16th january,2018 daily gloabl regional local rice e newsletter

Daily Global Regional Local Rice Enewsletter 16th June,2018 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Peak rice harvest in February, says minister News Desk The Jakarta Post Jakarta | Mon, January 15, 2018 | 11:26 am

Taking part in a paddy harvest event in Ciamis, West Java, on Oct. 9. are (right to left) Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Minister Eko Putro Sandjojo, West Java Deputy Governor Dedy Mizwar, Ciamis Regent Iing Syamarifin and Bank Mandiri president director Kartika Wirjoatmodjo. (Antara/Adeng Bustomi)

Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman has said a peak rice harvest would occur in February, hoping that the country would see a substantial increase in rice stocks next month.

The government has just announced that it would import 500,000 tons of premium-grade rice from Thailand and Vietnam late this month to ease the increasing price of the commodity. “October to December last year was the planting season, so we will see a peak harvest next month,� said Amran after visiting the Economic Coordinating Ministry over the weekend.

Previously, the minister said Indonesia produced 3 million tons of rice last year, while the local demand of the commodity was only 2.6 million tons.

Speaking about the increasing rice prices, an official previously said many farmers were reluctant to sell their unhusked rice at regular prices, particularly for those who produced high-quality rice that could be made into premium-quality rice.

Amran added that the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) had only absorbed 58 percent of the total local production last year, which is far from the minister’s initial target of 90 percent. He hoped that Bulog would absorb the local farmers’ rice production in order to boost food security in the country.

Meanwhile, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukito said after the meeting that the imported rice was classified as premium-grade rice with a broken rice rate of 5 percent. (fny/bbn) http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/01/15/peak-rice-harvest-in-february-saysminister.html

Preferential trade deal with Saudi Arabia Mubarak Zeb KhanUpdated January 15, 2018

PAKISTAN has evolved a comprehensive package in line with Saudi Vision-2030 to promote bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.

The package envisages measures to ease procedures for business visa, remove non-tariff barriers and initiate talks on a preferential trade agreement (PTA).

The package will be discussed at a high-level forum — Saudi-Pak Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) — scheduled for Jan 16 (tomorrow). The commission will be convened with a delay of more than three and a half years as its last meeting was held in April 2014.

Over the past few years, Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Saudi Arabia has posted a consistent decline, dropping by a half to $2.5bn in 2016-17 from $5.08 billion in 2013-14. One reason is fall in the value of petroleum products, which constitute 50pc of total imports.

Pakistan’s exports to Saudi Arabia is on the wane mainly due to a drop in proceeds of rice, fruits, vegetable preparations, apparel and clothing and made-up articles of textile material.

The proposed PTA will not only cover tariffs but also non-tariff barriers, and will provide a chance to diversify the exports basket to the kingdom Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan told this scribe that as the Saudi vision envisages transforming its socio-economic development, Pakistan looks forward to upgrade manpower by sending highly qualified, technical and skilled personnel to Saudi Arabia, especially those working in the automobile and other specialised sectors.

Pakistani workers currently working in Saudi Arabia are semi-skilled or have no skills.

He listed several opportunities in the halal food sector, cattle farming, milk, fisheries and other agro industry projects for investment by Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government will also be requested to set up a refinery in Pakistan.

As part of the package, Pakistan will formally offer Saudi Arabia to initiate a dialogue on a preferential trade agreement. The decision to negotiate PTA was taken following no breakthrough in the proposed Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council dialogue on a free trade agreement. Pakistan had only two rounds of negotiations with the bloc since 2006.

The proposed PTA will not only cover tariffs but also non-tariff barriers, and will provide a chance to diversify Pakistan’s export basket to Saudi Arabia.

Currently, one of the major components of Pakistan’s exports to Saudi Arabia is rice. However, its exports are constantly in decline for the past few years.

Saudi Arabia will become the second country after Iran with which Pakistan will have a bilateral preferential arrangement.

Another important area of the package is to simplify the business-visa regime. Currently, the process of approval involves multiple departments and getting the visa takes at least six weeks.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia has increased the business visa fee to Rs74,000 per person for attending any business activity in the country. This has discouraged a large number of Pakistanis from participating in Saudi exhibitions.

Not a single Pakistani company participated in the Saudi Health 2017 exhibition. Pakistan wants this fee to be waived on business visas.

There is another proposal on the table to reactivate interaction between the top chambers body of the two countries. The Pak-Saudi Joint Business Council was formulated in 2000. So far the body met three times in 17 years and thus suggesting a dormant role in promoting business-to-business meetings.

It is also under consideration to discuss the timeline to nominate members on the council and its regulation meetings schedule in the upcoming JMC.

Three more important areas to be discussed at the upcoming JMC are the establishment of a joint working group on trade, investment and customs. It will coordinate with the Saudi ministry of commerce and investment to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

For resolving non-tariff barriers, two important issues will be discussed. The first one will be a mutual recognition agreement to avoid delay in customs and clearance of Pakistan’s export shipments at Saudi ports.

The second issue will be quality assurance certificates to be recognised by Saudi Food and Drug Authority.

To do away with delay, the Saudi government will be asked to simplify the process of opening letters of credit at Saudi banks and avoiding procedural delays to encourage businessmen to trade

with Pakistan. There are many Pakistani products which are facing difficulty in entering the Saudi market due to these non-tariff measures.

Secretary Commerce Younus Dagha told this scribe that Pakistan will raise the issue of removing ban on Pakistan’s shrimp exports to Saudi Arabia. He said Pakistan will also seek licence for State Life to do business in Saudi Arabia besides holdings of single-country exhibitions to promote market access for its products in the kingdom.

He confirmed three important areas of the package to be discussed at the JMC — talks on PTA, mutual recognition agreement and business visas facilitation.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, January 15th,2018

https://www.dawn.com/news/1382883

Farmers go against the grain 

NATION



Tuesday, 16 Jan 2018



by eddie chua

Hybrid enemy: The Clearfield strain has cross-bred with the weed-like ‘padi angin’ variety, a pest in the rice fields, making it resistant to the herbicide used by farmers.

EXCLUSIVE: PETALING JAYA: Padi farmers around the country are abandoning the supposedly “high yield’ Clearfield padi strain.

The special strain, which took seven years’ research and a grant of RM1.2mil to develop, is now a flop.

Instead of solving the problem, it amplified it, no thanks in part to greedy farmers.

Seeing its bountiful yield, they planted Clearfield more often than they were supposed to.

“The special padi plant has now cross-bred with the weedy rice or padi angin, which is considered a pest in commercial rice fields,” said Mardi’s Rice Research Centre director Dr Zainal Abidin Hassan.

“As such, the weed, also known as red rice throughout the many rice-growing regions, is now resistant to (the herbicide) imidazolinone.

“Farmers are unable to control the weedy rice from growing, making it more expensive to maintain the field,” he said.

Clearfield or CL rice cultivar was jointly developed between the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) and chemical giant BASF. The strain takes a shorter time to grow, consumes less water and promises high productivity.

Clearfield yielded eight to nine tonnes of padi per hectare compared with other Malaysian rice strains, which could only produce slightly above five tonnes per hectare.

Dr Zainal said Clearfield should only be grown in two cycles in a year, with an interval of one planting season.

But farmers cashed in on the strain’s easier upkeep and planted beyond the recommended guidelines.

“Farmers took advantage of the high yield and grew it more times than what they were supposed to.

“As a result, the weed cross-bred with Clearfield.

“Clearfield transferred its herbicide-resistant trait to the weedy rice, making it a hybrid, resistance to the herbicide which is used at the beginning of the padi growing season to stem its growth,” said Dr Zainal.

He said that over 80% of the weed was now resistant to imidazolinone, based on Mardi’s twoyear study at major rice-growing areas around the country.

He said Clearfield was supposed to have a lifespan of at least between 10 and 15 years before it outlived its usefulness.

“The effort and time spent to develop this hardy strain is now wasted,” said Dr Zainal.

He said that finding a new hardy variation to replace Clearfield would be a long and expensive affair.

“Clearfield was developed on a pre-existing technology. Despite that, it took seven years to be perfected.”

The same cross-breeding issue has also been demonstrated by a team of academics from Universiti Putra Malaysia, who carried out field tests and demonstrated how weedy rice could carry over the herbicide-resistant trait in one year.

Dr Zainal said that despite the unclear future of Clearfield, they were hoping to find a solution.

“We are carrying out experiments to modify the current two Clearfield variations to make it hardier and useful again. Only time will tell.”

Dr Zainal said while Mardi developed the strain, they did not keep track of who grew the crop.

