24th October,2018 daily global regional local rice e-newsletter

October 24, 2018 Daily Global Regional Local Rice E-Newsletter www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com New heat-resistant rice variety to be launched next year

OUR STAFF REPORT October 24, 2018

LAHORE - A local firm and Chinese company are jointly set to introduce heat resistant rice variety for the first time in country‘s history.

The variety ‗LP18‘ will be commercially available for sowing in Pakistan from the next year.

The main objective behind introduction of this modern seed is controlling the damage to yield during high temperature season.

Agriculture scientists of Guard Agricultural Research & Services (Ltd) and Chinese hybrid rice giant Longping Hi-tech conducted a series of research to develop this modern variety. A group of Agriculture Journalists Association visited the areas of Sindh to study the development in agriculture sector of Sindh where the seed will be launched initially. ―Guard and Longping are jointly introducing heat-tolerant variety in Sindh as the province is experiencing extreme heat for last some years, causing damage to rice yield,‖ announced Shahrukh Malik, Guard Group Senior Executive, while addressing a farmers‘ gathering in Larkana.

He said company was also working on introducing such seeds of different crops and vegetables with the major focus on rice which could face the wrath of climate change and produce more. He said company was working on a plan to produce 95 per cent of the total hybrid seed being used in Pakistan in the rice sector within the country. The move, he believed, will reduce country‘s dependence on imports. He hinted the goal will be achieved in next two years, brining Pakistan into the ranks of rice seed exporting club.

Longping High-Tech representative speaking on this occasion said the company was working in agricultural sector of Pakistan for last 20 years. Guard and Longping, he said, enjoyed 40 percent share of country‘s hybrid rice market. He informed farmers that more research was underway to produce saline resistance, Basmati hybrid and more heat tolerant varieties. ―China is not only selling seeds but transferring technology to its partners. Both companies exported a small consignment of rice seed recently on the pilot basis.‖ Larkana Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Abdul Ghaffar Sheikh also spoke on occasion and appreciated the efforts of the companies for brining betterment in Sindh agriculture sector.

https://nation.com.pk/24-Oct-2018/new-heat-resistant-rice-variety-to-be-launched-next-year

Government needs to improve data on rice production Reporter: Andi Abdussalam Farmers gather young rice of GSR (Green Super Rice) varieties in the rice fields in Kampung Kilasah, Serang, Banten. (ANTARA PHOTOS / Asep Fathulrahman)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government needs to improve its data on rice production, as accurate figures will be important in deciding whether the country requires rice imports or not.

Last month, there was a debate as to whether Indonesia needed to import rice, mainly because data on rice production was not the same at a number of state agencies.

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita had permits for the importation of two million tons of rice this year, saying imports were needed to guarantee adequate stocks, in anticipation of shortfall in domestic supplies.

Therefore, observers and the ombudsman called upon the government to improve its data.

Further, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, on Monday, said that there was no need to import rice, as the state logistics board (Bulog) still had adequate stocks of rice, reaching 2.2 million tons.

Al-Azhar University Criminal Law Observer Suparji Ahmad has recommended that the debate about the differences in data about rice should be resolved.

"The State Audit Board (BPK) must dare to audit it thoroughly. The difference in data is too great, and this concerns the lives of many people," Suparji said.

According to Suparji, BPK audit results can be used by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as preliminary data if there are indications of fraud.

A similar view was made by Jakarta State University`s (UNJ`s) political observer Ubedillah Badrun. He called the data mismatch reasonable, as will be seen if investigated.

All survey institutions of the government, according to Ubedillah, should coordinate with each other, not only on the matter of conducting the survey, but also on the proper methodology that can be used academically.

He explained that there are two possibilities if an agency has different data. The first is that there is a methodological error. The second possibility is that there is something triggered by certain interests behind the figure.

Indonesian Ombudsman Commissioner Ahmad Alamsyah Saragih advised the government to audit the rice stock and the capacity of all warehouses of the State Logistics Board to obtain data on the actual conditions.

"The government must audit the stock of the logistics board, including its warehouse capacity to find out what the situation is actually like. Is the stock abundant, is it enough or not?" Ahmad

Alamsyah Saragih said.

The government, in this case the Ministry of Agriculture, has this year set a target of unhulled rice production at 80 million tons.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), by applying a new method of calculating rice production, there would merely be some 56.54 million tons of unhulled rice production this year.

The gap in data about rice was revealed after BPS released the 2018 rice production surplus, which only reached 2.8 million tons, far below the Ministry of Agriculture`s data or calculations.

Based on the Ministry of Agriculture`s official website, this year`s rice surplus would reach 13.03 million tons.

The calculation is made for 2018 based upon the unhulled rice production of 80 million tons, or 46.5 million tons of rice equivalent, while the total national rice consumption is only 33.47 million tons.

According to Vice President Jusuf Kalla, with the BPS method of calculation, unhulled production will only be 56.54 million tons, not 80 millions as set earlier.

"Do not forget that, with the production of 56.54 million tons of dry-milled rice grains, we still have a surplus. If we say that we have 80 million tons of dry-milled rice grains, but we still import, people will laugh at us," he said.

Therefore, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has hinted that the Indonesian Government would not implement its rice import policy because rice stocks at the warehouses of Bulog, the state-owned logistics company, remain sufficient.

"We have no plan to import rice now, because we do not meet any of the required conditions to do so. The rice stock at Bulog`s warehouses is recorded at 2.2 million tons, and the retail price of rice also remains stable," he said here on Monday. (Oct 22) Speaking to journalists after chairing a limited meeting for improving the method of calculating rice production, Jusuf Kalla said one of the conditions for importing rice is whether Bulog`s rice stock had reached less than one million tons.

The second condition was related to the retail price of rice, which increased 10 percent from the price ceilings that the government has previously set, he said, adding that there were no

acceptable reasons for importing rice at the moment.

Head of the State Logistics Board (Bulog) Budi Waseso and Agriculture Minister Andi Amran were virtually against the rice imports.

Indonesia will not need to import rice, as it has adequate supply of the staple commodity to meet demand until June 2019, Budi Waseso stated.

Waseso told the press in Jakarta last month (Sept 19) that he had formed a team involving the Agriculture Ministry, Bulog, and independent experts to analyze the national rice demand and supply.

"The team has recommended that we do not need to import until June 2019. Moreover, Bulog might also not have to release its imported rice stock. We have to maintain it. We should not rely on imports," Waseso, popularly known as Buwas, revealed.

(T.A014/A/KR-BSR/A014) 24-10-2018 00:29:38 Editor: Andi Abdussalam https://en.antaranews.com/news/119820/government-needs-to-improve-data-on-rice-production

Rice imports papua slash cost half

Rice Imports Cost

By Half From Papua Could Slash The Papua Province Governor Lukas Enembe Has Plans To Supply Rice To Papua New Guinea Through Madang And The Momase Region At 50 Per Cent Cheaper Price Than What It Is Now.

October 23, 2018

BY GORETHY KENNETH in Jayapura The Papua Province Governor Lukas Enembe has plans to supply rice to Papua New Guinea through Madang and the Momase region at 50 per cent cheaper price than what it is now.

Enembe told visiting Madang Governor Peter Yama and his entourage that he knows rice consumption in PNG is very high but also the price is very expensive.

He said he wants to help and plans are now afoot, to start negotiating for a better arrangement to Madang and Momase and then PNG. ―The price of rice in Papua New Guinea is not very good. You send to Thailand for packaging, back to Australia and then PNG which is a long process, and because of this we want to supply rice to PNG,‖ he said.

We have rice in Merauke that can help ease the problem. ―My bother Governor, don‘t be scared, we have plenty stock of rice in Merauke where we can supply to you in

Madang, and Momase, we can give 50 per cent cheaper to you, ―he said. ―This is also a big opportunity for our young entrepreneurs and young businessman and woman to make use of the shipment through the Momase region. ―We send shipment to China every week, if we can do that to China and also India, why can‘t we do that to Papua New Guinea?, I am seriously optimistic about helping you my Madang brother Governor, we start this, and through our cooperation, we can start and then look at PNG in a big way.

He said the time looking or importing from other Asians countries should end as it is now time for both neighbours to seriously start trading between each other.

https://postcourier.com.pg/rice-imports-papua-slash-cost-half/

Poor import timing bad for rice farmers

By BusinessMirror Editorial October 24, 2018

Farmers in the Philippines plant and harvest rice twice a year. The dry-season crop is harvested starting March, while the wet-season crop is harvested starting late September. In some areas, farmers plant only once a year because of bad weather.

