14th may,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Rice E-Newsletter May 15 , 2015 V o l u m e 5, Issue I

700 rice mills with no consent to operate Riyan Ramanath V,TNN | May 14, 2015, 01.23 PM IST

BHUBANESWAR: Around 700 rice mills in the state are functioning without the mandatory 'consent to operate' (CTO), Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) revealed on Wednesday.

According to the board, 535 of 1,235 have valid CTO, while only 400 have installed effluent www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine treatment plant (ETP). "The millers are not renewing CTO despite the five-year relaxation to some mills, which complied with the pollution control norms. In other cases, the CTO has to be renewed every year," said OSPCB regional officer, Bhubaneswar, Hadibandhu Panigrahi. Only four of 33 mills in area, comprising Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack, have the valid consent. OSPCB sources said rice mills worth less than Rs 50 crore will have to apply for consent at the regional offices.

The regional officer can serve show-cause notice to mills without valid CTO. If the explanation of the miller is found to be unsatisfactory, a closure notice is served. Physical closure of mills is the responsibility of the respective district administration. "Twenty-five rice mills have faced closure. The millers, violating pollution control norms, are not renewing CTO. No mills can obtain CTO without installing ETP," said OSPCB senior scientist D K Behera. According to the pollution board, 1.3 tonne of waste water is generated from processing of one tonne of paddy.

The plants without ETPs discharge the untreated waste water to nearby areas, causing groundwater pollution. RTI campaigner Tapan Kumar Mohanty said the state government is lenient on rice millers. "After the pollution board serves a closure notice, the government should ask the collector to immediately close the mill," he said. Forest minister Bikram Arukh said, "I will discuss with OSPCB member secretary as to why so many mills are functioning without CTO. "http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/700-rice-mills-with-no-consent-tooperate/articleshow/47281038.cms

APEDA India News International Benchmark Price Price on: 13-05-2015

Product

Benchmark Indicators Name

Price

1

Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)

5850

2

Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)

4125

3

Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)

3425

1

Californian Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t)

2664

2

South African Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t)

2327

Apricots

Raisins

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine White Sugar 1

CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t)

875

2

Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t)

690

3

Pakistani refined sugar, EXW Akbari Mandi (USD/t)

561

Source:agra-net

For more info

Market Watch Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 13-05-2015 Domestic Prices Product

Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Market Center

Variety

Min Price

Max Price

1

Botad (Gujarat)

Other

1225

1280

2

Vellore (Tamil Nadu)

Other

1560

1560

3

Nira (Maharashtra)

Other

1800

2800

1

Dehgam (Gujarat)

Other

1250

1325

2

Honnali (Karnataka )

Local

1230

1320

3

Kota(Rajasthan)

Other

1181

1251

1

Balugaon (Orissa)

Other

1500

1700

2

Harippad(Kerala)

Other

2000

2000

3

Mechua(West Bengal)

Other

2400

2800

1

Chala (Kerala)

Other

2700

2750

2

Bonai (Orissa)

Other

1500

2000

3

Satara(Maharashtra)

Other

1500

2000

Jowar(Sorgham)

Maize

Mango

Cucumbar

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Source:agra-net

For more info

Egg

Rs per 100 No Price on 13-05-2015 Product

Market Center

Price

1

Pune

305

2

Ahmedabad

285

3

Hyderabad

265

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices

Unit Price : US$ per package Price on 13-05-2015

Product

Market Center

Origin

Variety

Low

Onions Dry

High Package: 50 lb sacks

1

Atlanta

2

Baltimore

3

Chicago

California

Yellow

19

19

Mexico

Yellow

18

18

Texas

Yellow

15

15

Cabbage

Package: 50 lb cartons

1

Atlanta

Georgia

Round Green Type

9

10

2

Detroit

Florida

Round Green Type

13

14

3

Miami

Canada

Round Green Type

11

12

Apples

Package: cartons tray pack

1

Atlanta

Virginia

Red Delicious

19

19

2

Baltimore

Washington

Red Delicious

20

24

3

Miami

Washington

Red Delicious

24

26

Source:USDA

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Rice Milling Expo planned Oct. 16-18 5/14/2015 - by World Grain Staff

GONDIA, INDIA — The third annual Rice Milling Expo 2015 is planned Oct. 16-18 at Circus Ground Gondia, Maharashtra, India.Rice Milling Expo 2015 is an exhibition on rice milling, grain milling machinery and appliances. The main objective of this event is to bring the best of technologies and latest products to the regional and adjoining area's millers. It is expected to attract a large number of rice millers, dal millers, grain millers, dealers and distributors, as well as end users from the industry who are interested in upgraded technology.

