29th july ,2017 daily global regional & local rice e newsletter

Daily Global Rice

E-Newsletter

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July 29,2017 Vol 8 Issue VII

Today Rice News Headlines...                     

Muted demand drags down rice basmati prices This Week in Logistics News (July 22 – 28) Confusion prevails over Kerala’s request for Jaya variety rice Government revokes rice ceiling price regulation USA Rice Hosts Third Annual Chef Competition in Colombia Upcoming Rice Field Days Traders signal rice price hike on high paddy prices, lack of oversight Towards more food production Rice scheme was populist plunder, but was it illegal?

Traders signal rice price hike on high paddy prices, lack of oversight Nigeria rice production looking stronger in 2017, Ministry say Govt moves to buy rice from Cambodia China agrees to allow imports of U.S. rice for first time: USDA Rajkot Foodgrain Prices- July 28, 2017 Asia Rice-Bangladesh may call off Thai import deal over high prices Govt moves to buy rice from Cambodia Kharif sowing completed in 75% of crop area Muted demand drags down rice basmati prices Govt remains reluctant to buy Thai rice over high prices Government revokes rice ceiling price regulation Govt rice tender draws lowest offer

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 Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- July 28, 2017  Global rice milling machinery market outlook 2012-2022 available in new report  Cut GST on rice mill machinery, demand makers  Global Rice Milling Machinery Market 2017- Satake Manufacturing, Buhler, Hunan Chenzhou  China agrees to allow imports of U.S. rice for first time: USDA  Trends-business ngredion calls its new process stable rice flours clean label first  Singapore 'food sharing' pioneer Tony Tay of Willing Hearts among winners of Philippines' Magsaysay awards  SL Agritech targets expansion to India, Myanmar  Cooking up a rice day  Permanent listing of rice futures delayed  You likely can’t recognize faces when they’re upside down — and neither can the Japanese rice fish

News Detail...

Muted demand drags down rice basmati prices Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 6,300-6,500, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 5,000-5,050, Permal raw Rs 2,1502,175, Permal wand Rs 2,200-2,225, Sela Rs 2,300-2,400 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,825-1,850, Bajra Rs 1,180-1,190, Jowar yellow Rs 1,450-1,500, white Rs 2,900-3,100, Maize Rs 1,300-1,305, Barley Rs 1,465-1,475 New Delhi, Jul 28 Rice basmati prices fell by up to Rs 250 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today owing to slackened demand. Barley also eased on reduced offtake by consuming industries. Traders said easing demand against adequate stocks position, mainly pulled down rice basmati prices. Meanwhile, the Centre yesterday fixed higher rice procurement target at 37.5 million tonnes for the 2017-18 marketing season beginning October on hopes of good production.

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The government's rice procurement has touched 34.35 million tonnes (MT) in the ongoing 201617 marketing season (October-September). The procurement has already crossed the target of 33 million tonnes set for this year. In the national capital, rice basmati Pusa-1121 and common slipped to Rs 5,000-5,050 and Rs 6,300-6,500 from previous levels of Rs 5,250-5,300 and Rs 6,500-6,700 per quintal, respectively. Non-basmati rice permal raw, wand,sela and IR-8 also settled lower at Rs 2150-2175, Rs 2,200-2,225, 2,300-2,400 and Rs 1,825-1,850 from previous levels of Rs 2,200-2,225, Rs 2,250-2275,Rs 2,400-2,500 and Rs 1,850-1,900 per quintal respectively in line with basmati trend.

Barley too shed Rs 10 to Rs 1,465-1,475 per quintal. Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal): Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,100-2,350, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,765-1,770, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,770-1,775, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 260-300, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour mill Rs 970-980 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,010-1,020 (50 kg)and Sooji Rs 1,035-1,040 (50 kg). Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 6,300-6,500, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 5,000-5,050, Permal raw Rs 2,150-2,175, Permal wand Rs 2,200-2,225, Sela Rs 2,300-2,400 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,825-1,850, Bajra Rs 1,180-1,190, Jowar yellow Rs 1,450-1,500, white Rs 2,900-3,100, Maize Rs 1,3001,305, Barley Rs 1,465-1,475. https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/muted-demand-drags-down-rice-basmatiprices/1110360

This Week in Logistics News (July 22 – 28) Posted by Chris Cunnane July 28, 2017 The 2017 Tour de France concluded this past Sunday after 23 days, 21 stages, 2,200 miles, and over 86 hours of riding. To put some perspective on the logistics behind the Tour, the race consisted of 198 riders, 167 of whom would finish the race. There are generally somewhere in the range of 10 to 12 million spectators that will line the roads during the course of the event.

There are 40+ team cars, dozens of medical cars and ambulances, as well as a few additional official cars on the roads. There are close to 1,000 news agencies covering the event, which means thousands of reporters, photographers, broadcasters, and camera operators. And all of these people have to set up and break down broadcast booths and the rest of their equipment at the end of every stage, every day. While all of this sounds daunting, it’s nothing compared to what the athletes go through. This year’s winner was Chris Froome, who completed the race in 86:20:55, beating Rigoberto Urán by 54 seconds. This was Froome’s fourth overall Tour win, and his third in the last four years.

And now, on to the news.

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Amazon is going underwater. That’s not a clever way of saying that their business is in trouble.

Instead, the company has recently filed a patent to store items in an underwater facility. The latest forward thinking patent filed by Amazon is in response to the growing need for warehousing space due to the rise of e-commerce. According to the patent, underwater warehouses would be filled with merchandise in airtight containers. The containers would be placed there by a combination of humans, conveyor belts, trucks, or planes. Each container would have a cartridge attached which controls the depth. When a customer orders that specific item, an acoustic wave would be sent to cartridge, which would release a balloon and send the container to the surface. Add this to the long list of Amazon’s outside the boxthinking when it comes to the future of fulfillment.

Late last year, Walmart tested out a new kind of in-store fulfillment process. The company built a giant tower that acts as a vending machine for online orders. The machine, named automatic pickup machine internally, allows the customer to enter the online order number into the machine, and the machine spits out the package like a vending machine. After a successful pilot, Walmart has announced that it will be rolling out the machines to 100 stores across the US. While the company has not named locations yet, customer reactions have been positive, and demand for the towers has increased.

The UK’s largest grocery chain, Tesco, is expanding its same-day grocery delivery program.

Currently, customers in London and the South East can have online orders delivered the same day. Now, Tesco is preparing to roll the program out to the rest of the UK by the end of August.

Customers who order online by 1pm will be able to receive their groceries some time after 7pm on the same day. Shoppers in London and the South East will be able to access the same-day service seven days a week. Elsewhere it will be available from Monday to Saturday. This is a move that is directly related to Amazon’s expanding presence in the UK, and its rollout of same day grocery delivery.

The push for speed limiters to be installed on heavy duty trucks has stalled in Washington according to the revised ―unified agenda.‖ In the latest filing, the speed limiter mandate has fallen off the near-term agendas for both the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This comes after a decade long push by safety advocates to have speed limiters on trucks. Had the rule passed, it would have required each vehicle, as manufactured and sold, to have its device set to a speed not greater than a specified speed and to be equipped with means of reading the vehicle’s current speed setting and the two previous speed settings through its onboard diagnostic connection.

While this does not mean that a mandate will not go into effect at some point, it certainly will not be any time in the near future.

Japanese imports of American rice are on the rise. The US produces about 30 percent more rice than Japan. Combined with the fact that the Japanese government is propping up domestic prices by reducing supplies, and this is not overly surprising. While Japan caps the amount of rice imports, the demand is surging for cheaper and easy-to-cook foreign products. Calrose, grown in California, is the mainstay variety accounting for about 80% of the Japanese market for foreign rice consumed. This specific variety of rice is less sweet than Japanese rice which makes it perfect for bowl dishes which have sauce poured on top as well as for fried rice. The U.S. produces around 10 million tons or so of rice per year, and exports 3 million tons.

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Speaking of rice exports, for the first time ever, the US can now export rice to China. Officials from the two countries recently finalized a protocol that allows for the first ever shipment of rice to China, the world’s largest rice consumer, importer, and producer. This comes on the heels of another agreement that re-opened the Chinese market to US beef exports. These are just the first steps in President’s Trump’s efforts to reduce the trade deficit with China; but a lot more will need to be done to reduce the $347 billion deficit.

Speaking of China, the country continues to be on the leading edge when it comes to drone deliveries. Earlier this week, ZTO Express, a leading express delivery company in China, announced that it successfully completed its first trial delivery using a drone in an industrial park in Zhejiang Province. The drone, which was developed by a local drone developer and customized for ZTO, flew 8.7 miles from a sorting facility in Le Qing county, Zhejiang Province to the office building of an enterprise customer located in an economic development park in the same county. The drone used in the trial has a maximum range of 18.6 miles, comes equipped with a 6.6 gallon container, can carry a maximum load of 22.0 pounds, and is preprogrammed to fly to its destination and does not require a remote control.

That’s all for this week. Enjoy the weekend and the song of the week, Queen’s Bicycle Race https://logisticsviewpoints.com/2017/07/28/this-week-in-logistics-news-july-22-28/

Confusion prevails over Kerala’s request for Jaya variety rice ANDHRA PRADESH G.V.R. Subba Rao VIJAYAWADA,JULY 28, 2017 00:41 IST

Andhra Pradesh stopped growing the variety introduced in 1965 A week after in-principle agreement between Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, confusion prevails over the supply of Jaya variety of rice. It turns out that Andhra Pradesh has stopped growing Jaya variety of rice. As Andhra Pradesh officials asked their counterparts to send a few samples of rice, which Kerala presumed as Jaya variety, it appears that Kerala knocked the doors of a wrong State ahead of Onam festival in September.