This has been the practice of farmers for many years as they always follow the traditional rice-cropping calendar.

The government is aware of this, that‘s why the schedule of rice imports is being ―calibrated.‖ The calibration depends on the cropping calendar, which makes a lot of sense because the entry of imports during harvest time could spell disaster for farmers.

Flooding the market with cheap imports during harvest would give traders an excuse to buy palay from farmers at bargain prices. And imports have always been cheap because exporters from Southeast Asian countries have found a way to produce rice at a lower cost on a consistent basis.

Before deciding on imports, concerned government agencies usually look at the inventory of commercial warehouses and the National Food Authority, and data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. In the case of the NFA‘s inventory, the NFA Council directs the palay procurement program of the food agency. Unfortunately, the NFA has consistently missed its procurement target. The food agency‘s failure to beef up its stocks via purchases of local palay is one of the reasons the Philippines will not stop importing rice. The NFA is supposed to have its own stockpile in keeping with its mandate of stabilizing rice supply and prices, especially during times of calamities.

But import timing is key to ensure that farmers will not be harmed by imports and traders will not have an incentive to hoard stocks. This is why imports usually arrive before the harvest season. In the case of the NFA‘s buffer stock for the lean season, rice from abroad arrives before June 30 so the agency can preposition stocks. This is to ensure that food will be available when natural disasters strike.

In the past two years, the Philippines has veered away from its usual practice of importing rice. Last year, the government practically waited until the last minute before announcing its intention to buy rice from abroad to beef up its stocks for the lean season. At least, the announcement and the arrival of stocks did not coincide with the harvest season. In contrast, the signal to purchase additional imports amounting to 750,000 metric tons was made while farmers were about to harvest rice. Part of the volume would arrive at the peak of the harvest season.

Based on the government‘s pronouncements, ―flooding‖ the market with rice would weed out hoarders who manipulated prices in recent months following the implementation of the TRAIN law. Unfortunately, this could hurt farmers who did not change their planting practice. Also, the recent spikes in the average farm-gate price of palay do not really benefit small farmers, particularly those who rely on loan sharks.

We hope that government‘s decision to bombard local markets with cheap rice imports was a product of careful study. A freefall in average farm-gate price would hit small farmers the hardest. If government is trying to be ―innovative,‖ it should not do so at the expense of local producers. https://businessmirror.com.ph/poor-import-timing-bad-for-rice-farmers/

Rice farmers lauds Sasakawa Global 2000 for intervention programmes ON OCTOBER 23, 20187:25 PMI Rice farmers in Bunkure local government area of Kano State have commended Sasakawa Global 2000 for its various intervention programmes meant to improve rice production in the

area. File: rice farmers They also commended the organisation for donating rice milling and destoner machines to them as part of its intervention programmes. NAN reports that the two machines have the capacity to process 1, 000kg of rice per hour. The de-stoner machine is used to remove stones and other unwanted particles from unprocessed rice. Lagos records 667 domestic, sexual violence cases in 3 months — Official The Chairman of Bubbugawa Rice Farmers Associations in the area, Aliyu Mohammed, gave the commendation when officials of Sasakawa Global 2000 visited the Rice Milling plant in Bunkure on Tuesday.

The visit is part of the ongoing media Field day programme organised by the SG 2000 to meet with small holder farmers and assess the various intervention programmes of the organisation.

Mohammed said following the establishment of the rice milling plant, many people who were hitherto not interested in rice farming, had embraced the business. According to him, the Bubbugawa Rice farmers Association had this year cultivated over 300 hectares of rice with an expected out put of about five tonnes. ―We will produce between 4.5 tonnes and five tonnes of the commodity after harvest,‖ he said. According to him, the organisation also deserves commendation for training its members on proper method of applying fertilizer.

However, one of the women rice farmers in the area, Malama Aisha Ibrahim, called on the Hadeja-Jama‘are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) to ensure adequate water supply to irrigation farms in the area as the dry season farming draws nearer. After gruesome murder of 55 persons: We will prosecute perpetrators of killings… – El Rufai In his remarks, the Country Director of SG 2000, Prof Sani Ahmed-Miko represented by Mr Sa‘idu Garba, urged farmers to embrace the new rice farming technology introduced by the organisation for the benefit of farmers in the state and the country at large. He also called on the state government to prevail on Hadeja-Jama‘are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) to improve water supply to irrigation farms in the area. Newsmen report that Bunkure local government area is one of the rice producing local government areas in Kano state.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/rice-farmers-lauds-sasakawa-global-2000-for-interventionprogrammes/

Watch: China is now growing rice in the sea Business Insider SA Oct 23, 2018, 03:56 PM

This 'sea rice' could be the answer to China's harvesting problems A new type of rice that can be grown in seawater was successfully harvested by a group of scientists in the seaside city of Qingdao, eastern China.

A new type of rice that can be grown in seawater was successfully harvested by a group of scientists in the seaside city of Qingdao, eastern China.

The "sea rice" can be grown in sea water as well as on tidal flats or land with salinealkaline soil.

It may be the answer to difficulties posed by barren farmland in China and contribute toward food security by injecting 30 billion kilograms of rice into the economy, enough to support 80 million people.

"Because China has a large population, it's difficult to rely on importing food from abroad and there are logistical barriers,‖ said Guodong Zhang, Deputy Director of Qingdao Sea Rice Research and Development Centre, in an interview with Ruptly.

Rice-pricing scheme starts in Metro Manila on Saturday

By Jasper Y. Arcalas October 24, 2018

This April 12, 2017 file photo shows different varieties of rice being sold at a local market in Manila.

The government is set to implement the suggested retail price (SRP) on rice in Metro Manila markets on Saturday, even some industry stakeholders sought a three-day reprieve to prepare for the pricing scheme.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. PiĂąol said the SRP was supposed to start on October 23, but was deferred to October 27 after rice-industry stakeholders requested for a three-day extension to prepare signages for their retail outlets.

Under the SRP guidelines, agreed upon by the Department of Agriculture, rice farmers, millers, traders and retailers, rice sold in the retail markets would be identified accordingly as imported or locally produced.

Furthermore, rice varieties would be categorized properly based on the quality of the grains with corresponding SRPs respectively:

Imported well-milled rice (25 percent brokens): P39 per kilogram; Imported premium rice: P43 per kilogram; Locally produced regular-milled rice: P39 per kilogram; Locally produced well-milled rice: P44 per kilogram; and Locally produced premium rice: P47 per kilogram; ―No one can sell Sinandomeng anymore. There will be no more Super Angelica. There will be no Yummy- Yummy also,‖ Piñol said in a recent interview with reporters. ―Those varieties do not exist.‖ The government would not release an SRP for special rice varieties, which include heirloom rice, organic brown, red and black rice and Milagrosa, among others, according to Piñol.

Furthermore, the SRP guidelines have stipulated hefty fines for erring retailers, which would take effect 15 days after publication of the guidelines. ―Penalties and sanctions would include cancelation of NFA licenses, stiff fines and criminal charges,‖ Piñol said. ―The stakeholders, however, agreed that even before the effectivity of the penalties and sanctions, they were willing to implement the SRP on Saturday to show their support to the efforts of President Rody Duterte to stabilize the price of goods in the market,‖ he added.

Piñol said the SRP for rice sold in the supermarkets and other dry markets in various regions and provinces would be discussed next week with industry stakeholders. ―The SRP in Metro Manila and [Greater Manila Area] will be launched in a formal ceremony to be held at the Commonwealth Market at 7 a.m. on Saturday,‖ he said. https://businessmirror.com.ph/rice-pricing-scheme-starts-in-metro-manila-on-saturday/

Basmati regains flavour in overseas markets 30% price jump boosts Punjab, Haryana farmers‘ returns Oct 24, 2018, 12:41 AM; last updated: Oct 24, 2018, 12:41 AM (IST)

Illustration: Sandeep Joshi

Vijay C Roy Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 23 Basmati from Punjab and Haryana is being sold up to Rs 3,700 per quintal, about a 30 per cent jump in its price over the previous marketing season, after a team of overseas buyers visited farms in the region and found pesticide residue in the crop within the limit.

