28th october ,2017 daily global regional & local rice e newsletter

Daily Global Rice

E-Newsletter

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October 28,2017 Vol 9 Issue X

Rice News Headlines...                     

Where rice fields go, geese follow, experts report Nigeria Customs seize 1,401 bags of smuggled rice in Ogun Customs impounds N25m donkey Leather, 80 bags of rice, others PH now 95% self-sufficie We saved N216bn from rice import – BOA Rice among top 5 most imported items through Chittagong port Obasanjo flays Shagari, says his govt stopped Nigeria from being rice exporter GIEWS Country Brief: Bolivia 27-October-2017 Punjab, Haryana paddy procurement crosses 160 lakh tonne REAP team apprises governor about exporters’ issues Rice prices in India dip on rising supply; Thailand eyes Sri Lankan demand SRI rice cultivation yields significant results in NTT Vietnam uses remote sensing to monitor rice production Rice prices in India dip on rising supply; Thailand eyes Sri Lankan demand Myanmar will sign agreement to export rice to China Uganda: Rice Shortage Worries Consumers, Traders Chinese scientists created a type of rice that can grow in saltwater Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- October 27, 2017 Senate Hearing Attacks Food Aid Status Quo Round Table Discussion with USA Rice Chairman Brian King Where rice fields go, geese follow, experts report Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com Monitor Latest Updates on www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

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News Detail...

Where rice fields go, geese follow, experts report Researchers say there‘s more geese wintering in Arkansas than ever before. Experts are using transmitters to understand migration patterns and winter distribution. Special to The Commercial/Jarrod Hardke.

By Ryan McGeeney Special to The Commercial Oct 26, 2017 at 3:41 PMUpdated Oct 26, 2017 at 4:43 PM

MONTICELLO – The western edge of the Mississippi Delta, which contributes so richly to Arkansas agriculture, is well known as a prime area for hunters, with both wet marshes and flooded rice fields after the fall. But it hasn‘t always necessarily been so.

Until about the early 1990′s, the migration patterns of Arctic geese — migrating over North America through the fall and into the winter — were dominated not by the Delta, but by the rich, rice-dominated farmland of East Texas and Louisiana. But as drought took hold in the South and water rights issues left growers in those areas with little choice but to move into other, less water-intensive crops, mid-continent migration patterns gradually gravitated toward eastern Arkansas.

Which raises more than a few questions.

Satellite telemetry technology Douglass Osborne, associate professor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, has been leading a research team studying not only how the shift occurred, but what some of the potential adverse implications may be, as well. ―Right now, we‘re in the relatively early stages of using satellite telemetry technology to learn about the distribution of the geese on the landscape.‖ Osborne said. ―Aerial surveys are conducted during the winter, and anecdotally, we know that there‘s more geese wintering in Arkansas than ever before. We‘re using transmitters to understand migration patterns and winter distribution.‖

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Osborne and his team have about 40 years‘ worth of data to work with, much of it from band and encounter data, supplied from hunters on occasions when banded birds were harvested during a hunt. ―Analyzing that data, we see that the initial shift in distribution, from Texas-Louisiana into Arkansas, occurred in the 90′s. In the early 2000′s, we see a really dramatic shift into the Arkansas Delta,‖ he said. At the same time so many Texas and Louisiana growers were shifting from rice to cotton, Arkansas rice growers realized that by reflooding their fields after harvest, they could in turn make a profit leasing the land to bird hunters for the season.

Trading coastal layovers for the Delta Osborne said the data reflect three distinct time periods over the past four decades, including a historical wintering distribution of migrating arctic geese, a transient distribution in the mid- to late-90′s, as the birds ―began to dabble in Arkansas,‖ and the current distribution, in which the birds have essentially traded their coastal layovers for the Delta. ―Historically, these birds were migrating from the arctic tundra in the summer, through the mid-continent and toward the Gulf of Mexico, hanging out in freshwater coastal marshes, feeding on plant material in the marsh, digging up the root tubers, then bouncing out of the marsh into the surrounding agriculture,‖ Osborne said. ―But the conversion of agriculture toward cotton in the mid-1990′s in that part of the world took water off the landscape — water that was necessary for these birds in winter.

While the increasing artic goose population may be a boon to both landowners and hunters, Osborne said there are other, long-term factors to consider. ―It‘s worth asking: What is the role of these geese in the agricultural system itself,‖ Osborne said. ―What‘s their role in nutrient distribution, and seed dispersal of different weeds? Are these geese environmental pests, or do they help agriculture? ―There‘s also potential impacts for other waterfowl, that historically always wintered here,‖ he said. ―There‘s upwards of 3 million white-fronted geese in the population, and 10-20 million snow geese in the population — so now that a large portion of the distribution of birds has shifted into Arkansas, what does that mean for the amount of food on the landscape, which other birds always wintered here rely on?‖

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Osborne said that because hunting is such a strong engine in the Arkansas economy, it behooves the state and its residents to consider such implications, including effects on the populations and reproduction of other birds competing for scarce resources.

