25th november,2017 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

Daily Rice E-Newsletter

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter November 25, 2017 Volume 9 | Issue XI

 Kenyatta Launches Sh20 Billion Thiba Dam Project to Boost Rice Farming  Scientists, businesses sign deals worth $10m at TechDemo event  Nasarawa rice farmers get processing plant  Calrose – Emerging Market in Developing Countries Covering Key Players Far West Rice, Hinode Rice & Sun Valley Rice  Portugal wants enhanced trade with Pakistan: Dr Joao Paulo  Pakistan. Food exports surge 9.85pc to 1.072bn  Pakistan Agriculture boost by CPEC  Portugal intends to enhance trade with Pakistan: Envoy  Nigeria Very Close to Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Rice - Minister  Rice basmati edges up on stockists' buying  Rice imports planned  Nicholas Reader/IRIN  Record rice harvest seen

1

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Link to Register for Webinar: Curse of Smog: Causes & Remedies

28 November, 2017 from 03:00 pm to 04:00 pm https://tinyurl.com/ybauy4rk www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

2

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

News Detail‌ Kenyatta Launches Sh20 Billion Thiba Dam Project to Boost Rice Farming

By Nicholas Komu

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday launched the construction of the Sh20 billion Thiba Dam in Kirinyaga County as he railed against the country's fixation with politics, despite the campaign period being over.Accompanied by his deputy William Ruto, the President accused opposition leaders of seeking to derail his agenda by always engaging in politics."I am only in power for five years. After that, they will run against Ruto. Let me finish my projects in peace," he said at Rukenya in Gichugu Constituency.

MEDIA The Head of State also accused the media of feeding the country with politics daily."I do not even watch TV nowadays because it is dominated by the so-called political analysts yet the campaign period is over. The analysts do not help us," he added as Mr Ruto asked political leaders to now focus their energy on development.

Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa was also at the ground breaking ceremony at the dam's proposed site.

The project is expected to be completed in the next three years.

Once completed, rice production is projected to double from the current 80,000 to 160,000 tonnes a year.

The increase in yields is expected to be enabled by doubling the production seasons of rice and horticultural crops, as well as improving the production of rice and other crops by expanding the total cultivated area from 19,400 acres to about 41,810 acres in the project area.

FOOD

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

3

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Part of the dam's funding will come from the Japanese Government, which has kept its initial pledge of Sh12 billion while the Kenyan Government will contribute Sh5 billion.

The project will be supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), which will oversee the construction of the dam.

During the event, the President received bags of rice and goats from Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru as a gift from the county's residents.

On Thursday, President Kenyatta said the dam was the first step in ensuring that Kenya becomes food-sufficient.

"Food security is a key agenda in our manifesto and this is a first step towards that. We do not want to be importing rice from foreign nations or seeking food aid every time there is drought. We need to work to become self-sufficient as a nation," he said.

The Deputy President said the dam was the first of 57 others that the government has pledged to construct in the next five years as part of the Jubilee manifesto.

The project is also expected to create employment for local youth, with the President telling Mr Wamalwa to ensure that 1,000 youths from the area benefit directly from jobs at the site.

COMPETITION He added that part of the money allocated to the project must go to residents.

The Head of State further warned county governments against fighting the national government on development issues.

"We are not in competition so there should be no fighting between county and national governments.

We serve the same goal of bettering lives of Kenyans so let us join hands and work towards that," he said.

Infighting among leaders is one of the hindrances that the project has faced since former President Mwai Kibaki's regime.

The President had been forced to weigh in on its future on several occasions and in the past even warned of campaigning against local leaders who stood in the way of the project.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

4

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru pledged to invite investors to set up hotels, an 18-hole golf course and an estate with efforts to promoting the dam as a landmark attraction site.

INVESTORS "We will be inviting interested investors to set up a golf course that will make the county a hub for golfers and an attraction site for local and international tourists," she said.

The project had also been delayed by court battles at the expense of rice farmers who put their hopes on its actualisation to boost their farming.

The court wrangles emerged over compensations of hundreds of families who were displaced to pave way the for the dam's construction and at some point, some were reported to have started moving back to the area, citing lack of compensation.

