May 10 ,2017 daily global regional & local rice e newsletter

Daily Global Rice

E-Newsletter

1

May 10,2017 Vol 8 Issue V

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

Rice imports not needed as PHL has ample supply–Guinigundo Secretary Perdue surveys flood damage Bangladesh to import 600,000 tonnes of rice Govt ups grain output estimate to record 273.38 MT for 2016-17 Rice up on increased buying UPDATE 2-Bangladesh state grains buyer to import 600,000 T of rice Huge potential in Pakistan for Qatari investment: Minister Despite food insecurity, Kisumu farmers lack ready market for rice Rice federation sticks to its fees Rice imports not needed as PHL has ample supply–Guinigundo Magura mill owners lose interest in supplying rice under procurement drive Private rice imports OKd NFA monopoly on rice importation removed Rice Farmers Can Take This to the 'Bank,' According To Research By UC Davis Scientist  Laos, IRRI expand partnership to increase food, nutrition security

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com Monitor Latest Updates on www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

2

News Detail...

Rice imports not needed as PHL has ample supply– Guinigundo

By Cai Ordinario MAY 9, 2017 The National Food Authority Council (NFAC) is standing by its decision to not import rice, as the country has sufficient stocks, according to one of its members, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo.

In a recent interview with Guinigundo, the BSP official said Filipinos need not worry about spikes in the price of rice because the country will have enough stocks due to better harvest. ―[The] expectation is better harvest so [this will add to the buffer stock]. If we import now, prices will fall because [we] still have rice stocks of up to 70 days, which is even higher than last year‘s 69 days,‖ he said.

He said the price-monitoring report showed that well- and regular-milled rice have been declining by five to 10 centavos, or even lower, on a weekly basis.

This means, Guinigundo said, that government-to-government importation of rice will be a ―last resort‖ for the Philippines.

The BSP official said this will prevent the National Food Authority (NFA) from incurring more debt. Currently, the NFA has a standby authority from the NFAC to import 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice.

If this option is taken up by the government, should there be a shortage caused by natural calamities or similar events, this will automatically cost the already heavily indebted NFA to incur an additional P24 billion in debt. ―If the buffer stock will not be enough based on the monitoring, that‘s the time to activate the 250,000 MT standby authority from the council.

This is the last resort [because] the government pays for this. Where does the government get the money for this? We borrow,‖ Guinigundo said.

He said the private sector should be allowed to import rice, especially now that its waiver relating to the special treatment for rice will expire on June 30. This means that imported rice can freely enter the Philippines starting July. However, the Philippine government has yet to determine the tariff rate for rice and amend Republic Act (RA) 8178, which allowed quotas on rice imports.

Despite the potential problems which could be created by this, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said he is confident that the country can afford to engage in any legal action filed against it at the World Trade Organization‘s (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB). ―There‘s so many ifs there. But the policy direction is let the market operate normally and to, again, separate the regulatory function, the buffer stocking function from the NFA. To just put things in the right place so that they won‘t come up with a potentially schizophrenic organization,‖ Dominguez said.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

3

Earlier, trade experts and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) expressed concern that the failure to amend RA 8178 under a post-quantitative restriction (QR) on rice scenario could open the country to WTO sanctions.

Former Tariff Commissioner George Manzano told the BusinessMirror that sanctions can be imposed if the WTO receives valid complaints regarding the entry of rice imports to the Philippines. Sanctions from the WTO could mean trade partners asking for concessions, such as lower tariffs on specific goods or nondelivery on the trade pacts.

It could also mean allowing the entry of greater dairy and livestock imports. The presence of these concessions was used by the economic managers to prevent the extension of the QR.http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/rice-imports-not-needed-as-phl-has-ample-

Secretary Perdue surveys flood damage Flooding expected to occur along middle and lower Mississippi River through middle of May.

Jacqui Fatka 1 | May 08, 2017 On Sunday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, at the request of Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, participated in a flyover tour of northeast Arkansas with members of the Arkansas congressional delegation to survey flood damage in the area.

Some are saying the effects of recent flooding in the state could rival that of a similar event in 2011 that caused an estimated $500 million in losses to agriculture. Eric Wailes, distinguished professor of agricultural economics with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said an estimated 10% of Arkansas‘ rice crop, or 100,000 acres, as well as corn, soybean and cotton fields, are underwater.

During late April and early May, record flooding occurred at some locations, including along the Black River at Pocahontas, Ark., and Current River at Doniphan, Ark. A portion of the Black River in northern Arkansas may remain above the flood stage into early this week, reports indicated.

Areas farther south along the Mississippi River in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana may not experience a crest until the third week of May. River levels in some portions of these states will

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

4

reach moderate flood stages and may not drop below the flood stage until nearly the end of the month, according to AccuWeather. Waters along the White River may not drop below the flood stage until the third or fourth week in May. Wailes said he expects damages to become more extensive as the flood waters continue to move south into the state. He said significant costs are projected based on losses of planting and replanting as well as yield losses experienced due to late planting. It may take many weeks until flooded farmland is workable, but the weather may cooperate in the short term, AccuWeather said.