Osborne said his research, which began about three years ago, could easily take a career‘s worth of time. ―You attempt to answer one question, and it leads to about four more questions,‖ he said.

More research needed?

While his research to this point has been supported through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Ducks Unlimited, the Canadian Wildlife Services and Environment Canada, Osborne said his team is hoping to attract underwriters for continuing research. ―Overall, the waterfowl community thinks there‘s too many geese on the landscape — but what does ‗too many geese‘ mean, and what impacts are they having on agricultural production in the southern portion of the range?‖ Osborne said. ―This whole topic is a relatively unexplored area right now. There‘s lots to learn about what impacts these geese may have here in the South.‖ To learn about waterfowl in Arkansas, contact a local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.edu.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without discrimination. http://www.pbcommercial.com/news/20171026/where-rice-fields-go-geese-follow-experts-report

Nigeria Customs seize 1,401 bags of smuggled rice in Ogun ByWumi Akinbode October 28, 2017

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The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area Command, said it had seized 1,401 bags of rice and three used cars within the last one week.The goods were reportedly smuggled into the country from the neighbouring Republic of Benin.The Controller of the Area Command, Sani Madugu, disclosed this on Friday at the Idiroko border office of the command.According to him, the vehicles intercepted are Mercedes Benz C220, Toyota Tundra pick-up van and a Volkswagen Golf car.Also impounded were 17 motorcycles used as means of conveyance of smuggled rice.Madugu said within the period under review, 29 kegs of vegetable oil, two sacks of second-hand clothes and one sack of used shoes were also seized.

He gave the total duty payable value of the total seizures as N30.3m.He said the seizures of the rice were made through the creeks around Yewa River, small warehouses and dump sites in Ipokia and the environs.He said, ―The command will not relent in its fight to curtail smuggling in Ogun. The smugglers have attacked me and they have attacked my officers, but we will not relent.―We will continue to make the terrain very difficult for them. We have the backing of the army, the police and the Department of State Services.―We have mounted surveillance at the creeks and river banks; we are monitoring the activities of the smugglers. We allow them to bring the bags of rice into the small warehouses by the creeks and bushes and then we swoop on them. ‖https://www.today.ng/news/nigeria/27276/nigeria-customs-seize-1401-bags-smuggled-rice-ogun

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Customs impounds N25m donkey Leather, 80 bags of rice, others Posted By: Kolade Adeyemi On: October 27, 2017 The

Comptroller

General

of

Customs

Compliance

Team

yesterday burnt

over

in

Kano 2,

700

pieces of raw Donkey hides and skins valued at N25 million which was intercepted at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), in an attempt to export the commodity abroad.

The Head of the CG Compliance Team, Comptroller Ahmed Abubakar Azarema who was flanked by the Kano/Jigawa Customs Command Comptroller, Mr. Yusuf Abba-Kassim, described the exportation of unprocessed hides and skin as criminal and economic sabotage.

According to him, ―it is disheartening to note that some Nigerians are now indulged in unpatriotic business of exporting unprocessed leather, while we have our tannery industries here. Doing this means killing our economy, doing this means outing hundreds of thousands of our teeming youths out of employment.

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―We have the resources and needed man power to process these leathers here and export them as finished products. We also have a number of industries here engaged in production of shoes, bags belts and other leather-related products. ―We need to help ourselves; we need to protect the future of our children. This is why Nigeria customs has come all out in tandem with the economic agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure that these unpatriotic citizens engaged in this kind of illegal business must be stopped, arrested and brought to book.‖ Comptroller Azarema who hailed good spirited Nigerians for given customs information on illegal activities of smugglers and illegal exporters, said no arrest has been made so far, adding that, ―we are current using the clearing agent to get at those behind this crime.‖ He also displayed over 80 bags of smuggled rice and sugar concealed inside bags of Tiger nuts.

According to him, Customs intercepted the goods loaded in a J5 vehicle with registration number KRD 943XC, along Katsina Road, heading to Kano from Katsina.

He added that the driver and other occupants of the vehicle fled into the bush when the CG Complain team on duty apprehended the vehicle.He, however, warned smugglers to desist from economic sabotage and look for decent business to do, adding that the Nigeria customs will not fold its hand and allow criminals ruin the nation‘s economy http://thenationonlineng.net/customs-impounds-n25m-donkey-leather-80-bags-of-rice-others/

PH now 95% self-sufficient The country‘s rice self-sufficiency ratio in 2016 improved to 95.01 percent from 88.93 percent in the previous year, a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.This meant local production accounted for 95.01 percent of the total rice supply in the local market.