More information is available at www.ricemillingexpo.com. http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/World_Grain_News/2015/05/Rice_Milling_Expo_planned_Oct.aspx?ID=%7BBA05B79D3A2A-4BB1-B491-3B150B163DEB%7D&cck=1

India to seek Chinese market access for non-basmati rice AMITI SEN VISHWANATH KULKARNI NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, MAY 13:

India is hopeful that China will provide market access to its non-basmati rice – blocked till now as quality norms have not been defined between the two countries – during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit later this week.―The solution to the problem is simple. We have suggested to China that the protocol that exists for exporting basmati rice should be adopted for exporting non-basmati rice as well,‖ a Commerce Ministry official told BusinessLine.China, which began importing rice four years ago and annually imports about 5 million tonnes, has not granted access to Indian non-basmati rice. The absence of defined phyto-sanitary norms between the two countries is cited by the China as the main reason for not importing from India.China, however, has been sourcing its rice from countries such as Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand. In fact, the steady increase in its purchases from these countries has kept the Vietnamese prices firm.―We see a potential to export up to onr million tonnes of non-basmati rice to China, provided they grant us market access,‖ said BV Krishna Rao, Managing Director, Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt Ltd, the country’s largest non-basmati rice exporter.

Rao, who represents the Agri Exporters Association, said India can offer better quality, price and a wider variety to China.The Commerce Ministry has already sent the documentation for establishing the quality protocol by the AQSIQ – the Chinese quality management institute that gives approvals for a variety of imports – to Beijing.―The AQSIQ required certain documents to extend the protocol existing for basmati rice to non-basmati, and we have already sent them,‖ the official said.When the Prime Minister visits Beijing on May 14, India is hopeful that the required quality protocol would be implemented.Though China has opened up its market for Indian www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine basmati in 2012, hardly any direct shipments have taken place, industry sources said. China is still in the process of registering the Indian mills, although some basmati rice shipments are being exported indirectly through Hong Kong.

(This article was published on May 13, 2015)

Business Line

Newcomers add to global rice market’s diminishing returns

By Peter Janssen On Thursday, 14 May 2015 Myanmar workers dry rice under the sun at the Bayintnaung broker's sale centre in Yangon. Photo: Nyein Chan Naing/EPA

Rice exports from Myanmar - the leader in the global trade in the crucial grain five decades ago - surged more than 40% last year and are expected to jump again in 2015, but the country’s return to the world stage comes at a time of falling prices.According to the latest estimates of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Myanmar’s rice exports in 2014 reached 1.663 million tons, up 43.0% year-on-year. The government has reportedly set a target of exporting 2.5 million tons in fiscal 2015/16, ending March 31, but the prices they fetch may prove disappointing, especially if Myanmar doesn’t improve its warehousing facilities to store the grain.Where does that place Myanmar in relation to the world’s top rice exporter?

Thailand exports roughly six times as much rice as Myanmar. The country, which dethroned Myanmar as the world’s number one rice exporter in the mid-1960s, saw an even more dramatic rise in exports last year. The kingdom’s total rice exports reached 10.969 million tons, up 63.2% from their 2013 performance, according to USDA figures released April 10. Thailand lost the top rice exporter slot to India in 2012 and 2013 as a direct result of the previous government’s populist policy of buying up the entire paddy (unhusked rice) crop at 40-50% above the market price.

With Thailand back in the race last year, India’s rice exports in 2014 hit 10.901 million tons, only slightly behind Thai shipments, according to USDA figures.Neither the Thai government nor the private sector could sell off their overpriced grain on the world market between 2012 to www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine 2013, leaving the country with a giant stockpile of rice in rented warehouses nationwide, estimated at anywhere between 14 to 18 million tons. Last year’s surge in shipments was largely due the termination of direct government involvement in exports, following the May coup, and letting the very competitive Thai private sector do their thing. But this year, even Thailand’s private sector rice traders are worried. ―This year I was thinking we could sell 12 million tons, but now it doesn’t look that way,‖ said Vichai Sriprasert, Honorary President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association. ―There is no demand. The whole world is not in normal circumstances anymore,‖ he said. Thailand’s rice shipments averaged about 700,000 tons per month during the January to March period, and prices have been steadily falling. Thailand’s 5% broken rice (which sets the world standard for prices) end the month of March at $390 per ton, down 4% from the previous month, according to the Oryza.Com.Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was selling even cheaper, at $370 per ton, according to the online rice newsletter.

