9th may ,2017 daily globa regional & local rice e newsletter

Daily Global Rice

E-Newsletter

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May 9,2017 Vol 8 Issue V

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

Rice growers receive training to boost yield Sacramento Valley rice crop off to a late start due to continued rains Betsy Ward, President & CEO USA Rice IRRI, govt to conduct irrigation research Body formed to probe causes of falling rice exports House bill filed seeking tariff regime for rice Bangladesh seeks to import 50,000 tonnes of rice Private rice imports OKd Expert says lack of funds, technology hampers rice production Chinese scientist plans mass experiment of sea-rice Ag Secretary Perdue Gets First-Hand Look at Arkansas Flood Damage Sacramento Valley rice crop off to a late start due to continued rains Rice growers receive training to boost yield Gov’t to continue allowing private sector to import rice under new rules Govt ending NFA rice monopoly Govt plans to waive tax on rice import Bangladesh floods cut potential 700,000 T from rice harvest

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News Detail...

Rice growers receive training to boost yield Islamabad The small rice farmers of district Sheikhupura have received training on soil health, water use efficiency and sustainable rice cultivation standards to increase per acre yield of the crop. More than 180 marginalized rice producing farmers of the area were sensitized in the training organized by Rice Partners in collaboration with MARS food and Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation. The trainers said that rice production in Pakistan is becoming unsustainable due to looming water crisis, shortage of labor, and environmental foot print on agro ecological system. “It is instrumental for improving livelihood of marginalized rice growing farmers to learn activities for improving their skills on water saving practices to ensure sustainable rice cultivation�, the trainers remarked. Chief Operating officer of Rice Partners, Muhammad Ali Tariq highlighted the role of Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP)’s standards on sustainable rice cultivation. He focused the socially disadvantage rice growers to excel on water productivity and sustainable production of rice as per SRP standard. Project Manager, Zafar Iqbal highlighted that Pakistan was basically an agricultural country, and this sector could serve as shortest route for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as reduction in poverty, zero hunger and action on climate

http://pakobserver.net/rice-growers-receive-training-boost-yield/

Body formed to probe causes of falling rice exports

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Sacramento Valley rice crop off to a late start due to continued rains

A crop duster works over a flooded rice field along 7-Mile Lane in Chico around early May two years ago.

This year, fields have yet to be planted, but the planes should be out there dropping seeds in a few weeks.Bill Husa — Enterprise-Record file

By Heather Hacking, Chico Enterprise-Record POSTED: 05/07/17, 9:54 PM PDT |

While rice farmers could only partially flood their fields during the drought, this year’s

abundance of rain has delayed the planting season and could also lead to a smaller yield during harvest.Bill Husa — Enterprise-Record file April would normally be a busy month for Sacramento Valley rice farmers who fire up their tractors to prepare fields before the busy planting season. However, repeated rainstorms made for some idle time.Up until recently, the fields were still to wet. Tractors will get stuck in mud and working wet soil causes clumps.

More than 3 inches of rain fell in April in Chico, compared to the average of about 3/4 of an inch.

This places producers about two weeks behind schedule.

“There’s an old story,” said Western Canal Water District Manager Ted Trimble, “after May 12, you lose a bag of rice a day,” due to lower yield.

The later the crop is planted, the later the harvest. If the fall is wet, rain on ready-rice can cause the plants to topple over, making a more difficult harvest.

Those late-season crops can also absorb water and dry, then gain moisture and dry again, leading to cracks in the kernels, which leads to a lower price to the grower, explained Luis Espino, farm adviser with the University of California Cooperative Extension in Colusa County.

After the waiting, growers will be worrying about getting their fields planted as soon as possible.

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Espino said growers might hurry with field prep this year, and some may take fewer passes with their tractors.

One good thing is that the heavy rain this winter means rice straw from last year’s harvest has had a chance to decompose, Espino noted. If straw doesn’t incorporate back into the soil, it can float to the corners and make a mess that adds to labor costs.

Rice farmer Lance Tennis, who is transitioning his farm to the next generation, said chiseling of his family’s farm began early this week.

“We like to start around the first of April. Then we’re ready for flooding by the third of fourth week of April. The goal would normally be to start planting by the first of May,” he explained.

The majority of growers plant seeds by air. The fields are flooded. Next a crop duster flies over and strategically drops seed across the shallow water.

“It’s not just a question of getting the tractors across the field,” Tennis explained. “By the time we get ready to flood the fields, we want dry dirt. If it’s too wet and you flood,” the soil does not contain enough oxygen for the ideal growing conditions. “All of that happens in the top inch of the soil,” he said. “That’s one reason you can’t push too hard,” to hurry up the process, he said.

Drying time also kills off weeds that sprouted during the wetter weather. The drought years were good for growing when farmers had access to water, which was the case for most in Northern California. The growing season was long and hot, and there was no rain to cause problems at harvest time.

