10th november 2014 daily global rice e newsleter

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

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter

10th November, 2014

Today’s News Headlines…

1. VIETNAM OFFERS GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO PAKISTANI PRODUCTS 2. Quota limit restricting rice export potential to China 3. HIGH RICES EXPORT PRICES ERODING COMPETITIVENESS IN INT‘L MARKET 4. Indian subsidy on rice export affects export of Pakistan 5. Calls for govt to prop up failing rice market 6. Rice exporters ask TDAP for higher China quota from 0.5m to 0.75m tonnes 7. Farmers concerned over fall in basmati price 8. FPCCI advises rice exporters to seek zero-rated tax status 9. Central Luzon palay production hits 1.3 million MT 10. Joint rice panel hits stalemate 11. Prosecutors, anti-graft agency still at odds over Yingluck case 12. Slow processing delays rice farm aid 13. Five-step verification delays payments to small rice farmers 14. Rice output on the rise but consumption dips 15. India's grains stock substantially higher than targets 16. UPDATE 2-China, South Korea sign 'substantial conclusion' of free trade deal 17. GOP Power Could Mean Trouble For Japan 18. Green Revolution, Eco Park and Coffee 19. SA Rice Presses Obama Administration on Iraq 20. USA Rice Briefs New ATO on Successful Mexican Program 21. Govt urged to set Rs 3,000 per 40 kg for paddy

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VIETNAM OFFERS GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO PAKISTANI PRODUCTS Staff Reporter Sunday, November 09, 2014 - Karachi— Vu Viet Dzung Second Secretary, Head of Vietnam Trade Mission in Pakistan has said that Vietnam offer great opportunities to Pakistani products. During a visit to FPCCI he proposed that FPCCI should sign MoU with Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry VCCI to establish JBC. He also proposed to include fishery sector in the FPCCI trade delegation to Vietnam. He also offered visa to the participants of delegation at the earliest. He lauded FPCCI for choosing Vietnam as priority country to visit Pakistan and Vietnam provide Hugh consumer market due to growing population stated by Mr. Zakaria Usman President FPCCI while meeting with Mr. Vu Viet Dzung Second Secretary, Head of Vietnam Trade Mission in Pakistan who visited Federation House on Thursday, 6th November 2014.

The meeting between FPCCI and Vietnam Trade Mission in KARACHI was held in connection with the FPCCI trade delegation.

A delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), which will be led by President FPCCI, Zakaria Usman will be visiting to Hanoi, Vietnam from 2nd to 7th November 2014. The delegation, consisting of members of Pakistan Vietnam Business

Council of FPCCI will be the first ever visit of the private sector toVietnam, which is being planned, with the close coordination of the Head of Trade Mission of Vietnam.

The purpose of the delegation is to promote bilateral trade and economic relations between the two countries.

Mr. Zakaria Usman also said that Vietnamese market is our target. Pakistani products, Textile, Chemical, Rice Leather, sports goods and surgical instrument are in great demand in Vietnam.

He informed that the potential areas identified by our research, include pharmaceutical, surgical items, textile, cotton and yarn, small engineering goods, plastic manufacturing, agricultural products, oil seeds and grains, etc. while importable items from Vietnam to Pakistan include iron & steel, organic chemicals, telecommunication & electrical equipment, spices, etc. The meeting conculed with the presentation of FPCCI creat to Mr. Vu Viet Dzung Second Secretary, Head of Vietnam Trade Mission in Pakistan.

Quota limit restricting rice export potential to China | Exporters ask embassy in Beijing to take issue of raising rice import quota for Pakistan from 0.5m tons to 0.75m tons November 10, 2014

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Salman Abduhu

LAHORE - Although there is lot of potential to increase the export of rice from Pakistan to China, yet it is presently limited due to quota restrictions in China. This was stated in a letter written by the rice exporters simultaneously to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Pakistan embassy in Beijing. The letter laid emphasis on more export of rice from Pakistan to China and requested the Pakistan envoy to raise the issue of enhancing rice import limit from Pakistan during the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Beijing.

Pakistani basmati rice is in great demand in China and Chinese exporters are willing to import more basmati rice from Pakistan, said a rice exporter. He said that the exporters have dispatched request to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Pakistani envoy in Beijing to take the issue of enhancing quota limit for Pakistan from 0.5 million tons to 0.75 million tons for basmati rice. He underlined the need for initiating efforts to get enhanced quota from China to enhance export of basmati rice.

Pakistan has exploited fully its 500,000 matric tons rice export quota to China, earning around $200 million and if this limit is exceeded to 750,000 tons the country can fetch more foreign exchange to narrow trade deficit, the exporters said. The Beijing has recently inked an agreement to import around 1 million ton rice from Thailand paying $30 per ton additional cost. If

Pakistan convinces

govt the Chinese authorities to raise rice import limit for Pakistan the Chinese buyers will also benefit, as their cost will be reduced significantly. Rice exporters noted that the balance of trade between Pakistan and Malaysia is tilted in favour of China for a long time and in order to narrow down the trade deficit, there is dire need for increasing export of nontraditional items as well as the existing items being exported to China. The response of Chinese importers for Pakistani rice is overwhelming as compared to rice imported from Thailand and Vietnam. ―Our rice industry is not showing its full potential due to some internal barriers related to planning and strategic implementations. Viewing the current scenario, rice exporters deserve the patronage of government at par with textile industry to develop rice export as one of the major foreign-exchange- earning sector. The embassy in Beijing should launch a concrete drive to market Pakistani rice in China by creating a personalized demand among Chinese people.‖ The rice exporters are already exploring new techniques with China to improve the quality of rice. Chinese buyers prefer to buy

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine the rice with good milling quality. Hence, the rice exporters want TDAP and commercial counselor in Beijing to manage match making of the Chinese and Pakistani entrepreneurs in this sector to increase the demand of Pakistani rice in China.