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This development resulted in further reduction in the country‘s dependence on rice imports last year to 4.99 percent of total supply from 11.07 in 2015.With a favorable trend in the country‘s average rice production per hectare, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol said the Department of Agriculture‘s rice self-sufficiency target could be achieved in 2019, or a year earlier than its original time frame.The DA is hoping to reach an average of 6 metric tons (MT) per hectare production or about 19 million MT of unmilled rice or palay per year from the current level of 4.38 MT per hectare per harvest.

However, the PSA said that despite the higher SSR ratio, the country‘s annual per capita production in 2016 fell by 3.12 percent to 111.66 kilograms from the 2006 record of 115.35 kg which serves as the basis for the index.This meant the farm sector was not able to produce enough of the commodity to keep in pace with the country‘s population growth.Pinol said the DA had been pushing for the planting of hybrid seeds to boost yield. The DA is expecting to cover about one million hectares for the program at an estimated cost of P15 billion while providing small farmers with easy access to credit.

The DA‘s credit arm Agricultural Credit Policy Council was given a budget of P970 million for 2018.Earlier this month, a United Nation‘s market monitor reported that conditions for growing the staple in the country remained favorable despite the tightening of the global rice market.

http://business.inquirer.net/239433/ph-now-95-self-sufficient-ricesupply#ixzz4wnLAl4ts

We saved N216bn from rice import – BOA Published October 28, 2017 Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi Kunle Falayi The Bank of Agriculture says Nigeria has saved over $600m (N216bn) from not relying on rice import from Thailand and other countries, after the nation‘s domestic mass production increased under the Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme.

The Executive Director, Risk Management and Finance, Bank of Agriculture, Niyi Akenzua, disclosed this when he led a delegation of the bank management on a courtesy call to Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, in Ibadan, on Thursday.Akenzua said it was worthy of commendation that the country had committed itself to diversifying from oil, with emphasis on revitalisation of agriculture.

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According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nigeria import bill was $22bn (N7.92tn) as recently as 2016.

Akenzua said it was necessary to enlist the support and involvement of state governments in the Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme, which, he said, had freed the country from reliance on importation of rice.

Akenzua said, ―We enjoin Oyo State to participate in the Anchor Borrowers‘ Programme, as we expanded the scope of beneficiaries. The pilot scheme was so successful that $600m was saved from rice importation due to massive rice production in the country.―One or two rice millers in Thailand closed down because Nigeria, which has always been their major importer, has stopped importing their rice. ―We used to spend $22bn importing food into Nigeria and with our consciousness that every square metre in the country is arable land, we felt that it was not sustainable. Of course, the crash in crude oil price has forced us back to agriculture.‖In his response, the governor commended the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, for what he called the positive changes he had brought into the agriculture sector since taking over the ministry.

Ajimobi said that the state was supposed to be the food basket of the nation if past leaders had seen agriculture as a major solution to hunger and economic driver, as well as a main source of employment for the youth.According to him, the state is in good stead to be a major agriculture hub.It is unclear how much the governor has focused on agriculture since the inception of his administration in 2011.

He advised the new management of the BOA to do all that was humanly possible to sustain the momentum in its renewed drive to revitalise the agricultural sector http://punchng.com/we-saved-n216bn-from-rice-import-boa/

Rice among top 5 most imported items through Chittagong port  

Anwar Hussain, Chittagong Published at 09:01 PM October 27, 2017

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Last updated at 11:49 PM October 27, 2017

Dhaka Tribune More than 400,000 tons of rice has already been unloaded at the port from July to September 2017

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As much as 12 million tons of goods were imported through Chittagong port from July to September in the last fiscal year. None of those imports were rice.However, rice is already among the five most imported goods in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. More than 400,000 tons of rice has already been unloaded at the port from July to September 2017.According to the Chittagong Port Authority and Chittagong Customs House, 140 tons of goods were imported through the Chittagong sea port during the first quarter of the 2017-18 fiscal year.

As usual, cement clinker has topped the list registering 2,989,000 tons of imports. In addition, 923,000 tons of stone, 763,000 tons of wheat, 612,000 tons of high speed diesel and 463,000 tons of rice were imported through Chittagong port. Of the five items, only rice was not imported during the first quarter of the previous fiscal year.As of October 10, as much as 324,000 tons of rice were imported by the government to the tune of Tk 1,168 crore. At the private level, BSM imported 50,000 tons, S Alam Trading Company Ltd imported 26,000 tons, Commodities Trading Company imported 16,000 tons, Lucky imported 16,000 tons, Bengal Trade 6,500 tons and Green Grain Processing Industry imported 3,000 tons of rice.

