10 april 2018 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

Rice News Headlines…                      

Rice traders off to Iran Iran, Pakistan witness double-digit rise in non-oil trade healthy lifestyle with serving spoon promotion As Philippine rice stock depletes, Duterte places NFA under his office Boro rice: Govt to pay Tk 2 more to farmers, Tk 4 more to millers Rice Prices Iran Bans Rice Cultivation in Dry Provinces Iraq in talks to buy at least 30,000 tonnes U.S. rice- trade PH to import 500,000 MT of rice this year Duterte to NFA: Ignore council, import rice Duterte to NFA: Ignore council, import rice Philippines plans to import 250,000 tonnes rice via open tender Rice prices up for 3rd month Government Affairs Team Adds New Staff USA Rice Welcomes New Member IT BECAME KNOWN AS THE BODY CAN HARM CEREALS ‘Sea Rice’ Trial Could Expand to 20 Million Hectares Indian food eatery to open express outpost in Midtown Rice exporters pin high hopes on Iran visit ‘Sea Rice’ Trial Could Expand to 20 Million Hectares Hybrid grain guarantees food security by increasing arable land and crop output Could a rice bran-soy milk combo help blood sugar control? 

www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 0321 3692874

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News Detail‌ Rice traders off to Iran LAHORE: A 16-member delegation of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) leaves for Iran to explore trade potential, a statement said on Monday. The delegation, which includes top exporters of basmati and long grain rice, will meet with the officials of the Ministry of Commerce of Iran, for selling Pakistani rice through government tenders and Iranian Ministry of Health regarding GMP issues. The delegation will also participate in lunch arranged by Iranian Rice Importers Association, it added. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/302423-rice-traders-off-toiranhttps://www.thenews.com.pk/print/302423-rice-traders-off-to-iran

Iran, Pakistan witness double-digit rise in non-oil trade

By IANS April 9, 2018 13:53 +08

Representational picture Reuters The value of trade exchange between Iran and Pakistan rose by 13.5 percent in a period of 11 months up to this February.The volume of bilateral non-oil trade was 2.27 million tons, with the value standing at $1.176 billion, Xinhua reported.

According to Islamic Republic Customs Administration, Iran exported 1.94 million tons of goods worth $822.20 million to Pakistan during the period, while Pakistan exported some 330,000 tons of goods worth $353.89 million to Iran during the same period.

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According to official IRNA news agency, the exported items of Iran comprised iron ore, iron

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scrap, dates, detergents, transformers, chemicals, bitumen, polyethene, propylene etc, while the imported items from Pakistan included rice, fresh fruits, meat, cloth and mechanical machinery.

Iran and Pakistan have agreed to enhance the bilateral trade volume to $5 billion in the next five years. http://www.ibtimes.sg/iran-pakistan-witness-double-digit-rise-non-oil-trade-25832

Liansin promotes healthy lifestyle with serving spoon promotion April 10, 2018, Tuesday

Lim (fourth left) and Chong (centre) together with their marketing team from Sibu, Miri and Bintulu at the Kuching branch office yesterday. Also seen are (from left) Teng, Song Lin, Lee, Ting, Goh, Benlinda and Yii.KUCHING: Liansin Trading Sdn Bhd has been seeing great response to its stainless steel serving spoon promotion – available for free with every purchase of one packet of Haryana Rice worth RM49.

Its senior marketing manager Lim Boo Khiong told a press conference yesterday that the company wants to promote a healthy lifestyle. ―Often times, we don‘t think about dipping our own spoon into a shared dish, but we should keep food hygienic by using a serving spoon,‖ he said, adding that no one wants to pass any sickness onto others at the table.

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Marketing executive Doris Chong Chun Ling said that the serving spoon promotion is while stocks last, while pointing out that stock is moving very fast. ―Customers can visit any supermarket or retail store. Make sure it (Haryana rice packet) has the sticker on the packaging and claim their spoon from counter,‖ she said.

Haryana, which is from India, is a type of basmati rice containing less starch and 30 per cent more fibre. It is also low fat and low sugar, and contains minerals such as potassium, iron, and phosphorus which makes it more nutritious than other rice.

Once cooked, the rice is soft, fluffy and fragrant. The cooking method for Haryana rice differs slightly, with a 1:1.5 rice-to-water ratio. For a fluffier texture, pre-soak the rice for 15 to 20 minutes.

Haryana rice makes an excellent and delicious addition in taking that step towards a healthy, balanced diet.

Also present at the press conference were Liansin Trading assistant manager Alex Teng Siu Beng and marketing assistant Janet Lee Siew Fung; Liangtie Trading Sdn Bhd branch manager Ting Ken Siang and sales executive Goh Hui Kiong from Sibu; Tong Seng Huat Rice Trading Sdn Bhd sales executive Jimmy Yii Juin Hieng and marketing assistant Benlinda Tan Sze Ung from Miri; and Tong Seng Huat (Bintulu) Sdn Bhd sales executive Tan Song Lin from Bintulu.

For more information regarding Haryana products, visit liansin.com.my/haryana, or call them on 082-333555.You can also look for their Facebook page under ‗Liansin Trading Sdn Bhd‘. http://www.theborneopost.com/2018/04/10/liansin-promotes-healthy-lifestyle-with-servingspoon-promotion/

As Philippine rice stock depletes, Duterte places NFA under his office Audrey Morallo (philstar.com) - April 6, 2018 - 4:34pm MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday "expressed his intent" to place the National Food Authority under the Office of the President following reports that Philippine supply of its staple grain is at a dangerously low level.The decision came after Manny Piñol, the Philippine agriculture secretary, announced in a radio interview that Duterte had already given the verbal order to abolish the inter-agency National Food Authority Council.