Farmers in East Godavari district cultivate MTU 3626 (Bondalu in local parlance) in large area.

Cultivation of Jaya, a variety from International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), was introduced

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way back in 1965 and was discontinued long back following introduction of many other high yield varieties. Farmers in East Godavari district prefer cultivating MTU 3626, which is also known as Prabhat, in view of high yield and returns.

Kerala prefers boiled rice for variety of reasons, including long shelf life after cooking. The prices of boiled rice have shot up significantly in view of fast approaching festival. It necessitated a meeting between Kerala Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman and his team with their counterparts here a week ago.

The Supplyco, a grocery arm of Kerala government, is procuring boiled rice through e-tenders at â‚š35 a kg, and if Andhra Pradesh supplies the same at a lesser price, it is ready to sign an agreement with AP Civil Supplies Corporation.

When contacted, Special Chief Secretary (Agriculture, Civil Supplies) B. Rajasekhar said, ―Jaya is a very old variety. It is not being cultivated now. What they (Kerala) refer to Jaya could be

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MTU 3626. We asked them to send a few samples so that we can compare it with the rice grown here.‖ Andhra Pradesh was one of the States that used to grow Jaya variety and process and despatch it as Jaya boiled rice to Kerala. Bondalu has taken over its place many years ago and that is what is being sent to Kerala. ―The farmers have switched over to the Prabhat or Bondalu variety, which is grown in large area in East Godavari district. Lodging resistant varieties such as MTU 1061, MTU 1075 are gaining momentum in Godavari delta,‖ explained Agriculture Deputy Director (Planning) Z. Venkateswara Rao. However, Andhra Pradesh Rice Millers Association (APRMA), Upland Area Rice Millers Association (UARMA) disagree. APRMA president Gummadi Venkateswara Rao and UARMA president Valluri Suribabu continue to contend that ―Jaya variety of rice is being sent to Kerala‖.

But, they insist that the farmers were cultivating Bondalu.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/confusion-prevails-over-keralas-request-forjaya-variety-rice/article19373395.ece PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION LOGIN / REGISTER

Government revokes rice ceiling price regulation News Desk The Jakarta Post Jakarta | Fri, July 28, 2017 | 07:31 pm Trade Minister Enggartiasto ―Enggar‖ Lukita (JP/Stefani Ribka)

The government on Friday revoked a regulation setting price ceilings for rice, following protest from traders and wholesalers.Trade Minister Enggartiasto ―Eanggar‖ Lukita said he would invite all stakeholders to discuss a revision of Trade Ministry Regulation No 47/2017 on reference prices for rice bought from farmers and rice sold to consumers.

He claimed that the regulation had not been approved by the Law and Human Rights Ministry. However, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman had cited it as the legal basis for confiscating 1,160 tons of rice from a warehouse owned by PT Indo Beras Unggul (IBU) in Bekasi, West Java.

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Under the regulation, the consumer price for rice is capped at Rp 9,000 (66 US cents) per kilogram for medium-quality and premium rice, while PT IBU sold its medium and premium rice at Rp 13,700 and Rp 20,400 per kilogram, respectively.

Enggar promised to include the concerns of all stakeholders in the regulation on rice prices. ―The authority to issue the regulation lies with the government, but before we issue a regulation, we will discuss the issue,‖ said Enggar when visiting a rice wholesale market in East Jakarta on Friday.

He said parties to be invited to a meeting would include representatives of the Agriculture Ministry, the Trade Ministry, the National Police, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU), distributors, traders and rice millers.

Enggar said the government would set rice reference prices soon after an agreement was reached. (dis/bbn) http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/07/28/government-revokes-rice-ceiling-price-regulation.html

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USA Rice Hosts Third Annual Chef Competition in Colombia

By Sarah Moran

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA -- Earlier this week, USA Rice, in conjunction with the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) and Kansas Soybean Board, conducted the third annual Colombian chefs cooking competitions here on July 24 and 25, and in Barranquilla on July 26.

Thirty chefs from Colombia's top restaurants and food service operations competed each day by preparing a main course using American rice and experimenting with both traditional and modern cooking techniques.

"Colombia produces nearly 1.5 million tons of rice (milled basis) each year yet still requires imports to meet their high domestic consumption level of more than 1.6 million tons," said John Valpey, chairman of the USA Rice International Promotion Committee. "Last year, the U.S. comprised about half of Colombia's rice imports. Our promotional activities are aimed at developing a preference for U.S. rice to capture a larger market share in this important market."

Colombia has imported more than 50,000 MT of U.S. rice in the first five months of this year, valued at $17 million. U.S. rice benefits from duty free access for 98,448 MT of rice this year,

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that will increase to 102,879 MT next year. Rice imported over the duty free amount is subject to an 80 percent tariff.

Upcoming Rice Field Days Mark your calendar August 2 - Mississippi Field Day/Farm Bureau Grower Meeting Delta Branch Experiment Station, Capps Center, Stoneville, MS Contact: Dr. Bobby Golden, (662-769-0274) or bgolden@drec.msstate.edu

August 2 - RiceTec Arkansas Field Day 4:00 p.m. - Field tours, new herbicide-tolerant technology, row rice MPCI policy, and dinner.

15329 Hwy 1, Harrisburg, AR 72432 Contact: Mark Spilman, mspilman@ricetec.com

August 4 -- Arkansas AgExpo (Rice Field Day) University of Arkansas Rice Research & Extension Center, 2900 Hwy 130 East, Stuttgart, AR Contact: Dr. Nathan McKinney, (870) 673-2661 or nmkinney@uark.edu

August 30 -- California Rice Field Day California Rice Experiment Station, 955 Butte City Hwy, Biggs, CA Contact: Dr. Kent McKenzie, (530) 868-5481 or ksmckenzie@crrf.org

August 31 - University of Missouri Rice Field Day Jake Fisher Delta Research Center, Portageville, MO

Contact: Tina Clark, (573) 379-5431or clarktr@missouri.edu

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Traders signal rice price hike on high paddy prices, lack of oversight Senior Correspondent, bdnews24.com Published: 2017-07-28 22:51:54.0 BdST Updated: 2017-07-28 22:57:44.0 BdST

File Photo

Soaring paddy prices, high import cost and lack of market monitoring may drive the rice price in the local market high, traders have hinted.

Rice prices dropped a little following an import glut a month ago, but are yet to be within the reach of the middle-income group.

However, the prices of Bangladesh's staple rose slightly in the past one month.

According to the food ministry, the government stock of rice was a little over 200,000 tonnes on July 2.

Private importers brought around 120,000 tonnes from July 1 to 25.

Some of the traders said the prices are rising this time due to the increase in prices of paddy and lack of government surveillance.

They think that the imported rice failed to make expected impact on the market because of the 'high import cost'.

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Abu Bakr Siddique, a manager of a rice agency in Dhaka's North Badda, told bdnews24.com on Friday that the prices of rice went up by around Tk 20 per 50-kilogram sack in past two weeks due to hike in prices of paddy.

He ruled out recent rains as the reason behind the rise. "Rain cannot cause any problem now because rice is processed in auto mills," he said.

He is selling one sack of Miniket rice at Tk 2,600 to Tk 2,650, Najirshile from Tk 2,500 to Tk 2,750 and BR-28 (local) from Tk 2,180 to Tk 2,200.

Coarse rice is being sold at Tk 1,950 to Tk 2,000 per sack while the price of BR-28 rice, processed in auto mills, is Tk 2,300 to Tk 2,350.

Rice trader 'Rasel' of Karwan Bazar said he was selling one sack of Miniket rice at Tk 2,500 to Tk 2,650, Najirshile from Tk 2,600 to Tk 2,650 and BR-28, processed in auto mills at Tk 2,300 to Tk 2,450.

The minimum price of local coarse rice in the market is Tk 1,900 per sack while the coarse rice imported from India is being sold at Tk 2,125 to Tk 2,150.

Rasel said the prices rose by Tk 20 to Tk 25 in past 15-20 days due to 'slight' rise in paddy prices.

"Millers said rice prices would go up slightly. They are raising the prices because of hike in paddy prices," he said.

Alam Khan, another trader in the market, said the prices of local rice were not dropping at normal rates as the prices of imported rice were 'high'.

"The government is giving permission to import rice, but there is no one to see what prices are being charged. The government should also control the sale of imported rice," he said.

Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mill Owners Association General Secretary KM Layek Ali urged the government to conduct 'operations' to bring down rice prices to tolerable rates."How will the prices of local rice decrease when imported rice is selling at higher prices?" he asked.He claimed that India raised rice prices when the Bangladesh government lowered the duty to import rice. "And no other country than India sells parboiled rice."

Layek Ali said the prices were also rising because it is the end of the season. "The prices will rise more after one a half months. Rice prices will never drop without anti-hoarding operations."

About rise in paddy prices, he said, "Only those who stored paddy following government instruction can now run the mills. It is not possible to buy fresh paddy to run the mills. http://bdnews24.com/business/2017/07/28/traders-signal-rice-price-hike-on-high-paddy-prices-lack-ofoversight

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Towards more food production Posted By: DANIEL ESSIET On: July 28, 2017 In: Agriculture

As Nigeria and other developing countries are expected to witness rapid urbanisation by 2050, experts say food security challenges will be immense. They advised the government to target its strategies at ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition. But this can only be achieved when rural-urban linkages are strengthened. It was the main point during the launch of the International Food Policy Research Institute’s Global Food Policy Report in Abuja.

DANIEL ESSIET writes.

As Nigeria and other developing countries are expected

to witness rapid urbanisation by

2050, one major task will be to produce enough food for the teeming population, a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has said.

