22nd 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 22,2015 Vol 5,Issue V

Govt urged to procure paddy, rice directly from farmers Farmers of Dinajpur yesterday demanded that the government procure rice and paddy directly from farmers instead of middlemen and mill operators.They made the demand at a press conference organised by Dinajpur unit of Jatiya Krishak Khetmajur Samity at Dinajpur Press Club yesterday.They also urged the government to ensure fair price of paddy, direct procurement of paddy from farmers, affordable prices of agricultural inputs, rationing system for both urban and rural people, free irrigation facility and interest-free agriculture loan.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter At the conference, farmers said low price of their produce this year is unprecedented. "We are selling paddy at Tk 350 to Tk 400 per maund, whereas the production cost for the same amount of paddy is Tk 650 to Tk 700," they said.Farmers across the country had suffered huge loss due to countrywide political deadlock from January to March, they said, urging the government to procure more rice from them.Bikash Roy, general secretary of the samity, read out the keynote paper at the conference. http://www.thedailystar.net/country/govt-urged-procure-paddy-rice-directly-farmers-85381

National Rice Month scholarships expanded May 21, 2015Forrest Laws High school graduates in the 2015-16 school year can apply for scholarships totaling $8,500.

The scholarship program is open to students who live in any county in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas.

Dow AgroSciences announced an expansion of the USA Rice Federation National Rice Month Scholarship Program from students in U.S.- rice producing counties to students in all U.S. rice-producing states.High school graduates in the 2015-16 school year can apply for scholarships totaling $8,500.To apply, students must create a promotional program that highlights U.S.-grown rice for National Rice Month in September.

Applicants can submit a synopsis of their promotion in a variety of ways, including in video format, which will be accepted this year for the first time.The scholarship program is now open to students who live in any county in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas. Three scholarships will be awarded based on the originality and effectiveness of the winning entries. ―We are thrilled Dow AgroSciences is supporting this scholarship program for the sixth year in a row and opening up the opportunity to all youth in rice-producing states,‖ says Darla Huff, rice product manager, Dow AgroSciences.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter ―Supporting our youth and educating the public about agriculture is integral to the success of the rice industry.‖Because the scholarship emphasizes education, the students‘ efforts also help build awareness of the valuable contributions the rice industry makes to this country‘s economy, Huff says.Nicholas Schafer, a high school senior from Carlisle, Arkansas, was the grand-prize scholarship winner in 2014 for his promotion titled ―Do you Know Where Your Rice Comes From?‖ The promotion educated children from his community about the origin of their food and the intricacies of farming. ―They need to understand all the hard work put into growing rice,‖ Schafer says. ―It‘s not just something you get from a grocery store. There‘s a lot behind it, and they need to understand the importance of where it comes from.‖Promotions must be executed in September, and applications must be submitted by Oct. 15, 2015. Scholarship forms and additional guidelines are available at the USA Rice Federation website.―The USA Rice Federation is proud to once again partner with Dow AgroSciences, which funds these three scholarship awards, to support the rice industry and education of our youth,‖ says Betsy Ward, president and CEO of the USA Rice Federation. ―Students who participate do an excellent job promoting the importance of U.S.grown rice and its role in their home states. ‖The grand-prize winner will receive a $4,000 scholarship and a trip with a chaperone this December to the award ceremony at the 2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference in New Orleans.

The second-place winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship, and the third-place winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship.Dow AgroSciences has a leading portfolio of rice herbicides to help growers maximize their yield potential. The portfolio includes Clincher SF, Grandstand R, Grasp SC, GraspXtra and RebelEX herbicides for rice grown in southern states and Clincher CA,Grandstand CA, Granite GR and Granite SC, herbicides for use in California water-seeded rice.

Visit www.DowRiceHerbicides.com for more information. http://westernfarmpress.com/rice/national-rice-month-scholarships-expanded

Health Ministry will continue monitoring 'fake rice' Bernama |Updated:May 21, 2015 (First published on: May 21, 2015 22:33 MYT)

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter According to Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS), the majority of rice imports came from Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will continue to be vigilant in monitoring the issue of 'fake rice' being produced in China.In a statement today, ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry would duly update the public if there was any new finding that concerned food safety.He also advised those consumers who were suspicious of the authenticity of rice to notify the ministry via the nearest health office or Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) Division website http://fsq.moh.gov.my or www.facebook.com/bkkmhg.He said the ministry was aware of the allegation circulating in the social media that 'fake rice' was being produced in China by mixing potatoes/sweet potatoes with plastic resin.Such rice was then exported to a number of Asian countries. http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/health-ministry-will-continue-monitoring-fake-rice-60470?cp

If you don’t want your food genetically modified, tell nature to stop it

By Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar May 22, 2015

Tags: CHIPOTLE | CROSS-BREEDING | DNA | ENVIRONMENTALISTS | GENE FLOW | GENES |

Chipotle hit the headlines last week when the company announced it would no longer serve customers genetically modified foods. This despite the fact that more than a trillion meals containing genetically modified food have already been eaten in the United States without incident. Science has decisively found that these foods have no negative impact on health.Chipotle‘s move seems to be based more on marketing than on science.Recent research drives home how misled alarmists are about genetically modified food. All human beings, two Cambridge University scientists have established, are genetically modified, including Chipotle‘s customers. Over the years, hundreds of foreign genes have jumped into human DNA through a natural phenomenon called ―gene flow.‖ As a result, all humans carry genes that originated in algae, bacteria and fungi.

If humans can safely accept alien genes without mishap, why not food, too?

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD

A scientist shows ―Golden Rice‖ (R) and ordinary rice at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna, south of Manila, August 14, 2013. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

Farmers and breeders have for centuries used cross-breeding to improve the genetic characteristics of crops and animals. Because this process involves gene transfers within the same species, environmental advocates label it ―natural‖ — even though cross-breeding is clearly man-made. Modern genetic splicing makes it possible to combine genes from completely different species to produce much-needed products, including pest-resistant and high-yielding crops.

Agriculturists prepares to plant ―Golden Rice‖ seedlings at a laboratory of the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna, south of Manila, August 14, 2013. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter The Bt gene from pest-resistant bacteria, for example, has been inserted into cotton to create a pestresistant Bt cotton. The combination has greatly raised yields and reduced pesticide use. But some activists condemn this as a crime against nature.When fears about genetically modified foods first arose, little was known about gene flow, also called horizontal gene transfer. The idea that genes could jump across species violated thenconventional wisdom. But scientific research has established that natural gene transfers regularly occur. So genetic transfers are not a human invention — just a belated human effort to imitate what nature has been doing all along.This discovery has convinced some longtime campaigners against genetically modified crops to make a U-turn. British author and journalist Mark Lynas, for example, converted from being an activist opposed to genetically modified food to a firm supporter in a notable 2013 mea culpa speech, in which he apologized for letting his opinions trump the scientific data.Scientists once thought that gene transfers occurred naturally only in simple organisms like bacteria. But research shows that transfers are also common in complex species, including human beings. Does this genetic intrusion make humans a monster species?

Hardly.The Economist used the headline ―Genetically Modified People‖ for a report on genetic research by Alastair Crisp and Chiara Boschetti, the two Cambridge scientists. They have identified 145 genes that have crossed over from other species to humans.

A genetically modified grape vine plant in an enclosure of the state-financed National Institute for Agricultural Research site in Colmar, eastern France, September 14, 2005.

REUTERS/Vincent Kessler This is, of course, a tiny fraction of the 20,000 odd genes in a human body. Why then should environmentalists lose sleep over the introduction of a single alien gene into crops?

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Research on gene flow is still in its infancy.