"The president expressed his intent to place the National Food Authority (NFA) under the Office of the President," Harry Roque, a president's spokesman, said in a statement.

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The presidential spokesman said that the Philippine leader was also considering centralizing the approval of rice importation under Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, an undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, subject to the review of the Office of the Executive Secretary.

Roque said that Duterte also pledged to give at least 700,000 sacks of rice to replenish the stocks of the NFA sold at P38 per kilo to be sold at P39.

Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino, a member of the Senate's minority caucus, meanwhile slammed the announced abolition of the NFA Council and aid that Duterte's decision just removed that safeguards against corruption and abuse in the NFA. Without the NFA Council, the orchestrators of this rice crisis will continue to make questionable decisions with impunity, he said in a statement following Duterte's decision.

Aquino and Sen. Grace Poe of the Senate majority caucus, both called for the resignation of NFA Administrator Jason Aquino for his failure to ensure the right amount of stock of NFA rice which resulted in higher prices of commercial rice.

The government said that its rice buffer stock was good for less than a day, way below of the required 15-day supply for non-lean months.

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According to PiĂąol, Duterte made the decision to abolish the NFA council in a meeting with rice traders at the presidential palace Thursday.He said that Duterte would like to have only one focal person for each concern.Duterte's decision to abolish the NFA Council is a big blow to Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., the head of the body.

Evasco and NFA's Aquino are at odds over the country's rice importation policy as the Cabinet secretary is in favor of letting private rice traders doing much of the purchase of rice from foreign markets.NFA's Aquino, meanwhile, favors government-to-government procurement which he claims is faster but is sure to add to the agency's debt.

It is not clear yet if Duterte has already issued a repealing order as the NFA Council was created by a presidential decree.Sen. Ralph Recto, meanwhile, urged the government to adopt a longterm strategy for its rice policy as the Philippine population is expected to balloon further in the coming years.

"Thus, whatever rice policy the government adopts, whatever agency it disbands or creates, whatever strategy it pursues, must take a long-term view, one that is cost-effective, pro-consumer and farmer-empowering," Recto said.He stressed the need to have good policies on rice production and rice tarrification.

According to Recto, the country's population will grow by 16.43 million by 2028. He said that this number of Filipinos would need an increase of 1.772 million tons in the country's domestic rice stock.

"One study says the country should develop 1.496 million hectares of 'rrigable'farmland by 2028 to meet our food security requirements. Estimated cost is P524 billion," he said.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/06/1803443/philippine-rice-stock-depletes-duterte-places-nfa-under-his-

office#R80MYfSedvyLO9EK.99

Boro rice: Govt to pay Tk 2 more to farmers, Tk 4 more to millers Senior Correspondent, bdnews24.com

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2018-04-08 15:39:59.0 BdST Updated: 2018-04-08 16:02:48.0 BdST

The government will procure Boro rice paddy at Tk 26 per kg and rice at Tk 38 per kg during this year‘s Boro season.By this measure Boro farmers will receive Tk 2 per kg more than they did last year, while millers will receive Tk 4 more per kg.Food Minister Md Qamrul Islam said that the government would buy rice and paddy between May 2 and Aug 31 this year.

The government has set a collection target of 1 million metric tonnes of Boro rice and paddies due to the bumper crop this year, Islam said at a press briefing following a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit at the Secretariat on Sunday.The government will procure 800,000 metric tonnes of parboiled rice, 100,000 metric tonnes of Atap rice and 150,000 metric tonnes Boro rice paddies (which would produce 100,000 tonnes of rice).

The production cost of Boro rice was Tk 36 per kg this year and so the government would buy it at Tk 38 per kg, the food minister said. Atap rice will be bought at Tk 37 per kg and Boro rice paddy at Tk 26 per kg.

Last year the government bought 700,000 tonnes of rice paddies at Tk 24 per kg and 800,000 tonnes of rice at Tk 34 per kg. Due to sufficient food reserves the government has reduced its domestic procurement target this year.

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Heavy rains, mountain run-off and three rounds of floods devastated last year‘s Boro crop and forced the government to lower tariffs and import a substantial amount of rice to stabilise the market.

According to the food ministry, the government has 969,000 metric tonnes of rice and 362,000 metric tonnes of wheat in its reserves.The government will not procure wheat this year due to this year‘s limited production, the food minister said.Bangladesh has produced a total of 1.3 million tonnes of wheat this year, he said. https://bdnews24.com/economy/2018/04/08/boro-rice-tk-2-more-for-farmers-tk-4-for-millershttps://bdnews24.com/economy/2018/04/08/bororice-tk-2-more-for-farmers-tk-4-for-millers

Rice Prices as on : 10-04-2018 10:40:04 AM Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.

Arrivals Current

Price % change

Season cumulative

Modal

Prev.