A total of 1,043,000 consignments, worth Tk32,000.2 crore, were delivered through Chittagong port in the 2016-17 fiscal year.Some 20,000 government and private enterprises import goods from 4,671 different categories through Chittagong port every year. Moreover, over 1,000 tons of goods are imported in 900 categories http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2017/10/27/rice-imported-items-chittagong/

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Obasanjo flays Shagari, says his govt stopped Nigeria from being rice exporter Wale Akinola Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lambasted the ex-president Shehu Shagari over rice exportation - He said Shagari‘s government scuttled the efforts the nation was making to be self-sufficient in rice production - He also noted that due to policy inconsistency, the Shagari administration later set up a committee on importation of rice Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday, October 26, flayed former President Shehu Shagari for scuttling the efforts the nation was making to be self-sufficient in rice production.

The Punch reports that Obasanjo spoke as the chief launcher at the unveiling of Okun Rice at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun state. READ ALSO: What God says about election in Anambra state - Popular cleric NAIJ.com gathered that Okun Rice is produced by Hyst Global Business Limited, owned by Biodun Onalaja. Obasanjo, who noted that Nigeria was almost achieving self-sufficiency in rice production in 1979 before he quit as the military Head of State, said due to policy inconsistency, the Shagari administration later set up a committee on importation of rice. He said this shift in policy focus from his own agricultural revolution, served as a disincentive to rice farmers who had to compete with government-backed rice importers.

Obasanjo, however, commended Onalaja for rekindling the hope of the country at achieving selfsufficiency in rice production and ensuring food security for the nation. He said: ―One of our problems in this country is inconsistency in policy. In 1979, we were getting to a place where we would be selfsufficient in rice production, but then a new administration came and set up a presidential committee on rice importation instead of a presidential committee on exportation of rice. ―In no time, when the imported rice started a arriving, those farmers who were cultivating rice gave up. ―Today, I commend Hyst Global Business Limited and the Chairman, Mr. Biodun Onalaja, for his doggedness, persistence, and stubbornness. It is not easy to succeed here as a farmer. But I want to say Onalaja is a success story, because despite the odds he never gave up.‖ Obasanjo said if the nation had just 100 Onalajas, the country would not only be self-sufficient in rice production but would have become an exporter of rice. The former President appealed to commercial banks to offer soft loans to farmers at a single digit interest rate, arguing that no farmer could break even on two digits interest rate.

In his remark, Onalaja said the company, currently located at Ejiba, in Kogi State, engages in rice farming on 1,000 hectares of land, in the precinct of the Lower Niger River Basin. He said the company started its operation at Ejiba in 2014, after its efforts to start rice farming at Taraba State ran into a hitch.

Onalaja, who commended Obasanjo, said his (Obasanjo‘s) administration‘s policy on agriculture and assistance helped the company to find its footing in rice production. He said: ―The rice project was made possible by the assistance given by the chief launcher of today, who is a former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. ―While in office, he had food self-sufficiency for the nation as one of his goals. He assisted us to set up the company while also blazing the trail for people like us as farmers. Here is a person who not only talks

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12 agriculture, but also walks the talk of a farmer and agro entrepreneur.‖ Onalaja also commended the current administration on the priority given to agriculture, and noted the assistance of the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, in getting a 20-tonne integrated rice mill for the company at a subsidised rate. He, however, disclosed that the company‘s five-year lease on the rice plantation at Ejiba would lapse in November and pleaded with the state and federal governments to renew it, in order to sustain food selfsufficiency for the nation and employment opportunities for the youth.

Onalaja, who said the company had trained many youths and women in rice production and offered to do more, added that the Okun Rice ―is available in different sizes of 1kg, 5kg, 10kg, 25kg and 50kg bags.‖ The Ogun state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, also commended Onalaja for his company‘s efforts at making the nation self-sufficient in rice production. Amosun, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bimbo Ashiru, noted that through rice production, ―he is helping to industrialise the nation. ‖ He, however, appealed to him to invest in his home state, Ogun. Highlight of the event was an informative documentary on the rice plantation at Ejiba. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria‘s #1 new app Among the dignitaries at the event were the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba Razak Adenugba; a former Vice-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Prof. Segun Awonusi; the Managing Director, Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr. Demola Osinubi; and other royal fathers from Ogun and Kogi states. Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria stated that Nigeria would begin to export rice to other countries by the end of 2017. https://www.naija.ng/1132382-obasanjo-flays-shagari-govt-stopped-nigeria-rice-exporter.html#1132382

GIEWS Country Brief: Bolivia 27-October-2017 REPORT from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Published on 27 Oct 2017 —View Original