Some of the families, who had been identified for compensation, had earlier complained that the valuation of their parcels of land had not been done by the National Land Commission as required by law. They said a private firm was hired to carry out the valuation.

The 132 farmers also argued that the irrigation board only compensated landowners, living out their children and other vulnerable groups. Most of the affected families have already been compensated but 20 per cent are yet to be paid.

However, the government said it is addressing the matter

http://allafrica.com/stories/201711240302.html

Scientists, businesses sign deals worth $10m at TechDemo event November, 24/2017 - 19:00

ĐÀ NẴNG — Twelve technology transfer contracts worth more than US$10 million have been signed among scientific application centres nationwide and foreign partners at the technology demonstration and connection conference (TechDemo) in Đà Nẵng, the Department for Technology and Science Application and Promotion under the Ministry of Science and Technology said.The conference, which opened in the central city on Thursday, has drawn more than 300 participants from Việt Nam, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, the US, Israel, the Asia Development Bank (ADB), and the Mekong Business Initiative.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

5

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Contracts in bio-technology, agriculture, hi-tech farming, waste treatment were also signed by scientific application centres nationwide worth more than VNĐ200 billion ($8.8million).

The Japan Association of Science Research (GBT) also signed an agreement with Việt Nam Fetiliser and Service Company in bio charcoal and wood vinegar production, and waste treatment and plant protection with total value of $1 million.

Also on the occasion, ADB and the department agreed a deal on innovation, technology transfer and promotion of technology in the private sector.

More than 500 technological products and 1,800 sources of technology are being displayed at the city’s Tuyên Sơn Sports Centre from yesterday and until Friday.

Seminars on radioactive technology, science and technological co-operation and investment, renewable energy development, waste treatment and ‘green’ growth are set to be held at the event.

The event links local scientists and foreigners to share experience and update technology in different fields of heath care, industries, agriculture and environment.

The latest report from the department revealed that nearly 4,000 technology transfer contracts had been signed nationwide between 2011-16, while 130 technological agreements worth $30 million were reached during the period.

Việt Nam’s use of radioactive technology created huge growth in agriculture, medicine, oil and gas production and other industries.

According to the ministry of science and technology, the country has earned $3 billion in revenue from rice production using high-growth genetically modified varieties in the Mekong (Cửu Long) Delta River since 1990.

More than 50 genetically modified varieties of rice and plants are grown on 50 per cent of the country’s farm area, 30 per cent of which was exportable rice grown on one million hectares of the Mekong Delta, a source from the ministry said. — VNS

http://vietnamnews.vn/society/418073/scientists-businesses-sign-deals-worth-10m-attechdemo 6

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Nasarawa rice farmers get processing plant

Nasarawa Governor Tanko Al-Makura hands over rice plant to farmers

By Isaac Ukpoju Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Thursday in Lafia handed over a modern rice processing plant to rice millers so as to boost rice production in the state.Al-Makura said that the plant was established in partnership with Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Rice Post-Harvest Processing and Marketing Pilot Project (RIPMAPP).He said that under the five-year project, JICA was expected to provide the machines and technical expertise, while the state government would provide the structures and other facilities.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

7

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter He said that the commencement of the project was, however, delayed because of the designed efforts of the state government to ensure that the initiative was not misused, thereby frustrating its goals.

Al-Makura said that the delay was to ensure proper registration and monitoring of the beneficiaries of the project so as to check its abuse.

“We do not want to go the way of previous administrations where very expensive facilities and government assets were just thrown to the dogs and people would feast on them.

“The recent experience of `Badakoshi’ Agricultural Loan Scheme by the previous administration in the state, where farm inputs were given to farmers without concrete repayment plans, is a good lesson.

“As we speak, Nasarawa State is indebted up to the tune of about N1billion for tractors and other inputs, which the previous administration procured and gave out freely to people in the name of ‘Badakoshi’ loan scheme,” he said.

Al-Makura said that the government would closely monitor the rice plant so as to ensure its maximum utilisation by rice millers and marketers, who were given a sixmonth grace period to meet certain conditions.

He said that the government would not hesitate to take back the plant at the expiration of the grace period if the rice millers and marketers failed to satisfy the conditions.