Modal

Prev.Yr %change

Rice Lakhimpur(UP)

20.00

-9.09

938.00

2230

2220

3.24

Deogarh(Ori)

9.00

NC

186.00

2500

2500

NC

Khurja(UP)

7.50

-37.5

455.00

2600

2600

-

Mirzapur(UP)

6.00

20

322.50

2170

2180

-

Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP)

4.00

-20

210.50

2230

2240

-0.45

Tileibani(Ori)

3.00

20

23.50

2500

2500

NC

Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)

2.50

66.67

278.40

2800

2800

12.00

9

Shahganj(UP)

1.00

-81.82

28.50

2100

2100

NC

Jagnair(UP)

0.80

33.33

47.70

2520

2520

-0.79

Khairagarh(UP)

0.80

-42.86

55.20

2530

2520

0.40

Published on April 10, 2018

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-prices/article23488345.ece

Iran Bans Rice Cultivation in Dry Provinces April 9, 2018 - 10:05

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Iranian Minster of Energy Reza Ardakanian says the government has decided to ban the cultivation of rice in any province other than the ones in the north in a bid to control the serious water crisis across the country.Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with a group of lawmakers, Ardakanian said cultivation of rice is not logical in dry and semi-dry areas.Therefore, he added, the government has made its decision on the prohibition of growing rice in any province other than the northern ones. ―This is a policy adopted by one of the Iranian ministries,‖ he noted, perhaps referring to the Ministry of Agriculture which has long been opposed to cultivation of high-water-consuming plants in dry and semi-dry areas.

While the decision might outrage rice farmers across the country, experts believe such a ban seems necessary given the serious crisis in the country‘s water resources.

No Need for Import of Drinking Water despite Serious Drought Meanwhile, an Iranian lawmaker quoted Ardakanian as saying that the country doesn‘t yet need to import drinking water in the current Iranian calendar year.Seyyed Hossein Naqavi Hosseini quoted Ardakanian as saying, ―Though Iran is facing the problem of water shortage, the plight of drought in the country is temporary.‖―The minister also noted that over the last 50 years, we have witnessed a one-millimetre decrease in the precipitation level each year and a two-grade increase in the weather temperature of Iran each ten years.‖ This shows that we face the problem of water shortage but not necessarily a dire drought and the current drought is temporary,‖ Naqavi Hosseini quoted him as saying, according a Farsi report

by ISNA.He added that the government has already established a working group including representatives from all relevant organizations to cope with the ongoing water shortage.The Iranian

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lawmaker said exploring the issue of water shortage in Isfahan and Khuzestan provinces is at the top of the working group‘s agenda.

He underlined that Iran doesn‘t need to import drinking water from neighbouring states. ―We are serious and resolute when it comes to the issue of water shortage.‖Naqavi Hosseini also said the issue of water shortage can be resolved only through managing both sides of the supply and demand chain.

During the meeting, three deputies from the energy ministry read out separate reports on the water resources across Iran including the dams‘ water. They unanimously warned about the low level of water behind the dams.They also warned that there would be a 5,000 megawatt of power shortage in the current Iranian calendar year because of the upcoming water shortage. The officials also called on the lawmakers to play a role in handling the problem.During the meeting, the participants also discussed the urgency of managing the water distribution systems as well as the required reforms to make to the water consumption in Iran.

http://ifpnews.com/exclusive/iran-bans-rice-cultivation-in-dry-provinces/

Iraq in talks to buy at least 30,000 tonnes U.S. rice- trade Iraq‘s trade ministry said on Tuesday it planned to start negotiations in coming days about buying U.S. rice Image used for illustrative purposes. rice with green peas.

Getty Images/ Burcu Atalay Tankut

By Michael Hogan, Reuters News HAMBURG - Iraq's state grains buyer is in talks about buying at least 30,000 tonnes of U.S.origin rice in deals without international purchase tenders being issued, European traders said on Friday.Iraq‘s trade ministry said on Tuesday it planned to start negotiations in coming days about buying U.S. rice but gave no more details.

The talks involved U.S. long grain white rice, traders said.

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Iraq‘s state grains board has said it plans a combination of formal international tenders and nontender negotiations to meet its import needs.

The last round of non-tender talks in March about buying U.S.-origin rice and wheat ended without purchases.

(Reporting by Michael Hogan) ((michael.j.hogan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 40 419 03 4275; ReutersMessaging: michael.hogan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/Iraq_in_talks_to_buy_at_least_30000_tonnes_US_rice_t rade-TR20180406nL5N1RJ14QX2/

PH to import 500,000 MT of rice this year By: Karl R. Ocampo - @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:30 AM April 07, 2018

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The country‘s state-run grains agency will now proceed with the importation of rice to augment the supply of subsidized rice in the market after earlier being delayed by its policy-making body.The NFA Council, an 18-member body that consists of representatives from financial institutions and other related agencies, has the power to approve or reject proposals coming from the NFA management.

NFA Administrator Jason Aquino has ordered the importation of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice under the government-to-government (G2G) scheme. While the G2G scheme is believed to be more prone to corruption and less transparent since it does not require the disclosure of the bidding‘s base price, its procurement process is considered the fastest.

The agency will purchase rice from the governments of Vietnam and Thailand where the country has an existing memorandum of understanding (MOU). The initial shipments are expected to arrive by the end of May through the ports in Cebu, Davao and Manila.

Another 250,000 MT will be purchased by the NFA in the latter part of the year through the government-to-private (G2P) scheme. This is in preparation for the lean months.

The NFA Council originally planned to import rice through the open tender scheme, wherein the government would transact with the private sector, but this was sidelined since its lengthy process for procurement was seen to delay the arrival of rice to June or July.

