10th december,2014 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine www.ricepluss.com

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter 11 December, 2014

Volume 4 Issue: XI

th

Vol 4, Issue XII

Today’s News Headlines…  Japan weather bureau declares first El Nino in five years  Not a good time: Rice growers anxious over fluctuating price  Pakistan, Iran sign 5 MoUs to enhance bilateral cooperation  Rice exports: If policies are changed slowly, the cost will be high  The latest from the Carolina Gold Rice Foundation  Rice, ducks go together in solving hunger  Government to release export plan in January 2015  Low capital affects rice production  RIB calls for change in rice production strategy  USA Rice Presents Conservation Achievement Award  USA Rice Selects Nicholas Schafer as Scholarship Winner  Delta States Irrigation Conference Next Week  CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices  CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures  Arsenic toxicity: Reducing accumulation in rice grains  PHL rice output could still reach 4.28 MMT in Q1 2015’  A Visit to Maui Brick Oven Contact & Visit www.ricepluss.com,mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 7th Floor,Suite 11 Central Plaza New Garden Town Contact us for Advertisement & Specs: mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com +92 321 369Lahore-54600 2847 Landline :92 3584 5551 For Advertisement Specs & Rates: Contact: mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 92 321 3692874

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine News Detail‌.

Japan weather bureau declares first El Nino in five years TOKYO Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:16pm IST

America, hitting production of food such as rice, wheat and sugar.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) forecast last month that the possibility of an El Nino pattern forming this winter was higher than the 50 percent it had projected in its previous

monthly

prediction.But

on

Wednesday it said that an El Nino had emerged between June and August, continuing into November."We can't tell whether or not El Nino will continue until spring, but we can say that there is a higher chance of it continuing in the winter," said Ikuo Yoshikawa, a JMA forecaster.

The Japanese weather bureau does not classify A surfer looks at waves as storm clouds move in from the Pacific Ocean at Sydney's Manly Beach August 26, 2014.

CREDIT: REUTERS/DAVID GRAY/FILES

(Reuters) - Japan's weather bureau said on Wednesday that an El Nino weather pattern, which can trigger drought in some parts of the world while causing flooding in others, had emerged during the summer for the first time in five years and was likely to continue into winter. That marks the first declaration by a major meteorological bureau of the muchfeared El Nino phenomenon, which had been widely expected to emerge this year.El Nino a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific - can prompt drought in Southeast Asia and Australia and heavy rains in South

or predict the size of El Nino, he said.Last week, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said that climate models suggest El Nino weather conditions would occur over the next three months, although related weather patterns are already being witnessed.The U.S. weather forecaster also projected last week a 65 percent chance of El Nino conditions during the Northern Hemisphere winter and into spring, up from a 58 percent chance predicted early in November.(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Alan Raybould and Joseph Radford)

Not a good time: Rice growers anxious over fluctuating price

By Imran Rana

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Published: December 10, 2014

The ongoing year has proved to be one of the worst for rice growers amid lower prices and uncertainty among buyers who are expecting further reduction. PHOTO: ONLINE

FAISALABAD: Despite federal government’s doling out Rs5,000 per acre to farmers as subsidy, growers are not happy as they claim that per-acre loss this year has exceeded Rs40,000.The ongoing year has proved to be one of the worst for rice growers amid lower prices and uncertainty among buyers who are expecting further reduction.For the last few years, rice has been available at Rs150 to Rs200 per kilogramme. This year though, it will be available in the market at Rs80 to Rs90 per kilogramme, according to market players.

Paddy prices this year have plunged 50% compared to last year.

Last year, the price of Basmati paddy of Kainat variety was Rs3,500-Rs4,000 per 40 kg, 86 variety Rs2,600-Rs3,000 and super variety was sold at Rs3,000 to 3,500 per 40

kg. The super variety is now available at Rs1,400 to 1,500.Exporters are concerned over the situation and say that they are unable to sell last year’s stock that was purchased at a much higher cost.The two to three year old rice fetches good price and is sold at high rates in international markets.

Pakistani exporters have 25 per cent of the last year’s stock that, if sold at current rates, will incur huge losses.

Former Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) vice chairman and a wellknown exporter Taufiq Ahmad said this year buyers are frightened to buy paddy due to the fluctuating costs, while across the border, India has had a bumper rice crop.The Basmati rice is being sold in the international market at $1,300 to $1,500 per ton, depending upon the variety. Pakistani rice price was $100 to $200 per ton below the Indian rice.―Pakistani exporters would have had an edge if price was the same as last year,‖ he said.Talking about the nonBasmati rice, he said last year the price of non-basmati rice was $500 to $550 per ton.

This year the price would settle around $400 per ton.―Indian rice has edge over Pakistani rice due to good packing, labelling and the use of latest technology.