It could ultimately reveal thousands of alien genes that have entered human DNA. This should be no surprise: Nature has had almost a million years to do its work.One gene identified by the Cambridge researchers helps hold cells together; it crossed over into humans from a fungus. Marine algae appear to be the source of another human gene associated with fat mass. Bacteria have provided a third gene that helps define blood groups.Apart from human transfers, the scientists examined gene transfers in nine other primate species, 12 fruit fly species and four nematode worms. They found that the phenomenon was ubiquitous. The researchers considered the possibility that what looked like gene transfers between species might actually be genes both had inherited from a common ancestor millions of years ago.Genes found in another animal could be a common ancient inheritance. But genes in animals that came from plants or bacteria would almost certainly represent gene flow. Crisp and Boschetti found that, on average, worms had 173 gene transfers, fruit flies 40, and primates had 109. Humans, with 145 transfers, were more genetically modified than other primates.The researchers found two imported genes for amino-acid metabolism, 13 for fat metabolism and 15 for modifying large molecules. They identified five immigrant genes that generated valuable anti-oxidants, and seven that aided the immune system.Far from creating monsters, the scientists found that genes from alien species appear beneficial. Activists against genetically modified organisms can argue that natural gene transfers have been spaced out over millennia, giving species time to adapt. But every time a natural gene transfer occurred, it carried the same risks as the insertion of a Bt gene into cotton or eggplants.Besides, all crops, genetically modified or otherwise, are field-tested for safety before commercial release. The United States has approved dozens of genetically modified crops for commercial use. Virtually all U.S. corn and soybeans today are genetically modified.Chipotle‘s claim of serving food free of genetic modifications is dubious because the meats it serves come from animals and chickens likely fed on genetically modified corn and soybean meal. More important, why should Chipotle even make the claim when its own customers are genetically modified? http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2015/05/21/if-you-dont-want-your-food-genetically-modified-tellnature-to-stop-it/

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

The Union Of Small And Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) In A Prior To Budget Meeting Of Its Forum Urged The Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar To Ensure Facilities For The Majority Sector Namely The Micro,Small And Medium Enterprises (MSME) And To Ensure A Balanced Budget Providing Level Playing Field To All Sectors Of The Economy. UNISAME Has Proposed Practical Scientific Measures For The Promotion And Development Of The Sector.

President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver reiterated the requ irements of the MSME sector and invited the attention of the Ishaq Dar to the lack of access to finance.

The commercial banks definitely need training in risk management and for this reason the aspect of collateral management needs to be carried out with e mphasis.

The MSMEs need finance to purchase raw material, install machinery for balancing modernization and replacement. They need bridge financing and post shipment financing and the access to finance which is lacking for want of collateral. This aspect needs to be addressed seriously.

The budget must allocate funds for specialized subsidized financing under special schemes for the MSMES.Whilst appreciating the reduction in discounting rates, he pointed out that the with holding tax on profit on deposits n eeds to be reduced to encourage savings and to make sure that the senior citizens income from savings is not insufficient for survival.The federal minister needs to realize that banking, insurance, leasing and logistics are the pillars of the economy and t hese tools need to be sharpened to facilitate the MSMEs.Again whilst appreciating the credit guarantee insurance scheme for the banks to make them comfortable the UNISAME chief stressed the need to increase the share of the government to 60% instead of 40%.The other aspect is to make doing business easy and attracting investment by one window operation in the true sense. The government needs to seriously promote collaboration, joint ventures and transfer of technology and provide funds in the budget for the promotion of joint ventures and collaborations especially with China.For promotion of alternate energy all energy generation equipment and devices must be exempt from all duties and taxes.

The solar energy installations are proving costly and need to be s ubsidized for fast track installations and must be made mandatory for all new buildings, factories and schools and hospitals as an alternate line of energy resource. The country enjoys the blessings of sunlight and this could be utilized ,The other important requirement is

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter land at concession and easy payment facilities to enable the entrepreneur to pay the cost of the land on easy installments in industrial estates and special economic zones.Thaver said it is needless to say but the SME Chamber of Commerce, SME Institute, specific SME bank, SME export house and ombudsman promises in the SME policy remain unimplemented. He urged the finance minister to consider the importance and the necessity of these institutions for SME promotion and development.

The union also called upon the minister to strengthen the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and provide for increasing the scope of the authority in the budget. SMEDA needs to be strengthened with more personnel and must have wider outreach to cater to the primary, secondary and the tertiary sectors of the economy.UNISAME appealed to the minister to lower the rate of taxes for enterprises and exempt the new industries for a period of 3 years.

Import substitution and innovative industries must be provided additional relief for their innovative role.Imported raw material and packing materials imports must be allowed on lower letter of credit margins and duties must be reduced to encourage industrialization.

The tax exemption limit must be enhanced up to Rs 600000 per annum and income tax on association of persons (AOP) must be rationalized to avoid double taxation on individuals and firms as most of the enterprises are family businesses.The cash withdrawal from banks limit for the purpose of withh olding tax must be enhanced to Rs 100000 from Rs 50000 to facilitate smooth transactions.The government needs to realize the fact that whatever relief is given to the sector it will be returned back in the shape of increased revenue due to growth of the se ctor and the government must not increase taxes on the existing tax payers but broaden its tax net.The MSMES are bothered by corruption and have to pay illegal gratification and most of the departments are now calling it speed money. The anti -corruption department must be strengthened to cover the several organizations and the monitoring must be sharpened.

The law and order situation could be strengthened with the setting up of protection squads in industrial areas and for this UNISAME has proposed the setti ng up of the SME Liaison Committee (SME-LC) under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) or the Rangers as the police cannot cope up with the criminal activities of the miscreants who enjoy political patronage.UNISAME has invited the attention of the federal finance minister to the vast potential of the sector and urged him not to undermine the sector which could turn the destiny of Pakistan if seriously promoted, supported, facilitated and encouraged. http://www.unisame.org/unisame-reiterates-demands-for-facilitating-msmes-in-budget/

Chinese scientists find gene that improves rice yields by 20 per cent PUBLISHED : Friday, 22 May, 2015, 8:01am UPDATED : Friday, 22 May, 2015, 8:01am

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Stephen Chenbinglin.chen@scmp.com Rice fields in southwest China's Yunnan Province. A new discovery could lead to the most productive rice strain increasing its yield by more than 20 per cent. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese scientists have discovered a new ―dwarf‖ gene in rice, which could increase the yield of the most productive hybrid rice in China by a further 20 per cent.By reducing the rice plant‘s height, the gene reduced the incidence of stem collapse prior to harvest and increased the number of tillers per plant, enabling a significant increase in grain yield.The study, led by professor Wu Yuejin with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Hefei Institute Physicial Science and professor Fu Xiangdong of the CAS Institute of Genetics and Development Biology, was detailed in the journal Plos One earlier this month.To feed the world‘s largest population, China launched an ambitious project to develop high-yielding ―super rice‖ in the mid 1990s. Over time scientists had significantly improved the productivity of hybrid rice, and by last year the yield of ―super rice‖ plants had exceeded 15 tons per hectare, nearly three times the global average.But the yield increase came with a problem. Farmers complained that the super rice plants, with their heavy heads of grains, were prone to snapping, especially in windy days before harvest.

A regular super rice plant (left) and the new shorter variant. Photo: SCMP pictures A lot of research worldwide has gone into trying to find sturdy stems. Wu and Fu‘s team chose to bombard rice seeds with heavy ions and after some years found that some seeds mutated to produce plants with reduced heights and an increased number of tillers. The scientists identified the mutant gene and called it sdt, meaning ―semi-dwarf and high-tillering‖.Further experiments confirmed the discovery and then the gene was cloned onto super rice, resulting in reduced plant heights and an increase in yield of over 20 per cent.Though the super rice was more productive than traditional hybrid rice, ―the continuing growth of the world‘s population and the limited arable land resources require that grain yield capability of rice will have to be raised yet further,‖ the researchers said in their paper.The sdt mutant ―will be useful for farmers and breeders to improve grain yield potential of rice over what is currently available.‖ http://www.scmp.com/tech/science-research/article/1805288/chinese-scientists-find-geneimproves-rice-yields-20-cent

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Scientists develop high-zinc rice to fight malnutrition in Chhattisgarh

By PTI | 22 May, 2015, 12.32PM IST

'Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1', the first zinc biofortified rice variety in India, was launched by State Variety Release Committee.ET SPECIAL:Love visual aspect of news? Enjoy this exclusive slideshows treat!RAIPUR : Scientists here have developed a high zincenriched variety of rice that is expected to play a crucial role in fighting malnutrition in tribaldominated Chhattisgarh where nearly seven lakh children are still malnourished. The new paddy seed, called 'Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1', the first zinc bio-fortified rice variety in India, was launched by State Variety Release Committee, the authority for official release of new varieties of seeds, in March and its production is likely to begin from the next kharif season.