Exporters said basmati rates have surged 25-30 per cent, depending on the variety, in various mandis. While PUSA-1509, a variety of basmati, is sold at Rs 2,900-3,200 per quintal, PUSA1121 is selling around Rs 3,600-3,700. The rate of another popular variety, PB-1, is hovering between Rs 3,400 and Rs 3,500 per quintal.

―Basmati growers are getting remunerative prices for their produce this year. Many reasons are attributed to it such as an export order 1 lakh tonnes by four private firms. Besides, many exporters, who have opted for contract farming with local peasants, are offering premium to the farmers for their crop,‖ All India Rice Exporters Association president Vijay Setia said.

Fourteen companies have entered into contract farming with farmers of these two states, he said. The total sown area under the contract farming in the two states is around 50,000 acres.

Favourable weather conditions, barring a few districts, have been also cited as one of the reasons behind handsome returns to the farmers.

The campaign against pesticide use by exporters and the state government has also boosted confidence of the overseas buyers, Punjab Agriculture Secretary KS Pannu said.

Last year, several export consignments of basmati were rejected by the US, the EU and Saudi Arabia because of high pesticide residue. To restrict chemical use and regain importers‘ confidence, Indian exporters and the state governments had launched campaigns for pesticidefree basmati this season. The Punjab Rice Millers & Exporters Association is also satisfied with the basmati quality.

Pannu said a team of the US Food and Drug Administration recently visited the paddy-growing areas of the region and was impressed with results of the pesticide-free basmati campaign launched by the Punjab government. ―A team from the EU also visited Punjab last week. We requested it to relax its standards of residue limits. Ideally, it should be comparable to the limits set by the US and Japan,‖ he said.

The maximum residue limit of the US and Japan are 3 parts per million and 5 ppm for ‗tricyclazole‘ (pesticide). The EU's prescribed limit is, however, 1 ppm, which is impossible to meet, he said.

All readers are invited to post comments responsibly. Any messages with foul language or inciting hatred will be deleted. Comments with all capital letters will also be deleted. Readers are

encouraged to flag the comments they feel are inappropriate.

The views expressed in the Comments section are of the individuals writing the post. The Tribune does not endorse or support the views in these posts in any manner.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/basmati-regains-flavour-in-overseasmarkets/672630.html

Trade avenues: Pakistan to take part in Chinese expo

By APP Published: October 23, 2018

BEIJING: The China International Import Expo (CIIE), starting from November 5 in Shanghai, will widen the country‘s market further on a global level and many Pakistani exporters plan to utilise this unique opportunity. A look at China‘s market reveals that it is the world‘s largest destination for agricultural products including grains, cotton, sugar, meat and milk and Pakistan abundantly produced almost all these commodities, according to an article published

by media website Chin.org.cn on Monday. The CIIE will help Pakistan in exploring new trade avenues. Just a few years ago, China was the second largest buyer of Pakistan‘s non-basmati rice. Nonetheless, traders and governments of both countries have recently shown willingness to engage in high-volume trade.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2018. https://tribune.com.pk/story/1831742/2-trade-avenues-pakistan-take-part-chinese-expo/

Pakistani Food Products Exhibited At World's Biggest Food Fair In Paris Fakhir Rizvi Mon 22nd October 2018 | 09:39 PM

The purpose-build Pakistan Pavilion at the Global International Food Products Exhibition (SIAL) being held in Paris from October 21 to 25 attracted many buyers from around the world.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Oct, 2018 ) :The purposebuild Pakistan Pavilion at the Global International Food Products Exhibition (SIAL) being held in Paris from October 21 to 25 attracted many buyers from around the world.

Over forty five renowned Pakistani companies exhibited a variety of food products including rice, pickles, dry fruits, beverages, spices and processed food. Buyers from various countries including France, who visited the Pakistani stalls, showed keen interest in Pakistani products, a press release received here Monday said.

Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moin ul Haque visited the Pakistani Pavilion and appreciated the active participation of the Pakistanicompanies in the exhibition.

In his interaction with the exhibitors, he emphasized the importance of quality control, competitive pricing, innovative marketing strategies and strong business ethics to compete at the international level.

The ambassador noted with satisfaction that as result of the combined efforts of the embassy and TDAP which included promotional activities and participation in the food related fairs and exhibitions, was bringing promising results. The exports of Pakistani food to France has registered unprecedented increase of 18.8% in the year 2017-18 compare to the year 2016-17.

The exports of Pakistani Basmati rice reached to Rs678 million in 2017 to 18 compared to Rs192 million of 2016-17 and Husked Brown Rice exports reached to Rs1 billion in 2017-18 compared to Rs726 million in 2016 to 17.

Over 7,020 companies from 109 countries are showcasing their products in the Global International Food Products Exhibition (SIAL). https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/pakistani-food-products-exhibited-at-worlds462037.html

Vinafood 1, 2 win bid to supply rice to Philippines Update: October, 22/2018 - 15:15

Vinafood 1 and Vinafood 2 offered prices of slightly under US$428 per tonne.— VNA/VNS Photo Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Northern Food Corporation (Vinafood 1) and Việt Nam Southern Food Corporation (Vinafood 2) won a bid last week to sell 14,000 tonnes and 15,000 tonnes of rice, respectively, to the Philippines.

The information was released by Judy Carol Dansal, head of the Philippines‘ National Food Authority (NFA).

Both companies offered prices of slightly under US$428 per tonne.

Thai Capital Crops Co Ltd will also export 18,000 tonnes of rice to the Philippines for $426.3 per tonne.

In the last week‘s rice import tender, the NFA accepted offers for only 47,000 tonnes from three suppliers, well below a planned purchase of 250,000 tonnes, Most of the offers from 13 international suppliers exceeded the state-run NFA‘s approved budget of $428.18 per tonne. ―We will reopen the tender for the volume that was not taken,‖ said Dansal.

The Philippines is on a rice buying spree this year, after President Rodrigo Duterte lifted a 20year restriction on rice imports as inflation accelerated. The NFA has been approved to import 2.4 million tonnes, just below the record 2.45 million tonnes bought in 2010 when rising global food prices stoked shortage fears. — VNS

http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/468325/vinafood-1-2-win-bid-to-supply-rice-tophilippines.html#tpyBHceR7VXA5kea.99h

USA Rice Visits UK to Promote Market Interests

By Eszter Somogyi LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - A delegation of more than a dozen USA Rice members and staff representing some seven companies traveled to the United Kingdom (UK) last week to meet with rice importers, UK trade officials, participate in the UK Rice Symposium and visit rice wholesalers who are currently stocking identified U.S. rice brands on their shelves.

The trip coincided with the Trump Administration's announcement of its intention to begin negotiations with both the UK and the European Union (EU) on Free Trade Agreements (FTA).

Much of the discussions centered around the UK trade regime after leaving the EU on March 29, 2019 and the U.S. rice industry's long-term goal of duty free access to the UK - the largest market for U.S. rice in Europe - as well as free rice trade in a US - EU deal. The UK government is currently in the midst of negotiating the conditions of its departure from the EU as well as the degree of future cooperation. There is much uncertainty for the business sector, including rice importers, millers, and end users about the implications for the rice industry of the UK withdrawal and the resulting duty structure to follow.

At present, U.S. rice enters the EU under a complex tariff rate quota (TRQ) and tariff scheme that adds cost for importers to buy U.S. rice. Added on top of the already challenging trade arrangement are the 25 percent retaliatory tariffs imposed in June of this year on U.S. milled rice.

The U.S. delegation held a meeting with UK officials from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to discuss the implications of the different Brexit scenarios for U.S. rice exports and communicate interest in an FTA with the UK. The biannual

UK Rice Symposium is the most important gathering for the UK rice industry, where USA Rice President and CEO Betsy Ward and VP International Sarah Moran presented on the U.S. rice crop, as well as consumer trends in the U.S.

The trip ended with a visit to the new U.S. Embassy and a meeting with FAS Agriculture Minister Counselor Stan Phillips, Ag Specialist Steve Knight, and Ag Marketing Specialist Julie Vasquez-Nicholson followed by market visits to Afro-Caribbean and Chinese wholesalers who stock and promote U.S. grown rice.

"As Brexit is nearing and there are still so many questions around what and how it will happen, it was opportune timing for us to travel to the UK and show our appreciation to the UK rice industry, as well as to meet with local trade officials to communicate our strong interest in an FTA, and zero duty access for U.S. rice. We hope the U.S. administration will work and support U.S. rice in order to get this trade barrier removed." said Betsy Ward, President and CEO of USA Rice. "I am very pleased that we had so many of our members joining us on this trip."

