11th november,2013 daily rice e newsletter(oryza news) by riceplus magazine

11th November , 2013

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Ingredient Spotlight: Rice Protein Tanzania: Researchers Breed Drought Resistant Rice Variety New firm for large-scale rice farming founded in Japan Yolanda seen raising need for rice imports PhilRice News Farmers may earn P1M a hectare–PhilRice exec Researchers breed drought resistant rice variety LT Foods, KRBL, Kohinoor Foods rally on high rice prices vietnam lowers rice export target over supply glut NFA intensifies rice distribution to typhoon-ravaged Visayas Rice, Sugar Seen Destroyed in Philippines After Haiyan Hits

 Mozambique reduces rice imports by 100,000 tons  Pusa rice may soon zoom to Rs 10,000 a quintal  Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-Nov 11  West Asia demand may drive basmati exports to record 4 mt  Government should engage local rice farmers – NGO  Top rice exporters push ASEAN Rice Confederation  GRAPAS Asia awards for milling  Improved yield of key crops

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Ingredient Spotlight: Rice Protein

By Scarlett Blandon November 10, 2013

When life gives you rice, you make rice protein—brown rice protein to be exact. Rice has provided sustenance to the human race for thousands of years, and, not surprisingly, it is the third largest crop in planting acreage, after wheat and corn. Brown rice protein, however, has been commercialized for just over a decade, and it was initially produced for animal feed. Inspired by its prospective health benefits, advances in technology, and a surging global population with imminent food insecurity, food-grade rice protein was born. Considering all the gluten intolerance problems now occurring with wheat, and the GMO concerns of corn, rice in all its forms is becoming a massive contender in terms of providing sustenance to the world.

In spite of rice protein’s novelty, literature on rice protein as a nutritional and functional ingredient is vastly unexplored compared to other dietary proteins. But rice’s hypoallergenic nature, high nutritive quality among other grain proteins, and bland taste profile still make rice protein a viable candidate for today’s food ingredient market. And the health merits uncovered thus far suggest great potential,and warrant further investigation of this ancient grain–derived ingredient.

Much like with other protein concentrates, the process begins with raw material—in this case, raw brown rice grains that undergo one of several extraction processes. One natural extraction method begins with milling, followed by hydration, and finally biofermenting with enzymes until the desired protein concentration is achieved: 70–95%. Alternatively, manufacturers can extract the protein using hexane or other combinations of solvents. To enhance nutritive value, protein can be extracted from all layers of the rice grain—including bran and endosperm—though some manufacturers may only extract from the endosperm or white rice. The end result with brown rice protein should be a nutrient-dense, taupe-to-light brown powder with a mildly, granular mouthfeel and a soft taste of rice.

Nutritional Benefits The nutritional benefits of rice protein do not fall far from its grain. As a popular hypoallergenic food source, it’s no wonder rice is recommended as a first food for babies. Rice protein holds nutritive value for anyone, but particularly for consumers with food allergies, and those following vegan or vegetarian diets. For years, animalbased whey protein has been the gold standard of protein in the fitness industry, but the technologies being created to obtain equally productive protein from rice are making this ingredient competitive.Although it is possible to obtain all essential nutrients from plants, it takes careful planning and much variety. Protein is one of several nutrients that may be under-consumed without proper planning in plant-based diets—especially when daily requirements are high, such as in athletes, during pregnancy, or in hyper-metabolic conditions. Whether for convenience or necessity, supplements containing rice protein can help to fill nutritional gaps throughout the life cycle.

Protein Quality

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The true digestibility and bioavailability of rice protein remains inconclusive due to both outdated and scarce data. Rice variety and protein concentration levels have also been factors in historical research. Nevertheless, all rice protein has undergone much criticism because of prior research on the inferior quality of plant-based proteins compared to animal proteins. But, in 1977, Bienvenido Juliano of the International Rice Research Institute determined the true digestibility and bioavailability of milled rice protein to be 94–100% and 68–75% in rats, and 79–85% and 59–67% in humans, using nitrogen balance trials.1 Since then, only one other study has explored these measures. In 1993, researchers from Hokkaido University in Japan found true digestibility and bioavailability of rice protein isolate in rats to be 87% and 51%, respectively.2More research is needed to help define the true quality of rice protein, but true digestibility and bioavailability are suspected to be subpar due to rice’s plant-based origin.

Amino Acid Profile Rice protein’s amino acid profile is considered highly nutritive compared to other cereal grains, despite rice’s common deficiency in the amino acid lysine. This is probably because about 38% of the amino acids in rice protein are essential and 19% are branched-chain amino acids. These measurements are slightly higher than those found in oats and wheat.3–4 Compared to dairy-based protein supplements, rice protein comes closest to casein, which is typically made up of about 42% essential amino acids and 20% branched-chain amino acids.5 Lipid-Lowering Effects While cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, lowering cholesterol levels is one measure that alleviates this health risk. The hypolipidemic effects of rice protein are promising, but so far they have only been shown in animal data.In one study, Japanese researchers compared the effects of casein, soy protein isolate, and rice protein isolate on lipid metabolism in rats.6 Rats were divided into groups and fed diets with varying protein sources and protein levels for 18 days. Results indicated that, at a level of 400 g of protein/kg of body weight, rice protein diets produced significantly lower serum cholesterol concentrations than casein diets.A team of Chinese researchers reached similar findings with rats fed rice protein versus casein, but it also concluded that the cholesterol-lowering capabilities of rice protein could be related to its lower digestibility and method of extraction.7 Here, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were significantly lower in rice protein isolate diets compared to casein diets.

Anti-Hypertensive Effects As many as 67 million Americans have high blood pressure, and health care providers might one day prescribe rice protein to remedy it. Though this area of research is still emerging, scientists at Jiangxi Agricultural University in China investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti-hypertensive effects of rice protein hydrolysates.8 Results showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure following a single oral dose of rice protein hydrolysates at 600mg/kg of body weight in spontaneously hypertensive rats. From the rice protein hydrolysate, the researchers isolated a compound with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)–inhibitor activity, which also yielded significant decreases in blood pressure after a single oral dose.

