declining shipments from Vietnam." Another trader said supplies from Vietnam will increase from late next month when the winterspring harvest begins.
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In Thailand, benchmark 5 percent broken rice prices were quoted at $390-$391 per tonne, free on board Bangkok, versus $385-$393 a week ago, as the market is expected to remain quiet until well after the New Year period. "This is a reasonable level as we‟re nearing the end of the year. There is not much overseas activity and we‟re also in the harvesting season," a Bangkok-based trader said. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, which emerged as a major importer of rice in 2017 due to stock depletion following floods, has stepped up efforts to procure more rice locally after output of the staple grain improved, a food ministry official said. "The response from farmers is very good and the procurement drive will be continued," the official said. The country‟s production for 2018/19 is expected to recover to 34.7 million tonnes, up 6.3 percent year-on-year, according to estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture attaché in Bangladesh. The South Asian country has procured more than 1.3 million tonnes of rice locally so far in the current season to build state reserves. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/world/business/india-rice-rates-hit-more-than-three-month-highchinese-rules-weigh-on-vietnam-3857530.html
Rice Production: Nigeria will take on the World-Governor Bagudu The governor said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has shown unprecedented commitments to agriculture development in Nigeria - According to Bagudu, N174 billion has been disbursed as credit to small holder farmers under the anchors borrowers programme The Kebbi state governor, Atiku Bagudu, has said Nigeria is on the path of taking on the world in terms of rice production. The governor said this on Wednesday, December at a Gala night organised by beneficiaries of the government‟s Anchor Borrowers Programme held at the State House Conference Center, Abuja. Bagudu who is the vice chairman of the national food security council, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari has shown unprecedented commitments to agriculture development in Nigeria. Speaking to journalists outside the banquet hall the Bagudu said N174 billion has been disbursed as credit to small holder farmers under the anchors borrowers programme. https://www.legit.ng/1210915-rice-production-nigeria-world-governor-bagudu.html
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FARM BILL 2018: Crop insurance, faster internet for rural communities, and no more S.N.A.P. bonuses By: Jonathon Freeman Posted: Dec 18, 2018 07:50 PM CST Updated: Dec 18, 2018 07:50 PM CST
ASHINGTON, D.C. - (12/18/18) We've heard a lot about crop insurance, price supports, and bringing faster internet to places outside of the big cities.What else are we getting for our new $867 Billion, 5 year farm bill? The federal government will no longer pay bonuses to states that participate in the S.N.A.P. program correctly. Republicans say states have exaggerated their performance and that the government paid out $48 Million in bonuses last year. Growers and livestock producers can use federal money to drum up business in Cuba, which imports 80% of its food. Congress has re-authorized Armed to Farm, which pays to teach veterans technical skills for farm work when they become civilians. Lawmakers also approved crop insurance for rice, which includes research money for new ways to irrigate rice fields. Senator Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, voted against the farm bill after it scrapped new work requirements to get and keep food stamps. Senior Arkansas Senator John Boozman praised it as bringing certainty and predictability. https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/farm-bill-2018-crop-insurance-faster-internetfor-rural-communities-and-no-more-snap-bonuses/1665377635
Arkansans witness farm bill's signing Trump calls law victory for agricultureby Frank E. Lockwood | December 21, 2018 at 2:04 a.m. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence arrive Thursday at a White House auditorium for a ceremony to mark the signing of the farm bill.With Arkansans looking on,
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President Donald Trump signed the 2018 farm bill into law during a ceremony Thursday at the White House. The new law, which spells out the nation's agriculture and nutrition policies, calls for more than $400 billion in spending over the next five years; roughly $867 billion over the next decade. Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach and the group's director of government affairs, Matt King, witnessed the ceremony along with Terry Dabbs, a farmer from Stuttgart. Three Arkansas Republicans who helped craft the bill also attended: U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Rogers and U.S. Reps. Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs and Rick Crawford of Jonesboro. Trump said the new law is "a really tremendous victory for the American farmer, ranchers, agriculture -- incredible people." "We've been working long and hard on this one. We were hearing it might not be able to pass this year, but ... we passed it," he said. Friday's event capped more than a year of work on Capitol Hill. "It was very encouraging and very uplifting," Veach said. "It's a great day for our nation. It's a great day for our farmers and ranchers. And we're thrilled that we've got this farm bill and that stability that we need." In a written statement, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue described the latest farm bill as "evolutionary, rather than revolutionary." The measure includes price supports and disaster assistance for farmers, trade promotion funds, conservation funding and loan programs. In addition to providing aid for American farmers, it also reauthorizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food aid to roughly 40 million poor people nationwide. Farm bills are typically renewed every five years or so. The last one had expired on Sept. 30. "I think it was important to get this five year bill in place to give farmers some certainty. Also it's got some really nice stuff in there for rural America," Westerman said. The measure included funding for rural broadband and establishes a "feral swine eradication and control pilot program," Westerman said. It also makes some improvements to federal forest policy, he added.Boozman said the legislation gives a necessary boost to agriculture. "Compared back to the last farm bill we passed, income has declined 50 percent, foreclosures are up 38 percent. The commodity prices, what they can sell their products for, [are] very, very low right now. Because of those things it's been very very difficult for the American farmer," he said. The farm bill also continues anti-hunger programs, Boozman noted. "There are a number of people in our country, many of them working poor, people that have jobs but perhaps are making minimum wage or a little bit above that ... and they simply can't make ends meet," he said. For them, "it's a very important lifeline," he said. In a written statement, Arkansas Rice Federation Chairman Jeff Rutledge thanked Boozman, Westerman, Crawford, U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock and U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of Rogers for supporting the farm bill. U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Dardanelle, was the only member of the delegation to vote against the bill. "We are extremely pleased to see final passage of a farm bill that provides some certainty in such a variable agricultural climate. The advocacy of our congressional delegates on behalf of
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Arkansas producers cannot be overstated and our family farms will continue to benefit from their leadership for years to come," Rutledge added. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/dec/21/arkansans-witness-farm-bill-s-signing-2/
Villar: NFA would still be mandated to sell affordable rice to the poor December 21, 2018, 4:33 PM By Vanne Elaine Terrazola Senator Cynthia Villar on Friday maintained that National Food Authority (NFA) would still be mandated to sell affordable rice to the poor even with the enactment of the proposed rice tariffication law.
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Senator Cynthia Villar (Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN) Villar, chair of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, clarified the pronouncements that the NFA will discontinue selling cheap rice once President Duterte signs the bill that would liberalize rice importation in the country. The senator who had authored and sponsored the Senate‟s version of the rice tariffication bill said the measure would not result in higher prices of rice. She explained that the NFA, under the measure, would no longer be allowed to import rice and would only be mandated to buy its rice supply from local farmers. “Once the law is passed the NFA will be directed to buy palay from our local farmers and together with Department of Agriculture to focus on developing cost-efficient system that will help reduce the production cost of locally produced rice and stabilize rice prices,” Villar said in a statement. “President Duterte said that even with rice tariffication and liberalization of the rice industry, the NFA shall continue to provide the public particularly the less fortunate with rice that is affordable and safe,” she added. To cite an example, Villar said the P28-billion rice subsidy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, particularly for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries next year shall be bought from the local rice farmers.Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol earlier said NFA will cease distributing P27-per-kilogram rice to the country‟s markets when the rice tariffication law is enacted. Under the measure, the NFA will no longer have the authority over rice importation and shall focus on maintaining its buffer stock. It would be required to buy palay (unmilled rice) from local farmers. Senators earlier allayed concerns that the rice tariffication bill will result in the rice price surge. The measure, they said, will pave the way for competition and will compel traders to lower their prices and sell cheaper rice to the public. Villar reiterated that it is high time for the Philippines to liberalize the importation of rice following the expiration of the quantitative restriction on importation of rice allowed by the World Trade Organization on June 30, 2017. Villar, on the other hand, assured anew that the tariffication bill passed by Congress will also protect the Filipino farmers from imported rice. She said the collections from the tariff will be given to the farmers in the amount of P10 billion per year for the next six years to make the local farmers more competitive through