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The report noted that food security challenges would increase.

IFPRI, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Bioversity International, and other partners, released the report. It examines the impact of rapid urban growth on food security and nutrition, saying that food systems would be transformed to improve the future.

The report was unveiled at the International Conference in Abuja.

In his opening remarks, IFPRI Director-General, Dr. Shenggen Fan, pointed out that increasing urbanisation is making the goals of ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture difficult to achieve. For instance, he maintained that rapid urbanisation in Nigeria affect food security challenges.

Fan added that Nigeria, China, and India were expected to have 900 million urban residents by 2050.

He said: ―Helping policy makers, city residents, and rural smallholders in the developing world understand this changing environment, and how to respond to it, is absolutely necessary to achieve the sustainable development agenda.’’

He stressed that cities should provide opportunities for rural smallholders to raise their incomes by connecting to larger urban markets and more wealthy urban consumers. ―Urbanisation is driving huge changes in how small farmers connect with markets to sell their goods, global diets, and the way that food systems are governed,‖ Fan said.

He added: ―For urban consumers small farmers can provide an important source of diverse and nutritious foods. But the links between these areas in the developing world are often weak or broken, hindering growth and development.’’

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Fan stressed that rural infrastructure, including quality rural and feeder roads, electricity, and storage facilities, were essential for pro-poor growth, agricultural development, and improved livelihoods.

According to him, inadequate rural infrastructure leads to isolation of communities and is associated with poverty and poor nutrition.

On rice, Fan observed that 60 percent of rice purchased in urban areas in Nigeria is imported, despite significant efforts to boost domestic production, attributing this to a weak value chain for postharvest processing of domestic rice. He said had created inconsistencies in labelling, quality, and taste that turn off urban consumers.

He said: ―The country imports close to 60 percent of the crop, despite producing enough rice to feed its population. Urban residents cite inconsistencies in quality, labeling, and taste as their main concerns —problems that arise from poor vertical integration in the domestic rice value chain. ―Lack of standard seeds and milling facilities infrastructure along the value chain has led to consumers’ preference to consume imported rice.‖ In addition, he noted that the rice sector is characterised by highly fragmented domestic value chain, and that small and medium sized rice millers with varying skills and degrees of access to information and services produce 80 percent of local rice.Commenting on the report, Senior Research Fellow and Programme Leader, IFPRI’s Nigeria Country Strategy Programme, Dr George Mavrotas, added: ―Africapolis: Measuring Urbanisation Dynamics in West Africa (2016) recently identified 1,236 agglomerations in Nigeria, of which more than 80 percent had more than 10,000 inhabitants in 2010.

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―The report also re-assessed the level of urbanisation in Nigeria at 46 percent, up from 31 percent since the previous urbanisation report on Nigeria back in 2008. This presents an enormous challenge and many opportunities for food policy in the country in the years to come.‖He maintained that strong rural-urban linkageswould help propel economic development and improvements in food security and nutrition.

In his welcome remarks, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media & Public Affairs, representing Niger North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, congratulated IFPRI for putting together the report which emphasised the important links between food security and nutrition in an urbanising world.Besides Fan and Mavrotas, other panelists included Senior Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Andrew Kwasari; Deputy Director, Food and Nutrition, National Committee on Food and Nutrition, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Roselyn Gabriel; Senior Program Officer for Nutrition, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Office in Nigeria, Dr. Victor Ajieroh; and Nutrition Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Dr. Bamidele Davis Omotola.

IFPRI is a United States-based international agricultural research established in 1975 to identify and analyse alternative national and international strategies and policies for meeting the food needs of the developing world, with particular emphasis on low-income countries and on the poorer groups in those countries.

Rice scheme was populist plunder, but was it illegal? your say July 28, 2017 01:00

Re: ―Yingluck says her bank accounts confiscated, money withdrawn‖, The Nation, yesterday.

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This man doesn’t know when to leave well-enough alone. Yingluck is finished as a political leader but the cretins advising Prayut seem to want to turn her into a martyr and are doing a pretty good job of doing so. The ham-fisted buffoonery gets worse by the day and it’s not lost on those who have supported (and will continue to support) the various iterations of Thaksin-led parties.

Isn’t confiscating her assets before the verdict a good barometer of the outcome?

So many facts conveniently ignored by many, such as documented rice-scheme collusion, connected cronies, fraud and the inter-connected massive damage of flooding exacerbated by Yingluck’s government ordering dams kept shut to get rice crops in (to kick their rice scheme off at any cost). But the saddest ignored fact in all this is that the poorest farmers were not even part of the scheme. Instead it mostly enriched connected cronies, middlemen, pu yai’s and already wealthy rice millers, large farmers and landowners – basically the mob who controlled influence and ―got out the vote‖ for Thaksin and in return got a chanote or nor sam gor upgrade authorisation, or new roads, water supplies, power, etc in Northeast villages.

Not many will go against the local headman, millers and other people of influence in Isaan villages, all of whom work hand in hand with the Shinawatra political machine. Meanwhile, many here shamelessly cry about the ―poor persecuted Shinawatra family‖.

Are policy decisions illegal now? Much of the benefit from the scheme did not reach the poor farmers, but that was because the objective was to subsidise production. Is that illegal? Yingluck (though I’m not sure the decision process was that simple) chose one objective over another by keeping dams shut. Is that illegal? http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/your_say/30322044

Traders signal rice price hike on high paddy prices, lack of oversight Senior Correspondent, bdnews24.com Published: 2017-07-28 22:51:54.0 BdST Updated: 2017-07-28 22:57:44.0 BdST Soaring paddy prices, high import cost and lack of market monitoring may drive the rice price in the local market high, traders have hinted.

Rice prices dropped a little following an import glut a month ago, but are yet to be within the reach of the middle-income group.However, the prices of Bangladesh's staple rose slightly in the past one month.

According to the food ministry, the government stock of rice was a little over 200,000 tonnes on July 2.Private importers brought around 120,000 tonnes from July 1 to 25.Some of the traders said the prices are rising this time due to the increase in prices of paddy and lack of government surveillance. They think that the imported rice failed to make expected impact on the market because of the 'high import cost'.Abu Bakr Siddique, a manager of a rice agency in Dhaka's

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North Badda, told bdnews24.com on Friday that the prices of rice went up by around Tk 20 per 50-kilogram sack in past two weeks due to hike in prices of paddy.

He ruled out recent rains as the reason behind the rise. "Rain cannot cause any problem now because rice is processed in auto mills," he said.He is selling one sack of Miniket rice at Tk 2,600 to Tk 2,650, Najirshile from Tk 2,500 to Tk 2,750 and BR-28 (local) from Tk 2,180 to Tk 2,200.

Coarse rice is being sold at Tk 1,950 to Tk 2,000 per sack while the price of BR-28 rice, processed in auto mills, is Tk 2,300 to Tk 2,350.Rice trader 'Rasel' of Karwan Bazar said he was selling one sack of Miniket rice at Tk 2,500 to Tk 2,650, Najirshile from Tk 2,600 to Tk 2,650 and BR-28, processed in auto mills at Tk 2,300 to Tk 2,450.

The minimum price of local coarse rice in the market is Tk 1,900 per sack while the coarse rice imported from India is being sold at Tk 2,125 to Tk 2,150.Rasel said the prices rose by Tk 20 to Tk 25 in past 15-20 days due to 'slight' rise in paddy prices."Millers said rice prices would go up slightly. They are raising the prices because of hike in paddy prices," he said.

Alam Khan, another trader in the market, said the prices of local rice were not dropping at normal rates as the prices of imported rice were 'high'."The government is giving permission to import rice, but there is no one to see what prices are being charged. The government should also control the sale of imported rice," he said.

Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mill Owners Association General Secretary KM Layek Ali urged the government to conduct 'operations' to bring down rice prices to tolerable rates."How will the prices of local rice decrease when imported rice is selling at higher prices?" he asked.He

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claimed that India raised rice prices when the Bangladesh government lowered the duty to import rice. "And no other country than India sells parboiled rice."

Layek Ali said the prices were also rising because it is the end of the season. "The prices will rise more after one a half months. Rice prices will never drop without anti-hoarding operations."About rise in paddy prices, he said, "Only those who stored paddy following government instruction can now run the mills. It is not possible to buy fresh paddy to run the mills." http://bdnews24.com/business/2017/07/28/traders-signal-rice-price-hike-on-high-paddy-priceslack-of-oversight

Nigeria rice production looking stronger in 2017, Ministry say

Michael Oduor with AFP 27/07 - 23:54

NIGERIA Nigeria is expecting to be self sufficient in rice production by November and prices are also expected to fall, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said.The Industry Reports also shows the fluctuation of the local commodity production to be between 2,400 to 3,600 in the past five years. The import rates have also increased to 5,850 from 4,800 during the same period of time.

Meanwhile the country is also experiencing a rise in consumption rate of the same commodity.

The consumption rate has risen to 7 million Metric Tons according to government statistics with only 2.7 million metric tons produced by Nigerian farmers.

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In 2016, Nigeria projected to reach 2.7 million metric tons in 2017 if government policy of restricting importation was strictly adhered to.

According to the Nigeria rice production statistics, the imports have started to make up 50% of the local consumption rates. http://www.africanews.com/2017/07/27/nigeria-rice-production-looking-stronger-in-2017-ministry-say/

Govt moves to buy rice from Cambodia Efforts to import from India, Thailand apparently fail due to high prices Reaz Ahmad As two successive attempts to import rice from Thailand and India have apparently fallen through for high prices, the government is now seeking to buy the staple from Cambodia.

A five-member delegation, led by Food Minister Qamrul Islam, is going to the country on Tuesday for striking a deal in this regard.

