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Govt. decides to import rice owing to impending shortage Arkansas rice crop overcoming early-season setbacks DA may have miscalculated PHL's rice needs – Pangilinan Korea delays official announcement to open rice market South Korea’s rice farmers prepare for rough ride from free trade Gov’t sets review of NFA rice procurement subsidy Vietnamese firm did not bribe to win Filipino rice deal, official says Rice exports projected to reach 3.6 mln tonnes in H2 Thai rice exports in 2014 projected at 9 million tonnes NACC: probes looking into rice scheme corruption still on the way NFA assures sufficient, quality rice for Antiqueños Rice imports stabilise prices. Investment hurdles slow rice exports Iraq issues new tender to buy minimum 30,000 T rice Broken rice: SBP allows export refinance TABLE-India Grain Prices-Delhi- June 30 India Gets Lowest June Rain in 5 Years as El Nino Looms Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- June 28 Late monsoon hits paddy farmers hard 'Give us more water', urges rice grower Vietnamese firm did not bribe to win Filipino rice deal, official says Rice prices soar even in research town Even prices of rice hull rising Mechanization of rice, corn farms to get P4.26-B fund Philippines to import extra 200,000 tonnes of rice from Vietnam Old rice stocks vanish from market Investment hurdles slow rice exports S.Korea delays decision on how to open rice market
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Govt. decides to import rice owing to impending shortage By The Nation
Sunday, 29 June 2014 00:00
A release issued by the Ministry of Co-operatives and Internal Trade cited that the government has decided to import 100,000 metric tones of rice to avoid an impending shortage or a plausible increase in prices in the domestic market. Accordingly, the rice which will be imported via Sathosa is to be sold under the government controlled prices.Officials add that a large number of paddy fields had been affected by the inclement weather in the recent past and the decision had been reached to ensure the demand is met. The Ministry also cited that such a decision had been reached owing to complaints by the general public that private rice mill owners were concealing rice stocks to create an artificial shortage so as to increase prices in the near future.According to the state-controlled price, the maximum retail price of a kilogram of Samba will be Rs.77 while for a kilogram of white Nadu, will be sold at Rs.68.Meanwhile the President had instructed officials to maintain enough paddy stocks as the harvest was limited to drought experienced during Yala season in this year. The President also instructed the officers to quash the false rumors regarding the use of carbonic fertilizer on the harvest in Nuwara Eliya area. The Department of Census estimated a paddy harvest of 1.2 million tons during the Yala season. But the delay in the monsoon and unexpected heavy rains and floods destroyed most of the paddy cultivations in the Southern, Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.Already rice prices have increased to maximum in recent years and the average retail price of rice is above Rs.75.
Arkansas rice crop overcoming early-season setbacks Drift complaints continue across the state Jun 30, 2014David Bennett | Delta Farm Press
It hasn‘t been the easiest early growing season for Delta crops. Dodging rains, producers have often scrambled to find days to plant. Problems have compounded as delays mounted.Arkansas‘ rice crop certainly hasn‘t been spared, says Jarrod
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Hardke, state Extension rice agromist.―Since the beginning of the season there has been a lot of concern about getting rice planted. That was primarily due to rains. A lot of what was planted early was held up by cool weather. Some of the pre-emerge herbicides, as they were activated, held things up some more.―After it warmed up, the rains continued and were joined by winds. That impacted herbicide applications and that‘s carried on until now --we‘re just playing a lot of catch-up.―The winds just wouldn‘t let up. We had persistent, 20-mile-per-hour winds for around two weeks and planes had no business being in the air.‖ In turn, all of that ―affected the pre-flood fertilizer applications. We fell into a pattern of ‗it‘s too wet to get it out on dry ground, which is our target.‘ Then, producers had to decide on alternate fertilizer strategies for a number of acres because of the growth stage of crop. It was getting a bit beyond our optimum fertilize-and-go-to-flood term.‖ In some cases, says Hardke, there was ―a little room and we were able to wait for the ground to dry out. In others, we had to put fertilizer on mud, which isn‘t the best practice but is better than putting in into water. Of course, there were also situations where we had to spoon-feed into the water. ―On days when it‘s too windy to spray, fertilizer applications have continued to be made. Well, as a result, streaking has now become apparent in some fields and will cause some issues.‖However, ―even though rice has been beat up early, most of it actually looks like it‘s been cleaned up well. At this point, considering everything, rice I‘ve seen up and down the state looks fantastic.‖
DA may have miscalculated PHL's rice needs – Pangilinan June 28, 2014 7:17pm Tags: Department of Agriculture Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan said the Department of Agriculture may have underestimated rice consumption, leading to a hike in prices."Because we did not meet our targets, there is a shortfall. Kasi 11 million (metric tones ang produced), 12 million (metric tons) ang consumption natin," explained Pangilinan in a report on "24 Oras" Saturday.In order to meet demand, President Benigno Aquino III has ordered the importation of more rice and a speedier investigation into cartels supposedly behind higher rice prices. Rice at the Marikina Public Market and Kamuning Market sells at the following prices: Sinandomeng P43-44 Dinorado P51-53 Angelica P43 Regular NFA P27 Well-milled NFA P32
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Pangilinan earlier insisted that "a combination of tightening of supply, high buying price of palay, [and] some traders taking advantage of the situation" caused rice prices to go up.He said his office, the NFA, and the Department of Justice would coordinate efforts to investigate and prosecute traders who are found to be hoarding rice.Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said on June 22 thatthe government will import 800,000 metric tons of rice this year. So far, 193,000 MT have been delivered while 274,250 MT are scheduled for delivery in late June with the balance of 332,350 MT expected in August. Furthermore, he assured the public that NFA-supplied rice will remain steady despite rice prices increasing by P2 per kilogram. — Rie Takumi/JDS, GMA News
Korea delays official announcement to open rice market Updated: 2014-07-01 AM 6:27:32 (KST)
Time is running out but the Korean government is putting off a final decision on rice market liberalization.The government was going to announce its position over the issue at an economy-related ministers' meeting on Monday but instead said more time was needed to reach a consensus. (Korean) "We will gather more opinions from the parliament and other related parties to draw a reasonable conclusion on how to develop the nation's rice industry based on the analysis."( , , .) The delay comes amid strong protests by local farmers, who say the market liberalization is all about protecting food sovereignty. The government is now likely to aim for mid-July after a public hearing on the issue at the National Assembly on July 15th. Korea must notify the World Trade Organization by the end of September on whether it plans to open its rice market. Under a 1994 agreement with the WTO, Korea had promised to liberalize its rice market, but because rice is a staple food of the nation, the government was allowed to put off the move for 20 years, in exchange for gradually raising its rice import quota.The 20-year period is set to expire at the end of this year. The government earlier this month said it's moving toward opening up the rice market, saying that raising the import quota even more to delay opening the market simply costs too much. A highranking official at Korea's agriculture ministry says that while the official announcement has been delayed, the government maintains that rice market liberalization is inevitable.Hwang Ji-hye, Arirang News. Reporter : emilyfwang@arirang.co.kr
