12th january 2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter 12 January, 2015

Volume 4 Issue: XI

th

Vol 5, Issue I

Today’s News Headlines…  World Rice Production 2014/2015  Scientists to help Ganges rice farmers handle climate threat  Good news for farmers, drought-resistant rice varieties developed in Odisha  How to stabilise rice production, by stakeholders  El Nino likely to head to an end over spring: Japan weather bureau  Vietnam plans to open rice bonded warehouses in Africa: Thanh Nien  Vietnam cuts rice export floor price to $360 per tonne - Food Association  Basmati rice rates drop by nearly 40%  Six Farm Bill webinars scheduled during January  USA Rice Welcomes New Government Affairs/PAC  U.S. rice out in the open  WASDE Report released  CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures  Adani-Wilmar to invest Rs 150 cr in rice business  Adani Wilmar launches Fortune Basmati Rice in Pune  In search of a personalised diet  The success story of ‘The Halal Guys’  NLA panel to focus on rice losses  77 accused of rice-scheme fraud

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

World Rice Production 2014/2015 January 2015 This month the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that the World Rice Production 2014/2015 will be 475.47 million metric tons, around 0.23 million tons more than the previous month's projection.

Rice Production last year (*) was 476.96 million tons. This year's 475.47 estimated million tons could represent a decrease of 1.49 million tons or a 0.31% in rice production around the globe.

Rice Production by Country (Values in Metric Tons) China: 144,500,000 India: 102,000,000 Others: 38,459,000 Indonesia: 36,500,000 Bangladesh: 34,600,000 Vietnam: 28,250,000 Thailand: 20,500,000 Philippines: 12,200,000 Burma: 12,150,000 Brazil: 8,300,000 Japan: 7,700,000 United States: 7,068,000 Pakistan: 6,500,000 Cambodia: 4,900,000 Egypt: 4,500,000 Korea, South: 4,240,000 Nepal: 3,100,000 Next Update will be February 10, 2015. http://www.worldriceproduction.com/

Scientists to help Ganges rice farmers handle climate threat Last updated on 12 January 2015, 5:07 pm An international team of researchers will boost food security for 300 million people in Nepal, India and Bangladesh

Rice harvests in Nepal are at risk from increasingly volatile rainfall with climate change (Pic: UN Photo/John Isaac)

By Bhrikuti Rai in Kathmandu Research scientists are coming to the aid of 300 million people along the River Ganges who face a hungry future because their staple rice crop is threatened by climate change.

The team of scientists and development practitioners from Australia, Bangladesh, India and Nepal plan to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of 7,000 small-scale farmers in the eastern Gangetic plains with a five-year US$ 6.7 million programme.According to Nepal’s Ministry for Agriculture Development, 66 per cent of Nepal’s total population of almost 27 million is involved in agriculture and contributes 39 per cent in the

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine GDP.Local scientists say that lack of access to climate-resilient technologies and dependency on monsoon rains for irrigation are major problems for farmers in Nepal.

Food security ―Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries to projected climate change effect, so the project will help small-scale farmers address pressing issues about their livelihood and food security,‖ Devendra Gauchan, senior scientist at Nepal Agricultural Research Council, told the Climate News Network.Altogether, the eastern Gangetic plains of Nepal, Bangladesh and India are home to 300 million people. The aid team, funded by the Australian government, aim to help rice farmers systems through efficient use of water and conserving resources to improve adaptation to climate change, and also connect them to new markets.

The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) will manage the programme, which will be led by the International Wheat and Maize Improvement Centre in eight districts − two in north-west Bangladesh, two in east Nepal, and two each in the Indian states of Bihar and West Bengal. ―Rice-based system productivity [in the eastern Gangetic plains] remains low, and diversification is limited because of poorlydeveloped markets, sparse agricultural knowledge and service networks, and inadequate development of available water resources,‖ says Kuhu Chatterjee, South Asia regional manager of ACIAR.The project was designed in consultation and participation with NARC, the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and agricultural universities in India.

New technologies

Local scientists feel that this project will also help build capacity of researchers in Nepal. Gauchan said: ―Agricultural research in Nepal has very limited strength in terms of human resource, infrastructure facility and institutional capacity.―Through this project we will get to learn about new technologies and research management from scientists from participating countries.‖ According to Chatterjee, the project will test and fine-tune the technologies developed in countries such as Australia, Canada and Brazil, and will modify them to suit farmers in the eastern Gangetic plains.―Community consultations will be conducted to identify different ways to optimise the productive use of rain and irrigation water, increase cropping intensity through timely planting, reduced tillage and enhancing access to, and use of, energy-efficient irrigation technologies,‖ Chatterjee said.