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mechanization (P5 billion); better seed production (P3 billion); cheaper credit (P1 billion); and training (P1 billion). President Duterte has yet to sign the proposed rice tariffication law https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/12/21/villar-nfa-would-still-be-mandated-to-sell-affordable-rice-to-thepoor/
Rabi rice area drops by a third OUR BUREAUT+ T-
Total acreage down 5% to 512.5 lakh ha on scanty rains NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 21 Rice cultivation in the current rabi season is down by 32 per cent as compared to the corresponding period last year, with Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh reporting a substantial drop in planting, shows the latest sowing data released by the Agriculture Ministry. As per the weekly sowing data published on Friday, rabi sowing has covered a total area of 512.53 lakh hectares (lh), about 4.6 per cent lower than 537.12 lh covered in the same period in 2017-19. Though the shortfall in planting is reported across the crops, the highest in percentage was in rice. While the rice sowing is down by 54 per cent in Andhra Pradesh, the shortfall reported from Tamil Nadu is 27 per cent.
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Wheat, which accounts for nearly half the rabi cropping area, is down by 1.5 per cent. Wheat sowing is down mainly because of drop in acreage in key growing States of Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan. But, a higher acreage reported from Madhya Pradesh bridged the shortfall to a great extent. As compared to 41 lh area planted last year, the sowing has reportedly covered 48 lh in Madhya Pradesh so far.
Coarse cereals down Drought in Karnataka and Maharashtra, on the other hand, has affected coarse cereals. Both the States have reported a decline in acreage. Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, has gone for higher maize cultivation this season. Still, maize is still 10 per cent down as compared to last year, because of poor sowing in Bihar, another State reeling under drought. Coarse cereals cultivation is down by 17.37 per cent to 40.26 lh till date. Oilseeds, pulses: Mixed Among oilseeds crops, the saving grace seems to mustard/rapeseed, which has been sown on a higher area from Rajasthan. The planting of oilseeds in the State has gone up to 23.20 lh (20.60 lh), taking the cumulative acreage across the country to 72.53 lh, which is very similar to that in the previous rabi season. Pulses cultivation too is languishing as compared to last year, mainly because both Karnataka and Maharashtra reported decrease in planting. Madhya Pradesh, on the other hand, reported higher acreage under pulses so far this year. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rabi-rice-area-drops-by-athird/article25801008.ece
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Rice production: Nigeria will take on the world Governor Bagudu a day ago 5332 views by Nnenna Ibeh - Governor Atiku Bagudu has said that Nigeria will soon take over the world in rice production - The governor said the President Buhari-led administration has shown unprecedented commitments to agriculture development in Nigeria - According to Bagudu, N174 billion has been disbursed as credit to small holder farmers under the anchors borrowers programme The Kebbi state governor, Atiku Bagudu, has said Nigeria is on the path of taking on the world in terms of rice production. The governor said this on Wednesday, December 19, at a Gala night organised by beneficiaries of the governmentâ€&#x;s Anchor Borrowers Programme held at the State House Conference Center, Abuja. Bagudu who is the vice chairman of the national food security council, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari has shown unprecedented commitments to agriculture development in Nigeria. Speaking to journalists outside the banquet hall, Bagudu said N174 billion has been disbursed as credit to small holder farmers under the anchors borrowers programme. He said this has provided more food, and therefore ensuring Nigeria's food security. .Olupohunda Governor Bagudu also said the fact that millers have easy access to rice paddies is indicative of a level of self sufficiency. About maize farmers he said: "The maize farmers say this year they are expecting an output of about twenty million tons up from about twelve million tons and even the prices we are seeing which are thirty percent lower than they were at this time last year indicates sufficiency." "The fertilizer producers confirm that they are capable of meeting Nigeria's needs and the President indeed confirmed he has banned the importation of fertilizers
