20th may,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 20 ,2015 Vol 5,Issue V

Govt not planning to stop ST15 rice subsidy programme Published on: Wednesday, May 20, 2015

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

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 2

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter 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. 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. - Bernama http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=99909

Access to finance limits export potential for millers Wed, 20 May 2015 Ananth Baliga

Cambodian rice exports have grown year-on-year since 2009 but have fallen well short of reaching the government‟s 1 million tonne annual target, with experts saying that limited access to finance, warehousing and logistical support are holding back the potential of rice millers.According to the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2015, published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), despite the 3 million tonnes of paddy available for processing in Cambodia, it will not reach the 1 million tonnes export mark in 2015 and will need to invest in scaling up milling capacity and irrigation facilities.David Van, adviser to the Cambodia Rice Federation, said that while government figures for paddy production are probably inflated, the issue wasn‟t the sector‟s capacity to mill this paddy, but rather access to finance.

“Big impediment is not in milling capacity but in working capital of millers and exporters to buy paddy and compete with mainly Vietnamese brokers with deep pockets and plenty of cash

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 3

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter provided by the Vietnamese government,” Van said.The problem stems from millers and exporters‟ ability to get finance, Van said, with the government and donor partners failing to address the issue for years, though there was some assistance from the private sector.“Now we‟re seeing more commercial banks, like ANZ Royal and Acleda, focusing on establishing some „paddy banks‟, trying to team up with millers using a warehousing receipt concept - to use paddy as collateral,” Van added.

While there is some access to financing, it was more difficult to attain when compared to neighbouring Vietnam and Thailand, who are aided by local subsidies to buy paddy from Cambodia, said Kunthy Kann, CEO of rice miller Brico.“Vietnam and Thailand have government subsidies or warehouse facilities to buy during the season, so whatever is left after buying by local [Cambodian] millers goes to these countries,” Kann said.He added that the lack of financing and warehousing make it difficult for local millers to stock up all the rice available in November or December, given that Cambodia has only one harvest window.While the sector currently has the potential to produce 1.5 million tonnes of exportable rice, the mills are working at only 30 to 40 per cent average capacity a year due to low stockpiles, Kann said.

“Each miller has to have a lot of working capital to buy the paddy and have a huge warehouse facility, because the harvest is about eight weeks. This means you have to be able to collect as much as you can,” he added.Kann said that logistical costs, like using road transport instead of railways, to get rice to the ports was an additional cost that takes away from their limited capital spending.Charles Vann, executive vice president at Canadia Bank, said that private banks have been supporting rice exporters and millers with financing and collateral management, adding that the onus was on the borrower to meet bank criteria for loans.

“If they do not [have] access, or not have enough [access], it means that they are not qualified to [meet] the criteria. The rice miller needs to meet the banks criteria to qualify for a credit line,” Vann said.He said that it is helpful where the government can provide assistance, but for the private sector, when financing of the rice industry, collateral options would have to be a decision made by each individual bank.Cambodia‟s rice exports in 2014 was a record-breaking 387,000 tonnes, but was still more than 60 per cent short of its intended 1 million mark.

Contact author: Ananth Baliga

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/access-finance-limits-export-potential-millers

Cuts in California rice open doors for competitors Issue Date: May 20, 2015

By Ching Lee Once again, California rice farmers are planting less rice due to water restrictions, while Southern rice-growing states are expanding their production of medium-grain rice, taking some of California‟s markets in the process.

Photo/Christine Souza

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 With California farmers not planting as much rice due to water restrictions, Southern rice-growing states are jumping in to fill the gap by expanding their production and taking some of the Golden State's markets in the process."You'd think with the drought and the reduced acres that things would be good, but the business went elsewhere," said Charley Mathews Jr., a rice grower in Yuba County.Although Southern states such as Arkansas and Louisiana typically grow long-grain rice and very little of the medium-grain rice that is the dominant variety in California, Southern growers are devoting more acreage to medium grain in expectation of tighter supplies from California, said Nathan Childs, an economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Higher returns for medium grain also have made it a more attractive choice for Southern growers, he added."Long-grain prices really went down last year, and so if you're a grower in the South, you look to soybeans or medium-grain rice," Mathews said, adding that newer rice varieties have allowed Southern growers to incrementally increase their mediumgrain production.Southern medium-grain acreage more than doubled last year to 301,000, according to USDA, while California's total rice acreage fell 30 percent—from 567,000 in 2013 to 434,000 in 2014. Total U.S. medium-grain acreage rose 6 percent last year.

More medium-grain rice will be planted in the South again this year, as water restrictions force California farmers to decrease their plantings even further. Initial estimates from USDA indicate Southern growers intend to plant 311,000 acres of medium grain, while California farmers will grow 375,000 acres of medium grain and 408,000 acres of all rice varieties, a 6 percent reduction from 2014.California Rice Commission spokesman Jim Morris noted that the 2015 USDA estimates were made before the state's water allocations were finalized—and that California's total rice acreage will likely be lower.

While reduced plantings have had a significant impact on local communities and businesses that depend on rice farming, Mark Kimmelshue, general manager and CEO of Associated Rice Marketing Cooperative in Butte County, said those reductions "probably aren't going to have a huge effect on the world market and the price of rice."He said not only has production in other states offset the reductions in California, but the price of California rice has been relatively high compared to other rice sources in the world. He noted that Southern medium-grain rough rice (before it is milled) is now selling for $14 to $15 a hundredweight, while California mediumgrain rough is $21 cwt."We haven't sold as much rice as we had in previous years," he said.