Download PDF (381.61 KB) FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT - Cereal production anticipated to recover in 2017 from last year‘s drought - Cereal imports in 2017/18 marketing year expected to decline from record levels - Cereal prices generally stable in September and below year-earlier levels - Cereal production anticipated to recover in 2017 from last year‘s drought Cereal production in 2017 is forecast to recover from last year’s drought-reduced levels

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The 2017 summer crops, including maize and rice, were harvested in May. Maize yields were marginally affected by dry weather conditions at the beginning of the season. By contrast, the summer rice crop was more impacted, as the dry weather reduced water availability. The 2017 winter crops, whose harvest is underway and will be finalized in November, progressed under generally favourable weather conditions. FAO forecasts 2017 cereal output at an average of 2.3 million tonnes. This mainly reflects an anticipated strong recovery in maize production, particularly during the winter season, and a good wheat harvest. Part of the recovery also reflects the support of the Government, in close collaboration with the private sector, to aide in the recovery of agricultural outputs from their drought-reduced levels of 2016, including the distribution of inputs at a lower cost. In addition, the Government has also increased the public purchase price of crops, particularly for wheat.

Cereal imports in 2017/18 marketing year expected to decline from record levels FAO‘s initial forecast for cereal import requirements in the 2017/18 marketing year (July/June) points to a sharp reduction from last year‘s record highs of 824 000 tonnes to 521 000 tonnes. This mainly reflects a strong decline in maize imports, as domestic production was significantly affected in 2016 by drought. Wheat imports are also anticipated to decline, but at a smaller rate.

Cereal prices generally stable in September and below year-earlier levels Prices of mostly imported wheat flour remained overall unchanged in September and were down from a year earlier reflecting abundant imports in the form of grain and flour, mostly from Argentina. By contrast, prices of yellow maize followed mixed trends across the markets in September, but were significantly below their year-earlier levels reflecting the good 2017 output and imports. Rice prices continued relatively unchanged, reflecting adequate imports from neighbouring countries that compensated for a decline in this year‘s output. https://reliefweb.int/report/bolivia-plurinational-state/giews-country-brief-bolivia-27-october-2017

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Punjab, Haryana paddy procurement crosses 160 lakh tonne Sat, Oct 28 2017 08:33:46 AM

Chandigarh, Oct 28 (IANS): Agrarian states Punjab and Haryana have procured over 160 lakh tonne of paddy this season so far, Food and Supplies Department officials said here on Friday.Punjab has procured over 111.37 lakh tonne of paddy while in Haryana nearly 49 lakh tonne has been procured.Government agencies have procured 98 per cent of the paddy arriving in grain markets in Punjab.

In Haryana, government agencies have procured nearly 96 per cent of the paddy arrivals. The rest of the paddy has been procured by rice millers and traders.The procurement of paddy began in both states on October 1.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has sanctioned an amount of nearly Rs 28,263 crore to Punjab to make payments to farmers for the paddy procured.The paddy arrival and procurement will continue till the end of November.Both states are expecting a bumper crop this year with total procurement likely to be around 225 lakh tonne.http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=478761

REAP team apprises governor about exporters’ issues Muhammad Zubair Governor Sindh has assured rice exporters for full cooperation to resolve their issues. A high profile delegation of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) led by Rafique Suleman Senior Vice Chairman met with Governor Sindh at Governor House, Karachi.

During the meeting Haji Abdul Rauf Chappal, Jawed Jillani, Asif Polani, REAP's Managing Committee Members along with Jawed Tar Muhammad, Anis Majeed and Nadeem Polani were also present. Rafique Suleman apprised Governor Sindh about the issues and problems being faced by Pakistani Rice Exporters.

He informed that despite country 2nd largest foreign exchange earning sector, rice export sector is not given the status of industry by the federal government. In addition, in the recently announced export package by government has ignored the rice sector and there was no relief for rice export sector such as other exporting sectors, he added. He said that Pakistani rice exporters are putting their untiring efforts for the increase of export trade; however some issues are needed to address immediately to enhance the country's exports. He further informed that Indonesia only procure rice on Govt-to-Government (G to G) basis and following this process several rice exporting countries have authorized their Exporting Associations to export rice to Indonesia on behalf of their government.