Similarly, researchers from Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU), Raipur, led by Professor Girish Chandel, have rolled out two varieties of high zinc rice, of which one has been released. "We focused on increasing our crop production since the inception of the Green Revolution in the country aiming to eliminate hunger. In the process, we managed to yield high production, but the quality of crop did not improve," Chandel told PTI. In 2000, the Centre, along with, health organisations in a survey found that 60-70 per cent of population was suffering from malnutrition because of deficiency of micro-nutrients, particularly iron, zinc and Vitamin A. Following this, the government decided to come out with a research programme to improve the variety of three staple crops - rice, wheat and maize - in different states, he said. Under the programme, Chhattisgarh, considered as the rice bowl of the country, decided to work on the quality aspect and took up 'Rice Bio Fortification Research Project'.Chandel said the zinc content varies between 22-24 PPM, around 8-9 PPM more than the level of the regular variety prevalent in the country. "The university, along with the state government, is already planning to take this new variety of rice to farmers in a wider way so that in the coming year, its production can be enhanced to a great extent," Chandel added.

This variety of crop is expected to not only help combat malnutrition, but provide a great source of nutrients for pregnant women. Thus, the plan is to introduce it in several government schemes

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter like mid-day meal and others. Hailing the efforts of IGAU, renowned nutritionist Dr Aruna Palta suggested scientists need to develop both zinc- and iron-enriched varieties of food with an urgent need to bring down the malnutrition rate. In the first phase of the project in 2003-05, some 200 rice germplasm lines with high grain nutritive values but low-yielding quality were identified, he said. ubsequently, in the next phase of 2006-11, seeds were multiplied and subjected to genetic improvement exercise, which led to seven high-yielding zinc-enriched rice varieties.

In 2013, the Centre decided to conduct a separate exercise coordinated by Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), Hyderabad, to analyse the outcome of the researches being conducted in different parts of the country. Finally, four varieties were adjudged best in terms of quality, of which the top two came from Chhattisgarh"Currently, we have 100 kg seeds of this new variety and we are further planning to multiply it in 10 acres. By November-December this year, we will distribute it to around 5,000 farmers across the state. Its sowing would be started in the next c season," he said. the Economic Times

Pre-monsoon showers and sowing preparations predict a good harvest of grains

By Madhvi Sally, ET Bureau | 22 May, 2015, 03.37AM IST

Agrawal said the current prices of soybean at Rs 3,900 per quintal compared to government rate of Rs 2,700 will persuade farmers to plant more.NEW DELHI: With the June-September monsoon close at hand, farmers are getting ready for sowing. They are preparing land and readying nurseries besides buying seeds and fertilizer for the sowing of paddy, soyabean, pulses, cotton, bajra, jowar, groundnut and maize, raising hopes for a bigger harvest of grains this year. Deficient rain last year lowered grain production to 251.12 million tonne in FY15, 13.92 million tonne less than in FY14.

"The pre-monsoon rains are encouraging. If it continues, farmers will pick up rice planting.

However, our concern is that if El Nino weakens or makes rain distribution uneven across the country, it will impact yield," said Trilochan Mohapatra, director, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack. Area under rice, the main foodgrain grown in the kharif season, was estimated at 37.48 million hectares, more than 37.42 million hectares in 2013. Mohapatra said that the initial sowing of early rice of 90-100 days had started in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

Also, in the irrigated belts of Punjab and Haryana, which contribute approximately 4.5 million

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter hectares of the total area under rice, farmers have started raising nurseries and will transplant them to the fields by June second week. "With over 45% area under paddy rainfed, mostly farmers will start preparing nurseries in June for transplanting in July," said Mohapatra.

Rainfed regions include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Odisha. After rice, soyabean is the second-largest cultivable crop followed by cotton and pulses—tur, arhar and moong. Coarse cereals like bajra and jowar are also sown in the rainfed areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka. As long as the distribution of rainfall is even, "4-5% deficit rainfall doesn't mean much," said Rajesh Agrawal, a former chairman of the Soyabean Processors Association of India (SPAI).

"Looking at the price realisation to farmers, planting should be similar or higher to the previous year of 10-11 million hectares." Agrawal said the current prices of soybean at Rs 3,900 per quintal compared to government rate of Rs 2,700 will persuade farmers to plant more.

Meanwhile, the government is focussing on increased planting of oilseeds and pulses. "Higher prices of pulses will attract farmers to plant more this season," said Pravin Dongre, chairman of the Indian Pulses and Grains Association.

India is the biggest producer of pulses at 19 million tonnes and its biggest importer at 3.5-4 million tonne.

The Economic Times

Thai rice grabs over 60% market share in Hong Kong in Business | May 5,

2015 12:32 pm (205 views)

Although Thai rice exports showed a drop of 3% in the first three months of 2015, but in Hong Kong Thai rice has grabbed over 60% market share there.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, Duangkamon Chiambut said the Hong Kong Trade and Industry imported up to 80,400 tons of rice during the first three months this year, increasing by 0.75%.Of this rice import figure, up to 49,900 tons were Thai rice, increasing by 48.9%.Vietnam, Thailand‘s main competitor, exported less rice to Hong Kong dropping from 40% to 27%.Price fall of Thai Hom Mali rice and importers‘ higher confidence in Thai rice were among factors which led to the first quarter growth.

The higher rice exports to Hong Kong brought Thailand‘s market share in Hong Kong to 62.2%.However, Thai rice exporters are urged to continue to promote inexpensive and highquality rice, she said.Ministry of Commerce earlier reported that Thailand exported 2.1 million

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter tons of rice during the first three months of this year, down 3.6%, since buyers went for cheaper rice sold by Thailand‘s competitors.Meanwhile, rice export to Nigeria went up 71%, which turned the country into the largest importer of Thai rice, followed by Philippines, where rice import from Thailand increased by 283%.However, rice exports to Ivory Coast dropped 15.9% and also 8.2% down for China.South Africa increased its rice import from Thailand by 44%.

Tags: Business, grabbed, Hong Kong, inexpensive, market share, promote, rice export, Thai Hom Mali rice.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thai -rice-grabs-over-60-market-share-in-hong-kong

Artificial rice unlikely to enter Sarawak market, says authority Posted on May 23, 2015, Saturday

KUCHING: The state‘s Padi and Rice Division under Agriculture and Agro Based Industry Ministry (MOA) has assured all that there is little possibility for the controversial artificial rice entering the local market.According to division‘s director Ismail Sahari, the state has not been importing rice from China over the past 20 years; thus it is very unlikely for the fake grains to be sold here.―At the moment, we have not received reports or complaints on the discovery of artificial rice in our market,‖ he told The Borneo Post yesterday.He also said rice importers were required to have approved permits (AP), adding that the constant close monitoring of the grade and quality of rice brought into the state would ensure that the supply comply with the nation‘s food safety and quality standards.According to Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan are currently the main rice exporters to Sarawak.

Heading: Division to work closely with ministry on rice import ―We will still be monitoring the market and working closely with the KPDNKK (Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry), despite that we have not been importing rice from China,‖ Ismail said, adding that his division‘s headquarters in Putrajaya had issued directives to all divisions nationwide requiring them to remain vigilant and continue with their monitoring efforts.State KPDNKK director Dato Stanley Tan, when contacted, also said his side had yet to hear any complaint on the sale of artificial rice in Sarawak.―We will also be keeping tabs on the sale of rice and monitor our (consumer) complaints hotline.‖Meanwhile, a source close to the ministry said the whole artificial rice issue could not be verified as information based on news reports was rather sketchy.According to the source, rice is a very cheap commodity in China, which is able to produce a yearly output of around 130 million tonnes – for both local consumption and export market.―This questions the logic as to why someone would produce artificial rice. The production cost, which includes that for polishing the grains, would be very high and will affect its selling price,‖ the source said.