Listen report Online: http://www.arirang.co.kr/news/News_View.asp?nseq=164713
South Korea’s rice farmers prepare for rough ride from free trade By June 29, 2014 12:54 pm Simon Mundy in Pyeongtaek, South Korea
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©Bloomberg
Lee Sang-gyu is a struggling rice farmer who fears his lot is about to get even worse as South Korea – with its long tradition of strict import quotas – prepares to dismantle its protectionist policies.The protected status of homegrown rice has long been immune from question in East Asia, where Japan slaps a near-800 per cent tariff on imports and Seoul‘s quotas limit shipments into South Korea to 408,700 tonnes this year, or about 8 per cent of national consumption. That makes rice a rare blot on South Korea‘s copybook after a decade of energetic liberalisation.But that is set to change this year as a 1993 agreement with the World Trade Organisation expires – a prospect that has sent ripples through South Korea‘s paddy fields and left thousands of farmers like Mr Lee fretting for their livelihoods.Mr Lee claims that there has been a big hit to market prices even from the limited imports allowed so far – adding to the impact of a gradual decline in rice consumption as consumer tastes diversify away from the traditional staple.―It‘s getting worse, bit by bit,‖ he says. Mr Lee‘s earnings from his business near Pyeongtaek, 60km south of Seoul, fell to $35,500 last year from $45,000 in 2011. ―I have to keep expanding the area I farm, just to get by,‖ he says.Since 2003 South Korea has signed a string of trade agreements with partners including the US, the EU, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is now pursuing entry to the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership group, as well as a trade pact with China, by far its biggest trade partner.But the liberalisation drive has proved fiercely controversial. The US trade agreement, for example, prompted street protests and one lawmaker even set off a tear gas canister in parliament, in an attempt to stop its ratification. The debate on the rice quota has been one of the most sensitive trade issues under the government of Park Geun-hye, who took power last year. In its latest review of South Korea in 2012, the WTO argued that the import quota had pushed up the cost of rice in the country, which it said was 1.6 times average world price levels in 2010.Meanwhile, the level of financial support for farmers is 2.5 times the OECD average, at about 2 per cent of gross domestic product, according to a report by the rich-country group.This is not enough to satisfy Lee Jong-hyuk, head of policy at the progressive Korean Peasants‘ League. ―The government is gradually reducing support for farmers,‖ he says. ―It will open up the rice market. It seems like other opinions are not reflected in its decision-making process.‖The agriculture ministry denied this, saying that it had undertaken extensive consultation with farmers, and that no decision had yet been taken.
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Mr Lee wants the government to negotiate an extension to the quota arrangement – as the Philippines did earlier this month. But experts at the agriculture ministry‘s public consultations have suggested an alternative option: opening the market while increasing import tariffs from the current 5 per cent to levels as high as 300-500 per cent.―This is the only way to protect the domestic rice industry. It‘s better than increasing the quota,‖ says Song Joo-ho, a researcher at the Korea Rural Economic Institute.However, others warn that such punitive tariffs could strain relations with rice exporters – notably China and the US, which last year accounted for 53 per cent and 33 per cent of South Korean rice imports. Seoul is hoping to sign a trade pact with China this year, and to win US support for its entry into the TPP group. Yet US exporters have protested against South Korean customs checks that have thrown into question their ability to benefit from the trade agreement between the two countries.This prompted an apparent warning in April by US President Barack Obama that the issue could affect South Korea‘s chances of joining the TPP.But as dragonflies buzz around Mr Lee by his rice paddy, he argues that irking trade partners is a risk worth taking.―The government is just focusing on helping big business, not addressing social inequality,‖ he says. ―We‘re vulnerable to the market and need government support, but the number of farmers going out of business is increasing.‖ Additional reporting by Tae-jun Kang
Gov’t sets review of NFA rice procurement subsidy By Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star) | Updated July 1, 2014 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The government is set to review whether it will continue providing subsidies for rice purchases as it seeks to reduce the National Food Authority‘s (NFA) debt, a Cabinet official said.Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan told reporters yesterday the review on subsidies would be discussed in a meeting that would thresh out the NFA‘s road map over the next two years.He said the meeting, which is scheduled on July 16, would look into different topics including the minimum access volume for imports, quantitative restriction on rice, as well as how to trim the debt of the NFA which amounts to P160 billion.
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The state grains agency‘s debt covers imports, subsidies and other expenditures.The NFA‘s subsidy comes in the form of procurement of palay or unmilled rice.―Before the end of the July, we will have a clear picture,‖ Pangilinan said.To address the hike in rice prices and to increase the government‘s buffer stocks, Pangilinan said the government would import an additional 200,000 metric tons (MT) of the staple.The 200,000 MT to be imported, would be on top of the previously announced volume of 800,000 MT to be purchased from overseas this year.Pangilinan said the government may conduct a repeat order for the additional rice imports, citing the procurement law which provides that direct procurement of goods from the previous winning bidder could made when there is a need to replenish the items. ―The imports should arrive during the lean months. It can‘t be in September because there is schedule of harvest in September and October,‖ he said.Asked if imports of rice by the private sector would be allowed this year, he said the government still needs to monitor developments.―We will look at an El Niño impact, supply situation and then we will decide if we will allow private sector importation,‖ he said.Meanwhile, farmers and civil society groups such as Rice Watch and Action Network, Alyansa Agrikultura, National Rice Farmers Council and Pangisda-Pilipinas have called on the National Price Coordinating Council to set a price ceiling at P39.50 per kilo for commercial well-milled rice to ensure there is available and affordable supply of the staple.In a statement, the groups said there is shortage of affordable rice in the market today. ―Unless the government acts decisively to arrest unscrupulous traders who manipulate prices to assure profits into the pockets, the current average price of P43 per kilo of rice will become the new normal. As a matter of fact, there are several stores selling rice at P45 per kilo and higher. This is dangerous because it may spur increase in hunger incidence and the government‘s touted economic gains will remain elusive to the poor majority of the population,‖ National Rice Farmers Council spokesperson Jaime Tadeo said.According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, the average retail price of rice in the third week of June is P42.85 per kilo and has been continuously increasing from P41.57 per kilo in April to P42.19 per kilo in May.The average price of rice in June 2013 was P35.31 per kilo.