But in recent years, through their observations and field studies in several private rice fields in Pahang and several other rice-growing states, they found that the padi angin was resistant to herbicide and farmers were abandoning the strain.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/01/16/farmers-go-against-the-grain-weed-interbreeding-sees-clearfields-future-growcloudy/#DLvbcRSBTs3isG4m.99https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/01/16/farmers-go-against-the-grain-weed-interbreedingsees-clearfields-future-grow-cloudy/

Ex-Agri chief, PhilRice officials face graft over P15.78million car loans Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News Jan 16 2018 01:48 PM | Updated as of Jan 16 2018 03:04 PM

MANILA - Former Agriculture Secretary and incumbent Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap is facing additional graft charges after the Office of the Ombudsman filed 2 more at the Sandiganbayan for P15.78 million in car loans of employees of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) during his time in the agency.

Also included in the charges were then PhilRice Board of Trustees members Johnifer Batara, Fe Laysa, William Padolina, Winston Corvera, Gelia Castillo, Senen Bacani, Rodolfo Undan and Executive Director Ronilo Beronio.

The officials were accused of violating Sec. 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for allegedly giving unwarranted benefits to PhilRice employeebeneficiaries, as well as Sec. 3(g) for supposedly entering into grossly

disadvantageous contracts or transactions on behalf of the government from 2008 to 2009.

Aside from the PhilRice officials, a cashier named Fe Lumawag was included in one count of graft.

According to the information filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, PhilRice officials including Yap, who was then chairman of the Board of Trustees, instituted car plans that allowed employees to “obtain personal loans from the Philippine National Bank (PNB) for the purchase of their private cars, secured by the PhilRice funds through hold-out agreements with PNB.” The private cars were then “leased by PhilRice for the official use of the beneficiaryemployee without the benefit of public bidding, with the beneficiary-employee still entitled to transportation allowance despite the use of an official vehicle.”

The accused were charged “while in the performance of their administrative and/or official functions.” The charge said Beronio and Lumawag signed "Hold-Out Agreements with the Philippine National Bank, pursuant to the PhilRice Car Plan instituted by the PhilRice Board of Trustees comprised of the above-named accused."

It said the arrangement subjected "PhilRice’s deposit to PNB to the agreement that said deposit will not be withdrawn until the car/personal loans guaranteed are paid in full amounting to P15,780,000.00.”

Beronio was among employee-beneficiaries of the car plan identified in the information, along with Sophia Borja, Rolando Cruz, Rodolfo Escabarte Jr., Sergio Francisco, Manuel Gaspar, Edgar Libetario, Mario Movillon, Evangeline Sibayan, and Artemio Vasallo.

Aside from the two graft cases, Beronio is also facing another count of graft for allegedly violating Sec. 3(g) of the anti-graft law for having “pecuniary interest” by issuing administrative orders “while being himself a beneficiary of the PhilRice Car Plan.”

Yap is also currently facing two sets of graft cases at the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged misuse of Priority Development Assistance Funds of former lawmakers Rodolfo Antonino and Marina Clarete. http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/16/18/ex-agri-chief-philrice-officials-face-graft-over-p1578million-car-loans

Ag innovation, sustainable crop practices and soil health top the agenda at Jan. 31 conference in Jonesboro 

Jan 15, 2018



By Emily Thompson

U of A System Division of Agriculture Initiatives for innovation and sustainability are top of the agenda for the 20th annual Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference set for Jan. 31 in Jonesboro.

“Attendees will learn about three initiatives: the Arkansas Soil Health Alliance, the Ducks Unlimited rice-sustainability program and a new public-private partnership that seeks to foster ag innovation in the Arkansas Delta,” said Joseph Massey, steering committee chair and Delta water management researcher with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. “Other professionals will discuss ways to detect and reduce soil compaction, and how digital technologies are impacting agriculture.”

The program will also feature updates on the state’s Water Plan, nutrients in the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers and conservation initiatives in the new Farm Bill.

“Last, but not least, four farmers will discuss how they have successfully approached water and soil conservation on their own farms,” Massey said.

Bill Robertson, extension cotton agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture; Chris Henry, associate professor with the Division of Agriculture at the Rice Research and Extension Center; and Steve Green, professor of soil and water conservation for

Arkansas State University and the Division of Agriculture, will discuss the latest issues and trends in soil and water conservation.

Other speakers include Arkansas producers, Arkansas State University experts and a representative from the Arkansas Farm Bureau.

The event will take place Jan. 31 and will also include the Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference Expo, a vendor tradeshow and an opportunity to earn 7.5 hours of soil and water continuing education credits for certified crop advisors.

The conference will be held at the First National Bank Arena-Arkansas State University from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If registered by Jan. 19, the conference fee is $20 and includes lunch. To register visit http://www.AState.edu/ASWEC. If registering after Jan. 19 or at the door, the fee increases to $40.

For more information, call Chris Jones at 870-972-2043 or email chrisjones@astate.edu.

The conference is co-sponsored by the Division of Agriculture and Arkansas State University. http://www.hpj.com/general/ag-innovation-sustainable-crop-practices-and-soil-health-topthe/article_08502e84-e036-515f-a632-2c783aecfd39.html

Uttarakhand government moves to conserve fading Doon Basmati rice

Doon Basmati, a rice variety known for its rich aroma and distinctive flavour, is fading fast as the area where it is grown is getting lost to fast paced urbanisation DEHRADUN Updated: Jan 15, 2018 21:11 IST

Deep Joshi Hindustan Times

Doon Basmati, besides being a rare variety of rice, is an intrinsic part of Dehradun’s rich heritage, an official says.(HT File Photo)

Doon Basmati, a rice variety known for its rich aroma and distinctive flavour, is fading fast as the area where it is grown is getting lost to fast paced urbanisation.

A beginning has now been made to “conserve and propagate� this exclusive variety of cereal which is endemic to the scenic Doon valley.

“Doon Basmati is a species of rice that is not found elsewhere in the world but it is fading fast,” said Rakesh Kumar Shah, the chairman of Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board.

“We are now preparing a plan to conserve and propagate this rare variety of organically produced rice besides replicating it elsewhere in the state,” he told Hindusan Times on Monday.

Shah said a plan aimed to revive Doon Basmati rice would soon be chalked out in consultation with farmers.

“As part of this move, we have set up an expert group comprising officials and scientists,” he said, adding that it (expert group) would study ways and means to rejuvenate that exclusive variety of rice.

“The experts will soon compile a report based on their study, which will be submitted to the state government for its implementation,” Shah said.

“The step is being taken to conserve and propagate Doon Basmati because besides being a rare variety of rice it is also an intrinsic part of Dehradun’s rich heritage.”

Doon Basmati was developed by the rice growers in the Doon valley, he said.

A number of factors like shrinking agricultural land owing to the fast paced urbanisation led to the fast fading of that exclusive variety of rice.

“Lack of marketing facilities and the government support such as subsidies were other factors that pushed Doon Basmati rice to the brink of extinction,” Shah said.

Surya Prakash Bahuguna, a rice grower, said Doon Basmati rice was also once grown in what “has now developed into a massive urban area”.

“Farming of Doon Basmati rice is now confined to a few areas that can be counted on finger tips,” he explained referring to Haripur, Dhakrani, Dharmawala, Pratitpur, Ambawadi etc.

Shah said not much is now known about the real variety of Doon Basmati rice which is known by its botanical term ‘Oryza sativa Type 3’.

“In fact, a host of other varieties of Basmati rice are sold in the name of Doon Basmati,” he said, adding that it “is as a very delicate” variety of rice.

“It is endemic to the Doon valley owing to its typical agro-climatic conditions. Besides, this species of rice survives in running water only,” Shah said.

“Then, it is an absolutely organically produced cereal which tends to lose its aroma and flavour if chemical fertilisers or pesticides are used in growing it.”

The study being carried out by the expert group would take into consideration all these aspects. “This group will also have a representative of an organic certification agency as one of its members,” Shah said.

Plans were also underway to carry out Geographical Indications Registry of Doon Basmati rice, so it could be patented.

“We are also creating a seed bank of this exclusive variety of rice with the help of farmers who grow it,” Shah said, adding robust marketing facilities would also be created.

Plans were also afoot to create a gene pool of Doon Basmati rice.

“We will recommend that the state government also propagate this rare variety of rice in other areas of the state where agro-climatic conditions will suit it,” Shah said.

Bahuguna appreciated the efforts being made by the board to rejuvenate Doon Basmati rice.

He, however, hoped that the move the board “has initiated will be taken to its logical conclusion”. http://www.hindustantimes.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-government-moves-to-conserve-fading-doonbasmati-rice/story-BkD9VLzUUuNqbD1JDuWDaN.html

Uttarakhand government moves to conserve fading Doon Basmati rice Doon Basmati, a rice variety known for its rich aroma and distinctive flavour, is fading fast as the area where it is grown is getting lost to fast paced urbanisation DEHRADUN Updated: Jan 15, 2018 21:11 IST

Deep Joshi Hindustan Times

Doon Basmati, besides being a rare variety of rice, is an intrinsic part of Dehradun’s rich heritage, an official says.(HT File Photo)

Doon Basmati, a rice variety known for its rich aroma and distinctive flavour, is fading fast as the area where it is grown is getting lost to fast paced urbanisation.