LOW PRICES, LOW YIELD The recent rains will probably decrease yield in the Sacramento Valley at a time when rice prices are also low, Tennis continued.

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“There’s a lot of rice in the world,” Tennis said. “Even though we enjoy a premium for (California-grown medium grain rice), there are other places in the U.S. and the world that grow a lot of rice.”

He said he read recently that India’s rice production is up this year. The dollar is also strong right now, which makes it more expensive for buyers in other countries to purchase from the United States.

CROP INSURANCE Farmers do have crop insurance, but decisions about how much insurance to buy are made in February. One push is to get field planted by June 1, because provisions of certain crop insurance policies decrease if planting doesn’t take place in May, Tennis said.

Some growers may wish they had purchased different crop insurance packages, but no one could have known in late winter what the spring rains would bring.

INTO ACTION “People will be working long hours on a year like this to get it done,” Tennis said. “You’ll see people out there at night opening up the ground.”However, most larger operations have upgraded to larger equipment that can get the job done without turning on the headlights, he said.

A bit of rain is expected Thursday, but unless it’s a big rain farmers should not see a big setback, Trimble said.

He said his water district, based in Nelson, started priming the canal with water Tuesday. The first water to farmers was delivered through the canal Friday.

“We won’t be up to full swing until probably May 17 or 18,” Trimble estimated, which is about two weeks behind. “Normally you will have early, late and middle planting. With this weather it puts everyone to middle and late.”

This might mean a waiting list for farmers who are ready for water. He said residents in the valley should see planes over flooded fields in a few weeks.

Contact reporter Heather Hacking at 896-7758 http://www.orovillemr.com/general-news/20170507/sacramento-valley-rice-crop-off-to-alate-start-due-to-continued-rains

Betsy Ward, President & CEO USA Rice 00:00 Duration:

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05-07-2017 This week’s guest on Open Mic is Betsy Ward, President and CEO of USA Rice. The U.S. rice industry is struggling against large global supplies and low prices. In this interview, Ward identifies the challenges of competing globally against subsidized competition and the immediate reaction of Mexican trade officials to the Trump administration announced plans to withdraw from NAFTA. Ward says Title 1 PLC payments and the conservation program are high priorities for US rice farmers in the new farm bill, as well as cooperation of commodity groups. Ward also shares thoughts on cash or commodities for global food aid.

Senator Debbie Stabenow, MI Play 00:00 00:00 Duration: 04-30-2017 This week’s guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. As the Senate Ag Ranking member, Stabenow is preparing to host the committee’s second field hearing this Saturday at Michigan State. In this interview Stabenow discusses option of rewriting new policy or tweaking current farm programs, increasing idled acres under the Conservation Reserve Program and including urban agriculture in the farm bill. Senator Stabenow shares concern with the Trump trade policy, frustration over the administration’s budget proposal and support for new Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

Dan Basse, President AgResource Co. Play 00:00 00:00 Duration: 04-23-2017 This week’s guest on Open Mic is Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company. Congress will soon write a new farm bill in a much different global agriculture climate. In this interview, Basse discusses the challenge of crafting policy for an industry plagued with oversupply and the threat of even lower crop prices. Basse discusses options like supply management and acreage reduction and how President Trump’s trade agenda plays into the challenges facing U.S. farmers and ranchers.

Darren Ash, CIO of USDA Farm Service Agency Play 00:00

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00:00 Duration: 04-16-2017 This week’s guest on Open Mic is Darren Ash, Chief Information officer for the Farm Service Agency. As legislators prepare to write new farm policy, work is already underway at the USDA to receive, store, manage and share data to implement the new plan. The National Ag Imagery Program includes up to date aerial photography as well as digitizing over a half century of farm images to be used by various federal agencies.

Rep. John Shimkus Play 00:00 00:00 Duration: 04-09-2017 This week’s guest on Open Mic is Congressman John Shimkus, who represents the 15th district in Illinois. He talks about the challenges his fellow GOP leaders face in changing Washington.

As a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Shimkus discusses a rewrite of the Renewable Fuel Standard and how he views the Trump administration’s role in making needed improvements in the nation’s infrastructure as well as reform of WOTUS regulations.

Andy LaVigne, Pres. & CEO American Seed Trade Assoc.

Play 00:00 00:00 Duration: 04-02-2017 This week’s guest on Open Mic is Andy LaVigne, President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association. In this week’s interview LaVigne describes an industry in a state of regulatory flux. Decisions are pending on regulations proposed under the Obama administration and anticipated under the Trump administration on biotech labeling and approval of new techniques in plant breeding. LaVigne shares industry concerns on global trade agreements and goals for the 2018 farm bill. https://www.agri-pulse.com/media/podcasts/85-open-mic-interview/play/8292-betsy-wardpresident-ceo-usa-rice

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IRRI, govt to conduct irrigation research

By Jasper Y. Arcalas MAY 7, 2017

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said it has entered into an agreement with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to determine the most efficient way of distributing irrigation water.