Hutchinson said nine lives have already been lost. This week, the Federal Emergency Management Administration plans to start doing damage assessments. Perdue noted that Farm Service Agency county directors and extension services are also conducting their own assessments. As soon as those assessments are completed, Perdue said he expects to ―expedite that turnaround and declaration as quickly as possible.‖ Perdue explained that President Donald Trump wanted him to get a firsthand view of the damage and said seeing that damage firsthand allows him to be a ―much better advocate‖ in Washington, D.C. He promised farmers in the areas all the possible resources at their disposal, including assistance from the Farm Service Agency with low-interest loans and opportunities to restructure terms of operating loans, conservation assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Services and crop insurance, too. ―We will do everything in our power to make sure your farmers continue on,‖ Perdue said in a press conference following the flyover. ―From the farmer perspective, I‘ve been there and known the thrill of a wonderful crop and the despair of flooding and drought,‖ Perdue said.

Sen. John Boozman (R., Ark.) and Reps. Rick Crawford (R., Ark.) and French Hill (R., Ark.) also participated in the flyover.

Flooding expected to continue into middle May As a surge of water continues to flow downstream, flooding will occur along the middle and lower Mississippi River through the middle of May and perhaps through the end of the month in some areas, according to a report from AccuWeather.

While some areas along streams and small rivers have borne the brunt of the slow-moving flooding disaster in recent days, communities along the Mississippi River from Missouri and Illinois to Louisiana and Mississippi will be racing against rising water over the next couple of weeks.

Torrential rain from the last weekend of April set the flooding disaster in motion. Rainfall during the middle days of last week brought a second surge and crest along small streams and tributaries of the major rivers.

This new surge of water will also prolong the rise and recession of the Mississippi River and lower portions of the Missouri, Illinois, Ohio and White rivers. The high water levels will continue to affect river navigation and port operations.

Over the weekend, it was projected that the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau, Mo., would crest near or just shy of the record of 48.9 ft. set on Jan. 2, 2016, according to data compiled by National Weather Service hydrologists and the U.S. Geological Survey.

"No significant rain is anticipated to fall over the middle and lower Mississippi Valley‖ through the middle of the week, according to AccuWeather lead long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

5

The extended rain-free weather will help some communities with damage assessment and cleanup operations, while communities around the lower Mississippi will have fair weather to prepare for the flooding to come. http://www.feedstuffs.com/news/secretary-perdue-surveys-flood-damage

Bangladesh to import 600,000 tonnes of rice

Reuters, Dhaka

Bangladesh will import 600,000 tonnes of rice in an effort to replenish reserves and rein in prices of the staple.

Authorities are also considering waiving the tax on rice imports, said Badrul Hasan, the head of the Directorate General of Food, as local prices have hit a record high and state reserves are at a six-year low.

The state buyer issued a tender to import 50,000 tonnes of parboiled rice today, its first such tender in many years, after flash floods hit fields about to be harvested, potentially wiping out 700,000 tonnes of crops.

"We will import a total of 600,000 tonnes of rice, while we have already issued a tender and another tender will be issued very soon," Hasan said.

He said the state agency also planned to import rice through government-to-government deals with producers such as Thailand, Vietnam and India as importing via tenders is a lengthy process.

The world's fourth-biggest producer of rice with more than 30 million tonnes of rice, Bangladesh consumes almost all its production to feed its population.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

6

It often requires imports to cope with shortages caused by natural disasters such as floods and droughts.

Bangladesh was ranked as the fourth-largest importer of the grain by the US Department of Agriculture in 2011, as low stocks and soaring prices led the government to import.

Since then, the state grains buyer has not imported rice although private traders have done, mostly from India.

In 2015, Bangladesh's government imposed a tariff of 28 percent on rice imports to protect local farmers after private traders imported around 1.5 million tonnes of rice from India that led to a drop in prices in domestic markets.

State rice reserves in government warehouses have fallen to around 350,000 tonnes, the lowest in six years.

Rice is the main staple for Bangladesh's 160 million people, but wheat consumption is also rising due to lifestyle changes.

Bangladesh imports about 4.5 million tonnes of wheat annually to meet growing demand, making it south Asia's top wheat buyer, while the country's output has stagnated at about 1 million tonnes.

http://www.thedailystar.net/world/south-asia/bangladesh/bangladeshgovernment-import-rice-food-staple-price-production-agricultural-1403068

Govt ups grain output estimate to record 273.38 MT for 2016-17 Rice production is projected to be 109.15 million tonnes (MT), wheat - 97.44 MT and pulses - 22.40 MT in the 2016-17 crop year (July-June), the agriculture ministry said, revising upwards the output figures in its third estimate.