Meanwhile, the Rice Exporters Association central chairman Rafique Suleman said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif‘s visit to China would help Pakistan to bring Chinese investment worth billions of dollars in different sectors which would help strengthen the national economy.

He said that China, in response to current visit of Prime Minister, has announced substantial investment in Pakistan for further improving economic ties between the private sectors of the two countries besides enhancing volume of trade.

He said that Pakistan with Chinese investment would achieve sustained growth in key sectors, including increase in per capita income and improvement in microeconomic in the years to come.

HIGH RICES EXPORT PRICES ERODING COMPETITIVENESS IN INT‘L MARKET Amanullah Khan Friday, November 07, 2014 - Karachi— High cost of export of rice and erosion of its

competitive edge in global market such as non-availability of sound containers especially for rice; ever increasing container terminal charges viz-a-viz poor services; inordinate delay in refund claims on Sale Tax paid by the rice exporters on their electricity bills; Development of infrastructure from Export Development Fund (EDF) for uninterrupted power supply; passing of trickledown effect to industry in fuel adjustment charges due to reduction in POL prices in international market etc, This was highlighted by the rice exports while discussing the problems faced in the process of rice export with President FPCCI Zakariya Usman at FPCCI today. The delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) led by its Chairman Rafique Suleman held a meeting with its President, Mr. Zakaria Usman and highlighted various problems responsible for Khurram Sayeed and Ismail Suttar, Vice Presidents of FPCCI, Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, Chairman FPCCI Standing Committee on Customs and others were also present on the occasion.

The FPCCI Chief, Zakaria Usman responding to the poor services extended by the container terminal operators (CTOs) during examination of goods by Anti Narcotic Force (ANF) at ports informed that FPCCI had recently organized two joint meetings of all the stakeholders involved in these processes at ports viz Traders; Regional Directorate of ANF; Port Operating Companies (KICT, PICT and QICT); KPT; PQA, SBP etc., wherein it was mutually decided that CTOs would either hire sufficient trained and skilled manpower

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine for improvement in their services or outsource it to a third party having professional expertise in re-packing of goods and re-stuffing in containers.

Regarding problems related to export proceeds and charging of different freight rates at different rupee-dollar parity rates by each shipping company due to non monitoring of Foreign Exchange Policy by the State Bank of Pakistan, the FPCCI President invited the REAP delegation to prepare its proposals and take them-up in the meeting with the Governor SBP who is scheduled to visit FPCCI shortly.

He also urged the shipping companies to reduce the containers charges for rice as it is a low value and high volume item as compared to other value added goods like textile etc.

In response to charging GST on electricity bills of rice exporters, Zakaria Usman advised the REAP members to prepare a comprehensive proposal for including rice as a traditional item in zero rated sales tax regime like textile, leather, surgical goods, sports goods and carpet industrial subsectors. The FPCCI President further asked the delegation to prepare its proposal for seeking financial assistance from EDF for the development of dedicated line from KElectric feeder to their cluster area to ensure smooth supply of power.

Indian subsidy on rice export affects export of Pakistan Staff Report

November 09, 2014 KARACHI: Rice export of Pakistan is facing declining trend on cutthroat competition in international market, exporters said. Pakistan is fourth largest producer after China, India and Indonesia and brings more than $2 billion foreign exchange every year.

President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Zakaria Usman showing concern said the subsidy from Indian government to rice exporters has seriously affected the rice export of Pakistan. The international prices of agricultural products were declining, and the export of rice from Pakistan has been decreasing in term of quantity for the last three months.

Pakistan‘s rice export volume has declined inJuly to September from $363 million compared to the last year same period of $404 million. FPCCI repeatedly informed the government and stakeholders about the subsidy on rice by Indian government in the name of food security. We have highlighted the consequences of Indian policy and its impact on Pakistan‘s exports. FPCCI has informed Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance and stakeholders through various letters and press releases, but no action/reaction was seen from concerned departments as well as ministries.

The Indian step is currently hurting directly millions of Pakistani farmers who are already facing various challenges due to past two consecutive floods in Pakistan. This may create serious food insecurity for Pakistan in future. He urged government to oppose demand of subsidy by India from World Trade Organisation (WTO), which was highly trade distorting step. Being member of WTO, Pakistan always supports free trade, liberalisation and market

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine competition. Pakistani export will not be in a position to compete Indian exporters because government of Pakistan cannot provide subsidies to the producers on back of International Monetary Fund‘s conditionalities.

of general sales tax to control inflationary trends in Pakistan.

He demanded zero rated facility and other fiscal and administrative measures in favour of rice exporters. In May 2014, FPCCI has released a report on ‗Political Economy of Subsides‘ where early warning has been issued about the declining trends in exports.

This report was sent to policymakers and all concerned departments.He indicated policymakers should understand the economic wisdom behind the suggestions and recommendations of FPCCI.

By Zaw Htike | Monday, 10 November 2014

In recent past FPCCI has recommended several policy measures regarding economic vision 2025, infrastructure development, foreign investment and fiscal policy. FPCCI‘ shadow budget indicates government has recognised it estimates. It is notable current expenditures estimated by FPCCI were Rs 3.1 trillion and it is almost same in budget announcement by federal government.

Expenditures for Defense services recommended by FPCCI was Rs 702 billion, government has also announced Rs 700 billion in this head (almost same). FPCCI recommended Rs 370 billion for grants and transfer payments, government estimates indicates Rs 371 (almost same) in this head.

