19th may(tuesday),2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter www.ricepluss.com www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

May 19 ,2015 Vol 5,Issue V

Rice stakeholders in turmoil The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME ) has invited the attention of the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) to the adverse situation faced by the rice growers, processors, exporters and merchants due to the lack of demand, high cost of production and above all no support from the government. In India there are subsidies on farm inputs and Pakistan is facing tough competition from India. This year India beat us and Pakistan remained behind due to lower Indian prices and open policy of allowing free hand to its exporters.President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said the prices of superior varieties of rice fell by half and other varieties by

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter about 20% causing huge losses to the growers and this affected the processors and exporters as well as foreign buyers fearing further fall did not build their inventory.

He lamented that the MOC should have planned for seeing the situation. Our main competitor India allowed it's shippers to export blended varieties as basmati rice and our MOC hung on to protecting the basmati label by letting Quality Review Committee continue its hindering activity.

It is pertinent to note that the buyers concept of basmati has changed and rice like 1121 and 386 have caught on.1121 is more expensive than basmati , The question is the non comprehensive attitude of the MOC which failed to act in good time and say good bye to QRC which is protecting a variety senselessly and losing orders. The Rice exporters know their business and need to be left alone to promote their own brands according to the demands of their buyers who need skillfully blended rice. Unfortunately the SME exporters to Yemen also landed in trouble as the banks in Yemen closed and the bills of the exporters are stuck and the cargo was off loaded by the vessels in Djibouti.

Here again instead of coming to the help of the exporters and facilitating them to find remedies the banks are following the rules as per their manuals which have no provision for such situations and unfortunately lack the ability to think out of box and resolve the problems.UNISAME has appealed to the MOC to recommend to the ministry of finance to give relief to the rice growers, processors, exporters and merchants who have suffered losses and not to burden them with additional taxes and in fact wave taxes for them in the budget. This is very important as other wise it is apprehended that the farmers may switch over to other crops.

UNISAME

Scientists prove a plant point Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi, May 19: Government scientists have asserted that India has provided tens of thousands of samples of key foodcrops to global gene repositories, refuting allegations by sections of foreign researchers that India has been reluctant to share its plant resources.The scientists with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have said India ranks first in the list of contributors of plant germplasm in 11 gene banks maintained by the Consultative Group (CG) of International Agricultural Centres held "in-trust" for the global community.India has over the past three decades submitted over 66,800 plant germplasm varieties - or 9.2 per cent - to more than 720,600 accessions maintained by the network of CG repositories, emerging at the top of its list of contributors, the ICAR scientists said in a report that analysed the flow of plant varieties from India. Crop scientists view such transfer of key plant material as critical for crop breeding and improvement programmes aimed at food security.

"This analysis should dispel notions that India hasn't been sharing its plant resources," said Rishi Kumar Tyagi, a principal scientist at the ICAR's National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, who led the study of plant germ flow from India over the past four decades.Plant gene repositories in the US, Russia, Taiwan, Germany and the UK also have several thousands of

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter accessions of Indian origin. At a gene bank maintained by the US department of agriculture, over 22,000 among its total of more than 625,000 accessions are of Indian origin.Crop researchers based in Europe had two years ago raised concerns that access to Indian plant germplasm was limited. Scientists from Norway had pointed out that the world's largest global seed vault maintained by Norway in Svalbard had very few samples from India.Tyagi and his colleagues have challenged that claim.

The Svalbard gene vault has over 824,000 germplasm accessions from over 60 gene banks, among which over 66,000 accessions - or over 8 per cent - deposited by 24 gene banks are of Indian origin, the ICAR scientists said in their analysis just published in the journal PLOS One.Although India has directly submitted only 25 samples to Svalbard, over 66,000 samples are of Indian origin, having been deposited there by the CG crop research centres or by other national gene banks. The International Rice Research Institute in Manila, Philippines, has deposited its entire rice germplasm collection of 116,600 at Svalbard, among which over 16,220 accessions belonging to 18 species of rice have their origin in India, the ICAR scientists wrote in their report.

The ICAR scientists have listed 16 crops, including rice, wheat, maize, chickpea, eggplant, groundnut and pigeon pea, among others, that have been deposited by India into gene repositories across the world. Among over 2,800,000 samples held by 446 organisations worldwide, 106,000 are from India."India is also a big beneficiary of such germplasm exchange," said Kailash Bansal, head of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, who was not involved in the analysis. "One recent example is kiwifruit - it's import of germplasm that brought kiwifruit to India," he said.Crop scientists also point out that several varieties of foodcrops, including vegetables, currently cultivated across the country owe their origin to foreign germplasm.

The analysis has revealed that the flow of plant germplasm from India has indeed slowed down over the past decade owing to national biodiversity laws that India enacted in 2002. The national biodiversity regulations lay down strict rules on the transfer of plant genetic material from India.From the mid-1970s through the early 1990s, India used to supply more than 4,000 germplasm samples each year. But over the past five years, the number has been less than 1,000 per year."Over the past decade, the number of requests India has received for germplasm has also declined," Tyagi said. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150520/jsp/nation/story_21087.jsp#.VVxZOvlViko

Update on U.S. and world rice market scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 4

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Nathan Childs to provide latest analysis of rice market outlook May 18, 2015Farm Press Staff | Delta Farm Press

Dr. Nathan Childs needs no introduction to rice farmers. He’s been a featured speaker at the USA Rice Outlook Conference almost since its inception in 1994 and has been providing detailed analysis of the rice markets to the rice industry for more than 23 years.

Delta Farm Press

It’s been a struggle, but most of the U.S. rice crop that was going to be planted in 2015 has gone in the ground. Now farmers can turn their attention toward what they may be able to get for their crop when harvest rolls around.To that end, Nathan Childs, senior economist with USDA’s Economic Research Service, will provide an update on the U.S. and world rice markets during a University of Arkansas’ Food and Agribusiness Webinar Series event at 1:30 p.m.

Friday (May 22).Dr. Childs needs no introduction to rice farmers.