Buoyed by record output of wheat, rice and pulses, foodgrain production in India is estimated to touch all-time high of 273.38 million tonnes in the 2016-17 crop year ending next month due to good monsoon.

Rice production is projected to be 109.15 million tonnes (MT), wheat - 97.44 MT and pulses 22.40 MT in the 2016-17 crop year (July-June), the agriculture ministry said, revising upwards the output figures in its third estimate.

The ministry releases four estimates at different stages of crop growth before the final figures.

Now, rabi crops such as wheat are being harvested in full swing. In the third estimate, foodgrain output is projected to be all-time high at 273.38 MT for this year as against 251.57 MT last year.

The previous record was 265.04 MT in 2013-14. Foodgrain basket comprises of rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

7

"As a result of very good rainfall during monsoon 2016 and various policy initiatives taken by the government, the country has witnessed record foodgrain production in the current year," the ministry said in a statement.

Wheat output has increased to 97.44 MT in 2016-17 from 92.29 MT last year as yields were better in the absence of any weather aberrations. The previous record in wheat was 95.85 MT achieved in 2013-14.

Similarly, rice output rose to 109.15 MT from 104.41 in the said period, while the previous record was 106.65 MT in 2013-14. Pulses output has gone up substantially to 22.40 MT in 201617 from 16.35 MT last year as the government encouraged farmers to grow pulses in a big way by announcing higher support price and procurement.

Previous record in pulses was 19.25 MT in 2013-14. Among pulses, tur output is projected to be a record 4.60 million tonnes in 2016-17 crop year as against 2.56 MT last year, while urad output is 2.93 MT compared to 1.95 MT in the said period.

Coarse cereals production is also estimated to be a record 44.39 MT in 2016-17 as against 38.52 MT last year. The previous record was 31.20 MT during the 2013-14 crop year.

In case of oilseed, the output is estimated to be 32.52 MT as against 25.25 MT. Among cash crop, cotton output is estimated to increase to 32.58 million bales (of 170 kg each) in 2016-17 from 30.01 million bales in the last year.

Sugarcane output is pegged at 306.03 MT, which is lower by 12.17 per cent than the last year‘s production of 348.45 MT. Production of Jute and Mesta is estimated at 10.27 million bales (of 180 kg each), which is marginally lower by 2.39 per cent than 10.52 million bales during the last year. http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/govt-ups-grain-output-estimate-torecord-273-38-mt-for-2016-17-2274737.html

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

8

Rice up on increased buying Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 7,500-7,600, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 6,000-6,800, Permal raw Rs 2,250-2,275, Permal wand Rs 2,300-2,350, Sela Rs 2,700-2,800 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,8752,000, Bajra Rs 1,350-1,360, Jowar yellow Rs 1600-1650, white Rs 3,300-3,500, Maize Rs 1,450-1,460, Barley Rs 1,550-1,570

New Delhi, May 9 In restricted activities, rice prices spurted by Rs 100 per quintal at the wholesale grains market in the national capital today mostly on the back of increased buying exporters and stockists.

Wheat dara also showed some strength on increased offtake by flour mills.

Other grains, however, remained unaltered on scattered activities.

Marketmen said the rise in rice prices was mostly attributed to increased demand from exporters.

In the rice section, super basmati rice and basmati common new traded Rs 100 each higher at Rs 9,800 and Rs 7,500- 7,600 a quintal, respectively.

Wheat dara (for mills) continued its upward trend and gained another Rs 10 to close at Rs 1,735-1,740 per quintal.

Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal): Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,100-2,400, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,735-1,740, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,730-1,735, Atta Rajdh (10 kg) Rs 240, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 240, Roller flour mill Rs 940-950 (50 kg), Maida Rs 955-965 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,0301,040 (50 kg).

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 7,500-7,600, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 6,000-6,800, Permal raw Rs 2,250-2,275, Permal wand Rs 2,300-2,350, Sela Rs 2,700-2,800 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,875-2,000, Bajra Rs 1,350-1,360, Jowar yellow Rs 1600-1650, white Rs 3,300-3,500, Maize Rs 1,450-1,460, Barley Rs 1,550-1,570.

https://www.outlookbusiness.com/newsscroll/rice-up-on-increasedbuying/1045163

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

9

UPDATE 2-Bangladesh state grains buyer to import 600,000 T of rice Tue May 9, 2017 11:29am GMT

Bangladesh was ranked as the fourth-largest importer of the grain by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2011, as low stocks and soaring prices led the government to import.

Since then, the state grains buyer has not imported rice although private traders have done, mostly from India.

In 2015, Bangladesh's government imposed a tariff of 28 percent on rice imports to protect local farmers after private traders imported around 1.5 million tonnes of rice from India that led to a drop in prices in domestic markets.

State rice reserves in government warehouses have fallen to around 350,000 tonnes, the lowest in six years.