A beginning has now been made to “conserve and propagate” this exclusive variety of cereal which is endemic to the scenic Doon valley.

“Doon Basmati is a species of rice that is not found elsewhere in the world but it is fading fast,” said Rakesh Kumar Shah, the chairman of Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board.

“We are now preparing a plan to conserve and propagate this rare variety of organically produced rice besides replicating it elsewhere in the state,” he told Hindusan Times on Monday.

Shah said a plan aimed to revive Doon Basmati rice would soon be chalked out in consultation with farmers.

“As part of this move, we have set up an expert group comprising officials and scientists,” he said, adding that it (expert group) would study ways and means to rejuvenate that exclusive variety of rice.

“The experts will soon compile a report based on their study, which will be submitted to the state government for its implementation,” Shah said.

“The step is being taken to conserve and propagate Doon Basmati because besides being a rare variety of rice it is also an intrinsic part of Dehradun’s rich heritage.”

Doon Basmati was developed by the rice growers in the Doon valley, he said.

A number of factors like shrinking agricultural land owing to the fast paced urbanisation led to the fast fading of that exclusive variety of rice.

“Lack of marketing facilities and the government support such as subsidies were other factors that pushed Doon Basmati rice to the brink of extinction,” Shah said.

Surya Prakash Bahuguna, a rice grower, said Doon Basmati rice was also once grown in what “has now developed into a massive urban area”.

“Farming of Doon Basmati rice is now confined to a few areas that can be counted on finger tips,” he explained referring to Haripur, Dhakrani, Dharmawala, Pratitpur, Ambawadi etc.

Shah said not much is now known about the real variety of Doon Basmati rice which is known by its botanical term ‘Oryza sativa Type 3’.

“In fact, a host of other varieties of Basmati rice are sold in the name of Doon Basmati,” he said, adding that it “is as a very delicate” variety of rice.

“It is endemic to the Doon valley owing to its typical agro-climatic conditions. Besides, this species of rice survives in running water only,” Shah said.

“Then, it is an absolutely organically produced cereal which tends to lose its aroma and flavour if chemical fertilisers or pesticides are used in growing it.”

The study being carried out by the expert group would take into consideration all these aspects. “This group will also have a representative of an organic certification agency as one of its members,” Shah said.

Plans were also underway to carry out Geographical Indications Registry of Doon Basmati rice, so it could be patented.

“We are also creating a seed bank of this exclusive variety of rice with the help of farmers who grow it,” Shah said, adding robust marketing facilities would also be created.

Plans were also afoot to create a gene pool of Doon Basmati rice.

“We will recommend that the state government also propagate this rare variety of rice in other areas of the state where agro-climatic conditions will suit it,” Shah said.

Bahuguna appreciated the efforts being made by the board to rejuvenate Doon Basmati rice.

He, however, hoped that the move the board “has initiated will be taken to its logical conclusion”.

www.hindustantimes.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-government-moves-to-conserve-fading-doon-basmatirice/story-BkD9VLzUUuNqbD1JDuWDaN.html

Unreliable data forced hand in rice import: Minister News Desk The Jakarta Post Jakarta | Tue, January 16, 2018 | 01:10 pm

Customers look through the rice varieties on offer at the Cipinang Central Rice Market in East Jakarta in this Aug. 7, 2017 file photograph. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)

Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution has admitted that the government had no reliable data on rice production or demand, which had forced it to resort to unplanned imports in an effort to ease the price increase.

It had claimed earlier that local rice production was enough to meet the demand.

Darmin said on Monday in Jakarta that the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) would cooperate in gathering rice production data, including the dimensions of planted rice fields and harvest dates.

“The government hopes we will also have data on irrigated rice fields in Indonesia,” he said at his office as reported by tempo.co, adding that the data would be included in the One Map Policy that would be launched on Aug. 18.

He said the government would also hire an independent institution to gather the rice data.

The government announced last week that it would import 500,000 tons of rice in late January, although the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) had said earlier that 2.8 million tons of rice was produced last year against an annual demand of only 2.6 million tons.

Ombudsman Indonesia commissioner Ahmad Alamsyah Saragih had earlier criticized the government for its unreliable rice data that had triggered market problems, pointing out that the government should also have valid data on rice stocks that were ready for distribution. “Don’t just supply us only with [data on] rice production surplus,” he added. (bbn) http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/01/16/unreliable-data-forced-hand-in-rice-importminister.html

More research needed for responsible peatland management in Indonesia January 15, 2018 by Supiandi Sabiham, Budi Indra Setiawan, Budiman Minasny And Dian Fiantis, The Conversation

Indonesian peatland researchers recently gathered in Bogor, Indonesia, to examine the effectiveness of the latest government regulation on peatlands. We found some shortcomings, one being that the regulation isn't well supported by scientific evidence.

The Indonesian government declared that the area of peatlands burnt in 2017 declined significantly compared to previous years. After a disastrous fire two years ago, the Ministry of

Environment and Forestry urged plantations to block canals and to build water retention basins and wells in peatlands.

Additionally, the government attempted to restore degraded peatlands by issuing Government Regulation (PP) No. 57/2016, which amended a 2014 regulation on the conservation and management of peat ecosystems.

One of the articles in the 2016 regulation states that a managed peat ecosystem is considered to be degraded if its water table is deeper than 40 centimetres from the surface of the peatland at a managed location. This regulation was meant to keep the peat moist to protect it from fire during the dry season. This also means that the water table in managed peatlands should be maintained at 40cm all year round.

This 40cm criterion was arbitrarily chosen. The regulation was set without involving or consulting academics and is not supported by adequate research and strong scientific evidence.

The implementation of this regulation should also consider the socio-economic balance between the communities and the environment surrounding peatlands.

Responding to this new regulation, academics and peatland practitioners organised a focus group discussion in Bogor on December 14, 2017, to discuss the best way to manage peat responsibly.

Peatlands are one of the largest carbon sinks in the Earth's land ecosystem. And Indonesia has one of the largest peatlands in the tropics, with a recent estimate of 13.2 million hectares. Before the 1990s, peatlands were considered marginal lands and exploited without environmental concerns.

In 1995, the late President Soeharto directed the Mega Rice Project, which developed 1 million hectares of peatlands in Central Kalimantan for rice cultivation. The project failed. Rice did not grow and the heavily drained peats were degraded, fuelling fires during extended dry seasons.

Scientific gap With increasing awareness of climate change issues – especially greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural sectors and land and forest fires – peat management has become a controversial issue in Indonesia.

Peat has two main functions: environmental services (water storage, carbon storage and biodiversity preservation) and agricultural production that supports the livelihood of farmers.

Science and research may be able to drive responsible management of our peatlands.

While there has been much research on peatlands in Indonesia, most international research focused heavily on deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions and peat fires. We need research on effective peatland management that addresses the environmental issues and regulations.

Balanced research should also focus on good peat management practices that minimise its environmental impacts, and on effective water management that reduces the risk of fire.

From the discussion in Bogor, we identified scientific gaps in peat management: 1. Peatland mapping Peatlands in Indonesia have been mapped at a rough scale of 1:250,000, indicating an area of about 13.2 million hectares. This map cannot be used for management and the implementation of PP 57.

For operational purposes, a scale of 1:50,000 or finer is needed. This fine-scale map needs to be generated using an accurate, cost-effective and rapid method.

In Indonesia, many were convinced that Lidar, aerial laser surveying that is used commercially, was the best method for mapping the extent and thickness of peat.

However, lidar operation throughout the country is costly. Furthermore, Lidar only measures the surface elevation of the ground and cannot detect directly the extent and thickness of peats.

Research from the University of Sydney and IPB has developed an Open Digital Mapping methodology, which combines field measurements and freely available satellite images. Peat extent and thickness can be mapped using machine-learning algorithms. This methodology, recently published in an international journal, is cost-effective as it uses open data in an open-source computing environment.

This method has been successfully evaluated and potentially can be up-scaled to map peatlands for the whole of Indonesia.

2. Leading commodities and land degradation There have been many studies on strategic commodities in peatlands, especially food and cash crops, specifically oil palm. With the new regulation restricting oil palm plantation development, integrated cross-disciplinary studies need to be developed to seek new commodities that can support small-scale farmers. For example, paludiculture (farming in swamps) with market access needs to be developed.

The environmental impacts of land use change have to be assessed holistically. Agricultural land use in peatlands is often thought to be linked with the draining of peats, which led to peat degradation and vulnerability to fire. As a result, the use of peatlands is associated with increasing carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Peatland degradation is a long process and is not entirely caused by the current land use. Land degradation has happened at least since the transmigration program during the Dutch colonial period and continued since the 1970s with the expansion of forest concession areas.

3. Greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater level Land use on peatlands is often blamed for increased greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sectors. No doubt agricultural activities contribute to oxidation of organic matter. But the CO2 emission rates need to be fully examined, especially as a result of: 



Peat subsidence, which is often interpreted as peat loss contributing to CO2 emissions. The subsidence process depends on the peat compaction and water level. Subsidence is not linear with time. In other words, subsidence occurred rapidly at the beginning of land conversion and its rate will decrease with time. A study in Central Kalimantan demonstrated that compaction is the main cause of the peat dome collapse.