He’s been a featured speaker at the USA Rice Outlook Conference almost since its inception in 1994 and has been providing detailed analysis of the rice markets to the rice industry for more than 23 years.The Webinar, ―2015-16 U.S. and Global Rice Outlook with Nathan Childs, Agricultural Economist, USDA Economic Research Service,‖ will be hosted by Dr. Bobby Coats, professor, University of Arkansas. Joining him will be Tony Franco and Anita Wilson of USDA’s Farm Service Agency; Brandy Carroll, Arkansas Farm Bureau; and Forrest Laws, Farm Press.Dr. Childs has been analyzing the domestic and international rice markets for USDA's Economic Research Service since 1996.Prior to that appointment, he was associate editor and economic editor for ERS’ monthlyAgricultural Outlook magazine for more than five years. He has also worked as a food grain economist with ERS. He has published reports on global trade liberalization, U.S. farm policy, domestic rice consumption, the U.S. rice export market, Southeast Asia’s rice surplus, the structure of the U.S. rice market, and the 2008 global rice price surge. Dr. Childs participates in all rice-related monthly interagency meetings and writes the monthly Rice Outlook Report. He also updates the Rice Yearbook Tables and develops domestic and international rice forecasts for USDA’s 10-year Baseline project. Over the years, he has been involved three Emerging Market Projects—Taiwan (1992, 1993), China (1997), and Vietnam (2007); and he’s traveled to Haiti several times to assist the Haitian Government in increasing rice capacity.

To register for Friday’s webinar.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/update-us-and-world-rice-market-scheduled-130-pm-friday

2 keys to weed control success in 2015 Photo © Delta Farm Press

I believe the success or failure of this year’s weed control programs will be determined by (1) how you coordinate residual herbicides with rainfall events and (2) how you time postemergence herbicide applications.Early May ushered in a week or so of dry weather, which was great. In a lot of areas — especially in north Arkansas — the entire rice crop and a lot of other crops were planted in this window.

This is a good thing, because we can’t make a crop until we get a crop planted.

On the other hand we had residual herbicides out a week with no activation along with warm temperatures ideal for weed emergence. This means a flush of weeds will come through a lot of the residual applications, and the timing of the first postemergence treatment is going to be critical. In fields that fit this example, success or failure will likely be determined right there — especially for pigweed control in Roundup Ready or conventional soybeans.As I write this, we have an excellent forecast of rain following the seven- to 10-day dry period. I am begging everyone who will listen to get a residual herbicide out ahead of the rain — regardless of the crop. Some are saying, ―I’m clean and already have one or more residual out.‖ Great, put another one out.Every year we are having more difficulty controlling weeds postemergence.

Every year we are having more difficulty getting postemergence herbicides applied because of the increasing diversity in our crop mix. I believe this year will be even worse. All crops are being planted at the same time in north Arkansas. There is also a big increase in grain sorghum acres, and grain sorghum is a crop that you must be careful about with any herbicide application.The acreages of Clearfield and conventional rice seem to be about equal again this year. There is also a big increase in interest in conventional soybeans. All of these factors will result in a lot of postemergence treatments being ―on the books‖ for long periods.The best way to avoid being hung out on getting a post herbicide applied is to keep residual herbicides working.It is strange to hear folks talking about needing to flush rice when we were too wet for six weeks trying to get the crop in. However, that is classic Arkansas weather. Once we get to May, we are seldom more than a week away from a drought.

If rice has to be flushed, use the flush to activate another residual herbicide. Hopefully this rainfall forecast will not be our last for the summer. As the good forecasts pop up, take advantage of them.If we miss this rainfall event being predicted now, a lot of folks are going to find out that pigweed control the past couple of years has been way too easy! In the days before Roundup Ready, we were

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter always in the situation if we missed one rain and missed the timing of the first postemergence herbicide a couple of days, the result was a grown-up mess.We are in better shape for residual herbicides now than we were then.

However, it still takes moisture to make them work. The past two years have provided fantastic conditions for making them work, and I hope our streak continues. By now you will know whether it has or has not.My philosophy is always assume the residual is going to fail to some extent and have the sprayer ready. In Roundup Ready or conventional soybeans, spray as soon as the ground turns red with emerging pigweeds.In LibertyLink soybeans you have some more leeway, but the first application of Liberty still needs to go out seven to 10 days after emergence. I am getting quite a few calls on LibertyLink soybeans, and in general the weed control answers come much easier in this technology. ford@weedconsultants.com http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/2-keys-weed-control-success-2015

APEDA India News International Benchmark Price Price on: 18-05-2015

Product

Benchmark Indicators Name

Price

1

Chinese first grade granules, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

2100

2

Chinese Grade A dehydrated flakes, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

2000

3

Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

1800

1

Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

4600

2

Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

5100

3

Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

3000

1

Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)

4880

2

Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)

2300

3

Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)

3400

Garlic

Ginger

Guar Gum Powder

Source:agra-net

For more info

Market Watch Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 18-05-2015 Domestic Prices Product

Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Market Center

Variety

Min Price

Max Price

1

Amreli (Gujarat)

Other

1205

2775

2

Vasai (Maharashtra)

Other

1600

2200

3

Vellore (Tamil Nadu)

Other

1550

1550

Jowar(Sorgham)

Maize

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter 1

Dhansura (Gujarat)

Other

1050

1200

2

Honnali (Karnataka )

Local

1220

1330

3

Koraput(Orissa)

Other

1310

1330

1

Aroor (Kerala)

Other

3500

3700

2

Sitapur(Punjab)

Other

3000

4000

3

Mechua(West Bengal)

Other

2600

3100

1

Bolangir (Orissa)

Other

2800

3000

2

Solan (Himachal Pradesh)

Other

1000

1700

3

Haldwani(Uttrakhand)

Other

900

1000

Mousambi

Carrot

Source:agra-net

For more info

Egg

Rs per 100 No Price on 18-05-2015 Product

Market Center

Price

1

Pune

290

2

Nagapur

278

3

Namakkal

311

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices

Unit Price : US$ per package Price on 18-05-2015

Product

Market Center

Origin

Variety

Low

High

Onions Dry

Package: 50 lb sacks

1

Atlanta

2

Baltimore

3

Chicago

Mexico

Yellow

20.20

22

California

Yellow

21

21

Texas

Yellow

15

Cabbage

15 Package: 50 lb cartons

1

Atlanta

Florida

Round Green Type

10

11

2

Detroit

Georgia

Round Green Type

13.50

14

3

Miami

Canada

Round Green Type

11

Grapes

12 Package: 18 lb containers bagged

1

Atlanta

Chile

Red Globe

20.50

21.50

2

Baltimore

Peru

Red Globe

20

22

3

Miami

Chile

Red Globe

21

23

Source:USDA

DOLLAR, EURO DEPRECIATION AGAINST PKR CONTRIBUTES TO EXPORT DECLINE Mian Arshad Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - Islamabad—Decreased international prices of commodities, increased cost of production,depreciation of dollar and Euro against Pak rupee (PKR) and lack

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter of research and development are the dominant factors for the decline of exports in first nine months of the current fiscal year. Resultantly, the import bill during July-March 2014-15 soared up to $ 34 billion and trade deficit during said period was S 16.1 billion. There has been a rise of 21% in Pakistan’s exports to the European Union in 2014, which translates into an additional export of $ 1.3 billion. According to a written reply submitted before the Lower House of the Parliament by the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), there has been a global trend of decrease in prices of cotton and rice.