Reps ask IGP Idris to arrest Obono-Obla over alleged fake WAEC result The gala night was graced by Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) and Fertilizers Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN). The associations donated N1.77 billion to fund the re-election bid of President Buhari in next year's presidential election. The president of RIFAN, Aminu Goronyo, said with a membership of about 12.2 million and with each member donating N100 to the campaign, they were able to raise the N1.2 billion. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the federal government had approved N60 billion in support of its rice subsidy programme aimed at bringing down the price of the commodity across the country. Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeriaâ€&#x;s #1 news app The minister of agriculture and rural development, Audu Ogbeh, made the announcement while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of a meeting of the National Food Security Council. Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1210915-rice-production-nigeria-world-governor-bagudu.html
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India rice export prices hit 3-month high Reuters . Bengaluru | Published: 00:00, Dec 21,2018 | Updated: 00:58, Dec 21,2018
Rice export prices in India rose to their highest in more than three months as a key producing region hiked procurement rates for domestic paddy, while concerns over stricter Chinese rules weighed on the Vietnamese market.Top exporter India‟s 5 per cent broken parboiled variety was quoted at $375-$382 per tonne this week, the highest since Sept 7. The central state of Chhattisgarh, a leading rice producer, raised the minimum paddy buying price to 2,500 rupees per 100 kg, from 1,750 rupees earlier this week. „Importers are not ready to pay a higher price. Exports are likely to slow down in coming months,‟ said an exporter based at Kakinada, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Prices of Vietnam‟s 5 per cent broken rice declined for the fifth straight week to $385 a tonne as activity remained muted, traders said. „Prices fell further because we are concerned that China‟s move to impose stricter conditions on Vietnamese rice will have a long-term impact,‟ a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said. „It‟s not clear if China is buying more from Cambodia and Myanmar to compensate for the possible declining shipments from Vietnam.‟ Another trader said supplies from Vietnam will increase from late next month when the winterspring harvest begins. In Thailand, benchmark 5 per cent broken rice prices were quoted at $390-$391 per tonne, free on board Bangkok, versus $385-$393 a week ago, as the market is expected to remain quiet until well after the New Year period. „This is a reasonable level as we‟re nearing the end of the year. There is not much overseas activity and we‟re also in the harvesting season,‟ a Bangkok-based trader said. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, which emerged as a major importer of rice in 2017 due to stock depletion following floods, has stepped up efforts to procure more rice locally after output of the staple grain improved, a food ministry official said. „The response from farmers is very good and the procurement drive will be continued,‟ the official said. The country‟s production for 2018/19 is expected to recover to 34.7 million tonnes, up 6.3 per cent year-on-year, according to estimates from the US Department of Agriculture attaché in Bangladesh. The South Asian country has procured more than 1.3 million tonnes of rice locally so far in the current season to build state reserves. http://www.newagebd.net/article/59392/india-rice-export-prices-hit-3-month-high
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Rice exports to pick up in 2019 overcoming current slump: Study Overall rice export volumes have improved and by September-end shipments were valued at USD 6.87 billion compared to USD 5.8 billion in the same period of 2017. Published: 21st December 2018 05:50 PM | Last Updated: 21st December 2018 05:50 PM |
Image used for representational purpose only. (File photo | Reuters) By PTI MUMBAI: The slump in rice exports over the last few months is part of a regular annual cycle, and shipment volume is expected to grow in 2019, following pick up in demand from Middle East as well as other new markets, according to a report. "As per our data, India has exported shipments worth over USD 183 million so far in this quarter, as of November 2018. As the annual seasonal demand from the Middle East picks up, and more non-basmati rice gets shipped to China, Indian rice exporters can expect business to
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pick up in the coming months," US-based trade finance company Drip Capital's co-founder and co-CEO Pushkar Mukewar said. However, he said, exporters are unlikely to see the due benefits from this increased opportunity if they are unable to access required credit. Overall rice export volumes have improved and by September-end shipments were valued at USD 6.87 billion compared to USD 5.8 billion in the same period of 2017. Thus, the report said, there is little need for panic, as demand and export volumes is expected to continue rising into 2019. New markets are also opening for Indian rice, with China being touted as a major opportunity. However, exporters will begin to benefit from Chinese trade only in the long-term, it added. Further, it said, exports to Bangladesh have seen stellar growth, despite a slump in AprilSeptember this year as overall shipments to Bangladesh in the first three quarters have grown USD 91.7 million year-on-year. Based on heavy increase in demand there are six other potential market opportunities for Indian exporters, including Qatar, Yemen, Israel, the Philippines, Kenya and Ukraine, it added. http://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2018/dec/21/rice-exports-to-pick-up-in-2019overcoming-current-slump-study-1914700.html