"That means there's going to be more rice carried in from the 2014 crop into the 2015-16 marketing year than there has been in the past.

"Kimmelshue said while the state normally ships rice to Turkey, the country has not bought any rice from California this year; all shipments have come from the South. Likewise, Taiwan, which

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 5

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter has been a big market for California rice, has been buying more Southern rice.Asian markets such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan typically prefer the quality of California rice, but those are limited markets, Kimmelshue said, and right now there's much more rice in California than those markets could absorb.

Turkey, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia historically have been big customers of California rice when prices were lower, but they've been turning to the Southern states' less-expensive product, he added.Mathews said the strength of the dollar has not helped, and political turmoil in the Middle East has affected sales to Libya and Syria, two of the state's biggest customers a few years ago. Turkey and Libya are two of the largest buyers of U.S. medium- and short-grain rough rice, whereas Japan, South Korea and Taiwan typically take almost two-thirds of total U.S. medium- and short-grain exports, USDA economist Childs said.Disruption at West Coast ports due to a nine-month-long labor dispute between shippers and dockworkers, which heightened last winter, also contributed to the state's increased rice stocks, Childs said.Winter is usually peak export season for rice, Mathews said, and the port slowdown affected the state's ability to ship rice to its Middle Eastern customers, who turned to Australia, a major competitor.

Rice production from Down Under had dropped off significantly during Australia's drought several years ago, but in recent years, it has made a huge comeback, Kimmelshue said. Australia not only competes with California in Middle Eastern markets but in key Asian markets of Japan, Korea and Taiwan, he added.One competitor the state doesn't have to worry much about is Egypt, once a major supplier of medium-grain rice. In recent years, the Egyptian government has been restricting rice exports in favor of keeping most of its supply for domestic consumption.Mathews said California is now catching up on its export backlog from the port slowdown, which ended in late February. He noted this summer will be a busy export season for California rice because Japan, which usually imports rice in the winter, has shifted its purchases to the summer due to the earlier disruptions at the ports."So we'll be able to move our crop, but it's just very delayed," he said.

Kimmelshue said he expects the price of rice will remain at current levels for the rest of the 2014-15 marketing year and into the 2015 crop. If the state receives plenty of rain this winter, prices could drop, because California farmers would plant more rice, increasing supplies. But if the drought continues and state rice acreage continues to fall, prices could start moving up again.Mathews said regardless of what happens in the market, his planting decisions remain the same every year because his land is not suited to growing anything but rice. Plus, his water supply is in "pretty good shape," he noted, and he has access to groundwater in some of his fields."The summertime is when things are going to get dicey, because that's when reservoirs get down to the bottom," he said. "What you don't ever want to see is somebody's crop getting shut off in the middle of summer. I've never seen it before, and we just hope it doesn't happen."(Ching Lee is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at clee@cfbf.com.)

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.

http://agalert.com/story/?id=8301&utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+May+19%2C+2015&utm_camp aign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

Amru nearing organic rice deal with the US Wed, 20 May 2015

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 6

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter May Kunmakara

Local rice exporter Amru Rice is close to signing an agreement with an American importer to bring Cambodian organic rice to the American market, according to the rice exporter‟s chief executive.Amru Rice CEO Song Saran told the Post yesterday that after analysing the US market, his company had decided to tap into the potentially vast source of customers.“We observed that more Americans are consuming organic, chemical-free rice, so that‟s why we‟re trying to promote our rice there and obtain a larger market share,” he said.“We are preparing to sign an agreement with an importer to promote our brand of organic rice to the retail market and reach real consumers. ”However, Saran declined to reveal the name of the American company he was dealing with due to ongoing talks.He said that plans would be finalised in June with Cambodian rice hitting the shelves in September.Amru has already tested the market by exporting a small amount of unbranded organic rice. “Before we just sold some unpackaged organic rice, so the consumers didn‟t know it was made in Cambodia. Now, we want to promote our brand,” said Saran.David Van, senior adviser to the Cambodia Rice Federation, said there was potential for the country‟s organic rice in the US.“Amru has been working on exploring this market since last year, not only recently,” he said.

“They‟re already exporting Preah Vihear organic jasmine [rice] to the US, drawing better margins than others who export regular jasmine [rice],” he explained.In September last year, Amru Rice signed a deal with eight farmer cooperatives in Preah Vihear province to purchase 2,500 tonnes of organic fragrant paddy rice.Fong Ngai, director of the Hong Kong Trade Office in Singapore, said Cambodian rice was known to be of good quality compared to others.“Cambodian organic rice is really good, as Hong Kong‟s consumers prefer organic products. However, the price is a bit higher than [rice from] Thailand.”Cambodia‟s primary organic rice exporter, the Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture, known as CEDAC, shipped 540 tonnes of fragrant organic rice to international markets last year, an increase 20 per cent compared to 2013. The rice exporter is aiming to export 1,000 tonnes in 2015. http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/amru-nearing-organic-rice-deal-us

Indonesia moves ahead with rice fields in Papua Updated at 9:57 am on 20 May 2015 Indonesia's state-owned fertilizer maker Pupuk Indonesia is to raise $US 534-million to clear and develop 750,000 million hectares of rice fields in Papua.The Jakarta Globe reports this is part of President Joko Widodo's programme to establish a million hectares of rice, sugar cane, soybean, corn, and oil palm-growing area - dubbed the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate - in Papua by 2017.An official with Indonesia's Agriculture Ministry, Haryono, says Pupuk Indonesia is still discussing how to fund the investment.