These commodities have seminal importance in Pakistan’s exports and the decrease in prices has adversely affected Pakistan’s exports. The average unit price (AUP) of non-basmati rice, which constitutes 70% of Pakistan’s rice exports by value, declined by 2%; similarly, the AUP of cotton and yarn have declined by 78% and 10% respectively. While the prices of agricultural commodities have declined, the cost of production in Pakistan has increased due to increased energy and other input costs. Pakistan’s ranking in Global Competitiveness Index decreased from 128th in 2013-14 to 129th in 2014-15. Moreover, the appreciation of Pak Rupee during the period Jul-Jan of the current financial year as compared to the corresponding period of previous year, made Pakistan’s exports less competitive.

The average exchange rate of USD vis-à-vis PKR, during the period July 2014 to January 2015 remained 100.183 as compared to 104.076 during the corresponding period of the previous year.

Consequently, the 3.73% decrease in exports in dollar terms during the first 7 months translates into 7.3% decline in rupee terms. The impact of PKR appreciation was compounded by 6% depreciation of Euro vis-à-vis international currencies during the period July 2014 to January 2015 compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. It further affected competitiveness of Pakistan’s exports in the Euro zone thus offsetting a part of advantage of GSP Plus. Similarly, research and development has traditionally been a low priority both in the public and private sectors.

For instance, there is near absence of development of new high yielding varieties of cotton and rice. India has developed many basmati and basmati-look-alike (non-basmati) varieties during the last few years whereas Pakistan has failed to develop any basmati variety during the last 30 years. Consequently, the traditional markets of basmati rice are being gradually grabbed by India with high yielding basmati varieties. Though lack of R&D is a long term issue, its adverse impact is becoming increasingly pronounced. However, the MoC observed that under the multilateral trading arrangement of World Trade Organization (WTO), importsubstitution policies erodes the competitiveness; therefore, Pakistan does not follow any import substitution policy since last two decades. Pakistan trade policies are geared toward export enhancement and creating a decent trade balance. http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=264225

Wet, cool start results in issues for 2015 Arkansas rice An early-season rice report May 18, 2015David Bennett | Delta Farm Press

A stop-and-go start to the growing season has impacted all Delta crops. So, how is rice doing?

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter The week of May 11, the USDA has Arkansas at 86 percent planted.―That should put us at just over 1.25 million planted rice acres right now working off of the March prospective plantings says Jarrod Hardke, Arkansas Extension rice agronomist. ―I think that assessment is pretty accurate.‖At the moment, the state is largely at a standstill following rains from May 8 through 10. ―That’s kept us from actively planting much this week. But that slowdown comes after our planted percentage jumped from 37 percent to, two weeks later, 86 percent. We put in half the crop in 14 days and that’s impressive. ‖There have been a lot of early-season issues with the rice crop, says Hardke. ―A lot of them have to do with general stand establishment problems. Seedling disease is part of that, but so is the recent wet weather and cool temperatures. There was also a very rapid dry down – it suddenly turned warm and windy – and we lost moisture in the top layer.―This season is turning out kind of erratic. After the most recent rains, it turns out there was still viable seed planted. It just hadn’t come up yet. So, we’re seeing a number of fields with three- and four-leaf rice with new rice emerging right beside it."Of course, that will make things interesting going forward in terms of in-season management. Certainly, the rice that’s furthest along is what you have to make your primary management decisions on – that’s your main crop.

"That late-emerging rice can actually act as sort of a weed in some cases, a drag on the main crop.

Hopefully, it will catch up and produce some grain at the end.‖Those that were fortunate to get their rice planted in early April ―are leaning toward the back end of when we prefer to put out our nitrogen fertilizer and go to flood. It just isn’t dry enough to go now and the 10-day forecast doesn’t look good. That’ll force us to again make the best of a bad situation.‖It’s better to put nitrogen on slightly wet ground as opposed to being really late, says Hardke. ―I know some producers are flying nitrogen on today and moving forward although they’d like the ground to be drier in order to get better incorporation.―It’s not efficient to put nitrogen into water or mud. We don’t like asking people to do that. But for those enrolled in the DD50 program, once you are at, or moving past, the final recommended time to apply nitrogen pre-flood, you have to get it out somehow. The plant simply has to have the nitrogen and if you don’t provide it, the crop can face serious harm and a lack of recovery time. Time is the enemy.‖ http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/wet-cool-start-results-issues-2015-arkansas-rice

Cheaper oil soothes sting of rising rice prices Kang Mi Jin | 2015-05-19 16:29

With farming season in full swing in the border areas of North Korea, rice prices in the marketplace have seen a small rise, but oil prices have dipped, providing a little relief in people’s livelihoods. The recent tightening of regulations on borders has made illegal imports more difficult, driving up rice prices, while the steady supply of imported oil from Russia has

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter contributed to the decline in the cost of it, Daily NK has learned. ―The ongoing crackdown on the borders has driven up the price of rice and other grains, but the price of diesel oil and gasoline has dropped,‖ a source from Yangkang Province said. ―Along with warming ties between North Korea and Russia, we saw rice coming into the country at the end of last year, but recently, we’re seeing gasoline and diesel.‖ ―It cost roughly 4,000 KPW [0.49 USD] for 1kg of rice until the end of last month, but that price has spiked by 1,000 KPW [0.12 USD], so you now have to pay 5,000 KPW [0.62 USD] at the Hyesan Market,‖ he added. ―The supply of rice to markets near the borders has been unsteady because of the strengthened crackdown on smugglers, causing an increase in prices.‖ He cited gasoline and other oil imports from Russia as cause for the noticeable decline in oil prices, noting that people are relieved that the cost of fuel did not rise along with that of rice as predicted. As of last month, gasoline traded for 11,000 KPW [1.36 USD] per kilogram, while diesel fetched 9,000 KPW [1.11 USD], but prices now stand at 8,450 KPW [1.04 USD] and 5,200 KPW [0.64 USD], respectively, according to the source. The rise in rice prices had become a source of concern, but the cheaper oil has provided much relief to many including wholesale vendors and truck operators, explained the source. ―Before the price of rice begun to crawl up in mid-April, the cost was relatively stable, making things much more manageable for people,‖ the source said. However, the recent tightening of surveillance on the borders has not surprised many, with people complaining about the routine crackdowns that pose challenges to their everyday lives.―Many of the smugglers have gone under these days or have been caught. The result has been an increase in the price of rice,‖ the source said, going on to point out how the recent hike highlighted the pronounced influence smuggled rice has on market prices. ―People have been showing mixed feelings about the officials who are pushing ahead with the crackdowns. Some say these officials are only interested in safeguarding their own interests while taking advantage of the citizens. While others say they have no choice since they have to fulfill mandates from authorities above them, even if they are fully aware that people cannot survive without the jangmadang (market),‖ the source added.In regard to the crackdown on borders, a source in Dandong said, ―The recent clampdown was implemented by North Korean authorities in order to prevent information from outside the country trickling in and that from within getting out,‖ adding that traders selling rice to North Korean smugglers have ―taken a pounding‖ as a result of the crackdown. http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?num=13200&cataId=nk01500

Queensland rice growers join national association with hopes to build export market ABC Rural

By Eliza Rogers Posted Mon at 9:39pm PHOTO: Cane grower Andrew Barfield checking soil moisture content of his trial rice crops in the Mackay region. (David Sparkes) MAP: Townsville 4810

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter After seven years of trials, rice growers in North Queensland could soon develop a strong export market.