IRRI said it has inked a three-way memorandum of agreement with the NIA and Pinag-Isang Damdamin ng mga Magsasaka ng Mabacan River Irrigation System Inc. (Pidammaris), a farmers’ association, to conduct a study on the distribution of irrigation water.

“The project will look at rice productivity and water use, sustainability of rice-production systems, water quality and the overall operations and management of a local irrigation system, with the goal of developing a model approach for other irrigation systems under the NIA,” IRRI said in a statement.

The Los Baños-based institute noted rice uses approximately 30 percent of the freshwater used for crops worldwide. Also, more than 80 percent of developed freshwater resources are used to irrigate rice.

“Thus, any means to reduce the need for and actual usage of water without compromising yield will help improve distribution in areas with irrigation and improve supply in areas with scarce water supply,” IRRI said.

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Under the agreement, IRRI would allocate 20 to 40 hectares of Zeigler Experiment Station (ZES) at its Laguna-based headquarters to serve as the research site for the project.

The NIA would provide the access to irrigation water from a main canal that it maintains, located at the lowland area of the IRRI farm, according to IRRI. “To protect the water supply for other rice farms serviced by the NIA, a threshold will be determined, beyond which IRRI will be allowed access to water for purposes of the research,” IRRI said.

“Water use will be paid for by IRRI, which has also committed to assist the NIA in calibrating the Mabacan River Irrigation System [RIS], using IRRI instruments to measure flow rates, and IRRI staff to lead the collection. The Mabacan RIS flows out of a watershed in Calauan, a nearby municipality,” it added.

Pidammaris will be responsible in monitoring the discharges of irrigation water from the NIA canals flowing to the ZES and will also handle the maintenance of the canals and monitoring of the irrigation water quality, according to IRR Sohail Mahmood set to be Pakistan's High Commissioner to India: All you need to know about the diplomat

May, 08 2017 10:10:13 IST Amid the deterioration in the bilateral ties between India and Pakistan, New Delhi is set to get a new envoy from Islamabad. Sohail Mahmood is all set to succeed Abdul Basit as the next Pakistani High Commissioner to India. Here is all you need to know about the next envoy to India: A career diplomat Born in 1962, Mahmood joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1985. His first posting abroad

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was in Turkey's capital of Ankara between 1991 and 1994. He has also served as Pakistan's Ambasador to Thailand between 2009 and 2013.

A Turkey expert Mahmood is currently Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkey — a country he was first posted to as a diplomat. Additionally, he is concurrently accredited to the partially-recognised Kosovo.

According to the Pakistani foreign ministry, he is known for his fluency in the Turkish language.

New Pakistan envoy to India Sohail Mahmood. Screen grab from YouTube Served in non-ambassadorial roles Before taking over as the Pakistan's envoy to Ankara, Mahmood served as an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad. He has previously served as the Director General (2005-2009), Director (1995-1998) and Section Officer (1986-1991) in the foreign ministry.

No background in handling India ties Unlike many of his predecessors, Mahmood has played no direct role in shaping Pakistan's India policy. According to The Times of India, a foreign ministry official said that Mahmood arrives in India without any 'baggage'.

What's next for Basit?

Being one of the senior-most diplomat's in Pakistan, he was expecting to be the next Foreign Secretary of Pakistan. However, he was superseded by Tehmina Janjua, who became the country's first woman foreign secretary. Basit is now expected to be the head of Pakistan's Foreign Service Academy (FSA).

Published Date: May 08, 2017 10:10 am | Updated Date: May 08, 2017 10:10 am Ă—

Body formed to probe causes of falling rice exports ZAHID BAIG

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LAHORE: The Research & Development Board of Rice has constituted a three-member committee to investigate and identify the comparative advantages and disadvantages (including cost of production) which Pakistani rice is facing in the international market against the competitors to resolve the impediments and increase the advantages in favour of Pakistan through research consequently leading to enhanced national exports.

The committee members will include Shahjahan Malik, Senior Vice Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), Sohail Asghar (Grower) and Dr Muhammad Sabar, Rice Botanist, Rice Research Institute (RRI) of Kala Shah Kaku.

Decision to this effect was taken at a recently-held meeting of the Research & Development Board of Rice constituted by the provincial government to resolve the issues being faced by rice crop in the province and help enhancing its exports.

According to the minutes, Sarfraz Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Board, presided over the meeting, said the sources privy to the meeting. During the meeting, Director Rice Research Institute (RRI) Dr Muhammad Akhtar threw light on the research work planned by the institute for the current year while also identified issues faced by the rice crop. These include low plant population, plant hopper infestation, diseases, weeds, water management and low rice yield and quality.