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 7

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Private companies will be responsible for developing the remaining 250,000 hectares.Haryono says the project still had to resolve land acquisition issues, with the majority of the land being communally owned.He says a plus is that Merauke's land is flat and has irrigation systems left by the Dutch, which only need a few repairs.The government targets to clear 250,000 hectares of land by the end of this year.

Rice field, Photo: Supplied http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/274108/indonesia-moves-ahead-with-rice-fields-inpapua

PM okays $22mil. budget to preserve rice fields Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a budget of 470 billion VND (about 22 million USD) to help preserve and develop rice fields in nine cities and provinces across the country.Northern Bac Ninh, central Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, Quang Ngai are among the provinces earmarked for attention, but most of the funds will go to Mekong Delta provinces such as Tay Ninh, Vinh Long, Hau Giang, Dong Thap and Kien Giang.A Government study has revealed that rapid urbanisation and industrialisation as well as infrastructure development have led to a decline in rice fields throughout Vietnam.Government Decision 35/2015 will serve as a keystone policy to assist localities in preserving and developing rice fields, ensuring the country's rice production capacity in the future.The decision stipulates

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 8

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter that for each hectare of rice field in production, localities may receive up to 1 million VND (46.5 USD) on top of other on-effect subsidies provided by the State.

The decision also encouraged localities to convert other types of land into rice fields with subsidies of up to 10 million VND (465 USD) for each hectare.The budget will also be used for land enrichment, upgrading water irrigation systems and supporting local farmers to apply scientific and technological advances in rice production.In addition, the decision required localities and individuals to be committed to and legally responsible for the preservation of rice fields and the environment. Reports on rice fields under local authority management will be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) on an annual basis.A recent report by the agricultural ministry said the country must maintain rice production levels at 39.8 million tonnes in 2020 and 40.5 million tonnes in 2030 to ensure national food security.The task of preserving rice fields is of great importance as Vietnam is among the list of countries most affected by climate change. Up to 70 percent of its rice fields will be adversely affected by rising sea-level by the end of the century.

VNA Tags:PM okays $22mil. budget to preserve rice fields,

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/society/131064/pm-okays--22mil--budget-to-preserve-rice-fields.html

Need to rethink our rice industry It comes to mind that we need to end the subsidies on foods, even rice. Or in the case of what was recently raised by the Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM), especially rice. And it was an eye opener to get their data on issues plaguing our farmers.For one, it was calculated that the seasonal revenue for padi farmers in Sanglang is a mere RM4,773 for 1.4 hectares. Meanwhile, seasonal costs are calculated at RM3,027, thus leaving a mere RM1,004.84 for the farmers to take home to their families.It doesnâ€&#x;t sound so bad to have a thousand bucks, right? Wrong.That figure is for an entire season, which is four months long.

This means that the farmer gets an average monthly income of a mere RM250.The rice industry for Malaysia is huge, it is a RM7 billion industry. But put that together with what the farmer is earning?

Well, you donâ€&#x;t have to be a rocket scientist to see something is wrong somewhere.Today, the farming industry in Malaysia, particularly rice, is a dying one. There are only 13 percent padi farming families in this nation of 30 million, with an average age of 60 years old.If you thought the farmers have it bad, the next step in the supply chain has it equally bad.With 95 percent of the farmers being Malays, they formed the Malay Rice Factory Association of Malaysia to set up their own factories.From boasting 110 factories before, there are now only 35 left.With all this in mind, let us consider what the government is targeting for the padi farmers by 2020.Among other points, this government is targeting the opening of 400,000 hectares of new land for padi farming.

Through the Economic Transformation Programme, the Malaysian government is also targeting selfsufficient production, 85 percent local production by 2020.That figure currently stands at 57 percent.This is no longer a case where you can provide more subsidies to farmers in order to bolster their income. There needs to be total reform and further study into making their incomes more attractive.

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 9

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Shrinking rice bowl Thus, when people say that subsidies distort the market, here we are. Subsidies on rice, yet very little intervention down the supply chain from farm to fork, has caused and will definitely cause our socalled rice bowl to grow ever smaller to the point of insignificance.And that is why we need to reconsider whether subsidising rice is truly the best move. Farmers used to be able to sustain a household in the past, but this is no longer valid as we have seen above.So, should we reconsider paying a fair price for rice to allow the industry to become more attractive for a future generation of padi entrepreneurs?

Or, will we be just content on increasing our import of rice to cater to local demand without a care about food security?

This, I believe, is dependent on the government‟s next Malaysia Plan which will plot out the next five years.Perfect timing, since the average padi farmer will be at the age of retirement by 2020.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/298980

DITP hoping global rice traders will have more confidence in Thai rice

BY EDITOR ON

2015-05-20 THAILAND

DITP hoping global rice traders will have more confidence in Thai rice

BANGKOK, 20 May 2015 (NNT)-The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) has expressed its confidence that the 7th Thailand Rice Convention 2015 will raise foreign importers‟ confidence in the quality of Thai rice.According to DITP Deputy Director General Banjongjit Angsusing, this year‟s convention, now underway, is held under the theme „Think of Rice, Think of Thai Rice‟.Its objective is to reiterate to rice importers that Thailand is still the world‟s leading rice exporter and a global rice hub. Participants of this event have been informed

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 10

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter about the environmentally-friendly methods used in producing rice grains.The 7th convention has also been held in honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn‟s 60th birthday anniversary. More than 50 rice traders from various nations attend the convention, which will come to an end tomorrow, the Deputy Director General said.