About 13 cane farmers, mostly from the Burdekin, are growing rice as a rotational crop, and now have their own interim branch of the Ricegrowers' Association of Australia.The branch hopes to fuel expansions, to help fill international demand, but rice is also giving growers another option as the sugar marketing battle continues to rage.

Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek.

00:00 00:00 AUDIO: Rice growers' rep and farmer discuss expansion plans(ABC Rural) This year, cane farmers in the Burdekin region are expected to produce about 2,500 tonnes of rice, which is fed into their own local rice mill.Most of the rice in Australia is sold to Ricegrowers Limited and marketed under SunRice, and the majority is exported to 60 countries.Dean Logan, executive director of the Ricegrowers' Association of Australia, said Queensland could soon play a major role."We know that SunRice's export potential is in and around 1.1 million tonnes a year, and in the Riverina at the moment, we're projected to grow 720,000 metric tonnes this year," he said.

"So SunRice needs to find that 300,000 or 400,000 tonnes of rice grown in Australia, and their commitment is to find that rice in Australia as Australian-grown rice, so Queensland holds huge potential."He said the new interim branch, which is expected to become fully-fledged in six months, was already attracting interest from potential members, and helping allay concerns that rice was a threat to the cane industry."Cane has been a part of the community for decades, and so whenever you do bring in a crop that the scale that could potentially be achieved... there's always going to be some level of scepticism," Mr Logan said.The rice in Queensland is cultivated through aerobic growing, meaning it is grown on well-drained beds, and does not rely on flood irrigation.But any extra irrigation costs spell big bills for farmers.Mr Logan said bringing Queensland into the national association would help farmers access water efficiency methods.

"The Ricegrowers' Association has delivered between $50 million and $60 million worth of onfarm irrigation efficiency programs. Rice farmers in the Riverina are using 50 per cent less water than any other rice farmers in the world," he said."It's just a matter of now of transferring some of those skills and that intellectual capital and that research to Queensland."Burdekin cane grower Philip Marano is planning to plant 14 hectares of rice late next month for the first time, and expects to sign a contract with SunRice is the next couple of weeks.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter He said irrigation costs were making the cane industry unviable, but said the figures "still make sense" to water and grow rice as a secondary income."I think the fact that you can earn extra income from what is usually fallow ground, that for six months of the year is non-productive... just gives you that extra income on top of your cane," he said.Mr Marano said there were about six local growers who had produced rice commercially, and they appeared to be doing well."It seems to be easy to grow; it will be a learning experience for me," he said.Mr Marano disputed the idea that rice was a threat to cane, but said, however, it could be a fallback crop if issues with sugar marketing were not resolved."We are going through a pretty bitter dispute with Wilmar about marketing, and it (rice) certainly does give growers another option if our negotiations with Wilmar don't pan out they way we would hope," he said.

Topics: rice, trade, sugar, townsville-4810 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-19/queensland-rice-growth/6480682

Local palay output seen declining Local production of palay might decrease by 1.3 percent year-on-year in the first semester as hot weather is driving a contraction in harvest area, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.PSA data show that as of the first quarter, the Philippines produced 4.27 million tons of paddy rice, an increase of 1.4 percent.But in the first three months of 2015, the harvest area decreased by almost 1 percent to 1.15 million hectares although yield increased by 2.3 percent to 3.8 tons per hectare.―Significant increments in [first-quarter] production were noted in Mimaropa, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Ilocos Region,‖ the PSA reported.This was attributed mainly to the availability of seeds, both from the government and from commercial suppliers, as well as the sufficiency of water supply in those regions.For the six months to June, the PSA said the volume is expected at 8.27 million tons.During the first half, the harvest area is expected to contract by 1.5 percent to 2.07 million hectares, while the yield is seen inching up by 0.2 percent to 4 tons per hectare.For the second quarter alone, the PSA forecasts a 4.2-percent drop in output, which is expected at 3.9 million tons.

From April to June, harvest areas may shrink by 2.3 percent to 939,000 hectares while yield may decrease by 2 percent to 4.25 tons per hectare.―In Soccsksargen, some palay areas at vegetative stages were damaged by the dry spell felt throughout the region,‖ the PSA said, ―There were delayed planting activities in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat due to temporary closure of some NIA (National Irrigation Administration) irrigation facilities.‖Also, the PSA expects cutbacks in the harvest area in Mimaropa, Central Luzon and Bicol due to insufficient water supply and intense heat in most of the provinces.Further, a contraction in harvest area in Western Visayas is anticipated due to insufficient water supply and shifting to other crops such as mongo and watermelon.―In Northern Mindanao, the ongoing rehabilitation of irrigation canals and dry spell may reduce plantings in irrigated and rain-fed areas, respectively,‖ the PSA said.―Yield of standing crops in Caraga may be affected by insufficient soil moisture and incidence of black bugs and leaf blight,‖ the agency added. http://business.inquirer.net/192103/local-palay-output-seen-declining#ixzz3af9jkyQs

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

Mekong faces drought, salinity VietNamNet Bridge – The ongoing drought has seriously affected farms and households in the Mekong Delta, causing water shortages for thousands of families in the provinces of Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Ben Tre and Tien Giang.

Farmland in Ca Mau Province is drying up and cracking due to the long-lasting drought that has seriously affected farms and households in the Mekong Delta, causing water shortages for thousands of families.

About 400,000 ha of land under agricultural production in the provinces have been affected by the prolonged drought and salt water infiltration, according to figures from the Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper.The salinity in the early dry season at estuaries in the Mekong Delta was one to 10g per litre (0.1 to 1 per cent) higher than the same period last year.In Ben Tre Province, water with 0.4 per cent salinity has infiltrated 50 km deep inland, raising salinity levels to 0.2 per cent in canals in fields along estuaries and the coast.The acute drought has damaged thousands of hectares of rice fields and other crops in the province.If the saltwater enters Ba Lai River, which serves as a reservoir for freshwater for thousands of families, it could seriously affect residents of Ben Tre City and Chau Thanh District in the province.