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Muscle Building and Repair Although whey has long since reigned as the go-to sports protein, new sources of protein and protein blends are gaining steam on the market. Greater awareness of environmental issues and a desire to revert back to more ―natural‖ ingredients have strengthened the platform for more plant-based products rather than animal-based ones. Yet, little was known about the ability of rice protein as a sports nutrition supplement until recently.

Results of a study published in Nutrition Journal in June 2013, found that trained athletes experienced similar increases in acute recovery and obtained significant gains in muscle, power, and strength whether they were taking a rice protein or whey protein supplement following resistance training for eight weeks.9 Future of Rice Protein Considering its novelty and plant-based origin, rice protein has much to offer for consumers and formulators.

But not all rice proteins are created equal. Differences in rice variety, extraction method, protein concentration level, GMO status, growing conditions, and country of origin are a few ways to distinguish quality and nutritional benefit. Fortunately, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention is currently developing a monograph standard for rice protein, which will help manufacturers avoid misbranding and adulteration.Rice protein’s forthcoming is nothing short of astonishing. Emerging technologies have already allowed for the development of rice protein with improvements in suspension, thereby alleviating previous challenges with miscibility for beverage and nutrition applications. And extrusions and meat analogs are among other impressive advances.Protein is undoubtedly a hot topic in the food industry, and demand for natural food products underscores this increasingly valuable ingredient. Whether for nutritional benefit, medical necessity, or functionality, rice protein may continue in rice’s legacy to provide sustenance for many years to come.

References 1. BO Juliano, ―Metabolic evaluation of rice protein,‖ Food Chemistry, vol. 3, no. 4 (October 1978): 251–263.

2. T Morita et al., ―Mass production method for rice protein isolate and nutritional evaluation,‖ Journal of Food Science, vol. 58, no. 6 (November 1993): 1393–1396.

3. Food and Agriculture Organization. Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Amino Acid Content of Foods, 1970. Accessed at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/AC854T/AC854T04.htm 4. Food and Agriculture Organization. Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Amino Acid Content of Foods, 1970. Accessed at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/AC854T/AC854T07.htm 5. Food and Agriculture Organization. Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Amino Acid Content of Foods, 1970. Accessed at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/AC854T/AC854T52.htm 6. T Morita et al., ―Rice protein isolates produced by the two different methods lower serum cholesterol concentration in rats compared with casein,‖ Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, vol. 71, no. 4 (August 1996): 415–424.

7. L Yang et al., ―Rice protein extracted by different methods affects cholesterol metabolism in rats due to its lower digestibility,‖ International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 12, no. 11 (2011): 7594–7608.

8. GH Li et al., ―Antihypertensive effect of rice protein hydrolysate with in vitro angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats,‖ Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Supplement 16 (2007): 275–280.

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9. JM Joy et al., ―The effects of 8 weeks of whey or rice protein supplementation on body composition and exercise performance,‖ Nutrition Journal, vol. 12, no. 1 (June 20, 2013): 86.

Tanzania: Researchers Breed Drought Resistant Rice Variety 10 NOVEMBER 2013

TANZANIA has unveiled five new varieties of rice seeds that are drought tolerant with different levels of traces suitable for dry areas.Head of Ifakara Research Institute (IRI) and regional coordinator for rice, Mr Nkori Kibanda said that the seeds research took about five years, commencing in 2009 before they were released at the beginning of this year.The new seed varieties are NERICA 1,2,4,7, WAB-12-2, WAB450, BL1 and DV4 are suitable for dry areas of agriculture both in central and northern areas of the country including Shinyanga, Musoma, Ifakara, Dodoma, among others."The seeds varieties will help to boost food sufficiency in the country because not only are they drought tolerant but also produce high outputs," stressed Mr Kibanda.The seeds water consumption is very low, producing up to 3.5 tonnes per hectare compared to the traditional seeds which can only produce 0.5 to one tonne per hectare.

Currently, the country produces one million tonnes of rice annually and imports another one million tonnes of rice to meet its domestic demand.However, analysts say the government should reduce rice importation to motivate local farmers whose products cannot compete with the subsidised imported rice.The new seeds are expected to double the production of rice in the country and therefore meet the level of demand following the rate of high yields it can produce. Recent reports show that North and Central regions of Tanzania are caught up in chronic and transitory food insecurity due to poor or no harvests.Most of these areas are semi-arid or share the same ecological zone with the drought prone areas of East Africa. In another development, the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) revealed recently that the short rains season which began in October to December forecast to be below normal in most parts of the country.Farmers have been advised to plant early maturing and draught tolerant crops to make the most of the little water likely to be available.

Seeds varieties which are currently at the Agriculture Seed Agency for multiplication still retaining the seed purity will be distributed to farmers after completing the exercise.According to Mr Kibanda, the agency is working with other producers in the private sector who are expected to be agents for multiplication. The seeds are expected to be available to farmers in the coming season.

New firm for large-scale rice farming founded in Japan JIJI-NOV 11, 2013 AKITA – A new company aiming to mediate between rice producers, mass merchants and consumers was established Monday, led by agricultural corporations in Akita Prefecture and the city of Sendai.The move is part

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of efforts to prepare for rapid changes in the competitive environment for agriculture, including Japan’s participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks and the planned abolition of rice production adjustments in five years.The new firm is based in the village of Ogata, Akita Prefecture.It was chiefly founded

by Ogatamura Akitakomachi Seisansha Kyokai, an Ogata firm selling rice online to individual customers nationwide, and Butai Farm, a Sendai company working to promote large-scale rice farming and industrialize farming through combining production, processing and distribution including direct sales and restaurant management.