Rice is the main staple for Bangladesh's 160 million people, but wheat consumption is also rising due to lifestyle changes.

Bangladesh imports about 4.5 million tonnes of wheat annually to meet growing demand, making it south Asia's top wheat buyer, while the country's output has stagnated at about 1 million tonnes.

http://af.reuters.com/article/idAFL4N1IB3RI?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandCha nnel=0 supply-guinigundo/

Huge potential in Pakistan for Qatari investment: Minister 09 May 2017 - 0:36

By Irfan Bukhari / The Peninsula DOHA: Pakistan‘s Minister of Commerce, Khurram Dastgir Khan yesterday said that the purpose of his visit to Qatar was to transform brotherly relations between two countries into an economic partnership. ―Definitely trade was high on the agenda of my visit. Both countries have a joint and shared vision to transform brotherly relations into an economic partnership,‖ he said while briefing the media.

He said that during his stay in Qatar he had very productive meeting with Qatar‘s Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, visited Qatar Chamber of Commerce and also met head of Qatar Business Association.

The minister said that there was a great potential in Pakistan for Qatari businessmen to invest in energy infrastructure, tourism, agro-food processing etc. ―Agro food processing is very lucrative sector in which Qatari companies can invest with full confidence. It can be executed quickly as agricultural produce is already there and they just need technology and management.‖ In IT sector, he said, there was also a tremendous scope in Pakistan for investors. ―Pakistan has 40 million subscribers of broad band after introduction of 3G, 4G. Qatari companies can invest in this field as well.‖

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

10

He said that he had received great response from Qatari officials and private sector. ―I also talked on the issue pertaining to difficulties Pakistani companies find in getting business visa of Qatar and soon these problems will be addressed with consultations.‖

The minister said that Qatari officials and private sector had suggested him to bring projects for their assessment. ―We are more than happy to do the same. I have insisted on visits from Qatari businessmen to Pakistan as I think the venue is the message.‖ The minister said that there was a lot of room for retail infrastructure development in Pakistan. ―Qatar is a country with magnificent malls. In Pakistan, the middle class is growing and consumer spending is very high therefore Qatari businessmen can also invest in this sector.‖ ―I have brought a number of good news about Pakistan. First and foremost is the fact that Pakistan is a peaceful country again as it has overcome violent extremism as well security unrest in Karachi. Now incidents of terrorism have dropped by 77percent,‖ he said.

He said that Pakistan at the same time had made a very good progress in overcoming energy crisis. ―We alone and with the help of our partners like China are setting up new generation plants and working on producing electricity with coal, wind, solar etc. With the help of LNG imported from Qatar, Pakistan has also overcome problem of gas shortage.‖ Dastgir Khan said that two principal constraints which were hindering Pakistan‘s growth including terrorism and energy crisis had been addressed by incumbent government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ―and Pakistan is now poised to grow‖.

He said that Pakistan‘s public finances had also stabilized and country‘s credit ratings had improved many degrees which were very important to boost investors‘ confidence.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

11

On China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said that it was a game changer not only for Pakistan but for the whole region. ―It is a $55bn initiative and under it three quarter projects revolve around energy generation.‖ The minister said that CPEC would ensure improved connectivity to Afghanistan and central Asian states. ―CPEC will bring shared prosperity through regional connectivity.‖ He said that government of Pakistan was also encouraging Pakistani companies to participate in infrastructure development related to FIFA 2022. ―Pakistan can export home textile, hospitality textile, sports goods, construction material etc. They should participate in exhibition being held in Doha.‖ He said that Pakistan would address Qatari concerns which had become an impediment for Pakistani rice exports to Qatar. ―Five years ago yearly export of rice to Qatar from Pakistan was $78m which dropped to just $22m last year. Soon this problem will get settled,‖ he hoped.

He said that 26-member delegation of Pakistani businessmen accompanied him in his visit to Qatar. ―They represent various sectors like rice exporters, sports goods manufacturers, companies related to food processing.‖ He said that marble exporters were also participating in Project Qatar exhibition.

Contact https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/09/05/2017/Huge-potential-in-Pakistan-for-Qatari-investmentMinister

Food Aid Funding Fight in Future

By Michael Klein

WASHINGTON, DC -- The recently passed Fiscal Year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill included $2 billion for food aid programs that the U.S. rice industry supports, but signals from the Trump Administration indicate American humanitarian efforts may not exist in the future.

The FY 2017 bill funded Food for Peace programs at $1.466 billion, including a one-time increase for famine crises of $134 million, and $202 million for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program for the remainder of FY 2017.

Last month, USA Rice joined more than 90 agriculture and humanitarian organizations in sending a letter to House and Senate appropriators requesting they, at a minimum, maintain FY2016 funding levels and U.S. leadership in fighting against famine and global malnutrition.