This article was produced by the Climate News Network http://www.rtcc.org/2015/01/12/scientists-to-helpganges-rice-farmers-handle-climatethreat/#sthash.Vq19MCvc.dpuf

Good news for farmers, drought-resistant rice varieties developed in Odisha Monday, 12 January 2015 - 6:10pm IST | Team Iamin.in Scientists at the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Cuttack have developed four new varieties of drought-resistant paddy and another variety that can be grown in less water conditions.Named as Ankit, Sachala, Gopinath, Maudamani, these new varieties of paddy can meet the drought condition while Chakaakhi, the other variety, can grow in less water and survive flood conditions up to a week. The CRRI

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine scientists claim that it can also withstand high winds.

Sharat Kumar Pradhan, chief scientist at CCRI, informed that Ankit (CR Paddy-101) can be cultivated in high lands with less water requirement and can be harvested in three and half months.

About 68 kgs of rice can be obtained by milling a quintal of paddy of this variety, according to Pradhan.

Sachala (CR Paddy-203) and Gopinath are also immune to certain diseases and can be harvested in 110 days and can be cultivated and harvested like the Ankit variety, he informed. ―Maudamani (CR-307) is a small, fatty and pest-resistant variety of paddy, can be cultivated in the irrigated lands. About 50 quintals per hectare of this variety can be harvested in normal conditions,‖ Pradhan said.Chakaakhi (CR-408), the fatty and longer variety, can withstand flood conditions and pest attack and grow up to 130 to 140 centimetres. The harvest period of this paddy is 160-165 days, said Pradhan.

Pradhan, however, pointed out that the farmers of the state may have to wait for another two years to get adequate amount of these new varieties of paddy. http://www.iamin.in/en/cuttack/news/good-newsfarmers-drought-resistant-rice-varieties-developedodisha-50217

How to stabilise rice production, by stakeholders Monday, 12 January 2015 16:37 Written by Itunu Ajayi, Abuja Category: National

STAKEHOLDERS in the nation’s rice production sub-sector have canvassed sustenance of policy consistence regime, to ensure sufficiency of the commodity for local consumption and export. While commending the efforts of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in his intervention in the industry, the group said in Abuja at the weekend that Nigeria will experience a total turnaround in the sub-sector, if the Federal Government can continue to build on the existing policies and programmes that would encourage investors in the rice value chain.

The group, which is a coalition of Rice Millers’ and Importers Association of Nigeria, Rice Processors Association of Nigeria, the large scale farmers group and other stakeholders, said the relevant ministries involved in the policy review in the sector under the present administration have done a good job in ensuring that stakeholders and Nigerians have a better deal in the industry, noting that the present reality in the sub-sector is that interventions by the Federal Government had gone to the grassroots, where those who need such interventions can easily access same without necessarily having to know anybody in the corridors of power nor do farmers have to come to the federal capital to lobby for anything.

They also added that the old cabal which usually hijack releases from the centre has been disbanded, as interventions are now at the reach of investors without having to go through middle men. The chairman of Rice Millers’ and Importers Association of Nigeria, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Elephant Group, Tunji Owoeye explained that the policies that were reeled out on rice at the commencement of the present administration were all geared

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine towards self- sufficiency. He said the tariff that was heightened to 110 per cent in order to discourage rice importation was however taken advantage of by smugglers who hijacked the whole process as time went on, adding that the last two years up to June 2014 has witnessed what can be described as smugglers rubbishing the good intention of the Federal Government. ―At that point, as rice investors, we were having problems with the implementation of the policy of government which moved levy from 50 per cent to 100 per cent and of course, still retained duty of 10 per cent, making 110 per cent. It was extremely difficult for those of us who are operators in Nigeria to compete with rice being smuggled into Nigeria through Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Benin Republic,‖he said.

In order to beat smugglers to their game, Owoeye pointed out that the government was advised last year to review the 110 per cent tariff to 30 per cent for investors and 70 per cent for traders respectively, which he said, has yielded a positive change to both local and international investors in the value chain. He said some states in the North West and the Middle Belt have been involved in massive cultivation of rice in the recent time, a situation Owoeye said gives enough optimism that the sector would be able to produce enough rice to feed Nigerian and also produce for export as the years roll by.

He added that it is important for Nigeria to continue to grow rice so that the integrated mills in the country will have enough material to process for the populace. The Chairman of Rice Processors Association of Nigeria, Mohammed Abubakar explained that the current situation in the sub-sector suggests that there is enough paddy rice for processing. He said that five years back,

there was only one rice processing mill in Nigeria, which was located in Benue State, but with the intervention of the Federal Government and the creation of enabling environment for investment to strive in the sector, the country now has 24 rice mills scattered around the country.

He added that the sector has also witnessed improved paddy quality due to the improved rice seedlings made available by the government to farmers, noting that in the past, the paddy produced in Nigeria could not compete with others around the world. His words: ―The paddy produced by our farmers processed by our millers can compete with any in the world be it Thailand, India. All these have not happened just like that, it was by the help of this government. The issue of investment in the sector and production of rice in the country was thought to be impossible until the interventions of the government as a lot of our farmers are now encouraged to go back to the farm‖. http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/natio nal-news/193642-how-to-stabilise-riceproduction-by-stakeholders

El Nino likely to head to an end over spring: Japan weather bureau January 9, 2015 12:20 AM 

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's weather bureau said on Friday the El Nino weather pattern, often linked to both heavy rainfall and drought, is continuing but added that the phenomena could end over spring.The Japan Meteorological Agency forecast said the El

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Nino, which emerged during last summer for the first time in five years, was already starting to ease.The El Nino weather pattern - a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific - can trigger drought in Southeast Asia and Australia, and floods in South America, hitting production of key foods such as rice, wheat and sugar.

(Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Tom Hogue) http://news.yahoo.com/el-nino-likely-head-endover-spring-japan-052026244.html

Vietnam plans to open rice bonded warehouses in Africa: Thanh Nien Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:50am GMT Vietnam plans to open bonded warehouses in Angola, Cameroon and Mozambique as part of measures to boost rice exports to African countries to meet an expected higher demand in 2015, according to the Industry and Trade Ministry, the Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper reported.Vietnam's share in the African rice market dropped last year as main competitors Thailand, India and Pakistan cut their export prices significantly, the report said.

---NOTE: Reuters has not verified this story and does not vouch for its accuracy.

http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN 0KL0E620150112

Vietnam cuts rice export floor price to $360 per tonne Food Association HANOI Fri Jan 9, 2015 2:20pm IST

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Vietnam has lowered its floor price for exports of 25 percent broken rice by 5.3 percent to $360 a tonne amid thin demand for the commodity in the world's secondlargest exporter.The floor, set by the Vietnam Food Association, will come into effect on Jan. 12, according to a statement from the association to traders seen by Reuters on Friday.The previous floor for the grade was set at $380 a tonne in late November.

The agriculture ministry said last month that Vietnam's rice exports in 2014 were expected to have dipped slightly to an estimated 6.53 million tonnes, putting the Southeast Asian country far behind top exporters Thailand and India. (Reporting by Ho Binh Minh and Mai Nguyen; Editing by Alan Raybould) http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/01/09/vietnamrice-idINL3N0UO36X20150109

Basmati rice rates drop by nearly 40% TNN | Jan 11, 2015, 12.28AM IST Pune: Premium rice variety Basmati seems to have become affordable for the common man.

The rates dropped nearly 40% over the last season as retail prices hovered around Rs 80-90 per kg.

The fall in prices could be attributed to higher production and a ban on import of rice by the

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Iran government, traders said on Saturday. Angshu Mallick, chief operating officer of Adani Wilmar Ltd, which entered the rice business this year, told mediapersons that the new crop is now available for yearly stocking at a very attractive price.

India exports 38 lakh tonne of Basmati rice every year with Iran buying about 40% of it. The home market for Basmati is 12 lakh tonne, with Maharashtra ranking highest in consumption.

Though the selling price has come down, growers will not face losses as high volume will make up for the set back caused by lower purchase price, Mallick said. Rajesh Shah of Jairaj & Company said that Basmati is now available for a price ranging from Rs 23 per kg to Rs 80 per kg for the full-long grain variety.

"There are two varieties which people commonly purchase for annual stocking: the Pusa 1121 and the traditional one with the latter accounting for most of the sales," Shah said, adding that last year's stock of Basmati is available for a price of about Rs 110 per kg.

Besides the two main varieties of Basmati — Pusa 1121 and the traditional variety — Pusa 1509, a new variety, is making inroads into the markets. Scientists who developed the variety are confident of the new rice's success because of its high yield. The Basmati market in India is worth Rs 50,000 crore (2013-14) with exports accounting for nearly 75% of the consumption.

Saudi Arabia and Iraq are among the importers.

Punjab and Haryana are the major Basmatigrowing states. The variety is also grown in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal and parts of Rajasthan.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Bas mati-rice-rates-drop-by-nearly40/articleshow/45838377.cms

Six Farm Bill webinars scheduled during January Fast facts  o o o o

Farm Bill webinars scheduled 20-30 minute sessions will have Q&A periods Attendees must register online before each event Series will extend through March

(318 words) LITTLE ROCK – The first in a series of Farm Bill webinars that will extend through March, each covering a different facet of law and its effects on farming in Arkansas, have been scheduled through the month of January.

The webinars will be hosted by experts from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Farm Service Agency and will run 20-30 minutes each and be followed by a Q&A. The webinars will help participants learn about Farm Service Agency, or FSA, Farm Bill programs and decisions specific to row crop production in Arkansas including:  o o o o o

Base Acre ReallocationYield updates Agricultural Risk Coverage, or ARC Price Loss Coverage, PLC Supplemental Coverage Option, SCO Web-Based decision aids

The team of panelists includes: Tony Franco, chief, Farm Programs Division, FSA; Anita Wilson, agricultural program specialist, FSA; and Robert Coats, professor and extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Brad Watkins, professor and economist for the Division of Agriculture will be fielding

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine questions in the Jan. 20 webinar about the web-based Farm Bill decision aid.