The controversial issue had been making headlines across Asean, in which it stated that it was possible to manufacture artificial rice by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and synthetic resin or plastic together. It is said that the target markets are countries with large rural population such as India, Indonesia and Vietnam.Apparently, the reports also highlighted the danger of the fake

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter grains to the human digestive system.An online news portal explained that the artificial rice would remain solid even after being boiled for hours, while the resin used to mold the ‗grain‘ would emit the smell of burnt plastics whenever it got heated.A press statement from the Health Ministry (MOH) said it would continue to monitor the situation closely.―We would duly update the public if there‘re new findings concerning food safety,‖ said the ministry‘s director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. At the same time, he advised consumers who were suspicious of the authenticity of rice in the market to notify the ministry via the nearest Health Office, or by accessing the Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) Division on http://fsq.moh.gov.my. http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/05/23/artificial-rice-unlikely-to-enter-sarawak-market-saysauthority/#ixzz3axHxyiWU

Philippines to import 250,000 tonnes of rice if El Nino worsens

The move would be good news for regional rice markets that have been flagging this year due to oversupply,

The Philippines, one of the world‘s biggest rice importers, is seeking 250,000 tonnes of the grain to boost its buffer stocks and could buy more if the drought-inducing El Nino weather phenomenon intensifies. Officials at the state grains agency yesterday said the country was preparing to issue a tender in early June for the supply of 25% broken variety of rice via a government-to-government deal.

The move would be good news for regional rice markets that have been flagging this year due to oversupply, with an official telling Reuters by text that Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia were qualified to submit offers. Delivery should be between July and August, in time for the onset of the lean harvest season in the Philippines, he said.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter The government hopes to avert a potential spike in food prices due to possible supply disruptions that could be caused by El Nino, which Japan last week confirmed had set in. President Benigno Aquino has approved the additional rice purchases and has also given the National Food Authority (NFA) permission to import a further 250,000 tonnes later this year should El Nino intensify, another official said in a text message.The Southeast Asian nation recently bought 500,000 tonnes via government-to-government deals with key sellers Vietnam and Thailand.

Last year, the NFA imported about 1.7mn tonnes, the country‘s biggest purchase since Aquino took power in 2010. The NFA plans to issue an official advisory on the additional imports within a day, said Food Security Chief Francis Pangilinan. The Philippine government last week revised down its estimate of first-half domestic rice production, with dry weather already affecting more than half of the country‘s 81 provinces.Thailand, the world‘s No 2 rice exporter after India, has said it plans to sell 2mn tonnes of rice over the next two months from stockpiles built up under the previous administration‘s failed buying programme. In Vietnam, the world‘s third-largest exporter where prices have weakened this week on a lack of buying demand, a new crop harvest will begin from around late June, traders said. http://www.gulf-times.com/asean-philippines/188/details/440323/philippines-to-import-250,000-tonnesof-rice-if-el-nino-worsens

Farmers suffer in a time of plenty Abu Bakar Siddique

A decision to allow rice to be imported this year following a surplus crop last year has hit the Boro paddy market, with farmers seeing the lowest prices for the Boro harvest in recent memory.Millers, the primary buyers of paddy from farmers, are reluctant to procure more from local markets because they are already well-stocked with rice and paddy from last year‘s yield.Excess stocks of low-price Indian rice imports have deterred millers from procuring paddy from the local market. And depressed market prices for local paddy are now lower than the cost of production. ―We have around 100,000 tonnes of rice and paddy collected last season in our godowns in Naogaon district alone and imported rice is also available in the market causing millers to back away from fresh purchases of new paddy. This is ultimately causing paddy prices to fall this season,‖ said Nirod Baraon Saha, convener of Noagaon Rice Mill Owners‘ Association.Experts said permitting the private sector to import rice this fiscal year despite surplus local production last year was the reason for this season‘s fall in the domestic price of Boro paddy.Quazi Shahabuddin, an agricultural economist, said the government should not have permitted the importation of such a huge volume of rice while there were available food grains at home.He said the government had mismanaged the rice procurement situation, ultimately causing farmers to suffer.

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the Directorate General of Food (DgoF) say the country produced 34.465 million tonnes of rice last season, against a demand of 31 million

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter tonnes.But data from the Ministry of Food shows that private sector traders were permitted to open Letters of Credit (LC) to import 1.524 million tonnes of rice this fiscal year.Bangladesh Bank data shows that the private sector imported rice worth $416 million between July 2014 and March 2015. By contrast, the corresponding figure in fiscal year 2013-14 was just $71 million.Ministry of Food data shows that the government‘s rice reserve as of yesterday was 776,000 tonnes; the previous year the reserve was 593,000 tonnes.

Paradoxical procurement Experts noted a paradox in the government‘s policies, as the import order came at a time when the government itself declared a food production surplus in the country and took the initiative to export 50,000 tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka last year.Meanwhile, the government has fixed a Boro procurement target of 1,000,000 tonnes of rice and 100,000 tonnes of Boro paddy from May this year.Quazi Shahabuddin suggested the government procure large amounts of rice from the fields instead of stopping at the fixed procurement target, otherwise farmers may not survive.

Too little, too late At the beginning of the month, the National Board of Revenue imposed a 10% import duty on rice imported from India, a measure rice millers have been calling for since the beginning of the fiscal year.Finance Minister AMA Muhith told the media on May 10 that the government had taken the step to slow rice imports because the country had achieved self-sufficiency in the production of rice.For the last three years, the government itself has not imported rice although some quantities were imported by the private sector.

Farmers widely believe they are not getting fair prices because of the importation of rice from India at low prices.Criticising the government‘s imposition of a 10% import duty so late in the day, Quazi Shahabuddin, a former director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, said the government should have imposed the duty much earlier.He said a 10% import duty was not enough to fix the situation, adding that the government should impose an import duty nearer 30%, otherwise imported and local rice prices would be unevenly matched, benefiting importers and achieving little gain for farmers.

Producers’ plight This season, Boro farmers have seen the lowest prices – Tk450-500 per maund (40kgs) – for their product, the lowest levels in the last few years.Boro is the largest rice harvest in the country with a production of around 18.9 million tonnes out of a total of 34.6 million tonnes of paddy in 2013-14.At these prices, farmers are at serious risk of losing big. Currently, while the market price per maund of Boro paddy is Tk450-500, the production cost is Tk650.―This means, ultimately, the farmers will be the losers,‖ Masud Chowdhury, a farmer from Dinajpur, said. http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/may/23/farmers-suffer-time-plenty#sthash.7MNjnBSj.dpuf

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U.S. Rice at the Smithsonian Museum WASHINGTON, D.C.-Last week, USA Rice attended a sushi-centric event held at the Chef Kaz (l) and USA Rice's Maher: One day the student shall become the master Smithsonian National Museum of American History. More than 150 people attended the sold out "Sushi for Sale" event that explored how sushi, a Japanese delicacy, has transformed into a mainstream American favorite. The evening opened with a panel discussion featuring Chef Kaz Okochi of D.C.'s KAZ Sushi Bistro, Bonny Wolf of American Food Roots, and FoodStory founder Yoko Isassi. During the conversation, the importance of quality rice was stressed as a crucial ingredient in sushi. Kaz Okochi confirmed that he exclusively uses U.S.-grown rice to make sushi, and that its texture and taste make it a desirable sushi staple.

Following the panel, Chef Kaz Okochi hosted interactive sushi-making demonstrations that offered participants one-on-one tutorials on the art of making sushi. Attendees sampled a wide

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter variety of sushi and sake, both rice-based products. "Events like this are valuable because they cost next to nothing, and you have a world-famous chef amplifying our message, helping to raise awareness for U.S. grown rice," said Katie Maher, USA Rice's manager of domestic promotions who participated in the event.