Toru Wakui, who heads the Ogata company, became the president of the new firm called the Rice Industry Organization of East Japan, or RIO East.The new company hopes to expand rice sales, including to mass retailers and restaurants. It will determine demand so it can produce the appropriate amount and quality of rice.It will lease farming equipment in cooperation with manufacturers and leasing firms for joint use by agricultural corporations and farmers across several prefectures. It has plans to develop a loan program for farmers in partnership with financial institutions.Within five years, the new company aims to achieve sales of ¥15 billion, with 10,000 hectares under cultivation by farmers and agricultural corporations that invest in or cooperate with the company.

Yolanda seen raising need for rice imports MANILA/SINGAPORE -- The massive typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) that ravaged central Philippines on Friday laid to waste an important rice growing area and is likely to raise the need for extra imports, officials and traders said.

The typhoon is estimated to have killed 10,000 people and displaced more than 600,000, with rescue workers still struggling to reach stricken towns and villages on Monday.Around a quarter of the Philippines’s rice is cultivated in areas ravaged by the typhoon, and the Agriculture ministry estimated 131,611 metric tons (MT) of rice has been damaged on some 67,000 hectares of farmland.The losses could have been higher, but farmers had finished harvesting most of the crop, Dennis R. Arpia, senior executive assistant at the National Food Authority, told Reuters.Increased imports by the Philippines could underpin rice prices, which have been held down by Thailand’s record high stocks.Before the typhoon struck, the market had been estimating the Philippines’s rice imports would rise to around 1.5 million MT in 2013/14 due to demand outstripping slowing growth in domestic production, but traders now see it needing more.

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"Not only will they need to cover for whatever has been lost in the typhoon, they will need more rice for distribution in the affected areas," said one Singapore-based rice trader with an international trading company.Mr. Arpia said, however, that there were stocks elsewhere in the Philippines that could be sent to the disaster-hit region."We have more than enough stocks in other provinces to meet the needs of the provinces hit hard by the typhoon," he said.Though it had been the world’s biggest rice buyer as recently as 2010, the Philippines’ drive for self-sufficiency had reduced imports to 1 million MT in 2012/13, according to US Department of Agriculture data.While Manila is likely to buy most of its rice from Vietnam, this could present a chance for Thailand to whittle down record high stocks of around 15-16 million MT through government-togovernment deals.The price for common grade 5% broken Thai white rice slid to $410/MT late last month, matching the lowest level since July 2010.

LESS NEED FOR SUGAR IMPORTS Sugar output will have been hit less hard by the typhoon, and officials doubted whether imports would be needed. The Philippines has been self-sufficient in sugar for the last three years.Between 50,000 MT and 100,000 MT of raw sugar may have been lost due to the typhoon, the head of the country’s sugar regulatory agency said, revising down an earlier estimate of up to 150,000 MT."Right now, I don’t see any need for importation," said Regina Bautista-Martin, chief of the Sugar Regulatory Administration. "We’re of course looking at a drop, but I cannot yet quantify the amount of drop."Ms. Bautista-Martin said Philippine raw sugar production for the 2013/14 crop year will likely be below the agency’s earlier forecast of 2.45 million MT but will still be sufficient to serve the domestic market of around 2.1 million MT.Front-month raw sugar futures have fallen more than 10% since hitting a one-year high, around $0.20 per pound on Oct. 18, on supply worries after a fire at warehouses in Brazil. -- Reuters

PhilRice News 1.

First ever brown rice day set The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute in celebration of the National Year of Rice has set Nov. 15to be the first Brown Rice Day in the country to promote better health to Filipinos.

2. Agri exec: P1 million possible in farming An official of the Department of Agriculture is confident that farmers can profit P1 million per hectare a year by optimizing their time and using alternative energy resources.

3. Agri technologies to help farmers shun `kaingin` The traditional practice of kaingin (slash and burn) can be avoided if certain farm technologies are implemented in upland farming areas, a researcher in a government institute said.

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4. Farmers up yield with African trainees’ aid Rice tillers in four barangays in Nueva Ecija had benefitted from the Farmers’ Field School conducted

by African trainees and supervised by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in the province’s Science City of Muñoz.

5. PhilRice still a lead research institute With awards achieved this year, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) remains to be a leading research institute in the country.

6. Study on tungro-resistant rice wins in confab Four varieties released in 2011 were found to be tungro-resistant in Western Visayas, a study, which won the Best Poster Award under the rice breeding theme during the recent 26th National Rice Research and Development Conference, showed.

Farmers may earn P1M a hectare–PhilRice exec Category: Agri-Commodities 10 Nov 2013 Written by Ramon Efren R. Lazaro / Correspondent

FARMERS can profit P1 million per hectare a year by optimizing their time and using alternative energy resources.Thus, said Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Executive Director Eufemio T. Rasco Jr. as he explained that out of 365 days in a year, Filipino farmers work for about 110 to 220 days in growing rice, leaving a ―free time‖ of 145 days.―If the farmer uses the by-products of rice production, such as rice hull and rice straw for producing mushrooms, fertilizer, feeds and energy, among others, then a P1-million income is not impossible. Compare that with the estimated P50,000 per year net profit that a typical farmer typically earns, much below the poverty level,‖ Rasco said in a statement.PhilRice, to note, is a Philippine rice research institute and a government-owned and -controlled corporation based in Maligaya, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.Rasco was appointed to head PhilRice by President Aquino in 2011.He said rice researchers and development workers must provide the technology and support for farmers to gain the million profit.―Let us inspire our farmers to dream big, teach [them] well and continue learning ourselves so that we can be better teachers. The first lesson that we can give to the farmer is simple: P1 million is possible.‖To help farmers cut on energy costs, PhilRice recently launched the farming-without-fossil-fuel program, which aims to develop alternative and renewable-energy sources and inputs for rice and ricebased farming applications.Rasco pointed out that a knowledge-based technology and policy interventions will prepare farmers for the free trade in 2015. Under a free-trade system, flow of goods, including rice, services, investment, capital and skilled labor among the countries that form the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, will be marketed to the county.