81st International Rice Festival Queen talks about her reign By: Sylvia Masters Posted: Oct 19, 2018 07:42 PM CDT Updated: Oct 19, 2018 07:42 PM CDT A big part of the International Rice Festival is the royalty. She sat down with the queen to see what it's like to reign over the oldest and largest agricultural festival in the state.

Kathryn Shea Duncan is the 81st International Rice Festival Queen. She was crowned last October and what a year she has had.

"I was crowned last October on October 20th at 10 AM. I can remember the exact moments," says Duncan.

Kathryn's family is fourth generation rice farmers in Acadia Parish. They are very involved in the rice industry. Her great aunt was a Junior Rice Festival Queen in 1951.

"I wouldn't say I always thought I would be the Rice Festival Queen because growing up I was really shy and timid so I really didn't think that I would be capable of becoming queen, but I gave it a shot and here we are," adds Duncan.

Since being crowned, Kathryn has traveled across the country. In her words, she has had the opportunity to simply "take the crown and run with it."

"I've traveled to over 83 events across the United States this year. I've been to West Virginia for the USA Rice Millers Association Convention. I went to Washington D.C. for the Mystic Crew of Louisianians Mardi Gras Ball,‖ explains Duncan. ―I went to San Antonio for the USA Rice Outlook Conference and then to Winnie for the Texas Rice Festival."

Reigning along with the International Rice Festival Queen is the Junior King and Queen.

Each elementary school in Acadia Parish sends two representatives, a boy and a girl, to the pageant Friday morning where they compete for the titles.

News Ten reports, "Coming up Saturday morning, you're going to be crowning your next successor. What would you say to her?

Duncan says, "I would definitely tell them stop whatever you're doing. This is a once-in-alifetime opportunity. You will never get this chance again, so seize the moment and do the most that you can and just enjoy every moment."

Kathryn says through the interview process for the pageant, which took place this afternoon, the contestants are questioned on the rice industry and how they will represent the festival.

Rice brand Tilda launches ÂŁ1.5m Tildalicious advertising campaign Posted By: Contributoron: October 23, 2018In: Food, Industries, Marketing

Hain Celestial‘s British rice brand Tilda has launched its biggest advertising campaign since it was launched over 45 years ago as part of a ÂŁ1.5 million investment.

Inspired by the unique ability for food to allow people to explore other cultures, Tilda aims to encourage everyone to seek out, celebrate and discover the endless culinary possibilities that start with rice.

Called Tildalicious, the new TV creative, first aired on 20 October, seeks to bring to life the culinary journey of different Tilda rice grains through the hands of real-life cooks from all over the world, via their UK kitchens.

Along with the succession of close-ups of dishes from around the world, the word ‗delicious‘ is displayed in various languages.

Anna Beheshti, brand lead at Tilda, said: ―This autumn sees our biggest brand campaign yet with a £1.5 million investment to reach new consumers and drive brand growth. We have developed a creative direction which illustrates Tilda‘s natural positioning at the heart of multiple cultures and communities and brings to life the feeling of immense pleasure when food meets culture. ―Tildalicious delivers this with a journey of discovery of culinary opportunities. Fourteen different dishes from around the world are featured, from jollof to Middle Eastern rice salad, with a wide range of languages and nationalities represented.‖ The commercial has been created by advertising agency Havas London, its first work since being named Tilda‘s UK strategic and creative agency.

Elliot Harris, deputy executive creative director at Havas London, said: ―What a brilliant brief. Does any other food span as many cultures, nationalities, communities and generations as naturally as rice? ―The result is a properly authentic, joyous, modern brand celebrating its position right at the intersection of British food culture. I love the idea that the many diverse communities that make up the UK will see themselves represented in such an honest, relatable way.‖ The advert will run until the end of November 2018. https://www.foodbev.com/news/rice-brand-tilda-launches-1-5m-tildalicious-advertising-campaign/

Unawarded rice import contracts to be rebid soon October 23, 2018 | 9:04 pm A worker carrying rice at NFA warehouse in Quezon City. -- PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said that the rebidding for unawarded lots in the first batch of rice imports will be conducted ―right away‖ alongside the subsequent batches amounting to 500,000 metric tons.

―We will bid it right away. Pakistan put in a bid but filed the wrong paperwork. We will lump (the rebids) with the remaining 500,000 MT,‖ Mr. Piñol told reporters late Monday.

The NFA awarded only three rice import contracts last week accounting for 47,000 MT out of the 250,000 MT targeted for auction.

The initial plan was to bid out the 750,000 MT authorized for import this year, in three batches of 250,000 MT. ―I would prefer them to arrive all at once and then we can control the release to the market,‖ Mr. Piñol added. ―It‘s not important that we have too much rice, as long as we have no shortage.‖ Meanwhile, Mr. Piñol said that the suggested retail price (SRP) for rice will be implemented starting Saturday, Oct. 27 as stakeholders requested a 3-day period to prepare revised signage in retail outlets.

The scheme will no longer recognize pricing by brand names such as ―Mindoro Dinorado,‖ ―Sinandomeng,‖ ―Super Angelica,‖ ―Yummy Rice‖ and ―Double Diamond‖ and will simplify the classification system The price for imported rice at 25% brokens will be capped at P39 per kilo while imported premium rice will sell for no more than P43. Philippine Rice classified as regular milled will be capped at P39, well-milled at P44 and premium rice at P47, according to Mr. Piñol. ―The SRP will initially cover Metro Manila and suburbs only, including cities and towns in the Greater Manila Area. The SRP for supermarkets and the regions will be discussed by the stakeholders next week,‖ Mr. Piñol said. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio https://www.bworldonline.com/unawarded-rice-import-contracts-to-be-rebid-soon/

Local firms win bid to supply rice for Philippines

The Vietnam Northern Food Corporation (Vinafood 1) and the Vietnam Southern Food Corporation (Vinafood 2) will sell 14,000 tonnes and 15,000 tonnes of rice, respectively, to the Philippines.

Vinafood 1 and Vinafood 2 offered prices of slightly under 428 USD per tonne.

The companies won the bid last week after they offered prices of slightly under 428 USD per tonnes, revealed Judy Carol Dansal, head of the Philippines‘ National Food Authority (NFA).

Thai Capital Crops Co., Ltd will also export 18,000 tonnes of rice to the Philippines for 426.3 USD per tonne.

In the last week‘s rice import tender, the NFA accepted offers for only 47,000 tonnes from three suppliers, well below a planned purchase of 250,000 tonnes.

Most of the offers from 13 international suppliers exceeded the state-run NFA‘s approved budget of 428.18 per tonne. ―We will reopen the tender for the volume that was not taken,‖ said Dansal.

The Philippines is on a rice buying spree this year, after President Rodrigo Duterte lifted a 20year restriction on rice imports as inflation accelerated. The NFA has been approved to import 2.4 million tonnes, just below the record 2.45 million tonnes bought in 2010, when rising global food prices stoked shortage fears.-VNA https://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/210745/local-firms-win-bid-to-supply-rice-forphilippines.html

Gov’t seeks bid for rice import contracts

By Kuhlin Ceslie Gacula October 23, 2018 07:47 PM

IN a bid to secure rice suppliers for the outstanding 703,000 MT of imported rice for the augmentation of the staples‘ supply, the Philippine government is set to conduct two consecutive bidding processes next week.

Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary Manny Piñol revealed in a press briefing on Tuesday that the bidding of the first 203,000MT of rice will be through a government-to-government (G2G) importation, while the remaining 500,000MT of rice will be through a government-toprivate (G2P) importation.

It was earlier announced that there will be at least three separate bidding processes within an interval of two weeks. ―The G2G option was adopted because we wanted to make sure that there would be enough rice stocks for the NFA even with the commercial stocks available in the market,‖ said Piñol.

Piñol said that the rebidding will be conducted right away to ensure that there would be enough rice for the NFA since they expect two to three more typhoons to arrive before the end of the year. ―We don‘t want to be caught in a situation where the NFA would not be able to provide rice,‖ he said.