Contact: Colleen Klemczewski (703) 236-1446

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 22

Month

Price

Net Change

July 2015

$9.430

- $0.185

September 2015

$9.705

- $0.175

November 2015

$9.960

- $0.175

January 2016

$10.220

- $0.170

March 2016

$10.285

- $0.170

May 2016

$10.285

- $0.170

July 2016

$10.285

- $0.170

Weather, prices depress planting estimates for Arkansas May 22, 2015Mary Hightower, University of Arkansas | Delta Farm Press Weather, declining prices denting rice, corn acres in Arkansas April saw 20-cent slip in corn prices RELATED MEDIA

Weather and declining prices are putting a dent in the expected total of rice and corn acres planted, said Scott Stiles, Extension

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.Meanwhile, rice growers were bumping up against insurance deadlines for planting.The Risk Management Agency of the U.S. Agriculture Department pegs the final planting date for rice at May 25.The late planting period begins the day after the final planting date and ends 15 days after the final planting date,‖ Stiles said. ―For insured crop acreage planted during the late planting period, the production guarantee for each acre will be reduced by 1 percent for each day planted after the final planting date for the first through the 15th day.For growers, ―Your prevented planting coverage is 45 percent of your production guarantee for timely planted acreage,‖ he said.Rice was 89 percent planted for the week ending May 17, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

That‘s ahead of the 85 percent five-year average.Corn was 98 percent planted, right on the fiveyear average.Stiles noted private figures forecasting 470,000 acres of corn in Arkansas versus USDA‘s March 31 ―Prospective Plantings‖ report estimate of 530,000 acres. The estimates also predicted lower rice acreage at 1.425 million acres, compared with USDA‘s 1.441 million acres.

The company‘s estimates were right in line with USDA‘s figures for sorghum at 250,000 acres; soybeans at 3.45 million acres; and cotton at 230,000 acres.In Arkansas, ―there are two factors at work that have reduced acreage: weather and price. Weather is likely the dominant factor,‖ Stiles said. ―At the end of March we only had 2 percent of the corn in the ground. Roughly 85 percent of corn was planted in April.September futures prices slipped 20 cents in April, ―but, I think the calendar was more of a factor in any acreage reduction,‖ he said.The National Agricultural Statistics Service ―indicated we didn't have any rice planted by March 29 and only 37 percent planted by April 26,‖ Stiles said, which means that ―two-thirds will go in the ground in May and we certainly hope planting doesn‘t extend into June. ‖He said that rice prices relative to everything else won't encourage growers to plant rice extremely late. ―Given the weather delays thus far and severe price collapse, it seems very like some of the intended rice acres will switch to soybeans or remain fallow,‖ Stiles said.NASS issues its annual ―Acreage Report‖ on June 30, reflecting a producer survey of planted acres around the United States. The survey period is during the first two weeks of June. http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/weather-prices-depress-planting-estimatesarkansas?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+May+22%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+Decem ber+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

LSU AgCenter rice field days begin May 28 May 22, 2015LSU AgCenter | Delta Farm Press

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter The LSU AgCenter will host a series of rice field days across Louisiana during the growing season.Topics will include variety development updates, control of weeds, insects and disease, fertilization and soybean production.On May 28, the Southwest Rice Field Day will be at the Fenton Cooperative in Fenton at 1311 U.S. Highway 165.

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., and the program begins at 9 a.m. The event will travel to the Jimmy Hoppe farm to view research plots.Also on May 28, the Vermilion Parish Rice Field Day will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Lounsberry Farm 1 mile east of Lake Arthur on Louisiana Highway 14.On June 9, the Evangeline Parish Rice Field Day will be held at the Joey Hebert Farm with cooperating producer, Kenneth LaHaye. On Bieber Road about 4 miles west of Mamou, turn right at Daugeraux Road and drive a half mile, then turn left at a well and follow signs to the research plots. The second part of the event will be at Bieber Farms on Bieber Road 1 mile west of Mamou.

On June 16, the Acadia Parish Rice Field Day will be at the South Farm of the Rice Research Station, in Crowley, off Louisiana Highway 13. It will start with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the program at 9 a.m.The Rice Research Station‘s annual field day will be July 1. The day will start with field tours beginning at 7:15 a.m. The last one begins no later than 9 a.m.The Northeast Louisiana Rice Field Day will be July 21 at 9 a.m. at the Woodsland Plantation in Richland Parish 4 miles west of the intersection of La. Highways 15 and 133 until 11 a.m. when the event reconvenes at the Rayville Civic Center.A St. Landry Parish Rice Field Day also will be held, but details are pending. http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/lsu-agcenter-rice-field-days-begin-may28?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+May+22%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13 %2C+2013&utm_medium=email

NFA OKs up to 500,000 MT rice imports as buffer stock

By Czeriza Valencia (The Philippine Star) | Updated May 23, 2015 - 12:00am

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STAR/File photo

MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) has approved the importation through government-to-government procurement scheme of an additional 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice that would be used as buffer stock during the lean months beginning in July.Also approved on standby is the importation of another 250,000 MT that would be used in the event that domestic production suffers significant loses due to the effect of the prevailing dry spell. The Food Security Committee would evaluate the supply situation and make a recommendation to the NFA. The Food Security Committee is chaired by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), with members composed of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Finance (DOF), Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomic Services Administration (Pagasa), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the National Food Authority.The governments of Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia will be invited to participate in the government-to-government procurement scheme as these countries have existing procurement agreements with the Philippine government.The Philippines would be procuring rice of the 25 percent brokens variety.The Philippines awarded in February the supply contract for a total of 500,000 MT of rice to Vietnam and Thailand that was expected to arrive between March and April.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The prevailing dry spell is expected to affect domestic palay (unhusked rice) production as plantings have been delayed.The DA has already revised this year‘s palay production target to 19.02 million MT from the original target of 20 million MT.The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that palay production in the second quarter of the year is expected to fall 4.21 percent to 3.90 million MT. Harvest area may contract from 939,000 hectares to 918,000 hectares. Yield per hectare may drop to 4.25 MT from 4.34 MT per hectare in 2014. http://www.philstar.com/business/2015/05/23/1457615/nfa-oks-500000-mt-rice-imports-buffer-stock

Vietnam’s rice exports drop as Thailand offloads overstocks Vietnam’s rice exports have struggled to compete with cheaper shipments from Thailand in the first four months of 2015 as the Thai government has sought to offload inventories at highly discounted prices.As a result, a representative of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) said the country‘s exports to highly price sensitive markets such as those in Africa could fall by as much as 60% from the figures in 2014.Lower exports are resulting in more rice remaining in Vietnamese miller‘s and farmers inventories, piling pressure on already-bulging storage and raising the spectre of grain spoiling in temporary silos.The Thai government began executing a subsidized scheme earlier this year in which it plans to sell 10 million tonnes of broken rice in 2015 and an additional seven million tonnes in 2016 at prices substantially below market prices.

As one example, the Thai government in March sold 5% broken rice from its inventories at around US$236 to US$378 per tonne compared to the global market price of US$405 per tonne.A representative of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, who declined to be identified, in turn justified the programme by saying that the government's rice is old and has been stored for a long time so its value has depreciated (Reuters).There is always a large price gap between new rice and old rice, the official said.The nation‘s rice industry can compete with private Thai traders, but not with the Thai government as it slashes prices to bolster demand for old low quality stock, said a VFA representative.In the four months leading up to May, Vietnam‘s rice exports dipped 12.73% in volume and 16.37% in value on-year to 1.686 million tonnes valued at US$707 million according to VFA statistics.In addition to lower export prices and fierce competition with Thailand, in 2015, Vietnam exporters are at risk of shrinking markets in other countries, particularly the Chinese market.