Our millers and exporters must follow the trend to compete in international market,‖ said Ahmad.He said Iran is a big market for Pakistani and Indian rice. The country produces only 25 per cent of its consumption and imports the rest from neighbouring countries.―Pakistan is the fourth largest exporter of rice in the world and has the potential to increase exports to Iran.‖Recently, a delegation of the Iranian Rice Importers Association visited paddy crop fields in Lahore to ensure quality standards were being met, adding that banking transactions between the two countries must be smooth.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Published in The December 10th, 2014.

Express

Tribune,

Source with thanks:http://agriculture.einnews.com/article/23 8898924/3whzPMWqY7Kl_PNi

Pakistan, Iran sign 5 MoUs to enhance bilateral cooperation

By Web Desk Published: December 9, 2014 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday signed five agreements with a view to enhance cooperation in diverse fields and improve trade ties between the two countries, Radio Pakistan reported.

The MoUs related to establishment of Joint Investment Committee, cooperation between SMEDA and Iran’s Small Industri es, and establishment of sister port relationship between the ports of Karachi and Chabahar in addition to cooperation in the field of investment, economic and technical assistance. The agreements were signed during a ceremony in Islamabad attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He later told the media that relations between Pakistan and Iran are improving, including bilateral cooperation in economy, culture, science and technology.

The premier identified that there are vast opportunities of increasing the volume of trade between the two neighbouring countries.Earlier, Iran’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Finance Dr Ali Tayyebnia called on the prime minster in Islamabad.Iranian Minister is in Islamabad

to attend the 19th session of the PakistanIran Joint Economic Commission.The premier expressed hope that the JEC session would open new areas of cooperation while fortifying the existing initiatives. During the meeting both sides agreed upon increasing mutual investment and bilateral trade between the two countries.Pakistan for expanding Preferential Trade Agreement with Iran.Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir told the Iranian finance minister that Pakistan wished to make the current Preferential Trade agreement with Iran effectively operational and expand it by including more items of trade in the reduced tariff list.

This despite the fact that international sanctions have hampered trade ties with Iran.Emphasising on engaging in a constructive dialogue to develop trade relations between the two countries on mutually beneficial terms, the Dastgir said that Pakistan wants to enhance the limited trade base between the two countries, which currently stands at $217 million.Trade between Pakistan and Iran currently comprises mainly oil and gas from Iran and rice from Pakistan. Dastgir said Pakistan wants to enhance the trade base to include meat, fruits, textile, surgical items, sports goods, gems and jewelry in addition to rice as regular items of trade.

The minister was of the opinion that owing to sanctions, the two countries can initially use barter as preferential mode of trading until a suitable and recognised mechanism of payment is chalked out.During the meeting, the Iranian side proposed the establishment of border markets to facilitate the trade among local communities residing in the border provinces of the two countries, adding that initially four such markets can be set up which may be increased depending upon their efficacy in the first phase.Tayyebnia also proposed a plan to develop Joint Economic Zones which would

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine have the necessary facilities to attract investment. Dastgir proposed a GawadarChahbahar Joint Economic Zone which would have the potential to grow immensely.

Pakistan urged Iran to initiate dialogue among relevant authorities to develop mutually recognised standards and specifications which would be accepted across the two countries.Both sides agreed to develop better data exchange systems between them to improve coordination between the two sides.They also agreed to develop additional border posts to facilitate trade and movement of visitors across the border. Currently, there is only one crossing point at Taftan.

Source with thanks:http://tribune.com.pk/story/804227/pakist an-iran-sign-5-mous-to-enhance-bilateralcooperation/

rice exports and rice exporting policies. For that reason, VietNamNet recently organized a roundtable discussion to discuss the quarter century of rice exports of Vietnam, with the participation of the following honorable guests:- Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan, agronomist, Rector of the Tay Do University in Can Tho - the largest city in the Mekong Delta, a former National Assembly deputy, former rector of the An Giang and Tan Tao universities.- Dr. Vu Trong Khai, independent expert on agricultural economics, former headmaster of the School for Agriculture - Rural Development Personnel - Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi, former Chair of An Giang province.

From the left: Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi, Dr. Vu Trong Khai and Prof. Vo Tong Xuan.

Milestones of Vietnamese rice

Rice exports: If policies are changed slowly, the cost will be high VietNamNet Bridge – In late 19th century and early 20th century, Vietnam was a major rice exporting country in Asia, together with Burma (now Myanmar). After prolonged wars, Vietnam has become the biggest rice importer in the world, with 500,000 to 1 million tons per year.In 1989, after more than half a century of importing rice, Vietnam again became a rice exporter, with an extremely impressive number of 1.4 million tons. The country has been exporting from 3 to 4 million tons of rice annually and has retained the title "the world’s 2nd largest rice exporting country".