Learning more about ARC and PLC and other farm bill features is extremely important for row crop producers who must make a one-time decision about base and yield updates by Feb. 27, 2015, as well as ARC or PLC election by March 31, 2015, Coats said.

Those wishing to participate must register for each webinar. Upon registration, they will receive an email confirmation with the link to join the webinar and the system requirements for Zoom, the webinar software.

The webinar schedule: Jan. 13, 9 a.m.: ARC/PLC Overview. Registration link: https://uaex.zoom.us/webinar/registe r/b5788ad654b990aa7510d14dfea9e911 Jan. 14, 9 a.m.: ARC/PLC Yield Updates. Registration link: https://uaex.zoom.us/webinar/registe r/f5d06d429a3c0aa5cde7dc3c8da9331e Jan. 20, 9 a.m.: ARC/PLC Base Reallocations and web-based Farm Bill Decision Aid. Registration link: https://uaex.zoom.us/webinar/registe r/2afe8cffe92080e134538d7d4481ef37 Jan. 22, 9 a.m.: Price Loss Coverage. Registration link: https://uaex.zoom.us/webinar/registe r/bc20d3d579d0a2968c34be5db4a05ad8 Jan. 27, 9 a.m.: ARC - County Level. Registration link: https://uaex.zoom.us/webinar/registe r/2fef879916bbcea97510d14dfea9e911 Jan. 29, 9 a.m.: ARC - Individual Level.

Registration link: https://uaex.zoom.us/webinar/registe r/6d02aed30be7c550cde7dc3c8da9331e Schedules for February and March webinars are yet to be announced.

For more information about the Farm Bill series contact your county extension office or visit www.uaex.edu/farmbill.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. ###

By The Cooperative Extension Service U of A System Division of Agriculture Media Contact: Mary Hightower Dir. of Communication Services U of A Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service (501) 671-2126 mhightower@uaex.edu Related Links  

Arkansas Farm Bill Education Arkansas Crops http://www.uaex.edu/mediaresources/news/january2015/01-09-2015-ArkFarm-Bill-Webinars.aspx

USA Rice Welcomes New Government Affairs/PAC Manager Julie Vieburg ARLINGTON, VA -- Our New Year's resolution was to reinforce the Government Affairs staff and the USA Rice Federation is

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

U.S. rice out in the open

pleased to fulfill that goal with the hiring of Julie Vieburg as the new Manager of Government Affairs/PAC.Julie comes to USA Rice from Advanced Network Strategies where she was most recently the Deputy Finance Director, managing fundraising opportunities for 12 House Members and five Leadership PACs. She will have plenty of opportunity to take advantage of her prior job experience maintaining relationships with a broad network of donors, lobbyists, PAC managers, Congressional staff, and government affairs professionals as she becomes an integral member of the team organizing next month's Government Affairs Conference.

A native of Golden Valley, Minnesota, Julie grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona and has a B.B.A. in Finance and a B.A in Political Science from the University of San Diego.

ACCRA & KUMASI, GHANA -- USA Rice Federation conducted promotions in twenty major open air markets here during the holiday season, which is the peak sales period for rice in Ghana. Open air markets are where the majority of Ghanaians go to purchase rice, and USA Rice focused promotional activities in the country's two largest cities, Accra, the national capital, and Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti Region.

Promotional stands were set up in each market where staff conducted cooking demonstrations, distributed dry rice samples, and talked about the positive attributes of U.S. rice brands, urging consumers to test and buy U.S. rice. All the rice used in the promotions was donated by participating brands.

"U.S. rice is facing intense price competition from Thai and Vietnamese sources that is having a negative impact on U.S. market share," said Jim Guinn, USA Rice vice president of international promotion. "Although consumers attest to the high quality of U.S. rice, they are also extremely cost conscious so we are encouraged that these recent promotions attracted large crowds and resulted in big sales for the participating U.S. rice brands."

Contact: Eszter Somogyi, 011-49-40-4503-8667

WASDE Report Released

Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444 USA Rice Promos Hit During Peak Sales Season in Ghana

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. 2014/15 rice crop is estimated at 221 million cwt, down fractionally from the previous estimate.

Average yield is estimated at 7,572 pounds per acre, down 25 pounds peracre. Harvested area is estimated at 2.919 million acres, up 9,000 acres from the previous estimate with most of the increase in Arkansas.

Long-grain rice

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine production is estimated at 162.4 million cwt, up 2.1 million from last month, and combined medium- and short-grain production is lowered 2.2 million to 58.7 million. All rice imports for 2014/15 are increased 1 million cwt to 22 million due primarily to a large shipment of long-grain broken rice from Vietnam reported in the November trade data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The all rice 2014/15 domestic and residual use projection is unchanged at 131 million as implied by the December 1 stocks. Long-grain and combined medium- and short-grain rice domestic and residual use are both unchanged from a month ago and projected at 99 million and 32 million, respectively. The all rice export projection is unchanged at 103 million cwt; however, the long-grain export projection is raised 1 million cwt to 70 million and the combined medium- and short-grain forecast is lowered to 33 million. The boost in the longgrain export projection is due primarily to increased exports of rough rice to Latin America as reported in the November trade data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2014/15 all rice rough export projection is unchanged at 35 million cwt and the milled and brown rice component is unchanged at 68 million (rough rice equivalent basis). All rice ending stocks for 2014/15 are projected at 40.9 million cwt, up 1 million from last month, and an increase of 28 percent from a year ago. Long-grain rice ending stocks are forecast at 29.1 million cwt, up 2.1 million from last month. Combined mediumand short-grain rice ending stocks are projected at 9.5 million cwt, down 1.2 million from last month.