Speaking on this occasion, Board’s Chairman Sarfraz Khan pointed out that around 60 percent of the rice produced in Pakistan was being exported but our basmati rice exporters were falling on account of hard competition in the international market, particularly from India, with reference to both quality and price. He also talked about the 1121 variety and said that it was actually nonbasmati because of having no aroma, but the government of India had officially declared the same as Basmati. He suggested for properly investigating the advantages and disadvantages Pakistani rice being faced against its competitors and then devising a method to go for increasing the exports.

The Board members accepted an offer extended by Shahzad Malik of the Guard Agri Research & Services to see the fruits of research being undertaken by his organization on hybrid rice.

House bill filed seeking tariff regime for rice May 09, 2017 THE chairman of the House committee on agriculture and food has filed a bill seeking for a tariff scheme for rice after the lapse of the waiver on the quantitative restriction (QR) regime by end-June.

BW FILE PHOTO Anac-IP Rep. Jose T. Panganiban, Jr. filed House Bill 5433, which seeks to replace the quantitative restriction regime with a tariff scheme, while creating a fund dedicated to boosting

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the competitiveness of Philippine rice.

Mr. Panganiban told reporters a hearing is scheduled for May 16 to discuss HB 5433 and other bills on QR, adding that the committee will try to approve it before the end of the first regular session on June 2.

“We will try to approve it in the committee by but I don’t think it can be approved in the plenary [before June 2],” said Mr. Panganiban.

In Mr. Panganiban’s measure, rice will now be among the agricultural products subject to tariff “in lieu of non-tariff import restrictions to protect local producers of agricultural products.”

The measure also calls for a fund, financed from the duties collected from rice imports and the minimum access volume mechanism for five years from the effectivity of the law.

The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Rice Industry Roadmap “to restructure the government’s delivery of support services for the sector.”

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macagapal, former Agriculture Secretary and now Bohol Rep. Arthur C. Yap (3rd district), and Deputy Speaker Sharon S. Garin have their own versions of the measure, which are all pending at the committee on agriculture and food.

Mr. Panganiban said that he asked House leaders to include the proposal as one of the priorities of the chamber.

The QR scheme is a non-tariff measure that limits the amount of imported commodities. Rice is the only commodity in the Philippines that enjoys such special treatment, granted to the country through a waiver, upon acceding to the World Trade Organization in 1995.

The Philippines has successfully sought to extend twice the use of the QR -- both in 2005 and

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2012 -- and the waiver for its use is slated to expire next month.

The minimum access volume currently stands at 805,200 metric tons with in-quota and out-ofquota import duties at 35% and 40%.

The Philippine Institute of Development Studies has been pushing for a 35% tariff on rice, saying that such a rate would be favorable for local farmers as tariff revenue of rice imports could be used for other enhancement measures.

The Philippines’ commitment to the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) limits import duties of its trade-sensitive commodities such as rice at 35%.

A tariff rate higher than the ATIGA baseline would require a series of negotiations with ASEAN members and may come at the cost of other tariff-sensitive products outside agriculture.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=house-bill-filedseeking-tariff-regime-for-rice&id=144870

Bangladesh seeks to import 50,000 tonnes of rice Published: 2017-05-09 12:46:59.0 BdST Updated: 2017-05-09 13:04:28.0 BdST

Bangladesh has floated an international tender to buy 50,000 tonnes of rice.

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Traders have until May 21 to submit bids, the Directorate General of Food has said.Traders will have to supply 60 percent of non-Basmati parboiled rice through Chittagong port and 40 percent through Mongla port, according to a tender notice by the state grains buyer.This is the first rice tender by the government this fiscal year.Meanwhile, the government is considering to a temporary withdrawal of duty on rice imports after flash floods in northeastern backwaters.After meeting with rice mill owners last week, Food Minister Qamrul Islam said that no country usually impose duty on essential commodities.

He said that was the case in Bangladesh as well, but it was done to stop import by unscrupulous traders."Considering the scenario, we have proposed the government to withdraw it. We believe the price manipulation can be curbed if the duty is cut," the minister told the media.

He claimed Bangladesh usually have a surplus of 1.5 to 2 million tonnes of rice every year.

Figures posted on the food ministry's website show that the stock in government warehouses until Apr 27 stood at 305,000 tonnes against 750,000 tonnes in the same month last year.

The government plans to buy 1.5 million tonnes of grains during the Boro crop season this year, which may not be possible now after flash floods inundated crop fields in the haors or backswamps of northeast.

Unseasonal downpours in early April caused the floods leaving Boro cropfields at haors (backswamps) in Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvibazar and Brahmanbaria districts inundated.