However, after 25 years, it is time for Vietnam to have a comprehensive look at its

VietNamNet: Looking back on 25 years of export of rice, it would be a mistake if we did not mention the historical moment in 1989, the first year we exported rice again after 50 years, with 1.4 million tons of rice and a revenue of about $310 million. In the previous year 1988 Vietnam still had to import 500,000 tons of rice and earlier the country imported up to 1 million tons a year.Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan: At that time, the world was also in shortage of rice so it became a prominent event when Vietnam

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine abruptly turned from a rice importer into a rice exporter. I still remember that after 1989, the Association of American Rice Millers invited me to attend their meeting in Florida to speak about Vietnam’s "overnight" magical change.

Many international businesses were there to learn and to collaborate with Vietnam to bring our rice to the international market.

The most interesting thing was that they took me to the headquarters in Washington, to the technical room where 30 telex machines worked 24/7. The guide said, in this room, they received all the information about rice export deals throughout the world. They knew every detail about each rice shipment at every port worldwide. They told me that in 1989, Vietnam exported up to 1.89 million tons, not 1.4 million tons as Vietnam reported.

The world food industry recorded Vietnam’s rice exports in 1989 as a major event in the world. The leading rice trading company in the world, the Belgium-based Schepens Company, also invited me to their headquarters and they were also interested in doing business with Vietnam.

Dr. Vu Trong Khai: Vietnam’s huge success originated from Resolution 10 of the Politburo in 1988 with a major change of recognizing "peasant households as single autonomous units".

Previously, we kept struggling with rice shortages and hunger. We not only had to import rice but also sold rice produced in the Mekong Delta to buy broken rice at cheaper prices. That was the situation in the late 1980s.The change in policy has produced marvelous results, which shows that Vietnam’s potential in agriculture is enough to feed the nation and have a surplus for export. There is no mention of the policies to enhance production capacity. However, as

that policy was issued quite late, we had to pay a high price.

If we "untied" the policies sooner, we would not have made costly investments to turn Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) and the Long Xuyen Quadrangle into a granary that has affected the natural environment. The Dutch experts warned us to "maintain the precious natural ecology of the Mekong Delta and then promote it, first of all in tourism".

Now we cannot change the fact that, because of the nation's hunger, the slow "untying" policies we destroyed the rare natural ecology of Dong Thap Muoi and Long Xuyen Quadrangle. The price we paid for this was very expensive.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi: The gains were clear and it had great significance during extremely difficult circumstances of the country at that time, when hunger lasted for 10 years. Thanks to the Doi Moi (Renovation) policy, in 1989 we had enough rice to eat and then export, from which the export volume increased continuously.

However, the losses were also huge. With that achievement, sometimes we were too excited and an official of the Ministry of Agriculture - Rural Development declared: "Vietnam maintains food security for the world". Meanwhile, later the export of rice reduced when rice quality for export, rice prices, and profit from rice export was not

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine high, and did not match with the output. It is an extremely important thing that we have ignored.

Does Vietnam ensure food security for the world?

VietNamNet: The public opinion also wondered why Vietnam has the responsibility to "keep food security for the world", while Vietnamese farmers - who directly produce the rice - suffer losses and they were not helped by "the world".

Prof. Dr. Vu Trong Khai: Vietnam does not have such commitment. We have no obligation or binding with the "keeping of food security for the world." I knew that when he heard that stateme nt, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Huy Ngo said: "Do not force farmers to sacrifice in a nonsensical way!‖ The world does not force Vietnam to hold that "responsibility" and nobody recognizes Vietnam’s "merit" of exporting a lot of rice at cheap prices.

Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan: In a quarter century Vietnamese farmers produced a lot of rice and sold it at cheap prices to world consumers. However, it is due to Vietnam’s poor management and development policies, not because we intentionally "helped" the world. Meanwhile our rice producers are not treated satisfactorily when they engage in this task.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhi: This is an issue of economic management science rather than a general stance or moral ambiguity.

VietNamNet: A question to Prof. Vo Tong Xuan – some experts said that if we sell rice at current prices, the Vietnamese State is

subsidizing foreign consumers. Could you explain this point?

Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan: Vietnam’s rice prices today do not cover minimum costs. In the future, rice prices must fully cover the cost, especially the depreciation cost of irrigation works and transportation costs as other countries do. Rice farmers have to pay irrigation costs and water fees. This is an important adjustment to terminate state subsidies for rice buyers. Until now, rice buyers have been exempted from water costs.Doing so, farmers would sell rice at high prices, as the Thai have been doing, and the state will collect water fees to finance the purchase of rice of the 20% of the population who are not farmers. If there is the political will to implement this strategy, Vietnamese rice will be sold at its true value.