“The state government is committed to ensuring that our rice millers grow to the point of participating in the value chain and creating wealth for themselves and by extension, the state,” he said.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

8

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The governor pledged to provide more land and other amenities for the plant in order to facilitate the relocation of rice millers from their current site in Lafia to the new site.

“The current rice mill in the Kilema area of Lafia is so choked up and the activities of millers are polluting the major water source to the Lafia waterworks, hence the need to relocate the mill to a bigger place with better facilities,’’ he said.

Al-Makura also promised that his administration would regularly give financial assistance to the rice millers to enable them to enhance their production.

Speaking, Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim, the Chairman of Nasarawa State Rice Millers and Dealers Association, commended the state government and JICA for the project and promised that the plant would be used to boost rice production.

He, however, stressed the need for government to provide access roads, electricity and water supply facilities at the plant site so as to facilitate hitch-free relocation of the millers to the new site. http://www.nan.ng/news/nasarawa-rice-farmers-get-processingplant/http://www.nan.ng/news/nasarawa-rice-farmers-get-processing-plant/

Calrose – Emerging Market in Developing Countries Covering Key Players Far West Rice, Hinode Rice & Sun Valley Rice November 24, 2017 HTF MI published a new industry research that focuses on Calrose market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Calrose market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people get ready-to-access and self-

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

9

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges. The study is segmented by Application/ end users [Direct Edible & Deep Processing], products type [US Source & Australia Source] and various important geographies like Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Benelux; & Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE and Iran;].

Get Access to sample pages @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/804721emea-europe-middle-east-and-africa-calrose-market The research covers the current market size of the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Calrose market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers such as California Family Foods, American Commodity Company, Farmers’ Rice Cooperative, Pacific International Rice Mills, Doguet’s Rice Milling Company, Far West Rice, Hinode Rice & Sun Valley Rice. The in-depth information by segments of Calrose market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Calrose Market.

The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Calrose Market, some of them listed here are California Family Foods, American Commodity Company, Farmers’ Rice Cooperative, Pacific International Rice Mills, Doguet’s Rice Milling Company, Far West Rice, Hinode Rice & Sun Valley Rice. The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.

EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Calrose (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as US Source & Australia Source. Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Direct Edible & Deep Processing with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.

Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Calrose in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Benelux; & Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE and Iran; and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022.

Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/804721-emea-europe-middle-east-and-africacalrose-market What this Research Study Offers:

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

10

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Calrose Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments Market share analysis of the top industry players Strategic recommendations for the new entrants Market forecasts for a minimum of 5 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations) Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements Buy this research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buynow?format=1&report=804721 There are 15 Chapters to display the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Calrose market.

Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Calrose , Applications of Calrose , Market Segment by Regions; Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure; Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Calrose , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis; Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment); Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Benelux; & Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE and Iran;, Calrose Segment Market Analysis (by Type); Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Calrose Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Calrose ; Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [US Source & Australia Source], Market Trend by Application [Direct Edible & Deep Processing]; Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis; Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Calrose ; Chapter 12, to describe Calrose Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source; Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Calrose sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

11

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Get customization & check discount for report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/804721-emea-europe-middleeast-and-africa-calrose-market Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.

Contact Us: CRAIG FRANCIS (PR & Marketing Manager) sales@htfmarketreport.com Ph: +1 (206) 317 1218 https://www.newsient.com/calrose-emerging-market-developing-countries-covering-key-playersfar-west-rice-hinode-rice-sun-valley-ricehttps://www.newsient.com/calrose-emerging-marketdeveloping-countries-covering-key-players-far-west-rice-hinode-rice-sun-valley-rice

Portugal wants enhanced trade with Pakistan: Dr Joao Paulo

12

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter ISLAMABAD: Embassy of Portugal Charge d’Affairs Dr Joao Paulo Marques Sabido Costa on Thursday said that his country wanted to enhance trade with Pakistan since the two countries have a good potential to improve bilateral trade in many areas He said that Pakistan and Portugal should exchange trade delegations and promote business-tobusiness linkages to know each other and explore new areas of mutual cooperation.

Dr Costa was addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

The Portuguese envoy said that being a hi-tech country, Portugal was ready to provide technology and machinery to Pakistan in many sectors including agriculture, textile, marble, water resources, building and constructions.