International rice prices have been on the decline since September 2014, hitting a four-year low in March, according to the latest Food and Agriculture (FAO) update on the rice industry. Prices have remained depressed despite huge losses in Thailand’s second rice crop due to an unusually severe drought. ―Nobody understands why the prices are so low,‖ Vichai said. ―We are in the dark.‖ One can speculate, however. ―If I was forced to give an opinion, I would say world demand is much less for rice because of the economic situation,‖ he said. The world’s leading economies – USA, Europe, Japan and China – are slowing, and commodity prices have been falling across the board, starting with oil prices.

The Middle East and parts of Africa have also witnessed an upsurge in fighting, making shipments of rice to these important markets risky. ―Iraq and Iran, all these countries are very important to the rice market. You’re talking millions of tons,‖ Vichai said.Another factor affecting rice prices is rice stockpiles, which remain huge. India and Thailand have accumulated massive stockpiles of rice, according to the FAO, inevitably affected the market outlook as the two countries are the world’s leading exporters. Although the FAO predicts a 2.4% decline in the stockpiles this year from their opening level of 176.6 million tons, there is still a lot of grain out there ready to flood the market at the opportune time. ―While the stockpiles are sitting around, there is probably not going to be much upward movement on rice prices,‖ said David Dawe, Senior Economist at the FAO regional office in Bangkok.

Thailand’s military government has succeeded in offloading about 1.18 million tons in five public auctions held since May, but it cancelled an auction planned in April to avoid impacting prices fetched by Thai farmers whose second crop was already hard hit by drought. ―They are trying to balance between liquidating the stock and keeping the price relatively stable so farmers don’t suffer, but you can’t achieve both,‖ Vichai said.

Add to this mix the advent of newcomers to the international rice market, and the price picture promises to get bleaker. According to the FAO, last year the international trade in rice grew 14% from 2013, to reach a new peak of 42.4 million tons, with the main importers being Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. The UN organization estimates that www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine the rice trade will reach 41.3 million tons in 2015, only a smidgeon less than last year’s. Some of this business will be captured by relative newcomers such as Cambodia and Myanmar.

Cambodia’s rice exports during the first quarter of 2015, rose 77% year-on-year to 149,464 tons, according to Oryza.Com. That doesn’t necessarily bode well for rice prices. ―You’ve got these new competitors, and you’ve already got a lot of stock sitting out there,‖ FAO’s Dawe noted.

Rice exports by the main players, in millions of tons: 2013

2014

Cambodia

1,075

1,000

India

10,480

10,901

Myanmar

1,163

1,663

Pakistan

4,126

3,300

Thailand

6,722

10,969

USA

3,293

3,042

Vietnam

6,700

6,325

World Total

39,455

43,057

Source USDA, April 10, 2015

This Article first appeared in the May 7, 2015 edition of Mizzima Weekly.

Mizzima Weekly is available in print in Yangon through Innwa Bookstore and through online subscription atwww.mzineplus.com http://www.mizzima.com/news-features/newcomers-add-global-rice-market%E2%80%99s-diminishingreturns

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Gov’t tracks emerging ‘strong’ El Niño, but keeps farm growth goal THE GOVERNMENT remains confident that its full-year target for farm production can be achieved even with the rising threat of a strong El Niño that could prolong dry spells.

Representatives of a farmers’ group sell rice to the government in a warehouse in Libmanan, Camarines Sur in this undated photo which the National Food Authority e-mailed to media outfits last May 12.

Officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the impact of the current dry season on crops has been ―minimal,‖ so far, although the agency is ready to review the target as the need arises.―The target is 3.3-4.3% agriculture growth for 2015, without assumptions of El Niño,‖ DA Undersecretary Emerson U. Palad said in a text message yesterday.Asked how El Niño could affect production, Mr. Palad replied: ―Given the production forecasts of BAS (Bureau of Agricultural Statistics) so far, there seems to be minimal impact on our targets.‖Last Tuesday, Australia’s weather bureau said El Niño has already formed and that models indicated a ―substantial‖ event, while the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed the weather pattern had begun and forecast it

would continue into late 2015.But an official of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that the El Niño episode the country has been experiencing is still considered ―weak.‖―We expect this to last June, July or August. If this will worsen, we couldn’t tell yet at this point,‖ PAGASA Senior Weather Specialist Anthony Joseph R. Lucero said in a separate phone interview.The official, however, acknowledged that global forecasts point to a ―moderate to strong El Niño.‖―There’s a strong possibility that this El Niño can be moderate or strong.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine We are not ruling that out because that’s the global forecast,‖ said Mr. Lucero, who also serves as the officer-in-charge of PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section.But Mr. Palad said there is no immediate need to review 2015’s farm growth goal, explaining that ―targets are set on a yearly basis.‖―We will review as needed,‖ he said.Christopher V. Morales, officer-incharge of DA’s Field Operations Service, shared this confidence, saying in a separate phone interview: ―We are still on track to meet the target.‖He said preparations for El Niño had started in 2014 in response to forecasts then that it would hit this year.―In case the scenario worsens, the DA can still undertake interventions and mitigating measures to cushion the impact,‖ Mr. Morales added, noting that ―[a]s of last week, damage to rice and corn... were still minimal.‖ He said recorded damage to palay was equivalent to about 0.72% of the first-semester production forecast of the Philippine Statistics Authority-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (PSA-BAS) of 8.55 million MT, while that to corn was at 1.26% of the 3.69 million MT output estimate for the same six months.Mr. Morales also said the extent of El Niño’s threat to farms remains unclear.―Based on our field validations and the current PAGASA forecast, there are areas that will experience intensified drought but there are also areas where rainfall situation will improve,‖ he explained.The official recalled the country was last hit by a prolonged dry spell in 2009, when the agriculture sector incurred P17 billion of worth of production losses.

There was also a mild El Niño in 2004 that resulted in P2-2.5 billion worth of losses, Mr. Morales said.―But right now, it’s still around P1 billion, so we haven’t even reached the level seen before,‖ he noted.For his part, the National Food Authority (NFA) said there are no immediate plans to import rice.―So far, meetings of the NFA Council and Imports Committee are continuous but no final decision yet,‖ NFA Administrator Renan B. Dalisay said in a text message when sought for comment.Mr. Dalisay also acknowledged that ―effect of drought is minimal and insignificant to rice production.‖ FIRST-QUARTER PRODUCTION

PSA-BAS production estimates as of March 1 showed that palay, or unmilled rice, output was expected to have hit 4.47 million MT in the first quarter, while corn production was seen to reach 2.41 million MT in the same period.―We are positive that we will attain the first-quarter targets,‖ DA’s Mr. Palad said.The latest estimates were PSA-BAS’ second revision on its outlook from the original 4.59 million MT and 2.28 million MT respective forecasts released last January. An update as of Feb. 1 showed that the government cut first-quarter production forecast of palay to 4.46 million MT and corn to 2.43 million MT.The actual palay and corn production data forms part of the regular Philippine agricultural report that will be released a week before the firstquarter gross domestic product (GDP) data scheduled to be reported on May 28.The agriculture sector accounts for about a tenth of the Philippine GDP, which is targeted by the government to expand between 7-8% this year.

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Taiwan to donate rice to help feed poor in 17 countries 2015/05/14 18:13:00 CNA file photo in South Africa July 2014

Taipei, May 14 (CNA) Taiwan will donate 16,670 metric tons of white rice to 17 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific this year, the national Agriculture and Food Agency ( AFA) said Wednesday.The rice will be shipped by the end of June and the donations to the recipient countries will be managed by the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce, the World League for Freedom and Democracy ROC Chapter, Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation, Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), according to the AFA. The donation of 16,670 metric tons of rice is intended to help feed refugees and poor people in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakist an and the Philippines in Asia; Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe in Africa; the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador in Latin America; and Tuvalu in the South Pacific, the agency said.The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that about one in nine people in the world live in chronic hunger, the AFA noted.As long as Taiwan’s domestic food supply remains secure, the AFA said, it will continue to work with the MOFA and non-governmental organizations to donate rice for humanitarian purposes.Under the aid program, which started in 2002, Taiwan has donated more than 270,000 metric tons of white rice to people in 33 countries, the AFA said.