"We had also requested Federal Commerce Minister to authorize REAP for rice export to Indonesia, as Pakistani rice has a good potential in Indonesia and approx 300,000 metric tons of rice may be exported to Indonesia which will fetch $ 120 million valuable foreign exchange for

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our beloved country", he informed. Muhammad Zubair listened problems and issues of rice exporters with interest and assured his full cooperation to resolve them. To accelerate the process for rice export to Indonesia, he assured that he would arrange a meeting of Federal Commerce Minister and REAP to finalize this important matter. In the end, Rafique Suleman, Senior Vice Chairman REAP presented REAP's memento to Governor Sindh. https://fp.brecorder.com/2017/10/20171027229837/

Rice prices in India dip on rising supply; Thailand eyes Sri Lankan demand BENGALURU: Rice prices in India slipped this week on expectations of a rise in supplies from the new season crop, while rates for the staple grain edged higher in Thailand as traders were optimistic about the possibility of demand from Sri Lanka. Thailand‘s benchmark 5-percent broken rice was quoted at $375-$388 a tonne, free-on-board (FOB) Bangkok, up from $375$385 last week. ―There looks to be demand from Sri Lanka, which we‘re optimistic will translate into more demand for Thai rice,‖ said a Bangkok-based rice trader. The government of Sri Lanka has issued a tender to buy 200,000 tonnes of rice as recent floods in the country have destroyed crops. In Thailand, however, heavy rain have not hurt crops and all of the rice has already been harvested. But, the rains have caused difficulties for shipments to be collected and delivered, which has had a negative impact on exports, traders said. ―Due to heavy rains, a lot of ships from abroad coming in to get rice have had to push their schedule back. From November onwards when the rains subside, exports will hopefully be more active,‖ said a Bangkok-based trader.

India‘s 5 percent broken parboiled rice prices edged down by $2 per tonne to $402 to $405 per tonne this week. ―New season supply will be available in the next few weeks. Exports will also pick up with supply,‖ said B V Krishna Rao, managing director of leading exporter Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt. ―Demand is expected to be robust from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the next few months,‖ he added. Bangladesh, which has emerged as a major importer this year after floods damaged its crops, has approved the purchase of 100,000 tonnes of parboiled rice from India in a government-to-government deal at $455 a tonne, including CIF and discharge costs. It has also approved a purchase of 150,000 tonnes of parboiled rice from Thailand at $465 a tonne. The country‘s major summer rice output in 2017 fell about 5 percent from a year earlier to 18 million tonnes, the lowest in seven years, according to a preliminary estimate of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, high prices prevailed as rice stocks were running dry, traders said. Benchmark 5-percent broken rice rates rose to $395-405 per tonne, FOB Saigon, from $390-400 last week. https://dailytimes.com.pk/130954/rice-prices-india-dip-rising-supply-thailand-eyes-sri-lankan

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SRI rice cultivation yields significant results in NTT 

Djemi Amnifu The Jakarta Post Kupang | Fri, October 27 2017 | 12:38 am The Indonesia Climate Change Trust Fund (ICCTF) and Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University‘s (UGM) School of Agriculture have joined hands to develop and implement a rice intensification (SRI) method to grow paddy in Kupang regency, East Nusa Tenggara‘s (NTT).The project started in April 2016 as part of ICCTF‘s climate adaptation strategy, and the SRI method has already been impleme... http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/10/27/sri-rice-cultivation-yields-significant-results-ntt.html

Vietnam uses remote sensing to monitor rice production The use of satellite earth observation date to monitor rice production in the Red River and Mekong Deltas was discussed at a workshop in Hanoi on October 25.

Signals collected from the satellite every six or 12 days can help calculate rice productivity in Vietnam

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The workshop on remote sensing application in agricultural production in Vietnam was jointly held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Swiss Embassy. Nguyen Quang Dung, Director of the National Institute of Agricultural Planning and Projection (NIAPP), said the project on remote sensing application in rice production in 10 provinces of the Red River and Mekong Deltas has been launched since 2012.The two-phase project conducted studies using finance from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and other international partners, he said.

Dung said rice production in Vietnam has been monitored from the Sentinel satellite of the European Space Agency, with the algorithm and model developed by Sarmap Company of Switzerland and the International Rice Research Institute. Signals collected from the satellite every six or 12 days can help calculate rice productivity in Vietnam. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Ha, from the NIAPP, said losses caused by natural disasters can be evaluated by remote sensing technology, thus assisting insurance activities to ease risks facing farmers.-VNA http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/society/189091/vietnam-uses-remote-sensing-to-monitor-riceproduction.html

Rice prices in India dip on rising supply; Thailand eyes Sri Lankan demand OCTOBER 27, 2017 BENGALURU: Rice prices in India slipped this week on expectations of a rise in supplies from the new season crop, while rates for the staple grain edged higher in Thailand as traders were optimistic about the possibility of demand from Sri Lanka.

Thailand‘s benchmark 5-percent broken rice was quoted at $375-$388 a tonne, free-on-board (FOB) Bangkok, up from $375-$385 last week.―There looks to be demand from Sri Lanka, which we‘re optimistic will translate into more demand for Thai rice,‖ said a Bangkok-based rice trader.