He said that Portugal was close to the European Union (EU) and Sub-Sahara and Pakistan should develop close cooperation with it to get better market access to European and African regions.

He said that Pakistani basmati rice and food were quite popular in Portugal, and Pakistan should focus on exporting more products to Portuguese market under the Generalized System of Preference (GSP) Plus scheme.

The charge d’affairs also said that his country has offered a “golden visa programme” to attract investments in real estate sector and Pakistani investors should take benefit of this program. He said that Portugal has PTAs with many countries and by investing in Portugal, Pakistani investors can promote exports to Europe, Africa, Canada and other regions. He said that ICCI should form a delegation for Portugal to explore new business opportunities.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

13

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Speaking at the occasion, ICCI President Sheikh Amir Waheed said that the present trade volume between Pakistan and Portugal was not encouraging and stressed that both countries should promote strong connectivity between private sectors to identify untapped areas of mutual cooperation. He said that Portugal should increase its import of Pakistani products including textiles, garments, surgical instruments, sports goods, leather products, fruits, vegetables and other products to extend full benefits of GSP Plus to Pakistan.

He said that Portugal had good expertise in energy generation through renewable sources and it should cooperate with Pakistan in easing its energy problems. He said that both countries have good potential to exchange expertise in the fields of education, science and information technology as well as the tourism industry, which can lead to the strengthening of bilateral relations. He said that Portugal was quite advanced in technology and it should cooperate with Pakistan to manufacture value-added and hi-tech products.

ICCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Naveed and ICCI Vice President Nisar Mirza stressed the importance of frequent exchange of trade delegations to identify new areas for bilateral cooperation. They said that Portuguese investors should visit Pakistan to explore joint ventures, investments in CPEC and in other sectors of Pakistan’s economy.

Baser Daud, Tahir Ayub, Rashid Humayun and others also spoke at the occasion. https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/11/23/portugal-wants-enhanced-trade-with-pakistan-drjoao-paulo/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/11/23/portugal-wants-enhanced-trade-withpakistan-dr-joao-paulo/ 14

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Pakistan. Food exports surge 9.85pc to 1.072bn 23.11.2017 | UkrAgroConsult The food exports from the country increased by 9.85 percent during the first four months of the current fiscal year against the exports of the corresponding period of last year.The food exports from the country were recorded at $1072.895 million during July-October (2017-18) against the exports of $976.719 million during July-October (2016-17), according to the latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The food commodities that contributed in positive growth of trade included rice, exports of which grew by 16.87 percent, from $391.595 million last year to $457.663 million during the current fiscal year.Among the rice commodities, the exports of Basmati rice increased by 0.08 percent whereas that of other rice commodities expanded by 23.97 percent, the data revealed.

Similarly, the exports of fish and fish preparations from the country increased by 6.10 percent by going up from $114.802 million last year to $121.810 million during the current fiscal year.The wheat and sugar exports witnessed cent percent increase during the current year as exports of these commodities were recorded at $0.254 million and $60.922 million against zero exports of last year.The exports of oil seeds, nuts and kernals also increased by 26.95 percent and reached to $13.134 million against the exports of $10.346 million last year.

The food commodities that witnessed negative growth in exports during the first four months of the current fiscal year included fruits, exports of which decreased by 20.24 percent by declining from $121.257 million last year to $96.713 million during the current fiscal year.

The exports of vegetables also decreased from $35.446 million to $33.568 million, showing decrease of 5.3 percent, tobacco exports decreased by 6.35 percent, from $2.929 million to $2.743 million while the exports of spices decreased from $21.937 million to $21.644 million, showing decrease of 1.34 percent.

The meat and meat preparations’ exports also decreased from $69.454 million to $63.251 million, showing decline of 8.93 percent while the exports of all other food commodities decreased from $208.953 million to $201.193 million, a decrease of 3.71 percent.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

15

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Meanwhile, on year-on-year basis, the food exports from the country witnessed negative growth of 4.28 percent during the month of October 2017 compared to the same month of last year.The food exports during October 2017 were recorded at $330.229 million against the exports of $244.987 million recorded during October 2016, according to the PBS data http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/pakistan-food-exports-surge-9-85pc-to-1-072bn

Pakistan Agriculture boost by CPEC Thursday, 23 November 2017 14:38

By Syed Kamal Hussain Shah

Pakistan's principal natural agriculture country .GDP and employs about 43% of the labor force. The most agricultural province is Punjab where wheat and cotton are the most grown. Mango orchards are mostly found in Sindh and Punjab provinces that make Pakistan the world's 4th largest producer of mangoes.