Recently, official teams from the two countries visited the capital for negotiating the agreements.

However, they asked for prices, which could not be agreed by Dhaka.

Amidst a projected shortfall of 15 lakh tonnes of rice this year, the food ministry desperately sought to buy rice from Thailand and India under government-to-government arrangements, weeks after signing a G2G deal to import the staple from Vietnam.

"The Thai delegation that visited Bangladesh from July 23 to 24 asked for a price that we couldn't agree. We asked them to lower the price,‖ Badrul Hasan, director general of the food directorate, told The Daily Star yesterday.

"We'll go for it if their new offer is competitive," he said.

Meanwhile, Thai Rice Exporters Association's Honorary President Chookiat Ophaswongse told news agency Reuters on Thursday that "Thailand will submit a new offer. The deal is not totally off."Earlier, an Indian delegation also demanded high prices that Bangladesh did not agree, said Badrul.

He said, "These price offers are way higher than the prices international rice suppliers are quoting against the import tenders we've floated."

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Following this year's crop loss owing to Haor flashfloods and fungal attacks (rice blast), the government approved a 2.5 lakh tonnes of rice import from Vietnam in mid-June for replenishing stock in public granaries that slipped to a six-year low.Besides, the food directorate floated six international tenders in the last two months to buy three lakh tonnes of rice.

These moves came at a time when domestic retail markets saw a 47 percent hike in prices of coarse rice in June this year comparing to that of last year.Bangladesh, the world's fourth largest rice producer, has emerged as a major importer of the staple this year due to the depleted stocks and record local prices following the flashfloods.

Official sources said prices of rice, now under the import pipeline, ranged between $400 to $470 a tonne. But both India and Thailand are asking Bangladesh to pay $500.Badrul told The Daily Star, "We're going to Cambodia this Tuesday and see if we get a competitive price offer there.

There is no desperation as our stock is now being gradually replenished with Vietnamese rice reaching our ports." Apart from this, private traders have imported 1.22 lakh tonnes of rice, mostly from India, since July 1 after the import duty was lowered to 10 percent from 28 percent.

Yet, the rice market remains volatile with prices of largely consumed coarse rice still hovering around Tk 43 to 45 a kilogram, down by just Tk 2 to 3 from their peaks in June in Dhaka's retail markets. In this backdrop, the government is now looking to import at least two to three lakh tonnes of the staple from Cambodia, which produces more than nine million tonnes of rice a year with a third to spare for export http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/govt-moves-buy-rice-cambodia-1440484

China agrees to allow imports of U.S. rice for first time: USDA China has agreed to allow imports of rice from the U.S. for the first time, United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced on Thursday. ―The agreement with China has been in the works for more than a decade and I’m pleased to see it finally come to fruition, especially knowing how greatly it will benefit our growers and industry,‖ Perdue said in a statement announcing that the long-delayed phytosanitary protocol to permit the import of U.S.-milled rice into China had been signed.The announcement could be a big deal for rice farmers in Colusa County and the Sacramento Valley.

China is the world’s largest producer of rice. Since 2013, it has also been the world’s largest importer. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects China to import 4.8 million metric tons of milled rice in 2017/18, making it the world’s largest import market, according to USA

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Rice.

California is the second largest rice producing state, with more than 95 percent of the state’s approximately 550,000 acres of rice being grown in the Sacramento Valley. California ships about two million tons overseas to customers on average each year. ―The potential is there for market growth. It’s not a bad thing, for sure,‖ said Colusa County Agricultural Commissioner Greg Hinton. The biggest boon to the area’s growers and millers could be an increase in prices, which have been down in recent years. ―I know that it’s going to be good for the market and for the industry. Prices have been really depressed lately. They’ve come up a little bit recently, but it’s been a tough last couple of years for the rice growers,‖ said Colusa County Supervisor Denise Carter, who is also a rice grower. ―China represents a huge market, and we produce a quality product. I think that’s where, for California rice, in particular, this is going to be a big deal.‖

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The target market for US rice, and particularly California-grown rice, is China’s emerging middle class, Hinton said. ―Everything I’ve heard about it is what the U.S. is betting on is that the middle class in China will be looking for a better quality product (than what is grown in China domestically),‖ Hinton said. ―We already have that. If they’re looking for better quality rice, it could really be a boost to us. It’s a gamble, but it’s a good one, and I’m glad that market opened up.‖ While the potential is there for rice prices to rebound against the backdrop of the newly-opened market in China, it’s by no means a guarantee. It certainly won’t happen immediately.

Before any U.S. growers can export any rice to China, the new rice protocol between the two countries will need to be implemented. According to USA Rice, it is the most complex rice phytosanitary agreement the U.S. has ever entered into. The USDA said that exports to China can start after Chinese officials complete an audit of U.S. rice facilities. ―I think there is excitement to it, but rice farmers – until they can get that product over there – aren’t going to get excited about anything. I think everyone is on the fence, just waiting to see what this does to the market,‖ Hinton said. https://williamspioneer.com/article/82622

Rajkot Foodgrain Prices- July 28, 2017 Reuters | Jul 28, 2017, 02:15 PM IST

Rajkot Foodgrain Prices Open- July 28 Jul 28 (Reuters) - Market delivery prices of food grains and pulses at Rajkot in India's western state of Gujarat opened on a steady to weak trend, traders said Thursday. * * FOOD GRAINS & PULSES * Gram prices eased due to low retail demand. * Udid prices moved down due to sufficient supply. Prices of food grains and pulses in rupees per 20 kilograms, and deliveries in 100-kilogram bags: Delivery Auction price Previous price FOOD GRAIN Wheat Lokwan 00,270 320-370 318-368 Wheat Tukda 00,820 319-388 319-385 Jowar White 055 350-550 335-525 Bajra 0,020 210-251 185-265 PULSES Gram 00,200 0,800-0,980

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0,812-0,980 Udid 0,300 0,650-0,930 0,650-1,000 Moong 0,300 0,617-0,880 0,800-0,900 Tuar 0,360 0,605-0,665 0,600-0,666 Maize 008 262-325 261-325 Vaal Deshi 050 0,450-0,650 0,5000,625 Choli 0,030 0,810-1,400 0,875-1,475 Rajkot market delivery prices in rupees per 100 kilograms:. Today's Price Previous close FOOD GRAINS Wheat Mill quality 1,600-1,610 1,6001,610 Wheat (medium) 1,775-1,800 1,775-1,800 Wheat (superior best) 2,050-2,100 2,050-2,100 Bajra 1,360-1,370 1,360-1,370 Jowar 2,800-2,850 2,800-2,850 PULSES Gram 05,000-05,100 05,100-05,200 Gram dal 06,700-06,800 06,700-06,800 Besan (65-kg bag) 4,900-5,000 4,9005,000 Tuar 03,700-03,800 03,700-03,800 Tuardal 06,000-06,100 06,000-06,100 Moong 4,4004,500 4,400-4,500 Moongdal 5,500-5,550 5,500-5,550 Udid 05,200-05,300 05,400-05,500 RICE IR-8 2,350-2,400 2,350-2,400 Basmati Best 8,700-8,800 08,700-08,800 Parimal 2,400-2,450 2,400-2,450 Punjab Parimal 2,700-2,750 2,700-2,750 Basmati Medium 6,000-6,100 6,000-6,100 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rajkot-foodgrain-prices-july-282017/articleshow/59806511.cms

Asia Rice-Bangladesh may call off Thai import deal over high prices Source : Last Updated: Thu, Jul 27, 2017 16:40 hrs By My Pham and Ruma Paul HANOI/DHAKA, July 27 (Reuters) - Bangladesh's plan to import rice from Thailand could be suspended due to high prices, the country's food ministry said on Thursday, after the government's deal with India fell through for the same reason. Bangladesh, the world's fourthbiggest rice producer, has emerged as a major importer of rice this year due to depleted stocks and record local prices following flash floods.

"We could not finalise the deal with Thailand as their offer was too high," said a senior food ministry official, who asked not to be quoted as he is not authorised to talk to the media. This would not hamper import plans, he said, adding, "we are going to Cambodia next week."

However, Badrul Hasan, the head of the state grains buyer, told Reuters that the deal was still open. "We'll go for it if their new offer is competitive," he said. The fifth tender by Bangladesh's state grains buyer to import 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice, which opened on Thursday, drew the lowest offer from Olam at $419.51 a tonne, CIF liner out.

Its sixth tender since May for a similar quantity of rice will close on Aug. 8. The possible suspension of the deal with Thailand came after the government deal with India failed to materialise due to high rates, though private traders have been importing the grain from its neighbour since last month after the government cut import tariffs. A Thai delegation was in Dhaka early this week to finalise the deal to export up to 200,000 tonnes of rice. "Thailand will

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submit a new offer. The deal is not totally off," Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association told Reuters.

The price band on country's benchmark 5-percent broken rice widened slightly at $395-$408, free-on-board (FOB) Bangkok. Traders in Bangkok cited weak demand and slow trade, but the small rise in quotes was due to the appreciation of the Thai baht against the dollar. The baht was trading at 33.32 against the dollar, the strongest in more than two years. In Vietnam, the world's third biggest rice exporter, domestic prices edged up after Vietnamese rice suppliers won deals for selling a total volume of 175,000 tonnes. "Local prices rose slightly but FOB prices couldn't as they are high already," said a trader in Ho Chi Minh City.

The country's benchmark 5-percent broken rice stayed flat at $400-$405 a tonne, FOB Saigon.

Trade was thin as export prices were too high, with the market now mostly focusing on government-to-government deals. "Commercial trade can only be more vibrant once the prices drop further, which is not likely to happen soon," the trader added. India also saw sluggish export demand which caused its 5 percent broken parboiled rice prices to ease by $5 per tonne to $400 to $403. "Still, demand is weak.