Expenditures running civil government were estimated Rs 290 billion by FPCCI and it is Rs 291 (almost same) announced by the government. Provision for pay and pension was estimated by FPCCI at Rs 27 billion, government estimates are almost same (Rs 25 billion). Despite all these facts it is surprising government has not incorporated the FPCCI suggestions regarding subsidies on agricultural products and the reduced rate

Calls for govt to prop up failing rice market The government is contemplating stepping in to the rice market to prevent too much drop in price for the staple crop.

Rice prices have declined about 20 percent so far this year on international markets, but the local situation has been exasperated as China, Myanmar‘s largest rice export market, began preventing its important bilateral rice trade with Myanmar in late September.

Although the main harvest is still about a month away from beginning, farmers are worried they will face much lower prices than anticipated months ago when they planted the rice. Many invested in inputs like fertiliser and equipment anticipating a higher price than what the market currently commands.

The Myanmar Farmers Association said the government is planning to use a body called the National Rice Reserve Supervisory Committee to step in and buy stock in an attempt to maintain prices.The committee is composed of officials from the Ministry of Commerce, the Myanmar Rice Federation and Central Cooperative Association, with support from the Myanmar Agri-business Public Company, according to a Myanmar Farmers Association press release issued November 3.

U Maung Aung, an adviser to the commerce ministry, said the committee was formed prior to the Farmers‘ Interests Promotions

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Bill, which passed on October 12, 2013. ―We will buy rice through the National Rice Reserves Supervisory Committee. It will start soon and it will buy a lot of rice,‖ he said. The farmers‘ interest bill allows for another method that could be used to purchase rice paddy, but it cannot be actively used until after a set of follow-up bylaws are issued, he added.Farmers are keen to receive government support to halt the rice price plunge.The MFA says the committee will buy rice at K350,000 per 100 baskets (about 2.05 tonnes), calculated to be just above the break-even point for many farmers.

However, farmers say rises in labour costs over the past year have squeezed margins and pushed production costs to just about that level, meaning farmers will barely be covering expenses at that price.U Thein Aung, the chair of the Freedom Farmers‘ League, said, ―The cost of harvesting alone is about K70,000, about double last year.

Then we paid our workers K3500, and now it‘s K5000 per day.‖ The current market price of paddy is about K300,000 per 100 baskets, down from well over K400,000 per 100 baskets it fetched before the Chinese crackdown.Chinese buyers, particularly in remote Yunnan Province, had been offering aboveinternational market prices given the logistical challenge of shipping there. While most of Myanmar‘s exports had gone to Africa and the Middle East, over the last two years China had emerged as the largest export market.

However, Chinese authorities, which considers the trade to be illegal but had been allowing the trade, began seizing shipments in late September, putting a halt to the trade, even as progress was being made to negotiated the necessary agreements to legalise the trade.

Farmers‘ woes have been compounded by heavy unseasonable rain, the result of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. ―Many acres of paddy fields have been flooded. This year is a terribly hard time for farmers,‖ said U Thein Aung.

Although rice insiders say it is important that prices are supported, some say it would be better to proceed with the bylaws already passed.Myanmar Rice Federation executive member U Myo Thura Aye said he supports efforts to prop up rice prices, adding it would be better to wait for the Farmers‘ Interest Promotion Bill bylaws to be circulated first.

Rice exporters ask TDAP for higher China quota from 0.5m to 0.75m tonnes Reported by: `Customs Today Report November 10, 2014 LAHORE: The export of Pakistani rice to China is limited due to quota restrictions in China. It should be enhanced for Pakistan from 0.5 million tons to 0.75 million tons for basmati rice.This was stated in a letter written by the rice exporters simultaneously to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Pakistan embassy in Beijing.

The letter laid emphasis on more export of rice from Pakistan to China.Pakistani basmati rice is in great demand in China and Chinese exporters are willing to import more basmati rice from Pakistan, said a rice

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine exporter. He said that the exporters have dispatched request to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Pakistani envoy in Beijing to take the issue of enhancing quota limit for Pakistan from 0.5 million tons to 0.75 million tons for basmati rice. He underlined the need for initiating efforts to get enhanced quota from China to enhance export of basmati rice. Pakistan has exploited fully its 500,000 matric tons rice export quota to China, earning around $200 million and if this limit is exceeded to 750,000 tons the country can fetch more foreign exchange to narrow trade deficit, the exporters said.

The Beijing has recently inked an agreement to import around 1 million ton rice from Thailand paying $30 per ton additional cost.

If Pakistan govt convinces the Chinese authorities to raise rice import limit for Pakistan the Chinese buyers will also benefit, as their cost will be reduced significantly. Rice exporters noted that the balance of trade between Pakistan and Malaysia is tilted in favour of China for a long time and in order to narrow down the trade deficit, there is dire need for increasing export of non-traditional items as well as the existing items being exported to China. The response of Chinese importers for Pakistani rice is overwhelming as compared to rice imported from Thailand and Vietnam.

The rice exporters are already exploring new techniques with China to improve the quality of rice. Chinese buyers prefer to buy the rice with good milling quality. Hence, the rice exporters want TDAP and commercial counselor in Beijing to manage match making of the Chinese and Pakistani entrepreneurs in this sector to increase the

demand of Pakistani rice in China.Meanwhile, the Rice Exporters Association central chairman Rafique Suleman said that China, in response to current visit of Prime Minister, has announced substantial investment in Pakistan for further improving economic ties between the private sectors of the two countries besides enhancing volume of trade.He said that Pakistan with Chinese investment would achieve sustained growth in key sectors, including increase in per capita income and improvement in microeconomic in the years to come.