As a precautionary measure, authorities in the province have closed 64 culverts and reinforced embankments along rivers.They are also monitoring the salinity of water in the river and irrigated rice fields.Saltwater has also entered the provinces of Soc Trang and Hau Giang, raising

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter salinity levels in rivers.To protect rice fields, the Division of Agriculture and Rural Development of Long Phu District in Soc Trang Province has closed all culverts along rivers and canals in the district.The district authority has urged farmers to speed up harvests to avoid further losses as the drought will peak at the end of this month.More than 5,000 ha of the 13,000 ha of the springsummer rice crop in Long Phu District have already been harvested. However, 30,000 ha of rice fields in Hau Giang Province could be affected by the drought and saltwater intrusion.

Nguyen Van Dong, director of Hau Giang's Agricultural and Rural Development, said farmers had sowed 40,000 ha of the 75,000 ha under the summer-autumn crop.Dong said authorities of commune and district levels have been urged to take measures to combat drought and saltwater intrusion.The director of Tra Vinh Province's Department of Agricultural and Rural Development, Tran Trung Hien, said the drought and salinity intrusion could affect nearly 9,200ha of summer-autumn rice crop, causing a 20-30 per cent loss.The provincial authorities of Vinh Long have asked authorities at the district level to identify the areas damaged by the drought and salinity and map out plans to respond to the crisis.

They were also asked to focus on supply of clean water for daily activities of residents in the districts of Tra On and Vung Liem.Le Van Hai, the head of forest management in Ca Mau Province, said recent rain showers at cajeput forests were insufficient to increase moisture in the soil. Instead, the rains make alum, which is needed in cajeput forests, to leak from the soil, further raising the risk of fire.He said nearly 38,500 ha of forests in Ca Mau Province had been affected by drought and were at risk of fire.

VNS Tags:Mekong Delta,drought,salinity,freshwater,water shortages,

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/environment/130896/mekong-faces-drought--salinity.html

SunRice’s Tully Rice Field Day hailed a success distributed by noodls on 19/05/2015 01:16

SunRice's Tully Rice Field Day was held on Friday 8th May and was a resounding success.

More than 85 people were in attendance at the Tully Country Club to take in a day of presentations followed by a field visit to a rice farm and a research and development trial site.The Tully Rice Field Day provided a unique opportunity for local growers, suppliers and people from the agribusiness industry to learn about SunRice's plans for growth in North Queensland and how to add rice into their farming system as a complementary crop.

Attendees heard from SunRice's General Manager, Grower Services, Mike Hedditch about the company's plans for the development of a sustainable rice industry in Queensland. Mr Hedditch's presentation was very well received and included an introduction to SunRice, its capabilities and operations infrastructure, its innovative marketing, its range of products, and why the company has chosen to invest in Blue Ribbon and in North Queensland. SunRice's Brandon Mill Manager Steve Rogers also presented on aerobic rice production, including rain-fed systems, as well as fitting rice rotations into the farming system.As well the presentations from SunRice, attendees heard from Rice Research Australia's Antony Vagg, who gave an interesting overview of the

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter latest in rice research and development and alternative methods for stubble management. Antony was also able to shed light on grower questions about suitable rice varieties for Queensland conditions and spoke about variety development underway for Northern Australia.Following the formal presentations, 50 attendees visited a local rice farm and a trial site to see first-hand some of the rice varieties being tested and developed and the farming systems in place. http://www.noodls.com/view/C12B38A90C713B4164A761A87BE630202CB92B61?2225xxx1432004111#sthash.6IPbG27W.dpuf

Thai govt to sell 2 million tons of rice in two months

BY EDITORON 2015-05-19THAILAND

BANGKOK, 19 May 2015 (NNT) – The government is preparing to release another 2 million tons of rice within the next two months, in order to minimize effects on the new rice crop due this month.Chutima Bunyapraphasara, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, disclosed after Monday’s meeting of the rice management and policy committee that the meeting had discussed the release of 16 million tons of rice in the government’s stockpile. Of the figure, 5 million tons are high-quality rice. Two million tons have already been sold, and another two million will be sold within two months.Meanwhile, more than 10 million tons of rice in the stockpile are of low quality.

The Ministry of Commerce will have surveyor companies inspect this portion of rice to determine whether the rice can be used as human or animal food. If not, this portion of rice will be sold to ethanol or alcohol factories.The Ministry of Commerce expects to fetch about 200 billion baht from the sale of all 16 million tons of rice in stock, which was acquired at a cost of about 600 billion baht during the past government.

The government has been able to sell 3.4 million tons of rice since the start of the year. The commerce ministry expects to sell the rice at between 8,200-8,500 baht per ton

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/thai-govt-to-sell-2-million-tons-of-rice-in-two-months/87083/

Saudi rice imports from India rise 58% to SR4.5bn in 2014 Freight News 19/05/2015

The value of Saudi rice imports to the Kingdom from India grew by 58 percent, reaching $1.19 billion (SR4.46 billion) by the end of 2014, compared to $752.67 million (SR2.82 billion) in 2013, according to Indian Consul General Bawa Syed Mubarak.Speaking to local media, the Indian diplomat said that Saudi rice imports from India dropped by 1 percent in 2013, due to the emergence of certain obstacles but jumped to record levels in the following year (2014).―At the global level, Indian rice exports fetched $7.78 billion (SR29.17 billion) in 2014, comprising a growth rate of more than 25 percent in one year, of which the Saudi share exceeded 15.35 percent,‖ Mubarak said.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter The diplomat stressed that the Saudi market is considered a key importer of Indian rice worldwide. He noted that rice represented nearly 10 percent of the overall Indian exports to the Kingdom.The volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached more than $48.62 billion, where Indian exports to the Kingdom amounted to $12.21 billion by the end of 2014 in total, an increase of 12 percent, whereas Saudi exports to India reached $36.40 billion, an increase of 8 percent relative to previous years. http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/saudi-rice-imports-from-india-rise-58-to-sr4-5bn-in-2014/

Govt to release 2m tonnes of rice The Nation May 18, 2015 4:48 pm

The Commerce Ministry plans to auction 2 million tonnes of rice from the 16-million tonne stockpiles within the next two months.Commerce Permanent Secretary Chutima Bunyapraphasara said that the release was approved today by the National Rice Policy Committee, which is chaired by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. She is convinced that the auction would not further pressure rice prices, as the second crop will be in the market this month. Paddy rice price is expected to remain at Bt8,200-Bt8,500 a tonne.She is confident that Thailand’s rice exports this year would reach the 10 million-tonne target, following the 3.4 million-tonne shipments in the first five months. She said that over 10 million tonnes in the stockpiles have degraded. Surveyors will be invited to a discussion soon, to find ways that will minimise the government’s losses. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Govt-to-release-2m-tonnes-of-rice-30260374.html

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 18 Nagpur, May 18 Gram and tuar prices reported higher in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on good seasonal buying support from local millers amid weak supply from producing regions. Healthy hike on NCDEX in gram prices, fresh rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and repeated enquiries from South-based millers also boosted prices, according to sources. *

*

*

*

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties showed weak tendency in open market here on lack of demand from local traders amid good supply from producing regions.