There is no improvement in demand from African buyers," said an exporter based in Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. India, the world's biggest rice exporter, mainly exports non-basmati rice to African countries and premier basmati rice to Middle East. "The appreciating rupee has been making it difficult for us to lower prices," said another exporter based in Kakinada. (Reporting by My Pham in HANOI, Ruma Paul in DHAKA, Patpicha Tanakasempipat in BANGKOK and Rajendra Jadhav in MUMBAI; Editing by Vyas Mohan) http://www.sify.com/news/asia-rice-bangladesh-may-call-off-thai-import-deal-over-high-pricesnews-environment-and-nature-rh1qEichbgdhi.html

Govt moves to buy rice from Cambodia As two successive attempts to import rice from Thailand and India have apparently fallen through for high prices, the government is now seeking to buy the staple from Cambodia. A fivemember delegation, led by Food Minister Qamrul Islam, is going to the country on Tuesday for striking a deal in this regard. Recently, official teams from the two countries visited the capital for negotiating the agreements. However, they asked for prices, which could not be agreed by Dhaka.

Amidst a projected shortfall of 15 lakh tonnes of rice this year, the food ministry desperately sought to buy rice from Thailand and India under government-to-government arrangements, weeks after signing a G2G deal to import the staple from Vietnam. "The Thai delegation that visited Bangladesh from July 23 to 24 asked for a price that we couldn't agree. We asked them to

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lower the price,‖ Badrul Hasan, director general of the food directorate, told The Daily Star yesterday.

"We'll go for it if their new offer is competitive," he said. Meanwhile, Thai Rice Exporters Association's Honorary President Chookiat Ophaswongse told news agency Reuters on Thursday that "Thailand will submit a new offer. The deal is not totally off." Earlier, an Indian delegation also demanded high prices that Bangladesh did not agree, said Badrul.

He said, "These price offers are way higher than the prices international rice suppliers are quoting against the import tenders we've floated." Following this year's crop loss owing to Haor flashfloods and fungal attacks (rice blast), the government approved a 2.5 lakh tonnes of rice import from Vietnam in mid-June for replenishing stock in public granaries that slipped to a sixyear low. Besides, the food directorate floated six international tenders in the last two months to buy three lakh tonnes of rice.

These moves came at a time when domestic retail markets saw a 47 percent hike in prices of coarse rice in June this year comparing to that of last year. Bangladesh, the world's fourth largest rice producer, has emerged as a major importer of the staple this year due to the depleted stocks and record local prices following the flashfloods. Official sources said prices of rice, now under the import pipeline, ranged between $400 to $470 a tonne. But both India and Thailand are asking Bangladesh to pay $500. Badrul told The Daily Star, "We're going to Cambodia this Tuesday and see if we get a competitive price offer there. There is no desperation as our stock is now being gradually replenished with Vietnamese rice reaching our ports. " Apart from this, private traders have imported 1.22 lakh tonnes of rice, mostly from India, since July 1 after the import duty was lowered to 10 percent from 28 percent. Yet, the rice market remains volatile with prices of largely consumed coarse rice still hovering around Tk 43 to 45 a kilogram, down by just Tk 2 to 3 from their peaks in June in Dhaka's retail markets. In this backdrop, the government is now looking to import at least two to three lakh tonnes of the staple from Cambodia, which produces more than nine million tonnes of rice a year with a third to spare for export. http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/govt-moves-buy-rice-cambodia-1440484

Kharif sowing completed in 75% of crop area While overall planting area so far is 3.3% higher than last year, farmers have planted more area under cotton and sugarcane, but reduced sowing of crops like arhar

While rice, the main kharif crop, has been sown in 21.6 million hectares, 2.4% higher than the planting by this time last year, overall sowing of pulses is higher by 7%. Photo: Pradeep

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Gaur/Mint

Sowing of rain-fed kharif crops has been completed in 75% of the crop area, shows data released by the agriculture ministry on Friday.

While overall planting area so far is 3.3% higher than last year, farmers have planted more area under cotton and sugarcane, but reduced sowing of crops like arhar (pigeon pea) and oilseeds, the data shows. According to the agriculture ministry, farmers have so far completed sowing in 79 million hectares, 3.3% higher than the 76.6 million hectares planted by this time last year.

While rice, the main kharif crop, has been sown in 21.6 million hectares, 2.4% higher than the planting by this time last year, overall sowing of pulses is higher by 7%.

Sowing of kharif crops begins in June and continues through July as the monsoon progresses across the country. During the kharif season, farmers typically plant around 106 million hectares.

The data shows farmers have cut down area under pulse varieties like arhar, likely taking a cue from lower wholesale prices which dipped below government-announced support prices earlier this year. Area under arhar so far is 3.48 million hectares, 15.5% lower than the 4.13 million hectares planted by this time last year. Similarly, lower oilseed prices last year have prompted farmers to sow less, the data shows.

Farmers have planted various oilseeds in 14.2 million hectares so far, 9.2% lower than last year’s area. While sowing of groundnut is lower by 11.5%, that of soybean is lower by 10.3%

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compared to the year before, the data shows. In comparison, better cotton prices have prompted farmers to bring in more area under the fibre crop. So far, farmers have planted over 11 million hectares under cotton, 21% higher than last year. Planting of sugarcane too is higher by 8.7%.

The June-September south-west monsoon, which waters over half of India’s farms lacking assured irrigation, has so far seen 4% surplus rains compared to the normal 50-year or longperiod average, the India Meteorological Department said on Friday. However, rainfall is 15% deficient compared to normal in southern states, the forecaster said. http://www.livemint.com/Politics/AC7lg8VTmquvS5R2j0RJTM/Kharif-sowing-completed-in75-of-crop-area.html

Muted demand drags down rice basmati prices 28 JULY 2017 Last Updated at 2:27 PM

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 6,300-6,500, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 5,000-5,050, Permal raw Rs 2,150-2,175, Permal wand Rs 2,200-2,225, Sela Rs 2,300-2,400 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,8251,850, Bajra Rs 1,180-1,190, Jowar yellow Rs 1,450-1,500, white Rs 2,900-3,100, Maize Rs 1,300-1,305, Barley Rs 1,465-1,475 New Delhi, Jul 28 Rice basmati prices fell by up to Rs 250 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today owing to slackened demand.

Barley also eased on reduced offtake by consuming industries.

Traders said easing demand against adequate stocks position, mainly pulled down rice basmati prices.

Meanwhile, the Centre yesterday fixed higher rice procurement target at 37.5 million tonnes for the 2017-18 marketing season beginning October on hopes of good production.

The government's rice procurement has touched 34.35 million tonnes (MT) in the ongoing 201617 marketing season (October-September). The procurement has already crossed the target of 33 million tonnes set for this year.

In the national capital, rice basmati Pusa-1121 and common slipped to Rs 5,000-5,050 and Rs 6,300-6,500 from previous levels of Rs 5,250-5,300 and Rs 6,500-6,700 per quintal, respectively.

Non-basmati rice permal raw, wand,sela and IR-8 also settled lower at Rs 2150-2175, Rs 2,2002,225, 2,300-2,400 and Rs 1,825-1,850 from previous levels of Rs 2,200-2,225, Rs 2,2502275,Rs 2,400-2,500 and Rs 1,850-1,900 per quintal respectively in line with basmati trend.

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Barley too shed Rs 10 to Rs 1,465-1,475 per quintal.

Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal): Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,100-2,350, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,765-1,770, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,770-1,775, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 260-300, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour mill Rs 970-980 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,010-1,020 (50 kg)and Sooji Rs 1,035-1,040 (50 kg).

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 6,300-6,500, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 5,000-5,050, Permal raw Rs 2,1502,175, Permal wand Rs 2,200-2,225, Sela Rs 2,300-2,400 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,825-1,850, Bajra Rs 1,180-1,190, Jowar yellow Rs 1,450-1,500, white Rs 2,900-3,100, Maize Rs 1,300-1,305, Barley Rs 1,465-1,475. https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/muted-demand-drags-down-rice-basmati-prices/1110360

Govt remains reluctant to buy Thai rice over high prices

Bangladesh government's plan to import rice from Thailand could be suspended due to high prices, the country's food ministry said on Thursday, reports Reuters.The government's deal with India fell through for the same reason. Bangladesh, the world's fourth-biggest rice producer, has emerged as a major

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30 importer of rice this year due to depleted stocks and record local prices following flash floods. "We could not finalise the deal with Thailand as their offer was too high," said a senior food ministry official, who asked not to be quoted as he is not authorised to talk to the media.

This would not hamper import plans, he said, adding, "we are going to Cambodia next week."owever, Badrul Hasan, the head of the state grains buyer, told Reuters that the deal was still open."We'll go for it if their new offer is competitive," he said.The fifth tender by Bangladesh's state grains buyer to import 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice, which opened Thursday, drew the lowest offer from Olam at $419.51 a tonne, CIF liner out.Its sixth tender since May for a similar quantity of rice will close on Aug. 8.The possible suspension of the deal with Thailand came after the government deal with India failed to materialise due to high rates, though private traders have been importing the grain from its neighbour since last month after the government cut import tariffs.A Thai delegation was in Dhaka early this week to finalise the deal to export up to 200,000 tonnes of rice.