Vietnamese firm did not bribe to win Filipino rice deal, official says By Phan Hau, Thanh Nien News June 28, 2014 17:27 Vietnam offers lowest prices in Philippines rice tender Vietnam‘s agricultural ministry on Friday denied an allegation that state-owned company Vinafood had paid kickbacks to Philippines officials to win a contract for supplying 800,000 tons of rice in April.A report on the Philippine daily Inquirer early this month alleged that senior agricultural officials of the Philippines facilitated the rice importation deal from Vinafood which later paid them "handsomely in illegal kickbacks."Ha Cong
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Tuan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, told the press that the ministry has yet to receive any official claims from the Philippines related to the issue.Tuan said both gereral directors of two Vietnamese companies, namely Vinafood 1 and Vinafood 2, which had participated in the April rice tender to report on the case. ―Both of them affirmed that their companies hadn‘t paid bribes to Philippines officials,‖ Tuan said.Vinafood 1 and 2 offered the lowest prices during the tender held by the NFA on April 15 to supply a total of 800,000 tons of rice between May and August. Vietnam is set to ship 800,000 tons of rice to the Philippines between May and August. Photo: Ngoc Thang. Vinafood I offered to supply 100,000 tons at US$436 per ton and another 100,000 tons at $439 per ton.Vinafood 2 offered to sell 600,000 tons in total at prices ranging from $436.5 to $439.25 per ton.Meanwhile, Cambodian companies offered a price of $469 and Thai companies $474 per ton.Inquirer on June 12 quoted a complaint by the Metro Manila Vendor‘s Association as saying that the freightage rate of the deal was overpriced by US$30 per ton -- the NFA rate is $54 per ton as opposed to the prevailing market price of $24 per ton. The complaint alleged Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and resigned National Food Authority (NFA) chief Orlan Calayag purportedly amassed US$24 million from the "midnight deal."The Philippines said Saturday it will order additional 200,000 tons from Vietnam, boosting rice imports from this country to a total of one million tons this year as Asia‘s second-biggest buyer battles retail prices that have surged to a record.
VIETNAM PRESS-Rice exports projected to reach 3.6 mln tonnes in H2 Vietnam Economic Times June 29, 2014 9:28 PM
Vietnam is projected to export 3.6 million tonnes of rice in thesecond half of 2014, with half of the volume in the three monthsending September, according to the Vietnam Food Association, theVietnam Economic Times newspaper reported.Shipment of the grain in the first half fell 6.5 percentfrom a year earlier to an estimated 3.32 million tonnes,according to government data.
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NOTE: Reuters has not verified this story and does not vouchfor its accuracy. (Hanoi Newsroom; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
Thai rice exports in 2014 projected at 9 million tonnes June 30, 2014 12:04 pm The Thai Rice Exporters Association has estimated that Thailand will be able to export nine million tonnes of rice this year, the highest level in three years, which should generate revenue of US$4.75 billion.It said the demand for Thai rice has increased due to competitive prices and overseas buyers have also expressed interest in Thai rice, especially white rice and parboiled rice.Benin, Nigeria and South Africa have continued to buy Thai rice while the most popular 'Mali' (jasmine) fragrant rice is being exported to the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore on a regular basis, it said. Despite rising demand for Thai rice overseas, local exporters have preferred to keep limited stocks due to fierce competition in the market. Meanwhile new rice harvested by Vietnam had begun entering the market and Thailand was trying to reduce its stock to prevent losses, the rice traders‘ association said.During the first five months of this year, Thailand exported 3.82 million tonnes and earned about Bt63.1 billion, up to 52.3 per cent and 19 per cent in volume and value respectively year-on-year, the association said.The major importers were Benin, China, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and the US.It is estimated that Thailand can export 900,000 tonnes of rice in June as overseas demand for Thai rice continu
NACC: probes looking into rice scheme corruption still on the way
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Date : 30 มิถุนายน 2557
BANGKOK, 30 June 2014 (NNT) – The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is compiling evidence and documents related to the alleged corruption in the rice pledging scheme initiated by two former governments. NACC
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secretary-general Sansern Poljiak has revealed that there is the probe ongoing and that the sub-committee responsible for this case is compiling information to see whether there are actual facts to judge any wrongdoing by any persons. By August, it is expected to have more concrete details. Meanwhile, the rice scheme corruption case against the government of former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is also being processed, but has been delayed due to inadequate evidence for judgment.
NFA assures sufficient, quality rice for Antiqueños BY: VICENTE W. VILLAVERT Monday 30th of June 2014 SAN JOSE, Antique, June 30 (PIA6) - - The National Food Authority (NFA) here has already mobilized NFA accredited rice retailers to ensure that sufficient and quality rice will be available starting this month.NFA 6 Acting Assistant Regional Director Hedy G. Jardeleza said that aside from the P27.00 per kilo rice, another quality NFA rice at P32.00 per kilo is now available in the market to counter the commercial rice.Jardeleza hoped that the strategy will help stabilize the price of the commercial rice. ―The public is assured that our P32/kilo NFA rice is of good quality, however our P27/kilo rice is also available at the various accredited rice outlets province-wide,‖ Jardeleza said.The NFA officer also issued a stern warning to rice retailers not to divert NFA rice into commercial rice because once they are caught they will be sanctioned.The province has around 43 accredited retailers, Jardeleza said in a PIA interview. Per NFA data, the province has 528 retailers/wholesalers.The Local Government Units will also help monitor to ensure that NFA rice is not diverted into commercial rice and our consumers will be guided where to buy our quality rice, Jardeleza said.(JSC/VWV-PIA6 Antique)
Rice imports stabilise prices. SUNDAY, 29 JUNE 2014 - 9:23
Rice prices in the market have stabilised with stocks of rice imported from India and Pakistan, coming into the market. However, there is no significant price decline and the wholesale price of local Nadu was over 66 rupees per kg and local samba was over 76 rupees. The wholesale price of imported Ponni Samba was 67 rupees. Traders said that local Nadu rice is not available in the market and the decision to import rice was a timely decision.