VNN Tags:Nguyen Minh Nhi,Dr. Vu Trong Khai,Prof. Vo Tong Xuan,rice export,rice exporting policy of vietnam,

Source with thanks:http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/specialreports/118253/rice-exports--if-policies-arechanged-slowly--the-cost-will-be-high.html

The latest from the Carolina Gold Rice Foundation Hanna Raskin Email @hannaraskin Dec 10 2014 6:00 am

BEAHM/STAFF) Gold Coastal Savannah riceResearch blows Highway inand the in Education Charleston,SC wind at theCenter Clemson (GRACE on ×

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Despite its name, the Carolina Gold Rice Foundation isn't solely concerned with rice. Its mission encompasses all heirloom grains, which is why the Anson Mills-funded organization is also at the forefront of reviving peaches and chestnuts.The group is an intentionally motley group of extraordinarily accomplished historians (who contextualize the scientists' findings) and leading scientists (who validate the historians' hopes and hunches.) Its members periodically get together to review the progress of various projects, which vary from lab tests to international meetings.

At last week's gathering, the following updates took center stage: . Before a Jesuit priest in 1839 returned from the Philippines with samples of 43 different rice varieties, the only rice grown in Italy was known as Nostrale, meaning "ours." But the Italians apparently shared what was theirs, since records show Nostrale rice was present in Charleston as early as 1748. The foundation is now looking into growing it..

Chinquapins, a species of chestnut, are thriving on Dafuskie Island. The foundation is continuing to support the planting of trees.

(And while members likely didn't need any positive reinforcement on that score, Old Village Post House chef Forrest Parker and sous chef Tim Pettit served a pre-meeting snack of chinquapin flour blinis topped with apple butter and country ham.)

. The foundation is exploring what happens when SRI techniques are applied to heritage rice. SRI, a growing methodology that calls for more labor and less water, has amplified yields in areas around the world where irrigation is scarce. But Clemson University's Brian Ward - the newest member of the foundation's board discovered the modern system isn't entirely compatible with Carolina Gold rice, which was developed to be grown in the traditional manner. When he subjected Carolina Gold to SRI, he produced half as much rice as when he relied on flooding for production. . Sapelo Island has gained tremendous recognition for its production of red peas, an effort initially encouraged by Atlanta's Linton Hopkins and since embraced by chefs across the Southeast. But site visits by foundation members suggested the scope of the pea project was too small and too seasonal to reshape the island's economy in dramatic and permanent fashion. They began poking into Sapelo's past to uncover other crops which once enjoyed island heydays: Turns out the area was once known for dates, arrowroot and wild oranges.

But the most promising of the lot was purple ribbon sugar cane. The problem for the foundation is making sure the cane matches up with its historical source, which requires testing its DNA against a verified cultivar.

"The real glitch is we don't have a vouchered herbarium specimen," Steve Kresovich explained, adding that museums are reluctant to part with even a "paper punch"-sized sample of the collections they're supposed to protect. The search for a cross-checkable strain continues.

Source with thanks: http://www.postandcourier.com/article/2014121 0/PC0301/141219999/1177/the-latest-from-thecarolina-gold-rice-foundation

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine VIDEO http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/tamir-ricefamily-holds-news-conference-27449277

Rice, ducks go together in solving hunger

growth to a large segment of the population.But how can we help create a robust agricultural industry that will ensure that the current and next generation of Filipinos, especially the poor, will have plentiful, nutritious and affordable food?

One of the local solutions (WATCH: Ducks in action)

is

ducks.

BY SEF CARANDANG POSTED ON 12/10/2014 2:08 PM | UPDATED 12/10/2014 6:00 PM DUCKLINGS AT WORK. No pesticide can beat them in pest management. Farmers use ducks to control pests in ricefields so they can serve safe and healthy rice on their tables. Photo

by Jose Apollo Pacamalan MANILA, Philippines — Ducks. Have you ever given them some thought?

In the Philippines, agriculture is a crucial sector for poverty reduction. 70% of poor Filipinos are in the rural areas where agriculture – often subsistence farming and fishing – is the primary and often only source of income. Thus, creating a sustainable and competitive agricultural industry is a key focus of the Philippine Development Plan, as this will bring inclusive

The integrated rice-duck farming system (IRDFS) is about growing rice and ducks together in an irrigated paddy field. The paddling movement of the ducks stimulates the rice plants to produce more grains, while the duck manure fertilizes the soil and eventually eliminates the need for any form of fertilizer.The ducks also eat harmful insects and weeds, including the dreaded golden snail (kuhol), which is their favorite snack.Jose Apollo Pacamalan is the leading expert in IRDFS in the Philippines, having brought home the technology from Japan – thanks to Japanese organic farmer and social entrepreneur Dr Takao Furuno in 1997. (READ: PH road to rice selfsufficiency) For the past 16 years, Pacamalan has been convincing farmers to trade in their expensive and harmful chemical sprayers for week-old ducklings that will work in their rice fields.