Liberia: Japanese Gov't Donates 8,060 Metric Tons of Rice to Liberia Tagged:Aid and Assistance,Asia, Australia, and Africa,Business,Commodities,External Relations,

Liberia,West Africa

By Bettie Johnson Monrovia — The Japanese Government has handed over eight thousand Sixty Metric tons of assorted rice to the Government of Liberia. The donation brought together several Liberian officials, including Agriculture Minister Dr. Florence Chenoweth, Commerce Minister Axel Addy, representatives of rice importers, Japan's Ambassador and other dignitaries.Speaking at the Program, Agriculture Minister Dr. Chenoweth said the impact of the program supports the whole cycle of rice production in Liberia.

"Though Ebola took away almost everything, but the full cycle of support from the Japanese Government must be commended; the varieties are many and a selection of varieties has been made by the Agriculture Ministry and your program supports the foundation seed and sacrifice seed for all of the varieties. Most of our farmers in Liberia are illiterate and they know the means of the varieties, they tell you which type of seed they want," the Agriculture Minister said.Commerce Minister Addy commended the Japanese Government for their support to the Liberian economy. He disclosed that the rice donation is not the first as the other donations have led to the construction of bridges; projects and warehouses among others. Minister Addy also pleaded with consumers to swiftly purchase the rice, which he said will help finance other projects that will empower local farmers in the country.

Monsoon enters Sri Lanka; Kerala coast next on the list THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 20: Establishment of monsoon conditions over Sri Lanka was the positive signal on a day when the India Met Department suffered a setback over both the seas around the South.Winds over Arabian Sea suddenly reversed direction to being north-westerly (atypical of monsoon) while the watch for a „low‟ in the Bay has had to be withdrawn.

Bay arm lags

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 11

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Monsoon establishing over Sri Lanka is the most significant news after its onset over the Andaman and Nicobar islands in Indian territorial waters on Saturday last. But it has not been able to make any significant progress since. The Met merely hoped that it would cover more areas in the Bay of Bengal over the next two days.It had mentioned about the prospects of a lowpressure area developing in the Bay which could have revved up the Bay arm of the monsoon.

This outlook has been withdrawn on Wednesday.The onset of monsoon over Kerala normally happens within a few days of that over Sri Lanka, and 10-12 days after Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

No MJO support Meanwhile, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said it did not find support coming from the upper levels of the atmosphere for onset of monsoon along the Kerala coast.It was referring to the periodical Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) wave that travels periodically to the east across the Indian Ocean. It boosts convection and cloudiness at the ground level. But the monsoon can prevail even without MJO, provided the onset pulse packs the required strength and intensity to drive on its own along the West Coast.

El Ni単o outlook Apart from triggering the onset of the monsoon, the MJO wave has also been responsible for setting up low-pressure areas, depressions, and even storms.The Bureau did not see an MJO moving over the Indian Ocean for at least the next two weeks. El Nino conditions in the tropical Pacific region are likely to strengthen, says the Bureau, which closely tracks weather in the region. Super typhoon Dolphin, which had helped drag in the monsoon faraway upstream over the Bay of Bengal, may also be bolstering the case of El Nino by default, too.The net effect is that moisture, storminess and cloudiness get driven away from Asia and the larger monsoon region into equatorial and east Pacific (towards South America).

(This article was published on May 20, 2015)

Rice mills seek exemption from GST The rice mill owners and paddy-rice dealers in the State have appealed to the Union Government to exempt rice from Goods and Service Tax.This was one of the resolutions passed at a statelevel meeting of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Rice Mill Owners and Paddy-Rice Dealers Associations held here on Tuesday.Since Tamil Nadu is deficit in paddy production and rice is a major food in the State, the Government has not levied any tax on these so far.Rice millers and farmers need additional power supply during the harvest season to dry the paddy and the low tension power supply available to these units is inadequate.

The federation appealed to the State Government and to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission to pass the required orders for this.The mills would pay the charges fixed by the commission for the additional supply.The paddy dealers and mill owners also appealed to the State to remove the market cess levied on rice.The State has 277 agricultural markets.However,

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 12

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter rice and paddy were procured by the dealers and mills directly from the farmers and also from States such as Karnataka, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, they pointed out. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/rice-mills-seek-exemption-from-gst/article7229426.ece

Duty on rice pushes up paddy prices Yasir Wardad Duty on rice pushes up paddy prices

The prices of paddy increased by Tk140-150 per maund (37.32kgs) at farm level in last one week following the levying of 10 per cent duty on rice import, a market survey reveals.But farmers are reaping little benefit from the hike in prices. Big millers and traders, who have built up rice stocks through procurement of the main staple from domestic and external sources, are making the most of it.By the time the paddy prices have taken an upturn, most farmers in the country are learnt to have sold out their new harvests.Market experts said more than 60 per cent of farmers already had sold out their produce at much lower prices to millers and their allied local wholesalers (pikers) or mid-level traders.

Paddy prices plunged to a three-year low this Boro season with the beginning of harvest from mid-April when per-maund Brridhan-28 sold at only Tk450-500 while finer-variety Miniket sold at Tk500-550 per maund, according to Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) data.The DAM reckonings show the prices of different varieties of paddy have increased by Tk140-150 per maund (30-33 per cent rise) in last seven days. Costs of production of Brridhan-28 and 29 and Miniket were Tk750 to Tk800 per maund as per the calculation done by agriculture ministry.The government is going to buy paddy at Tk880 per maund and rice at Tk1280 per maund from May 30 from the farmers and millers, said food officials.Millers, traders and experts claimed that uncontrolled import of rice from India was the key reason behind the fall in paddy prices this Boro-harvesting season.