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Investment hurdles slow rice exports JUNE 30, 2014 BY THIHA Myanmar must attract more foreign direct investment in rice production if it is to achieve a potential doubling of rice exports, said World Bank Southeast Asia senior agricultural economist Sergiy Zorya. The Foreign Direct Investment law forbids foreign joint-venture partners in rice milling and trading without special government approval, but Mr Zorya said Myanmar needs to relax restrictions and improve mills if it is to gain more orders from higher-value European and Middle Eastern markets.Myanmar currently focuses on producing low-quality rice, with up to 95 percent of the 1.2 million tonnes exported in 2013-14 fiscal year of the low-quality 25 percent broken variety. African countries and China together make up most of the Myanmar‘s exports.―Many Thai and other potential investors find the new investment law and implementing regulations both unclear and seemingly unwelcome,‖ the World Bank‘s Myanmar: Capitalising on Rice Export Opportunities report said. It notes that three of Thailand‘s top 10 rice exporters are investing in Cambodia and others are looking at Vietnam, but ―virtually all are hesitant to invest in Myanmar‖.Myanmar Rice Millers Association chair U Tin Win said that while there may be up to 10,000 rice mills in Myanmar, only 1312 can produce 25pc broken rice and the rest are too outdated even for that. Few can produce highest quality rice, he added.Foreign investment is allowed in the rice milling industry, but in practice the hurdles are significant and discouraging, according to U Myo Thura Aye, former joint-secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF). Besides foreign investment restrictions, the industry is often stymied by a lack of a crop insurance system, poor infrastructure and machinery repairs, along with many other concerns.A large number of MoUs have been signed between local and foreign firms, but few projects have so far progressed any further, he said.Mr Zorya said that while there has been lots of discussion about investors coming to Myanmar, he has only heard of three concrete examples of FDI in the rice sector.―Even in a small country, Cambodia, there are 44 [instances of] FDI in the rice industry,‖ he said, adding Cambodia‘s rice exports had greatly benefited from foreign interest.In 2012-2013, Myanmar exported up to 1.6 million tonnes of rice, the largest amount in 46 years, largely due to booming demand from China. Traders say about 60pc of exports went to China, 35pc to Africa and the rest to a variety of markets.However, exports to China are unofficial from Beijing‘s point of view due to a lack of an agreement on health standards for rice.The European Union gave Myanmar rice preferential market access in 2012, and many are pointing to it as an area of future expansion particularly for more value-added rice.―The opportunities are there if Myanmar
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can offer good quality products at competitive prices,‖ said Mr Zorya. Significant changes need to be made, not least the modernisation of the rice mills. ―We would say if there are no changes in the rice mills … the amount of export to the EU and the Middle East will be limited.‖Some have pointed to a complicated history of involvement by foreigners in Myanmar‘s rice production and export.Under British rule Myanmar became the single most important exporter of rice in the world, said Ian Brown, a professor of economic history at the University of London‘s School of Oriental and African Studies.While increases in rice production during that period were built principally on the labour of the rice cultivator, but the profits went to the middlemen, moneylenders and export merchants, who were overwhelmingly Indian and British foreigners, he said. A high proportion of cultivators had also been dispossessed of their land by the end of the colonial period by foreigners, he added.―It is little wonder that independent Myanmar was determined to keep foreigners out of the rice economy,‖ he said.―The colonial experience, and the fight against the colonial legacy after 1948, are deeply etched in Myanmar›s perceptions of the outside world.‖ Source: MYANMAR TIMES
Iraq issues new tender to buy minimum 30,000 T rice HAMBURG, June 30 (Reuters) - Iraq's state grains buyer has issued an international tender to buy at least 30,000 tonnes of rice, European traders said on Monday.The closing date for the tender is July 6 and offers must be valid until July 10.The rice can be sourced from the United States, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Vietnam and Thailand. Vietnamese jasmine rice and Thai white rice will be accepted.Traders said the new tender may indicate Iraq had made no purchase in a previous tender for 30,000 tonnes which closed on June 23 with offers remaining valid until June 27.Iraq has also issued a separate tender to buy 15,000 tonnes of rice from India. Volumes in Iraq's rice tenders are nominal and the country frequently buys more than it tenders for. Iraq is one of the world's largest importers of rice, much of which goes to supply a national food rationing programme.In its last reported rice purchase on June 5, Iraq bought 120,000 tonnes to be sourced from the United States, Vietnam and Uruguay after also seeking offers for 30,000 tonnes. (Reporting by Michael Hogan; Editing by Pravin Char)
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Broken rice: SBP allows export refinance June 28, 2014 RIZWAN BHATTI The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has allowed export refinance facility for broken rice in order to facilitate exporters. The SBP has amended the Negative List for Export Refinance Scheme (ERS), issued in February 2003 vide Circular No BDP 5, to allow the financing for broken rice. Previously, export refinance was allowed for different packeted varieties of rice including Irri, Basmati, parboiled, white rice, brown rice in retail packets of 1-50 kilograms for the ERS. Moreover, the export of brown rice in bulk or lose is eligible to European countries under EFS Part-I against letter of credit only. For the last few months, rice exporters were making efforts for getting export refinance facility for broken rice to enhance export. Pakistani rice exporters have massive demand for broken rice from China, Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, however they were unable to compete in the world market due to non-availability of export refinance facility, which provides low-cost financing for export purposes. A leading trader said presently broken rice has a low presence in the overall rice exports, but it is being expected that with export refinance facility its share in the overall exports will increase gradually. The State Bank has issued IH&SMEFD Circular Letter No 06 of 2014 on June 25, 2014 to intimate banks that broken rice has been excluding from negative list of export refinance scheme. "The serial No 8 regarding All Grains Including Grains Flour of the Negative List issued vide BPD circular no 5 in February 2014 regarding export refinance scheme has been amended with immediate effect," the circular said. As per the circular now rice exporters can avail export refinance facility for export of broken rice like other rice varieties.
"State Bank's this move will support the country's rice exports and now traders/exporters can avail cheap financing for export of broken rice. Previously, higher financing cost was directly hurting its export," said Javed Ali Ghori, former chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP). Earlier, exporters were facing difficulties in export of broken rice as they were paying higher interest rate on its financing, however with concessional rates, export price of broken rice can compete in the world market, he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2014
TABLE-India Grain Prices-Delhi- June 30 Mon Jun 30, 2014 2:44pm IST TABLE-India Grain Prices - Delhi - Jun 30 Rates by Asian News International, New Delhi Tel: 011 2619 1464
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Indicative Grains
Previous
opening
close
(in rupees per 100 kg unless stated) ---------------------------------------------------------Wheat Desi
2,100-3,000
2,200-3,000.
Wheat Dara
1,500-1,750
1,600-1,800
Roller Mill (per bag)
1,650-1,750
Maida (per bag) Sooji (per bag)
1,750-1,850 1,900-2,200
Rice Basmati(Common) Rice Permal Rice Sela I.R.-8 Gram
1,625-1,700. 1,750-1,850. 1,900-2,200.
8,500-9,200
1,600-2,200 2,050-2,450 1,800-2,000 3,000-3,200
8,500-9,200.
1,600-2,200. 2,050-2,450. 1,800-2,000. 2,850-3,100.
Peas Green
2,700-3,000
3,700-3,000.
Peas White
2,850-3,050
2,850-3,050.
Bajra Jowar white
1,600-1,700 1,650-1,750
1,600-1,700. 1,650-1,750.
Maize
1,600-1,700
1,600-1,700.
Barley
1,500-1,800
1,500-1,800.
Source: Delhi grain market traders.
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India Gets Lowest June Rain in 5 Years as El Nino Looms By Prabhudatta Mishra and Swansy Afonso 2014-07-01T03:00:59Z Photographer: Arindam Dey/AFP/Getty Images) An Indian motorcyclist drives through flooded streets following a heavy downpour in Agartala, the capital of northeastern state of Tripura on June 11, 2014.India, the world‘s second-biggest rice, sugar and cotton grower, recorded the lowest June rainfall since 2009 amid predictions for an El Nino that previously caused droughts and cut crop output, the state forecaster said.The country got 92.4 millimeters (3.6 inches) of rain last month, or 43 percent less than the average between 1951 and 2000, the India Meteorological Department said yesterday on its website. The monsoon has made no progress over India‘s western and central regions since June 15.With 90 percent of India getting deficient rains, sowing of crops from rice to corn, soybeans and cotton has been delayed, hampering Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s efforts to rein in inflation and revive growth from near a decade low. An estimated 833 million people out of the 1.2 billion population depend on agriculture for their livelihood and the sector accounts for 14 percent of the nation‘s gross domestic product.―The rainfall pattern has gotten distorted this year, and it will have some impact on agricultural productivity,‖ Dharmakirti Joshi, chief economist at Crisil Ltd., S&P‘s local unit, said by phone from Mumbai. ―If rains revive in July and August, then you can make up for it because you have a window for late sowing till July 15. It is a risk to food inflation but not an unmitigable risk.‖Consumer inflation gains in India slowed to 8.28 percent in May, a three-month low, official data show. That compares with 8.34 percent in Pakistan and 2.5 percent in China. Food makes up about 50 percent of India‘s consumer-price inflation basket. Seasonal Showers Monsoon rainfall will be 7 percent below average this year as the El Nino emerges, the meteorological department predicts. In 2009, the last time India experienced the event, rainfall was 22 percent below the 50year average, reducing food-grain output and more than doubling inflation from the previous year, official data show. The seasonal showers are the main source of irrigation for the nation‘s 263 million farmers because about 55 percent of crop land is rain dependent.El Nino, which can roil world agricultural markets as farmers contend with drought or too much rain, may be established by September, according to climate models surveyed by Australia‘s Bureau of Meteorology. Forecasters from the U.S. and the United Nations are also warning an El Nino will occur.The monsoon may advance to Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab and some more parts of Uttar Pradesh in the next three to four days, the weather bureau said on its website yesterday.