Farmers concerned over fall in basmati price our correspondent Saturday, November 08, 2014 From Print Edition

LAHORE: Representatives of farming community on Thursday lamented what they call abysmally low prices of basmati rice this buying season.

Market activity started following initiation of harvesting during the last few days, with opening of trade of paddy at as low as Rs1,400-1,500 per 40kg against last year‘s prices of Rs2,000-2,200 per 40kg recorded during corresponding period, said Basmati Growers Association (BGA) President Hamid Malhi. Kisan Board Pakistan (KBP) expressed similar resentment over the issue.

The basmati paddy price plunged to one of the lowest levels despite the fact that the expected crop size is the same if compared with last year‘s harvest, Malhi said.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine However, he conceded that surplus crop largely available from last‘ year‘s output could be the reason for the downward trend in paddy prices. Still, he observed, the very low prices of paddy are against the interest of farmers, who are being forced to sell the commodity at throwaway prices.The cost of production of farmers is much lower than the present selling price of basmati paddy in the market, he lamented.He was of the view that government should not sit idle in this situation and must take steps for supporting dwindling paddy prices.

The main problem is being seen in the faulty marketing of basmati rice in the international market, he said, adding, steps should be taken to accelerate export of premium quality basmati, which will ultimately help stabilise prices.Keeping in mind the experience of rice buying by the government agency in the past, nothing has been done to benefit the farmers, the BGA leader said.The intervention is in favour of middlemen and not for arresting steep fall in prices of basmati, he added.He also blamed what he called a cartel of big buyers, who intentionally delayed buying paddy with the aim of lower prices in the market. He said government departments should take punitive action against such big buyers.

Instead, Malhi said, the government should give some sort of incentives to rice exporters in order to encourage export of basmati from Pakistan. Such arrangements should be made in a transparent manner, aiming at giving benefit to exporters solely on the basis of their respective performance in the last marketing year, he said.The BGA president said that the government should immediately announce its intention of supporting paddy price, which would help a lot in stabilising the paddy price in the market.

Kissan Board Pakistan President Sardar Zafar Hussain said government should not leave paddy farmers in these challenging times, saying Basmati paddy prices should not be reduced below Rs3,000 per 40kg.

The cost of paddy has increased manifold mainly due to the rising cost of power tariff and diesel, he said, adding Rs1,300-1,400 per 40kg was peanuts.

He demanded of the government to fix the minimum price for basmati at Rs3,000 per 40kg and take steps for ensuring due return to farmers.Chaudhry Zahid Imran, a basmati grower hailing from Narang Mandi said one of the best rice varieties were being bought at one of the lowest prices, terming it a sheer injustice to hardworking farmers. He said that the prevailing prices of paddy were unacceptable and should be increased significantly.

FPCCI advises rice exporters to seek zero-rated tax status our correspondent Friday, November 07, 2014 From Print Edition

KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Thursday advised the rice exporters to prepare proposals for the government to clinch zero-rated tax status.

President FPCCI Zakaria Usman, in a meeting with a delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap), discussed various problems, which are causing high cost to rice exports, eroding the competitive edge in the global market. Usman suggested the exporters to submit proposals for the government to include rice in the list of sectors operating under zero-rated sales tax regime, such as textile, leather, surgical goods, exportable goods and carpet

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine industries. He further advised the delegation to prepare proposals to seek export development fund (EDF) for the installation of a dedicated line from K-Electric feeder to their cluster area to ensure smooth supply of power.

Reap members, led by its Chairman Rafique Suleman, were asked to get land from its own resources and then apply for EDF for the construction of building and procurement of equipment and machinery for the development of rice research institutes.Exporters highlighted issues, such as non-availability of containers especially for rice, ever-increasing container terminal charges, inordinate delay in refund claims on sale tax paid by the rice exporters on their electricity bills, transfer of fuel adjustment charges to the industry, etc.

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry chief deplored the poor services of container terminal operators (CTOs) during the examination of goods by anti narcotic force at ports.He told the delegation that a meeting with government officials and other stakeholders had decided CTOs would either hire skilled manpower to improve services or take assistance of a third party with professional expertise in repacking of goods and re-stuffing containers.The Reap members also pointed out problems related to export proceeds and charges of different freight rates at variable rupee-dollar parity rates by shipping companies.They blamed non-monitoring of foreign exchange policy by the State Bank of Pakistan for this disparity.

Usman urged the shipping companies to reduce the charges for rice as it is a low value and high volume item as compared to other value-added goods like textile etc. He said that he would take up the foreign exchange issue with the SBP‘s

governor.Khurram Sayeed and Ismail Suttar, vice presidents of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, chairman of FPCCI Standing Committee on Customs and others were also present.

Central Luzon palay production hits 1.3 million MT

By Ian Ocampo Flora Sunday, November 9, 2014 CITY OF SAN FERNANDO--Provinces in Central Luzon have registered a combined harvest of 1, 322, 628 metric tons of palay for the wet cropping season, marking a relative stability in the region's output, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

DA regional director Andrew Villacorta said the production report covers the period March 16 to September 15 of this year. The report said that 441, 193 hectares have been planted during the period with only 262, 498 hectares harvested so far.The department is expecting the statistics to go up upon the completion of the harvest season.Villacorta said Central Luzon farmers are set to produce 3,524,558 million metric tons of palay (unmilled rice) in 2014, five percent higher compared to the 2013 total production of 3,409,468 million metric tons.

From January to June this year, farmers produced 1,780,548 million metric tons, higher than 1,691,044 million metric tons in the same period in 2013.He said Central Luzon is the top producer of the Filipino staple last year, making up at least 18 percent of the country's total annual

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine production.For the wet cropping period alone, the average yield per hectare in the province is at 5.04 metric tons. The DA said that it is hoping for favorable weather for better yield in the last cropping season of the year.