The 2014/15 long-grain season-average farm price range is projected at $11.70 to $12.70 per cwt, down 30 cents per cwt on each end from last month. The combined medium- and shortgrain farm price range is projected at $18.00 to $19.00 per cwt, down 50 cents per cwt on each

end from a month ago.

The all rice seasonaverage farm price is forecast at $13.60 to $14.60 per cwt, down 40 cents per cwt on each end.

The decrease in the price projections is due to lower-than-expected prices reported in the December issue of Agricultural Prices released

by USDA and price expectations the remainder of the marketing year.

Global 2014/15 rice supply and use is changed very little from a month ago. Global rice production is projected at 475.5 million tons up 200,000 from last month, but down 1.5 million from the record 2013/14 crop. The increase in the 2014/15 crop is primarily due to an increase for Paraguay which is partially offset by a drop in Brazil. Global consumption for 2014/15 is 400,000 tons to a record 483.3 million tons with small increases distributed among several countries. The export projection for 2014/15 is raised 700,000 tons to a record 42.6 million due primarily to increases for Burma, Guyana, Paraguay, and Thailand. Imports are raised for Bolivia, Haiti, Syria, and the United States.

Global rice ending stocks for 2014/15 are projected at 99 million tons, 100,000 from last month, and a decrease of 7.9 million from the prior year. Ending stocks projections are lowered for Brazil and Thailand, but increased for Bangladesh and the United States.

Read the complete report here.

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures CME Group (Preliminary): Closing Rough Rice Futures for January 12

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine country per annum. A phased rollout across the country will follow.

Month

Price

Net Change

January 2015

$11.245

- $0.080

March 2015

$11.460

- $0.085

May 2015

$11.700

- $0.065

July 2015

$11.925

- $0.065

September 2015

$11.500

- $0.065

November 2015

$11.375

- $0.065

January 2016

$11.640

- $0.030

Adani-Wilmar to invest Rs 150 cr in rice business OUR BUREAU PUNE, JAN 11: Edible oil major Adani Wilmar Ltd plans to invest Rs 150 crore over the next 12-18 months in its rice business, a new vertical it expects to grow over the next few years.The company forayed into rice last year and ran a pilot with its Pilaf brand of basmati rice. It has just launched the commodity in its flagship Fortune brand in Maharashtra, the State that consumes nearly a quarter of the 12 lakh tonnes of basmati rice sold in the

―We plan to spend Rs 150 crore over the next 12-18 months to acquire two or three brown field rice mills and upgrade them,‖ Angshu Mallick, Chief Operating Officer, Adani-Wilmar said.These acquisitions, as well as the five mills it currently operates on a contract basis, will help the company augment the existing paddy processing capacity from 520 tonnes per day to 800 tonnes per day, he added.With the launch of the new Fortune brand, Adani Wilmar expects to sell around one lakh tonnes of basmati rice till March 2016.

Basmati prices down by over 30% Meanwhile, Basmati rice prices in India have dropped by over 30 per cent in comparison to that last year thanks to a 20 per cent higher crop yield this year, coupled with a ban on exports from Iran, a major importer of the commodity.This year the prices are around Rs 80-85 per kg for the new crop against Rs 128 per kg last year, Rajesh Shah, a rice trader and executive member of the Poona Merchants’ Chamber said.The country produces 50-55 lakh tonnes of Basmati rice annually, with exports accounting for around three-fourths of total sales. India produces three varieties of the rice — traditional, Pusa and the 1121 varieties. A fourth variety — 1509 — is expected to be introduced this year.

(This article was published on January 12, 2015) Source with thanks: The Business Line

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Adani Wilmar launches Fortune Basmati Rice in Pune This is a part of company's plan to extend flagship edible oil brand Fortune into other commodities like pulses, besan and nuggets BS Reporter | Pune January 11, 2015 Last Updated at 20:53 IST Ahmedabad-based Adani Wilmar has launched its basmati rice brand under the name of Fortune Basmati Rice in Pune. This is a part of company's plan to extend its flagship edible oil brand Fortune into other commodities like pulses, besan and nuggets.

The company, on an average, spends about Rs 200 crore to Rs 250 crore in capacity expansion every year. ―We have a wide variety of basmati to suit every budget and requirement, starting from the new crop traditional basmati rice for stocking up for whole year to assorted packs of Aged, Steamed & Parboiled basmati.