According to him, the initial 47,000 and 203,000MT of imported rice are expected to arrive in the country before the end of the year, while half or the 500,000MT is set to arrive late December.The remaining rice imports can be expected by January next year. http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/10/23/govt-seeks-bid-for-rice-import-contracts/

PH to bid import contracts for 703,000 MT of rice in a week Updated October 24, 2018, 12:49 AM

By Madelaine Miraflor The Philippine government will attempt to secure suppliers for the 703,000 metric tons (MT) of imported rice in a couple of bidding processes all set for next week.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said that instead of three separate bidding processes in two weeks interval, the government will now do it twice — first through a government-togovernment (G2G) importation of 203,000 MT of rice and then through a government-to-private (G2P) importation of 500,000 MT of rice.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol (Mark Balmores|Manila Bulletin File Photo) It was on Thursday last week when the NFA failed to secure suppliers for most of the first 250,000 MT of rice it has been authorized to import for the remainder of the year.

During the bidding process, foreign companies found it too hard to meet NFA‘s buying price of US$428.18 per ton, with only three of 20 bidders poised to secure import contracts now with the country under this particular importation. But the thing is that they are only qualified to supply the NFA with 47,000 MT of rice.

While NFA Deputy Administrator Judy Dansal refused to see it as a failed bidding, she said a rebidding should be conducted immediately. ―We need rice and we need to act immediately,‖

Dansal said. ―We will have to rebid for the remaining volume. It is not a failed bidding. It‘s just that not all the volume were taken.‖ The NFA is set to publish a new Terms of Reference (TOR) for the said re-bidding. ―We will conduct all the importation right away next week and almost simultaneously. Shortly after the G2G importion of 203,000 MT is done, we will proceed with the G2P importation,‖ Piñol told reporters on Tuesday.

He said the move has already been approved by the NFA Council, the highest policy making body of National Food Authority (NFA), during their meeting today.

According to him, bulk of the 750,000 MT of imported rice should arrive in the country before the end of the year, while the rest should arrive by January next year. https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/10/23/ph-to-bid-import-contracts-for-703000-mt-of-rice-in-a-week/

Bulog rice HOMEECONOMY & BUSINESS

TUESDAY, 23 OCTOBER, 2018 | 05:38 WIB

Indonesia has No Plan to Import Rice: VP Kalla Zoom Out Zoom In Normal

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla has hinted that the Indonesian Government would not implement its rice import policy because rice stocks at the warehouses of Bulog, the state-owned logistics company, remain sufficient.

"We have no plan to import rice now, because we do not meet any of the required conditions to do so. The rice stock at Bulog`s warehouses is recorded at 2.2 million tonnes, and the retail price of rice also remains stable," he said on Monday.

Speaking to journalists after chairing a limited meeting for improving the method of calculating rice production, Jusuf Kalla said one of the conditions for importing rice is whether Bulog`s rice stock had reached less than one million tons.

The second condition was related to the retail price of rice, which increased 10 percent from the price ceilings that the government has previously set, he said, adding that there were no acceptable reasons for importing rice at the moment.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla also revised the data on this year`s targeted production of dry-milled rice grains that the Ministry of Agriculture had set, at 80 million tonnes.

According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), by applying the new method of calculating rice production, there would merely be some 56.54 million tonnes of dry-milled rice grains this year, he said.

"Do not forget that, with the production of 56.54 million tonnes of dry-milled rice grains, we still have a surplus. If we say that we have 80 million tonnes of dry-milled rice grains, but we still import, people will laugh at us," he said.

Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman did not attend the meeting, but was represented by Head of the Agriculture Ministry`s Food Security Agency Agung Hendriadi.

The meeting was also attended by Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution, Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Sofyan Djalil, and Head of the Central Statistics Agency Suhariyanto.

https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2018/10/23/056922767/Indonesia-has-No-Plan-to-Import-Rice-VP-Kalla

There’s a hole in our bucket

BY DENILIQUIN PASTORAL TIMES

A severely low rice crop is expected to be grown in the Riverina region this year, and Ricegrowers Association of Australia chairman Jeremy Morton said the blame is squarely on the shoulders of water policy decision makers.

Mr Morton, who is a rice farmer at Moulamein, said the ‗‗hole‘‘ in NSW‘s bucket of water for irrigation is due to the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement.

He said it is inconceivable and unacceptable that its current water sharing framework has resulted in the share of water in the Murray system being reduced by 40,000 megalitres.

He said this must be recognised and acknowledged by the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council (MinCo) in order for a conversation to start about how the water resources could be shared more equitably.

Murray River To The Warrumbungles Leaving Victoria behind the Leylands find themselves in New South Wales where they meet a farmer who still uses traditional farming methods. Next they visit Dubbo before heading for the sensational Warrumbungle Ranges. ‗‗In its simplest terms South Australia‘s bucket of water has been full since April, the Victorian bucket continues to fill while the New South Wales bucket has a hole in it,‘‘ Mr Morton said. ‗‗The RGA is convinced that a myriad of small and not so small changes to rules and codifying of water sharing arrangements is significantly impacting the share of the water resource allocated to New South Wales.‘‘

‗‗The conversation will be a difficult one, but a good starting point is for MinCo to acknowledge that concessions have been made over many decades by new South Wales which have led to this intolerable situation.

Rice, Pasta, Noodles Should processed starchy staples be off the menu?

https://www.denipt.com.au/@news/2018/10/22/287915/theres-a-hole-in-our-bucket

Rice yield to go up 12:00 AM, October 23, 2018 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:06 AM, October 23, 2018

US agency revises forecast on Bangladesh

A farmer examines rice in a paddy field near a farm house in Dhaka district. Reuters/file Star Business Report The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revised its forecast on Bangladesh's rice production in the May-April period of 2018-19, saying it would increase to 34.5 million tonnes owing to increased plantation of summer rice during the aus season.

Total annual production may rise 5.78 percent year-on-year from the 32.65 million tonnes of 2017-18, said the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in its latest issue of Grain and Feed Update on Bangladesh released last week.

The report, citing official data, said rice cultivation area and production estimates in the aus season have been revised up to 1.1 million hectares of land and 2.4 million tonnes respectively.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) estimates that farmers grew rice on 1.15 million hectares of land this year, the highest since fiscal 2016-17. ―The main reason behind the increase in plantation area is the favourable prices of rice. We have seen that an inbred variety, BRRI Dhan-48, has become popular among growers,‖ said a senior DAE official. ―Besides the government has also been giving incentives to growers to encourage rice cultivation in aus season,‖ added the official.

Sown in March-April and harvested in July-August periods, rice of the aus season lags behind in terms of yield in the three rice crop seasons, including aman and irrigated boro, the principal crop.

The DAE official expects that production in aus season would rise this year compared to the previous year. The production estimate is yet to be finalised by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

The USDA has also raised its aman rice cultivation and production forecast for the current season in context to the previous season. Overall aman output may rise 6 percent to 13.20 million tonnes on assuming optimal growth and normal yield, it said.

The DAE estimates that farmers cultivated aman paddy on 5.8 million hectares of land this season. Growers have already started harvesting varieties of paddy which ripen early.

The US agency said the previous year's production shortfall forced farmers to recover their losses through expansion of cultivation areas in the three rice-producing seasons this year. ―Nevertheless, the monsoon season this year is not sufficiently helping farmers to realise good planting progress through the end of September,‖ said the report.

It said transplantation of aman rice was complete by mid-September and the plants were in the reproductive phase, progressing with the support of supplementary irrigation to manage water stress. ―This year's abnormal monsoon season with lower levels of precipitation is forcing farmers to use supplementary irrigation to stabilise the vegetative and reproductive growth of planted aman rice,‖ said the report. ―The changing weather conditions are gradually going to redefine aman rice from rain-fed to a semi-irrigated crop,‖ it added.

The USDA, however, said irrigation for aman rice cultivation would not increase production as it gives lower yield than rice in the boro season. It will increase cost, thereby motivating farmers to move away from aman cultivation.

The US agency forecasted that Bangladesh would import 0.8 million tonnes of rice in July-June period of fiscal 2018-19.

Bangladesh had been a major rice buyer in 2017-18, importing 3.89 million tonnes, the highest in the last three decades, after repeated floods washed away huge amounts of crops.

https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/rice-yield-go-1650571

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- OCT 24, 2018 OCTOBER 24, 2018 / 2:01 PM

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-October 24, 2018 Nagpur, Oct 24 (Reuters) – Gram prices moved down in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on lack of demand from local millers amid good supply from producing belts. Easy condition on NCDEX, fresh fall in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and release of stock from stockists also pulled down prices in thin trading activity. About 300 bags of gram and 250 bags of tuar reported for auctions in Nagpur APMC, according to sources.