During a meeting with industry stakeholders on Thursday, President Duterte asked retailers, wholesalers, and traders to provide a consistent supply of an affordable rice variant until the arrival of the imported rice.

This is to alleviate the plight of poor Filipino consumers who rely on NFA rice that was being sold at P27 a kilogram (kg).

James Magbanua, national president of the Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines (Grecon), said stakeholders came to an agreement to provide regular-milled rice to the market at P39 a kg. At present, prices of regular-milled rice are now at P42 a kg.

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―This is an initiative of the private sector,‖ said Magbanua. ―That price range will not change until the arrival of the rice imports, or even when prices of well-milled rice and premium rice continue to rise.‖ Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said in a radio interview that consumers could expect cheaper commercial rice in the market by next week.

Private groups have committed to giving at least 700,000 bags of rice to the government to replenish NFA‘s stocks.

Piñol explained that the increase in the prices of rice was brought by the increase in the farm-gate prices of unmilled rice (palay).

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that farm-gate prices of palay were now at P21 to P23 a kg. The rule of thumb for setting the retail price of rice was ―double the farm-gate price,‖ which would translate to prices at P46 to P50 a kg.

Industry group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura chair Rosendo So said the private sector‘s move was already ―overdue,‖ adding that ―consumers must also benefit from the industry‘s value chain.‖ ―If the private sector has the capacity to lower their retail prices, why did they have to wait for the President‘s order?‖ he said. ―In a period of relatively stable supply, rice prices were abnormally high in recent weeks—so it is only normal that prices be reduced,‖ he added. http://business.inquirer.net/248752/ph-import-500000-mt-rice-year#ixzz5CGPYff8j

Duterte to NFA: Ignore council, import rice

By Chad de Guzman, CNN Philippines Updated 10:38 AM PHT Sat, April 7, 2018 1.2K7

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President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday met with primary rice traders in Malacañang.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 7) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered the National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Jason Aquino to ignore their agency's policymaking body and push through with the rice importation.

"Sinabi ko na sa kanya [I told him], 'Ignore the Rice Council which is mandated by law, go ahead and make the importations,'" he said in a speech during a dinner concert in Pasay City.

Duterte on Thursday also met with primary rice traders in Malacañang. After this, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte wanted to transfer the NFA under the Office of the President.

The President added recent warnings of an NFA rice shortage "put people on a very unsettling environment."News of the shortage first erupted in February when the NFA said it would temporarily stop issuing NFA rice to accredited retailers due to low supply.

The NFA Council is led by Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., who has been in conflict with Aquino over the rice importations.

Evasco earlier said 250,000 metric tons of NFA rice are set to arrive by June, "so there is nothing to worry (about)."

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NFA rice is at ₱27 to ₱32 a kilo, while commercial rice costs ₱36 to ₱65 a kilo.The NFA caters to 10 percent of the total rice consumption of the country. It serves Classes D and E, or around 8 to 10 million Filipinos. http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/04/07/duterte-to-NFA-ignore-council-import-rice.html

Philippines plans to import 250,000 tonnes rice via open tender Higher rice prices added pressure to Philippine inflation

A worker carries a sack of rice inside a National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Taguig city, south of Manila, August 25, 2015. The Philippines aims to increase rice production by as much as 6.5 percent next year after an expected fall in this year's output, with state spending to boost crop yields helping to offset possible losses from the El Nino dry weather condition, a senior official said on Tuesday.

REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

By Enrico dela Cruz, Reuters News

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MANILA - The Philippines' food security agency plans to buy 250,000 tonnes of rice in a government-to-government deal with Vietnam or Thailand to beef up depleted buffer stock, a spokesman said on Sunday.

The purchase is on top of the importation of 250,000 tonnes in an open international tender that has already been approved, Rex Estoperez, spokesman of the state-run National Food Authority (NFA), told Reuters.

The Philippines, a frequent rice importer, saw domestic prices of the staple grain increase by 3-4 percent in late January and rise further in the succeeding weeks, as state stockpiles dropped to their lowest in more than two decades.

Higher rice prices added pressure to Philippine inflation, which hit an annual pace of 4.3 percent in March, the fastest in five years.

Rice imports will boost the buffer stock of the NFA, which supplies cheaper rice to the local market and helps stabilise domestic prices.

Asked if the emergency purchase needed NFA Council approval, Estoperez said President Rodrigo Duterte had already authorised NFA Administrator Jason Aquino to proceed with theimportation.

The council, composed of government economic managers, earlier approved the purchase of 250,000 tonnes via a tender open to international traders and suppliers, for delivery starting May, ahead of the lean domestic harvest season from July.

The council prefers an open tender, which makes pricing transparent and less prone to corruption, over a government-to-government deal.

(Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by Michael Perry) https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/Philippines_plans_to_import_250000_tonnes_rice_via_o pen_tender-ZAWYA20180408102356/

Rice prices up for 3rd month Louise Maureen Simeon (The Philippine Star) - April 9, 2018 - 12:00am Rice prices have been increasing since the start of the year, following the lack of supply of cheaper rice from the National Food Authority (NFA). MANILA, Philippines — The farm gate price of paddy rice continued its upward trend for the third consecutive month after it posted an increment of 10 percent by end-March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.Rice prices have been increasing since the start of the year, following the lack of supply of cheaper rice from the National Food Authority (NFA).Under the law, the NFA is tasked to buy the palay produce of local farmers as buffer stock for calamities and as a stabilizer in the market to avoid jacking up prices of commercial rice.