TUAR

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter * Tuar varieties declined in open market here in absence of buyers amid ample stock in ready position. Reports about good overseas arrival also affected prices. * Masoor and moong varieties reported strong in open market on increased marriage season demand from local traders amid thin supply from producing belts. * In Akola, Tuar - 7,200-7,500, Tuar dal - 9,900-10,300, Udid at 9,100-9,600, Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,700-11,100, Moong - 9,000-9,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 10,700-11,100, Gram - 4,100-4,400, Gram Super best bold - 6,000-6,200 for 100 kg. * 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 3,500-4,490 3,500-4,410 Gram Pink Auction n.a.

2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 5,700-7,400 5,630-7,320 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 6,300-6,500 6,500-6,700 Gram Super Best n.a.

Gram Medium Best 6,000-6,200 6,300-6,400 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a.

Gram Mill Quality 5,300-5,500 5,500-5,700 Desi gram Raw 4,500-4,650 4,600-4,750 Gram Filter new 6,000-6,100 6,100-6,200 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 10,600-10,900 Tuar Fataka Medium 10,000-10,300 10,100-10,400 Tuar Dal Best Phod 9,500-9,800 9,500-9,900 Tuar Dal Medium phod 9,000-9,350 9,000-9,400 Tuar Gavarani New 7,700-7,800 7,800-7,900 Tuar Karnataka 7,900-8,000 8,000-8,100 Tuar Black 10,700-11,000 10,700-11,000 Masoor dal best 8,100-8,300 7,900-8,100 Masoor dal medium 7,500-7,800 7,200-7,500 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold 11,000-11,500 11,000-11,400 Moong Mogar Medium best 10,200-10,600 10,200-10,500 Moong dal Chilka 9,200-9,750 9,200-9,700

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 9,600-9,900 9,500-9,800 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 1,950-2,050 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 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) 2,200-2,300 2,100-2,200 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,550 2,300-2,450 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 42.1 degree Celsius (107.8 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.

26.2 degree Celsius (79.2 degree Fahrenheit) Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.

Rainfall : nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 43 and 27 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)

USA Rice Cooks Up Contacts at Restaurant Convention Katie Maher talks with a specialty food manufacturer.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- USA Rice staff were among the more than 65,000 foodservice professionals at the National Restaurant Association 2015 Show here this year. More than 2,000 exhibitors showed off all manner of foods, drinks, equipment, and gadgets for the restaurant industry. USA Rice members Riceland and Riviana exhibited, performed cooking demonstrations, and handed out samples to the crowds. In addition to these members, USA Rice staff visited with representatives of several major rice customers and potential customers including Sysco, Taco Bell, Kellogg's, and several rice flour end users. Staff also attended learning sessions on topics including food trends, consumer perceptions of authentic cuisines, and using social media effectively to communicate with "foodies."

With the touch of a button

One of the technical highlights of the show were automated sushi machines that produced and packaged individual pieces of sushi. When asked if the machine was using California rice the exhibitor replied, "of course we are." "As we look to expand our foodservice programs, attending this show was invaluable," said Katie Maher, manager of domestic promotion for USA Rice who attended the conference. "We were able to get a good handle on the foodservice universe, to see what's possible, what we should pursue, and what we can skip given the resources available to us." Maher said the gluten free section of the trade show continues to expand, with most of the exhibitors using some sort of rice flour. Many had food safety questions and were happy to make connections with USA Rice to serve as a resource for good, scientific information.

Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 19 Month

Price

Net Change

July 2015

$9.650

- $0.145

September 2015

$9.915

- $0.145

November 2015

$10.165

- $0.145

January 2016

$10.425

- $0.135

March 2016

$10.490

- $0.135

May 2016

$10.490

- $0.135

July 2016

$10.490

- $0.135

Tanzania’s rice export potential underutilised Published on Tuesday, 19 May 2015 01:15 Written by STAFF WRITER

TANZANIA’S great potential to feed the entire East African region with rice is largely underutilized, says the Secretary General of the East African Community, Dr Richard Sezibera.Speaking in Dar es Salaam last week, Dr Sezibera said Tanzania’s rice was the most sought product in the region but their imports were being blocked in Kenya and Uganda due to doubts on genuineness as there were cases of some dishonest traders mixing it with low quality imports from Pakistan.―Tanzania’s rice is the most sought product in the region but when people find it is mixed with Pakistan rice they cause uproar,‖ he said at a consultative meeting with the business community members organised by Tanzania Private Sector Foundation.

He said the traders themselves were to blame for the problem they were facing in accessing the huge market in Kenya and Uganda as some had betrayed the trust they enjoyed due to cheating.This is a self imposing... self created problem,‖ he said noting however that he would take up the matter for addressing it with relevant authorities.Dr Sezibera said however despite the problem, the business community had not yet utilized the potential to supply the region with rice.―This is one product that Tanzania should be dominant in the region,‖ he said at a consultative meeting with the business community members in Dar es Salaam last week.He said the private sector in Tanzania should make optimal use of the potential by increasing

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter productivity as there was no area in the region that could produce rice to match that produced in Tanzania in terms of quality.

There is no one product that have demand in the region as rice from Tanzania,‖ he said.Rice is the second most important food and commercial crop in Tanzania after maize. It is among the major sources of employment, income and food security for Tanzania it is among the major sources of employment, income and food security for Tanzania farming households.Tanzania at the moment, tops the entire East African Region in rice production. It produces over one million tonnes of rice per annum and is second only to Madagascar which leads with an astounding 4.3 tonnes of yearly rice production, according to available statistics.