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Saying that the PhilRice policy study is on track, Rasco explained that the institute’s socioeconomic division is conducting benchmark studies in rice exporting countries in Asia to identify what makes them competitive in the market.―If we play our cards right, 2015 will open up opportunities because it means that our market for agricultural and other products will expand to more than 1 billion people instead of only 99 million. If we are ready, we should not be afraid of 2015,‖ Rasco, a plant breeder and academician, said.

Researchers breed drought resistant rice variety Published on Sunday, 10 November 2013 03:06 Written by SUNDAY NEWS Reporter

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TANZANIA has unveiled five new varieties of rice seeds that are drought tolerant with different levels of traces suitable for dry areas.Head of Ifakara Research Institute (IRI) and regional coordinator for rice, Mr Nkori Kibanda said that the seeds research took about five years, commencing in 2009 before they were released at the beginning of this year.The new seed varieties are NERICA 1,2,4,7, WAB-12-2, WAB450, BL1 and DV4 are suitable for dry areas of agriculture both in central and northern areas of the country including Shinyanga, Musoma, Ifakara, Dodoma, among others.―The seeds varieties will help to boost food sufficiency in the country because not only are they drought tolerant but also produce high outputs,‖ stressed Mr Kibanda.

The seeds water consumption is very low, producing up to 3.5 tonnes per hectare compared to the traditional seeds which can only produce 0.5 to one tonne per hectare.Currently, the country produces one million tonnes of rice annually and imports another one million tonnes of rice to meet its domestic demand.However, analysts say the government should reduce rice importation to motivate local farmers whose products cannot compete with the subsidised imported rice.The new seeds are expected to double the production of rice in the country and therefore meet the level of demand following the rate of high yields it can produce. Recent reports show that North and Central regions of Tanzania are caught up in chronic and transitory food insecurity due to poor or no harvests.

Most of these areas are semi-arid or share the same ecological zone with the drought prone areas of East Africa.

In another development, the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) revealed recently that the short rains season which began in October to December forecast to be below normal in most parts of the country.Farmers have been advised to plant early maturing and draught tolerant crops to make the most of the little water likely to be available.Seeds varieties which are currently at the Agriculture Seed Agency for multiplication still

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retaining the seed purity will be distributed to farmers after completing the exercise.According to Mr Kibanda, the agency is working with other producers in the private sector who are expected to be agents for multiplication. The seeds are expected to be available to farmers in the coming season.

LT Foods, KRBL, Kohinoor Foods rally on high rice prices ECONOMICTIMES.COM Nov 6, 2013, 11.12AM IST

Tags:West Bengal|LT Foods|KRBL|Kohinoor Foods|Inflation|Bihar|Andhra Pradesh

MUMBAI: Shares of companies which sell rice as a finished product soared in trade on reports that a decline in paddy production in eastern states and Andhra Pradesh has triggered rise in price of the food commodity.According to ET report, the speculation of a lower rice output this year has resulted in 10-30 per cent spike in prices at a time when high vegetable prices have pushed inflation to a seven-month high.Analysts are of the view that the companies that sell rice are likely to benefit due to huge mark-to-market gains on inventories.

Floods and incessant rains in major rice producing states such as West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh during the harvesting period have affected the paddy crop, the ET report said.Talking to ET, Trilochan Mohapatra, director, Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), said, "Floods in Odisha, Bihar and continuous rains in West Bengal during the harvesting time have affected the paddy crop.At 10:10 a.m.; LT Foods surged 4.93 pe rcent, KRBL rallied 5.74 per cent, Kohinoor Foods moved 7.85 per cent higher and Rei Agro was up 1.09 per cent

vietnam lowers rice export target over supply glut iet Nam News/Asia News Network November 11, 2013, 12:09 am TWN

HANOI--The Vietnam Food Association (VFA) readjusted the rice export target for 2013 from 7.5 million tons to 6.7 million, reflecting four months of decreased exports.This is the second time it lowered its annual export target this year, citing the huge global supply as well as decreasing demand in the core market of Southeast Asia.Last month, Vietnam exported more than 530,000 tons, a 17 percent decrease over last October and 63,000 tons lower than the set target.In the 10-month period, the country exported 5.73 million tons valued at US$2.46 billion (free-on-board price), a year-on-year reduction of 12 percent and 14 percent in quantity and value respectively.The VFA forecast that rice exports would continue to fall in the last two months of the year

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because of low demand in import markets and fierce competition.Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh told Vietnam News Agency that the country's low rice export turnover was due to competition from India and Pakistan in the African market.

The two countries' favorable geographical locations made their transport fees more competitive, while difficulties in payment and transport forced Vietnam's exporters to rely mostly on intermediaries, he said.

Anh predicted Vietnam would export 1.8 million tons of rice in the last quarter of the year, making the annual total 7 million tons.

However, whether the country achieved this goal depended on several factors, such as Thailand's policies to reduce rice inventory, India and Pakistan's crop output and demand from traditional markets such as the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia as well as African countries and China.The ministry plans to strengthen traditional import markets in collaboration with the VFA, diplomatic agencies in foreign countries and businesses while making efforts to promote Vietnamese rice in new markets including China, Hong Kong, Africa and South Africa.It has actively implemented meetings and negotiations to extend memorandums of understanding on soon-to-expire rice contracts. MoIT also boosted advertising of Vietnamese rice products in foreign countries.

The ministry had carried out the agriculture sector's restructuring plan to improve product value and move towards sustainable development, Anh said.It would continue to invest in modern technologies in production and manufacturing in association with connecting production to purchasing, he added.The ministry asked agencies to monitor market changes and strive to overcome technical barriers.