"Thailand will submit a new offer. The deal is not totally off," Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai rice exporters’ body told Reuters.The price band on country's benchmark 5-percent broken rice RI-THBKN5-P1 widened slightly at $395-$408, free-on-board (FOB) Bangkok.Traders in Bangkok cited weak demand and slow trade, but the small rise in quotes was due to the appreciation of the Thai baht against the dollar.The baht was trading at 33.32 against the dollar, the strongest in more than two years.In Vietnam, the world's third biggest rice exporter, domestic prices edged up after Vietnamese rice suppliers won deals for selling a total volume of 175,000 tonnes."Local prices rose slightly but FOB prices couldn't as they are high already," said a trader in Ho Chi Minh City.The country's benchmark 5-percent broken rice RI-VNBKN5-P1 stayed flat at $400-$405 a tonne, FOB Saigon.

Trade was thin as export prices were too high, with the market now mostly focusing on government-togovernment deals.

"Commercial trade can only be more vibrant once the prices drop further, which is not likely to happen soon," the trader added.India also saw sluggish export demand which caused its 5.0 per cent broken parboiled rice prices RI-INBKN5-P1 to ease by $5.0 per tonne to $400 to $403."Still, demand is weak.

There is no improvement in demand from African buyers," said an exporter based in Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

India, the world's biggest rice exporter, mainly exports non-basmati rice to African countries and premier basmati rice to Middle East."The appreciating rupee has been making it difficult for us to lower prices," said another exporter based in Kakinada http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/07/27/78239/Govt-remains-reluctant-to-buy-Thai-rice-overhigh-prices

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Government revokes rice ceiling price regulation News Desk The Jakarta Post Jakarta | Fri, July 28, 2017 | 07:31 pm

Trade Minister Enggartiasto ―Enggar‖ Lukita (JP/Stefani Ribka)

The government on Friday revoked a regulation setting price ceilings for rice, following protest from traders and wholesalers.

Trade Minister Enggartiasto ―Eanggar‖ Lukita said he would invite all stakeholders to discuss a revision of Trade Ministry Regulation No 47/2017 on reference prices for rice bought from farmers and rice sold to consumers.

He claimed that the regulation had not been approved by the Law and Human Rights Ministry. However, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman had cited it as the legal

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basis for confiscating 1,160 tons of rice from a warehouse owned by PT Indo Beras Unggul (IBU) in Bekasi, West Java.

Under the regulation, the consumer price for rice is capped at Rp 9,000 (66 US cents) per kilogram for medium-quality and premium rice, while PT IBU sold its medium and premium rice at Rp 13,700 and Rp 20,400 per kilogram, respectively.

Enggar promised to include the concerns of all stakeholders in the regulation on rice prices. ―The authority to issue the regulation lies with the government, but before we issue a regulation, we will discuss the issue,‖ said Enggar when visiting a rice wholesale market in East Jakarta on Friday.

He said parties to be invited to a meeting would include representatives of the Agriculture Ministry, the Trade Ministry, the National Police, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU), distributors, traders and rice millers.

Enggar said the government would set rice reference prices soon after an agreement was reached. (dis/bbn) http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/07/28/government-revokes-rice-ceiling-price-regulation.html

Govt rice tender draws lowest offer Reuters . Dhaka | Update: 08:21, Jul 28, 2017 The lowest offer in the tender from Bangladesh to import 50,000 tonnes of rice on Thursday was from trading house Olam at $419.51 a tonne, on a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) liner out basis, officials at Bangladesh’s state grains buyer said.Three other trading houses competed for the tender issued by state grains buyer, the Directorate General of Food.

No purchase has yet been made and offers were still being considered, European traders said.Other offers in the tender in dollars a tonne CIF liner out were: Phoenix at $420, Amir Chand at $444.11 and Agro Corp at $432.65.The parboiled rice is to be shipped within 40 days of contract signing.Bangladesh is undertaking a major programme to import rice to build reserves and cool local prices after sudden floods damaged the country’s crops.Local rice prices reached record highs in May following flooding in April which wiped out around 700,000 tonnes of Bangladesh’s rice crops.Bangladesh’s plan to import rice from Thailand under a governmentto-government deal could be suspended due to high prices, after the government’s planned deal with India fell through for the same reason, Reuters reported on Thursday.Bangladesh’s next international rice tender for trading houses also seeking 50,000 tonnes will close on Aug. 8 http://en.prothom-alo.com/economy/news/154781/Govt-rice-tender-draws-lowest-offer

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Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- July 28, 2017 Reuters | Jul 28, 2017, 02:10 PM IST

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices - APMC/Open Market-July 28 Nagpur, July 28 (Reuters) - Gram and tuar prices reported higher in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on good buying support from local millers amid weak supply from producing region. Fresh hike in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and reported demand from South-based millers also helped to push up prices. About 200 of gram and 200 bags of tuar were available for auctions, according to sources. FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders amid ample stock in ready position. TUAR * Tuar Karnataka recovered further in open market on increased buying support from local traders. * Batri dal reported higher in open market here on good demand from local traders amid thin supply from producing regions. * In Akola, Tuar New - 3,500-3,600, Tuar dal (clean) - 5,5005,700, Udid Mogar (clean) - 7,200-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,500-7,200, Gram - 5,0005,100, Gram Super best - 7,200-8,000 * Wheat, rice and other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in thin trading activity. Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 4,400-4,940 4,400-4,900 Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,1002,600 Tuar Auction 3,200-3,450 3,170-3,400 Moong Auction n.a. 3,900-4,200 Udid Auction n.a.

4,300-4,500 Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800 Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,580-1,690 1,5501,690 Gram Super Best Bold 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a. Gram Medium Best 6,700-7,000 6,700-7,000 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 5,300-5,400 5,3005,400 Desi gram Raw 5,300-5,400 5,300-5,400 Gram Yellow 7,100-8,100 7,100-8,100 Gram Kabuli 12,300-13,400 12,300-13,400 Tuar Fataka Best-New 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,200-5,500 5,200-5,500 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 4,800-5,100 4,800-5,100 Tuar Gavarani New 3,9504,050 3,950-4,050 Tuar Karnataka 4,050-4,200 4,000-4,150 Masoor dal best 4,800-5,000 4,8005,000 Masoor dal medium 4,400-4,600 4,400-4,600 Masoor n.a. n.a. Moong Mogar bold (New) 6,700-7,000 6,700-7,000 Moong Mogar Medium 6,000-6,500 6,000-6,500 Moong dal Chilka5,200-6,000 5,200-6,000 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a. Moong Chamki best 6,900-7,400

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6,900-7,400 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,500-8,500 7,500-8,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,800-7,200 6,800-7,200 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,900 4,400-4,900 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,550-4,850 4,500-4,800 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,8503,050 2,850-3,050 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 2,850-3,000 2,850-2,950 Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,500-3,700 3,500-3,700 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,100-4,600 4,100-4,600 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,000 1,900-2,000 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,7501,850 1,750-1,850 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,300 2,100-2,300 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,400 2,200-2,400 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100 1,900-2,100 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a. MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,0003,600 3,000-3,600 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,700 2,200-2,700 Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,300 2,800-3,400 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,500 3,300-3,500 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,100 3,000-3,100 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,5002,800 2,500-2,800 Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,300-2,400 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,600 2,500-2,650 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,3002,400 Rice HMT New (100 INR/KG) 3,700-4,000 3,700-4,000 Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,500-5,000 4,500-5,000 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 4,100-4,300 4,100-4,300 Rice Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,800 4,400-4,800 Rice Shriram best 100 INR/KG) 6,500-6,800 6,500-6,800 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,200 5,800-6,200 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,000-13,500 10,000-13,500 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,500 5,000-7,500 Rice Chinnor New(100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,700 4,500-4,700 Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,200 1,900-2,200 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-1,900 1,800-1,900 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 29.0 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 23.0 degree Celsius Rainfall : 6.0 mm FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky with few spells of rains or thunder-showers. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 29 and 23 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices) http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-july-282017/articleshow/59806420.cms

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Global rice milling machinery market outlook 2012-2022 available in new report WhaTech Channel: Industrial Market Research 27 July 2017

Key companies profiled in this report are Satake Manufacturing, Buhler, Hunan Chenzhou, Hubei Yongxiang, Zhejiang Qili Machinery, Hunan Xiangliang, Wufeng, Jiangsu Hexi Machinery, Yamamoto and others.

Global Rice Milling Machinery Market report is replete with detailed analysis from a thorough research, especially on questions that border on market size, development environment, futuristic developments, operation situation, pathways and trend of Rice Milling Machinery. All these are offshoots of understanding the current situation that the industry is in, especially in 2017.

The will chart the course for a more comprehensive organization and discernment of the competition situation in the Rice Milling Machinery market. As this will help manufacturers and investors alike, to have a better understanding of the direction in which the Rice Milling Machinery Market is headed.

Access complete report at: www.themarketreports.com/report/global-rice-milling-machinerymarket-research-report-2017 With this Rice Milling Machinery Market report, one is sure to keep up with information on the dogged competition for market share and control, between elite manufacturers. It also features, price, production, and revenue.

It is where you will understand the politics and tussle of gaining control of a huge chunk of the market share. As long as you are in search of key Industry data and information that can readily be accessed, you can rest assured that this report got them covered.

Report available at: https://www.themarketreports.com/report/buy-now/307380 When taking a good look at this report, based on the product, it is evident that the report shows the rate of production, price, revenue, and market share as well as of the growth of each product type. And emphasis is laid on the end users, as well as on the applications of the product.

It is one report that hasn't shied away from taking a critical look at the current status and future outlook for the consumption/sales of these products, by the end users and applications. Not forgetting the market share control and growth rate of Rice Milling Machinery Industry, per application.