"According to the World Food Programme, 795 million people, or one in nine, are currently suffering from chronic hunger, while one in three suffer from malnutrition daily," the letter read. "Now is the time for America to continue our leadership role in the world by showing full support for Food for Peace, a program that has touched 3 billion lives...and the McGovern-Dole Feeding program which fosters knowledge through food."

Meanwhile President Trump's Fiscal Year 2018 budget blueprint, ironically-called "The Skinny Budget," actually zeros out the McGovern-Dole programs, and many expect Food for Peace to also come under fire from the Administration.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

12

"We are happy with the commitment shown by Congress, not only to our moral duty to help those in need, but to our farmers who grow the food vital for these aid programs," said Blake Gerard a Missouri rice farmer and chairman of USA Rice Farmers. "But it seems like we're all going to have to work hard to demonstrate the value of these programs to President Trump."

Gerard said the rice industry especially wants to keep food aid programs going since they have worked so hard to create enriched rice that solves many malnutrition problems, is affordable, long-lasting, and accepted by those in need.

"Rice is the most widely-used commodity in current food aid programs for a reason," he said.

"President Trump can score a win-win by continuing to help those in need, and using U.S. products to do it."

Despite food insecurity, Kisumu farmers lack ready market for rice MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017 14:16

FARMERS HARVEST RICE AT AHERO IRRIGATION SCHEME IN KISUMU COUNTY ON MAY 4, 2017. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NMG

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

13

Rice, the country‘s second staple food after maize, is wasting away in Kisumu as some families sleep hungry due to food insecurity and inflation that has seen the doubling of prices of essential commodities, including flour.

Ahero Irrigation Scheme, in Kisumu County, is now a beehive of activity, with farmers cutting, stacking and threshing grain from the stalks before drying it for sale.

But despite the farmers celebrating the bumper harvest, their spirit has been dampened because, in yet another year, they lack a ready market and proper storage facilities for the commodity.

The farmers, who work under the supervision of the National Irrigation Board (NIB), get respite from Ugandan buyers who ship the commodity to as far as Kampala and Jinja.

Mr Basil Kizito, a young farmer at the scheme said rice farming is both a financial and labourintensive activity, yet they sometimes get as little as Sh30 per kilo of paddy rice, making a paltry profit. ―The government has failed to find a market or even regulate the local one for us. Prices fluctuate at a very high rate.

"You could be selling rice at Sh40 per kilo in the morning, by lunch time, you will find it at Sh35,‖ said Mr Kizito.

When milled, five kilos of paddy rice produce two kilos of ready-to-eat grains.

The aggrieved growers have been reeling from fierce competition coming from cheap but quality imported rice.

The government has licenced importation of rice from Pakistan, Japan, Taiwan and Tanzania and other countgries, to bridge the gap as the country does not produce enough for local consumption.

The country has a demand of more than 450,000 metric tonnes of rice but produces less than 200,000 metric tonnes.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

14

The National Irrigation Board has however been working on means to scale up production from the current 5,000 acres in Ahero and Awach-Kano, Kisumu and add 15,000 acres in Mwea Irrigation scheme and others like Bunyala, in order to meet the demand and therefore stop importation.

Kisumu alone usually produces 25,000 metric tonnes, which the Ministry of Agriculture hopes to scale it to 60,000 metric tonnes.

Favourable competition Mr Benedict Owila, a NIB officer in charge of Ahero Research Station said they have been working on means to reduce the cost of input so that local produce can compete favourably in the market.

In 2015, they introduce a new rice-growing technology known as System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which halves costs while doubling production. ―We introduce the technology in phases. The good produce they have registered this season is partly linked to the SRI which involves using less water, few seeds and other planting procedures in order to maximise yields,‖ the researcher told Nation in his office.

Ms Juliana Anyona, who has tried the technology said it increased yields from the usual 30 bags per acre to 40. ―We appreciate new technologies by the government to improve our production. But we are asking for a better market,‖ said Ms Anyona.

Nearby the drying sections at the NIB offices are trucks hired by Ugandans to fetch the crop which now costs Sh43 per kilo.

A Ugandan buyer said Tanzanian rice is of better quality, but accessibility to Kenya is convenient in terms of transport cost and border procedures, unlike Tanzania which restricts rice export and their market full of conmen.

Mr John Odongo, NIB Assistant Research Officer said Ahero farmers cannot plant the highly demanded aromatic rice because it is not suitable in the the highly nutritious soils.

Majority plant the long grain non-aromatic famously known as Sindano and other hybrid varieties.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

15

―During its flowering season, you find that the aromatic rice begins lodging. This is because the nutrients makes the stalk heavier than the stem can support. Lodging causes reduced grain quality and loss of aroma,‖ said Mr Odongo.

Poor storage Whereas the Sindano variety is not fast moving in the market, most farmers are forced to individually store the produce for long in anticipation of better prices later on.

But to avoid poor storage, others fall victims to middlemen who offer to buy their produce at very low cost and wait for the price to shoot.