However, rice production mainly done by small and medium size rice farmers, is characterised with low productivity with the average yield per hectare from 2003- 2012 at 1.8 tonnes per hectare, according to information by Private Agricultural Sector Support Trust.The potential rice area is estimated at 2-3 million hectares, but at present only 720,000 Ha is under production.Rice is mostly grown in Mwanza, Shinyanga (Bariadi & Maswa), Morogoro (Kilombero, Wami Dakawa), Tabora (Igunga), Kilimajaro (lower Moshi), Coast (Rufiji, Lindi), Mbeya (Mbarali, Kyela, Kapunga) and Rukwa Regions.However there have been a number of large scale mechanized rice schemes in the country which are mainly for export. About 25 per cent of the national rice production comes from Mbeya and Morogoro regions http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/biz/45017-tanzania-s-rice-export-potential-underutilised

Exports to EU up 21 percent in 2014: Dastgir May 19, 2015 RECORDER REPORT

Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir on Monday said that imports stood at $34 billion during July-March 2014-15 and there has been a 21 percent rise in exports to the European Union in 2014, which translates into an additional export of $1.3 billion, the minister told the National Assembly in a written reply. The minister said that average mill consumption of last five years (2010-14) is 14.27 million bales of 170-kg (2426000 MT) while average imports of cotton during 2010-14 are 1.77 million bales of 170-kg (302000 MT). He said average exports during 2010-14 were recorded at 0.903 million bales, 154000 MT of cotton. However, the minister said there are many reasons behind the decline in exports during the said period.

He said there has been a global trend of decrease in prices of cotton and rice. These commodities have seminal importance in Pakistan's exports and decrease in prices has adversely affected Pakistan's exports, he added. He said that the average unit price (AUP) of non-basmati rice, which constitutes 70 percent of Pakistan's rice exports by value, declined by 2 percent; similarly, the AUP of cotton and yarn has declined by 78 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The minister said the price of agricultural commodities declined and the cost of production in Pakistan increased due to rise in energy and other input costs. Pakistan's ranking in Global Competitiveness Index decreased from 128th in 2013-14 to 129th in 2014-15. Khurram Dastgir said the appreciation of Pak Rupee during the period July-January of the current financial year as

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter compared to the corresponding period of previous year has made Pakistan's exports less competitive.

The average exchange rate of USD vs PKR, during the period July 2014 to January 2015 remained 100.183 as compared to 104.076 during the corresponding period of the previous year. He said the reason behind decline of export is also lack of research and development. India has developed many basmati and basmati-look-alike (non-basmati) varieties during last few years whereas Pakistan has failed to develop any basmati variety during last 30 years.

Consequently, the traditional markets of basmati rice are being gradually grabbed by India with high-yielding basmati varieties, he said.

The House was also informed that an amount of Rs 80 billion will be incurred for the rehabilitation of the Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) over a period of three years.

Answering a question, Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Secretariat Raja Javed Ikhlas said that Rs 20 billion have so far been released in this regard and the remaining amount will be released accordingly. He said that 191,183 TDPs have been repatriated to FATA so far. He said the work is also under way for the reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure. Responding to a question, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said an invitation has been sent to the Russian President Vladimir Putin for visit to Pakistan. He has accepted the invitation in principle but a mutual convenient date for the visit has not yet been decided. He said during the visit cooperation projects in the field of energy, defence and commerce will materialize http://www.brecorder.com/top-stories/0/1187895/

Pakistan to continue assisting quake-hit Nepal: NDMA May 19, 2015

ISLAMABAD - Besides establishing a 30-bed field hospital, Pakistan has so far dispatched 12 sorties of C-130 aircraft to the quake-hit Nepal with a sizeable quantity of relief goods and medical assistance.The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in a report to Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday said that the air effort should continue till completion of the assigned task by the government.

The report mentioned the relief measures including a 30-bed field hospital with 50-members team comprising of doctors including child specialists, orthopaedic surgeons, gynaecologists, anaesthetists, radiologists, paramedics and technicians.

The medical team worked round the clock and treated over 2700 patients and conducted 32 operations.The Nepalese Army Chief also appreciated the work during his visit to the hospital,

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter the report said.A 38-members Urban Search and Rescue Team with latest equipment, ground penetrating radars, concrete cutters and other rescue equipment were immediately sent and worked at five sites and rescued trapped people.Out of 3,000 tents, 1849 have been transported along with 15 shelters, 1000 blankets, three tons of food, 0.5 tons of lentils, 12.

5 tons of medicines, 3024 litres of water, besides rice and tarpaulin shelters.

The NDMA plans to transport the remaining 1151 tents, 29,250 tarpaulin shelters and 18 tons of rice with the assistance of Pakistan Air force in the coming days.An earthquake of 7.8 magnitude devastated Nepal on April 25 that was followed by a series of after-shocks including a major one of 7.3 magnitudes on May 12.Around 8,462 deaths have been reported while 20,000 reported injured, 489,000 homes destroyed and another 260,000 damaged.

On the directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, a very proactive stance was adopted by Pakistan from day one.

Pakistan responded within 19 hours of the incident by sending two aircraft of Pakistan Air Force carrying a field hospital and an Urban Search and Rescue Team with latest rescue equipment.Pakistan was amongst the first few countries to have sent a 30-bed field hospital to the earthquake-affected areas.The Chairman NDMA, on the direction of the Prime Minister also accompanied one of the relief flights to Nepal and met the Nepalese Army Chief and Foreign Minister to express solidarity with the people of Nepal.

He assured them of Pakistan’s continued support in these difficult times.The Nepalese government officials were very appreciative of Pakistan’s efforts and expressed their gratitude, the report adds.The Pakistan Air Force also ferried to Nepal seven Nepalese doctors studying at King Edward University free of charge as a goodwill gesture.The NDMA also acknowledged the excellent joint collaboration between the National Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force. http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/19-May-2015/pakistan-to-continue-assisting-quake-hit-nepal-ndma

Ousted Thai PM Yingluck defends rice program at start of criminal trial Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra greets journalists as she arrives at the Supreme Court in Bangkok on Tuesday. She is on trial for criminal negligence and potentially faces a decade in jail if convicted. | AFP-JIJI ASIA PACIFIC / CRIME & LEGAL AFP-JIJI MAY 19, 2015 BANGKOK – Thailand’s ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted on her innocence Tuesday at the start of a trial that could see her jailed for a decade, part of what some observers say is a vendetta against her family.It is the latest legal move against Yingluck — sister of fugitive billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra — whose administration was toppled in a military coup nearly a year ago.A guilty conviction could deliver a hammer blow to the political

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter dominance of her family, but it also risks stirring up their grass-roots ―Red Shirt‖ supporters who have remained largely inactive since the military took over.Around 50 supporters gathered outside Thailand’s Supreme Court on the northern outskirts of Bangkok including more than a dozen members of Yingluck’s Pheu Thai Party, a highly unusual sight in a country where political gatherings of more than five people remain banned by the junta.Many burst into applause and shouts of ―Yingluck, fight, fight!‖ when her convoy pulled up outside the courthouse for the trial, which is expected to last months.―I am confident that I am innocent and I hope the court will give me justice and allow everything to proceed in accordance with the law,‖ Yingluck told reporters.The ousted premier is accused of criminal negligence over a populist rice subsidy scheme, which paid farmers in the rural Shinawatra heartland twice the market rate for their crop.She is not accused of personal corruption but of failing to prevent alleged graft within the programme, which cost Thailand billions of dollars and galvanised protests against her elected government prior to last May’s coup. The charge carries up to 10 years in jail.