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‘Providing Relief’ The government should take steps to tackle any shortage of food items caused by inadequate rains and import lentils and edible oils, Crisil‘s Joshi said.―It now behooves all policy makers, at the center and the state, to start planning for the worst,‖ Saugata Bhattacharya, a Mumbai-based economist at Axis Bank Ltd., said in an interview to Bloomberg TV India yesterday. ―The budget should now start to be leveraged for providing relief in the worst-hit districts, both by way of subsidies and movement of stocks.‖Modi‘s government has pledged to tackle price gains by offloading 5 million tons of rice, about a quarter of its state stockpiles, at subsidized rates and cracking down on food hoarders. It will also help states to import pulses and cooking oils if needed and set minimum export prices for potatoes, according to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.Farmers planted rice in 2.2 million hectares as of June 27, down from 3.6 million hectares a year earlier, according to the Agriculture Ministry. Sowing of oilseeds has dropped 47 percent to 479,000 hectares, while the area under cotton has slumped 48 percent to 2.9 million hectares, ministry data showed.―We will watch the progress until the first week of July before deciding the next course of action,‖ Agriculture Commissioner J.S. Sandhu, said by phone from New Delhi. To contact the reporters on this story: Prabhudatta Mishra in New Delhi at pmishra8@bloomberg.net; Swansy Afonso in Mumbai at safonso2@bloomberg.net
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- June 28 Mon Jun 30, 2014 2:22pm IST Nagpur, June 28 (Reuters) - Gram and tuar prices in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) firmed up again on good demand from local millers amid weak supply from producing regions. Notable rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and enquiries from South-based millers also jacked up prices, according to sources. *
*
*
*
FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market on subdued demand from local traders and good stock position in ready position.
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TUAR * Tuar gavarani recovered marginally in open market on renewed demand from local traders amid tight supply from producing belts.
* In Akola, Tuar - 3,800-4,100, Tuar dal - 5,700-6,000, Udid at 6,500-6,800, Udid Mogar (clean) - 7,600-8,100, Moong - 7,200-7,600, Moong Mogar (clean) 8,600-9,300, Gram - 2,000-2,200, Gram Super best bold - 3,000-3,300 for 100 kg. * Wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market in thin trading activity, according to sources.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
FOODGRAINS
Available prices
Gram Auction
2,225-2,520
Gram Pink Auction Tuar Auction
n.a.
2,090-2,500 2,100-2,600
3,700-4,350
Moong Auction
3,600-4,350
n.a.
Udid Auction
n.a.
Masoor Auction Gram Super Best Bold
Gram Medium Best Gram Dal Medium
4,200-4,500 4,300-4,500
n.a.
Gram Super Best
Previous close
2,600-2,800 3,600-3,700
3,600-3,700
n.a. 3,200-3,400 n.a.
3,200-3,400
n.a.
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Gram Mill Quality
2,900-3,000
2,900-3,000
Desi gram Raw
2,400-2,850
2,400-2,850
Gram Filter new
3,000-3,200
Gram Kabuli
3,000-3,200
8,000-9,500
Gram Pink
8,000-9,500
7,300-7,500
Tuar Fataka Best
7,300-7,500
6,300-6,600
Tuar Fataka Medium
6,300-6,600
6,100-6,300
Tuar Dal Best Phod
6,100-6,300
5,600-5,850
Tuar Dal Medium phod
5,600-5,850
5,300-5,600
5,300-5,600
Tuar Gavarani
4,350-4,450
4,300-4,400
Tuar Karnataka
4,100-4,200
4,100-4,200
Tuar Black
7,500-7,800
Masoor dal best
7,500-7,800
6,000-6,200
Masoor dal medium Masoor
5,800-6,000
n.a.
8,500-9,300
Moong Mogar Medium best
Moong dal Chilka
5,800-6,000
n.a.
Moong Mogar bold
Moong dal super best
6,000-6,200
8,500-9,300
8,000-8,200
7,600-8,000
7,600-8,000
7,700-8,300
7,700-8,300
Moong Mill quality
n.a.
Moong Chamki best
7,800-9,000
n.a.
Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
8,000-8,200
7,800-9,000 8,200-8,500
6,800-7,600
5,700-6,000
8,200-8,500 6,800-7,600
5,700-6,000
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Batri dal (100 INR/KG)
3,800-4,800
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)
2,800-2,900
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)
2,900-3,200
Watana White (100 INR/KG)
2,800-2,900 2,900-3,200
3,700-3,800
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)
3,800-4,800
5,100-5,700
1,200-1,500
Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)
3,700-3,800 5,100-5,700
1,200-1,500
1,550-1,800
1,550-1,800
1,200-1,400
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)
1,200-1,400
1,900-2,200
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG)
1,900-2,200
1,600-1,800
n.a.
n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 2,500-3,200 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)
1,600-1,800
2,500-3,200
2,000-2,400
2,000-2,400
Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG)
1,100-1,300
1,100-1,300
Wheat Best (100 INR/KG)
1,500-1,800
1,500-1,800
Rice BPT (100 INR/KG) Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)
2,900-3,200 1,600-1,800
2,900-3,200 1,600-1,800
Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG)
2,700-2,900
2,600-2,800
Rice HMT (100 INR/KG)
3,800-4,200
3,800-4,200
Rice HMT Shriram (100 INR/KG)
4,400-5,200
4,400-5,200
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,400-13,900 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG) Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
10,400-13,900
7,300-10,000
4,900-5,500 1,300-1,500
7,300-10,000
4,800-5,400 1,300-1,500
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Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)
1,600-1,700
1,600-1,700
WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 39.7 degree Celsius (103.4 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp. 24.8 degree Celsius (75.9 degree Fahrenheit) Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a. Rainfall : 13.6 mm FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely towards evening or night. Maximum and Minimum temperature likely to be around 35 and 25 degree Celsius respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)
Late monsoon hits paddy farmers hard Added At: 2014-06-29 11:48 PM Last Updated At: 2014-06-29 11:48 PM HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE RAMECHHAP: While the country was observing National Paddy Day today, farmers in Ramechhap and Rautahat were in despair, as they could not sow rice seeds due to prolonged drought. Paddy plantation normally ends in these districts within the first week of the Nepali month of Asar. Unfortunately, farmers have not been able to even sow the seeds due to the dry spell. Krishna Gopal Shrestha of Sitkha at Bhirpani Ramechhap complained ―Last year, we had started planting paddy by this time.