They had urged the government from the beginning of the year to withdraw zero duty on rice import as lower-priced imported rice flooded the market.However, the private importers have brought 1.417 million tonnes of rice until May 18, according to the food ministry data.Meanwhile, imports declined to 2,500 tonnes per day during the period from April to May 18 from 4,600 tonnes a day in July-March period of the current financial year, according to the data."As a consequence of huge imports, 60 per cent millers stopped their operation in December-April period in the peak Aman-and Boro-milling seasons," said KM Layek Ali, secretary of Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mills Owners Association (BAMHMOA).

He said Swarna variety's import cost was between Tk20 and 24 per kilogram when local milling cost of the produce was Tk27 to 29 per kg.However, amid growing demand from farmers,

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 13

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter millers, experts, the government finally slapped 10 per cent duty on rice import with effect from May 11, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR).The duty obligation pushed up paddy prices dramatically.Md Shah Suja, a farmer in Ramnagar Union under Nilphamari sadar upazila, said Brridhan-28 was selling at Tk1140-1160 per 75- kg sack (Tk600-620 per maund) now against Tk850-900 per sack (Tk450-480 per maund) a week back.He said: "The price started to increase when most of us had sold our products. Every farmer incurred a loss of Tk2500-3000 per bigha (33 decimal) by cultivating paddy this season.

"He said local millers, paikers and traders are reaping huge benefits from the hike following the market intervention.Economist and rice-market expert Dr Mahabub Hossain told the FE that the government policymakers should have analysed the matter much earlier when the number of LCs increased significantly for rice import.He said if the duty obligation came earlier, it could benefit most of the farmers."But, many of the farmers who are in the harvesting process will get some benefit from recent price rises. If the paddy price increased to Tk650-700 per maund, the farmers at least could get back their investment," he said. "Many farmers go for Boro farming much later.

We now term it Braush (Boro+Aus). The Braush cultivators will reap benefits," he said.Dr Hossain also said, "Without ensuring profits for farmers, we cannot increase our production at level necessary to ensure food security of the country.

Farm-economist Prof Gazi M Jalil said 60 per cent of the farmers have already sold their crop as they needed money for the jute and Aman cultivation and also for paying back their debts.Prof Jalil, who teaches agriculture economics at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, said the government should enact a time-befitting rice import and export policy to protect the interests of the country's people."Government should consider rice always a strategic crop, which could help it in framing a farmer-friendly import policy.

"However, rice (milled) prices were static marinating lower prices at mill-gate for last two weeks, BAMHMOA secretary KM Layek Ali said.The government allowed substantial rice import when local farmers gifted the country with record production, according to the government data.Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics data reveal that rice production was a record 34.465 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2013-14 while output of Aman and Aus crops accounted for record 13.2 million tonnes and 2.328 million tonnes respectively in the current financial year.Meanwhile, the production may surpass19.0 million tonnes in the current Boro season as per the prediction of the Department of Agriculture Extension. tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/05/21/93502

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 14

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter 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 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

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 15

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter 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#.VV2yoflViko

Jute packaging by rice mills made mandatory in Bengal

By Ritwik Mukherjee May 20 2015 Tags: Knowledge The Rs 8,000 crore plus jute industry in West Bengal, which has been passing through a demand crisis and closure of mills, may get a new lease of life with Mamata Banerjee government deciding that rice mills in the state will now have to pack at least 70 per cent of their total production in new jute bags. There are more than 1,200 rice mills in the state.Jute mills from West Bengal will be given requisitions by the jute commissioner and accordingly jute bags for packaging of rice will be supplied to rice mills.In addition, a comprehensive list of rice mills in respective districts will be provided to the jute commissioner by the department of food and supplies to track the entire process of procurement.

The decision was taken on Wednesday at a meeting between the group of ministers and a delegation from the Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA).It was also decided that a 5-member committee comprising senior officials from the departments of finance and commerce, food and supplies, agriculture and labour will be set up. The committee will coordinate with the jute commissioner in future. The committee will have its first meeting on May 25 to work out the modalities.West Bengal houses 64 of the total 84 jute mills in the country. According to industry officials, jute mills in West Bengal till recently had been running at only 60 per cent of their capacity rendering a large number of workers jobless. There had also been a production cut of 30-40 per cent few months ago, thanks to lack of orders.“The meeting with the state governmentappointed group of ministers was positive from the perspective of the jute industry in West Bengal.

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 16

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter “The decision taken during the meeting to ensure that rice mills purchase new jute bags for packing of levy rice is positive and encouraging. We are optimistic about the support and guidance provided during the extensive meeting with ministers and hope that the rich legacy of the jute industry will be taken into consideration while adopting a policy direction to revive the industry,” IJMA deputy chairman Ashutosh Bhagat told Financial Chronicle.Under the present system, the state government has been procuring 25-30 per cent of levy rice from nearly 1,200 rice mills. Through this mechanism, states buy paddy from millers for selling it through ration shops, the subsidy burden of which falls on the centre. The centre has already decided to do away with the levy purchase system by October 1, 2015.

ritwikmukherjee@mydigitalfc.com http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:UFJdztMaBnIJ:www.mydigitalfc.com/knowledg e/jute-packaging-rice-mills-made-mandatory-bengal-717+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk

Forget chemotherapy — try some genetically modified lettuce to fight your colon cancer Science Friday

May 19, 2015 · 9:00 AM EDT Producer Alexa Lim (follow) Writer Marlisse Silver Sweeney (follow) An agriculturist prepares to plant "Golden Rice" seedlings at a laboratory of the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna south of Manila, on August 14, 2013.