Writing on wall Updated: December 21st, 2018, 12:55 IST
With farm distress and the resultant discontentment fast building up in the country, talks of farm loan waiver and higher Minimum Support Price (MSP) have become the flavour of the season. Political parties seemed to be veering round to a realisation that they can ignore it only at their peril. Sample the BJPâ€&#x;s drubbing at three Assembly polls in the Hindi heartland. Hardly two
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hours after his swearing-in earlier this week, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath announced a loan waiver for farmers of that state. Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan immediately followed suit. Even BJP-ruled Assam is not way behind. It has also waived farm loans in the state. Chhattisgarh government went one step further by raising paddy MSP by a hefty Rs 700 plus at Rs 2,500 per quintal. This is despite the fact that ratcheting up support prices and waiving loans by themselves will not alleviate distress in the farm sector, although they might help win votes. Good or bad, such big bang populist measures will remain in fashion until 2019 general elections.
They are bound to create ripple effects in the country. A loan waiver may be a political decision, even as it creates macroeconomic imbalances. But increasing support price can have wider ramifications. It can potentially affect the nature and pattern of procurement in neighbouring states. Chhattisgarh is expected to even surpass its procurement target of 55 lakh MT of rice set for this year as farmers from neighbouring states Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha will be keen to sell their produce in Chhattisgarh, taking advantage of the higher support price. This will upset the paddy procurement in Odisha. Traditionally, traders of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh run parallel procurement in Odisha, taking advantage of various loopholes in our system. Prolonged delays in the opening of mandies and their early closure encourage traders
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from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to buy paddy from farmers here at throwaway prices. Even since Odisha was made self-dependent in procurement, there has not been a single year when procurement was conducted here seamlessly. Issues such as a surfeit of documentation, delay in opening of mandies, ill-equipped regulated market committees, and high-handedness of rice millers and apathy of the administration have combined to mar the programme. Over the years, improvements have come in some aspects such as easing of documentation and tough action against rogue millers; yet there are several issues that need to be addressed. A nearly 50 per cent jump in support price of paddy in Chhattisgarh will drive traders and middlemen to target paddy from Odisha where it is available at Rs 1,550 per quintal. Unless the state government quickly intervenes, and in good measure, chances are that the state will not be able to achieve its procurement target. Traders will lift paddy from here and sell it in Chhattisgarh at a premium. Farmers in western Odisha will be eager to sell their paddy to brokers and the middlemen to sell their paddy. And there is no guarantee that they will be given full MSP. Farmers, especially in border districts such as Kalahandi, Nuapada, and Nabarangpur will be the hardest hit. Even rice millers from Odisha will be encouraged to work as conduits for selling paddy to traders from Chhattisgarh. However, the comment of food supplies and consumer welfare minister Surya Narayan Patro Wednesday that there are no bars on farmers to sell paddy to whosoever they want will encourage traders. Such irresponsible statements will encourage the grey market that in the long run will weaken the procurement programme and such a situation will be to the detriment of farmers here. It is time the state government read the writing on the wall. http://www.orissapost.com/writing-on-wall/
TS Govt assures to buy Damaged Paddy Hyderabad, Dec 20 (INN): Due to recent Pethai Cyclone paddy is damaged at Paddy Purchase Centers in several parts of Telangana. Civil Supplies Department informed that it will purchase wet paddy and farmers should not worry in this matter.Civil Supplies Department estimated that up to 3,491 tons of paddy got wet state wide. It has taken measures to purchase every bit of it.As per latest reports, Civil Supplies Department has purchased 32 Lakh Tons of paddy from 6.15 lakh farmers at 3214 PPCs state wide. The cost of paddy is Rs. 5672 crores. In this Rs. 4922 crores have been deposited in farmers' accounts through online.