In its regular update on palay, rice and corn prices, the PSA said the average price of palay went up to P20.46 per kilogram from P18.60 per kg last year. Week-on-week, prices were also up by less than one percent.The average wholesale price of well-milled rice rose six percent to P40.69 per kg year-on-year, but week-on-week prices started to decrease by 0.05 percent.

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The average retail price of well-milled rice increased to P43.46 per kg, up by five percent yearon-year.The wholesale price of regular-milled rice was P37.13 per kg, seven percent higher than the previous year. Its average retail price also increased seven percent to P39.74 per kg.

Earlier, the PSA said the country‘s rice inventory remained on a low note this year as it went down by 22 percent to 1.8 million metric tons (MT) as of February.

The PSA reported total rice inventory as of end-February was lower than the 2.3 million MT recorded in 2017 and was 22 percent lower than the 2.29 million MT recorded in the previous month.

Duterte to decide on NFA status Aside from the depletion of NFA rice stocks, the grain agency‘s status is hanging. The NFA, Department of Agriculture (DA), and even Malacañang are all in confusion and disagreement as to where the grain agency will really fal

l under.Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol earlier said President Duterte ordered NFA‘s return to the DA but presidential spokesman Harry Roque countered by saying NFA will remain under the Office of the President.Duterte is expected to decide on the fate of the NFA after his official trip to China this week.

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―Final word in the setup will be announced by the President when he comes back from China,‖ Piñol told The STAR.An industry source said the Governance Commission for GovernmentOwned and Controlled Corporation (GCG) will study plans to scrap the functions of the interagency NFA Council.The source said the GCG, which is under the Office of the President, is looking at the plans to have the NFA Council reconstituted, or even abolished. ―The GCG will study recommendation of dissolution or abolition of NFA Council. It will recommend reconstitution of the Council,‖ the source said.The source added that no timeline has been set as to when it will start and will be finished but noted that ―soon is desirable.‖ Immediate importation While the status of NFA remains hanging, the grain agency is focusing first on the immediate importation of the 250,000 MT of rice via the government-to-government scheme as approved by the President, NFA spokesman Rex Estoperez said.

NFA stocks have been depleted since last week. Duterte ordered the immediate replenishment of the government buffer stock to stabilize prices in the market.

The NFA is preparing the terms of reference for the importation from Vietnam and Thailand, which will likely arrive by end of May through the ports of Cebu, Davao and Manila.

Estoperez said the terms of reference ―may be available anytime this week.‖ The NFA Council is not in favor of the government-to-government scheme as this is more prone to corruption, but the mode is the easiest way to immediately replenish stocks.

Piñol also confirmed the emergency importation, saying this is the best thing to be done right now as NFA stocks have been depleted.

DA to help NFA The DA will also help NFA boost its palay procurement to fill its depleted buffer stock inventory.

Piñol said he reached an agreement with NFA administrator Jason Aquino for an interagency cooperation on NFA‘s palay buying nationwide.

Under the agreement, which will be formally signed this week, DA will identify areas where buying prices of palay are considerably lower and controlled by traders and middlemen. ―The NFA will focus its palay-buying operations in the areas identified by us and they will provide a space, or an area, in its buying stations so that the DA could establish drying facilities, which farmers could use for free provided they sell their produce to the NFA,‖ Piñol explained.

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He also said that should farmers want to avail themselves of DA‘s flagship loan program, the department will offer incentives and prioritize those who will sell their produce to the NFA. ―The DA will also provide an additional incentive of farm machinery grant like tractors and harvesters to farmers groups who will be able to deliver to the NFA a certain volume of their palay produce,‖ Piñol said.

The NFA is having a hard time buying locally as the grain agency could not match the buying price offered by private traders.

The agency buys palay at P17 per kilogram while traders buy at a high of P22 per kilogram.

This year, NFA is allocating P5.1 billion for its palay-buying program nationwide to boost buffer stock and rice distribution requirements as it targets to buy six million bags of palay, double the three million procurement target last year.

Incentives are also being offered to individual farmers and farmer cooperatives nationwide, including delivery incentive of P0.20 to P0.50 per kilogram, P0.20 per kg drying incentive, and P0.30/kg Cooperative Development Incentive Fee. A farmer who wishes to sell produce to the NFA only needs to secure a passbook to prove that he is a legitimate farmer, submit an information sheet, and secure a certification from a municipal agriculturist where the farm is located.

For farmers‘ organizations, a master passbook must be secured by submitting their certificate of registration, assembly resolution, and master list of members.

NFA starts buying during the summer harvest season, but bulk of the target volume is expected to be bought starting October until December as the main harvest season contributes 70 percent to the country‘s total annual harvest.

NFA‘s P172-B debt Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto called on the government to make sure its efforts to satisfy the rice needs of 106.5 million Filipinos will not further bloat the P172billion liabilities of the NFA. ―Imports should pay duties, and should have an arrival time that will not compete with local palay harvest, and must not dampen palay gate prices,‖ he said.

Recto noted that a large chunk of NFA‘s debt could have been used to boost local production instead of subsidizing foreign rice growers because of importations.

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―The debt needle of the NFA should not move upward,‖ he added. ―We should resist any notion, especially the one couched in populist terms, that we use borrowed money in buying rice from abroad.‖ The audited financial report of the NFA for 2016 shows an agency deep in the red.