The net greenhouse gas emission is a balance between sequestration (storage) and decomposition (breakdown) of organic matter. Emission rates fluctuate from morning to day and night, and from day to day. Most studies only measure the emission rates at a given time once a month. To account for all these variations, we need a fully integrated system that can monitor these fluxes over a long time.

The groundwater level set by Regulation No. 57/2016 is thought to lack a strong scientific evidence base. Groundwater level fluctuates seasonally with rainfall and drainage. It doesn't

necessarily reflect the peat's moisture condition. In addition, the impact of a relatively high water table on plant growth needs to be further established.

The water content of the surface peat may be more indicative of the moisture status of peat.

There is a critical water content at which peat becomes hydrophobic (difficult to rewet), and this point needs to be well researched and established.

Most studies only consider climate-driven prolonged drought as the driver for wildfires in the humid tropics. Our study shows that a simple Drought Index – which can be calculated from rainfall data, groundwater height level and groundwater condition – can serve as a better indicator of forest fire risk. Another study shows the importance of hydrology in predicting wildfires in Kalimantan, which can be used as a tool to improve planning and strategies to adapt to climate change.

The bottom-up approach The current peat restoration process is a top-down approach by issuing new regulations. PP 57 is difficult to implement and has had negative reactions from the agriculture community. For a process to be fully adopted and well received by landholders and academics, it needs to be bottom-up and supported by well-grounded research.

The ideal approach includes:  



Water management that optimises the water supply to maintain peat's moisture condition and support plant growth, particularly in the dry season.

Maintaining groundwater levels not deeper than 80cm, measured from the peat surface. Peat should be always maintained in a moist condition so it wets up easily. Hydrology models to monitor drought and susceptibility can help predict the risk of fire.

Managing peatland responsibly with best management practices that support plant growth and livelihoods without causing land degradation and fires. These practices involve good water management, monitoring and maintaining moist peat condition, proper fertilisation, establishing cover crops, using adapted plant varieties, etc.

From all that, we need a more comprehensive research program that includes technology adaptation, community development and co-operation between communities, farmers, business owners and the government. The outcomes can then be used to formulate a responsible peatland development program in Indonesia Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-01-responsible-peatland-indonesia.html#jCp

https://phys.org/news/2018-01-responsible-peatland-indonesia.html

India loses farm produce worth $11b to weeds every year: ICAR TV JAYAN

Losses suffered by rice, wheat top list NEW DELHI, JANUARY 15: India loses agricultural produce worth over $11 billion — more than the Centre’s budgetary allocation for agriculture for 2017-18 — annually to weeds, according to a study by researchers associated with the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

At $4.42 billion, the actual economic losses due to weeds were found to be highest in rice, followed by wheat ($3.376 billion) and soybean ($1.56 billion). However, the average yield loss is the lowest in rice – 14 per cent in transplanted rice and 21 per cent in direct-seeded condition.

Production factor The overall loss went up because of high rice production in India, said the study, which appeared online in the journal Crop Protection, on Friday.

The greatest average loss, on the other hand, was reported from groundnut cultivation, followed by maize and soybean. A groundnut farmer on an average lost 36 per cent of his crop to weeds, resulting in an estimated loss of $347 per hectare.

The average losses in maize and soybean farming were $136/ha and $117/ha, respectively. The average yield loss in wheat was $116 per ha.

The researchers, from the Jabalpur-based Directorate of Weed Research (DWR), estimated the economic losses using data generated by an all India co-ordinated research project on weed management, which carried out 1,580 on-farm research trials on 10 major crops at different locations in 18 States over a decade.

“We arrived at these numbers by statistically analysing the data from this project in which 23 ICAR institutes were participating,” said RP Dubey, an agronomist with DWR and a co-author of the study.

To calculate the actual yield loss, the scientists multiplied the difference in yield in weed-free situations and crop yield reported by farmers with minimum support price in respective States.

Loss could be higher “If more crops and locations are included, the losses may be much greater than what is currently estimated,” said Dubey said. The greater losses due to weeds could be good news for the herbicide industry.

“We feel that proper weed management could bring down these losses substantially,” said PK Singh, officiating director of DWR and another author of the study.

According to Singh, judicious use of herbicides can cost farmers just one-third of what they spend on manual weeding.

Studies some years ago showed that globally, weeds are responsible for decreasing production of the eight most important food and cash crops by 13.6 per cent, leading to an economic loss of $100 billion.

(This article was published on January 15, 2018)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/india-loses-farm-produce-worth-11b-to-weeds-every-yearicar/article10033566.ece

High rice prices bring no benefits, farmers association says News Desk The Jakarta Post Jakarta | Mon, January 15, 2018 | 05:15 pm

Children play in a field where farmers plant 3S, a pest-resistant paddy variety developed by Bogor Agricultural University in West Java. (JP/Theresia Sufa) ďƒ•

Several farmers have said they have not gained from the current high rice prices, claiming an increase in prices was caused by speculation by traders who have stockpiled the commodity.

The chairman of the West Java chapter of the Indonesian Farmers Federation (FSPI), Tatan Sutandi, said the price of husked paddy was Rp 4,500 (34 US cents) per kilogram during the harvest period due to an enormous supply. “The paddy price is lower than the production cost. So the high price of rice does not affect the farmers in West Java,� he said, adding that many farmers produced poor quality rice as a result of pest attacks to their fields.

Meanwhile, FSPI Lampung head Muhlashin explained that many farmers owned less than 3,000 square meters of rice field, forcing them to immediately sell the commodity soon after the harvest period.

“So many farmers are forced to immediately sell their rice to make ends meet, buy fertilizer and so on. They only keep a small portion of their rice to meet their needs,” he added.

Speaking on the price hike, Muhlashin said that in Lampung, there were many traders from Java who bought large quantities of rice from warehouses in the province, particularly in Pringsewu and Tanggamus in Central Lampung regency.

Muhlashin said Lampung would begin harvesting rice next month, with the peak of the season set to occur within the next two to three months. In Sukabumi, the rice harvest period was expected to start in March or April, Tatan said. (bbn) http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/01/15/high-rice-prices-bring-no-benefits-farmers-associationsays.html

C-River APC accuses Ayade of repackaging foreign rice JANUARY 16, 20183:46 AMIN NEWSCOMMENTS By Emma Una CALABAR— Cross River State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the governor of the state, Senator Ben Ayade, of repackaging imported rice as state rice produced at the rice village in Ogoja. Governor Ben Ayade However, Ayade’s aide on Revenue and the Managing Director Ayade Rice, Mr Godwin Akwaji, said the APC’s claim was a ruse and without proof. The state Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Mens Ikpeme, through a statement, claimed that the governor was deceiving the public, accusing him (governor) of selling rice smuggled into the state as locally produced. The APC spokesman said investigation by his party revealed that several trucks carrying rice were impounded by the Nigerian Customs Service, which the governor had imported into the state. He said: “Several trucks with thousands of bags of rice smuggled into the state were apprehended and impounded by the Nigerian Customs Service. This is a commodity banned by the Federal Government. That the Governor Ayade government is smuggling bags of rice is the height of fraud and this leaves a sour taste in the mouth of the public.” Mr Chris Ita, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said Ayade’s rice is local and not foreign. He said the rice is milled in Makurdi, Benue State, at Michael Andokaa’s rice mill.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/01/c-river-apc-accuses-ayaderepackaging-foreign-rice/

Police Arrest 3 For Stealing 203 Bags Of Rice The suspects and the hijacked truck Adejoke Adeleye/Abeokuta The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three suspects who hijacked a truck loaded with 203 bags of rice at Ijebu-Ode. The three suspects, Animasaun Lekan, 26y; Omotayo Sogo, 34 and Olayemi kehinde, 48; were arrested on Tuesday following a complaint by one Izah Ekene of 6 Mabogunde Street, Oju-Ore, Ota who reported at Igbeba Division that he hired a truck to convey 203 bags of rice, valued at N2.024 million to Kwale in Delta state, but on getting to Ijebu-Ode, the truck driver and Lekan Animasaun brought out a gun,

pointed it at him and pushed him out of the truck and diverted the rice to an unknown place.

They also took away his bag containing N50,000 and ATM card. Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Igbeba Division, CSP Adebiyi Ademola detailed his men to go after the hoodlums.

Their efforts paid off on 11 January when two of the suspects, Lekan Animasaun and Sogo Omotayo, were apprehended through technical intelligence.

The hijacked truck Their arrest led to the arrest of the receiver Olayemi Kehinde and the recovery of the truck.

Also recovered from them was a bag containing the victim’s ATM card, N19,000 and a toy gun used in robbing their victim.

The state Commissioner of Police Ahmed Iliyasu has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the Federal anti-robbery squad for investigation and prosecution.