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Commissioner for Civil Supplies Akun Sabharwal said, there is no shortage of funds, farmers will receive Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their paddy.For the last few days, District Collectors, Joint Collectors, Civil Supplies officials visited cyclone affected areas and took all precautions at ground level to minimize the damage on farmers.Civil Supplies Department established Control Room Civil Supplies Bhavan to analyse cyclone affect. As per latest reports, out of total 3214 PPCs, at 1117 centers rain damaged 3,491 tons of paddy. Mainly at Mancherial, Siddipet, Adilabad, Sircilla districts PPCs heavy wet paddy is reported. On Thursday, Civil Supplies Department issued orders to millers to submit 10 percent of total paddy purchased to FCI under Custom Milling Rice (as Boiled Rice).The Commissioner said that with mutual coordination of Civil Supplies Department, Marketing, Transport, Rural Development (IKP) department Officials and staff, all preparatory measures were taken to minimize the damage caused due to unexpected rains. Sufficient Gunny bags, Tarpalins are available at all purchase centers. Purchased Paddy is transported to rice mills immediately. Till now state wide 32 lakh tons of paddy is purchased and 31.82 lakh tons is transferred to mills. http://www.telugupeople.com/news/article_00106972_TS_Govt_assures_to_buy_Damaged_Paddy.asp
Man loses N40 million as fire outbreak sacks Abakaliki rice millers December 21, 2018 By Godwin Aliuna
Ahead of the Christmas celebrations, fire outbreak yesterday sacked occupant of the Abakaliki rice mill located at Onuebonyi in the Ebonyi State capital, destroying valuable materials worth over N100 million. The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained as at press time, although residents of the area said the fire incident may have been caused by power surge and described the damage caused by the unfortunate incident as devastating. The Chairman of Abakaliki Rice Mill Ltd, Hon. Joseph Nnunu told newsmen that the fire started at about 9pm on Thursday, and attracted the attention of the leadership of the mill who were still in the office when the inferno started. He said they immediately contacted men of the Ebonyi State Fire Service, who rushed to the place, and were able to put off the fire, adding that some of the valuables that were salvaged was as a result of his quick intervention and prompt response of the fire fighters.