NFA intensifies rice distribution to typhoon-ravaged Visayas Tuesday 12th of November 2013

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 12 -- The National Food Authority (NFA) has intensified its rice distribution efforts in the Visayas region which was badly damaged by typhoon Yolanda. NFA administrator Orlan A. Calayag has instructed neighboring Regions 4, 5, 6 and 7 to augment rice stocks in Region 8 while calling on the regional office to secure remaining stocks in its warehouses for immediate release to calamity victims especially in the worst-hit Tacloban.Even before the calamity, Calayag said the NFA has pre-positioned stocks that included 20,000 bags from Cebu to Maasin, Southern Leyte; 20,000 from Mindoro to Coron, Palawan.Calayag has likewise ordered the sending of employees to typhoon-stricken areas to strengthen or intensify dispersal operations and assist concerned relief agencies in the repacking of NFA rice for relief operations.In a memorandum dated November 8, 2013, Calayag initially authorized the release of 47,500 bags to DSWD prior

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to typhoon Yolanda. This is on top of the rice releases to other relief agencies, the local government units (LGUs) as well as private institutions.

The NFA has also been asked by DSWD for additional rice for other relief purposes: 50,000 bags in NCR; 50,000 in Cebu; 10,000 in CARAGA; 10,000 in Region 5 or a total of 125,000 bags. Despite the great damage wrought by typhoon Yolanda, the NFA has assured the people of the affected areas that government rice remains available, accessible and affordable. Calayag made this assurance with food security stocks maintained in affected areas of Mindoro and Palawan in region 4; all provinces in region 5; Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo in region 6; Cebu in region 7 and all provinces in CARAGA.Calayag said warehouses are open for relief operations and palay procurement. This is being complemented by constant market monitoring and regular coordination with LGUs and other relief agencies. (NFA Public Affairs Department)

Rice, Sugar Seen Destroyed in Philippines After Haiyan Hits

By Cecilia Yap - Nov 11, 2013 2:02 PM GMT+0500

Rice and sugar harvests in the Philippines were damaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan when the most powerful storm on record to strike the country unleashed winds and floods that may have killed as many as 10,000 people.Rice imports may increase, pushing purchases above an estimate of 1.1 million metric tons by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said Samarendu Mohanty, senior economist at the International Rice Research Institute. Between 50,000 tons and 120,000 tons of sugar may have been lost, the Sugar Regulatory Administration estimated.An expansion in rice shipments to the Southeast Asian country would offer opportunities to India, Vietnam and Thailand, the world’s three biggest exporters. Stockpiles of the grain in Thailand stand at a record after a statebuying program spurred local harvests. The Philippine government warned that the devastation from Haiyan may hurt the economy, estimating that farm damage totaled 3.7 billion pesos ($85 million.) ―Depending on damage from the typhoon, the import number may change,‖ Mohanty said by phone. The USDA’s estimate for 2013-2014 was made before the typhoon struck. ―I’d think there will be some increase. I can’t tell now how much exactly.‖A total of 131,611 tons of rice was lost, equivalent to a 1.8 percent reduction in fourth-quarter output, according to a report from the Department of Agriculture today. About 71,000 hectares (175,000 acres) of farmland were affected, it said, adding that about 4,000 tons of corn were destroyed.

Emergency Mission The Food & Agriculture Organization is dispatching an emergency mission to the Philippines to gauge the impact from the typhoon, said Hiroyuki Konuma, regional representative forAsia and the Pacific region. While it’s too early to assess the magnitude of the damage, rice imports may rise, Konuma said.Rough rice fell 0.9 percent to $15.55 per

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100 pounds on the Chicago Board of Trade at 1:53 p.m. in Manila. Sugar dropped 6.7 percent in the past year to 18.07 cents a pound in New York.

While the Eastern Visayas, the hardest hit area, represents only 5 percent of national rice output, the country may not have a lot of inventory, said Mohanty.

The Los Banos-based institute is using satellite monitoring to get a better assessment, he said. The nation had total rice stockpiles of 1.8 million tons in October from 2.6 million tons in December, according to the agricultural statistics bureau.The United Nations said it’s stepping up relief operations, with much of the destruction concentrated in and around Tacloban city, capital of Leyte province. The difficulty in reaching the worst-hit areas means the number of casualties has yet to be confirmed, said the Red Cross in Geneva, which cited Philippine authorities as saying the death toll may reach 10,000.

No Communication The United Coconut Association of the Philippines has yet to receive damage reports from the field as the majority of affected areas still have no communications, said Executive Director Yvonne Agustin. The country is the world’s largest producer after India and Indonesia, according to figures from the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community.The typhoon, which made landfall on Nov. 8, damaged sugar crops in Visayas, which accounts for more than half the nation’s plantations, Regina Martin, head of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, told reporters today. About 25,000 hectares are affected and losses may rise, said Martin.

Cane crops as well as milling infrastructure may have sustained significant damage across northern Negros, Panay and Leyte islands, Green Pool Commodity Specialists Pty said in a report today. Negros represents 55 percent of country’s cane output, Panay about 6 percent and Leyte about 2 percent, said Green Pool, a research company based in Brisbane.

China Harvesting The true extent of the damage in the Philippines may not be known for months, director Tom McNeill, who’s followed sugar for more than 25 years, said in a separate e-mail.The storm, which reached Vietnam yesterday and then headed for China while weakening, may delay sugar harvesting in Hainan, Guangxi and Guangdong, said Green Pool. China is the world’s second-largest sugar consumer.Philippine rice imports have declined as the nation

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progressed toward self-sufficiency. Purchases from overseas peaked at 2.6 million tons in 2008-2009, according to the USDA, which forecasts that China will be the biggest buyer this year.