China has been the largest importer of Vietnam's rice for the past three years. In 2014 alone, Vietnam exported 2.1 million tonnes of rice to China, accounting for 30% of the nation‘s export market.However, Vietnam's rice exports to China during 2015 are likely to see a substantial decline as the Chinese government diversifies its import strategy to increase rice import quota from multiple sources.To address the situation, Deputy Prime Minister Hai has asked the VFA in collaboration with relevant government offices and those in the private sector to develop specific marketing plans for each foreign market.In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister asked the parties to lay out a scheme to restructure production and shift rice cultivation areas to planting crops with higher profit margins.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Hai said for 2014 Vietnam rice cultivation area stood at around 7.6 million hectares with an estimated production of around 43.4 million tonnes of paddy rice. Rice production exceeds consumption, but the country imports tonnes of soybeans and corn annually.The government will guide farmers to shift to crops to soybeans, corn or other crops that will help them improve their overall profits, Hai stressed. http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/131354/vietnam-s-rice-exports-drop-as-thailand-offloadsoverstocks.html

UPDATE 1-Philippines to import 250,000 T of rice, maybe more if El Nino worsens Fri May 22, 2015 2:10am GMT

* Seeks govt-to-govt deal, tender in early June * Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia qualified to bid * Additional imports possible if El Nino intensifies (Add comment, detail)

By Enrico Dela Cruz MANILA, May 22 (Reuters) - The Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, is seeking 250,000 tonnes of the grain to boost its buffer stocks and could buy more if the droughtinducing El Nino weather phenomenon intensifies.Officials at the state grains agency on Friday said the country was preparing to issue a tender in early June for the supply of 25-percent broken variety of rice via a government-to-government deal.The move would be good news for regional rice markets that have been flagging this year due to oversupply, with an official telling Reuters by text that Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia were qualified to submit offers.

Delivery should be between July and August, in time for the onset of the lean harvest season in the Philippines, he said.The government hopes to avert a potential spike in food prices due to possible supply disruptions that could be caused by El Nino, which Japan last week confirmed had set in.President Benigno Aquino has approved the additional rice purchases and has also given the National Food Authority (NFA) permission to import a further 250,000 tonnes later this year should El Nino intensify, another official said in a text message.The Southeast Asian nation recently bought 500,000 tonnes via government-to-government deals with key sellers Vietnam and Thailand. Last year, the NFA imported about 1.7 million tonnes, the country's biggest purchase since Aquino took power in 2010.The NFA plans to issue an official advisory on the additional imports within a day, said Food Security Chief Francis Pangilinan.

The Philippine government last week revised down its estimate of first-half domestic rice production, with dry weather already affecting more than half of the country's 81 provinces.Thailand, the world's No.2 rice exporter after India, has said it plans to sell 2 million tonnes of rice over the next two months from stockpiles built up under the previous administration's failed buying programme.In Vietnam, the world's third-largest exporter where

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter prices have weakened this week on a lack of buying demand, a new crop harvest will begin from around late June, traders said.

(Reporting by Erik dela Cruz; Editing by Joseph Radford) http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL3N0YD08N20150522?sp=true

Gov’t braces for El Niño impact with additional rice imports THE GOVERNMENT is beefing up the country’s rice buffer stock as it faces a double whammy of a lean season and the possibility of an intense El Niño episode that coincide with signs of lower production this semester, the state grains agency said in a brief statement on Friday.

Specifically, it is prepared to import as much as 500,000 metric tons (MT) through governmentto-government deals on top of the acquisition of the same volume last March.―The National Food Authority (NFA) Council, through the recommendation of the Food Security Committee, approved an additional importation of 250,000 MT in preparation for the lean months beginning July and to stabilize rice prices during the lean months,‖ the statement read.

Existing bilateral rice agreements allow the Philippines to import from Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia through government-to-government procurement mode.The imports will involve 25% broken rice variety.These are scheduled to be delivered by July 1, Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis N. Pangilinan -- who makes import recommendations together with the NFA Council -- said in a text message.NFA Administrator Renan B. Dalisay said separately that invitations to bid were sent to embassies concerned on Friday.―With invitations to bid sent out today (Friday), timeline is June 5 for the actual bidding,‖ Mr. Dalisay said via text message.

EL NIÑO The NFA is also prepared to import more rice should the need arise amid the onslaught of El Niño and the prolonged dry spell it brings.―Another importation of 250,000 MT is on standby in case there will be significant effects on production brought by El Niño...‖ the NFA said, clarifying that this additional volume is still subject to the evaluation and recommendation of the Food Security Committee.The committee is headed by the National Economic and Development Authority and consists besides of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomic Services Administration, Philippine Statistics Authority, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Irrigation Administration, Department of Agriculture, and NFA itself.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Earlier this month, Australia‘s weather bureau said El Niño has already formed and that models indicated a ―substantial‖ event, while the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed the weather pattern‘s emergence, forecasting it would persist into late 2015.

Last March, Vietnam and Thailand bagged contracts to supply a total of 500,000 MT of rice to boost the Philippines‘ buffer stock for the three-month lean season that starts in July. Under the Feb. 27 auction, Vietnam bagged the contract to supply 300,000 MT, involving 150,000 MT each of the 15% and 25% broken varieties, while Thailand will deliver the remaining 200,000 MT to cover the balance of each rice variety.Last year, the government imported around 1.5 million MT of rice, equivalent to 8% of 2014‘s total domestic output of 18.97 million MT that, in turn, was 2.87% more than 2013‘s 18.44 million MT and topped an 18.88-million MT target.

POOR START Production of unmilled rice -- known locally as palay -- rose by 1.41% to 4.37 million MT last quarter from 4.31 million MT in 2014‘s comparable three months, but still fell short of a 4.47million MT projection.This quarter, palay output is expected to drop by 4.21% to 3.90 million MT from 4.07 million MT a year ago, leading to a 1.32% decline to 8.27 million MT this semester from 8.38 million MT in 2014‘s comparable six months.The government expects a recovery next quarter, with output to improve by 11.7% to 3.38 million MT from 3.03 million MT in 2014‘s comparable three months.That, in turn, is expected to drive nine-month production up 2.14% annually to 11.65 million MT from 11.41 million MT. -- Claire-Ann Marie C. Feliciano http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=gov&rsquot-braces-for-el-niobrimpact-with-additionalbr-rice-imports&id=108426

Trade talks aim to boost quota Fri, 22 May 2015 Chan Muyhong A young woman pours rice on to a pile at a paddy in Battambang province earlier this year. A delegation from China is set to arrive on Monday to discuss Cambodia‘s proposal to double rice exports to China. Heng Chivoan

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A Chinese trade delegation due to arrive in Cambodia next week has added to the hopes that the Kingdom‘s rice export quota to China will be drastically raised.The three-day visit, which will be led by China‘s Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Yan, begins on Monday and will discuss strengthening trade ties with Cambodia, according to the Ministry of Commerce.―This time, the visit will discuss the possibility of expanding trade cooperation between Cambodia and China. A rice deal and the possibility of exporting more agricultural products from Cambodia to China will also be on the agenda,‖ said Ministry of Commerce spokesman Ken Ratha.

Cambodian Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol sent a letter to Gao Yan in April seeking to double Cambodia‘s rice export quota to 200,000 tonnes for the period between May 2015 and April 2016.―It is expected that there will be detailed discussion of Cambodia‘s request to double the rice quota to China to 200,000 tonnes,‖ Ratha said, adding, however, that no agreement or memorandum of understanding is expected to be signed.Hun Lak, vice president of the Cambodia Rice Federation, said yesterday that he has high hopes for a positive response due to the successful implementation of the previous 100,000-tonne rice quota between the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) and the Cambodian state-owned Green Trade Company.―[COFCO] ordered 100,000 tonnes and we successfully delivered it to them. It shows that we can supply on time,‖ he explained.