All the queries about this report can be asked at: www.themarketreports.com/report/ask-yourquery/307380 List of Chapters: 1 Rice Milling Machinery Market Overview 2 Global Rice Milling Machinery Market Competitions by Manufacturers

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3 Global Rice Milling Machinery Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (20122017) 4 Global Rice Milling Machinery Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017) 5 Global Rice Milling Machinery Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type 6 Global Rice Milling Machinery Market Analysis by Application 7 Global Rice Milling Machinery Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis 8 Rice Milling Machinery Manufacturing Cost Analysis 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders 11 Market Effect Factors Analysis 12 Global Rice Milling Machinery Market Forecast (2017-2022) 13 Research Findings and Conclusion 14 Appendix Category: Market Research Publishers and RetailersCompany profile: The Market Reports aims to provide the best industry and market reports to a seeker. We are looking forward to a place where we are the one stop destination for all the report seekers irrespective of any country, category, domain, etc. We are always open on call and email (24*7) to your queries and very clean with the business methodology. Since we are dealing with so many Publishers, we can actually give you what suits best in accordance to your requirements https://www.whatech.com/market-research/industrial/346721-global-rice-milling-machinery-marketoutlook-2012-2022-available-in-new-report

Cut GST on rice mill machinery, demand makers Vijay C Roy Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 26 Perturbed over high GST rate on paddy processing machinery, the paddy equipment manufacturers of Punjab will meet on Saturday to discuss future course of action. The manufacturers would request Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal to take the issue to the GST Council meeting which is scheduled on August 5.

The manufacturers are seeking lower taxes under the GST regime. Under the GST, some raw material used in the manufacturing of rice-processing plants is placed under the 18-28 per cent bracket. Prior to the GST regime, it was 6-18 per cent. They also want that input tax credit should also be extended to them like other manufacturers.

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There are over 200 rice mill machinery manufacturers in Punjab spread over Rajpura, Moga, Ludhiana, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, etc, and supply units across the country. ―There are certain raw materials purchased by us for making rice milling machines being taxed at 18-28 per cent under the GST which were earlier taxed at 6-18 per cent. Moreover, the GST on the sale of processing unit is 5 per cent. This will result in escalation of input cost by 9-10 per cent, thus making the business unviable. Further, under the GST Act, we are not subjected to claim input tax credit as we are classified under end users. We are suppliers to the millers who set up units and not end users. ―said Balbir Singh, general secretary, Rice Mill Machinery Manufacturer Association, Punjab.

According to Balabir Singh, pulley used in a rice processing unit is now being taxed at 28 per cent, which was earlier 6.05 per cent. Similarly, bearing is taxed at 18 per cent (earlier 6.05 per cent) and brackets at 28 per cent(6.05 per cent earlier). ―We are going to meet on Saturday to decide future course of action,‖ he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, Balraj Singh, spokesperson for Rajpura-based Vishwakarma Machine Tools ( P) Ltd, said, ―At this juncture, we can’t pass on the increase in the GST rates to the buyers. This will hit our bottom line. Also, small and medium entrepreneurs will find it difficult to sustain. http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/cut-gst-on-rice-mill-machinery-demand-makers/442742.html

Global Rice Milling Machinery Market 2017- Satake Manufacturing, Buhler, Hunan Chenzhou

By Ajinkya Ghule - July 27, 201703 The Rice Milling Machinery Market 2017 Research Report investigates a thorough and complete study on Rice Milling Machinery industry volume, market Share, market Trends, Rice Milling Machinery Growth aspects, wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis, manufacturing capacity and Rice Milling Machinery industry Price during Forecast period from 2017 to 2022 The research report labeled Global Rice Milling Machinery Market 2017 presents the penetrating study of Rice Milling Machinery market globally, concentrating on complete analysis of the present and past historical details of Rice Milling Machinery market. The competitive landscape view of the Rice Milling Machinery industry is also covered in this research document.

Request Report Sample Here: http://qyresearch.us/report/global-rice-milling-machinery-market2017/46483/#inquiry Competitive Study of Global Rice Milling Machinery Market 2017 Based on Key Vendors: Satake Manufacturing Buhler Hunan Chenzhou

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38 Hubei Yongxiang Zhejiang Qili Machinery Hunan Xiangliang Wufeng Jiangsu Hexi Machinery Yamamoto The report organizes the Rice Milling Machinery market across the globe into distinct portion based on industry standards. It also distinguishes the market based on geographical regions. The Rice Milling Machinery report mainly throws light on dominant players in the regions of (United States, EU, China, and Japan). Other regions can be added accordingly.

Discrete aspects of the Rice Milling Machinery industry like value chain analysis, Rice Milling Machinery industry rules and policies, the factors driving the growth of the market and the constraints hampering the growth are explained.

In next section, the Rice Milling Machinery report mentions the products that are currently available in the market along with their cost structures, manufacturing volume, requirement and supply analysis, import/export scenario and their overall contribution to the Rice Milling Machinery market revenue globally.

Buy Complete Report Here (To Get Instant access): http://qyresearch.us/report/global-rice-millingmachinery-market-2017/46483/ Further, the report global Rice Milling Machinery market 2017 analyzes the feasibility of investment, investment return analysis and shows a complete picture of market development scope and business strategies followed by leading Rice Milling Machinery industry players along with their company profile, market share and contact information.

Lastly, the Rice Milling Machinery report enlists the vital conclusions that will assist all individuals who have a keen interest in Rice Milling Machinery Market http://heraldanalyst.com/global-rice-milling-machinery-market-2017-satake-manufacturing-buhler-hunanchenzhou/

China agrees to allow imports of U.S. rice for first time: USDA Michael Hirtzer A chef poses with a handful of rice inside a restaurant in Taipei January 11, 2011.Nicky Loh

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CHICAGO (Reuters) - China officials have agreed to allow imports of U.S. rice for the first time ever, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on Thursday.The move would give U.S. farmers access to the world's biggest rice consumer, with China importing about 5 million tonnes last year, Perdue said in a statement.China opened its rice market when it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 but a lack of phytosanitary protocol between China and the United States effectively banned imports, according to trade group USA Rice.

"We waited a decade for the protocol to be signed and our members are anxious to meet the demand of China's consumers for safe, high-quality U.S. rice," USA Rice President Betsy Ward said in a statement, adding that China consumes the equivalent of the entire U.S. rice crop every 13 days.The USDA last month estimated U.S. milled rice production this year at 6.07 million tonnes, down from 7.12 million tonnes last year.The announcement was another sign of strengthening relations on agriculture trade between the United States and China under U.S. President Donald Trump, despite disagreements in other areas such as steel.China last month resumed imports of U.S. beef for the first time since 2003. Last week, Chinese buyers inked deals valued at about $5 billion during a ceremony in Iowa to buy 12.53 million tonnes of U.S. soybeans and 371 tonnes of beef and pork.

U.S. rice futures rose about 14 cents to a one-year high at $12.00 per cwt after the news.China intends to send inspectors to visit U.S. rice mills and facilities to ensure shipments would not introduce pests into China, said Carl Brothers, chairman of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee.Stuart Hoetger, a rice trader at California's Calrose Co-op, said he hoped to sell rice to China as soon as retailers there were approved to take in imports. The cooperative of California rice farmers already has customers in the Middle East and elsewhere in Asia."I don't think it will explode overnight but I think it could turn into significant demand," Hoetger said.

Reporting by Michael Hirtzer; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli http://www.reuters.com/article/us-asia-security-idUSKBN1AE0EL

Trends-business ngredion calls its new process stable rice flours clean label first A new, multifunctional line of waxy rice flours meets increased consumer demand for cleanlabel flours and provides manufacturers with a clean-label flour that is highly process stable, says supplier Ingredion Inc. (Westchester, IL). The company is calling its new Homecraft Create rice flours an industry first, noting that it can create smooth, silky textures in clean-label and glutenfree products.

Ingredion says its proprietary consumer research on labeling preferences suggests that ―rice flour‖ is one of the most accepted, common ingredients used in the food and beverage industry, and that consumers in the U.S. and Asia Pacific region, in particular, significantly prefer the

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―rice flour‖ label to other ingredients. Thus, it says, its goal was to develop a clean-label rice flour that delivers the functionality, tolerance, stability, and shelf life of non-clean label ingredients such as modified starches or ingredients requiring the use of hydrocolloids. ―Ingredion has been a pioneer in the clean-label movement and in understanding consumer attitudes and preferences towards specific ingredients and claims,‖ Daniel Haley, director of the global Wholesome Springboard, Ingredion, said in a press release. ―The exciting development of Homecraft Create multifunctional rice flours, leveraging our recent investments in Asia-Pacific, reflects the continued commitment of researchers working in this area at our global network of Ingredion Idea Labs innovation centers.‖ Angelina De Castro, senior marketing manager of Ingredion’s Wholesome Springboard, North America, elaborated: ―Providing highly functional rice flours with added stability and enhanced texture allows our customers to design new products that are as close as possible to what consumers would expect in an authentic recipe.‖ According to the company, applications testing has previously demonstrated rice flour’s ability to enhance formulations of baby foods, soups, dairy alternatives, fruit fillings, snack products, meats, batters, and ready meals, among others. Ingredion debuted the ingredient at June’s Institute of Food Technologists’ Annual Meeting and Food Expo in Las Vegas. http://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/trends-business/ingredion-calls-its-new-process-stable-rice-floursclean-label-first

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Singapore 'food sharing' pioneer Tony Tay of Willing Hearts among winners of Philippines' Magsaysay awards REUTERS Jul 28, 2017 FacebookTwitterGoogle+Email MANILA - The Singaporean founder of a volunteer group providing hot meals to the poor is among this year's six winners of the Philippines' Magsaysay awards, the foundation responsible for the awards said on Thursday (July 27).

Mr Tony Tay's "Willing Hearts" group distributes thousands of meals every day in the wealthy city-state, where about 10 per cent of a population of 5.7 million live in poverty, the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation said in a statement.