Pakistan is one of the world's largest producers and suppliers of food and crops according to the different sources Chickpea (3rd),Apricot (6th),Cotton (4th),Milk (8th),Date Palm

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

16

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter (5th),Sugarcane (5th),Onion (7th),Kinnow, mandarin oranges, clementine (6th),Mango (4th),Wheat (7th),Rice (11th) .Pakistan ranks eighth worldwide in farm output, according to the List of countries by GDP sector composition.

According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan, the livestock sector contributes about half of the value added in the agriculture sector, amounting to nearly 11 per cent of Pakistan's GDP, which is more than the crop sector. Fishery and fishing industry plays an important role in the national economy of Pakistan. With a coastline of about 1046 km, Pakistan has enough fishery resources that remain to be fully developed.

It is generally the primary source of income and employment in rural areas. Agriculture sector of Pakistan has continuously been facing downfall during the last one decade. Worst energy crisis during the recent years might be one of the major reasons behind such down turn.

CPEC includes provisions for cooperation in management of water resources, livestock, and other fields of agriculture. Under the plan, agricultural information project, storage and distribution of agricultural equipment and construction project, agricultural mechanization, demonstration and machinery leasing project and fertilizer production project for producing 800,000 tons of fertilizer and 100,000 tons of bio-organic fertilizer will be implemented.

Economic benefits that can be gauged from various initiatives of CPEC particularly the infrastructural development. The literature affirms strong relationship between development of infrastructure and agricultural output. This shows that projects in CPEC would play an important role in uplift of agriculture sector in Pakistan.

It is fact that development of infrastructure will bring a positive change in agriculture output which would increase the supply of agriculture commodities but the question is, has government taken steps to export that stock as Pakistan has already increasing stock of rice and wheat every year.

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is one of the best examples of such partnerships. The overall launching time span of CPEC spreads from 2014 to 2030. The short term, midterm-term and long-term projects are estimated to be completed by 2017, 2025 and 2030 respectively. The estimated construction cost for these projects is $46 billion. It is the network of highways, railways, pipelines, transport, oil, gas and energy. Agriculture sector would be a direct as well as indirect beneficiary of CPEC via development in backward and forward linkages National Development and Reform Commission and China Development Bank, emphasize that the agricultural sector is a major part of CPEC. China Pakistan Economic Corridor would deliver massive networks of transportation that will connect Khunjerab in the north to Gwadar in the south-west. This would boost the economic conditions of several remote rural towns, especially

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

17

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter the ones relying on primary industry, as the transportation and delivery times to urban centers and markets would be reduced considerably.

China is the world’s largest importer of agricultural products. Population of 1.3 billion people, China consumes almost $1 trillion worth of food every year. Chinese consumption patterns are also changing, and demand for high quality imported food items is growing at a pace much faster than population growth.

China, the world’s largest importer of vegetables, gets 50 of these imports from the US and Brazil. Pakistan, being China’s neighbor, therefore enjoys a unique advantage and CPEC provides an unprecedented opportunity to capitalize on that.

CPEC’s long-term plan, a study by the National Development and Reform Commission and China Development Bank, emphasize that the agricultural sector is a major beneficiary of CPEC. Export raw material and agricultural products to China and other countries as CPEC promises to improve Pakistan’s trade integration with the Global economy. It is very important to determine the growing influence of CPEC and its impact on the sector as rural employment and agro-based industrial output are directly related with the agricultural sector.

Thousands of acres of land will be leased to Chinese firms to set up “demonstration projects” focusing on areas such as seed varieties and irrigation technology. World Bank said agriculture sector and Chinese-led infrastructure development would lead to 5.5 percent growth in Pakistan’s economy during the fiscal year 2017-18. http://mwcnews.net/focus/politics/69224-pakistan-agriculture-boost.html

Portugal intends to enhance trade with Pakistan: Envoy

By DND November 23, 2017

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Charge d’ affairs Embassy of Portugal Dr. Joao Paulo Marques Sabido Costa on Thursday said that his Country intended to enhance trade with Pakistan as both the Countries have good potential to improve bilateral trade in many areas by promoting business to business linkages.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

18

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter While addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), the ambassador stressed that Pakistan and Portugal should exchange trade delegations and promote B2B linkages to know each other and explore new areas of mutual cooperation.