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/01/16/police-arrest-3-stealing-203-bags-rice/

Agriculture minister boasts rice self sufficiency amid import controversy Reporter: antara 15th January 2018

Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman. (ANTARA /izaac mulyawan)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said one of the achievements the government could be proud of is that the country has not imported rice in the past two years.

Amran`s statement came when the government has triggered an uproar over plan to import 500,000 tons of rice from Vietnam and Thailand this month.

"We want to say a number of achievements that in 2016-2017 there was no import of medium rice," he said when speaking at a national working meeting of the agriculture ministry here on Monday.

The minister said similarly the country has been able to stop imports of onion and corn, adding previously the country had to spend Rp12 trillion for the imports of 3.6 million tons of corn a year.

On the contrary, Indonesia plans to export corn grains, he said.

"This is a new era for Indonesia. A number of other countries have asked what Indonesia has done to be able to stop importing corn in so short time. What I told them that we only work, work and work," he said.

He said the country has also taken a big step to become an exporter from a big importer of red onion in a few years, adding the country has exported red onion to six other countries.

"In 2014 , we still a regular importer of red onion but today we have exported that commodity to six countries," he said.

He restrained from commenting on the plan to import rice beyond saying, "thanks God we have passed two years without rice import."

Meanwhile, observers said the import plan serves a big blow to farmers, who have worked hard hoping that they would have better days after the harvest.

General chairman of the Indonesian Association of Farmers and Fisherman (KTNA) Winarno Tohir expressed disappointment of the government`s plan to import rice when grand harvest is expected to take place only a few week to come.

Even if the rice stock of Bulog has been shrinking, it is still enough to cover the requirement before the harvest takes place. Grand harvest is expected early next month.

Winarno said the import plan is against the Presidential Decree banning rice import one month before and two months after harvest. In addition, normally rice import was decided in coordinating meeting of economic ministers.

The government has apparently been worried with the increase in the price of the strategic commodity lately when the country is to hold regional elections.

Trade Ministry said the imports is a short term solution and it would not hurt the farmers as the imported rice is a special type not not the medium rice.

South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo said the province is ready to supply rice to area having rice scarcity.

"South Sulawesi has large surplus enough to feed the province for 20 months. Here we have 82,000 tons in stock. The surplus could supply other 33 province with 2,000 tons each. In March, our surplus would rise to 2.6 million tons with the coming grand harvest," the governor said https://en.antaranews.com/news/114256/agriculture-minister-boasts-rice-self-sufficiency-amid-importcontroversy

Groundwater — one of the most neglected resources Muhammad Arif WattoJanuary 15, 2018

THE sustainability of groundwater resources in Pakistan faces a number of challenges. Unconfined aquifers are subject to massive overexploitation and contamination, mainly because of climate change and a growing population.As a result, the dependence on groundwater is increasing day by day.

It has been reported that there will be an unprecedented 20 per cent decrease in the surface water flows as compared to the usual scenarios in winters, and this will increase pressure on groundwater reserves.

It is estimated that the groundwater contribution to irrigation water supplies in Pakistan has already increased from just 8pc in 1960 to more than 50pc in 2010. Presently, the country meets more than half of its overall irrigation water requirements and 70pc of its drinking water consumption from groundwater abstractions.

This makes Pakistan the fourth-largest groundwater withdrawing country, with an estimated 65 cubic kilometres of groundwater abstraction per year according to estimates in 2010.

As per 2010 statistics, Pakistan accounts for about 6.6pc of the global groundwater withdrawals and irrigates about 4.6pc of the global groundwater-fed cropland.

Due to excessive pumping, Pakistan’s groundwater abstraction rates have exceeded the annual recharge rate of 55 cubic kilometres per year. Consequently, groundwater tables are lowering rapidly in different parts of the country.

Limiting groundwater extractions and putting a stop to polluting groundwater aquifers with wastewater and untreated reuse need immediate action Some hydrologists think that there could be a 10-20 metres decline in the groundwater tables in the upper and the lower regions of the Rachna Doab in north-east Pakistan by 2025.

However, Pakistan continues to overexploit groundwater resources to support its low water-productive agriculture and to grow and export water-intensive crops like rice without realising its water footprint.

Pakistan’s rice water productivity — at 0.45kg per cubic metre — is 55pc lower than the average water productivity of 1kg per cubic metre for rice in Asian countries.

A recent study found that about 11pc of the global groundwater depletion is owing to international food trade.

Pakistan exports about 29pc of the global non-renewable groundwater embedded in agricultural trade, and almost 82pc of this non-renewable groundwater export is embedded in only rice exports.

Besides massive groundwater depletion, Pakistan is amongst the top five countries which account for about 86pc of the global wastewater-fed cropland, including China, Mexico, India and Iran.

Of them, China and India treat 71pc and 22pc of their urban wastewater compared to only 1.2pc in Pakistan.

The untreated urban wastewater is used to irrigate about 2.9 million hectares of land in different parts of the country. On the one hand, the untreated urban waste water is openly being disposed of into freshwater bodies but, on the other, the Punjab Food Authority discarded some 700 acres of vegetables which were being irrigated through untreated wastewater.

The authority should deal with the root cause first. Some canals such as Lower Bari Doab and BallokiSulemanki Link Canal now carry untreated wastewater these days which irrigates thousands of acres land downstream. Such instream wastewater flows and irrigation applications, if continue for long, will have serious repercussions on the quality of groundwater underneath and quality of grown food as well.

A recent study has already warned that the health of 50m to 60m Pakistanis who use groundwater are at risk owing to high arsenic contamination.

According to a 2005 World Bank report, poor-quality drinking water and inappropriate sanitation cause of number of diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid, intestinal worms and hepatitis which made Pakistan pay an indirect cost of around Rs114 billion.

This indirect spending is far more than the total funds of Rs38bn allocated for the overall water sector development in the budget 2017-18. The intangible environmental costs have yet to be unaccounted for.

Only because of salinity more than six million hectares of land was reported to be affected in 2004. Of this, 1.4m hectares of land was so severely affected that it was not cultivable. The economic losses due to salinity were estimated to be Rs55bn, or 0.6pc of GDP during that year.

Despite the rapid groundwater depletion and a number of negative economic and environmental consequences of groundwater overdraft, groundwater is still one of the most neglected resources in the country.

Currently, there is no mechanism of groundwater governance either in terms of protecting it from over-drafting or from polluting it. Moreover, there is a lack of comprehensive assessments on groundwater.

Some of the most alarming factors include a lack of public knowledge and awareness and the orthodox narrative about groundwater resource situation and its management.

At least one thing requires immediate action: to limit groundwater extractions and put a stop to polluting groundwater aquifers with wastewater and untreated reuse.

However, the biggest challenge is how such regulations can be enforced in the absence of a national water policy.

The writer is an assistant professor at the Institute of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, January 15th,2018

https://www.dawn.com/news/1382878

Pakistan exports to EU grow by almost 6% January 14 2018 09:51 PM

A worker carries out quality control checks at a textile manufacturer in Karachi (file). Exports of garments and hosiery witnessed a growth of 90.9% to €2.05bn in January-September 2017 on a year-on-year basis, according to EU official data.

Internews /Islamabad

Pakistan’s exports to the 28-member European Union (EU) posted a growth of nearly 6% in JanuarySeptember 2017 on a year-on-year basis. This shows that the Generalised System of Preferences-Plus (GSP+) scheme largely failed to boost exports to the EU. Total export proceeds to these countries amounted to €5.07bn during the period under review against €4.79bn a year ago, according to EU official data.

Latest figures show an upward movement compared to the similar period in the preceding calendar

year. Annual growth recorded in January-September 2016 was just 3.5pc.

The GSP+ scheme became effective on January1, 2014 and will remain available for the next 10 years.

A product-wise analysis shows large variations. For example, exports of garments and hosiery witnessed a growth of 90.9% to €2.05bn during the period under review. The second biggest export category was home textiles, which grew 72.4% to €1.3bn.

The share of these two products stood at 65% in January-September against 37.6% a year ago. The third biggest export category was cotton and intermediary goods of textiles, which increased 16.4% to €640.9mn.

Exports of the articles of leather increased 6% to €254.7m while the rise in rice exports was 11.6% to €109.6mn. Exports of sports goods (footballs) rose 41.8% to €102.7mn while foreign sales of surgical goods grew 22.4% to €58.1mn. There was a 21.1% increase in footwear exports to $58.1mn during the period under review.

Products that generated less than €40mn of export proceeds in January-September include plastics, minerals, machinery, carpets and cutlery. Exports of chemicals, articles of rubber and pharmaceuticals remained less than €10mn.

Country-wise data shows that the highest growth of 37.8% came from the UK as its imports from Pakistan surged to €1.02bn during the period under review. Exports to Germany were up 39% to €995.4mn. Both the UK and Germany have emerged as major export destinations for Pakistani goods under the GSP+ scheme.