GRAM * Desi gram reported down in open market here on lack of demand from local traders.

TUAR * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor. * Jowar varieties reported strong in open market here on good buying support from local traders amid weak supply from producing belts. * In Akola, Tuar New – 3,900-4,000, Tuar dal (clean) – 5,700-5,900, Udid Mogar (clean) – 6,800-7,700, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,400-8,500, Gram – 4,150-4,250, Gram Super best – 5,700-5,900 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 3,450-3,930 3,500-4,100 Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction n.a. 3,300-3,690 Moong Auction n.a. 3,900-4,200 Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500

Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800 Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,900-2,040 1,900-2,050 Gram Super Best Bold 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.

Gram Medium Best 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 4,200-4,300 4,200-4,300 Desi gram Raw 4,050-4,150 4,100-4,200 Gram Kabuli 8,300-10,000 8,300-10,000 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 5,700-5,800 5,700-5,800 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,300-5,500 5,300-5,500 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 4,900-5,200 4,900-5,200 Tuar Gavarani New 3,800-3,900 3,800-3,900 Tuar Karnataka 4,250-4,350 4,250-4,350 Masoor dal best 5,200-5,500 5,200-5,500 Masoor dal medium 4,800-5,100 4,800-5,100 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,500-8,500 7,500-8,500 Moong Mogar Medium 6,500-7,200 6,500-7,200 Moong dal Chilka New 6,000-7,000 6,000-7,000 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 7,500-8,800 7,500-8,800 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,000-7,500 7,000-7,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,200-6,500 5,200-6,500 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 3,800-4,000 3,800-4,000 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 4,000-4,100 4,000-4,200 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,600 5,500-5,600 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,100 5,800-6,100 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 2,150-2,200 2,150-2,200 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,600 2,400-2,600 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,350 2,250-2,350 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-4,000 3,200-4,000 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,800 2,400-2,800 Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,800 3,200-3,800 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,100 2,700-3,100 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,000 2,900-3,000 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,800-2,900 2,800-2,900 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,700 2,650-2,750 Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,500 4,000-4,500 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,000 3,600-4,000 Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,500 5,000-5,500 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,600-4,800 4,500-4,800 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 9,500-14,500 9,500-14,500 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 4,800-7,200 4,800-7,200 Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 6,800-7,000 6,800-7,000 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 6,200-6,500 6,200-6,500 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,500 2,000-2,100 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 1,700-2,000 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 34.8 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 16.5 degree Celsius Rainfall :

Nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 35 and 16 degree Celsius respectively. Note: n.a.—not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices) https://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-oct-24-2018idINL3N1X43CK

Unawarded rice import contracts to be rebid soon October 23, 2018 | 9:04 pm

A worker carrying rice at NFA warehouse in Quezon City. -- PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said that the rebidding for unawarded lots in the first batch of rice imports will be conducted ―right away‖ alongside the subsequent batches amounting to 500,000 metric tons. ―We will bid it right away. Pakistan put in a bid but filed the wrong paperwork. We will lump (the rebids) with the remaining 500,000 MT,‖ Mr. Piñol told reporters late Monday.

The NFA awarded only three rice import contracts last week accounting for 47,000 MT out of the 250,000 MT targeted for auction.

The initial plan was to bid out the 750,000 MT authorized for import this year, in three batches of 250,000 MT. ―I would prefer them to arrive all at once and then we can control the release to the market,‖ Mr. Piñol added. ―It‘s not important that we have too much rice, as long as we have no shortage.‖ Meanwhile, Mr. Piñol said that the suggested retail price (SRP) for rice will be implemented starting Saturday, Oct. 27 as stakeholders requested a 3-day period to prepare revised signage in retail outlets.

The scheme will no longer recognize pricing by brand names such as ―Mindoro Dinorado,‖ ―Sinandomeng,‖ ―Super Angelica,‖ ―Yummy Rice‖ and ―Double Diamond‖ and will simplify the classification system The price for imported rice at 25% brokens will be capped at P39 per kilo while imported premium rice will sell for no more than P43. Philippine Rice classified as regular milled will be capped at P39, well-milled at P44 and premium rice at P47, according to Mr. Piñol. ―The SRP will initially cover Metro Manila and suburbs only, including cities and towns in the Greater Manila Area. The SRP for supermarkets and the regions will be discussed by the stakeholders next week,‖ Mr. Piñol said. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio https://www.bworldonline.com/unawarded-rice-import-contracts-to-be-rebid-soon/

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- OCT 23, 2018 OCTOBER 23, 2018 

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-October 23, 2018 Nagpur, Oct 23 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices reported strong in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on good seasonal demand from local millers amid weak supply from producing belts. Healthy rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and repeated enquiries from South-based millers also boosted prices. About

200 bags of gram and 250 bags of tuar reported for auctions in Nagpur APMC, according to sources.

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

TUAR * Tuar varieties reported higher in open market on good festival season demand from local traders. * Moong Chamki and Lakhodi dal firmed up in open market here on good buying support from local traders amid weak supply from producing regions. * In Akola, Tuar New – 3,900-4,000, Tuar dal (clean) – 5,700-5,900, Udid Mogar (clean) – 6,800-7,700, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,400-8,500, Gram – 4,150-4,250, Gram Super best – 5,700-5,900 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 3,500-4,100 3,500-3,900

Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 3,300-3,690 3,200-3,500 Moong Auction n.a. 3,900-4,200 Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500 Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800 Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,900-2,040 1,900-2,050 Gram Super Best Bold 5,800-6,000 5,800-6,000 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.

Gram Medium Best 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 4,200-4,300 4,200-4,300 Desi gram Raw 4,100-4,200 4,100-4,200 Gram Kabuli 8,300-10,000 8,300-10,000 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 5,700-5,800 5,700-5,800 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,300-5,500 5,300-5,500 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 4,900-5,200 4,900-5,200 Tuar Gavarani New 3,800-3,900 3,800-3,900

Tuar Karnataka 4,250-4,350 4,250-4,350 Masoor dal best 5,200-5,500 5,200-5,500 Masoor dal medium 4,800-5,100 4,800-5,100 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,500-8,500 7,500-8,500 Moong Mogar Medium 6,500-7,200 6,500-7,200 Moong dal Chilka New 6,000-7,000 6,000-7,000 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 7,500-8,800 7,500-8,500 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,000-7,500 7,000-7,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,200-6,500 5,200-6,500 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 3,800-4,000 3,800-4,000 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 4,000-4,100 3,900-4,000 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,600 5,500-5,600 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,100 5,800-6,100 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 2,150-2,200 2,150-2,200

Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,600 2,400-2,600 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,350 2,250-2,350 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-4,000 3,200-4,000 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,800 2,400-2,800 Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,800 3,200-3,800 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,100 2,700-3,100 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,900-3,000 2,900-3,000 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,800-2,900 2,800-2,900 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,700 2,650-2,750 Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,500 4,000-4,500 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,000 3,600-4,000 Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 5,000-5,500 5,000-5,500 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,600-4,800 4,500-4,800 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 9,500-14,500 9,500-14,500 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 4,800-7,200 4,800-7,200

Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 6,800-7,000 6,800-7,000 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 6,200-6,500 6,200-6,500 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,100 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-2,000 1,700-2,000 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 36.5 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 19.0 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 35 and 19 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.—not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices) https://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-oct-23-2018idINL3N1X352G

‫چبول ثٌبتے وقت اى هیں یہ چیض ڈال دی جبئے توآپ کو‬ ‫هوٹب ًہیں کشے گی‬ Oct 23, 2018 | 18:45:PM