Mr Edmond Omondi, a farmer, said he would accept to sell to the exploitative middlemen since he needs quick money to re-invest as the next season begins. ―We are being exploited by middlemen. But since most farmers don‘t have an alternative way of getting capital for the next season, they dispose the rice at an incredibly low cost that leaves them with no profit,‖ he said.

Mr Tobias Otieno, an official of Kola Obura farmers‘ group said the Ahero rice is no longer a favourite to the locals. ―Ours have since been replaced by Basmati rice from the Middle East which is considered of better quality as it does not stick together after cooking like the paddy rice from Ahero,‖ he said.

The farmers criticised the National Cereals and Produce Board for failing to buy their crop. ―The cereals board prefers stocking the aromatic types like Basmati but not Sindano. Why then can‘t NIB allow us to plant other crops with which we are assured of the market instead of limiting us to rice farming?‖ posed Mr Otieno.

Rice federation sticks to its fees Wed, 10 May 2017 Cheng Sokhorng The head of the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) rebuffed members‘ complaints yesterday about annual dues and export fees, stating that the fees were ―not negotiable‖ and companies were free to leave the industry body if they wished.

Following numerous complaints last week about its $200 annual membership fee and export fees of $0.5 per tonne for white rice and $1 for fragrant rice, CRF President Sok Puthyvuth said rice millers and exporters should view these costs as an investment into improving the industry as a whole. ―What we have done so far is based on the agreement we made with all the members to address their issues, but if they feel the CRF is not important for their business, there is no need for them to invest with us,‖ he said. ―They [the members] want to see rapid results, but the big issues the industry faces cannot be resolved with immediate results.‖ Some members had complained about the high cost of rice production and increased regional competition, which they said made it hard for them to afford CRF fees. However, Puthyvuth called on companies to take a more long-term approach.

He noted that even with state financial support rice millers have struggled to perform, which he said was an indication that the problems needed to be addressed sector-wide with the leadership of the CRF.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

16

―Our issues are not only for rice exporters but they are for the whole rice industry network,‖ he said. ―We need to solve the problems well enough so that we can have consistent positive results in the long term.‖ He added that the CRF has already provided significant support to its members by negotiating reduced electricity costs, providing value added tax exemptions, cutting logistics costs and helping millers receive international rice certifications. http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/rice-federation-sticks-its-fees https://www.naij.com/1103722-bloody-shootout-ogun-state-customs-officials-rice-smugglers-details.html

Rice imports not needed as PHL has ample supply– Guinigundo

By Cai Ordinario MAY 9, 2017 The National Food Authority Council (NFAC) is standing by its decision to not import rice, as the country has sufficient stocks, according to one of its members, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo.In a recent interview with Guinigundo, the BSP official said Filipinos need not worry about spikes in the price of rice because the country will have enough stocks due to better harvest. ―[The] expectation is better harvest so [this will add to the buffer stock]. If we import now, prices will fall because [we] still have rice stocks of up to 70 days, which is even higher than last year‘s 69 days,‖ he said.

He said the price-monitoring report showed that well- and regular-milled rice have been declining by five to 10 centavos, or even lower, on a weekly basis.

This means, Guinigundo said, that government-to-government importation of rice will be a ―last resort‖ for the Philippines.

The BSP official said this will prevent the National Food Authority (NFA) from incurring more debt. Currently, the NFA has a standby authority from the NFAC to import 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice.

If this option is taken up by the government, should there be a shortage caused by natural calamities or similar events, this will automatically cost the already heavily indebted NFA to incur an additional P24 billion in debt. ―If the buffer stock will not be enough based on the monitoring, that‘s the time to activate the 250,000 MT standby authority from the council.

This is the last resort [because] the government pays for this. Where does the government get the money for this? We borrow,‖ Guinigundo said.

He said the private sector should be allowed to import rice, especially now that its waiver relating to the special treatment for rice will expire on June 30. This means that imported rice can freely enter the Philippines starting July. However, the Philippine government has yet to determine the tariff rate for rice and amend Republic Act (RA) 8178, which allowed quotas on rice imports.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

17

Despite the potential problems which could be created by this, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said he is confident that the country can afford to engage in any legal action filed against it at the World Trade Organization‘s (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB). ―There‘s so many ifs there. But the policy direction is let the market operate normally and to, again, separate the regulatory function, the buffer stocking function from the NFA. To just put things in the right place so that they won‘t come up with a potentially schizophrenic organization,‖ Dominguez said.

Earlier, trade experts and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) expressed concern that the failure to amend RA 8178 under a post-quantitative restriction (QR) on rice scenario could open the country to WTO sanctions.

Former Tariff Commissioner George Manzano told the BusinessMirror that sanctions can be imposed if the WTO receives valid complaints regarding the entry of rice imports to the Philippines. Sanctions from the WTO could mean trade partners asking for concessions, such as lower tariffs on specific goods or nondelivery on the trade pacts.