The increase in exports to the UK is an encouraging factor. However, exporters fear they will lose the UK market following Brexit. London, however, has assured Islamabad of no change in the post-Brexit scenario.

The third biggest market for Pakistan’s exports is Spain. Exports to Spain went up 99.9% to €663.9mn.

Spain was not the third biggest export destination until recently. It became Pakistan’s leading trading partner within the EU in the past couple of years owing to its extensive marketing strategy.

Pakistan’s exports to Italy increased 34.15% to €490.9mn. Exports to the Netherlands went up 56.1% to €480.6mn and those to France rose 24.9% to €353.9mn.

Exports to Belgium increased by 22.7% to €296.9mn, Poland by 121.9% to €112.9mn, Sweden by 46.4% to €111.48mn, Denmark by 81.7% to €103.95mn, Portugal by 22.7% to €86.4mn and the Czech Republic by 98% to €63.6mn.

Export proceeds to the remaining 17 EU countries were far less than €60mn in terms of value.

However, the increase in exports to all countries was in double digits in percentage terms.

Pakistan’s exports to Austria increased by 64.8% to €54.05mn, Ireland by 34.6% to €44.7mn, Greece by 47% to €44.13mn, Slovenia by 116.7% to €17.73mn, Romania by 19.86% to €14.81mn, Bulgaria by 82.04% to €14.2mn, Hungary by 98% to €11.7mn, Croatia by 5.2% to €10.4mn, Estonia by 1.02% to €7.46mn, Cyprus by 145% to €4.3mn, Latvia by 41.3% to €3.9mn, Malta by 35% to €2.16mn and Luxemburg by 95.9% to €0.17mn.

Exports to Slovakia declined 6.2% to €14.03mn and those to Lithuania dropped 3.7% to €13.4mn.

http://www.gulf-times.com/story/578094/Pakistan-exports-to-EU-grow-by-almost-6

Fish and rice story recreated SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT KOCHI, JANUARY 16, 2018 00:00 IST UPDATED: JANUARY 16, 2018 03:58 IST Symposium on remote sensing for ecosystem analysis and fisheries begins in city The story of fish and rice unfolds in its own unique narrative at an exhibition organised at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in the city as part of a three-day international symposium on remote sensing for ecosystem analysis and fisheries.

The symposium, part of Societal Application in Fisheries and Aquaculture Using Remote Sensing Imagery (SAFARI-2), was inaugurated on Monday by Director General of Indian Council for Agricultural Research Trilochan Mohapatra.

One section of the exhibition provides inputs as well as material for those interested in taking up farming in confined spaces such as terraces and backyards with a ready reckoner on methods and ideas, another section brings to life the results of efforts by people to innovate and adapt to the growing food requirements and questions of farmer’s remuneration.

The sections that take the cake include the one for sale of live fish that are farmed in cages in the backwaters off Kochi and the one on pokkali rice. Along with the rice, value added products from pokkali rice were sold briskly on Monday.

People waited patiently for fresh supplies of live fishes to arrive at the venue of the exhibition. Live tilapia and sea bass (kaalanchi) were brought from the farms from cages in the Kochi backwaters near Kadamakkudy by farmers such as T.V. Sreekumar, who said that the demand was overwhelming. The exhibition also featured the first sales of pokkali rice and rice products under the Jaiva Pokkali brand, which has been brought out by a farmer producer company supported by the Ernakulam District Krishi Vigyan Kendra and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/fish-and-rice-storyrecreated/article22446286.ece

VIA EXIM Forum holds presentation on “Opportunities for Exporters in SAARC Region”

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Nagpur: Dr (Smt) Vijaya Katti, Chairperson & Professor at Indian Institute of Foreign Trade conducted presentation on “Opportunities for Exporters in SAARC Region� which was organised

by EXIM Forum of Vidarbha Industries Association at VIA. The session was included details about business opportunities in SAARC Region, Niryaat Bandhu Scheme and Online Tools for International Business.

Dr Katti informed about the benefits to exporting units in (SAARC) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries. She said eight countries including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal, all are neighbouring countries that share a lot of similarities in terms of business, culture and languages. Because of this Indian has adopted a liberal trade policy with these countries. Benefits for Exporters to exports to SAARC countries are eligible to all benefits available to exports to other countries of the world.

She explained about agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was signed by all the member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Preferential

Trade Agreement (PTA) is a special type of agreement that gives access to only certain goods.

Preferential Trade Agreement is done by reducing tariffs, but it does not abolish them completely.

She said from India we are exporting to Afghanistan on eight exportable items including tea, medicines, sugar, cement. Bangladesh is one of the largest export markets for Indian trade. The bilateral trade between the two nations is carried out as per guidelines given in the Bangladesh Trade Agreement. Items exported include wheat other cereals, dairy products, oils meals, cotton yarn, fabrics, made ups, petroleum crude and products, plastic and linoleum products rice machinery and instruments, etc. In Bhutan all export transactions are carried out in Indian Rupees and Bhutanese Ngultrum. Sri Lanka is the biggest export market for India. Major items of export from India have been pulses, wheat, chemicals inorganic/ organic agro chemicals rubber manufactured goods except footwear, iron and steel bar/rod etc. India-Nepal Trade Treaty between India and Nepal is signed for the time period of five years. Under this trade agreement major items exported include drugs, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, petroleum product. In Maldives major exports items to Maldives include rice other than basmati, sugar, fresh vegetables, miscellaneous processed item. With Pakistan No trade agreement has been signed between India and Pakistan till 2007. Although India has granted the status of “Most Favoured Nation� to Pakistan since 1996 but Pakistan has yet to reciprocate by granting this status to India.

She also explained about the Niryat Bandhu Scheme in detailed, which is an initiative of Govt of India for mentoring first generation entrepreneurs in the field of international trade by reaching out to them through training programs, counselling sessions and facilitation. She said DGFT has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) to bring this unique program. Today, it has evolved into a world class Institute which encompasses the full spectrum of International Business Management and Strategy, through its focus on the three pillars of Research, Training and Education. She said online Certificate Program in Export & Import Business would significantly help Small & Medium Scale Enterprises in employment generation and improving their business turnover.

Anupam Kumar, ITS Asst. Director General, O/o The Jt. Director General of Foreign Trade, Nagpur emphasized the participants “Online tools for International Business.” If any exporters/importers requires more details about drawback scheme, Niryat Bandhu Scheme may visit local office.

Earlier, Dr Suhas Buddhe, Hon. Secretary – VIA welcomed the guest speakers with floral bouquets and in his welcome address said exporters of region should take advantage of similarity and culture of SAARC countries. Gaurav Sarda, Chairman of VIA EXIM Forum conducted theprogram and proposed a formal vote of thanks. The program was largely attended by exporters, manufacturers involved in International Business, VIA members and prospective exporters. http://www.nagpurtoday.in/via-exim-forum-holds-presentation-on-opportunities-for-exporters-in-saarcregion/01152203 http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/WrikzD6g668xo6uWwW4TgJ/Cooking-with-tea-leaves.html

Record Export of Rice In the just ended year of 2017 India’s export of rice has touched the record level of increasing by 22 per cent upto 123 lakh tonnes. More than the half of India from Chhattisgarh to whole South and with West Bengal the Eastern states are rice eaters. Wheat is staple food of most of the North India. After Independence India imported entire food items wheat, rice, maize, milo etc. mainly from America, Canada, Australia. It was India’s highest import bill now it is petro crude oil. Within the span of 70 years India made tremendous progress in agricultural production. Now almost all the crop are bumper. In the 2017 rice export one reason was that in Bangla Desh paddy crops were destroyed in floods and its demand for import from India increased to meet the entire shortage. This year in 2018 the demand from Bangla Desh and Sri Lanka are likely to go up again and India’s rice export will increase further. The export of non-basmati rice which are in high demand and consumption has gone up by 38 per cent. In India besides Basmati there are large number of other rice varieties are grown. Some of it are equal or more in quality and value of Basmati rice.

For many years most of the Basmati rice exported to oil rich Arab nations. Now it is grown so much that it is easily available in India for all section of society at reasonable and affordable prices. The Chhattisgarh state has name and fame in the highest paddy cultivation and known as Rice bowl of India. After the bifurcation of Madhya Pradesh the Chhattisgarh region going out, there were no significant cultivation of paddy in Madhya Pradesh. But now besides wheat the Madhya Pradesh has come forward in paddy production particularly in the Basmati variety. Now the state has sought the international branding of MP Basmati for export purposes. Now there are indication for the export of pulses to boost the farm earnings of the cultivators. But India must formulate the policy of balancing the import and export. We have our own huge population to feed. To keep the price stable at a particular level the stocks should be available within India and a surplus be exported. All developed country follow this policy. We are also exporting wheat, sugar, onions also. Sometimes there are other factors also. At time we were a need of dollars to finance other trading and to earn dollars we exported sugar to the America. We are still importing 40 per cent of pulses and 60 per cent of edible oil for our own requirement. We are still very short in pulses and oil seed production. To increase the income of farmers the Centre has asked the State to increase the export of foodgrains. The World Agro Export market is of 1600 billion dollars. India is second in the foodgrains productions in the world but on 8th position in foodgrain exports. On edible oils and pulses our import reach has gone up from 15 billion to 25 billion dollar.