Joint rice panel hits stalemate Published: 8 Nov 2014 at 06.00 Newspaper section: News Writer: King-oua Laohong & Aekarach Sattaburuth

A joint panel of public prosecutors and antigraft officials yesterday failed to reach a conclusion on a criminal case against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in connection with the rice-pledging scheme. After a three-hour meeting yesterday, deputy attorneygeneral Wutthipong Wibulpong said both sides only agreed on certain points.Mr Wutthipong, who leads a team of public prosecutors working on the case with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), said the NACC agreed it will question some more of the witnesses suggested by the public prosecutors.The witnesses include those who the NACC already talked to and those suggested by Ms Yingluck but rejected by the NACC previously.

More than 10 of these witnesses will be questioned, after which the case will be presented to the attorney-general to determine whether there is enough evidence to pursue the case, Mr Wutthipong said.Mr Wutthipong said the anti-graft body could not file the charge with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions without the endorsement of the prosecutors at this stage.The NACC must

wait until the prosecutors on the joint panel report the results of the meeting to the attorney-general first.

The attorney-general might share the same view as the NACC or the attorney-general might call for more witnesses or further discussions on certain points, Mr Wutthipong said."The NACC has agreed to question some witnesses but we want them to talk to all of them. So no conclusion has been reached," Mr Wutthipong said.NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljiak said there was no agreement because the NACC could not comply with all of the prosecutors' requests as the two sides still have differing views on certain legal issues.

"On certain things, we insist they're not our duty but the prosecutors say they are," the secretary-general said."It's true when the deputy attorney-general said we're unyielding. We couldn't cave in because we have to stick to the law. We believe the evidence and witnesses at hand are enough to prosecute."We agreed to hear more witnesses but insist we couldn't do so for the rest of them [witnesses]," he said.On Sept 4, the Office of the Attorney-General refused to accept a recommendation by the NACC to indict Ms Yingluck in the Supreme Court for dereliction of duty for her handling of the rice-pledging scheme.

The public prosecutors argued that the NACC's probe was incomplete, saying more evidence and witnesses were needed if the case was to proceed. The two agencies then set up a joint panel to re-investigate the case.

On July 17, the NACC ruled that there was sufficient grounds to the allegations that Ms Yingluck was negligent in failing to scrap the scheme despite knowing it was plagued with corruption and huge losses.

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Prosecutors, anti-graft agency still at odds over Yingluck case Some issues agreed upon; NACC, OAG lawyers differ on interrogating more witnesses The anti-graft agency and public prosecutors failed for a third time yesterday to reach agreement on whether a criminal case should be filed against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in relation to her government's controversial rice-pledging scheme. This repeated failure has prompted speculation that the National AntiCorruption Commission (NACC) might decide to take a case against Yingluck itself to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

An NACC source said that without a clear conclusion from the meeting between senior prosecutors from the Office of the AttorneyGeneral (OAG) and NACC officials, it was likely that the anti-graft agency would take the case to court if the prosecutors continue to refuse to do so.

The NACC has previously taken criminal cases against political-office holders to court without the Attorney General's consent, including the one against Yingluck's older brother, former PM Thaksin.The anti-graft agency has called on the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to impeach Yingluck for dereliction of duty for allegedly failing to end the corruptionplagued rice-pledging scheme, which is estimated to have cost the state at least Bt600 billion. Both sides met for about three

hours yesterday at the NACC headquarters in Nonthaburi to discuss the case. After yesterday's meeting, Deputy Attorney General Vudhibhongse Vibulyawongse said no conclusion had been reached, though both sides could agree on certain issues. For instance, he said, the NACC had agreed to question some more defence witnesses as requested by the prosecutors.

Vudhibhongse explained that the prosecutors wanted the NACC to interrogate more than 10 new witnesses, but theNACC had only agreed to question some of them. "We want all witnesses to be interrogated," he said.The Deputy Attorney General said he did not think the NACC could take the case to court right now, as the Attorney General's Office had still not made a decision on the case. He said the NACC should wait for a decision first.

NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljieak, who also attended yesterday's meeting, said later the anti-graft agency could not agree to all the prosecutors' requests due to certain legal limitations. He explained that the prosecutors did not agree with the NACC's argument and it appeared that both sides had different views about the same law. "We must have another meeting. Now it seems like we're going around in circles and getting nowhere," Sansern said. He added that the NACC was confident that it had sufficient evidence and grounds to impeach Yingluck, though a further meeting on the case had yet to be scheduled.

NACC president Panthep Klanarongran said the anti-graft agency would give prosecutors additional documents, but it would not interrogate more witnesses as requested. "There is sufficient information from the existing witnesses," he said. Meanwhile, in response to whether taking criminal action against Yingluck would revive political

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine conflicts, Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr said yesterday that the rule of law should be respected and he believed righteousness would prevail in the end.

He said he believed the government would try to please all sides involved and did not think the premier would condone the persecution of anybody.

Slow processing delays rice farm aid Five-step verification delays payments to small rice farmers Published: 10 Nov 2014 Online news: General Writer: Online Reporters

Finance Minister Sommai Phasee has ordered a faster process in giving financial aid to rice growers nationwide as careful checks to verify recipients' eligibility are

of 1,000 baht per rai (1,600 square metres) to a maximum of 15 rai per rice-grower family were being affected.The cash assistance for the 2014/2015 crop covers 3.49 million farmer families, with a total budgeted cost of 40 billion baht.The minister said all payments could not be completed by the end of November as planned.