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The Chairman described the fire incident as mysterious, stating that the fire started from the rear
of the building and took over the whole structure before security men on duty noticed it and quickly alerted the authorities. “When I visited the scene, I saw about five black stone Rice Milling machines… bags of par boiled rice and the whole roof and interior of the building completely razed,” he stated. A victim, who owns the shop located at 13 A Line, Mr Moses Oboh lamented the ordeal and called on the government to come to his aid. He said he may not stand the shock and the trauma of losing up to N40 million at a blow. Subscribe to Daily Post. Advertise with us. Send us enquiries, press releases. http://dailypost.ng/2018/12/21/man-loses-n40-million-fire-outbreak-sacks-abakaliki-rice-millers/
ITC enters crowded branded rice market with Sona Masoori ABHISHEK LAW VISHWANATH KULKARNIT+ T-
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KOLKATA/BENGALURU, DECEMBER 20 FMCG major ITC Ltd has made a quiet entry into the packaged rice segment, mainly the nonbasmati variety. Market sources say the company is piloting with the „sona masoori‟ variety in Bengaluru. „Sona masoori‟ is one of the fine variety of non-basmati rice and is largely grown in the Tungabhadra belt of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is largely consumed in South India, mainly in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Under the present pilot, that began a couple of weeks ago, ITC is selling in 25-kg packs offering „free home delivery‟ at an special offer price of ₹1,400 per bag. Hemant Malik, Divisional Chief Executive, Foods Business, ITC Ltd, said “Leveraging the company‟s agri-sourcing expertise, we have initiated a pilot in Bengaluru to sell Sona Masoori rice under the Aashirvaad brand. The approach in the initial phase of this pilot is like that of a start-up and the focus is on enabling consumer feedback and insights.” Tough competition The entry of large players like ITC, which have a wide distribution network, into marketing of staples will result in increased competition, say traders and rice millers. There are hundreds of non-basmati rice brands which are sold in 5-, 10- and 25-kg packs. Already, Patanjali and Adani Wilmar (Fortune brand) have launched sona masoori variants in select markets. Other major branded packaged rice companies include the likes of KRBL (that
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owns India Gate brand), LT Foods (Dawaat), Kohinoor, Patanjali and so on. However, most of these are basmati rice offerings The „Aashirvaad‟ brand was set up in 2002 to sell atta and later expanded into other categories such as spices, salt, ghee, milk, and instant mix offerings. The brand has a consumer spend of over ₹4,000 crore. It is not known by when ITC plans a formal foray or a pan-India presence into the packaged rice segment. Nor is it still clear if the company will look at regional variants. Market sources said, ITC already exports both basmati and non-basmati rice to some African and West Asian markets. And naturally then it has its own procurement and logistics network. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/itc-enters-crowded-branded-ricemarket-with-sona-masoori/article25790695.ece
Hassles In Procurement Forcing Odisha Farmers To Sell Paddy In Neighbouring States Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena | By Saswat Singhdeo Last updated Dec 21, 2018 - 23:09:43 Bhubaneswar: Farmers in Odisha are opting to sell their paddy in neighbouring states as delay in opening of mandis and alleged harassment by rice millers have made the paddy procurement process cumbersome. According to sources, as mandis did not open, farmers in Bahalda of Mayurbhanj and Jaleswar, Bhogarai and Basta of Balasore districts are selling their paddy in neighbouring West Bengal and at a price of Rs 1200 per quintal. “In the absence of Mandis, we are forced to sell our paddy to traders of Jharkhand and West Bengal at a very low rate,” Belpashi resident Dhananjay Giri said. Recently, Chhattisgarh government increased the rate of paddy to Rs 2500 per quintal while in West Bengal it is Rs 1700 per quintal which is why farmers mostly residing in the bordering areas are selling their paddy to these states through agents, informed sources.
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“There are a lot of other bills that we have to pay and we also have to meet our daily expenses. That‟s why we are selling the paddy to private traders at Rs 1250 per quintal,” Chamargaon resident Gajendra Nath Jena said. “There is no procurement in Odisha. Our farmers are selling paddy for as low as Rs 700 to Rs 800 per quintal near the border. BJD and BJP are exploiting the farmers of Odisha. If no steps are taken, Congress will be forced to stage protest,” Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president, Niranjan Patnaik said. On the other hand, Odisha BJP president Basant Panda said “The State government has sold itself to the millers. They are exploiting the farmers through goons and agents forcing them to sell their paddy at low rates.” Responding to these allegations, Odisha Food Supplies Minister Surjya Narayan Patro said “Even if we want to give bonus we are not being able to because of guidelines. Congress never wanted welfare of farmers. Nobody else is worried for farmers as much as we do.” https://odishatv.in/odisha/hassles-in-procurement-forcing-odisha-farmers-to-sell-paddy-inneighbouring-states-341209