According to figures by the food ministry, the flash floods damaged Boro crops, which would have yield around 600, 000 tonnes of rice. But unofficial estimates put the number at 2.2 million tonnes

http://bdnews24.com/economy/2017/05/09/bangladesh-seeks-to-import-50000-tonneof-rice

Private rice imports OKd DTI’s Lopez says President Duterte informed of difficulties in gov’t-to-gov’t deals By: Roy Stephen C. Canivel - @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer / 01:06 AM May 09, 2017 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said President Duterte had agreed in principle to allow the private sector to import rice, but further details as to the actual implementation of this policy were still to be finalized and released.Lopez, who sits as one of the members of the National Food Authority (NFA) Council, told reporters yesterday that he had explained to President Duterte the benefits of allowing the private sector to import rice during a recent meeting.

“For a while, there was a recommendation to do it [import rice] through government-togovernment. In a recent meeting, we cleared up to the President that it was difficult to do it through

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government-to-government because it would need large funds [and the government] could just end up on the losing end when the prices drop,” he said in Filipino. “The principle now is that we let the private sector to also import because, first of all, they know how to time it, they know the market. What’s difficult with the government is you might miss up on timing. When there’s a shortage, you panic and buy at a higher price,” he added.

He said that this stance sided with the general position of the economic managers, referring to the heads of the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Finance.

The NFA, which decides on issues surrounding the country’s food supply, has recently been divided over whether to allow the arrival of more private-sector shipments or order fresh cargos through the NFA itself amid concerns that farmers would be affected in one way or another.

While the NFA engages through government-to-government deals, private importers participate through the minimum access volume (MAV) mechanism of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Lopez said the government would benefit from additional revenue if it allowed private sector importers since this would mean they would have to pay tariffs. He said that rice was a very important commodity, a staple which affects the every day life of Filipinos.

“It is very important for President Duterte to keep supply and prices stable. It is also a big factor in the inflation index,” he explained.

https://business.inquirer.net/229133/private-rice-imports-okd

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Expert says lack of funds, technology hampers rice production Solomon, who is the General Secretary of the Global Feeders Farmers in Oyo State, disclosed this in an interview in Ibadan on Monday.

Published: 08.05.2017

Pulse News Agency Local By NAN Workers at the rice production paddy An agricultural expert, Mr Ogunsina Solomon, has identified lack of funds, technology and manpower as well as the activities of middlemen as the major constraints limiting rice production in Nigeria.

Solomon, who is the General Secretary of the Global Feeders Farmers in Oyo State, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Monday.

Global Feeders is a non-governmental organisation that coordinates the activities of small groups of farmers to enhance the production and marketing of rice in the south-western part of the country.

Solomon, an integrated rice farmer, said that for the country to become self-sufficient in rice production, government should make concerted efforts to address these constraints.

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According to him, Nigeria has the potential to become a major rice producing and exporting country in Africa.

“If Nigeria exports rice to other African countries, it will boost the national economy, encourage the youth to engage in rice farming and add value to the farmers’ income,’’ he said.

Solomon said there was a cooperative arrangement for millers in his neighbourhood, in which rice millers procured the commodity directly from farmers to produce rice and minimise the price differentials between the local and the imported rice.

“The production capacity of our machine is five tonnes per day, translating to 100 50kg. bags of rice."

“In the South-West, we do milling with locally fabricated machines."

“We source paddy from individuals, farm associations and cooperative bodies."

“Many of the farmers have also been trained on how to grow rice in large quantities,’’ he said.

Solomon said that his organisation was in the process of creating a commodity market to enable rice farmers to sell their produce directly in Oyo State.

He, however, said that a programme on large-scale rice production, which would involve state governments, was being initiated.

“More states have been added to the number of states producing rice and the government also makes loans available for farmers to cultivate more rice."

“Besides, FADAMA III, a World Bank programme initiated to assist our farmers with funding for rice production, is still in progress,’’ he added

http://pulse.ng/local/in-ibadan-expert-says-lack-of-funds-technology-hampers-riceproduction-id6644109.html

Chinese scientist plans mass experiment of sea-rice 2017-05-09 11:23People's Daily OnlineEditor: Gu Liping

Yuan Longping, China's "father of hybrid rice," is planning experiments on expanding the production of sea-rice to 300 kilograms per mu at the newly-founded Sea-Rice Research and Development Center in Qingdao, China News reported. The center was established and opened on May 7.Sea-rice, sometimes found in saline-alkaline soil, is resistant to pests, diseases, salt, and alkali; and does not need fertilizer. The Qingdao research center will use gene sequencing to cultivate new strains of sea-rice that will yield more rice and grow with saline water.