Author Name: http://www.centralchronicle.com/record-export-of-rice.html

Exports can help in doubling farmers’ income: Crop Association to PM Modi

Mumbai : Agrochemicals industry association, Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) is trying to offer a solution to double farmer’s income by 2022. CCFI has sought a target oriented plan to promote the consumption of Indian agriculture produces globally. In a statement issued by CCFI, Rajju Shroff Chaiman – CCFI said that farm distress comes not from our farmers’ inability to produce; it comes from their failure to sell what they produce. In other words, the attention should shift from production to marketing. He added, “We have been appealing to the Agriculture Ministry, Commerce Ministry and institutions like APEDA, NITI Aayog over the past few months to arrest the steady decline in India’s agricultural exports and the sharp increase in imports as it delivers a double whammy to Indian farmers.”

CCFI goes on to add that when countries in the European Union (EU) reject Basmati rice alleging presence of parts per million levels (ppm) of a pesticide not registered over there, then India must test and reject their olive oil citing the same reason. In the last FY India’s merchandise import was USD 385 billion, mainly of fuels, electronics and machineries. Pointing out that India is a ‘large importer of nonagricultural merchandise’, he stated that country’s agricultural exports has to be pushed from the present level of USD 32 billion to over USD 120 billion by 2022 to help doubling farmers’ income. http://www.freepressjournal.in/business/exports-can-help-in-doubling-farmers-income-crop-associationto-pm-modi/1204430

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices OpenJanuary 16, 2018 Reuters Staff JANUARY 16, 2018 / 12:54 PM

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-January 16, 2018 Nagpur, Jan 16 (Reuters) – Gram and Tuar prices reported weak in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on lack of demand from local millers amid high moisture content arrival. Easy condition in Madhya Pradesh gram prices also affected sentiment in limited deals.

About 200 bags of gram and 200 bags of tuar reported for auction in Nagpur APMC, according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM

* Gram varieties showed weak tendency in open market here in absence of buyers amid increased supply from millers.

TUAR * Tuar varieties recovered in open market here on renewed festival season demand from local traders. * Masoor and Udid varieties recovered strongly in open market here on good buying support from local traders amid tight supply from producing belts. * In Akola, Tuar New – 4,100-4,200, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,400-6,600, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,600-8,700, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,300-7,600, Gram – 4,300-4,400, Gram Super best – 6,200-6,700 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS

Available prices

Gram Auction

3,200-3,705

Gram Pink Auction Tuar Auction

n.a.

Udid Auction

3,300-4,600

n.a. n.a.

Masoor Auction

3,900-4,200 4,300-4,500

n.a.

Wheat Mill quality Auction Gram Super Best Bold Gram Super Best

2,100-2,600

3,300-4,575

Moong Auction

Previous close 3,220-3,745

2,600-2,800 1,500-1,718 6,500-7,000

n.a.

Gram Medium Best

6,500-7,000

n.a.

6,000-6,200

Gram Dal Medium

n.a.

1,580-1,725

6,000-6,200

n.a

Gram Mill Quality

3,900-4,000

3,900-4,000

Desi gram Raw

4,000-4,200

4,000-4,200

Gram Kabuli

12,400-13,000

Tuar Fataka Best-New Tuar Fataka Medium-New Tuar Dal Best Phod-New

12,400-13,000

6,600-6,800 6,300-6,500 5,800-6,000

6,600-6,800 6,300-6,500 5,800-6,000

Tuar Dal Medium phod-New Tuar Gavarani New

5,400-5,700

4,300-4,600

5,400-5,700

4,300-4,600

Tuar Karnataka

4,700-4,900

4,700-4,900

Masoor dal best

5,200-5,400

5,000-5,200

Masoor dal medium Masoor

4,700-5,000

n.a.

4,600-4,800

n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New)

7,500-8,000

Moong Mogar Medium

6,500-7,000

Moong dal Chilka

5,800-6,600

7,500-8,000 6,500-7,000

5,800-6,600

Moong Mill quality

n.a.

n.a.

Moong Chamki best

7,500-8,000

7,500-8,000

Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,000-9,000 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) Batri dal (100 INR/KG)

5,800-7,000

5,000-6,200

5,000-5,300

2,500-2,600

Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)

2,500-2,600

3,200-3,350

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)

5,600-7,000

5,000-6,400

5,000-5,300

Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)

8,000-8,700

1,900-2,000

Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)

3,200-3,350

3,400-3,800

3,400-3,800

1,900-2,000

1,750-1,850

1,750-1,850

2,150-2,350

Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)

2,150-2,350

2,250-2,450

2,250-2,450

Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)

n.a.

Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG)

3,200-3,800

2,400-2,800

3,200-3,600

Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)

n.a.

3,200-3,800

MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)

3,200-3,600 2,700-2,800

2,300-2,500

2,500-2,600

Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG)

2,400-2,800

2,700-2,800

2,300-2,500

Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)

2,500-2,600

2,350-2,450

4,100-4,500

Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)

2,000-2,200

2,350-2,450 4,100-4,500

3,500-3,900

3,500-3,900

Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG)

5,000-5,400

5,000-5,400

Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)

4,400-4,900

4,400-4,900

Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)

9,500-13,500

Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG)

9,500-13,500

5,000-7,500

5,800-6,000

5,000-7,500

5,800-6,000

Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)

5,200-5,500

2,000-2,200 1,800-2,000

5,200-5,500 2,000-2,100

1,700-2,000

WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 31.3 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 10.4 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 31 and 10 degree Celsius respectively.

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

https://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-january-16-2018idINL3N1PB2TD

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- January 15, 2018 JANUARY 15, 2018 / 1:37 PM

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-January 15, 2018 Nagpur, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Gram and Tuar prices firmed up again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on good seasonal demand from local millers amid weak supply from producing belts. Fresh rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and reported demand from South-based millers also pushed up prices, according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties showed weak tendency in open market here in absence of buyers amid increased supply from millers.

TUAR * Tuar varieties recovered in open market here on renewed festival season demand from

local traders. * Watana dal reported down in open market here on poor buying support from local traders. * In Akola, Tuar New – 4,100-4,200, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,000-6,200, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,800-8,800, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,300-7,600, Gram – 4,300-4,400, Gram Super best – 6,400-7,000 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS

Available prices

Gram Auction

3,200-3,726

Gram Pink Auction

n.a.

Tuar Auction

3,200-3,600

2,100-2,600

n.a.

Moong Auction

3,300-4,600

n.a.

Udid Auction

n.a.

Masoor Auction

Previous close

3,900-4,200 4,300-4,500

n.a.

Wheat Mill quality Auction

2,600-2,800 n.a.

Gram Super Best Bold

1,580-1,725

6,500-7,000

Gram Super Best

n.a.

Gram Medium Best

6,700-7,200

n.a.

6,000-6,200

6,100-6,300

Gram Dal Medium

n.a.

Gram Mill Quality

3,900-4,000

4,000-4,100

Desi gram Raw

4,000-4,200

4,100-4,300

Gram Kabuli

n.a

12,400-13,000

Tuar Fataka Best-New

12,400-13,000

6,700-6,800

Tuar Fataka Medium-New

6,300-6,500

Tuar Dal Best Phod-New

6,100-6,300

5,800-6,000

Tuar Dal Medium phod-New Tuar Gavarani New

6,400-6,600 5,700-5,900

5,400-5,700

4,300-4,600

5,300-5,600

4,200-4,500

Tuar Karnataka

4,700-4,900

4,600-4,700

Masoor dal best

4,900-5,100

4,900-5,100

Masoor dal medium Masoor

n.a.

4,600-4,800 n.a.

4,600-4,800

Moong Mogar bold (New)

7,500-8,000

Moong Mogar Medium

6,500-7,000

Moong dal Chilka

5,900-6,500

7,500-8,000 6,500-7,000

5,900-6,500

Moong Mill quality

n.a.

n.a.

Moong Chamki best

7,600-8,100

7,600-8,100

Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,000-8,500

8,000-8,500

Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)

5,800-7,000

Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) Batri dal (100 INR/KG)

5,800-7,000

5,000-6,200

5,100-5,500

Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)

5,100-5,500

2,500-2,600

Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)

2,500-2,600

3,200-3,350

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)

5,000-6,200

3,400-3,800

1,900-2,000

Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)

3,200-3,350 3,400-3,800

1,900-2,000

1,750-1,850

1,750-1,850

2,150-2,350

Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)

2,150-2,350

2,250-2,450

2,250-2,450

Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)

n.a.