It could also mean allowing the entry of greater dairy and livestock imports. The presence of these concessions was used by the economic managers to prevent the extension of the QR.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/rice-imports-not-needed-as-phl-has-amplesupply-guinigundo/

Magura mill owners lose interest in supplying rice under procurement drive Our Correspondent

MAGURA, May 09: A good number of mill owners of the district are not interested in supplying rice in Boro procurement drive of the government.

A total of 188 mill owners are enlisted to supply rice in the drive scheduled to be started on May 02. But the procurement did not begin yet. The new date is expected to be announced shortly, office sources said.

The local food office has set to procure 3,843 tonnes of rice from the district at Tk 34 per kg.

Every year the mill owners eagerly wait for the drive to supply the item. This year the scenario has been changed. Most of the millers do not want to give their rice in the drive, sources added.

Miller sources said coarse Boro rice is being sold at Tk 40 per kg in the local market. But the government will purchase the same rice at Tk 34 per kg in the drive. This is why the mill owners are not willing to supply the commodity item in the procurement drive.

Besides, requesting anonymity an official of the district food office said the government is thinking to relax import duty for rice. If it comes into effect rice price will come down in the market and the enlisted millers will be interested to sell rice to the government.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

18

District food controller Rezaul Islam said Boro harvest is not completed yet. After completion of the paddy harvest, there will be an adequate supply of rice in the markets. Rice price will also be dropped down and the millers will be interested to supply rice to the drive.

Sanaulllah, a rice mill owner of Nandulai area under Sadar upazlla, said rice price in the procurement drive is low than that of the present market rate. He said, "We do business to make some profit. Rice procurement target in the district will not be successful unless the government raises the rate."

Magura DAE said a total of 31,750 hectares of land were brought under Boro farming in the district this season and 1,45,060 tonnes of paddy have been produced. http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/05/09/69791/Magura-mill-owners-lose-interest-insupplying-rice-under-procurement-drive

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

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

19

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-to-government. In a recent meeting, we cleared up to the President that it was difficult to do it through 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

http://business.inquirer.net/229133/private-rice-imports-okd#ixzz4gfgeJC4L

NFA monopoly on rice importation removed May 09, 2017 The government will allow private sector to import rice and strip the National Food Authority (NFA) of its monopoly in sourcing the commodity abroad.Ramon Lopez, secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry yesterday said the Cabinet in a meeting with President Duterte reiterated that private sector while allowed to import at present, can buy the commodity as needed.

The NFA imports milled rice through government-to-government contracts, but it has the authority to issue permits to private sector for their importation. Lopez said NFA has incurred,

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

20

cumulatively over the years, P200 billion in losses due to rice importation, buying at high and selling low. ―The private sector knows the market, they know the timing,‖ said Lopez, Unlike government-to-government procurement where government has to set aside certain funds for the importation, it would earn revenues when private sector imports as these are slapped with tariff.

This development is aligned with the decision of the Philippines to lift the quantitative restriction (QR) on rice effective July 1.

A set minimum access volume (MAV) is slapped with a preferential tariff of 35 percent while volume outside MAV is slapped 50 percent.Once the QR is lifted, a 35 percent tariff is applied on all imports.

Lopez said an executive order lifting the QR will be issued following the approval by the Cabinet level.But he cautioned that once private sector is given priority, there would be more importers and volume would not be cornered by a few parties.Lopez assured the volume of importation would have to be determined in consultation with the Department of Agriculture based on the projected demand and forecast harvest.

NFA, however, will buy from local farmers for the buffer stock and can import if necessary.

An executive order or a directive from the NFA Council would issued to formalize this policy. ―Rice is a very important commodity that affects the day-to-day lives of Filipinos. It is very important to keep supply and prices stable. It is also a big factor in the inflation index,‖ Lopez said. http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/nfa-monopoly-rice-importation-removed

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

21

Rice Farmers Can Take This to the 'Bank,' According To Research By UC Davis Scientist Rice farmers seeking to protect their crops from pests sans pesticides may want to consider the practice called the ―banker plant system."

By Mark Nero (Patch Staff) - May 8, 2017 8:13 pm ET

By Kathy Keatley Garvey DAVIS, CA -- Rice farmers seeking to protect their crops from pests but without the high dependency of pesticides may want to consider the sustainable pest management practice known as the ―banker plant system.‖ First-of-its-kind research, published in Scientific Reports of the journal Nature by a nine-member team, including UC Davis agricultural entomologist Christian Nansen (pictured above), indicated that attracting alternative hosts to parasitoids of rice insect pests, can help protect a rice crop. The players: a grass species, a planthopper, and an egg parasitoid.

The field and laboratory work, done in China, targeted the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, or BPH, the economically most important rice pest in Asia. Results showed that BPH densities were ―significantly lower in the rice fields with the banker plant system compared to control rice fields without banker plant system,‖ the scientists said.