(By Chiu Chun-chin and Kuo Chung-han) Enditem/pc http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201505140018.aspx

NFA-Kalinga assures enough rice stock for the lean months May 14, 2015 Larry Lopez

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, May 14 (PIA) - - There is enough enough buffer stock for the province for the lean months, assured the National Food Authority (NFA) provincial office www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine here.Assistant Provincial Manager Ric Baliang reported that based on their latest inventory, 50,000 bags of rice are available at their ware house. The supply is more than enough for the province’s rice requirement for the months of July, August and September.Based on NFA’s rice allocation program, the stock shall be released only to NFA-accredited bigasan outlets. NFA sells its rice at P27-32/kg but allows remote bigasan outlets to make reasonable add-on to defray transportation cost.

Baliang urged bigasan outlets to properly renew their permits with NFA for continued rice retail trade. NFA he said, is closely monitoring the operation of bigasan retailers in the province to check on over pricing and business malpractice. Meanwhile, Baliang informed that they were able to procure 10,000 bags of palay in the last cropping when traders offered lower price.

However, traders’ price climbed to P18/kg so NFA temporarily stopped procurement since farmers prefer to sell their palay to traders. NFA buys good-dry palay at P17/kg. (JDP/LL-PIA CAR, Kalinga) http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/181430185650/nfa-kalinga-assures-enough-rice-stock-for-the-leanmonths-#sthash.Ca0ZsInG.dpuf

Full rice sufficiency by 2020 target ALOR SETAR, May 14, 2015:

The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry wants the country to achieve 100% selfsufficiency level (SSL) in padi production by 2020, its minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said yesterday.

Towards this end, he said, the government would spend RM2.2 billion out of the total RM6 billion allocated to the ministry this year to help padi farmers to increase their crop yield.He said

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine various strategies and projects had been planned to achieve the target, including upgrading of the irrigation system in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) areas. Ismail Sabri said the country imported about 900,000 metric tonne of rice every year and the amount did not include about one million tonnes which was smuggled into the country.In an effort to achieve the 100% SSL, he said farmers had to increase their crop yield to seven tonnes per hectare from the current six tonnes per hectare.Ismail Sabri also witnessed the signing of memorandum of understanding between MADA and Bayer Co (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for use of the company’s technology to increase padi yield in MADA areas.

TagsBayerMadapadi self sufficiency How does this story makes you feel? http://www.therakyatpost.com/business/2015/05/14/full-ricesufficiency-by-2020-target/

Agriculture Ministry Targets 100 Per Cent Self-Sufficiency Level In Rice Production By 2020 ALOR SETAR, May 13 (Bernama) -- The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry wants the country to achieve a 100 per cent self-sufficiency level (SSL) in padi production by 2020, its minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.Towards this end, he said, the government would spend RM2.2 billion out of the total RM6 billion allocated to the ministry this year to help padi farmers to increase their crop yield.He said various strategies and projects had been planned to achieve the target, including upgrading of the irrigation system in the MADA areas.

He said this when opening the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) Farmers' Convention and launching of MADA Corporate Plan.Ismail Sabri said the country imported about 900,000 metric tonne of rice every year and the amount did not include about one million tonnes which was smuggled into the country.In an effort to achieve the 100 percent SSL, he said farmers had to increase their crop yield to seven tonnes per hectare from the current six tonnes per hectare.At the event, Ismail Sabri also witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MADA and Bayer Co (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd or use of the company's technology to increase padi yield in MADA areas.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1134313

Olam Raises Investment on Rice Backward Integration 14 May 2015

By Crusoe Osagie


Olam Nigeria Limited has unveiled plans to increase its stake in the rice industry as part efforts to aid the realisation of the self-sufficiency target and job creation efforts of government.The www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine General Manager of the firm, Reji George, disclosed yesterday that his company had concluded plans to kick-start milling of 200,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice in Doma Council, Nassarawa,

by June 1,2015. According to the firm, its backward integration plan in the sector is expected to aid local rice production and job creation.

The firm had earlier this year unveiled its locally produced rice to the Nigerian market. Olam’s Business Head for Rice, Anil Nair, had explained that the launch was designed to meet growing local demands for the commodity as well as reduce its importation.He explained that the launch of the commodity in Lagos was strategic, since the state holds the largest market of consumers of rice.He said: ―There are lots of paddy been produced and Lagos being the biggest market in the country is having local rice coming to it.