The winners of the awards, widely seen as Asia's equivalent of the Nobel prizes, will receive a sum of US$50,000 (S$67,880) at a ceremony set for late August.

"The Magsaysay awardees are all transforming their societies through their manifest commitment to the larger good," said Ms Carmencita Abella, president of the Manila-based foundation.

"All are unafraid to take on larger causes. All have refused to give up despite meagre resources, daunting adversity and strong opposition," Ms Abella said in the statement.

Mr Tay, born in poverty, abandoned at age five and put in care at an orphanage with a sister, was recognised for "sharing food with others" after having organised a group of 300 volunteers in 2009 to provide meals to those in need.

Vegetable importer Lim Hiok Chuan, 65, hands out sacks of potatoes to an employee of Willing Hearts at the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre. Mr Lim, who has been giving his products to Willing Hearts regularly for the last 10 years, has never turned do "We are just sharing, sharing all that we have in life to make a better society," the 70 year-old businessman, who had to drop out of school to work, was quoted as saying in the foundation's statement.

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Also honoured were Japan's Mr Yoshiaki Ishizawa, cited for having empowered Cambodians to preserve their culture, and Indonesia's Mr Abdon Nababan, who worked to support the rights of indigenous people in a country that is home to the world's largest Muslim population.

Among the winners were Sri Lanka's Ms Gethsie Shanmugam, who helped rebuild the warscarred lives of women and children; and Ms Lilia de Lima of the Philippines, who led the country's economic zone authority for many years.

The Philippine Educational Theatre Association was also recognised for its "bold, collective contributions in shaping theatre arts as a force for social change", setting an example in Asia.

The awards, named after a popular Philippine president who was killed in a plane crash, were set up in 1957 by the trustees of the New York-based Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

About 300 people and 25 organisations, including ASEAN and the International Rice Research Institute, have been recognised since 1958.

SL Agritech targets expansion to India, Myanmar ABS-CBN News Posted at Jul 28 2017 07:47 PM

MANILA - Philippine-based rice research company SL Agritech Corp. is looking to expand its operations to India and Myanmar, its chairman said Friday.

The company may invest around $2 million to $3 million in Myanmar and are already in talks with a potential partner from India, said Chairman Henry Lim Bon Liong.

The company plans to produce seeds that will be sold to farmers, and eventually subcontract farmers to plant these for the sale of both their seeds and their brand of rice, Doña Maria.

Lim Bon Liong is also working on a project to make farming "cool." He has found a partner in Kapamilya star and ―Ang Probinsyano‖ lead actor Coco Martin.

"Over the years, farmers have been depicted as senior, matanda na, amoy lupa, bungi ngipin. Now we want to change the image of farmers," Lim Bon Liong told ABSCBN News on the sidelines of the 25th Metro Manila Business Council.

"We want to encourage the youth to go back to farming… In the future, we want them to be [in] coat and tie, driving SUVs... We want this to be aspirational," he said.

Last month, SL Agritech signed a collaboration agreement with Bangladesh firm EnP Solutions Ltd. for the seed production of a high-yielding rice hybrid which could withstand both dry and wet climates.

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Cooking up a rice day Friday, July 28th 2017, 9:16 am PKTFriday, July 28th 2017, 4:14 pm PKT Posted by Diana Davis, Anchor - Reporter

Keith Cleek and Leigh Ann Bullington cook up Avgolemono in the KAIT studios. (Source: KAITTV)

Finished product! This is what Avgolemono looks like when it is cooked thoroughly. (Source: KAIT-TV)

Rice cooking demonstrations are part of the 2017 Arkansas Rice Expo. (Source: KAIT-TV)

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What soup looks like just after all ingredients are added. It must cook for 15 minutes or until rice is cooked through. (Source: KAIT-TV)

JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) -

Rice cooking demonstrations, field tours, youth activities, a plant health clinic and a "Bug Bonanza" are all part of the 2017 Arkansas Rice Expo.

The expo is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Aug. 4 at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart at 807 US 165 next to Phillips Community College and admission is free.

"The producers or anyone can go out to the fields and see the research being done," Leigh Ann Bullington, of the University of Arkansas Research and Extension office in Woodruff county, said.

"There will be seminars highlighting the latest things for rice producers. There's just education galore!"

Bullington joined Keith Cleek, Regional Program Associate for the University of Arkansas Research and Extension on Mid-Day. The pair packed the table on the interview set with ingredients for making Avgolemono Lemon Rice Chicken Soup.

"This helps kick off our recipe contest," Cleek said.

"It's a Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Rice Soup," Bullington said. "The whole dish takes maybe about 30 minutes. It has to cook about 15 minutes."

She explained that the recipe uses Arborio rice.

"That's Italian rice," Bullington said. "We do grow it here in the United States, mostly in California. But some is grown here in Arkansas. It's shorter, plumper and has more starch to it. It's going to give our soup a nice consistency."

Avgolemono Lemon Rice Chicken Soup           

1 Tbsp olive oil 1 leek chopped 2 medium carrots, diced 2 qt of unsalted chicken stock 1 cup of Arborio rice Juice from 1 lemon 3 eggs 2 cups shredded chicken, (boneless, skinless breast meat) 1 bay leaf ¼ cup of fresh dill, chopped salt and pepper to taste

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45 Heat oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add leek and carrots and cook for about 5 minutes or until tender. Add chicken stock, rice and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes or until rice is cooked through.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl beat eggs together with the lemon juice.

Add chicken to the pot, then add a ladle of soup broth to the eff mixture and stir. Pour the egg mixture into soup to thicken. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Add more lemon juice as desired. Add dill and cook for a few more minutes before serving.

Serving suggestions: Top with sliced lemons, lemon zest, feta cheese and more dill.

Serves 10. 190 calories, 5g fat; 85 mg chol;21 g carb; 0g fiber; 15g protein For more information on the Arkansas Rice Expo, click here.

Copyright 2017 KAIT. All rights reserved.

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Permanent listing of rice futures delayed 8:38 pm, July 28, 2017 Jiji PressTOKYO (Jiji Press) — The proposed permanent listing of rice futures products on an Osaka exchange is now likely to be postponed, due to opposition from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, it was learned Thursday.

The LDP notified the agriculture ministry on the day of its position that the permanent listing is unacceptable. But the party appears ready to accept another extension of the current trial listing on the Osaka Dojima Commodity Exchange.

The exchange filed with the ministry this month to list rice futures products on a permanent basis, but is now expected to submit a new application to extend the current trial of rice futures trading, which started in August 2011.

The trial has already been extended twice, in 2013 and 2015, as the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives group, which has a significant share in the domestic rice market, is concerned that full-fledged rice futures trading could cause excessive volatility in rice prices.

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You likely can’t recognize faces when they’re upside down — and neither can the Japanese rice fish Last updated on July 29th, 2017 at 12:20 pm by Tibi Puiu

Japanese rice fish (Oryzias latipe). Credit: Wikimeida Commons.

Some people recognize and remember faces better than others. This ability is suddenly lost if the face is inverted or if, by some weird turn of events, you’re seeing things upside-down. This brain quirk has been thoroughly documented and until not too long ago it was thought to be solely a mammal thing. A new study performed by scientists at the University of Tokyo, however, shows that this happens to Japanese rice fish as well. It follows that inverted-face brain override is likely linked with brain mechanisms in social animals in general, be them mammals or fish.

A social fish Japanese rice fish (Oryzias latipes) are tiny 3.5-centimeter-long shoaling fish commonly found in slow-moving streams in East Asia. As the name implies, they’re most often encountered in rice paddies where they mingle with their peers.

This is a highly social fish known to be able to recognize individuals easily. With this in mind, the Japanese researchers thought this was an excellent opportunity to investigate whether the face-inversion effects applies to these animals too.

To make things relevant, the researchers exploited the fact that rice fish females mate faster with a male that they recognize. What they did was pair various acquainted male and female rice fish, before gradually masking either the face, body or tail of males with a semi-transparent film.

The team found that only when the male’s face was covered did the female fail to recognize its pair. To work out whether the fish are able to recognize inverted faces too, the Japanese scientists simply used a prism to inverted the male’s face either vertically or horizontally.

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To everyone’s surprise, the fish were unable to recognize the inverted faces, whether horizontal or vertical. And just like humans, they were able to recognize inverted objects that don’t resemble faces instead.

Face time Humans have no problem recognizing a chair or car that’s upside down but neither we nor the Japanese rice fish can seem to handle inverted faces. This has something to do with a region of the brain dedicated to processing faces called the fusiform face area. This brain area stores and simplifies faces so you make next to no effort when the time comes to identify an individual.

Oddly, the fusiform face area (FFA) stops showing brain activity when faces or objects resembling faces are revolved 180 degrees.

We always thought FFA’s response had something to do with how social us mammals are, but to witness a fish behave in the same way comes with many implications. The findings hint that there has been an evolutionary trade-off when animals specialized their face-recognition ability.

Although the upside-down and right-side-up face essentially conveys the same information, primate and some fish brains that we know of so far have gone down a route that quickly and accurately identifies faces. Somewhere along this route, a decision has been made to ignore information from objects resembling faces of an unexpected orientation.

This hypothesis makes sense. Just take a second to imagine ancient humans strolling through the dark woods in search of game. Their brains are already hardwired to confuse a twig for a snake because a false positive is better than the risk of a false negative — it could mean the difference between life and death. At the same time, twisted roots or twigs that might form an inverted face would only confuse us. A lot of things look like faces after all. So, a necessary trade-off had to be made.

http://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/japanese-rice-fish-04233/ FROM THE WEB http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/28/17/sl-agritech-targets-expansion-to-india-myanmar

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