The government of Sri Lanka has issued a tender to buy 200,000 tonnes of rice as recent floods in the country have destroyed crops.In Thailand, however, heavy rain have not hurt crops and all of the rice has already been harvested. But, the rains have caused difficulties for shipments to be collected and delivered, which has had a negative impact on exports, traders said. ―Due to heavy rains, a lot of ships from abroad coming in to get rice have had to push their schedule back. From November onwards when the rains subside, exports will hopefully be more active,‖ said a Bangkok-based trader.

India‘s 5 percent broken parboiled rice prices edged down by $2 per tonne to $402 to $405 per tonne this week.

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―New season supply will be available in the next few weeks. Exports will also pick up with supply,‖ said B V Krishna Rao, managing director of leading exporter Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt. ―Demand is expected to be robust from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the next few months,‖ he added. Bangladesh, which has emerged as a major importer this year after floods damaged its crops, has approved the purchase of 100,000 tonnes of parboiled rice from India in a government-to-government deal at $455 a tonne, including CIF and discharge costs.

It has also approved a purchase of 150,000 tonnes of parboiled rice from Thailand at $465 a tonne.The country‘s major summer rice output in 2017 fell about 5 percent from a year earlier to 18 million tonnes, the lowest in seven years, according to a preliminary estimate of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, high prices prevailed as rice stocks were running dry, traders said. Benchmark 5-percent broken rice rates rose to $395-405 per tonne, FOB Saigon, from $390-400 last week. https://dailytimes.com.pk/130954/rice-prices-india-dip-rising-supply-thailand-eyes-sri-lankan-demand/

Myanmar will sign agreement to export rice to China Submitted by Eleven on Fri, 10/27/2017 - 20:13 Writer: Nilar

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A rice wholesale centre in the Bayint Naung Warehouse (Photo-Myint Thu) YANGON - Myanmar and China will sign an MoU next month for the export of 100,000 tons of rice, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.―We are now discussing rice exports, not only with China but also other countries. The rice export contract will be signed in November,‖ said Ye Min Aung, General-Secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation.Although Myanmar legally exported rice to China through border trade routes, China had not designated Myanmar rice as an official export product. That‘s why both sides agreed that a bilateral agreement was needed to confirm the status of rice as an official export.

Myanmar exported 31,792 tons of rice worth of US$ 9.763 million from October 1-7.Last week, 35,627 tons of rice were exported through marine channels but this week the volume of rice exports decreased from 35,627 to 3,835 tons, according to the Ministry of Commerce.The Ministry reported that Myanmar had earned nearly US$500 million from exporting more than 1.6 million tons of rice in the 2017-2018 fiscal year until October 6. Trade between Myanmar and China is worth about US$ 10 billion annually, equal to 30 percent of Myanmar‘s total overseas trade http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/12177

Uganda: Rice Shortage Worries Consumers, Traders

By Ismail Musa Ladu Kampala — Rice producers have admitted to shortages of rice in the country, leaving consumers uncertain of what lies ahead.This development comes just days after some of the big sugar industry players in the country say they plan to massively lay off their employees who have been rendered redundant due to shortage of sugarcanes, resulting from unfair competition with the small mushrooming sugar millers.In an email interview whether there is rice slump in the country, the chairperson of Rice Millers Council of Uganda, Mr Philip Idro, said: "Yes, this is true, but not at crisis levels."He added: "It is also not production alone (that has caused the slump) but increased demand due to population growth and change of diet as well."

He explained that there is a general food shortage in the region, a reason why Kenya has imported maize from Mexico and Tanzania has stopped exports of grains.There have also been failures of harvest of rice in Northern Tanzania (Mwanza and Bukoba) which exported some rice into Uganda. As a result, northern Tanzania gets their supplies from Dodoma as well.

According to consumer advocates, already the population is facing hard times due to the grappling economy and the low purchasing power of the consumers.The consumer protection organisations also say the effect of the recent drought and the uncertainty rocking the region following prolonged electioneering period in neighbouring Kenya, only tell of hard times ahead.

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The activists also fear for the worst especially if companies such as Kakira Sugar Ltd owned by the Madhvani Group, Uganda's biggest sugar manufacturer go ahead to lay off employees."Consumers in Uganda are already in a tricky position," the executive secretary of Consumer Education Trust, Mr Richard Henry Kimera, said in an earlier interview.Mr Sula Kasule, a trader in Kampala said the situation should not be allowed to reach crisis point, saying the government should act now. http://allafrica.com/stories/201710270104.html

Chinese scientists created a type of rice that can grow in saltwater For the first time, rice grown in diluted saltwater has yielded a crop sufficient enough to be commercially viable, according to a new study by Chinese scientists. The research team led by agricultural scientist Yuan Longping, also known as China‘s ―father of hybrid rice,‖ planted 200 types of rice in spring in the coastal city of Qingdao in eastern China‘s Shandong Province and then subsequently tested their resilience to saline-alkali soil and diluted saltwater; four types of rice showed particular promise.