He had given instructions that the process should be hurried up.Supat Eauchai, executive vice president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), said the verification process for rice growers applying for the assistance had to be approved in five stages: by district agricultural chiefs, committees at subdistrict, district and provincial levels, and the Department of Agricultural Extension.From Oct 20 to Nov 7, the BAAC paid only 2.75 billion baht in total assistance to 229,216 farm families in 60 provinces.

Mr Supat said the verification was slow because some applicants were new clients not previously registered for projects handled by his bank.

He said that by the end of November 80% of the assistance fund would be paid out, and the rest would reach recipients in December.

His staff would help applicants prepare their documents to speed up the process, Mr Supat said.

Rice output on the rise but consumption dips

delaying payments.

Rice growers receive government cash assistance at a branch of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in Lop Buri province in October. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha) The minister the government's

said payments under assistance package

MANILA, Philippines–While domestic production of rice has been going up, Filipinos appear to be consuming less of the staple grain, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).The PSA said in its latest Food Consumption and Nutrition report that per capita production of rice rose

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine over to 123.9 kilos in 2013 from 115.2 kilos in 2006.During the same seven-year period, the average consumption of rice went down to 319.1 grams per person a day (or 116.5 kilos a year) in 2013, from 325.2 grams daily (or 120 kilos a year) in 2006.

Rice production in 2013 posted an index of 107.48 percent based on 2006 levels, the PSA said. This means that rice per capita production in 2013 was 7.5 percentage points higher than the base year record, the agency explained.

The index on per capita production measures

aiming for self-sufficiency in the production of the staple grain and hopes to increase output to about 59.7 million tons in the three years to 2016. This puts annual harvests at close to 20 million tons, topping the all-time high of 18.44 million tons set in 2013.This may translate to a rice self-sufficiency rate of 96 percent.

Tags:grains,Philippines,rice,rice consumption,Rice output Image: A rice field in Bicol. RICK ALBERTO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

India's grains stock substantially higher than targets Reuters Nov 10, 2014, 05.43PM IST

 (India's milled rice inventory…)

the capacity of the Philippine agriculture sector to produce food along with the growth of the population.Among all agricultural commodities that are produced in the country—including other crops as well as livestock, fisheries and aquatic resources—rice accounted for 1.14 kilos of calories daily per Filipino in 2013.Rice also accounted for 23.9 grams of protein and 5.7 grams of fats, making it the most important food item for Filipinos.In comparison, the next-best source of calories was corn, with 188.4 grams. In terms of protein and fats, the next best sources were chicken meat with 9.7 grams and chicken egg with 4.6 grams.The Department of Agriculture is

NEW DELHI: India had 30.1 million tonnes of wheat in government warehouses as of Nov. 1, government officials said on Monday, more than double the official target which raises the prospect of overseas shipm ents from the world' s second largest produc er.Bumper harvests since 2007 have led to huge stockpiles of rice and wheat with the government, which buys from farmers to meet emergencies and for welfare programmes providing subsidised food to the poor.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine ndia's milled rice inventory at the beginning of November was 13.7 million tonnes against a target of 7.2 million, the officials said on condition of anonymity.The stock positions have helped cushion the blow of a weak start to the four-month annual monsoon rains in June and curb food inflation that plummeted to a near three-year low of 3.52 percent in September.India in 2011 lifted a four-year-old ban on wheat and non-basmati rice exports to offload the grains from its bulging bins. The country has shipped out nearly 7 million tonnes of wheat from its warehouses in the past few years.Since 2009, the government has kept an additional 3 million tonnes of wheat and 2 million tonnes of rice as strategic reserves in addition to the monthly stocks.

the deal, which the neighbours negotiated for more than two years, will help its small and medium-sized producers of clothing, leisure goods and high-end electronics become competitive in China, thanks to the slashing of Beijing's import tariffs.China is the world's largest exporter and South Korea ranks seventh.Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Park Geun-hye signed the deal, which cleared all the bilateral trade issues and now faces legal and parliament reviews in the two countries.

UPDATE 2-China, South Korea sign 'substantial conclusion' of free trade deal

Woo Tae-hee, South Korea's assistant minister for trade and chief free trade agreement (FTA) negotiator, said Seoul focused on small and medium-sized business opportunities in China instead of matured markets such as for steel and petrochemicals.Lee Hang-koo, a senior researcher at state-funded Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade, said the exclusion of cars is welcome news for country's car and auto-parts makers.

ll issues cleared; legal, parliament reviews left * Agreement excludes rice, automobiles S.Korean govt * S.Korea farmers group oppose FTA as a "nuclear bomb" * Deal covers 17 areas including ecommerce - Xinhua * Chinese, S.Korean presidents sign deal in Beijing (Updates with details from South Korea's government briefing)

By Megha Rajagopalan and Meeyoung Cho BEIJING/SEOUL, Nov 10 (Reuters) Chinese and South Korean leaders on Monday signed a "substantial conclusion" of a free trade agreement that will sharply reduce barriers to commerce between the two trading giants, but leaves in place those on rice and automobiles.South Korea says

China's Xinhua news agency said the agreement covers 17 areas including online commerce and government purchasing.

"They were concerned about the potential flooding of Chinese-made products into the country for the long term," he said.Even though the bilateral agreement also excludes rice - in line with Seoul's insistence on protecting its domestic industry - there are doubts that South Korea's parliament will swiftly approve the pact.Many South Korean

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine farmers' groups oppose the deal. The Korean Peasants League on Monday likened it to a "nuclear bomb" for the industry.

BILATERAL TRADE BOOM In 2013, South Korea had a $3.8 billion deficit in its agriculture, forestry and livestock trade with China, according to government data.This deal comes as South Korea has yet to decide whether to join the United States-initiated Trans-Pacific Partnership pact, aimed at slashing trade barriers between a dozen countries.The agreement with South Korea will be China's ninth bilateral FTA. It hopes to also sign one with Australia before the end of this year.