Recto said the NFA had non-current domestic loans of P82.1 billion and P2.2 billion in interests payable, and P13.9 billion in maturing debts. For its notes payable in 2016, P21 billion was owed to the Development Bank of the Philippines, and P15 billion to the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Recto said ―rice security‖ can be achieved in the long run by boosting production, ―by investing in irrigation and in cutting postharvest losses, which wastes 17 percent of palay harvest.‖ ―If, for example, we have P5 billion, we can use it to buy palay or increase by 40 times the government‘s current budget for postharvest facilities,‖ he added.

He pointed out that 2.5 million metric tons of rice a year are spoiled due to lack of or poor postharvest facilities. The wasted rice is enough to meet the annual rice needs of 14 million people, or more than the population of Metro Manila. – With Paolo Romero

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/09/1804242/rice-prices-3rdmonth#EE5jKjj39bVJXZzQ.99https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/09/1804242/riceprices-3rd-month

Government Affairs Team Adds New Staff

By Deborah Willenborg ARLINGTON, VA -- Jamison Cruce joined USA Rice today as a Manager in the Government Affairs Department. Jamison comes to USA Rice from the American Farm Bureau Federation where he managed two national programs, Promotion & Education and Women's Leadership, to increase grassroots engagement and advocacy opportunities for Farm Bureau members.

The Georgia native earned his B.S. in Agriculture at the University of Georgia, and worked for the Georgia Peanut Commission before moving to Washington, DC, two and a half years ago. He is an American history buff so stays busy during off hours visiting the countless historic monuments, museums, and battlefields in Washington and the surrounding countryside.

USA RICE

USA Rice Welcomes New Member 22

Red Top Rice Growers USA Rice welcomes Red Top Rice Growers, headquartered in Biggs, California, as a Federation Industry Partner. Founded in 1958, the company specializes in rice drying services."Everyone knows there's strength in numbers so every additional USA Rice member increases the influence we have advocating on behalf of the U.S. rice industry," said USA Rice Chairman Brian King. "We are thrilled to have Red Top Rice Growers join their voice with ours so that together we can make a positive impact for the entire industry."

USA Rice invites producer, mill, merchant, and industry partners who support the rice industry and the mission and goals of the organization as members. Benefits of membership range from communications to educational conferences to providing strategic direction to USA Rice through participation on boards and committees. For more information on membership opportunities with USA Rice, please contact Jeanette Davis at (703) 236-1447.

USA Rice Daily

IT BECAME KNOWN AS THE BODY CAN HARM CEREALS magictr | April 9, 2018 |

The consumption of cereals is useful in all cases.

Porridge is often mentioned as a fine example of a healthy Breakfast – but is it really? Scientists said: in a number of diseases can be by no means unsafe food from semolina, white rice and buckwheat, according to the Chronicle.info with reference to Healthy Living.

In particular, specialists explained than can harm the body. semolina. It is believed that this children‘s dish, but scientists have concluded: semolina contains a complex polymer is a mucopolysaccharide that children‘s digestive system to break down not. The result is reduced activity in intestine: the villi on its inner surface stick together, which slows the absorption of minerals from food – for example, the body ceases to calcium, an essential mineral for physical growth and development.

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Rice porridge cooked from white polished grains, has a high glycemic index. It should be used with caution or not to exclude from the diet of people suffering from hypertension, atherosclerosis and kidney stone disease. Unwanted is such a mess and food for the people, who are prone to constipation.

In addition, white rice is contraindicated for diabetics – its use could trigger a sharp jump in blood glucose. With increased blood sugar there can be porridge of brown rice which has more fiber, preventing the transition of carbohydrates into glucose and helps to stabilize sugar levels.

But such a mess you need to eat no more than 100-150 grams per day.

It would seem, than can hurt buckwheat? But doctors say it can be an unwanted dish in the diet of people with sick kidneys and those who are prone to hypotension, constantly low blood pressure.

Is it possible to lose weight with the help of kas? In fact, nutritionists are skeptical about the methods of losing weight. As a means to diversify the diet of porridge in the absence of individual contraindications perfect. But it is foolish to count on losing weight constantly eating cereal.

According to doctors, the majority of cereals are cereal-based, containing much starch. In the body starch is converted into glucose, the excess of which is stored as fat. If the person is not an athlete and his life is present quite a moderate physical activity, on cereals it is more likely to gain weight.

In particular, this applies to cereals with a high glycemic index – rice, semolina, corn, millet, oats (cereal). Low glycemic index have a barley and pea porridge.

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Doctors are advised to give preference to cereals, which are prepared from whole grains and without high-calorie supplements in the form of honey, condensed milk, sugar. https://sivtimes.com/it-became-known-as-the-body-can-harm-cereals/8492/

‘Sea Rice’ Trial Could Expand to 20 Million Hectares Apr 09, 2018 Hybrid grain guarantees food security by increasing arable land and crop output.A type of rice that grows in diluted salt water could be planted across 20 million hectares of agricultural wasteland, state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported Sunday.According to CCTV, 176 alkali-tolerant rice varieties bred by Chinese scientists will be trial-planted to find the best strain for future consumption.

The Chinese government invested in research of high-yield hybrid grains during the population boom of the 1970s. The development of salt-resistant grains began in 1986 with researcher Chen Risheng, who is known as the ―Father of Sea Rice.‖ Almost 30 years later, agricultural scientist Yuan Longping established the Qingdao SalineAlkali Tolerant Rice Research and Development Center in 2014, aiming to increase yields and the amount of arable land available. Sea rice first became available commercially in 2017, when the center partnered with a startup to sell the grain online.