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

22

―Many people are familiar with the concept of a ‗trap crop'-- a sacrificial crop which is planted mixed in with or adjacent to an economically important crop and the trap crop serves to manipulate pests away by offering them a more attractive/suitable host alternative,‖ said Nansen, an assistant professor with the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. ―The use of banker plants in pest management is similar to the use of trap crops, but banker plants typically have multiple ecological functions.‖ The researchers planted a grass species, Leersia sayanuka, next to rice. It attracted a planthopper (Nilaparvata muiri), which does not infest rice. ―But N. muiri is a very good host for the important egg parasitoid, Anagrus nilaparvatae, which is also a parasitoid of the economically important pest, the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens,‖ Nansen explained. ―So, by planting the grass, the parasitoids have plenty of hosts year round – even after the rice harvest season– and that ensures steady population dynamics of the parasitoid across seasons.‖ Rice is the stable food of more than 50 percent of the global population, and 60 percent of the Chinese population. However, scientists concur that the world's rice production needs to increase drastically over the next three decades to meet the growing food demand in Asia. Growing concern over BPH outbreaks and higher pesticide usage led to the sustainable pest management study.

Titled ―Use of Banker Plant System for Sustainable Management of the Most Important Insect Pest in Rice Fields in China,‖ the research is unique in that it is the first published study describing the attraction of alternative hosts to parasitoids of rice insect pests. In rice systems, previously published research involved planting sesame as a nectar source to promote the establishment and persistence of a predatory bug; and studies involving parasitoids.

BPH, found only in southeast Asia and Australia, feeds on the rice crop at all stages of plant growth and can also transmit two viruses, rice ragged stunt virus, and rice grassy stunt virus.

Damage can commonly result in a 60 percent yield loss. An infestation is often called ―hopper burn,‖ referring to yellow patches that soon turn brown.

Although BPH is not found in the United States, this kind of study ―may be an approach to consider in California in the future if insecticide resistance continues to impeded effective insect control,‖ Nansen said.

Noting the importance of the banker plant system, Nansen said that banker plants ―involve promotion of plant diversity to enhance pest self-regulatory ecosystem functions, such as predation and competition, to reduce susceptibility of agricultural crops to native and invasive pests. Also, banker plants ―may provide resources, such as shelter, pollen and nectar or alternative preys to improve the establishment and persistence of beneficial insect populations used to control a specific pest.‖ The first successful banker plant system, developed in 1977, involved tomato as the banker plant, a parasitoid and a whitefly.Nansen is affiliated with both UC Davis and the Zhejiang Sustainable Pest and Disease Control, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China.Co-authors of the research paper include lead author Zhongxian Lu and colleagues Xusong Zheng, Yanhui Lu, Junce Tian, Hongxing Xu, all of the Zhejiang Sustainable Pest and Disease Control; and Pingyang Zhu, Facheng Zhang and Guihua Chen of the Jinhua (China) Plant Protection Station.The study was jointly supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China, Zhejiang Key Research and Development Program, and the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest. https://patch.com/california/davis/rice-farmers-can-take-bank-according-research-uc-davis-scientist

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com

23

Laos, IRRI expand partnership to increase food, nutrition security May 9, 2017 - by Holly Demaree

VIENTIANE, LAOS — The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Laos have an increased their role in the country‘s food and nutrition security with a new partnership in research.

The agreement will enable continued conduct of scientific work that will contribute significantly to the development of the country‘s rice sector.―IRRI and the government of Laos have had a long history of collaboration that goes back three decades. This strong partnership is now further solidified with the signing of the host country agreement between our two parties,‖ said Phouang Parisak Pravongviengkham, deputy minister for Agriculture and Forestry. ―The agreement will pave the way for stronger research and development collaborations in the country.‖Collaboration between Laos and IRRI—formalized in 1987 when the first memorandum of agreement was signed between the two parties and intensified in the 1990s— resulted in the transformation of Laos rice sector from purely subsistence levels to commercial production. In 1999, the country achieved rice-self-sufficiency with a total rice production of more than 2 million tonnes. In 2012 and 2013, rice production exceeded 3 million tonnes, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). ―We are elated by our renewed partnership with Lao,‖ said Matthew Morell, IRRI director general. ―Our work in Laos over the decades has yielded great results and we look forward to continuing that work.‖Current collaborative projects with Laos include the Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments (CURE), which seeks to enable farmers in the most challenging environments, such as rainfed areas, to improve their livelihoods by introducing climate-ready technologies. CURE also operates in other parts of Asia such as Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Myanmar.

Image: IRRI and Laos signed and put the research partnership in motion on May 8th.

Photo courtesy of IRRI. http://www.worldgrain.com/articles/news_home/World_Grain_News/2017/05/Laos_IRRI_expand_partnership_t.aspx?ID= {1A66EEC5-0581-4401-BEE3-29D511E1875D}

Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com