China and South Korea normalised diplomatic relations in 1992 and bilateral trade grew 36-fold to $228.92 billion in 2013 from $6.38 billion in 1992, South Korea's data shows. South Korea has been running a trade surplus with China since 1993. In 2013, the surplus was $62.8 billion.Analysts in Seoul have said the deal would have only a limited direct boost to bilateral trade or economic growth but would help South Korea strengthen ties with China, the sole major ally of North Korea.The two Koreas remain technically at war after their 1950-53 war ended in a truce and China is the host of six-party talks aimed at diffusing tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear development ambition.

The talks, which involve the United States, Russia and Japan, have been stalled for

years. (Reporting by Meeyoung Cho and Choonsik Yoo in SEOUL and Megha Rajagopalan and Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Additional reporting by Jack Kim, Hyunjoo Jin and Brian Kim in SEOUL; Editing by Richard Borsuk)

GOP Power Could Mean Trouble For Japan William Pesek For Bloomberg News Monday, November 10, 2014 (Published in print: Monday, November 10, 2014) Perhaps no one in Asia is happier than Shinzo Abe and his ruling Liberal Democratic Party to see Republicans take over control of the U.S. Congress.Japan‘s conservatives tend to prefer their American counterparts, who favor national security and nuclear power — not to mention a strong stance against China. For Prime Minister Abe, the prospect of Mitch McConnell running the Senate must seem like great news for U.S.-Japan relations and his own standing.

Not exactly. There are at least two snags awaiting Abe‘s administration as Republicans measure drapes on Capitol Hill: a plummeting currency and the TransPacific Partnership trade deal, which has stalled in large measure because of Japan‘s reluctance to open up its agricultural and automotive sectors.The recent dramatic move by Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda to increase the central bank‘s already massive bond purchases has driven down the yen to a seven-year low.

While that‘s good news for Japanese exporters, it also threatens to touch off a

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine fresh currency war in Asia. China‘s Xi Jinping is sure to bring up Japan‘s beggarthy-neighbor policies when wooing other Asian leaders at this week‘s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing.

The move could also cause friction with Washington. ―Kuroda‘s Halloween surprise smacks of currency manipulation, and the GOP has a track record of not taking kindly to competitive devaluations,‖ says Jeff Kingston, head of Asian studies at the Tokyo campus of Temple University.

At the least, Congress is going to have a harder time browbeating China to boost its exchange rate when Japan is allowed to do precisely the opposite.TPP puts Abe in a tough corner, too. There‘s rising optimism that Republicans will give Obama the ―fasttrack‖ authority he needs to ratify the 12member trade deal, which excludes China.

The catch, though, is conservatives in Washington may demand that Japan go allin.

Thus far Abe‘s negotiators have been able to stall even on what might be called TPP-lite, involving only modest concessions on autos and agriculture, because it didn‘t look like Obama would be able to clinch a deal in Washington. Republicans could remove that excuse — and might resist giving Japan special treatment. TPP-lite could well be off the table soon. ―Problem is,‖ Kingston says, ―this impinges on powerful vested interests that are well represented in Abe‘s own party, so he will be on the hot seat on trade, while he‘s also trying to finesse structural reforms‖ such as loosening labor markets, pulling more women into the work force and strengthening Japan‘s corporate governance.

Played right, pressure from the U.S. could be great news for Abe, who advisers say views TPP as a Trojan horse of sorts. Once bound by a signed agreement, Japan will in theory be forced to shake up inefficient sectors that have long been coddled by political patrons in the LDP. As Nicholas Smith, a strategist at CLSA in Tokyo, puts it, the trade pact represents potentially ―a big step for a nation where rice farmers and other groups have long blocked efforts to lower import barriers.‖ Smith believes Abe‘s ministers ―are keen to get TPP done, and regard this as their chance.‖ The question is whether the prime minister‘s own party, which has long been financed by the farm lobby, will go along. Parliament members facing elections next spring will no doubt have misgivings. There‘s also a view in Tokyo that Abe never really expected TPP to get through the U.S. Congress, and that he‘s merely been feigning support to bolster his reformist bona fides. If that‘s true, he‘ll have a hard time keeping up the charade if the Republicans lift obstacles to a deal in Washington.

Abe would be wise to take on Japan‘s sacred cows while he still has the approval ratings to do so. It would be an important down payment on boosting Japan‘s competitiveness — and keeping Japan‘s erstwhile friends in Congress happy, too.William Pesek, a Bloomberg View columnist based in Tokyo, writes on economics, markets and politics throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Green Revolution, Eco Park and Coffee

By Art Tibaldo Consumer Atbp.

Monday, November 10, 2014

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine WE WERE probably still wiping our noses with our elbows when the concept of green revolution was thought of by the originators of this different kind of Battle. The term "Green Revolution" accordingly, was first used in 1968 by former United States Agency for International Development (USAID) director William Gaud, when he noted the spread of the new technologies and developments in the field of agriculture that embodied the makings of a new revolution.This of course meant an industrialized, chemical agriculture as defined by some authors.

Records also show that in the 1960s, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines with Ford and Rockefeller Foundations established the International Rice Research Institute and the end result made the Philippines a rice exporter for the first time in the 20th century. As far as I can remember, farmers were enticed to adopt a program called Masagana 99 and even my farming mother was convinced and even dreamt of buying a Kubota hand tractor. I remember too that before we had the nutrition program of the First Lady Imelda Marcos called ―nutribun‖ in the mid 70s, we indulged in the Green Revolution programs of the Marcoses led be either Imelda or daughter Imee.