Damaged paddy will be purchased, farmers need not worry: Sabharwal Posted by Md Aslam Hussain on Dec 20, 2018, 9:50 PM ISTHyderabad Telangana
Hyderabad: Paddy damaged at paddy procurement centers in several parts of Telangana State due to recent Pethai cyclone will be purchased and the farmers need not worry, said Civil Supplies Commissioner Akun Sabharwal here today. The Civil Supplies Department estimated that up to 3,491 tons of paddy got wet all over the State due to cyclone Pethai. Sabharwal said measures have been taken to purchase every bit of the wet paddy it. As per latest reports, Civil Supplies Department has purchased 32 lakh tons of paddy from 6.15 lakh farmers at 3,214 Paddy Procurement Centers state wide. The cost of paddy was Rs 5,672 crore out of which Rs 4,922 crore have been deposited in farmers‟ accounts through online. Stating that there was no shortage of funds, the farmers will receive Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their paddy. In the last few days, the district Collectors, Joint Collectors and Civil Supplies officials visited the cyclone affected areas and took all precautions at the ground level to minimize the loss to farmers. The Department established a Control Room at the Civil Supplies Bhavan to analyse cyclone affect. As per latest reports, out of a total 3,214 PPCs, at
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1,117 centers rain damaged 3,491 tons of paddy, mainly at Mancherial, Siddipet, Adilabad, Sircilla districts.
Today, Civil Supplies Department issued orders to millers to submit 10 percent of total paddy purchased to FCI under Custom Milling Rice (as Boiled Rice). The Commissioner said with mutual coordination among Civil Supplies Department, Marketing, Transport, Rural Development (IKP) department officials and employees staff, preparatory measures have been taken to minimize the damage caused to paddy due to unexpected rains. Sufficient number of gunny bags and tarpaulins are available at all the purchase centers. Purchased paddy was being transported to rice mills immediately. Till now the State-wide, some 32 lakh tons of paddy was purchased and 31.82 lakh tons was transferred to the mills. https://www.siasat.com/news/damaged-paddy-will-be-purchased-farmers-need-not-worrysabharwal-1448117/
Phethai effect: TRS government to buy damaged wet paddy TNN | Updated: Dec 21, 2018, 06:38 IST Damaged paddy in Peddapally
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HYDERABAD: It wasnâ€&#x;t just neighbouring Andhra Pradesh which bore the brunt of cyclone Phethai, Telangana was not spared either. If senior officials are to be believed, 3,491 tonnes of paddy was either damaged or totally soaked in the rain. However, allaying the fears of farmers, the TRS government on Thursday said that measures have been taken to purchase the wet paddy. While the maximum damage to paddy was reported from Mancherial, Siddipet, Adilabad and Rajanna Sircilla districts, civil supplies commissioner Akun Sabharwal said farmers would receive the MSP for their damaged paddy, adding that there was no shortage of funds. A control room was set up in the Civil Supplies Bhavan here to analyse the extent of damage to paddy after the cyclone hit AP and neighbouring states on December 17. The government also asked millers to send 10 per cent of their total paddy stocks to the Food Corporation of India so that it is transported to rice mills immediately as a contingency measure. The civil supplies wing has already purchased 32 lakh tonnes of paddy from 6.15 lakh farmers at 3,214 paddy purchase centres (PPCs) across the state. While the cost of paddy was Rs 5,672 crore, Rs 4,922 crore had been deposited in farmersâ€&#x; accounts. An official said gunny bags and tarpaulins were made available at all the PPCs and of the 32 lakh tonnes of paddy purchased, 31.82 lakh tonnes was transferred to rice mills. Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy has written a letter to chief secretary SK Joshi, urging the government to set up more PPCs and provide input subsidy to ryots. He said apart from paddy, cotton, chilli and tobacco crops had also damaged in Khammam district. The worst-hit mandals were Konijerla, Tallada, Kaluru, Sathupalli, Chandrugonda, Manuguru, Palair, Wyra and Julurupadu, where, he said, crops in 50,000 acres was damaged.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/phethai-effect-trs-govt-to-buy-damaged-wetpaddy/articleshow/67184604.cms
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