Credit: Erik De Castro/Reuters There‟s a lot of fear surrounding genetically modified fruits and vegetables. But what if scientists could engineer food to cure cancer?

This story is based on a radio interview.Listen to the full interview.

New research suggests scientists can use plants to deliver a type of genetic material called microRNA, which can help prevent or suppress cancer. In experiments with laboratory mice that were fed the genes, incidences of colon cancer decreased.“It‟s a very controversial field,” says Kendal Hirschi, a professor of pediatrics and human genetics at theChildren‟s Nutrition Research Center at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He‟s also an author on one of the research papers about this topic.Hirschi says that though it‟s generally

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 17

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter understood that the healthiest diet is plant-based, there are a lot of converging opinions about the best bets for optimal nutrition.

“We‟re playing with this idea that the microRNAs in the plant foods can be these regulators, something that is a bioactive compound that affects our bodies," he says.But Ken Witwer, an assistant professor of molecular and comparative pathology at John Hopkins University School of Medicine, says we shouldn‟t get too excited just yet. “So far we don‟t have any data on genetically modified plants,” he says. Instead, the mice in the experiment had the microRNA injected directly into their stomachs via a feeding tube.

The same results would be difficult to achieve with dietary intake alone, he says. But finding a plant-based solution is an important step in the process, Hirschi explains: "There‟s something about the delivery of the nutrients that‟s better when we eat stuff out of the plant matrix.”These “transgenic plants” won‟t be ready for at least a couple of years, the scientists estimate. And though GMO foods are controversial, they say this research is likely to transcend the politics. As Hirschi points out, “Who‟s going to argue about making a plant to help a patient who has cancer?”

This story is based on an interview from PRI's Science Friday with Ira Flatow. http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-05-19/forget-chemotherapy-try-some-genetically-modifiedlettuce-fight-your-colon-cancer

ShopRite? Shop Rice!

ARLINGTON, VA -- This month, USA Rice is working They're all about U.S.-grown rice with registered dietitians to promote U.S.-grown rice through theLive Right program at ShopRite, a chain of more than 250 grocery stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Shoppers will be educated on the health, environmental, and culinary benefits of U.S.-grown rice through the Wellness e-Newsletter and in-store activities.Distributed to more than 110,000 customers, ShopRite's Wellness e-Newsletter, A Serving of Health, provides shoppers with healthy recipes, as well as resources and tips for healthy living. This month, there is an entire section called "Make Over Your Meals with U.S.-Grown Rice, " encouraging consumers to add U.S.-grown rice to their shopping list. The newsletter features key messages about rice and USA Rice's recipe for Teriyaki Salmon with Gingered Vegetable Brown Rice.

U.S.-grown rice will be featured in the Dietitian's Selection Program from now through July, and in the Dietitian's Selection section of the Wellness Circular Insert, that reaches 10 million shoppers each week. U.S. rice will also be included on the Dietitian's Selection Shopping List that customers can pick up at all ShopRite stores, and is called out on shelves as a Dietitian's Selection. The retail dietitian team, active at 115 stores, uses this shopping list and incorporates

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 18

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter these items into store tours, community events, and one-on one-consultations. "Consumers look to dietitians as a credible source on healthy living and eating," said Paul Galvani, USA Rice's retail subcommittee chairman. "So building relationships with these dietitians and providing them with information they can in turn share with patrons is integral to our goal of increasing awareness of U.S. rice."

Contact: Katie Maher (703) 236-1453

One-on-One with ITC Rice Industry Study Rice's new best-seller

ARLINGTON, VA -- Yesterday USA Rice hosted a briefing by members of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) research team that conducted the yearlong study on the factors and policies affecting the global competitiveness of the U.S. rice industry. The study, "Rice: Global Competitiveness of the U.S. Industry," is known as a Section 332 investigation and examined the rice industry in the U.S. and in major producing and exporting countries, such as China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Uruguay, and Brazil.The study looked at the impact on the U.S. rice industry of exports from competitor countries to the U.S. and traditional U.S. markets like Mexico, Haiti, and West Africa and found that although the U.S. rice is high quality and enjoys favorable tariff treatment from markets such as Mexico and Central America, competition is on the rise.

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 19

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter "We used this is an opportunity for our Washington staff to get deeper into the specifics of the study," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. "We're grateful the ITC experts were willing to provide their insight and interpretations, share anecdotes, and answer many questions from our staff."

Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444

CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation today announced the following prevailing world market prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted for U.S. milling yields and location, and the resulting marketing loan-gain (MLG) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2014 crop, which became effective today at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). Rough rice prices decreased $0.21 per cwt for both long grain and medium/short grain.

MLG/LDP Rate

World Price

Milled Value ($/cwt)

Rough ($/cwt)

Rough ($/cwt)

Long-Grain

14.93

9.67

0.00

Medium-/Short-Grain

14.55

9.80

0.00

Brokens

9.01

----

----

This week's prevailing world market prices and MLG/LDP rates are based on the following U.S. milling yields and the corresponding loan rates: U.S. Milling Yields Whole/Broken (lbs/cwt)

Loan Rate ($/cwt)

Long-Grain

57.21/12.55

6.64

Medium-/Short-Grain

61.89/8.83

6.51

The next program announcement is scheduled for May 27, 2015.