Besides, we will also be offering nonbasmati range to our customers. To make our rice products available to every consumer we have partnered with a strong and experienced distribution partners across India," says Angshu Mallick, COO, Adani Wilmar.

The products will pushed through Adani Wilmar’s existing network of one million

retail outlets across the country.According to Mallick, Maharashtra is a largest consumer of rice in India followed by Gujarat. India produces over 40 lakh tonnes of rice every year out of which 38 lakh tonnes is being exported and 12 lakh tonnes of rice is consumed domestically. The total rice market of India is of Rs 50, 000 crore. The company exports its products to 19 countries in the Middle East, South East Asia and East Africa.

The company has a target of producing one lakh tonnes of basmati rice in the next two years. It has rice toll units in Karnal, Gharaunda and Kaithal in Haryana, Chhata in Mathura and Delhi for manufacturing and processing. Fortune Basmati is packed in high quality material to serve the same delicious taste round the year. Fortune Basmati Rice Range is available in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 25 kg SKUs.The company's revenue stood at Rs 17,300 crore in FY14. The company, which is a 50:50 joint venture between Adani Group and Wilmar International of Singapore.

However, the prices of basmati rice have come down this year due to increased production and lower exports. Iran, who purchases about 40 per cent of the basmati rice sold in the international market

by Indian exporters, has banned the rice imports. Iran has been charging an import duty on rice (basmati and non-basmati) to safeguard the interests of farmers in that country. This was lifted once the local crop was consumed.Last year, the import duty was raised from 22.5 per cent to 40 per cent

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine in July; the move was rolled back in December. This year, however, Iran banned such imports. Last year, the average realisation was $1,400 a tonne; as of now, the price stands at about $900 a tonne.

What's the right type of diet for you?



Take a test to find out what science says is the best diet for you

Source with thanks: The Business Standard Th e stu dy loo ked at thr ee types of overeaters. Feasters who find it hard to stop eating once they start, constant cravers who feel hungry all of the time and emotional eaters who turn to food when they get stressed or anxious.

In search of a personalised diet

By Denise WintermanBBC News Magazine

Forget the latest weightloss fad science may already have worked out what diet is best for you. Experts say a personalised approach could transform the way people lose weight.January is a month when many go on a post-Christmas purge and start dieting. It's also the month when many fail and go back to their bad eating habits. Scientists say this isn't just down to a lack of willpower. It is due to a person's individual make-up - their genes, hormones and psychology.The latest weight-loss theory is that instead of reaching for a one-size-fits-all diet, people should follow one that is tailored to their individual needs.

For the first time leading obesity experts and BBC Science have put this theory to the test nationally. Over three months, 75 dieters were put through a series of tests and monitored at home. The study was overseen by scientists from Oxford and Cambridge and their research teams.

When it comes to feasters, research shows hormones play a big part in their eating habits. In particular, they produce low levels of certain gut hormones that are released when food arrives in the intestines. These chemical signals travel through the blood to the brain and tell the body when it has had enough food and should stop eating."Some people have astonishingly low levels of certain gut hormones and are not getting those signals," says Susan Jebb, a professor of diet and population at Oxford University.

Constant cravers always want to eat and their "hungry brains" often want fatty and sugary foods. Scientists know certain genes make people this hungry. They disrupt the way signals are sent to the brain telling it to stop eating, tricking it into thinking fat stores continually need replenishing."The role genes play in losing weight is unequivocal, but due to changes in technology we are beginning to find out

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine what these genes are," says geneticist Dr Giles Yeo, from Cambridge University.

Emotional eaters reach for food when they are stressed or anxious. When the brain perceives a person is in difficulty, it triggers changes to the body, like the heart rate increasing. This stressed state makes it even harder for people to overcom e what they are facing.

This sort of eater has develope d habits that are hard to break and in stressful times their brains seek out a reward."People often think diets are about willpower," says Jebb.

"Forget that, diets are about habits. There has never been a study that says people can will themselves to lose weight, but they can change their habits."So, what diet should each group follow to successfully lose weight?

Feasters need a diet that makes them feel full for as long as possible. Scientists suggested a high protein, low glycaemia index (GI) diet. These are foods that boost gut hormone signals and include fish, chicken, basmati rice, lentils, grains and cereals. No potatoes or bread because they don't make people feel full for very long."Protein and carbs that are not absorbed quickly are absorbed lower down the gut, producing more hormones that make us feel fuller," says gut hormone specialist Prof Fiona Gribble, from Cambridge University.

Constant cravers have genes that make them feel hungry most of the time. As a result

they struggle to diet for seven days a week.

Instead they were told to drastically reduce their diet to 800 calories on two days of the week. They ate normally, but healthily, for the other five. This is often called intermittent fasting."Constant cravers have the toughest job as they have a strong predisposition to being overweight," says Jebb. "The fasting diet should shock their bodies into burning fat."