Pacamalan represents the Philippines in the International Rice-Duck Farming Network which includes Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, and Bangladesh.

Better income, environment, health

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In the last 5 years, based on the experience of more than 1,000 rice-duck farmers in the Philippines, most of whom are in Mindanao, IRDFS has increased rice productivity up to 9 tons per hectare.The average is only 4.2 tons per hectare when using conventional rice farming technology.IRDFS also reduces the cost of production by 30%. It is the only organic rice farming technology that can successfully be adopted on a large scale.Farmers gain extra income from the sale of duck meat and duck eggs, whether raw or processed into salted egg or balut, a Filipino delicacy that is in very high demand.

to the alleviation of global warming. And because IRDFS eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, and herbicides, the physical and chemical properties of the soil are improved over time.In the Philippines, ducks in the rice fields also help address schistosomiasis, a chronic public health disease affecting farmers, local folks and freshwater fisherfolk and their families, and is endemic in select parts of the country.

The ducks eat the schisto-carrying snails, helping decrease its population, and thus reducing infection and re-infection of the disease to humans. #RiceDuckMovement

What is also exciting is that this farming system has inspired the growth of social enterprises along an integrated rice and duck industry value chain such as rice-duck farms, duck breeder farms, hatcheries, duck meat and egg processing and retail.All of these contribute to rural economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive.As much as 21% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide consist of methane gas that is released primarily by flooded rice fields. This is because flooding cuts off the oxygen supply to the soil and accelerates the decomposition of organic matter, releasing methane into the atmosphere. (READ: How climate change threatens food security)

After just 3 months of eating organic, unpolished rice and iron- and iodine-rich duck meat, there is improved nutrition — weight gain and healthier skin — among 897 children aged 1-10 years old.These malnourished children participated in a feeding program in the Municipalities of Trento and Esperanza in the Province of Agusan del Sur last year. They were also given a porridge called ―arrozcalducks.”705 women were organized in local feeding teams, together with the barangay nurses and barangay health workers. They were taught to prepare the arrozcalducks for their children.

Studies in China show that ducks in the rice paddies effectively reduce the emission of the greenhouse gas methane, ultimately contributing

Aside from food preparation, the women were also provided inputs on basic nutrition, breastfeeding, environmental sanitation, and

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine family planning through mother’s classes.Based on reports from school teachers and nurses, the average school attendance of the children in all the participating barangays improved significantly from 57% to 72% in Esperanza, and from 64% to 73% in Trento.Integrated riceduck farming is an innovative, out-of-the-box, local solution that has already been proven effective and needs to be shared with more Filipino farmers and policymakers.Help us harness the enduring spirit of the Filipino poor – the small-scale farmers who are at the heart of efforts to create a food-secure world – by working with them, raising their incomes and making them part of the solution.

Government to release export plan in January 2015 Written byHtin inEconomy

Lin

AungPublished

Myanmar seeks to expand its exports.

Containers at Asia World port in Yangon. Photo: Hein Htet/Mizzima

There a number of ways you can help:  



Share this information with your family, friends, networks, and local politicians.

Visit and like the #RiceDuckMovement Facebook page and help us share the good news on IRDFS. If you would like to make a donation through direct bank deposit, please emailriceduckph@gmail.com. We can then send you the necessary account details. – Rappler.com

Sef Carandang is a development worker passionate about sustainable agriculture (especially if it involves rice and ducks!), women economic empowerment, rural development, and youth empowerment.

How else can we fight hunger? Report what your LGU is doing, recommend NGOs, or suggest creative solutions like the #RiceDuckMovement. Send your stories and ideas to move.ph@rappler.com. Be part of the #HungerProject.

Myanmar’s government is preparing to release its National Export Strategy in January 2015 in an attempt to boost income for the country, aware that regional trade could loosen up under the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community. First, the strategy drawn up by officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Customs Department, Myanma Port Authority and export entrepreneurs will be submitted for government approval, Dr Maung Aung, adviser to the Minister for Commerce, told Mizzima on December 9. ―We will submit the National Export Strategy to the cabinet in the last week of December this year. After that, we will release it to the public,‖ Dr Maung Aung said.The strategy includes the necessity to promote the country’s main export commodities, the hotels and tourism sector,

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine and supporting services.The national export items comprise of rice, beans and pulses, edible oil crops, marine products, textiles and clothes, timber and forest products, and rubber. The plan includes the promotion of export support such as marketing, financial services for production and export, and the improvement of product quality.

The strategy seeks to fully develop export promotion within five years.U Ye Min Aung, general secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation said those in the export sector should do what they can now before implementing the strategy, expressing concern for farmers whose crop production is subject to the weather and might find it hard to increase production.Representatives of the agriculture and livestock breeding sectors have stressed the need for speed in light of a strategy that is set to be implemented within five years, given the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Free Trade Area will shortly come into force in 2015.