‫کولوجو(ًیوص ڈیسک) کچھ غزائیں اط حوالے سے ثہت ہی ثذًبم ہیں کہ اى‬ ‫کے استعوبل سے هوٹبپہ پیذا ہوتب ہے‪ ،‬اوس ثذقسوتی سے چبولوں جیسی لزیز‬ ‫غزا ثھی اى هیں شبهل ہے۔ هبہشیي غزائیبت کہتے ہیں کہ ایک کپ پکے‬ ‫ہوئے چبولوں هیں اوسطً دو سو حشاسے ہوتے ہیں‪ ،‬اوس یہی وجہ ہے کہ‬ ‫ڈاکٹش ثھی چبولوں کب استعوبل رسا کن ہی سکھٌے کی ہذایت کشتے ہیں‬ ‫دوسشی جبًت سشی لٌکب کے کبلج آف کیویکل سبئٌسض کے کچھ سبئٌسذاى‬ ‫ہیں جو یقیٌب ً چبول کھبًے هیں ثہت دلچسپی سکھتے ہیں۔ شبیذ اسی لئے اى‬ ‫کی کوشش تھی کہ کچھ ایسب کیب جبئے کہ چبول ثھی جی ثھش کے کھبئے‬ ‫جبئیں اوس جسن هیں ضشوست سے صیبدٍ حشاسے ثھی هٌتقل ًہ ہوں‪ ،‬اوس‬ ‫ثبآلخش اًہوں ًے ایک ایسب طشیقہ ڈھوًڈہی لیب ہے۔‬

‫خیبرپختونخواکے ہسپتالوں میں فضلے کی تلفی سے ‪:‬ضرور پڑھیں‬ ‫متعلق کیس ‪،‬وزیر صحت کے پی منگل کو سپریم کورٹ طلب‬ ‫اى سبئٌسذاًوں ًے هعلوم کیب ہے کہ چبول پکبًے کے دوساى اگش اى هیں‬ ‫تھوڑا سب ًبسیل کب تیل شبهل کش دیب جبئے تو حشاسوں کے هقذاس هیں ‪06‬‬ ‫فیصذ تک کی حیشاى کي کوی ہو جبتی ہے۔ یہ هبہشیي ثتبتے ہیں کہ جت‬ ‫اُثلتے ہوئے چبولوں هیں ًبسیل کب تیل ڈاال جبتب ہے تو چکٌبئی کے‬ ‫هبلیکیولض چبولوں کے اًذس داخل ہوجبتے ہیں۔ پکبًے کے ثعذ اگش اى‬ ‫چبولوں کو ‪ 21‬گھٌٹے کیلئے ٹھٌڈا ہوًے دیب جبئے تو چکٌبئی کے هبلیکیول‬ ‫ًشبستے کے سبتھ هل کش سخت قسن کے هبلیکیول ثٌب لیتے ہیں جٌہیں‬ ‫ہوبسے جسن هیں هوجود خبهشے توڑ ًہیں سکتے ۔ اة اگش آپ اى چبولوں‬

‫ یعٌی‬،‫کو کھبئیں گے تو آپ کے جسن کو اى سے ثہت کن حشاسے هلیں گے‬ ‫صیبدٍ ثھی کھبئیں تو یہ آپ کو هوٹب ًہیں کشیں گے۔‬ ‫ گھٌٹے ٹھٌڈا کشًے کے‬21 ‫اى چبولوں کب ایک هسئلہ ضشوس ہے کہ اًہیں‬ ‫ اوس دوسشی ثبت یہ‬،‫ثعذ کھبًے کی ہذایت کی گئی ہے۔ ایک تو لوجب اًتظبس‬ ٍ‫کہ ٹھٌڈے چبولوں کو دوثبسٍ گشم کش کے کھبًے سے اى کی کوالٹی تبص‬ ‫پکے ہوئے چبولوں جیسی ًہیں سہتی‬

Indonesia's Vice President Jusuf Kalla arrives at the ASEM leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium October 18, 2018.

REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw TUESDAY, 23 OCTOBER, 2018 | 19:26 WIB

Jusuf Kalla Ensures No Rice Import This Year Zoom Out Zoom In Normal

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) ensured that there would be no rice imports this year because the supply and price are guaranteed to be safe.

―The import will be possible if the stock is below 1 million tons in Bulog (State Logistics Agency) and the price increases 10 percent. The current condition does not meet the requirements for imports,‖ he said at the Vice President office, Jakarta, Tuesday, October 23.

Kalla said that currently, Bulog stored 2.2 million tons of rice stock. The price of rice was also observed to be stable and it was estimated that it would not increase until the end of the year.

Read: Indonesia has No Plan to Import Rice: VP Kalla JK said that the rice supply was also predicted to be surplus until the end of the year. He referred to the data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) that predicted the rice surplus of 2.85 million tons in 2018. This calculation was carried out with the latest methodology from the collaboration of BPS, LAPAN, BIG, and the Ministry of Agrarian and Spatial Planning.

The estimation of surplus is calculated from the projected production of milled dry grain (MPD) of 56.54 million tons, equivalent to 32.42 million tons of rice until the end of the year. The total of rice consumption is assumed to be 29.57 million tons per year.

However, the data is lower than the projection of the Ministry of Agriculture that predicted a surplus of 13.03 million tons during 2018. The estimation is calculated from the target of grain production of 80 million tons or 46.5 million tons of rice. The national-level total rice consumption is estimated at only 33.47 million tons.

https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2018/10/23/056922798/Jusuf-Kalla-Ensures-No-Rice-Import-This-Year https://www.bworldonline.com/unawarded-rice-import-contracts-to-be-rebid-soon/

PHL resorting to government-to-government to buy 203,000 metric tons of rice

By Jasper Y. Arcalas October 24, 2018

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol (PNA) MANILA has decided to purchase the unawarded 203,000 metric tons (MT) of rice from its previous open tender through a government-to-government (G2G) scheme as the National Food Authority (NFA) seeks to further boost its stockpile.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said the NFA Council has approved the measure to ensure that the state-run food agency would have sufficient buffer stock. Piñol chairs the NFAC, the highest policy-making body of the NFA. ―The G2G mode was adopted to make sure that there will be enough rice stocks for NFA even with commercial stocks available. We are expecting two to three more typhoons this year, and we do not want another situation where, in the face of calamities, the NFA will not be able to function,‖ Piñol told reporters in an interview after the NFAC meeting on Tuesday.

Manila has existing memoranda of understanding with Vietnam and Thailand, which means that they are the only ones that can offer to sell rice to the Philippines via G2G. The NFAC has scheduled the importation of the additional 500,000 MT of rice via open tender next week. The bidding of the 203,000 MT via G2G will commence just a few days after the open tender, according to Piñol.

The NFA‘s rice imports via G2G, together with some volume from the open tender, is slated to arrive before the year ends, while the remaining volume is expected to be delivered by January, according to Piñol. ―I was able to convince the Council that what is important is to bring in the NFA rice as soon as possible to prevent a repeat of what happened in the past,‖ he said.

Piñol said earlier he wanted the bidding for the remaining 703,000 MT of rice imports by the NFA to be conducted altogether to fast-track the process. ―You will not release all those stocks once they arrive. Those are our reserve stocks. We do not want to have a repeat of last year,‖ he said. ―Besides, President Duterte ordered that it is fine to have oversupply of buffer stock instead of none.‖ Piñol expressed optimism that the NFA can secure suppliers for its remaining import volume.

Only 47,000 MT out of the 250,000 MT rice imports of the NFA was approved for supply by foreign traders as the majority of offers during last week‘s open tender was above the agency‘s price ceiling. https://businessmirror.com.ph/phl-resorting-to-government-to-government-to-buy-203000-metric-tons-ofrice/

Nigeria‘s Rice Importation Drops By 2% Under Buhari By

Emmanuel Egobiambu October 23, 2018

Image: Mynairanaija Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the country‘s rice imports have gone down by two percent as the government increases plans to diversify the economy.

Osinbajo said this on Tuesday at the National Economic Summit in Abuja, the country‘s capital.

According to him, ―In diversifying the economy, agriculture has been a major success story, with increasing budgetary allocation to agriculture from N8.8 billion in 2015 to N46.2 billion in 2016 and N103.8 billion in this particular cycle.‖ He added that ―Today, but for a few drawbacks, we are confidently approaching self-sufficiency in rice production.

―From importing $5 million dollars of rice every single day, official imports are now down to 2%. If you note, I said official imports are down to 2%.‖ https://www.concisenews.global/2018/10/23/nigerias-rice-importation-drops-by-2-under-buhari/

Government needs to improve data on rice production Reporter: Andi Abdussalam Farmers gather young rice of GSR (Green Super Rice) varieties in the rice fields in Kampung Kilasah, Serang, Banten. (ANTARA PHOTOS / Asep Fathulrahman) Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government needs to improve its data on rice production, as accurate figures will be important in deciding whether the country requires rice imports or not.

Last month, there was a debate as to whether Indonesia needed to import rice, mainly because data on rice production was not the same at a number of state agencies.