Lak added that the doubling of the Chinese rice export quota would help Cambodia diversify from the European market.―Although the other markets we supply now are doing well, especially the EU, we should not be too reliant on the EU market. We should expand the market in Asian countries, [and] China is a huge market for Cambodia.‖Export figures released by the CRF showed that China was the biggest importer of Cambodian rice for the first three months of 2015, importing 36,081 tonnes, followed by Malaysia and France.Thanks largely to a boost in shipments to China, the Kingdom increased its exports to 75,867 tonnes overall in March, more than doubling the 37,676 tonnes exported the month before.China is also looking to import more of Cambodia‘s other agricultural products such as corn, bananas and mangos.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Agriculture and mining are other sectors that China is eyeing in Cambodia, said Lim Heng, vice president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce.Cambodia‘s rich natural resources, agricultural products, cheap labour costs and investment incentives are significant attractions for Chinese investors to choose Cambodia over neighbouring countries, he said.―We have always encouraged Chinese investors to invest in agricultural processing in Cambodia as the country has high demand for this kind of investment,‖ he added.In late 2012, China and Cambodia pledged to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion by the end of this year http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/trade-talks-aim-boost-quota

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 22 Nagpur, May 22 Gram and tuar prices reported down again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on lack of buying support from local millers amid poor quality arrival. Release of stock from stockists and fresh fall in Madhya Pradesh pulses also pushed down prices in weak trading activity, according to sources. *

*

*

*

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram super best bold and medium best moved down in open market here in absence of buyers amid increased supply from millers.

TUAR * Tuar gavarani new recovered in open market on good demand from local traders.

Reports about weak overseas supply also fuelled prices. * Moong dal chilka declined sharply in open market here on poor buying support from local traders amid healthy supply from producing regions. * 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. * Whear, 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 Gram Auction Gram Pink Auction Tuar Auction

Available prices Previous close 3,500-4,470 3,500-4,490 n.a.

2,100-2,600 5,500-7,210 5,620-7,370

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter 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 6,200-6,400 6,300-6,500 Gram Super Best n.a.

Gram Medium Best 5,900-6,100 6,000-6,200 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a.

Gram Mill Quality 5,250-5,450 5,250-5,450 Desi gram Raw 4,500-4,650 4,500-4,650 Gram Filter new 6,050-6,150 6,050-6,150 Gram Kabuli 5,100-6,900 5,100-6,900 Gram Pink 6,300-6,500 6,300-6,500 Tuar Fataka Best 10,500-10,800 10,500-10,800 Tuar Fataka Medium 10,000-10,300 10,000-10,300 Tuar Dal Best Phod 9,500-9,800 9,500-9,800 Tuar Dal Medium phod 9,000-9,350 9,000-9,350 Tuar Gavarani New 7,800-7,900 7,750-7,850 Tuar Karnataka 7,900-8,000 7,900-8,000 Tuar Black 10,700-11,000 10,700-11,000 Masoor dal best 8,100-8,300 8,100-8,300 Masoor dal medium 7,500-7,800 7,500-7,800 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold 11,000-11,500 11,000-11,500 Moong Mogar Medium best 10,200-10,600 10,200-10,600 Moong dal Chilka 9,100-9,650 9,200-9,7050 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 9,600-9,900 9,600-9,900 Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 11,200-11,600 11,200-11,600 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 9,900-10,600 9,900-10,600 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 8,500-8,900 8,500-8,900 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,300-4,500 4,300-4,500 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 3,150-3,300 3,150-3,300 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) 1,400-1,600 1,400-1,600 Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,700 1,500-1,700 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,600 1,400-1,600 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,450 2,200-2,450 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,800-1,950 1,800-1,950 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,700 3,100-3,700 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,000 2,800-3,000 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

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter 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. 47.0 degree Celsius (116.6 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.

29.9 degree Celsius (85.8 degree Fahrenheit) Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.

Rainfall : nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 47 and 30 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices.) http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/05/22/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N0YD3F520150522

Punjab to bring 4.44 million acres of land under paddy cultivation May 22, 2015 RECORDER REPORT

The Punjab has fixed a target of bringing 4.44 million acres of land under paddy cultivation for the forthcoming season with a production target of 3.5 million tonnes. A Punjab Agriculture Department spokesman on Thursday urged farmers to only sow approved varieties for achieving maximum per acre yield of paddy and said approved varieties with higher production capabilities were super basmati, basmati-370, basmati-385, basmati Pak (Kernal basmati), basmati-2000, basmati-515, PS-2, PK-386 and Basmati 198 (for Sahiwal, Okara and adjoining areas). "Nursery of these varieties should be sown between June 1 and June 20 while suitable time of nursery preparation for Shaheen basmati is between June 15 and June 30," he added.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183:pakistan/1188885:punjab-to-bring-444-million-acresof-land-under-paddy-cultivation/?date=2015-05-22

Rice sowing gathers pace, cane area rises Tomojit Basu Rural women engaged in paddy sowing operations at Bhavadevarapalli village in Krishna District. (file photo) New Delhi, May 22: The sowing of rice, the main foodgrain grown during the Kharif season, is gathering pace with 2.68 lakh hectares (lh) covered as of Friday, as per the latest estimates provided by the Agriculture Ministry. The figure during the corresponding period last year stood at 2.28 lh.―About 2.68 lh area coverage under rice has been reported from Assam (1.10 lh), Nagaland (0.85 lh), Arunachal Pradesh (0.52 lh), Tamil nadu (0.19 lh) and Odisha (0.02 lh),‖ said an official statement.Overall, area under Kharif crops increased to 56.22 lh from 49.04 lh at the same time last year.

Monsoon concerns Pre-monsoon showers have been encouraging say experts but warn that official estimates of lower rainfall during the four-month southwest monsoon could have an impact in low-lying rainfed cultivation areas in eastern India which accounts for 60 per cent of the rice growing area with almost 50 per cent reliant on rain.The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted rainfall this Kharif at 93 per cent of long-period average of 89 cm., driven mainly by the El Nino weather phenomenon. Last season, deficient rainfall estimated at 88 per cent resulted foodgrain output declining by 13.92 million tonne (mt) to 251.12 mt.―Premonsoon showers should benefit farmers planting the early ‗aus‘ varieties of 90-110 days duration.

However, heat waves have been strong, and if the lower rainfall prediction is true, there could be some apprehension about large scale sowing particularly in eastern India,‖ said Trilochan Mohapatra, Director, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack.He did not expect rice acreage to increase beyond the 37.48 million hectares registered last season if there is a rainfall deficit and

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter any predictions about sowing could only be made once there were estimates of distribution made public.―If there is a delayed monsoon, farmers in States like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and parts of West Bengal and eastern Uttar Pradesh, could opt to not plant rice,‖ said Mohapatra.

He added that even if water levels in reservoirs were up due to the pre-monsoon rain, it would be difficult to supply the water in the areas mentioned given the lack of infrastructure.In betterirrigated States like Haryana and Punjab, sowing would start by early June with nurseries being raised already. Long-duration varieties are generally sown between end-May and early-July across eastern and southern India, ahead of the heavy showers between July-early September.

Cane acreage up Acreage for sugarcane has also risen to 40.7 lh from 40.58 lh at the same time last year with increased area reported from Uttar Pradesh (0.38 lh), Madhya Pradesh 0.43 lh) and Gujarat (0.19 lh) and decline reported from Maharashtra (0.61 lh), Karnataka (0.88 lh) among others.Area under jute and mesta has also shown an uptick with 6.72 lh under the crop as compared to 6.18 lh at the same time in 2014.

(This article was published on May 22, 2015) The Hindu

Mahindra Group to acquire 33% stake in Japan's Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery This deal will enable strategic growth avenues for MAM, which has been providing OEM tractors to Mahindra USA and technical license to Mahindra for rice planters & tractor in India BS B2B Bureau | Mumbai May 22, 2015 Last Updated at 12:10 IST

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M), part of the Mahindra Group, has agreed to acquire 33% stake in Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery Co Ltd (MAM), a subsidiary of Japan‘s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI), for $ 25 million (about Rs 159 crores).The agreement was signed by Kazuaki Kimura, president and CEO, MHI Machinery, Equipment & Infrastructure; Katsumi Tottori, president, MAM; and Rajesh Jejurikar, president & chief executive (farm equipment & two wheeler), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. The deal is expected to close by October 1, 2015, with the new funding to be used to increase MAM‘s capital base.

Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery is a full range agri-machinery company producing and selling tractors, combine harvesters, rice transplanters and other agri-machinery. It had revenues of

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter approximately Yen 50 billion ($ 408 million) in 2014-15.Commenting on the partnership, Rajesh Jejurikar, president & chief executive (farm equipment & two wheeler division), M&Msaid, ―It is a matter of pride for us to have signed this alliance today which is a ‗win-win‘ for the agricultural machinery businesses of both companies. This will enable strategic growth avenues for Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery (MAM) through Mahindra USA, China and other international markets, thereby speeding up international expansion.

It will also provide a platform for both the companies to leverage technology and product development synergies.‖Mahindra is the world‘s largest tractor manufacturer by volume with a very strong leadership position in India. MAM has been supplying OEM tractors to Mahindra USA (subsidiary of M&M in the US) as well as providing technical license to Mahindra for walk-behind rice planters and new tractor in India.The new partnership will help both companies to jointly develop products to address global opportunities in the tractor and agri-machinery space. In addition, the partnership will enable MAM and Mahindra to improve cost competitiveness though joint procurement and optimise the supply chain, http://www.business-standard.com/content/b2b-manufacturing-industry/mahindra-group-to-acquire-33stake-in-japan-s-mitsubishi-agricultural-machinery-115052200933_1.html

Raipur scientists develop high-zinc rice to fight malnutrition in Chhattisgarh Sourav Roy | May 22, 2015 at 10:43 pm 125 113 12 0 0 inShare Scientists from Raipur have developed a high zinc-enriched variety of rice that is expected to play a crucial role in fighting malnutrition in tribaldominated Chhattisgarh where nearly seven lakh children are still malnourished. The new paddy seed, called ‗Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1′, the first zinc biofortified rice variety in India, was launched by State Variety Release Committee, the authority for official release of new varieties of seeds, in March and its production is likely to begin from the next kharif season.

Similarly, researchers from Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU), Raipur, led by Professor Girish Chandel, have rolled out two varieties of high zinc rice, of which one has been released. ―We focused on increasing our crop production since the inception of the Green Revolution in the country aiming to eliminate hunger. In the process, we managed to yield high production, but the quality of crop did not improve,‖ Chandel told PTI. In 2000, the Centre, along with, health organisations in a survey found that 60-70 per cent of population was

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter suffering from malnutrition because of deficiency of micro-nutrients, particularly iron, zinc and Vitamin A. Following this, the government decided to come out with a research programme to improve the variety of three staple crops – rice, wheat and maize – in different states, he said. According to PTI, Under the programme, Chhattisgarh, considered as the rice bowl of the country, decided to work on the quality aspect and took up ‗Rice Bio Fortification Research Project‘. In the first phase of the project in 2003-05, some 200 rice germplasm lines with high grain nutritive values but low-yielding quality were identified, he said. Subsequently, in the next phase of 2006-11, seeds were multiplied and subjected to genetic improvement exercise, which led to seven highyielding zinc-enriched rice varieties.

In 2013, the Centre decided to conduct a separate exercise coordinated by Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), Hyderabad, to analyse the outcome of the researches being conducted in different parts of the country. Finally, four varieties were adjudged best in terms of quality, of which the top two came from Chhattisgarh. ―Currently, we have 100 kg seeds of this new variety and we are further planning to multiply it in 10 acres. By November-December this year, we will distribute it to around 5,000 farmers across the state. Its sowing would be started in the next kharif season,‖ he said. Image Credit : Shutterstock ... read more onsocial.yourstory.com http://social.yourstory.com/2015/05/raipur-scientists-zinc-rice/

Rain hurting Louisiana wheat crop, affecting others Excessive rain across Louisiana is compounding existing problems with the state‘s 2015 wheat crop and leading to what LSU Agricultural Center experts call a disastrous season.Heavy rains also are causing problems for some soybean and corn farmers, especially in the north part of the state where a storm system brought as much as 10 inches of rain in some areas in the past week.

Also being affected are cotton, pastures and cattle.Less affected by rain are sugar cane and rice, AgCenter experts said.

WHEAT: Wheat is normally harvested from mid-May to the first week of June in south Louisiana and from the end of May to mid- to late-June in north Louisiana, said Steve Harrison, LSU AgCenter wheat breeder. But rain is keeping farmers out of muddy fields and causing the quality of the crop to deteriorate and also contributing to what is commonly called scab disease.

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter Some of the wheat being harvested has a low weight, reducing its value.―A normal test weight is 60 pounds per bushel,‖ said Josh Lofton, LSU AgCenter extension wheat specialist. ―But down south we‘re seeing wheat in the high 40s and low 50s.‖Grain elevators are either rejecting the low-quality wheat or significantly docking the price, he said.Some of the wheat will be left in the field because it‘s not worth harvesting. ―They‘ll plow it under and plant soybeans,‖ Harrison said, adding that some farmers will let the damaged fields go fallow for a year.Harrison expects yield losses of 30 percent to 40 percent for the 2015 wheat crop. Yield losses could translate into about a $13 million economic loss, based on the 130,000 acres planted to wheat, LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry estimated.Lofton said the wheat season started with poor planting conditions through late fall, followed by freezes in March when the wheat was growing rapidly.

The low temperatures didn‘t kill the crop but caused damage that weakened the stems and resulted in the crop collapsing when heads formed as heavy storms hit. These conditions can cause wheat to fall over, and harvesters can‘t pick up the crop as easily. Harvesting becomes less efficient and more costly.In addition, the continual wet conditions are favorable for development of a disease on wheat commonly known as scab, which can lead to low yields, low test weight, dockage and even rejection at the elevator.―This is the worst year by far for scab,‖ said Boyd Padgett, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist and director of the Central Region, who‘s been studying diseases in wheat for more than 20 years.

SOYBEANS: Ron Levy, LSU AgCenter soybean specialist, said some fields of young soybeans have been too wet. ―We may have some losses and have to replant.‖Levy said some farmers have been waiting to plant, but the excess moisture makes that difficult.Delayed planting will probably mean yields will be affected, he said. A late-planted soybean crop faces more stress from intense summer heat and more disease and insect pressure.In southwest Louisiana, as much as a third of the soybean crop may have to be replanted, said Barrett Courville, LSU AgCenter county agent in Acadia and Jefferson Davis parishes.The wet ground also is delaying farmers from getting into fields to spray herbicides, Courville said. But some areas haven‘t received much rain, and the fields are ready to be planted.

CORN: Dan Fromme, LSU AgCenter corn specialist, said corn benefits from the rain as long as the fields are not flooded. ―We‘re in the rapid growth stage right now.‖Some fields hit by high winds had corn tip over, he said. Corn will suffer from a lack of oxygen in fields with

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter waterlogged soil. Corn farmers had to deal with excess moisture during planting in March and April.

COTTON: Cotton in Louisiana is 80-90 percent planted, but flooding for that commodity is not good for the crop.Donna Lee, LSU AgCenter county agent in East Carroll Parish, and Keith Collins, county agent in Richland Parish, said water from recent heavy rains appear to have drained, but low-lying areas have standing water.―Now we need sunny weather,‖ Lee said.She said the cotton, corn, soybeans and milo she has seen in northeast Louisiana look good so far.

But cool weather that came on May 21 could slow plant growth.―The most susceptible crops were those that are small,‖ said Collins.

CANE: Sugar cane is not as affected by heavy rains now, said Kenneth Gravois, LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist. ―At this stage, cane is pretty resilient.‖He said sugar cane farmers have made herbicide and fertilizer applications. ―It would be better if it were a bit drier, but going into the summer with good moisture is good. Overall prospects for the crop continue to look good,‖ Gravois said.

RICE: Even though rice thrives in a wet environment, the frequent rainfall has caused problems for rice farmers.―In a lot of places, farmers are struggling to get done what‘s needed in the fields,‖ said Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter rice specialist.He said landing strips for airplanes have been too wet to use for midseason nitrogen fertilizer applications. Flying services are using hard-surfaced runways, which are often several miles from a field, and the extra distance is resulting in higher fees, he said.He said young rice is struggling, and an early outbreak of leaf blast disease has been found because of frequent rains.

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