Mr. Yuan expects the yield of such sea-rice to reach at least 300 kilograms per mu (0.07 hectares) by 2020. China would gain another 30 billion kilograms of grains if the country gains 100 million mu of fertile land on mud flats. This would meet the need of about 80 million people on a yearly basis.According to the center, the sea-rice to be developed has several advantages, including high yield, good quality, and tolerance to saline-alkaline conditions. The first generation of sea-rice is projected to be available this November.The rice research and development center was established in 2016 by Yuan Longping, the Qingdao Municipal Government, and the China National Hybrid Rice Engineering Technology Research Center. The field trial is underway and the labs will be put into use in June or July this year.

http://www.ecns.cn/2017/05-09/256639.shtml

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Ag Secretary Perdue Gets First-Hand Look at Arkansas Flood Damage

By Josh Hankins LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS -- Newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation, including Senator John Boozman and Congressmen French Hill, Steve Womack, and Rick Crawford toured the devastation around northeast Arkansas from the air yesterday.

A news conference was held after Sunday's flyover tour at the State Police Hangar at TAC Air here.

Governor Hutchinson thanked Secretary Perdue for taking the time to survey the damage and listen to the needs of impacted communities and farmers.

Senator Boozman echoed Hutchinson's sentiment, saying, "There's no substitute for being able to see this up close and personal so we can go back and tell our colleagues in Congress the extent of the damage."

"I want the farmers in Arkansas to know that the resources of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be at their disposal," said Perdue. "Our people are already on the ground around the state looking and helping. We'll do everything in our power to make sure that your farmers can continue on, certainly crop insurance is a big part of that, and we want them to take advantage of all of the resources of the USDA." Perdue continued, "From a farmer's perspective, I've been there. I know the thrill of a wonderful

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crop, and the despair of flooding and drought. Farmers are the most productive citizens we've got in this country."

Rich Hillman, vice president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, thanked Perdue for making the trip to Arkansas. "I'm a rice farmer myself," said Hillman. "The simple fact that you are here in our state, gives a lot of those farmers and ranchers hope today, so we appreciate it."

Many farmers have been affected by the flooding in the mid-south and while the scope of damage is still to be determined, a preliminary assessment by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture puts total crop loss at $64.5 million. Rice is the crop loss leader at $29.96 million.

The estimate was compiled by Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist, from a survey of extension agents and agronomists this week. Among the factors taken into account are the costs of seed and herbicides already applied, equipment, and labor.

"Obviously, we won't know the full extent of the damage until the water recedes and farmers are able to see what's left," said USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Mosely. "With regard to disaster assistance, there isn't much there. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to designate counties as disaster areas to make emergency loans available to producers suffering losses. To be eligible for a Secretarial Disaster Declaration, the county must have a 30 percent production loss of at least one crop" Mosely concluded, "As far as crop insurance goes, again, we will have to wait and see. Everyone knows that rice is undersubscribed for crop insurance when compared to other crops. Rice gets about one-fourth the coverage per dollar when compared to corn, in other words, a rice grower has to pay four times as much to get the same coverage as a corn grower. For those who can afford coverage, they'll need to work with their adjustors to navigate the new "practical to replant" rules."

Sacramento Valley rice crop off to a late start due to continued rains A crop duster works over a flooded rice field along 7-Mile Lane in Chico around early May two years ago. This year, fields have yet to be planted, but the planes should be out there dropping seeds in a few weeks.Bill Husa — Enterprise-Record file

By Heather Hacking, Chico Enterprise-Record POSTED: 05/07/17, 9:54 PM PDT |

While rice farmers could only partially flood their fields during the drought, this year’s

abundance of rain has delayed the planting season and could also lead to a smaller yield during harvest.Bill Husa — Enterprise-Record file April would normally be a busy month for Sacramento Valley rice farmers who fire up their tractors to prepare fields before the busy planting season. However, repeated rainstorms made for

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some idle time.

Up until recently, the fields were still to wet. Tractors will get stuck in mud and working wet soil causes clumps.

More than 3 inches of rain fell in April in Chico, compared to the average of about 3/4 of an inch.

This places producers about two weeks behind schedule. “There’s an old story,” said Western Canal Water District Manager Ted Trimble, “after May 12, you lose a bag of rice a day,” due to lower yield.The later the crop is planted, the later the harvest. If the fall is wet, rain on ready-rice can cause the plants to topple over, making a more difficult harvest.Those late-season crops can also absorb water and dry, then gain moisture and dry again, leading to cracks in the kernels, which leads to a lower price to the grower, explained Luis Espino, farm adviser with the University of California Cooperative Extension in Colusa County.

After the waiting, growers will be worrying about getting their fields planted as soon as possible.

Espino said growers might hurry with field prep this year, and some may take fewer passes with their tractors.

One good thing is that the heavy rain this winter means rice straw from last year’s harvest has had a chance to decompose, Espino noted. If straw doesn’t incorporate back into the soil, it can float to the corners and make a mess that adds to labor costs.

Rice farmer Lance Tennis, who is transitioning his farm to the next generation, said chiseling of his family’s farm began early this week.

“We like to start around the first of April. Then we’re ready for flooding by the third of fourth week of April. The goal would normally be to start planting by the first of May,” he explained.

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The majority of growers plant seeds by air. The fields are flooded. Next a crop duster flies over and strategically drops seed across the shallow water.