The center‘s deputy director, Zhang Guodong, said that out of approximately 100 million hectares of saline and alkaline land around the nation, researchers had identified about 20 million hectares that could be planted with sea rice. Suitable sites include areas of the Yellow River Delta, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and northeastern China.

Yet the breakthrough comes at a time when China has a surplus of rice. Earlier this year, the government announced a shift in focus from increasing and stabilizing rice production to reducing a growing mountain of unsold stock.New foods can also cause contention among consumers and regulators: Though hybrid varieties like sea rice are well-supported in China, genetically modified rice is less welcome.

Editor: Qian Jinghua.

(Header image: An aerial view of ‘sea rice’ fields in Nantong, Jiangsu province, Dec. 1, 2017.

Zhu Haochen/VCG)

http://www.sixthtone.com/news/1002064/sea-rice-trial-could-expand-to-20-million-hectares

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Indian food eatery to open express outpost in Midtown

By Jennifer Gould Keil April 8, 2018 | 9:45pm Modal Trigger

Gabi Porter Inday, the Nomad-based Indian hotspot, is opening an express outpost called Inday Go Go.The spinoff, which is getting launched in collaboration with Akhtar Nawab at the new Urbanspace at 570 Lex this week, serves up a ―superfood‖ Roti exclusive to this location along with new signature bowls.Inday also just last week opened its third location, a 22-seat spot at 708 Third Ave. at 44th Street. Designed by Alexia Sheinman and Architecture Outfit, the space uses lots of bamboo, dekton and teak. This branch and all upcoming ones will be using ―friendly greeters with iPads‖ instead of cashiers.

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The concept, which features ―mindfully sourced‖ rice bowls, salads, wraps and non rice bowl options (with shaved Brussels sprout and cauliflower instead), comes from former finance guy Basu Ratnam, who first learned about the healing qualities of foods while helping his mom pick vegetables and herbs from their Oyster Bay garden.

The eatery is backed by superstar Jean-Georges Vongerichten‘s business partner (and Tony Award winning ―Kinky Boots‖ producer) Phil Suarez. It also comes with its own culture: healthy mindfulness. ―Every morning, Inday employees begin with a daily practice of breathing exercises, setting their intentions for the day,‖ a spokeswoman says, adding that there are ―weekly deep dive‖ sessions on topics like ―physical health [and] the power of specific ingredients.‖That means dishes with lots of turmeric, charcoal, and grass-fed ghee. The menu is also gluten-free, with sustainably raised and antibiotic-free proteins and no refined sugar.

Inday offers 7 main protein-driven dishes, like a 7-spice grilled chicken, 8-hour braised lamb in Masala spices, tropical tamarind-glazed salmon and seared green pea and spinach kebabs. Dishes can be in long grain basmati rice bowls, their signature cauliflower rice, ancient grains or seasonal greens. There‘s also a ―Dum Lunch,‖ of chicken biryani with tomatoes, mint onions and lemon yogurt.

Drink options include homemade Chaga mushroom bone broth, and cold bottled options like Charcoal Chai (masala chai, almond milk, activated charcoal and dandelion root) and Turmeric Tonic Shooter (almond milk, ginger, turmeric, chlorophyll, lemon, honey and cardamom.)

Desserts feature seasonal yogurt with tahini and Avo Cocoa (dark chocolate, coconut milk and avocado.) https://nypost.com/2018/04/08/indian-food-eatery-to-open-express-outpost-in-midtown/

Rice exporters pin high hopes on Iran visit LAHORE - A 16-member delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has left for Iran to explore trade and investment opportunities in general and enhance rice export to the neighbouring country in particular. The delegation, led by REAP chairman Ch Samee Ullah Naeem, will visit Tehran as well as the city of Mashhad where it will have meetings with

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representatives of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines and Mashhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Delegation will conclude meetings with Ministry of Health regarding GMP issues, Ministry of Commerce, GTC for buying Pakistani rice through government tenders. The delegation will be also participating in lunch arranged by Irani Rice Importers Association.

The deliberations are aimed at increasing bilateral trade and investment between the two friendly countries. The chairman said the REAP would discuss the issues related to the resumption of rice exports, which nosedived after sanctions, from Pakistan, implementation of currency swap agreement and the condition of good manufacturing practices (GMP) certification with Iranian authorities. He said that Iran used to be 800,000 tons basmati rice market until sanctions were imposed in 2010 and exports have drastically reduced to barely 60,000 tons only. REAP considers unavailability of banking channel the only barrier for drop in trade, he added. These dialogues between the leading businessmen and industrialists are meant to inspire the Iranian importers as well as investors to explore the healthy business opportunities in Pakistan, and foster new profitable ventures.

The REAP members will invite the Iranians to visit Pakistan, where Association could arrange fruitful B2B meetings with progressive business groups, to seek fresh collaborative ventures. The Pakistan exporters‘ team will also hold meetings with Government Trading Corporation (GTC) of Iran, besides meeting with Health Ministry to raise the issue of GMP certification for Pakistani rice exporters, which presently has become a major hurdle in the way of rice export to Iran. The Iranian health ministry has set health standards for the rice import and only those who are registered under its GMP certification programme can export rice to the country.