It is a sign of good things to come and we hope that two years from now, we will be able to bridge the gap. We have a milling capacity of about 800,000 tonnes in the country and we hope to help this country eliminate import completely.‖On placing a total ban on the commodity, George said: ―I believe it should be a gradual process. Before you ban rice or any agricultural commodity you must have to develop the local strength of rice production. If you plan the ban of importation of rice, companies like Olam are into commercial production of rice with 6,000 hectares in two cities, making it 12,000 hectares that would definitely help bridge the demand and supply gap, and with support from other companies, in addition to the role government is playing. ―In few years time, we would be able to bridge the demand and supply gap and we would be able to be self-sufficient in rice production.‖The community leader of a settlement in the Doma area, Kushunta Adi, said, ―Before the coming of Olam to our community, most people in this area were idle, which is not good, but today, the story is different. In fact, at that initial time, most of the excavators on the project were foreigners, but today, the company has employed many of our youths and this is helping many families here‖.―In fact, what they have done here is enormous. I believe if the Federal Government can copy them, the country would be better. If we have one or two other companies like this in Nigeria, it will be difficult for us as a country to import rice,‖ he added .

A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Secretary of the Rice Farmers’ Association, Mr. Michael K. Aondoakaa, in his position, urged the government to urgently protect the local rice industry from being thrown out of the agriculture sector.Aondoakaa, at the House of Representatives hearing, stated that corrupt actions by some rice importers could destroy government’s policy and truncate the local rice sub-sector.He disclosed that a www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine certain company behaves like another government and has resorted to dubious activities in apparent bid to frustrate the local rice manufacturers.He called on all and sundry to stop this untoward activities in the best interest of Nigeria, especially local farmers and others.

Tags: Nigeria, Featured, News

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/olam-raises-investment-on-rice-backward-integration/209279/

Heirloom rice farmers meet top chefs

MANILA, Philippines -An exchange of indigenous and culinary cultures transpired in the Philippine National Museum yesterday during a ―market encounter‖ organized by the Heirloom Rice Project of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).Farmers from the Cordilleras—from Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province— proudly showcased the special heirloom rice varieties and rice products produced in their communities.The lives of our heirloom farming communities revolve around rice culture, from planting to harvesting and everything in between," shared Cameron Odsey, regional technical director of the Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region.For more than a decade, heirloom varieties have been regularly

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

exported to niche markets.

But heirloom rice varieties are low-yielding and take about seven months to mature— much longer than popular varieties that are widely cultivated.A government effort to improve the livelihoods of heirloom rice farmers is underway, which makes use of science to improve production and value-chain analysis to link farming communities more efficiently and directly to local markets.All these efforts are being made while making sure the traditions attached to producing heirloom rice are preserved.

"I have to keep growing rice in the land that my parents and grandparents tilled because I do not want our rice and traditions to fade," shared Evelyn Magastino, a farmer from Ifugao. "I want my son to take up farming as well, although I admit it is physically challenging."To chef and restaurateur Amy Besa, who has been serving heirloom rice in her restaurants in New York for years, heirloom rice's authenticity is the key to promoting Filipino food. "There is integrity in heirlom rice. It was grown on our land

by Filipino farmers", said Besa. "The presence of heirloom rice in the United States is a major turning point for promoting Filipino food."This sentiment is shared by chefs, Robby Goco and Chele Gonzales.

They agree that heirloom rice's unique characteristics are some of their best culinary qualities."Our rice can outshine any rice in the world. Ominio? You can make into a black sushi that is unbelievably creamy. Chor-chor-os is fibrous that is so good for salad," said Goco. "You cannot cook heirloom rice the way we cook white rice. We have to open our mind and cook according to their characteristics. This is our proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow." Ominio and Chor-chor-os are some of the heirloom rice varieties from the Mountain Province.IRRI deputy director general Bruce Tolentino thanked the DA for providing leadership to the effort to help heirloom rice farmers. DA and IRRI are working on several projects that aim to improve rice productivity in the country. The Heirloom Rice Project, led by Dr. Casiana Vera Cruz, is being implemented by the DA and IRRI, in partnership with the DA-CAR Regional Field Office and SUCs in the region.