Last modified on Wednesday, 10 December 2014 19:57 http://www.mizzima.com/business/economy/ite m/15709-government-to-release-export-plan-injanuary-2015/15709-government-to-releaseexport-plan-in-january-2015

Low capital affects rice production Limited (PVL), formerly Quality Grain Project (QGP), rice producers at Aveyime in the North Tongu District, is facing challenges due to low capital inflow.The company is also not getting support from the government, Nana Atto

Dadzie, PVL Board Chairman said when members of the Council of State, who were on a familiarization tour of major farm plantations in Lower Volta Basin, visited the company.

He said the funding history of the company, its associates ―and the huge bad press, remain a hangover on the health of investment into it‖.Nana Atto Dadzie said the company had been seeking an injection of some $6 million-$18 million fresh capital the past few years without success.―The state of equipment PVL inherited from QGP is as old as 15-20 years and cannot support the firm’s current 250 hectares under plantation,‖ he said.Nana Atto Dadzie said currently PVL produces 10% of the country’s annual rice needs and has the capacity to increase to it to 50% when the needed recapitalization is got.

He said with its 60,000-tonne capacity rice mill, PVL, using the out-grower system as well, could increase production to about 5000 hectares.Mr. Kojo Osae-Addo, PVL General Manager, said the erratic power supply is also a huge challenge.Mrs. Cecilia Johnson, Council Chairman, said that something needed to be done to enable the company increase production.She said the government was doing everything to shore up local production to help reduce rice imports.

Source with thanks : http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/Ne wsArchive/artikel.php?ID=338513

RIB calls for change in rice production strategy

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The Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB) is calling on Government to change its strategy in supporting rice production efforts in the country.This according to GRIB, it would ensure that the interventions employed over the years achieve the desired results.Speaking with Joy Business at the inauguration of a Public-Private Dialogue Council on rice, President of GRIB, Imoro Amoro said rice farmers should be reoriented to view rice production as a business venture.―There’s this sort of tradition that is well-rooted in this part of the world – not only unique to Ghana but Africa where people want almost everything for free – we’re bringing you this, we’ve brought you that subsidized.

No! It doesn’t work out this way because after you’ve stopped giving the people those inputs what do they do? They revert to their old ways of doing things and at the end of the day, the delivery becomes reversed.―So we are trying to promote fee-based interventions – that if you’re a farmer you must be prepared to pay for some things that you need because you know at the end of the day this is an investment that will allow you to improve your output and you will make money‖ he said.The Chief Executive Officer of the John Kufuor Foundation, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, who is the initiator of the dialogue, implored on government to make sure it gives all those in the value chain the necessary impetus to produce more. ―From our statistics it’s clear that 40% of farmers are ready to produce more than

necessary only if they can get the necessary inputs including fertilizers, tractors and harvesters and all that - and of course also supporting the millers and the marketers and all that. Then certainly I think we can overcome.―The fact is that we have done it before so there’s no magic to it. The policies of the early 70s are there to see, so I don’t see why we cannot begin to overcome this challenge that we face as a nation,‖ he said.

Source with thanks : http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/bu siness/artikel.php?ID=338524

USA Rice Presents Conservation Achievement Award From left: George Dunklin, DU CEO Dale Hall, and USA Rice CEO Betsy Ward

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- USA Rice Producers' Group Conservation Committee Chairman Leo LaGrande recognized George Dunklin's

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine leadership and contributions to U.S. agricultural conservation with the presentation of the fifth annual USA Rice Federation Distinguished Conservation Achievement Award. The award was presented during the annual Rice Awards luncheon held Monday at the 2014 USA Rice Outlook Conference."It is the USA Rice Federation's privilege to present this award to George Dunklin," LaGrande said. "George has been farming rice for 34 years, is a past Commissioner of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, has been active in Ducks Unlimited for 31 years, and has recently been elected to become the organization's 42nd president."

"Farmers are, by definition, conservationists," said LaGrande. "As we continue to see farm policy evolve, we realize conservation and coalition-building is front and center. And USA Rice's partnership with Ducks Unlimited is a perfect example of this new model emphasizing agriculture's role in preservation of natural resources."The historic stewardship partnership between USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited was formed in 2013 so the groups could work collaboratively to conserve critical natural and economic resources. Earlier this year, the partnership submitted their first national Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) proposal outlining the planning, design, and installation of conservation practices on working rice lands. RCPP approval is scheduled to be announced by year's end.

Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444

USA Rice Selects Nicholas Schafer as Scholarship Winner The 2014 NRM Scholarship Grand Prize winner Nicholas Schafer flanked by DowAgro Sciences' Leslie Roberts (l) and USA Rice CEO Betsy Ward

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The USA Rice Federation has announced that Nicholas Schafer, from Carlisle, Arkansas, is the Grand Prize winner of the 2014 USA Rice Federation scholarship. Schafer was awarded the scholarship based on his interactive promotional presentation entitled, "Do You Know Where Your Rice Comes From?" Schafer received a $4,000 scholarship and a trip with a chaperone to the award ceremony at the 2014 USA Rice Outlook Conference here this week.For the fifth year, Dow AgroSciences sponsored the Scholarship Program in recognition of National Rice Month. The scholarship required high school seniors to actively promote the use of U.S.-grown rice within their local communities.

Scholarships were awarded based on creativity and overall educational content.

Schafer's promotion educated children from his community about the intricacies of rice farming and the origin of their food. As part of his promotion, he invited children to his family farm to give them a behind-the-scenes look into the various stages of rice farming. Schafer said, "It's

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine not just something that you get from a grocery store. There's a lot behind it and they need to understand the importance of where it comes from.""Our partnership with Dow AgroSciences for this scholarship reaps immediate rewards, both for the young people who participate and for the communities who benefit from their positive contributions," says Amy Doane, USA Rice's director of membership and marketing.

Contact: Colleen Klemczewski (703) 236-1446

Delta States Irrigation Conference Next Week SIKESTON, MO -- Mark your calendar for the 2014 Delta States Irrigation Conference & Tradeshow held next week, December 17-18 at the Miner Convention Center here. The Delta States Irrigation Consortium is a group of universities and agencies dedicated to improving irrigation practices and enhancing profitability for irrigators in the MidSouth. For more information and to register for the conference, go to the website.

WASDE Report Released WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. 2014/15 rice supplies at 273.9 million cwt are unchanged from a month ago. All rice domestic and residual use for 2014/15 is unchanged at 131 million cwt. U.S. long-grain exports are

increased 1 million cwt to 69 million, bringing all rice exports to 103 million. Combined medium- and short-grain exports are unchanged at 34 million cwt. The increase in exports is due mostly to an expected increase to markets in the Middle East and South America. The all rice milled export forecast is raised 1 million cwt to 68 million, and rough rice exports are unchanged at 35 million. All rice ending stocks are lowered 1 million cwt to 39.9 million with long-grain stocks reduced to 27 million, and combined medium- and short-grain stocks unchanged at 10.6 million.

The 2014/15 long-grain rice season-average farm price range is projected at $12.00 to $13.00 per cwt, down 20 cents per cwt on each end from last month. The combined medium- and short-grain farm price range is projected at $18.50 to $19.50 per cwt, down 50 cents per cwt on each end. The all rice season-average farm price is forecast at $14.00 to $15.00 per cwt, down 20 cents per cwt on each end. The drop in the price outlook is due mostly to an unexpected substantial drop in October prices reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Agricultural Prices published on November 26 and price expectations for the remainder of the marketing year.

Global 2014/15 rice supply and use are changed little from a month ago. Global rice production is projected at 475.2 million tons, up 200,000 from last month due primarily to increased forecasts for China and South Korea, partially offset by a reduction for Indonesia. China's rice production is forecast at a record 144.5 million tons, up 500,000 tons from last month, and up more than 1 percent from last year. The revision is based on production estimates recently released by China's National Bureau of Statistics. Indonesia's 2014/15 rice crop is forecast at 36.5 million tons, down 500,000 from

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine last month, but up slightly from 2013/14. The Philippine 2014/15 rice crop is forecast at 12.2 million tons, unchanged from last month, but up nearly 3 percent from last year. Typhoon Hagupit struck the Philippines on December 6 and tracked through some rice growing areas, but missed the larger producing regions. Initial reports from the government of the Philippines indicated that the storm had little impact on the overall rice crop.

However, USDA will continue to assess the damage and offer a more complete supply and use analysis in next month's supply and demand report. Global rice consumption for 2014/15 is forecast at a record 482.9 million tons, down slightly from last month. Global trade is raised 400,000 tons based largely on increased imports by Indonesia; with exports raised for Burma, China, Thailand, and the United States. World 2014/15 ending stocks are raised 600,000 tons, largely due to increases for China and Vietnam, partially offset by reductions for Burma, Indonesia, Thailand, and the United States. Stocks are also raised for Sri Lanka and South Korea.

Read the complete report here.

CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices

World Price

MLG/LDP Rate

Milled Rough Value ($/cwt) ($/cwt)

Rough ($/cwt)

Long-Grain

17.12

10.86

0.00

Medium/Short-Grain

16.56

11.15

0.00

Brokens

10.33

----

----

This week's prevailing world market prices and MLG/LDP rates are based on the following U.S. milling yields and the corresponding loan rates: U.S. Milling Yields Whole/Broken (lbs/cwt)

Loan Rate ($/cwt)

Long-Grain

55.83/12.59

6.50

Medium-/ShortGrain

62.39/7.92

6.50

The next program announcement is scheduled for December 17.