Small villages we knew as barrio was renamed into Barangay and the Kabataan or youth movement was also made into a small political system that further supported RP‘s own green revolution then. The Agoho and Pine trees that we planted as youngsters in Holy Ghost Proper Barangay grew tall and robust until finally it has to be cut to give way to a Barangay alley. There were stories even saying that some students saw a white

lady or ghost apparition in the Agoho that I planted but all these all are now part of my memories of that green revolution.

Having been engaged with the Alay sa Kalinisan and Baguio Regreening Movement that addresses the pollution, cleanliness and water problems of Baguio, I saw and observed how the city transformed from an earthquake devastated tourism capital into a highly urbanized city. Urban growth definitely is unstoppable and so are the problems that goes with it like the erosion of the Irisan dump site and flooding at the City Camp Lagoon.

My recent visit to Irisan Barangay to check on our property near the dumpsite where we once had a junk shop, I noticed that trucks for garbage collections and eco-aides doing the sorting of recyclables are still very much engaged in the recycling activity which is also a good income generating activity.

I asked permission from the guard to check on the activities inside the Eco-Park and how the Environmental Recycling System of Baguio is doing with its Protech composting machine, I noticed that weeds are now starting to grow in the soil covered dump area. The fuming dark compost material that is churned out from the machine is being mechanically scooped by a wheeled vehicle into the open dumping area. If I am not mistaken, these compost materials can be bought as alternative to chemical fertilizers especially to non food plants.

As I consolidate my plans to enter the specialty coffee industry and finalize my design concept of a coffee roaster for industrial small businesses, It came to mind

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine that I might as well convert our rented junkyard into a facility that can be used for roasting and packaging coffee by coffee growers who want their green beans processed. Well, this will definitely entail some start up budget but I guess a little loan will eventually pay-off a debt once it is already operating as envisioned.

It is projected that by 2016, the Cordillera coffee industry would be sustainable and viable if more coffee especially the Arabica variety would be planted in the uplands. I am collaborating with my brothers who are mechanical engineers and TESDA for the development of my prototype coffee roaster.

I see bright prospect for this industry especially that it is one of the flagship industries of the Cordillera Region.

I also look forward to convince the city government of Baguio that the Eco-Park can be jointly stewarded with the Society of Outstanding Citizens of Baguio for its environmental component and the Baguio Arts Guild for its art or park component.

Personally, I am also thinking of planting coffee at the slopes of the soil covered dumpsite but this of course needs research and scientific intervention considering that the area was once dreaded as a dumpsite and smokey mountain.

Comments to this article can mailedtocnatelevision@gmail.com.

be

SA Rice Presses Obama Administration on Iraq

Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS) Alexis Taylor to discuss what the organization calls "the alarming situation with Iraqi rice tenders," among other issues.In Taylor's new position, she will have a major role in implementing international trade policy and export assistance programs such as the Foreign Market Development and Market Access Programs, both of which are important to the rice industry that exports about half of its crop each year.

"We wanted to update the Secretary on some of our successful priority programs in key markets, but we also needed to call her attention to the Iraq situation," said Ben Mosely, USA Rice's vice president of government affairs who attended the meeting.

"Competitive bids from the U.S. are being ignored by the Iraqi Ministry of Trade, and we don't know why," said USA Rice's Chief Operating Officer Bob Cummings who also attended. "We asked the Secretary to help us get to the bottom of the issue before the next tender.

"Cummings said there is a tender going on right now that closes this weekend."It was a productive meeting," said Mosely.

"Secretary Taylor brings extensive experience and valuable insight to the agency and we look forward to working closely with her on this and other issues in the future."

Contact: Colleen Klemczewski (703) 2361446

Secretary Alexis Taylor

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The USA Rice Federation met today with newly installed Deputy Undersecretary for Farm and

USA Rice Briefs New ATO on Successful Mexican Program

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine APO:Show and tell in Mexico City!

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new Director of the Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) in Mexico, Joseph Lopez, and Agricultural Marketing Specialist Vanessa Salcido were invited for a briefing and lunch at the office of MexPromos, the USA Rice Federation's Mexico representatives.

The briefing highlighted the current market conditions in Mexico and USA Rice's promotions programs which aim to increase rice consumption as well as defend and expand U.S. rice market share.

"As I become familiar with cooperator activities in Mexico, the USA Rice program is one of the best I've seen," said Lopez. "It is a thorough and well thought out promotions campaign, which correctly and creatively targets the key consumer and foodservice groups in Mexico. I am impressed by the logo and your creative use of social media and wish you great success.

I stand ready to help support this program in every way."

milled, parboiled, long grain, medium grain - of U.S. grown rice.

Contact: Marvin Lehrer (210) 663-0360

Govt urged to set Rs 3,000 per 40 kg for paddy Reported by: `M. Imran Mehar November 9, 2014 LAHORE: The Pakistan Kisan Board urged the government to set minimum paddy price at Rs 3000 per 40 kg.Pakistan Kisan Board Secretary General Malik Ramzan Rohari said the helping price of the paddy rice was too small for the farmers. Pakistani farmers are already in a poor condition due to costly electricity, expensive seed and fertilisers.Due to floods this year, more than 260 hundred thousand acres of standing crops have been destroyed. Farmers are in a miserable condition and this is high time that the government compensate their huge losses.

He demanded that the government should announce a special package for farmers. He added that Rs 1,400 per 40 kg was not acceptable for the farmers as their production cost was more than Rs 1,500.Pakistan is an agricultural country and 70 percent of its population lives in rural areas. Their source of income is agriculture so the government should take steps to improve their life standards by providing them good rates.

USA Rice conducts a fully integrated promotions campaign in Mexico to help increase demand for all forms - paddy,

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