IRRI News

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 14 Nagpur, May 14 Gram and tuar prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on poor demand from local millers amid good supply from producing belts. Easy condition on NCDEX in gram and release of stock from stockists also pushed down prices, according to sources. *

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FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor.

TUAR * Tuar gavarani recovered marginally in open market on good seasonal demand from local traders amid tight supply from millers. * Moong varieties moved down in open market in absence of buyers amid profit-taking selling by stockists at higher level. * Wheat mill quality recovered in open market on good demand from local traders amid weak supply from producing regions like Punjab and Haryana. * In Akola, Tuar - 7,200-7,500, Tuar dal - 10,000-10,500, Udid at 9,100-9,600, Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,900-11,300, Moong - 9,100-9,400, Moong Mogar (clean) 10,900-11,300, Gram - 4,300-4,600, Gram Super best bold - 6,200-6,400 for 100 kg. * Other varieties of wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market in poor trading activity, according to sources.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 3,500-4,425 3,500-4,510 Gram Pink Auction n.a.

2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 5,500-7,080 5,500-7,170 Moong Auction n.a.

6,000-6,300 Udid Auction n.a.

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

2,600-2,800 Gram Super Best Bold 6,500-6,700 6,500-6,700 Gram Super Best n.a.

Gram Medium Best 6,300-6,400 6,300-6,400 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a.

Gram Mill Quality 5,500-5,700 5,500-5,700 Desi gram Raw 4,650-4,750 4,650-4,750 Gram Filter new 6,100-6,200 6,100-6,200

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Gram Kabuli 5,000-6,800 5,000-6,800 Gram Pink 6,300-6,500 6,300-6,500 Tuar Fataka Best 10,500-10,800 10,500-10,800 Tuar Fataka Medium 10,000-10,300 10,000-10,300 Tuar Dal Best Phod 9,500-9,800 9,500-9,800 Tuar Dal Medium phod 9,000-9,400 9,000-9,400 Tuar Gavarani New 7,700-7,800 7,650-7,750 Tuar Karnataka 7,900-8,000 7,900-8,000 Tuar Black 10,700-11,000 10,700-11,000 Masoor dal best 7,400-7,600 7,400-7,600 Masoor dal medium 6,900-7,300 6,900-7,300 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold 11,000-11,400 11,000-11,500 Moong Mogar Medium best 10,200-10,500 10,200-10,600 Moong dal Chilka 9,200-9,700 9,200-9,800 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 9,500-9,800 9,500-9,900 Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 11,200-11,600 11,200-11,600 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 9,900-10,600 9,900-10,600 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 8,500-8,900 8,500-8,900 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,600 4,400-4,600 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 3,200-3,350 3,200-3,350 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,450 3,200-3,450 Watana White (100 INR/KG) 2,450-2,625 2,450-2,625 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,700-4,800 3,600-4,800 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,800 1,500-1,800 Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,050 1,900-2,000 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,700 1,500-1,700 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,550 2,250-2,550 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,350 2,100-2,350 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,750 3,200-3,750 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,000 2,700-3,000 Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,500 1,400-1,500 Wheat Best (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,200 Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,800 2,500-2,800 Rice BPT (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,300 3,000-3,300 Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 1,600-1,800 1,600-1,800 Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,400 2,100-2,400 Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700 Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,700 3,300-3,700 Rice HMT (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,400 4,000-4,400 Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500 4,200-4,500 Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,200 4,600-5,200 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,000-10,000 8,000-10,000 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,000-7,500 6,000-7,500

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,200 4,600-5,200 Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG) 5,600-6,000 5,600-6,000 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,450 2,300-2,450 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 42.1 degree Celsius (107.8 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.

25.3 degree Celsius (77.5 degree Fahrenheit) Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.

Rainfall : nil FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely towards evening or night.

Maximumand minimum temperature would be around and 40 and 24 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.) http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/05/14/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N0Y54XT20150514

Research and Markets: Thailand Seed Industry Outlook to 2018 Government Support and Technological Advancement to Escalate Productivity May 14, 2015 05:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/s8mzfd/thailand_seed) has announced the addition of the "Thailand Seed Industry Outlook to 2018 - Government Support and Technological Advancement to Escalate Productivity" report to their offering.

―Thailand Seed Industry Outlook to 2018 - Government Support and Technological Advancement to Escalate Productivity‖ The report titled Thailand Seed Industry Outlook to 2018 - Government Support and Technological Advancement to Escalate Productivity provides a comprehensive analysis of the various aspects such as market size of the seed industry in Thailand. The market is segmented by types of seeds, by vegetable or non vegetable seeds, by informal and formal sector in the report.