But this year, we are yet to sow rice seeds‖. Farmers are hoping and praying for rainfall. Aaite Majhi, a local lamented that water was flowing below their field in Tamakoshi River but they were waiting for the rain to come. Fields at Jhirpani, Pakarbas, Bethanm Rakathum, Manthali, Bhatauli, Khimti, Chisapani VDCs, among
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others, popular for paddy crops are still barren. According to Ramechhap District Agriculture Development Office, the district has 9,408 hectare land suitable for paddy. Of the total field suitable for paddy, irrigation is available in 6,790 hectares.
The remaining 2,338 hectares is dependent on rainfall. Almost 75 per cent of the fields in the district are barren, District Agriculture Office said. Peasants at Area no 1,2 and 3 in the district have to rely on rainfall. Delayed monsoon has farmers worried. Of the district‘s total 65,969 hectares of arable land, 40,625 hectares of land is suitable for paddy plantation.Raj Narayan Yadav, Chief at DAO Rautahat, said late monsoon would reduce paddy production this year.
'Give us more water', urges rice grower
Jun 29, 2014 (The Australian Financial Review - ABIX via COMTEX) --
SunRice CEO Rob Gordon wants the Australian Government to release more water for rice growers. He wants water availability to be lifted by about 20 per cent. This would allow farmers to grow more rice to take advantage of increasing global demand. Gordon wants to increase production by over 100,000 tonnes a year. SunRice reported revenue of $A1.51 billion for 201314, a rise of 7.7 per cent.
Vietnamese firm did not bribe to win Filipino rice deal, official says Vietnam‘s agricultural ministry on Friday denied an allegation that stateowned company Vinafood had paid kickbacks to Philippines officials to win a contract for supplying 800,000 tons of rice in April.A report on the Philippine daily Inquirer early this month alleged that senior agricultural officials of the Philippines facilitated the rice importation deal from Vinafood which later paid them "handsomely in illegal kickbacks."Ha Cong Tuan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, told the press that the ministry has yet to receive any official claims from the Philippines related to the issue.Tuan said both gereral directors of two Vietnamese companies, namely Vinafood 1 and Vinafood 2, which had participated in the April
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rice tender to report on the case.―Both of them affirmed that their companies hadn‘t paid bribes to Philippines officials,‖ Tuan said. Vinafood 1 and 2 offered the lowest prices during the tender held by the NFA on April 15 to supply a total of 800,000 tons of rice between May and August.Vietnam is set to ship 800,000 tons of rice to the Philippines between May and August. Photo: Ngoc Thang.Vinafood I offered to supply 100,000 tons at US$436 per ton and another 100,000 tons at $439 per ton.Vinafood 2 offered to sell 600,000 tons in total at prices ranging from $436.5 to $439.25 per ton.Meanwhile, Cambodian companies offered a price of $469 and Thai companies $474 per ton.Inquirer on June 12 quoted a complaint by the Metro Manila Vendor‘s Association as saying that the freightage rate of the deal was overpriced by US$30 per ton -- the NFA rate is $54 per ton as opposed to the prevailing market price of $24 per ton. The complaint alleged Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and resigned National Food Authority (NFA) chief Orlan Calayag purportedly amassed US$24 million from the "midnight deal."The Philippines said Saturday it will order additional 200,000 tons from Vietnam, boosting rice imports from this country to a total of one million tons this year as Asia‘s second-biggest buyer battles retail prices that have surged to a record.
Rice prices soar even in research town By Rudy Fernandez (The Philippine Star) | Updated June 30, 2014 - 12:00am
LOS BAÑOS , Philippines – Rice prices are soaring even in this rice research town of Laguna.The STAR recently made a round of rice stores in Los Baños – the center of global rice research for the past half century – and the increase in prices was evident.The lowest priced National Food Authority rice ranged from P27 to P32 per kilo while the most expensive malagkit or glutinous rice was sold at P88 per kilo.Other varieties were Jasmine sold at P72 per kilo; Milagrosa, P61.50 per kilo; organic brown rice, P6l.50 to 67 per kilo; California, P59.50 per kilo; Dinorado, P50-P56.50 per kilo; Sinandomeng (Noble Star), P54.50 per kilo; Sinandomeng (Platinum), P5l.50 per kilo; special Sinandomeng, P72 per kilo; C-4, P41 per kilo; Azucena, P46 per kilo; Maharlika, P44 to P53 per kilo; R-64, P43.50 per kilo; and Angelica, P41 per kilo.
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Los Baños became the global center of rice research in the 1960s following the establishment of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) with the support of the Rockefeller and Ford foundations.The IRRI came out with its first varieties (IR 8) half a decade later, touching off what has come to be known as the ―Green Revolution‖ in cereal.A quarter of a century later, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) was established in the University of the Philippines Los Baños complex to serve as the government‘s rice research arm under the Department of Agriculture. Since the 1960s, more than a hundred varieties of pest-resistant, high-yielding varieties (HYVs) have been bred and adopted not only by Filipino but also by foreign farmers.From 1990 to 2004, 80 HYVs were bred, giving farmers enough latitude to select which varieties suit their agro-ecological systems.Of the 80 varieties, 39 are suited for irrigated lowlands.Some of the varieties yield a maximum of 10.2 tons per hectare or more than 200 cavans per hectare. Affordable rice coming soon Meanwhile, the NFA said yesterday that high quality but low-priced rice will flood all sales outlets, including flea markets, starting this month.NFA Southern Tagalog Regional Director Tom Escarez assured the public over the weekend that their agency will ensure that both imported and locally harvested rice at low prices will be available to poor families at P25 to P27 per kilo.He said the NFA regular milled rice is priced between P25 to P27 per kilo while the well-milled rice, ―whose quality is comparable, if not better than commercial rice being sold by retailers at P45 to P48 per kilo‖ will be available for only P30 to P32 per kilo. ―This is the new thrust of the NFA to contain the alleged hoarding, uncontrolled increases in prices, and shortage of the staple commodity in public markets nationwide,‖ Escarez said.He added that 1.5 million bags of Vietnam rice arrived at the Batangas City port last Friday to augment local supply.- With Juancho Mahusay
Even prices of rice hull rising Philippine Daily Inquirer 12:11 am | Monday, June 30th, 2014
BURLY men bag rice hull from a heap near the national highway in the Science City of Muñoz. Formerly regarded as an unwanted byproduct in palay milling, rice hull, also called ―ipa,‖ has become a pricey commodity, their buying price now as much as P1 a kilogram. Anselmo Roque/Inquirer Central Luzon SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Philippines— Once regarded as an unwanted byproduct of palay, rice hull, known here as ―ipa,‖ is now an expensive commodity in farming areas in Nueva Ecija province.In the past, rice millers considered the disposal of ipa one of their major problems.Records from agriculture research agencies
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here said that of the 14 million metric tons of palay milled in the country each year, at least 3.1 million MT become ipa.Agriculture experts said big millers had devoted several hectares of their lands to the dumping ground of ipa. Others without land to spare dumped it elsewhere, including roadsides where these were burned or washed off by rainwater toward irrigation canals, creeks or rivers.Edgardo Alfonso, president of the San Jose City Rice Millers Association, said ipa had become expensive because cement manufacturers now used rice hull in their products.He said ipa, which is also used as fuel for rice hull-powered electric plants, now sells for 80 centavos to P1 a kilogram.