The emotional eater - Alison Vaughan, 53 Alison Vaughan before and after her 12week diet "My relationship with food has been quite negative in the past. I now know that is a result of being deliberately deprived of food when I was very small. I would often only be given bread soaked in water. It has taken a long time to realise the effect this has had on the way I eat. The study made me realise food was controlling me, now it is the other way round.

"Getting support was an essential part of that, weekly meetings were a big help for me. I feel relieved at being classified as an emotional eater because it gives you a footing from which to continue, unless you can see what the issue is you've really got no hope of changing."I lost 1st 11lb (11.3kg) over the 12 weeks and my total weight loss now is 3st 1lb (19.5kg). As my size goes down, my confidence and belief in myself goes up."

"Constant cravers have the toughest job as they have a strong predisposition to being overweight," says Jebb. "The fasting diet should shock their bodies into burning fat."Emotional eaters have established bad

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine habits that are hard to break. As well as following a healthier diet, group support was important for them. Encouragement can trigger the motivational part of the brain that helps people overcome stress.By being part of online support groups and attending weight-loss meetings, they were encouraged to stick to their diets. They also had cognitive behavioural therapy to help manage the thoughts and behaviour associated with emotional eating.

biggest draw for the cart, are complex – most notably, the white sauce.

The chicken is soaked in plastic bags full of seasoning before being placed on the grill – sending tasty Middle-Eastern flavours sizzling through the air. The lamb, much like a shawarma, rotates on a spit, and is then sliced into bite-sized bits and grilled to a perfect amount of crispiness.

Source with thanks: BBC News Magazine

The success story of ‘The Halal Guys’ Sharif Paget / January 12, 2015 / 0 Comments / 579 Views

From street-cart to international franchise, the story of how Egyptian Halal food is going world-wide

The yellow basmati rice, that’s oh-so-fluffy, and a side salad, which is basically just another thing to

A platter of Halal food after waiting 2 hours in line.

put the famous ―white sauce‖ on, accompanies the

(Photo from from Yelp)

meats. What exactly goes into the white sauce is a

If you’re ever in New York City and happen to be rd

in midtown, you should head over to 53 Street

secret, and officer workers, taxi drivers, clubgoers, tourists, construction workers, and police

and 6 Avenue. You will be absolutely astonished

officers can’t seem to get enough. It is not tahini

at the sight of a massive queue – a mass

sauce, and many contend that the base is

congregation of some sort – but for what? Some

mayonnaise, but other than that, no one really

famous person signing autographs, or free stuff

knows.

th

being given out? What could possibly be responsible for making people wait in line for up to 2 hours? Enter ―The Halal Guys‖. ―The Halal Guys‖ is an Egyptian-owned food cart that specialises in making platters that consist of halal chicken and/or lamb over yellow rice. The menu is simple; the sauces though, perhaps the

The food-cart opens up at noon to start feeding hungry office workers, and keeps at it until four in the morning to satisfy hungry club-goers.For clubgoers, ―The Halal Guys‖ food cart is akin to an after-hours party – with delicious affordable food.For $6 a plate, in a city as expensive as New York, it doesn’t get much better.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Knowing that Elsaka, Elsayed and Abouelenein are also Muslim, the taxi drivers asked them to create a menu that would cater to their appetites.

The cart, along with the food portions, got bigger, and ―The Halal Guys‖ was born.

Soon after, the cart was a success, not just with taxi drivers, but with New Yorkers from all walks of life. Many imitation carts started popping up around the city, and today they easily outnumber the older, smaller ―Greek‖ versions.

Lunch Chicken, Lamb and mixed plates.

time

crowds

line

up

for

Egyptian

food.

(Photo from from Yelp)

(Photo from from Yelp)

Why is this street meat, along with that legendary ―white sauce‖, so successful? Like any good success story, one must look to the beginning, and start with its characters.Meet Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed, both from Alexandria, and Mohamed Abouelenein, a native of Cairo. These three gentlemen are the owners of ―The Halal Guys‖.In 1990, they immigrated to New York, and went on to own and operate a hot dog cart. At the

None are as successful as ―The Halal Guys‖. Some

time, the hot-dog and pretzel business was

attribute it to the ―white sauce‖, others the location

dominated by the Greeks. Today, it is almost

(the cart is located close to the Museum of Arts

entirely Egyptian—the carts got bigger and started

and Design), but ultimately it’s a mystery.Now,

selling more food, and though it’s up for debate,

after about 25 years of serving food in the street,

many argue that it was these three Egyptians that

―The Halal Guys‖ are looking to franchise. The

changed the game.

owners incorporated the cart and signed a deal

However, the mini ―Greek‖ style hot-dog cart that Elsaka, Elsayed and Abouelenein owned did not transform over night. It took almost two years before they took the plunge to renovate the cart, and it all started with taxi drivers.Many of the taxi

with Fransmart, a restaurant franchise consulting firm. This is the same firm that took ―Five Guys Burgers and Fries‖ from four locations in Northern Virginia and turned it into a fast food chain with over 1,200 stores and over $1bn in sales last year, according to The New York Times.

drivers in New York are Muslim, and they found it hard to find a cheap, filling meal that was prepared

Fransmart has a 5-year-plan for ―The Halal Guys‖,

according to Islamic law at two in the morning.

which includes over 100 locations in the States, as

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

New York. Another is scheduled to be opened near

scheme. NLA member Kittisak Rattanawaraha, who sits on the inquiry committee, said NLA members are now submitting questions to the panel which will ask Ms Yingluck on their behalf. Ms Yingluck began testifying last Friday to the National Legislative Assembly, with a defiant defence of her rice-purchase scheme.