To contact the reporter on this story: Cecilia Yap in Manila at cyap19@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Poole at jpoole4@bloomberg.net

Mozambique reduces rice imports by 100,000 tons NOVEMBER 11TH, 2013

The increase in rice production in the agricultural campaign that has just finished in Mozambique made it possible to reduce the amount of rice imported into the market, the Mozambican Agriculture Minister, José Pacheco said recently.According to Pacheco, Mozambique has an average annual consumption of around 600,000 tons of rice and in the 2012/2013 agricultural campaign increased rice production by 100,000 tons.We have reduced the rice deficit from 300,000 tons to 200,000 tons,‖ said Pacheco, cited by the Mozambican press, adding that ―for other crops,‖ such as maize and cassava, the country has already ―achieved levels of selfsufficiency,‖ and is now seeking to ―sell its production surpluses. ‖At the start of the 2013/2014 agricultural campaign, launched last week in Gaza province, Minister José Pacheco said that it was likely that in the 2017/1018 campaign Mozambique would be producing all the rice it consumes, given that rice production and processing projects are underway in the provinces of Gaza, Sofala, Zambézia and Nampula.Last week Chinese company Wanbao Grains & Oils Co. announced it planned to invest US$10 million from the Fund for Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries in a rice production project in Mozambique. The project has an estimated total cost of US$200 million. (macauhub)

Pusa rice may soon zoom to Rs 10,000 a quintal OUR CORRESPONDENT KARNAL, NOV. 11:

An unexpected rally in the market pushed up aromatic and Sharbati rice prices by Rs 200-500 a quintal on Monday, while PR varieties ruled firm on moderate buying.Amit Chandna, Proprietor, Hanuman Rice Trading Company, told Business Line thatfrantic buying by bulk buyers in order to build inventories pushed aromatic and sharbati prices further up.Rice millers don’t have much carry-forward stocks this year and the new stocks are not ready yet. The market is getting good demand from overseas markets too, he said.According to the market experts, if the current situation persists, Pusa-1121 (steam) may even touch the Rs 10,000 a quintal mark in the coming days.In the physical market, Pusa-1121 (steam) moved further up by Rs 500 and sold at Rs 9,200-

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9,300, while Pusa-1121 (sela) improved by Rs 300 to Rs 8,100 .Pure Basmati (Raw) went up by Rs 200 to Rs 12,700 . Duplicate basmati (steam) sold at Rs 7,300 , Rs 300 up.In the non-basmati section, Sharbati (Steam) was up by Rs 400 at Rs 5,500-5,700, while Sharbati (Sela) quoted at Rs 5,200 , Rs 300 up.

Permal (raw) sold at Rs 2,350-2,400, while Permal (sela) was at Rs 2,400. PR-11 (sela) sold at Rs 3,100 while PR-11 (Raw) quoted at Rs 3,000-3,100.PR14 (steam) sold at Rs 3,400 .

PADDY ARRIVALS About 40,000 bags of PR paddy arrived and quoted at Rs 1,350-1,500 , around 40,000 bags of Pusa-1121 arrived and sold at Rs 3,750-4,400 , while 10,000 bags of Sharbati arrived and sold at Rs 2,400-2,550 . Around 10,000 bags of Duplicate Basmati arrived and went for Rs 4,000-4,200 , while 1,000 bags of Pure Basmati sold at Rs 5,600-5,900 a quintal.

(This article was published on November 11, 2013) Keywords: aromatic and Sharbati rice prices, Hanu

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open-Nov 11 Mon Nov 11, 2013 2:39pm IST Nagpur, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Gram prices in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) showed weak tendency on subdued demand from local millers amid high moisture content arrival. Fresh fall on NCDEX and easy condition in Madhya Pradesh gram prices also affected prices in weak trading activity, according to sources. * * * * FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties reported down in open market in absence of buyers amid increased supply from producing regions.

TUAR * Major tuar varieties quoted lower in open market in absence of buyers amid good overseas supply. High moisture content supply also pushed down prices. * In Akola, Tuar - 4,300-4,450, Tuar dal - 6,500-6,700, Udid at 4,800-5,100, Udid Mogar (clean) - 5,700-6,000, Moong - 6,200-6,600, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,400-7,600, Gram - 3,300-3,500, Gram Super best bold - 4,400-4,600 for 100 kg. * Wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market in thin trading activity, according to sources.

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Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 2,500-2,875 2,500-2,920 Gram Pink Auction n.a.

2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction n.a.

4,150-4,400 Moong Auction n.a.

4,200-4,400 Udid Auction n.a.

4,300-4,500 Masoor Auction n.a.

2,600-2,800 Gram Super Best Bold 4,200-4,600 4,300-4,800 Gram Super Best n.a.

Gram Medium Best 3,850-4,100 4,000-4,200 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a.

Gram Mill Quality 3,700-3,750 3,800-4,000 Desi gram Raw 3,400-3,500 3,600-3,700 Gram Filter Yellow n.a. n.a.

Gram Kabuli 7,600-9,800 7,600-9,800 Gram Pink 7,700-8,100 7,700-8,100 Tuar Fataka Best 6,800-7,000 6,800-7,000 Tuar Fataka Medium 6,500-6,600 6,600-6,800 Tuar Dal Best Phod 6,300-6,400 6,300-6,400 Tuar Dal Medium phod 6,100-6,200 6,100-6,200 Tuar Gavarani 4,300-4,450 4,400-4,500 Tuar Karnataka 4,600-4,700 4,600-4,700 Tuar Black 7,100-7,200 7,100-7,200 Masoor dal best 5,100-5,300 5,100-5,300 Masoor dal medium 4,700-4,900 4,700-4,900 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold 7,700-8,000 7,700-8,000 Moong Mogar Medium best 7,100-7,500 7,100-7,500 Moong dal super best 6,600-6,800 6,600-6,800 Moong dal Chilka 6,100-6,500 6,100-6,500 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 6,800-7,500 6,800-7,500 Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,200-5,700 5,200-5,700 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,200 5,000-5,200 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 3,600-3,700 3,600-3,700 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,900-3,000 2,900-3,000 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,350-3,450 3,350-3,400 Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,400 3,250-3,400 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 8,100-8,500 8,100-8,500