Alfonso, also chief operating officer of San Jose City I Power Corp., said his company would soon buy rice hull at P1 per kg from the 26 rice millers in San Jose once their power plant starts operating in the last quarter of this year.―We will be using 100,000 MT to 120,000 MT of rice hull for our plant every year. It is about 70 percent of the volume produced in our city yearly,‖ he said.Alfonso said his company was planning to put up another power plant and would buy the rest of the rice hull spewed out by the mills in San Jose City and its neighboring towns.Another power plant, which will generate 12 megawatts of electricity, is being built in Talavera town. The plant would use rice hull produced by a big rice mill based in that town, reports said.But farmers who operate a government-distributed flatbed- drying facility are complaining about the scarcity of supply and the high cost of rice hull that power the facility‘s machine.―I buy rice hull now for P2,000 [if loaded on an Isuzu Elf truck] or P5,000 [if loaded on a 10-wheel truck],‖ said Willy Bernardo, who operates a drying facility in the Science City of Muñoz.―At times, I have to wait for days [to get rice hull] because the millers sell it to cement factories,‖ he said. Also affected by the value increase of rice hull are people engaged in the production of carbonized rice hull (CRH). Promoted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) here, CRH, or partially burned rice hull, is used as substrate, or a surface on which an organism grows or is attached, to organic fertilizer, soil conditioner, water purifier, filter or absorbent, charcoal or odor neutralizer.PhilRice said the Organic Farmers Unit Association in Pangasinan province was the first to cash in on the production of CRH by exporting it to Japan.Five other people‘s organizations, it said, also made money for the production of CRH in collaboration with PhilRice, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement and a company engaged in exporting CRH. Anselmo Roque, Inquirer Central Luzon
Mechanization of rice, corn farms to get P4.26-B fund By Ronnel W. Domingo |Philippine Daily Inquirer 12:09 am | Monday, June 30th, 2014
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The Department of Agriculture wants to boost the government‘s outlay on farm mechanization by 31 percent to P4.26 billion in 2015 from P3.25 billion this year.Agriculture officials said they believed that aside from absorbing idle farm laborers, the domestic industry of manufacturing farm machines was crucial in replenishing the ranks of farmers, especially with younger people.―If the level of farm mechanization in rice and corn farm were to reach a threshold of 3 horsepower per hectare (hp/ha), this can attract young people into farming,‖ said Rex L. Bingabing, executive director of the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).―The younger generation will realize that working in a farm is not all about putting out a lot of hard physical labor under the sun,‖ Bingabing said.Currently, the use of machines in rice and corn farms is at 2.3 hp/ha. At a national average, covering all crops, farm mechanization is pegged at 1.2 hp/ha.Bingabing said the government‘s goal was to achieve a national average of 4 hp/ha, or the current rate in Thailand.Bingabing said that 3 hp/ha for rice and corn was achievable by 2016 because the DA has set for this year a farm mechanization investment package totaling P3.25 billion, including P2.48 billion for rice farms and P769 million for corn farms.
For 2015, the DA is pushing for a total of P4.26 billion, including P2.77 billion for rice and P1.49 billion for corn.According to PhilMech, the amounts cover the acquisition of machines for qualified farmer-organizations for a program under which the government shoulders 85 percent of the cost of machinery.Bingabing said that rising mechanization level would not only lower the cost of production of the staple grains over the long term. This would also address the issue of an aging population of farmers, which was slowly causing a labor shortfall in some areas of the country.―Most rice farmers are within the age bracket of 40 to 59 years although a high percentage of farmers aged 60 and older were noted in Camarines Sur and Iloilo,‖ said Bingabing, citing findings from PhilMech research. Even then, a joint effort between PhilMech and the University of the Philippines in Los Baños showed that 22 percent of farms covered by their 2013 study experienced labor shortage during peak planting and harvesting period.―Planting and harvesting activities typically account for 63 percent of total labor requirement or 45.4 man-days per hectare,‖ Bingabing said.As for general fears of machines displacing human laborers, Bingabing said the DA was developing a program that would enable farm hands to make mechanization an employment opportunity, mainly by giving training.―They can be welders, assemblers, operators and mechanics of farm machinery,‖ he sa
Bushfire science helping seeds germinate quicker and stronger Tas Country Hour By Sally Dakis Posted Mon 30 Jun 2014, 11:49am AEST
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PHOTO: Professor Steven M Smith from the University of Western Australia (Sally Dakis) AUDIO: Fires helping to breed better crops (ABC Rural) A chemical generated in bushfires could have the potential to help breed agricultural crops that establish better and faster. Winthrop Professor at the University of Western Australia Steven Smith says scientists at UWA discovered the compound, called karrikins, which are produced when plant material is burnt.He says the compound mimics plant hormones and has been found to help seeds germinate and quickly establish root systems.The scientists are now working with researchers in China to better establish rice in paddy fields. "The thing that excites me most is the possibility of discovering genes that are important in crop genetics in particular.The work in China, there is a move now towards direct planting of rice, instead of transplanting seedlings into a paddy.What they would like to do is plant seeds directly and have those germinate and establish.It might be that we can discover the genes that are responding to this compound, that provide that early vigour for seedlings", he said."I think it might have some application in crop breeding for seedling vigour in that kind of situation".Professor Steven Smith is giving a public lecture in the Stanley Burbury theatre at the Sandy Bay campus of UTAS at 5.30 pm, Monday June 30th. Listen online: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-30/bushfire-germination-rice-crops/5559446 Topics: rural, research, bushfire, agricultural-crops, hobart-7000, university-of-western-australia-6009
Philippines to import extra 200,000 tonnes of rice from Vietnam June 29, 2014 RECORDER REPORT The Philippines will import an additional 200,000 tonnes of rice from Vietnam this year to boost local supply and stabilise retail prices that have risen to record levels, fanning inflation pressures, a senior agriculture official said. Francis Pangilinan, presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernisation, announced the decision late on Thursday after a meeting with President Benigno Aquino and other agriculture officials. Pangilinan said the additional supply will boost the stocks of state grains procurement agency, National Food Authority (NFA). The government will also acquire some 20,000 tonnes of smuggled rice seized by the Bureau of Customs, he said.