The report also includes the competitive landscape of major seed developing companies in Thailand both domestic and international and also a detailed presentation on the rice seed and the maize seed industry in Thailand.Thailand seed industry is largely categorized into Rice seeds, Grain corn seeds and Vegetable seeds. Rice seeds are the most demanded and the most widely produced seeds in Thailand due to its high quality and the rising demand from world over. The production and the revenue generated by the vegetable seeds are increasing year on year as more www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine farmers are starting to focus more on the vegetable seed sector. It is estimated that it would take another 10-12 years for the vegetable seeds to have a competitive share in the domestic market with rice and corn seeds already dominating the sales value.The production volume of seed categories is mainly dominated by cereals which include Rice and Maize/Field Corn with around 97% of production over the years. Rice, alone had a percentage share of 94.5% followed by maize.

Key Topics Covered: 1. Thailand Seed Industry 2. Thailand Seed Industry Introduction- Evolvement and Current Scenario 3. Thailand Seed Industry Value Chain 4. Thailand Seed Market Size 5. Thailand Seed Market Segmentation 6. Thailand Seed Industry by Geography 7. Export and Import of Seeds in Thailand 8. Thailand Rice Seed Industry Introduction 9. Thailand Maize/Corn Seed Industry Introduction 10. Thailand Vegetable Seed Industry Introduction 11. Trends and Developments in Thailand Seed Industry 12. Growth Drivers in Thailand Seed Industry 13. Major Challenges and Issues in Thailand Seed Industry 14. SWOT Analysis of Thailand Seed Industry 15. Seed Research and Development Institutes and Centers in Thailand 16. Government Regulations in Thailand Seed Industry 17. Competitive Landscape of Major Players in Thailand Seed Industry 18. Future Outlook and Projections for Thailand Seed Industry, 2014-2018 19. Analyst Recommendation 20. Macro-economic Factors of Thailand Seed Industry 21. Appendix Companies Mentioned - Dupont - Monsanto - Syngenta - Bayer - Pacific Seeds - East West Seeds - Charoen Pokphand Group - Lion Seeds - Adams Enterprise Seeds Limited - Siam Hi Tech Seeds Contacts Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Sector: Government and Public Sector http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150514005346/en/Research-Markets-ThailandSeed-Industry-Outlook-2018#.VVXTs_lViko

Syngenta and IRRI explore possible new areas of R&D partnership

By Syngenta May 14, 2015 | 7:03 am EDT The Scientific Know-How and Exchange Program (SKEP) II project between Syngenta and the International Rice Research (IRRI) held a workshop to discuss possible future activities as the partnership entered its third and final year. A highlight of the workshop was the steering committee meeting on possible new areas of R&D partnership as well as opportunities to consider SKEP III. The parties also recommended some new paths for each of the projects under the SKEP umbrella.During the review and planning workshop, held at the IRRI Headquarters on 7 – 8 May, project management emphasized the importance of producing deliverables within the target timelines, improving communication, and protecting intellectual properties. IRRI and project teams presented progress and key achievements in the last two years, and agreed on planned key priorities for the next six months.The Syngenta and IRRI teams were led by Drs. Manuel Legrono and Matthew Morell, respectively. Leading scientists from the Syngenta offices in India, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines came to dialogue with their project counterparts at IRRI.The SKEP II project consists of five sub-projects co-managed by a scientist from IRRI and Syngenta. These are: • Project 1. SNP marker validation (Michael Thomson and Ai Li Yeo) • Project 2. Crop health management (Adam Sparks and Ben Wu) • Project 3. Outcrossing in hybrid rice (Fangming Xie and S. Sundar) • Project 4. Phenotyping for lodging resistance (Michael Dingkuhn and Mila Lopez) • Project 5. Pyramiding high-value genes to increase rice yield (Kshirod Jena and Kasul Sheshagiri) The SKEP II project is a good example of a public-private partnership that generates valuable experience and information. Both Syngenta and IRRI are committed to strengthen collaboration for the common purpose of sharing knowledge to develop innovative solutions for the benefit of the rice growers. http://www.agprofessional.com/news/syngenta-and-irri-explore-possible-new-areas-rdpartnership

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