Dr. Joao said that being a hi-tech Country, Portugal was ready to provide technology and machinery to Pakistan in many sectors including agriculture, textile, marble, water resources, building and constructions.The Charge d’ affairs said that Portugal was close to European Union and Sub-Sahara, and Pakistan should develop close cooperation with it to get better market access to European and African regions.The Portuguese envoy said that Pakistani Basmati rice and food was quite popular in Portugal and Pakistan should focus on promoting more products to Portuguese market under GSP Plus scheme.

Dr. Joao said that Portugal has offered a Golden Visa Programme to attract investment in real estate sector and Pakistani investors should take benefit of this programme.The Charge d’ affairs further said that Portugal has Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with many Countries and by investing in Portugal, Pakistani investors can promote exports to Europe, Africa, Canada and other regions.In addition, he said that ICCI should form a delegation for Portugal to explore new business opportunities

https://dnd.com.pk/portugal-intends-to-enhance-trade-with-pakistan-envoy/135707

Nigeria Very Close to Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Rice Minister The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed , and the SA to the Minister, Mr. Segun Adeyemi , at a press conference on the giant stride of the Buhari Administration in rice production....in Abuja on Wednesday.The Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has drastically cut rice importation and moved Nigeria very close to achieving self-sufficiency in rice, a major staple food in the country, in just two years, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

19

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister quoting figures from the Thailand Rice Exporters Association - said rice importation from Thailand, which supplies the bulk of the parboiled rice being imported into Nigeria, dropped from 644,131 Metric Tonnes to about 21,000 MT between September 2015 and September 2017.

"We are happy to tell Nigerians of a giant stride made by the Administration in the agriculture sector, specifically rice production: Nigeria is inching closer to achieving self-sufficiency in rice, due to the success recorded by the Administration in the local production of rice," he said.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, addressing a press conference on the giant stride of the Buhari Administration in rice production ... in Abuja on Wednesday.

Alhaji Mohammed said that as a result of the Administration's success in local production, some investors from Thailand have even shown interest in establishing rice milling plants in Nigeria, a development he said would further boost rice production in Nigeria.

"A few years ago, this (Thai investors establishing rice mills in Nigeria) would not have been possible since Nigeria was not considered a top rice producing country. Today, Nigeria is one of the largest producers of rice," he said.

The Minister said the increase in rice production across the country did not happen by accident, but was largely due to the Anchor Borrowers' Programme, initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari to support farmers through inputs distribution and loans to boost rice production, and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, among others.

He said the increased rice production has, in turn, led to the establishment of rice mills, including the 120,000MT WACOT Mill in Kebbi and the 1,000,000MT Dangote Rice Mill.

Alhaji Mohammed said with the Administration targetting rice production of 7 million MT by 2018, the country was closer than ever to achieving self-sufficiency in rice, going by the fact that as at 2015, rice demand in the country was 6.3 million MT. He said the increased production was bound to force down the price of locally-produced rice and provide succor to Nigerians.

The press conference was the latest in a series initiated by the Minister of Information and Culture to highlight the achievements of the Buhari Administration.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

20

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Rice basmati edges up on stockists' buying PTI | Nov 24, 2017, 14:22 IST New Delhi, Nov 24 () Rice basmati prices rose by Rs 100 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today on emergence of buying by stockists against restricted arrivals from producing belts.

However, wheat weakened on sufficient stocks against reduced offtake by flour mills.

Traders said stockists buying against restricted arrivals from producing regions, mainly attributed the rise in rice basmati prices.

In the national capital, rice basmati common and Pusa- 1121 variety were up by Rs 100 each to Rs 7,800-7,900 and Rs 6,300-6,400 per quintal respectively.

On the other hand, wheat dara (for mills) shed Rs 10 to Rs 1,820-1,825 per quintal. Atta chakki delivery followed suit and eased by a similar margin to Rs 1,825-1,830 per 90 kg.