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 20

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 20

Month

Price

Net Change

July 2015

$9.570

- $0.080

September 2015

$9.840

- $0.075

November 2015

$10.090

- $0.075

January 2016

$10.355

- $0.070

March 2016

$10.420

- $0.070

May 2016

$10.420

- $0.070

July 2016

$10.420

- $0.070

Rice Is Sticky Issue for Japan in Trans-Pacific Trade Talks Washington wants greater access to Japanese markets; Tokyo says no

By MITSURU OBE And YUKA HAYASHI Updated May 19, 2015 3:33 p.m. ET

TOKYO—The cover photo on Prime Minister Shinzo Abeâ€&#x;s Facebook page shows him bowing deeply to an elderly woman in rubber boots, standing next to a freshly planted rice paddy.The photo symbolizes the hefty influence rice farmers wield over Japane Log In website to see more detail...

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 21

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter http://www.wsj.com/articles/rice-is-sticky-issue-for-japan-in-trans-pacific-trade-talks1432025782?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+May+20%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13 %2C+2013&utm_medium=email

Fake rice made with plastic reportedly spreading across Asia

Plastic rice sold on the Chinese market has reportedly found its way into various Asian countries, including India, Indonesia and Vietnam.The fake rice is made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and synthetic resin, according to the International Business Times. It's long been circulating on the market in Taiyuan, Shaanxi and appears identical to natural rice.Health experts have warned that consuming the fake grains could seriously damage the digestive system.Authorities have attempted to quell consumers' fears as the internet has been abuzz with news of the fake rice landing on the shores of various Asian regions.

"As part of AVAâ€&#x;s routine surveillance, imported rice is regularly inspected and sampled to ensure compliance with our food safety standards and requirements," a spokesman from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) told The Straits Times after rumors surfaced that the fake rice had entered Singapore."We have not received any feedback on fake rice."The Malaysian Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry likewise denied receiving any reports about the resin-laced grains, but said if it were to have gotten into Malaysia, it would most likely be sold at small shops rather than large supermarkets.So how can you avoid consuming plastictainted rice? According to Oryza.com, the fake rice grains remain hard after being boiled, and the

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 22

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter soup made by it forms a very unappetizing plastic sheath 'that burns like plastic' when heated up.

Euuhhh.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@shanghaiist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

http://shanghaiist.com/2015/05/20/fake-rice-made-with-plastic-spreading-acrossasia.php?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+May+20%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+Decemb er+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

Yingluck Shinawatra Pleads Not Guilty to Negligence Over Thai Rice Subsidy

By AUSTIN RAMZYMAY 19, 2015 Former Thai Premier Speaks Before Trial

Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of Thailand spoke on Tuesday outside the courthouse in Bangkok before the start of her trial on charges of criminal negligence.

By Reuters on Publish DateMay 19, 2015. Photo by Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters.

HONG KONG — Former Prime MinisterYingluck Shinawatra of Thailand pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of criminal negligence over a plan to prop up rice prices, which her political opponents called a corrupt bid to buy support from the country‟s farmers.“I am confident in my innocence,” she told reporters before the hearing.The Thai Supreme Court approved bail for Ms. Yingluck, who faces up to 10 years in prison. The trial is expected to take up to a year, during which she is barred from leaving the country.Ms. Yingluck was removed from office in a coup one year ago and retroactively impeached in January by the military junta that replaced her. The impeachment means she is barred from politics for five years.

She and her allies, including her brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have won every election since 2001, but they have faced fierce opposition from the political elites in Bangkok. Mr. Thaksin now lives abroad to avoid imprisonment in Thailand on corruption charges.The rice subsidies, a key policy of Ms. Yingluck‟s during her three years in office, involved spending billions to buy the crop at high premiums over market rates. The effort angered the opposition, which called it a waste of public funds, and fueled street protests against her.She has called the program an important effort to support the country‟s poor.Also on Tuesday, the military government said it would hold a referendum on a new constitution it is drafting. The government said the referendum would be held no later than next January. If it passes, officials said, the election the junta has promised would be delayed until August or September 2016.Poypiti Amatatham contributed reporting from Bangkok. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/20/world/asia/yingluck-shinawatra-pleads-not-guilty-to-negligence-over-thailand-ricesubsidy.html?_r=1&utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+May+20%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+ 2013&utm_medium=email

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 23

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

Meet the Farmer Who's Helping Chipotle Go Organic Civil EatsMay 20, 2015

By Ken Roseboro McKaskle Family Farm supplies organic rice to more than a dozen Chipotle restaurants in Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas. (Photo: Organic & Non-GMO Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill made news recently when the “fast casual” restaurant chain announced that it was serving only foods made with non-GMO ingredients.A farmer in Missouri is helping Chipotle take its “food with integrity” commitment one step further —to organic. Steve McKaskle, owner of McKaskle Family Farm, the only organic rice farm in Missouri, supplies a growing number of Chipotle restaurants in his region with organic long grain white and brown rice.

After the Tornado Based in Braggadocio in Missouri‟s southernmost Bootheel region, the sevengeneration McKaskle Family Farm offers an excellent example of how a bad event can bring a blessing in disguise. In the early 2000s Steve and his wife Kaye grew organic cotton, which they supplied to companies like Patagonia, Ecosport, and Nike. But in 2006 an F4 tornado destroyed the McKaskles‟ farm headquarters, tractors, barns, grain bins, cotton harvesters, and cotton gin. “We lost our entire farming operation and three-fourths of our home,” Steve McKaskle says. “We barely survived.”But like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, the McKaskles rebuilt their farm. Without the cotton harvesters and gin, they switched to growing organic rice and found greater success.

Today, their farm is thriving more than ever, as they supply organic rice to Chipotle restaurants in Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas.“We‟re rebounders,” McKaskle says.Along with rice, McKaskle Family Farm grows organic popcorn, soybeans, winter wheat, and oats on about 2000 acres.They also package and sell their own Braggadocio brand organic rice and popcorn to Whole Foods store, Hy-Vee supermarkets, and natural food stores in Missouri and surrounding states.