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The Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, has already bought a total of 1.3 million tonnes from Vietnam, the world's No 2 exporter of the grain after India, in deals over the last seven months.The additional purchases by the Philippines could help support export prices of rice in Vietnam, which were barely changed in recent days. Loading for China, the Philippines and Malaysia helped keep rice prices stable in Vietnam in the past week despite thin buying demand. It is unclear if the planned extra rice purchase from Vietnam will be similar to the government-to-government deal the NFA sought late last year, or if bids will still be sought from rice traders there. Local retail prices of the national staple have risen by more than 20 percent from last year amid government efforts to curb rampant smuggling of the grain into the country. The NFA has been releasing more than the usual volume of rice into local markets in recent weeks in an effort to prevent prices of varieties sold by private traders from rising further. This year's rice purchases by the Southeast Asian nation are its biggest since 2010, when it bought a record 2.45 million tonnes. It bought 500,000 tonnes from Vietnam in a deal sealed in November after a strong typhoon damaged crops and almost depleted NFA's inventory. The decision to import more rice comes after Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala announced on Monday the country would keep quantitative restrictions on its purchases of the grain in place until 2017 after winning international support to maintain import curbs.
Old rice stocks vanish from market DC CORESPONDENT | June 30, 2014, 05.06 am IST Picture for representational purpose (Photo: DC archives)
Hyderabad: Rice millers are demanding that the government increase the price of rice proposed to be supplied at Rythu Bazaars to at least Rs 35 a kg, citing losses on account of rise in power tariff, transportation and other operational costs. When rice prices crossed the Rs 55 mark last year, the then Kiran Kumar Reddy government had opened special counters at Rythu Bazaars to sell rice for Rs 30. However, the traders collected up to Rs 35 then.With drought-like conditions prevailing in the state and also in the entire country even a month after rainy season started, rice millers and traders expect rice production to come down sharply this year.They are regulating the supply of old rice stocks to open the market with an aim of making money once the price soars. This has led to short supplies in the retail market leading to escalation in prices.―The price of fine quality rice
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hovered between Rs 40 and Rs 45 a kg till April end. However, the price shot up over Rs 10 per kg within one month following reports of impending drought this year in the country. There is no sowing of paddy so far. The supplies to markets have come down significantly. If the same situation continues, it will not be surprising if the price crosses the Rs 60 mark soon,‖ said B. Devender, a rice trader. Meanwhile, the civil supplies department has been insisting that rice millers sell rice for Rs 30 a kg at Rythu Bazaars. Civil supplies minister Etela Rajender already held meetings with rice millers twice, but the millers agreed to supply only if the rate is enhanced to Rs 35 a kg. The state is likely to hike the price to ` 35 in a couple of days and begin sale of rice at Rythu Bazaars.
Investment hurdles slow rice exports By Zaw Htike | Sunday, 29 June 2014
Myanmar must attract more foreign direct investment in rice production if it is to achieve a potential doubling of rice exports, said World Bank Southeast Asia senior agricultural economist Sergiy Zorya. Labourers unload rice bags at Yangon port. Photo: Staff
The Foreign Direct Investment law forbids foreign joint-venture partners in rice milling and trading without special government approval, but Mr Zorya said Myanmar needs to relax restrictions and improve mills if it is to gain more orders from higher-value European and Middle Eastern markets.Myanmar currently focuses on producing low-quality rice, with up to 95 percent of the 1.2 million tonnes exported in 2013-14 fiscal year of the low-quality 25 percent broken variety. African countries and China together make up most of the Myanmar‘s exports.―Many Thai and other potential investors find the new investment law and implementing regulations both unclear and seemingly unwelcome,‖ the World Bank‘s Myanmar: Capitalising on Rice Export Opportunities report said.It notes that three of Thailand‘s top 10 rice exporters are investing in Cambodia and others are looking at Vietnam, but ―virtually all are hesitant to invest in Myanmar‖. Myanmar Rice Millers Association chair U Tin Win said that while there may be up to 10,000 rice mills in Myanmar, only 1312 can produce 25pc broken rice and the rest are too outdated even for that. Few can produce highest quality rice, he added.Foreign investment is allowed in the rice milling industry, but in practice the hurdles are significant and discouraging, according to U Myo Thura Aye, former joint-secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF).Besides foreign investment restrictions, the industry is often stymied by a lack of a crop insurance system, poor infrastructure and machinery repairs, along with many other concerns.A large number of MoUs have been signed between local and foreign firms, but few projects have so far progressed any further, he said.Mr Zorya said that while there has been lots of discussion about investors coming to Myanmar, he has only heard of three concrete examples of FDI in the rice sector.―Even in a small country, Cambodia, there are 44 [instances of] FDI in the rice industry,‖ he said, adding Cambodia‘s rice exports had greatly benefited from foreign interest.
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In 2012-2013, Myanmar exported up to 1.6 million tonnes of rice, the largest amount in 46 years, largely due to booming demand from China. Traders say about 60pc of exports went to China, 35pc to Africa and the rest to a variety of markets.However, exports to China are unofficial from Beijing‘s point of view due to a lack of an agreement on health standards for rice.The European Union gave Myanmar rice preferential market access in 2012, and many are pointing to it as an area of future expansion particularly for more value-added rice.―The opportunities are there if Myanmar can offer good quality products at competitive prices,‖ said Mr Zorya. Significant changes need to be made, not least the modernisation of the rice mills.―We would say if there are no changes in the rice mills … the amount of export to the EU and the Middle East will be limited.‖ Some have pointed to a complicated history of involvement by foreigners in Myanmar‘s rice production and export.Under British rule Myanmar became the single most important exporter of rice in the world, said Ian Brown, a professor of economic history at the University of London‘s School of Oriental and African Studies.While increases in rice production during that period were built principally on the labour of the rice cultivator, but the profits went to the middlemen, moneylenders and export merchants, who were overwhelmingly Indian and British foreigners, he said. A high proportion of cultivators had also been dispossessed of their land by the end of the colonial period by foreigners, he added.―It is little wonder that independent Myanmar was determined to keep foreigners out of the rice economy,‖ he said.―The colonial experience, and the fight against the colonial legacy after 1948, are deeply etched in Myanmar›s perceptions of the outside world.
S.Korea delays decision on how to open rice market BY MEEYOUNG CHO SEOUL, June 30 Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:01am IST
(Reuters) - South Korea has delayed a decision on how it will open its rice markets to allow more time to consult with farmers and the public, senior government officials said on Monday.Deputy Trade Minister Choi Kyong-lim told reporters in a briefing that a policy decision, originally expected in June, would come after a public hearing held by a parliamentary committee.The timing of the hearing, which would follow previous rounds of public consultation, is yet to be set."A cabinet meeting later today was set to discuss the policy decision but no decision will be unveiled as the government now wants to listen to more views from farmers," said another government official. With the country's 20-year-old agreement with the World Trade Organistaion allowing Seoul to cap exports set to expire at year-end, the government is under international pressure to begin opening its rice markets to more foreign competition.It is understood to favour switching to a system of high tariffs rather than increasing quotas and negotiating to extend the cap system.While such a move would be unlikely to spark a surge in rice imports as hefty tariffs would deter buyers from making overseas purchases, it would mark a key psychological shift in a politically-sensitive sector, with farmers fretting it could pave the way towards lower duty down the line.China and the United States account for the bulk of rice shipments to South Korea. (Reporting by Meeyoung Cho; Editing by Joseph Radford)
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