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Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,600-1,700 1,600-1,700 Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,600-1,650 1,600-1,650 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,600-1,800 1,600-1,800 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 1,850-2,300 1,850-2,300 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,900 1,700-1,900 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,600 3,100-3,600 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,900 2,600-2,900 Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,500 1,400-1,500 Wheat Best (100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,600 1,500-1,600 Rice BPT (100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,400 2,700-3,400 Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,500 2,200-2,500 Rice Swarna Best (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,500 2,300-2,500 Rice Swarna Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,300 2,100-2,300 Rice HMT (100 INR/KG) 4,100-4,500 4,100-4,500 Rice HMT Shriram (100 INR/KG) 4,700-5,100 4,700-5,100 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,000-12,500 10,000-12,500 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,200-7,500 6,200-7,500 Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG) 5,100-5,500 5,000-5,500 Rice Chinnor Medium (100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,800 4,400-4,800 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,650 1,500-1,650 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-1,900 1,800-1,900 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 30.0 degree Celsius (86.0 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.

17.0 degree Celsius (62.6 degree Fahrenheit) Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.

Rainfall : nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and Minimum temperature likely to be around 30 and 16 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)

West Asia demand may drive basmati exports to record 4 mt VISHWANATH KULKARNI NEW DELHI, NOV. 11:

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The quantity of basmati rice that was exported in the 2010-11 fiscal has almost been shipped out in the first six months of the current financial year.As strong demand continues from the key traditional markets in West Asia, basmati shipments are likely to double to close to four million tonnes in past three years.In the current fiscal, basmati exports have increased by 16 per cent in volumes to exceed two million tonnes against 1.7 mt during the same time a year ago. ―Demand continues to be good from the traditional buyers. At this pace, we may end up exporting over 3.8 mt for the current fiscal,‖ said R. Sundaresan, Executive Director of the All-India Rice Exporters Association.

Iran continues to remain the top buyer of Indian basmati with its purchases in the first six months exceeding 8.49 lakh tonnes valued at Rs 6,115 crore. Saudi Arabia is the second largest buyer, purchasing 3.83 lakh tonnes valued at over Rs 2,758 crore. Iraq has emerged as the third largest, importing 1.46 lakh tonnes valued at over Rs 1,000 crore.―Exports will touch a record high this year. In terms of value, we will exceed the last year’s high of Rs 18,985 crore,‖ said Vijay Setia, Director at Chaman Lal Setia Exports.However, the only factor that could hurt exports is rising prices of the raw material – 1121 paddy variety. ―Prices of raw material have almost doubled in the past one year. As a result, there are reservations in certain quarters that there could be some resistance from buyers for high prices,‖ Setia said.Prices of basmati paddy are ruling at Rs 45-46 a kg against Rs 25-27 in the same period a year ago.

For farmers, high prices of 1121 variety may have fetched handsome returns, but it may divert a section of buyers to Pakistan.―Pakistan’s prices are lower by about $200 a tonne compared with India’s price of $1,550 a tonne. It is estimated that Pakistan has exportable surplus of about 8 lakh tonnes and could give Indian exporters a run for their money,‖ Setia said. vishwanath.kulkarni@thehindu.co.in (This article was published on November 11, 2013) Keywords: Basmati rice, strong demand, traditional markets, basmati shipments,

Government should engage local rice farmers – NGO Monday, November 11, 2013 9:09 AM Mr Thomas Benarkuu, Project Officer of Mission of Hope Society, a non-governmental organisation, at the weekend called on government to engage local farmers to supply rice under the National School Feeding

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Programme (NSFP).This, he said would not only help the farmers to access ready market for their produce and become economically sound to produce more but also enhance the nutritional value of meals prepared for the beneficiaries enjoying the NSFP.Briefing the Ghana News Agency on a research he conducted on rice production in the Pru District of Brong-Ahafo Region, Mr Benarkuu, an Agriculturist said the Ministry of Food and Agriculture should intensify its extension services to rice farmers in the district.

He noted that 85 per cent of the rice farmers in the area could not access extension services as the few personnel could not cover the more that 7,000 rice farmers.Mr Benarkuu observed that many of the rice farmers in the area are into large scale production but lack of ready market is a challenge as during bumper harvest retailers buy the produce at cheap price.As a result of this most of the farmers had incurred huge debts while many of them had left production.―The country can become self-sufficient in rice production by 2015 if farmers in the district area are supported with the needed farm inputs and equipments,‖ he said.Mr Benarkuu said it is unfortunate the government currently spend about 450 million dollars annually on rice importation while the country’s rice imports had increased from 320,000 metric tonnes for the 2010/2011 to 330,000 metric tonnes in the 2011/2012 market year. ―This is due to increase in demand for rice and the shortfall in domestic production,‖ he added.Mr Benarkuu noted that despite efforts by farmers in the district to sustain and boost local rice production, cost of production makes it impossible for them to compete with the imported ones.

Source: GNA

Top rice exporters push ASEAN Rice Confederation Friday, 08 November 2013 By MCOT Thailand and other major rice exporters in Southeast Asia are speeding up establishment of an ASEAN Rice Confederation in an attempt to stabilise rice prices and enhance their collective bargaining power.Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Puangrach on Thursday convened a meeting of representatives of ASEAN’s rice producing nations--Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand--taking place today and tomorrow in Bangkok. The meeting is discussing launching an ASEAN Rice Confederation as well as mapping out a joint rice management system.According to the minister, Southeast

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Asia is now capable of producing 20 million tonnes of rice annually or two thirds of rice produced globally-about 30 million tonnes a year. ASEAN is now facing many problems associated with rice production, whether in marketing, pricing, management, logistics and stock systems.Regional countries need to join together to increase negotiating power, while stepping back from competing against each other.At the meeting, Mr Yanyong stressed Thailand’s readiness to become the trading hub for rice in ASEAN due to the country’s advancement in rice technology, logistics and finance.He said Chachoengsao and Sa Kaeo provinces have initially been chosen as Special Rice Trade Zones, though both positive and negative impacts needed to be studied thoroughly before an official designation is made.