During the brief hearing, Yingluck spoke only to plead not guilty. The court granted 30 million baht ($900,000) bail on condition that she will not leave Thailand without written permission, and the next hearing was scheduled for July 21.Thailand’s military-appointed parliament impeached Yingluck in January over the scheme, a move which banned her from politics for five years.―I believe a hawkish faction in the old powers . . . wants to punish the Shinawatras as much as they can,‖ said Puangthong Pawakapan, a Thai politics expert at Chulalongkorn University. ―But keepi ng her in prison will definitely anger the Red Shirts even more,‖ she added.Other analysts say the mere threat of jail may be used to discourage the Shinawatras from re-engaging in politics.Yingluck herself has said the rice scheme ―lifted the quality of life for rice farmers‖ in the poor northeast of a country where subsidies to farmers have long been a cornerstone of Thai politics.The army takeover last year was the latest twist in a decade of political turbulence that broadly pits a Bangkok-based elite, backed by parts of the military and judiciary, against poor urban and rural voters, particularly in the country’s north, who are fiercely loyal to the Shinawatras.

Thaksin was himself toppled by a previous coup in 2006 and now lives in self-exile to avoid jail on a corruption charge.As Yingluck went into court, Thaksin made rare public comments at a conference in South Korea calling on Asian nations to embrace the ―rule of law.‖―The key to good governance and democracy is you have to strike a balance‖ between the judicial, legislative and executive branches, he said at the Asian Leadership Conference.―And also you have to observe the rule of law, which is a very important asset for each country to be credible,‖ he added.His comments did not specifically refer to Thailand but are nonetheless likely to chime with his so-called ―Red Shirt‖ supporters who have long accused Thailand’s judiciary of unfairly targeting their movement.The Shinawatras, or parties allied to them, have won every Thai election since 2001.

But their opponents accuse them of cronyism, corruption and financially ruinous populist policies.As a result, the Shinawatra family have faced two coups and the removal of three of

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter their premiers by the Thai courts, while several deadly rounds of protest have rocked Bangkok and weighed on the Thai economy.Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, brother-in-law to Yingluck and Thaksin, is also due to enter a plea on Thursday to criminal charges over a crackdown against anti-Shinawatra protesters in 2008. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/05/19/asia-pacific/crime-legal-asia-pacific/ousted-thai-pmyingluck-defends-rice-program-start-criminal-trial/#.VVxEFvlVikp

11 million tonnes of govt rice stockpile 'substandard' 19 May 2015 at 17:32 WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS

Grain in some of the sacks stored at a warehouse in Phitsanulok's Wat Bot was rotten and had turned to powder when tested in February 2014. (Bangkok Post file photo) The Commerce Ministry has found 11 million tonnes of substandard rice in its stockpile accumulated during the previous government, and estimated the total worth at 400 billion baht in lost sales.Commerce permanent secretary Chutima Bunyapraphasara said the Rice Policy and Management Committee meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, agreed the government should sell 16 million tonnes of the rice in the stockpile.It wanted to release the grain as soon as possible as the storage cost was high at 30 million baht a day, or 60 baht a tonne.

She said of the total stock, five million tonnes were quality rice, of which 2.9 million tonnes had already been sold so there was about two million tonnes of the quality rice left. Another 11 million tonnes did not meet the quality standard of the stated grades. The government expected to earn 200 billion baht from releasing the overall stockpile, so the loss would be around 400 billion baht as the cost was about 600 billion baht.

The implementation of the rice pledging scheme under the previous government, which offered payment well over the market rate, resulted in an enormous stockpile of unsold rice.Then-prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been charged with dereliction of duty and abuse of authority in failing to stop graft and losses in the rice scheme under Section 157 of the Criminal Code and Section 123/1 of the 1999 Counter Corruption Act.Ms Yingluck appeared in the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Tuesday and entered pleas of not guilty.

She was allowed bail and the hearing was adjourned Bangkok Post

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Government Not Planning To Stop ST15 Rice Subsidy Programme - Tajuddin Published on Tuesday, 19 May 2015 17:31

KUALA LUMPUR -- The government is not planning to stop the ST15 rice subsidy programme yet so as to protect the interest of various parties, including 15,000 grocers nationwide. Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said the ministry appreciated views and recommendations on the rice subsidy programme, but also took into account the impact on related parties if the programme was stopped."Firstly 15,000 grocery stores nationwide, secondly 2,400 wholesale workers, 865 rice wholesalers including 607 Bumiputera small traders, 43 Bumiputera rice millers and 35,000 farmers who receive direct supply of ST15 under the 20kg quota per month," he said when replying Gooi Hsiao Leung (PKR-Alor Setar) in the Dewan Rakyat Teusday.Gooi asked whether the government would review the subsidy programme following recommendation from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to suspend the subsidy programme for failing to benefit the poor.

Tajuddin said the ministry, however, would continue to monitor and scrutinise the programme from time to time through the establishment of the Paddy and Rice Industries Affairs Main Committee, which comprise the ministry's permanent representatives, its agencies and Farmers' Organisation Authority."The committee is responsible to consider the ST15 rice quota to wholesalers. A technical committee will also be set up to inspect and evaluate the wholesalers from time to time," he said.On alleged distribution leakages, Tajuddin said 60,000 tonnes of ST15 rice produced would be distributed to wholesalers for onward distribution to retailers nationwide, every month."We don't think there are leakages because the wholesalers cannot keep the rice, if 60,000 tonnes for a month, how much for two or three months? They will not want to keep such a big amount of rice," he said.

Tajuddin said that if any elected representatives had evidence of fraud in the sale of ST15, they can directly lodge a complaint to the ministry or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).However, Tajuddin admitted that there were some weaknesses in the delivery system, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, with limited access problem to rural areas as well as the lack of personnel to carry out enforcement and monitoring activities.In addressing the smuggling problem of ST15 rice to neighboring countries, especially Indonesia, Tajuddin has asked leaders at the grassroots to play a proactive role to assist the ministry to curb such problems. http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/554313-government-not-planning-to-stop-st15-rice-subsidyprogramme-tajuddin.html

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