NLA members insist on hearing more.

Columbia University. The menu resembles the one

(AFP photo)

well as a presence in Europe and Southeast Asia.

This will be the first time that Middle-Eastern Halal food will be in the same conversation as McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken.The first location was opened up last June in the East Village; a hip young neighbourhood located in

from the cart, with a few extra items – kofta, and deserts such as basbousa.

The thing about ―The Halal Guys‖ is that they are so inherently tied up with the street. How the food translates from side-walks to dining tables will be an experiment worth watching out for.As legend goes, Colonel Sanders, the man behind KFC, started his franchise by selling chicken out of his car. So perhaps ―The Halal Guys‖ have a shot to go world-wide. After all, just as KFC has its secret 11 herbs and spices ―The Halal Guys‖ have their

They have until Tuesday to submit questions.

Mr Kittisak said several NLA members who submitted the questions wanted Ms Yingluck to clarify the figures for losses under the rice scheme.The figures presented by Ms Yingluck were not consistent with those submitted by the Finance Ministry's subcommittee inspecting the scheme's accounting.Some NLA members also wanted to know why Ms Yingluck did not scrap the rice scheme after alleged corruption and losses came to light, Mr Kittisak said.

white sauce.

Source with thanks: Daily News Egypt

NLA panel to focus on rice losses NLA has questions for Yingluck, NACC Published: 12 Jan 2015 at 06.00 | Newspaper section: News Writer: Aekarach Sattaburuth An inquiry committee set up by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to question former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra about the NLA's impeachment motion is expected to focus mainly on the losses under the rice-pledging

He said NLA members wanted to question the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) about the law which has served as the basis to seek Ms Yingluck's impeachment.Mr Kittisak said the committee will question Ms Yingluck on Friday. She can appear in person or send her lawyer to answer questions on her behalf, he said.However, it would be in her best interests to show up and clear the accusations herself, he said, adding that the panel will maintain neutrality in doing its job.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine The NACC petitioned the NLA to impeach Ms Yingluck, accusing her of dereliction of duty for failing to stop corruption and losses in the ricepledging scheme. She chaired the National Rice Policy Committee when she was premier.Ms Yingluck gave statements in her defence before the NLA last Friday, denying all the accusations made by the NACC.Jate Siratharanont, spokesman for the NLA whip, said the committee will not reveal its questions in advance, but Ms Yingluck should be able to expect what the panel will ask of her. Norawit Lalaeng, a member of Ms Yingluck's legal team, said her lawyers will meet today to prepare Ms Yingluck's defence before the panel. It is not yet decided whether Ms Yingluck will appear in person, Mr Norawit said.

The NLA has set Jan 23 as the date for votes on the impeachment cases against Yingluck and former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranon, and ex-Senate speaker Nikhom Wairatpanich.

Separate votes will be taken on the impeachment motions against the three. Mr Nikhom and Mr Somsak face proceedings for their support of an attempt to amend the 2007 constitution to make the Senate fully elected. Mr Nikhom and Mr Somsak are due to be questioned on Thursday by another inquiry committee set up by the NLA.Suriyasai Katasila, a former core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said Sunday the NLA should disregard threats by some groups that the impeachment will disrupt efforts to foster unity.

Tell

77 accused of rice-scheme fraud Published: 12 Jan 2015 at 18.31 ,Online news: Crime

The Commerce Ministry on Monday asked police to prosecute 77 parties for causing B65bn damage to the state through theft, embezzlement and fraud connected to the previous government’s rice-pledging scheme. Chutima Bunyapraphasara, permanent secretary for commerce, files a fraud complaint with Pol Col Nos Sawetlek, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division, on Monday. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)

Chutima Bunyapraphasara, permanent secretary for commerce, filed the complaint with Pol Col Nos Sawetlek, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division. She sought legal actions against numerous contract partners in the ricepledging programme run by the past Yingluck Shinawatra government. Five parties are accused of switching out pledged rice. They are in five provinces and ten warehouses are involved.

Thirteen parties operating 94 warehouses in 22 provinces are accused of allowing pledged rice to rot. Fifty-nine parties operating 652 warehouses in 51 provinces are accused of warehousing substandard rice instead of standard-quality grain.

The combined amount of rice stood at about 3.6 million tonnes and damage to the state is estimated at about 65 billion baht.Miss Chutima said that if police found any government officials involved in the wrongdoings, their cases would be sent to the National AntiCorruption Commission.

Writer: Wassayos Ngamkham

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