“It’s not just a question of getting the tractors across the field,” Tennis explained. “By the time we get ready to flood the fields, we want dry dirt. If it’s too wet and you flood,” the soil does not contain enough oxygen for the ideal growing conditions. “All of that happens in the top inch of the soil,” he said. “That’s one reason you can’t push too hard,” to hurry up the process, he said.

Drying time also kills off weeds that sprouted during the wetter weather. The drought years were good for growing when farmers had access to water, which was the case for most in Northern California. The growing season was long and hot, and there was no rain to cause problems at harvest time.

LOW PRICES, LOW YIELD The recent rains will probably decrease yield in the Sacramento Valley at a time when rice prices are also low, Tennis continued.

“There’s a lot of rice in the world,” Tennis said. “Even though we enjoy a premium for (California-grown medium grain rice), there are other places in the U.S. and the world that grow a lot of rice.”

He said he read recently that India’s rice production is up this year. The dollar is also strong right now, which makes it more expensive for buyers in other countries to purchase from the United States.

CROP INSURANCE Farmers do have crop insurance, but decisions about how much insurance to buy are made in February. One push is to get field planted by June 1, because provisions of certain crop insurance policies decrease if planting doesn’t take place in May, Tennis said.

Some growers may wish they had purchased different crop insurance packages, but no one could have known in late winter what the spring rains would bring.

INTO ACTION “People will be working long hours on a year like this to get it done,” Tennis said. “You’ll see people out there at night opening up the ground.”

However, most larger operations have upgraded to larger equipment that can get the job done without turning on the headlights, he said.

A bit of rain is expected Thursday, but unless it’s a big rain farmers should not see a big setback, Trimble said.

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He said his water district, based in Nelson, started priming the canal with water Tuesday. The first water to farmers was delivered through the canal Friday.

“We won’t be up to full swing until probably May 17 or 18,” Trimble estimated, which is about two weeks behind. “Normally you will have early, late and middle planting. With this weather it puts everyone to middle and late.”

This might mean a waiting list for farmers who are ready for water. He said residents in the valley should see planes over flooded fields in a few weeks. http://www.chicoer.com/article/NA/20170507/NEWS/170509789

Rice growers receive training to boost yield Islamabad The small rice farmers of district Sheikhupura have received training on soil health, water use efficiency and sustainable rice cultivation standards to increase per acre yield of the crop. More than 180 marginalized rice producing farmers of the area were sensitized in the training organized by Rice Partners in collaboration with MARS food and Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation. The trainers said that rice production in Pakistan is becoming unsustainable due to looming water crisis, shortage of labor, and environmental foot print on agro ecological system.

“It is instrumental for improving livelihood of marginalized rice growing farmers to learn activities for improving their skills on water saving practices to ensure sustainable rice cultivation”, the trainers remarked. Chief Operating officer of Rice Partners, Muhammad Ali Tariq highlighted the role of Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP)’s standards on sustainable rice cultivation. He focused the socially disadvantage rice growers to excel on water productivity and sustainable production of rice as per SRP standard. Project Manager, Zafar Iqbal highlighted that Pakistan was basically an agricultural country, and this sector could serve as shortest route for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as reduction in poverty, zero hunger and action on climate.

http://pakobserver.net/rice-growers-receive-training-boost-yield/

Gov’t to continue allowing private sector to import rice under new rules Published May 8, 2017, 10:00 PM

By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat The government will continue allowing the private sector to import rice but the Department of Agriculture has to craft regulations to ensure there is no flooding of imported rice and put up a protective mechanism for local rice farmers. Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez told reporters yesterday after his speech at the 18th RCEP Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC)

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Meeting and Related Meetings that President Duterte has with the economic managers to continue allowing the private sector to import rice.

The National Food Authority (NFA) will not be allowed to monopolize rice importation, but its main purpose is to purchase local palay from rice farmers. NFA may also import rice when needed.This policy is also aligned with the government’s decision to lift the quantitative restriction on rice importation by July 1 this year. An Executive Order has yet to be issued on this.

Lopez explained that the government had already lost a cumulative R200 billion before because of the NFA monopoly on rice importation because by the time the imported rice came, prices had already gone. “We end up selling at a loss,” he said noting that the private sector knows the timing and market competition will play a significant role in terms of pricing and volume of imports.

Aside from dismantling the NFA monopoly, Lopez said the other benefit is that the government will no longer allocate any budget for rice importation.Besides, the private sector will have to pay the 35 percent tariff for imported rice creating another revenue stream for the government.