3,200-3,800

MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)

3,200-3,800

2,400-2,800

3,200-3,600

Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG)

2,400-2,800 3,200-3,600

2,700-2,800

2,300-2,500

Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)

2,700-2,800

2,300-2,500

2,500-2,600

Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG)

2,500-2,600

2,350-2,450

4,100-4,500

Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG)

2,000-2,200

n.a.

2,350-2,450 4,100-4,500

3,500-3,900

3,500-3,900

5,000-5,400

5,000-5,400

Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)

4,400-4,900

4,400-4,900

Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)

9,500-13,500

Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)

5,000-7,500

5,800-6,000

Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG)

9,500-13,500 5,800-6,000

5,200-5,500

2,000-2,200 1,800-2,000

5,000-7,500 5,200-5,500 2,000-2,100

1,700-2,000

WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 30.0 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 16.4 degree Celsius

Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 30 and 15 degree Celsius respectively.

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

https://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-january-15-2018idINL3N1PA32H

Rice export volume reaches more than 2.6 million tons Submitted by Eleven on Sat, 01/13/2018 - 17:04 Writer: Nilar

A rice brokerage in Bayintnaung Wholesale Centre in Yangon (Photo-Zeyar Nyein)

Rice export volume reached more than 2.6 million tons until the first week of January in 2018 – up 1.6 million tons compared to the same period of last year, a source of the Ministry of Commerce said.

“Until January 5 of this fiscal year, more than 2.6 million tons have been exported. One million tons of rice was exported in the same period of last year. That represents an increase of 1.6 million tons. We have received US$480 million,” Khin Maung Lwin, assistant secretariat of the Ministry of Commerce, said.

Thanks to the leadership of Myanmar Rice Federation and strenuous efforts of private businessmen, rice export volume has reached more than 2 million tons, the highest record within five decades, Union Minister Dr Aung Thu said.

The most rice export volume reached up to 3 million tons under British colonial rule. Myanmar managed to export only 1 million tons of rice in 1956, 1957, 1959 and 1960, a source of MRF said.

Myanmar expects to export 3 million tons of rice in 2020, Chit Khaing, Chairman of MRF, said.

Myanmar exported more than 1.4 million tons of rice in 2015-2016 and 1.7 million tons of rice in 2016-2017.

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/13121

Indonesia to import rice from Việt Nam January, 15/2018 - 14:00

Workers load rice onto a ship docked at Sài Gòn Port. — VNA/VNS Photo Đình Huệ

HÀ NỘI — Indonesia will import 500,000 tonnes of rice from Việt Nam and Thailand to contain rice price hikes and declining supply in the local market.

The imported rice will be of premium quality, not grown in Indonesia; so it will not affect local farmers and rice production, said Indonesian Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita. The country’s current rice stocks were estimated at some 950,000 tonnes, most of which is low-grade rice to be distributed as aid for low-income people.

Meanwhile, rice stocks for commercial purposes were only 11,000 tonnes. Previously, Indonesia’s Vice President Jusuf Kalla had called on the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) to consider importing rice to bring down domestic prices.

According to the National Strategic Food Prices Information Centre (PIHPSN), medium-quality rice is currently fetched at 14,100 IDR or US$1 per kg.

Rice prices vary among regions. West Papua reported the highest price of 14,250 IDR per kg, while the lowest price of over 9,700 IDR per kg was found in West Nusa Tanggara. — VNS

Milled-rice output seen hitting 12 MMT

By Jasper Y. Arcalas January 14, 2018

In Photo: A farmer piles up grain harvested from a rice field in Nueva Ecija. The United States Department of Agriculture projected that Philippine milled-rice output this year would increase by more than 2 percent. FILE PHOTO

Philippine milled-rice production could reach a record high of nearly 12 million metric tons (MMT) this year, as the continued implementation of the quantitative restriction (QR) on rice will encourage more farmers to plant the staple.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the projected milled-rice output this year is 2.69 percent higher than the 11.686 MMT estimated production in 2017.

“The USDA estimates 2017/18 Philippines rice production at a record 12 million tons [milled basis], up 800,000 metric tons, or 7 percent from last month, and up 2 percent from last year,” the Washington-based agency said in its report, titled “World Agricultural Production,” which was published recently.

“The QR on rice imports remains in effect, incentivizing producers to stay in rice,” it added.

The USDA also said the use of high-yielding varieties and favorable weather conditions would help boost milled-rice output this year.

“Additionally, there were noticeably fewer typhoons with the potential to damage rice passing through the major production areas compared to previous years,” it added.

The USDA said the total rice area harvested this year would reach 4.8 million hectares, 1.69 percent higher than last year’s 4.72 million hectares. The country’s national average palay yield will slightly increase to 3.96 MT per hectare from the estimated 3.93 MT per hectare yield in 2017.

“Harvested area is estimated at 4.8 million hectares, tied with the previous record in 2013/14. Estimated harvested area and production were both raised based on estimates from the Philippines Statistics Agency [PSA],” the USDA said.

Because of the expected hike in output this year, the USDA trimmed down its projection for Philippine rice imports to 1.3 MMT, from 1.7 MMT. However, the figure is still 18.18 percent higher than the 1.1 MMT estimated total import volume last year.

The USDA estimated that the country’s beginning rice stock this year is at 1.996 MMT. It pegged the country’s total rice requirement for 2018 at 12.9 MMT, while total rice stock could reach 15.266 MMT. The Department of Agriculture said it is targeting to harvest 20.341 MMT of paddy from 4.84 million hectares this year. At this production level, the DA noted that the Philippines would be 96-percent self-sufficient in rice.

At a milling recovery rate of 65 percent, milled-rice output this year could reach 13.22 MMT, based on the BusinessMirror’s computation.

In a report, the PSA estimated that the country’s paddy output for 2017 likely reached 19.4 MMT, 10.11 percent higher than the 18.15 MMT produced in 2016.

“Probable palay production for the October-to-December period may surpass the 2016 level by 6.26 percent.

The anticipated increment in output may be attributed to increase in yield resulting from sustained use of high-yielding varieties coupled with sufficient water supply during the early stages of crop development,” the PSA said. https://businessmirror.com.ph/milled-rice-output-seen-hitting-12-mmt/

Indonesia to import rice from Việt Nam Update: January, 15/2018 - 14:00

Workers load rice onto a ship docked at Sài Gòn Port. — VNA/VNS Photo Đình Huệ Viet Nam News

HÀ NỘI — Indonesia will import 500,000 tonnes of rice from Việt Nam and Thailand to contain rice price hikes and declining supply in the local market.

The imported rice will be of premium quality, not grown in Indonesia; so it will not affect local farmers and rice production, said Indonesian Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita. The

country’s current rice stocks were estimated at some 950,000 tonnes, most of which is low-grade rice to be distributed as aid for low-income people.

Meanwhile, rice stocks for commercial purposes were only 11,000 tonnes. Previously, Indonesia’s Vice President Jusuf Kalla had called on the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) to consider importing rice to bring down domestic prices.

According to the National Strategic Food Prices Information Centre (PIHPSN), medium-quality rice is currently fetched at 14,100 IDR or US$1 per kg.

Rice prices vary among regions. West Papua reported the highest price of 14,250 IDR per kg, while the lowest price of over 9,700 IDR per kg was found in West Nusa Tanggara. — VNS

http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/421176/indonesia-to-import-rice-from-vietnam.html#EzyUX8k5RBfQTXr4.99

Bulog assigned to import 500 thousand tons of rice Reporter: antara 23 hours ago

Illustration. Imported rice. (ANTARA PHOTO/Adeng Bustomi)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government has shifted the authority to import 500 thousand tons of rice from the state-owned trading company PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (Persero) to the State Logistic Agency (Bulog).

"According to the Presidential Regulation 48/2016, the mandate to stabilize the price and to strengthen the government`s rice stock lies in Bulog`s hand. It is clear, and there are no other parties," the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution said here on Monday.

The Presidential regulation has stipulated that Bulog could import rice in order to ensure food adequacy and to stabilize rice price at the consumer as well as producer level.

"Rice import that had been planned under the trade minister decree was stopped, and the government has shifted the authority to Bulog under Presidential Regulation 48/2016," Darmin remarked.

The minister called on Bulog to carry out its task as soon as possible.

"We will allow Bulog to carry out the import process. For your information, we will need 20 ships to deliver 500 thousand tons of rice. It cannot be made in one delivery, but it should be done gradually by mid-February at the latest. If the prices would not decline, then we will continue it until the end of February," he elaborated.

Meanwhile, President Director of Bulog, Djarot Kusumayakti, noted that the agency would run the import process properly, from early administration process to its delivery.

"Bulog will try to reach the target of import volume, time, and price in accordance with its standard," he stated.

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita revealed that the imported rice would be used as food reserves, and the ministry would speed up the administration process for the import.

"We will speed up the process but still adhere to the regulation. Therefore, we should not be worried about rice stock," he pointed out.

Reported by Calvin Basuki (S022/INE) EDITED BY INE/H-YH https://en.antaranews.com/news/114264/bulog-assigned-to-import-500-thousand-tons-of-rice