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REAP chairman, talking to The Nation, said that Pakistan team will also convince the GTC to announce tenders for super basmati and long grain 386 rice so that REAP members could avail the facility to book export orders for Iran. With a view to enhance liaison between the businessmen of two countries, the REAP members‘ group will hold B2B meetings with Rice Importers Association of Iran. The REAP chairman will also call on the Pakistan commercial counsel in Mashhad. REAP chairman hoped that visit of the delegation will not only bring Pakistani and Iranian businessmen closer but would also open doors for boosting the rice export to Iran which is going to be a great market for Pakistan. ―I hope that the country would regain its share in the Iranian market, which can become the good destination for their basmati exports,‖ he said. ―Iran is one of the largest rice importers and purchases rice worth $2 billion every year. However, Pakistan‘s rice accounts for nearly an eight percent of Iran‘s market,‖ he said. https://nation.com.pk/10-Apr-2018/rice-exporters-pin-high-hopes-on-iran-visit

‗Sea Rice‘ Trial Could Expand to 20 Million Hectares

Hybrid grain guarantees food security by increasing arable land and crop output Nicole Lim Apr 09, 2018 A type of rice that grows in diluted salt water could be planted across 20 million hectares of agricultural wasteland, state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported Sunday.

According to CCTV, 176 alkali-tolerant rice varieties bred by Chinese scientists will be trialplanted to find the best strain for future consumption.

The Chinese government invested in research of high-yield hybrid grains during the population boom of the 1970s. The development of salt-resistant grains began in 1986 with researcher Chen Risheng, who is known as the ―Father of Sea Rice.‖ Almost 30 years later, agricultural scientist Yuan Longping established the Qingdao SalineAlkali Tolerant Rice Research and Development Center in 2014, aiming to increase yields and the amount of arable land available. Sea rice first became available commercially in 2017, when the center partnered with a startup to sell the grain online.

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The center‘s deputy director, Zhang Guodong, said that out of approximately 100 million hectares of saline and alkaline land around the nation, researchers had identified about 20 million hectares that could be planted with sea rice. Suitable sites include areas of the Yellow River Delta, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and northeastern China.

Yet the breakthrough comes at a time when China has a surplus of rice. Earlier this year, the government announced a shift in focus from increasing and stabilizing rice production to reducing a growing mountain of unsold stock.

New foods can also cause contention among consumers and regulators: Though hybrid varieties like sea rice are well-supported in China, genetically modified rice is less welcome.

Editor: Qian Jinghua.

(Header image: An aerial view of ‘sea rice’ fields in Nantong, Jiangsu province, Dec. 1, 2017.

Zhu Haochen/VCG) http://www.sixthtone.com/news/1002064/sea-rice-trial-could-expand-to-20-million-hectares

Could a rice bran-soy milk combo help blood sugar control?

By Tim Cutcliffe 09-Apr-2018 - Last updated on 10-Apr-2018 at 02:36 GMT Consuming a combination of rice bran and soy milk at the same time as foods could lead to a significant reduction in glycaemic index, new data suggests. Soy products are well known to possess glycaemic control benefits, while rice bran may also possess a similar property. In this pilot study published in Nutrients, researchers examined the effect on glucose and insulin responses resulting from soy milk fortified with rice bran.Led by researchers from the National University of Singapore, the team found that consuming rice bran and soy milk (RBS) together with a carbohydrate meal (white bread) resulted in a 17% reduction in glycaemic index (GI) of the meal compared with consumption of bread alone.

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―Co-ingestion of low amounts of soy protein with a carbohydrate meal stimulated early-phase insulin secretion and thereby increased blood glucose clearance effectiveness,‖ commented lead researcher Professor Christiani Jeyakumar Henry. ―Furthermore, rice bran-fortified soy milk reduced the glycaemic response similarly to soy milk with a greater dose of soy protein," Henry added. "Rice bran and its components offer therapeutic potential for glycaemic and insulinaemic control."

Study details The randomised crossover pilot study analysed data from 17 healthy Asian men who consumed white bread either alone or alongside one of two soy milks differing in rice bran and soy protein content.

Blood sugar and insulin measurements were taken over a period of 3 hours, following bread and/or soy milk intake, said the team.

Part funded by Sunstar Group, Japan - who manufacture the RBS - the study found that when when sugar-free soy milk (SFS) was co-ingested with the bread, the result was not significantly different.

Indeed, the team said both both soy milks also appeared to increase release of insulin in the first half hour after consuming them.

Compared to those consuming white bread alone, glucose to insulin ratios in people consuming the RBS and SFS with the carbohydrate meal were much lower - at 43 and 60 respectively versus 123.

Though the difference in effects between the two soy milks were not statistically significant, the Singapore team emphasised that the RBS was able to achieve the glycaemic control benefits despite a much lower soy protein content than the SFS (3.4 grams per 195 millilitre serving, versus 7.8 grams).

The team believes the combination of soy protein and fibre was the main driver of the glycaemic control benefits produced by the RBS. However, they noted that rice bran also contains other nutrients like the phytochemical oryzanol, magnesium, and zinc, which may also provide blood sugar management benefits. ―Co-ingestion of rice bran soymilk with carbohydrate meals can be a simple dietary strategy to improve glycaemic control and help in the prevention and management of diabetes,‖ suggested the team - adding that further large studies are nevertheless needed to replicate these preliminary findings.

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