Steve and employees in front of mill. (Photo: Organic & Non-GMO Report) Mill Expands Capacity To better serve Chipotle‟s needs, McKaskle Family Farm recently expanded with a new rice processing facility that was partially funded by state income tax credits from the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Construction of the mill was completed in November 2014.

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 24

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter https://www.yahoo.com/food/missouri-farmer-helps-chipotle-go-beyond-non-gmo118967993571.html?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+May+20%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday% 2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

APEDA India News International Benchmark Price Price on: 19-05-2015

Product

Benchmark Indicators Name

Price

1

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

5850

2

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

4125

3

Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)

3425

1

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

2378

2

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

2227

1

CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t)

887

2

Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t)

690

3

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

551

Apricots

Raisins

White Sugar

Source:agra-net

For more info

Market Watch Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 19-05-2015 Domestic Prices Product

Market Center

Unit Price : Rs per Qty Variety

Min Price

Max Price

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 25

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Rice 1

Bonai (Orissa)

Other

1900

2200

2

Cachar (Assam)

Other

2000

2500

3

Kheda (Gujarat)

Other

1800

3350

1

Dhing (Assam)

Other

1450

1700

2

Manvi (Karnataka)

Other

1501

1510

3

Bonai(Orissa)

Other

1450

1600

1

Sirhind (Punjab)

Other

2000

4000

2

Pattambi(Kerala)

Other

1500

2000

3

Bonai(Orissa)

Other

1000

3000

1

Banki (Orissa)

Other

1300

1500

2

Aroor (Kerala)

Other

2400

2600

3

Bharuch(Gujarat)

Other

700

1000

Wheat

Mango

Cucumbar

Source:agra-net

For more info

Egg

Rs per 100 No Price on 19-05-2015 Product

Market Center

Price

1

Pune

300

2

Chittoor

328

3

Namakkal

311

Source: e2necc.com

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 26

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Other International Prices

Unit Price : US$ per package Price on 19-05-2015

Product

Market Center

Origin

Variety

Low

Potatoes

High Package: 50 lb cartons

1

Atlanta

2

Baltimore

3

Chicago

Colorado

Russet

19

23.50

Canada

Russet

20

21

Idaho

Russet

20

24

Carrots

Package: 20 1-lb film bags

1

Atlanta

California

Baby Peeled

18

20.50

2

Chicago

California

Baby Peeled

16.50

17

3

Dallas

Arizona

Baby Peeled

20

20

Grapefruit

Package: 7/10 bushel cartons

1

Atlanta

California

Red

20.50

20.50

2

Baltimore

California

Red

19

19

3

New York

Texas

Red

18

18

Source:USDA

Price on: 20-05-2015

Product

Benchmark Indicators Name

Price

1

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

5850

2

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

4125

3

Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)

3425

Apricots

Raisins

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 27

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter 1

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

2370

2

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

2219

1

CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t)

879

2

Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t)

690

3

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

568

White Sugar

Source:agra-net

For more info

Market Watch Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 20-05-2015 Domestic Prices Product

Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Market Center

Variety

Min Price

Max Price

1

Amreli (Gujarat)

Other

1050

3000

2

Theni (TamilNadu)

Other

1280

1360

3

Jogipet (Telangana)

Local

1200

1242

1

Amirgadh (Gujarat)

Other

1200

1310

2

Athani (Karnataka)

Local

1501

1510

3

Theni(Tamil Nadu)

Other

1200

1400

1

Muktsar (Punjab)

Other

1800

2500

2

Solan(Himachal Pradesh)

Other

2000

2500

3

Sitapur(Uttar Pradesh)

Other

2550

2750

Jowar(Sorgham)

Maize

Orange

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 28

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Cabbage 1

Bonai (Orissa)

Other

1500

2000

2

Chala (Kerala)

Other

2700

2750

3

Gumla(Jharkhand)

Other

1400

1800

Source:agra-net

For more info

Egg

Rs per 100 No Price on 20-05-2015 Product

Market Center

Price

1

Ahmedabad

300

2

Hyderabad

272

3

Mysore

336

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices

Unit Price : US$ per package Price on 20-05-2015

Product

Market Center

Origin

Variety

Low

Onions Dry

High Package: 50 lb sacks

1

Atlanta

2

Baltimore

3

Chicago

Mexico

Yellow

21.50

21.50

California

Yellow

19

19

Texas

Yellow

15

15

Cucumbers

Package: cartons film wrapped

1

Atlanta

Canada

Long Seedless

8.50

9.50

2

Dallas

California

Long Seedless

12.50

13

3

Miami

Mexico

Long Seedless

9

10

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 29

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Apples

Package: cartons tray pack 1

Atlanta

Virginia

Red Delicious

19

19

2

Baltimore

Washington

Red Delicious

20

24

3

Miami

Washington

Red Delicious

24

26

Source:USDA

Satake to exhibit at FOOMA Japan 2015 5/19/2015 - by World Grain Staff

TOKYO, JAPAN — Satake will exhibit at FOOMA Japan 2015 June 9-12 at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center, Tokyo, Japan.

See detail on website… http://www.world-grain.com/articles/news_home/Supplier_Update/2015/05/Satake_to_exhibit_at_FOOMA_Jap.aspx?ID=%7B1E8034AC-7B584F79-ACA2-A462AE45DEA3%7D

www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact for Blog & Daily E-Newsletter Advertisement muajhid.riceplus@gmai.com 30