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita had permits for the importation of two million tons of rice this year, saying imports were needed to guarantee adequate stocks, in anticipation of shortfall in domestic supplies.

Therefore, observers and the ombudsman called upon the government to improve its data.

Further, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, on Monday, said that there was no need to import rice, as the state logistics board (Bulog) still had adequate stocks of rice, reaching 2.2 million tons.

Al-Azhar University Criminal Law Observer Suparji Ahmad has recommended that the debate about the differences in data about rice should be resolved.

"The State Audit Board (BPK) must dare to audit it thoroughly. The difference in data is too great, and this concerns the lives of many people," Suparji said.

According to Suparji, BPK audit results can be used by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as preliminary data if there are indications of fraud.

A similar view was made by Jakarta State University`s (UNJ`s) political observer Ubedillah Badrun. He called the data mismatch reasonable, as will be seen if investigated.

All survey institutions of the government, according to Ubedillah, should coordinate with each other, not only on the matter of conducting the survey, but also on the proper methodology that can be used academically.

He explained that there are two possibilities if an agency has different data. The first is that there is a methodological error. The second possibility is that there is something triggered by certain interests behind the figure.

Indonesian Ombudsman Commissioner Ahmad Alamsyah Saragih advised the government to audit the rice stock and the capacity of all warehouses of the State Logistics Board to obtain data on the actual conditions.

"The government must audit the stock of the logistics board, including its warehouse capacity to find out what the situation is actually like. Is the stock abundant, is it enough or not?" Ahmad Alamsyah Saragih said.

The government, in this case the Ministry of Agriculture, has this year set a target of unhulled rice production at 80 million tons.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), by applying a new method of calculating rice production, there would merely be some 56.54 million tons of unhulled rice production this year.

The gap in data about rice was revealed after BPS released the 2018 rice production surplus, which only reached 2.8 million tons, far below the Ministry of Agriculture`s data or calculations.

Based on the Ministry of Agriculture`s official website, this year`s rice surplus would reach 13.03 million tons.

The calculation is made for 2018 based upon the unhulled rice production of 80 million tons, or 46.5 million tons of rice equivalent, while the total national rice consumption is only 33.47 million tons.

According to Vice President Jusuf Kalla, with the BPS method of calculation, unhulled production will only be 56.54 million tons, not 80 millions as set earlier.

"Do not forget that, with the production of 56.54 million tons of dry-milled rice grains, we still have a surplus. If we say that we have 80 million tons of dry-milled rice grains, but we still import, people will laugh at us," he said.

Therefore, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has hinted that the Indonesian Government would not implement its rice import policy because rice stocks at the warehouses of Bulog, the state-owned logistics company, remain sufficient.

"We have no plan to import rice now, because we do not meet any of the required conditions to do so. The rice stock at Bulog`s warehouses is recorded at 2.2 million tons, and the retail price of rice also remains stable," he said here on Monday. (Oct 22) Speaking to journalists after chairing a limited meeting for improving the method of calculating rice production, Jusuf Kalla said one of the conditions for importing rice is whether Bulog`s rice stock had reached less than one million tons.

The second condition was related to the retail price of rice, which increased 10 percent from the price ceilings that the government has previously set, he said, adding that there were no acceptable reasons for importing rice at the moment.

Head of the State Logistics Board (Bulog) Budi Waseso and Agriculture Minister Andi Amran were virtually against the rice imports.

Indonesia will not need to import rice, as it has adequate supply of the staple commodity to meet demand until June 2019, Budi Waseso stated.

Waseso told the press in Jakarta last month (Sept 19) that he had formed a team involving the Agriculture Ministry, Bulog, and independent experts to analyze the national rice demand and supply.

"The team has recommended that we do not need to import until June 2019. Moreover, Bulog might also not have to release its imported rice stock. We have to maintain it. We should not rely on imports," Waseso, popularly known as Buwas, revealed.

(T.A014/A/KR-BSR/A014) 24-10-2018 00:29:38 Editor: Andi Abdussalam

Resilience, organisation and nutrition: Three strategies to improve the future of rice production

By Pearly Neo 24-Oct-2018 - Last updated on 24-Oct-2018 at 01:34 GMT AddT his Sharing Buttons

1

Share to F acebook

Share to T witterShar e to Li nkedIn

The high-level panel at International Rice Congress 2018. (Seated L-R) Kundhavi Kadiresan, Gilbert Houngbo, Maria Kiwanuka, Ashok Gulati.

RELATED TAGS: Rice, Production, Farmers, Congress Experts have highlighted three crucial factors to enhance the rice sector, claiming that farmer resilience, organisational structures and nutritional benefits need to be improved.

Organised by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) iat Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, the panel discussion ‗The Future of Rice: Production, Consumption and Trade‘ was moderated by Kundhavi Kadiresan, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Assistant DirectorGeneral, and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific.

Also on the panel were Maria Kiwanuka, Senior Advisor to the President of Uganda; Gilbert Houngbo, President of the United Nations‘ International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and former Prime Minister of Togo; and Ashok Gulati, former Chairman of the Indian Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).

Here we provide three key takeaways that the experts believe can improve the industry‘s prospects.

1)

Improve farmer resilience

Farmer resilience was at the forefront of the rice production discussion, in view of the challenges faced due to climate change, warmer temperatures and extreme weather events.

Houngbo said that the most important starting point to improve farmer resilience is via policy.

“The starting point is at the policy level. [This is why IFAD] engages in a lot of policy dialogue with our member states, but that also has to be driven by awareness […] so we are focusing a lot of our work at the community level too,” said Houngbo.

“What is really crucial is not to just solve one or two issues, but to make the resilience mainstream via the programmes [for everyone, not just those currently at risk].”

He also described technology and infrastructure to be “critical” in making farmers more resilient. “[We need to] train smallholders in different farming techniques. It is also necessary to make sure that technology is both available and affordable for them.”

“Technology being available alone is no sufficient – it is key that it is also affordable.”

“Also, institutions must be built not only at a national, but also a regional level [to ensure the most benefit].”

Gulati also highlighted the importance of new technology.

“In India, our biggest challenge is water, how to deal with it and how to get more crops out of every drop,” he said. “[This is why] India is developing crop varieties that are tolerant to droughts and floods, to deal with rising temperatures, drought frequencies and intensities, as well as floods.”

“It is also important to change behaviours [when it comes to handling water]. Just giving out subsidies means no interest in saving water, but maybe rewarding them for saving water [would work better].”

2)

Organisational overhaul

According to Kadiresan, more than 90% of the world‘s rice production remains within national borders and is only traded domestically.

Houngbo identified three major constraints to fully efficient rice trading for smallholder farmers and open up trade.

“The first is organisational, it is very difficult to make sure organisations are well-structured or trained. Without organisation and aggregation of produce, it is very hard to compete,” he said.

“The next is financial. This is very critical, farmers must be able to participate at different ladders of the value chain, [something must transform] so that they have access to the resources they need.

“Finally is the technical aspect, to meet both technological and both international and domestic standards.”

“Currently we do not really have any regionalised approach in place, but do have an idea of some common constraints and opportunities.”

3)

Greater nutrition, greater consumption?

When it comes to rice consumption, the panel unanimously agreed that nutrition is a crucial factor to focus on.

“It is important to bring much more different parameters together [when it comes to rice consumption and nutrition],” said Houngbo. “[In IFAD], one of our targets is to make sure that by 2021, 50% of our projects [are made] nutrition-sensitive. Moving forward, progressively, this will be 100%, because this is quite crucial.”

He also highlighted the importance of creating awareness amongst smallholder farmers when it comes to nutrition-sensitivity in rice crops, as 70% of food in Asia and 80% in Africa is produced by these farmers.

Gulati spoke on the implications of dietary diversification for life scientists and policymakers, saying: “As incomes increase, diets are moving away from cereals. More and more are going for [meat and other sources of food] for their diets.” “[However], in India 60% of calories still comes from cereal, and malnutrition is still a big issue, for example stunting. […] So, to remove malnutrition quickly, one way is to look at [new varieties of crops], for example zinc-rich or protein-rich rice or wheat.”

“Basically, science has to give us answers, and not just more diversification.”

https://en.antaranews.com/news/119820/government-needs-to-improve-data-on-rice-production https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2018/10/24/Resilience-organisation-and-nutrition-Threestrategies-to-improve-the-future-of-rice-production