While market competition could ensure no price collusion or cartel among the importers, Lopez said the Department of Agriculture may still come up with some rules on the quantity of rice importation depending on their projection of harvest and demand. The DA, he said, would ensure that farmers are protected. This decision may be issued through an EO or just through the NFA Council

http://business.mb.com.ph/2017/05/08/govt-to-continue-allowing-private-sector-toimport-rice-under-new-rules/

Govt ending NFA rice monopoly May 08, 2017 at 09:01 pm by Othel V. Campos

The government is ending the monopoly of the National Food Authority over rice importation, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Monday.Lopez said Malacañang Palace was preparing an order that would allow the private sector to undertake the importation of rice, while leaving domestic rice buying to NFA.He said President Rodrigo Duterte had agreed to empower private traders to bring rice from other countries, as needed, and aĺlow market forces to determine the price.

“The President agreed since the QR [quantitative restriction on rice] was about to be lifted by July,” he said.The lifting of the rice QR will be backed by an executive order which is also expected to be released on July 1. It was expected to be approved by the Cabinet soon, Lopez said.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez The QR on rice is essentially an import ban, with only the NFA allowed to bring in imported rice to control its entry and prevent imports from competing with local harvests.Lopez said there

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were suggestions to continue government-to-government rice import transactions but President Duterte rejected the proposals.“In previous times, we are alloting as much as as P200 billion for G2G transactions, but we’ve also been burned by this several times. Much is lost especially when prices were down,” Lopez said.

He said there were also times when G2G buying was out of timing, resulting in the government buying at a higher price.There are also no laws that will hinder the private sector from bringing in rice which is considered to be the Philippines’ most sensitive agriculture product, along with sugar.Traders are allowed to import rice under the so-called minimum access volume, a commitment of the Philippines under the World Trade Organization.“Let the private sector import and pay the 35-percent tariff. In this case, the government also earns revenues,” Lopez said.He said the Agriculture Department would issue advisories after it determined how much rice needed to be imported, “so as not to flood the market.”

http://www.manilastandard.net/business/csr-mining/236154/govt-ending-nfa-ricemonopoly.html

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Govt plans to waive tax on rice import May 6, 2017 The government plans to waive tax on imports of rice before Ramadan considering the damage caused by recent flash-floods, reports bdnews24.com

Food Minister Qamrul Islam said the move would tame corrupt traders who may try to raise the price.

The minister held a meeting with rice millers on Thursday. He said no country imposes tax on daily essentials.“We imposed the tax after some corrupt traders started importing rice for earning extra profit.”“We have advised the government to scrap the tax for the time being,” Islam said.By one estimate, 2.2 million tonnes of paddy have been damaged in the flash floods.The food ministry however claims that amount is 600,000 tonnes.Bangladesh has a surplus of about 2 million tonnes of rice, while the annual demand is about 30 million tonnes, according to the minister.

“Boro paddy farming is dependent on nature. It suffers some damage every year. However, the damage in haor areas will not affect the entire country,” he said.Minister Qamrul vowed to take stern action against anyone found trying to create a “pseudo crisis” in the rice market.KM Layek Ali, general secretary of Bangladesh Auto, Major and Husking Mill Owners’ Association, said: “Millers do not have stocks. Only corrupt traders do.”Millers have been demanding tax on imports of rice. “Earlier we had asked the government to impose the tax. If the tax is cancelled now to keep the price in control, we can import to create a balance in the market,” said Ali. Bangladesh imposes 25 percent customs duty on rice imports.The tax was imposed to mitigate farmers’ sufferings, Islam said.“They suffered a lot when 1.5 million tonnes of rice were imported from India without tax.”

http://businessnews24bd.com/govt-plans-to-waive-tax-on-rice-import/

Bangladesh floods cut potential 700,000 T from rice harvest Flash floods have washed away crops in northeastern Bangladesh that would have yielded nearly 700,000 tonnes of rice, according to estimates from the agriculture ministry.The fields hit by the floods were about to be harvested, a major blow to the south Asian country, where local rice prices have hit an all-time high and reserves of the staple grain have dipped to a six-year low.The flooding triggered by heavy pre-monsoon rains also damaged other crops and fisheries in the marshy areas in the country's northeastern region, affecting millions of people.The government has allocated 100 million taka ($1.2 million) in emergency aid for people in the flood-hit areas.

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"This is a big loss for the farmers," said Manzurul Hannan, director general of the Department of Agriculture Extension.

Besides the emergency aid, a farm rehabilitation plan is being worked out to provide free seed and fertilizer for the affected farmers for the next crop season, Hannan said."But we don't think this will have much impact on the overall rice production (for this year)," he told Reuters.Bangladesh aims to produce more than 34 million tonnes in the current crop year, up from nearly 33.5 million tonnes in the previous year. The world's fourth-biggest producer of rice consumes almost all of its own production, but often needs imports to cope with shortages caused by natural disasters such as floods or drought.State rice reserves at government warehouses have fallen to around 350,000 tonnes, the lowest in six years. ($1 = 81.4400 taka) (Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Tom Hogue

http://in.reuters.com/article/bangladesh-floods-rice-idINKBN18205L

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