GRAPAS Asia awards for milling Grain and Feed Milling Technology (GFMT) magazine is once again privileged to sponsor the 2014 GRAPAS Asia Awards for Milling. It is calling on all exhibitors, exhibiting under the GRAPAS banner at Victam Asia in the Bangkok BITEC, Thailand next April, to make application if they have developed a beneficial piece of equipment or service for the milling industry.The 2014 awards will be made for the ―most innovative and economically beneficial equipment, process or service‖ at GRAPAS Asia 2014 in Bangkok, Thailand, which will be held from April 8-10, 2014.GRAPAS is an exhibition for the flour, rice and cereals milling industries and is co-located within the larger Victam Asia exhibition at the Bangkok BITEC. If you are an exhibitor and wish to apply for the award, please find further information, conditions and application details here. http://www.victam.com/em/?F=82

Improved yield of key crops MOHIUDDIN AAZIM:Published 2013-11-11 07:34:10

SINDH looks set to maintain the rising trend it had witnessed last year in production of cotton and sugarcane. Output of rice, that had declined sharply, is also expected to increase this year.

Expansion in the areas under cultivation, wider use of right seeds, improvement in availability of water, prudent application of fertiliser and better pest and plants’ disease management are pushing up crop outputs, with a marginal rise in per-hectare yields.In cropping year 2012-13, cotton output in Sindh had risen 27 per cent to 3.405 million bales from 2.681 million bales in 2011-12. Sindh-based ginneries have reported arrival of about 3.028 million bales of cotton up to November 1 this year showing a year-on-year increase of 19 per

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cent. Officials of provincial agricultural department and growers say total cotton output during 2013-14 would range between 3.6 and 3.8 million bales.

Better per-hectare yield in some areas, wider use of high-yield BT cotton and a straight seven per cent increase in the area under cultivation are the main reasons that fuel hopes for a larger than initially-estimated output, according to cotton ginners and brokers. Initially it had been estimated that Sindh’s cotton production this year may not exceed last year’s level of 3.4 million bales because of the pest and virus attack on plants in cotton fields in lower Sindh.Now, the more optimistic cotton crop estimate factors in not only the increase in the area under cultivation but also a modest rise in yield being recorded in several districts. These include Sanghar, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar and Badin where improved plant care mitigated impact of pest and virus attacks and where most growers used qualitative seeds.Sindh’s record of per-hectare yield of major crops has generally been better than Punjab’s and cotton is no exception.

Officials involved in field surveys and growers say that during the current season, average per-hectare yield of cotton has been recorded over 1000kgs in some areas of the above-mentioned districts against the national average of a little over 800kgs.Production of rice, particularly of Irri-6 and Irri-9 varieties, is also up in Sindh chiefly due to a massive 45 per cent increase in the area under cultivation to 741,000 hectares this year from 511,000 hectares last year. This is for the first time in five years that the area under rice cultivation in general has crossed the 2008 level of 733,000 hectares as water scarcity has somewhat eased off.Agriculturists say this also indicates gradual restoration of growers’ confidence in feasibility of rice growing and high profitability of rice crop after the 2010 super floods that had halved paddy sowing area in the province.

An official of Sindh Abadgar Board pointed out that another factor that led growers to sow paddy on a much larger scale this year was that because of water scarcity in the last season many had switched over to minor crops including oilseeds and pulses, because of water shortage.―But generally speaking they had a bad experience with minor crops which didn’t yield enough profits due to overall higher production of oilseeds and pulses in the country. Naturally then, they reverted to paddy again,‖ says Hyderabad-based agriculturist Najam Hussain.Harvesting of Irri-6 and Irri-9 has already begun and reports from fields suggest that their production would be between 1.45-1.5 million tonnes, according to information gathered from officials of Sindh Agriculture Department and some progressive growers.The area where Irri varieties were sown covered more than 50 per cent of the total area under cultivation of all kinds of rice including hybrid varieties.

Progressive growers or the growers who generally get higher than average per-hectare yields say that in areas like Larkana, Qambar and Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Thatta and Badin, some of them are getting perhectare yields of about 2,500-3,000kg against the national average of 2,400kg.But they admit that higher

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yield giving fields are limited in number which eventually pushes up the per-hectare yield of an entire district only marginally. That has been a problem for quite a while. And the reason why per-hectare rice yields do not rise fast in Sindh, or for that matter in Punjab as well, is slower-than-desired development of new improved seeds.Sugarcane crushing has started in Sindh after the fixation of the new support price of Rs180 per 40kg, a slight increase from last year’s Rs172 per 40kg. Cane growers and officials of Sindh Agriculture Department say that this year’s total output should be between 16.5 million and 17 million tonnes against about 16 million tonnes of last year’s.

But their optimism isn’t rooted in any significant increase in the per-hectare yield — it springs from the fact that the area under cultivation of cane this year was 14.5 per cent larger than in the last year.They say that per-hectare yield, being reported from cane growing areas range between 60 and 70 tonnes adding that cane fields producing yields lower or higher than this level are not many in number. National average yield is a little over 55 tonnes.Timely rains in July and August had fattened cane stalks thus increasing their weight and eventually pushing up per-hectare yield. ―Besides, many progressive growers had planted cane skipping cotton,‖ says a progressive grower Muhammad Ali adding that the fact that sugar futures are traded in the country and cotton is yet to be listed makes a difference. ―Big landlords have lately entered into commodities future trading and so they prefer sugar and rice, price discovery of which has become easier as their futures are traded.‖Two other factors are said to be promoting sugarcane growing in Sindh. First, growers have experienced in past few years that whereas floods and excessive rains damage other crops, sugarcane remains unaffected — cane stalks rather gain weight with rain and flood waters. Second, the setting up of new sugar mills in district Ghotki has led local growers to bring more area under cane cultivation. —Mohiuddin Aazim

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