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation today announced the following prevailing world market prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted for U.S. milling yields and location, and the resulting marketing loan-gain (MLG) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2014 crop, which became effective today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). Prices are unchanged from the previous announcement.

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for December 10

Month

Price

Net Change

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine January 2015

$12.260

- $0.030

March 2015

$12.510

- $0.030

May 2015

$12.760

- $0.030

July 2015

$12.960

- $0.030

September 2015

$12.235

- $0.030

November 2015

$12.135

- $0.030

January 2016

$12.135

- $0.030

Arsenic toxicity: Reducing accumulation in rice grains

Scientists at Okayama University have uncovered a protein naturally found in rice which could help limit the amount of arsenic absorbed by rice plants from water and soils.

Their research could lead to a way of limiting arsenic accumulation in the food chain. Arsenic is a highly toxic element derived from both natural and human sources, the accumulation of which can trigger cancer and skin diseases in humans.

A key human health concern is the contamination of drinking water and soils

with arsenic, a phenomenon which is particularly prevalent in South and SouthEast Asia where rice is grown in contaminated water and soils. Rice plants are particularly good at absorbing arsenic, and the chemical accumulates heavily in the rice grains, subsequently transferring to the food chain.

Now, Jian Feng Ma and co-workers at Okayama University, together with scientists in Korea and Switzerland, have identified a transporter protein in rice called OsABCC1 which appears to restrict the accumulation of arsenic in rice grains, suggesting a strategy for limiting arsenic accumulation.Ma and his team focused on phloem cells found in the plant's nodes, where arsenic accumulates from the root system before being transferred to the grains. Through a series of experiments, the researchers found that knocking out OsABCC1 gene resulted in 13-18 times more As accumulation in the grains, indicating that this transporter played a vital role in limiting arsenic accumulation in the grains.In this way, OsABCC1 also protects future generations of the rice plants, which can be grown from grains with lower arsenic levels. Over-expression of OsABCC1 could generate rice plants with high arsenictolerant and low accumulation in future.

Explore further: Gene critical to the development of low arsenic plants identified by scientists More information: "A rice ABC transporter, OsABCC1, reduces arsenic accumulation in the grain." PNAS 2014 111 (44) 1569915704; published ahead of print October 20, 2014, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1414968111 Journal reference: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Provided by Okayama University

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine PHL rice output could still reach 4.28 MMT in Q1 2015’

by BusinessMirror - December 10, 2014 THE country’s unmilled rice production would still reach 4.28 million metric tons (MMT) in the first quarter of 2015 despite the havoc wreaked by Typhoon Ruby on farmlands in the Visayas and southern Luzon.Agriculture Undersecretary Emerson U. Palad said in his report that the 52,034 metric tons (MT) of rice crops damaged by the typhoon would not cause a significant dent on palay output. Palay destroyed by the typhoon was estimated at P890.92 million.―Losses in palay are 1.21 percent of the first quarter 2015 national production target,‖ Palad said in his report. ―These are minimal and losses in [typhoonaffected] areas will have no critical impact on the national palay production target,‖ he added.In its November report, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said palay production is projected to reach 4.28 MMT. This, however, is 0.6 percent lower than the 4.31 MMT produced in the first quarter of 2014.PSA said harvest area could decline by 2.5 percent to 1.13 million hectares in 2015 from 1.16 million hectares in 2014. Yield, however, may improve to 3.79 MT per hectare, or by 2 percent, from 3.72 MT per hectare.The DA also expressed confidence that Philippine corn output would still reach 2.28 MMT in January to March 2015. This is 0.3 percent higher than the 2.27 MMT produced in the same period in 2014.

2015 from 3.23 MT recorded in the first quarter of 2014.Palay production for 2014 is forecast at 18.88 MMT, 2.4 percent higher than last year’s production of 18.44 MMT.PSA said the increase could be attributed to the improvement in yield to 3.98 MT per hectare from 3.89 MT.Harvest area, however, may contract slightly to 4.74 million hectares in 2014 from 4.75 million hectares recorded a year ago.The projected output for the July-to-December period may reach 10.5 MMT, 0.5 percent higher than last year’s record of 10.44 MMT.Based on standing crop, palay output in the July-toSeptember period could reach 3.03 MMT, 10 percent lower than the 3.36 MMT produced a year ago.In the fourth quarter alone, PSA said output could go up by 5.5 percent to 7.47 MMT from 7.08 MMT posted in the same period last year.

Source

with

thanks:

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/phl-riceoutput-could-still-reach-4-28-mmt-in-q12015/

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PSA said harvest area is foreseen to grow by 0.7 percent to 710,330 thousand hectares.

Yield, however, may drop to 3.22 MT in Contact us for Advertisement & Specs: mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com +92 321 369 2847