Atta flour mills, maida and sooji also quoted lower by Rs 10 each to Rs 990-1,000, Rs 1,0301,040 and Rs 1,060- 1,070 per 50 kg respectively.

Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal): Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,125-2,325, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,820-1,825, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,825-1,830, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 260-300, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 255-290, Roller flour mill Rs 990-1,000 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,030-1,040 (50 kg)and Sooji Rs 1,060-1,070 (50 kg).

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,800, Basmati common new Rs 7,800-7,900, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 6,300-6,400, Permal raw Rs 2,2752325, Permal wand Rs 2,325-2,375, Sela Rs 2,600-2,800 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,925-1,950, Bajra Rs 1,200-1,205, Jowar yellow Rs 1,350-1,400, white Rs 2,700-2,800, Maize Rs 1,320- 1,325, Barley Rs 1,500-1,510. SUN KPS ADI MKJ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rice-basmati-edges-up-on-stockistsbuying/articleshow/61780701.cms

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

21

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Rice imports planned

Nicholas Reader/IRIN

Nigeria’s government has announced it will import 500,000 tonnes of rice up to a value of US$600 million to curtail the effect of the global rise in food prices on Nigeria.

The decision was taken after an emergency meeting between the Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua and the governors of Nigeria's 36 states. “The whole essence of this importation in the short term is to create availability and reduce the skyrocketing prices,” the governor of southwestern Ondo State, Olusegun Agagu said.

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

22

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

"We cannot say there is famine in Nigeria yet, but the prices of foodstuffs are going up and availability in a number of places is diminishing," the governor added.

Over recent weeks, the price of a bag of rice on markets in Nigeria has doubled and tripled to between US$85 and US$102. In the administrative capital Abuja, the price of butter, beans and bread have doubled just in the last two weeks.

Traders from Nigeria have reportedly been buying up stocks of rice and grains from around the West and Central Africa region.

The government says it plans to sell the imported rice at half the market price – around US$50 per 50kg bag. It expects delivery in around 3 months.

Some observers are questioning the way the massive rice import – the largest in Nigeria’s recent history - will be managed.

“The problem is the implementation,” a western diplomat in Abuja told IRIN on condition of anonymity. “Once it comes in, how is this rice going to be shared and distributed? Let’s pray the rice will not go to politicians,” the official said.

Nigeria, a former agrarian nation, abandoned agriculture in the early 1980s when the government refocused the economy on oil exploration, which now accounts for more than 90 per cent of total government revenue.

Nigeria is as a result chronically dependent on food imports. The country only produces 500,000 tonnes of rice while the annual consumption is 2.5 million tonnes. http://www.irinnews.org/report/78035/nigeria-rice-imports-planned

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

23

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Record rice harvest seen November 24, 2017 | Aided by constant rains as with the intensified campaign on using better seed varieties, the country is projected to see a record rice harvest of about 19.4 million metric tons for 2017, according to Agriculture Secretary Manny PiĂąol.The record harvest means the Philippines will need just 600,000 metric tons more to reach its self-sufficiency target of 20-million metric tons per year.Until recently, the country imported about 1.8-million metric tons of rice.The shortage fell to 500,000 metric tons of late, with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) noting rice production has grown by 14.7 percent in the third quarter of this year.Reports from Department of Agriculture (DA) regional offices indicate the fourth quarter harvest might fare even better given how typhoons have been bringing in much needed rains, doubling the usual crop yield.

Pinol said the rice sector’s improved performance is also attributed to local farmer’s increased willingness to adapt to modern technology, including the use of hybrid seeds as developed by private agricultural companies in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

According to a report, Nueva Ecija rice farmers using hybrid seeds posted harvests of 10-metric tons, higher than the national average of 4.38-metric tons per hectare per harvest.Currently, though, only 360,000 out of a possible 4.9-million hectares are planted with hybrid seeds.The DA has since set a target of one million hectares to be planted with hybrid seeds by 2020 with a modest production goal of six metric tons per hectare.This is expected to result in an additional annual production of four million metric tons per harvest per year. http://tempo.com.ph/2017/11/24/record-rice-harvest-seen/.

24

www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874