If successful on a large scale, these salt-resistant rice varieties could turn previously non-arable space into productive agricultural land. In order to test the rice‘s resilience in saline-alkali environments, the scientists pumped in saltwater from the Yellow Sea, on which Qingdao is located. The seawater was first diluted to achieve a salinity level of .3 percent, then gradually increased to .6 percent. Although researchers expected only an output of around 4.5 tons per hectare, ―the test results greatly exceeded our expectations,‖ according to Liu Shiping, a professor of agriculture at Yangzhou University.

The four mentioned rice varieties ultimately produced yields of 6.5 to 9.3 tons per hectare. While some wild varieties of rice are known to survive in salty environments, they typically only yield 1.125 to 2.25 tons per hectare. Increased yield from salt-resilient varieties of rice could have significant economic benefits. ―If a farmer tries to grow some types of saline-tolerant rice now, they most likely will get 1,500 kilograms per hectare. That is just not profitable and not even worth the effort,‖ said Yuan. ―Farmers will have an incentive to grow the rice if we can double the yield.‖ The current 100 million hectares of saline-alkali soil in China, one-fifth of which could be cultivated with the right crop, also may experience significant change as farmers move onto previously unusable land. Salt-resilient rice would prove to be an asset for South and Southeast Asia as well, regions where millions of hectare are left unused due to high salinity. The team plans to refine its rice varieties and growing techniques, so that salt-resilient rice may soon become a supplemental extension of the region‘s staple crop.http://gearsofbiz.com/chinese-scientists-created-a-type-ofrice-that-can-grow-in-saltwater/156505

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Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- October 27, 2017 OCTOBER 27, 2017 / 1:24 PM Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-October 27 Nagpur, Oct 27 (Reuters) – Gram and tuar prices moved down in Nagpur Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) on poor buying support from local traders. Easy condition on NCDEX ingram, weak trend in Madhya Pradesh pulses and high moisture content arrival also pulled downprices, according to sources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Desi gram raw reported weak in open market in absence of buyers amid good supply from producing regions.

TUAR * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market in poor demand from local trader traders amid ample stock in ready position. * Moong Chamki showed upward tendency in open market on good seasonal demand from local traders. * In Akola, Tuar New – 3,900-4,000, Tuar dal (clean) – 5,700-6,000, Udid Mogar (clean) – 7,800-8,500, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,900-7,200, Gram – 5,000-5,025, Gram Super best – 7,100-7,300 * 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 Gram Auction

Available prices 3,800-4,620

Previous close

4,000-4,650

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Gram Pink Auction

n.a.

Tuar Auction

2,100-2,600

3,550-3,920

Moong Auction

3,600-3,950

n.a.

Udid Auction

n.a.

Masoor Auction

3,900-4,200 4,300-4,500

n.a.

Wheat Mill quality Auction

2,600-2,800 1,600-1,642

Gram Super Best Bold

1,592-1,782

7,000-7,500

Gram Super Best

n.a.

Gram Medium Best

7,000-7,500

n.a.

6,400-6,800

6,400-6,800

Gram Dal Medium

n.a.

Gram Mill Quality

5,100-5,200

5,100-5,200

Desi gram Raw

4,850-4,950

4,900-5,000

Gram Kabuli

n.a

12,500-13,200

Tuar Fataka Best-New

12,500-13,200

6,000-6,200

Tuar Fataka Medium-New

6,000-6,200

5,600-5,900

Tuar Dal Best Phod-New

5,600-5,900

5,300-5,600

Tuar Dal Medium phod-New Tuar Gavarani New

5,300-5,600

4,800-5,200

3,800-3,900

4,800-5,200

3,800-3,900

Tuar Karnataka

4,100-4,400

4,200-4,500

Masoor dal best

4,800-5,200

4,800-5,200

Masoor dal medium Masoor

4,400-4,800 n.a.

4,400-4,800

n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New)

6,800-7,200

Moong Mogar Medium

6,200-6,600

Moong dal Chilka

5,400-5,800

6,800-7,200 6,200-6,600

5,400-5,800

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Moong Mill quality

n.a.

n.a.

Moong Chamki best

7,000-7,500

6,900-7,400

Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 8,000-8,500

8,000-8,500

Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG)

6,200-7,200

Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) Batri dal (100 INR/KG)

6,200-7,200

5,200-6,200

5,000-5,300

Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)

5,000-5,300

2,800-3,000

Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)

2,800-3,000

2,900-3,000

Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)

5,200-6,200

3,800-4,400

1,900-2,000

Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)

2,900-3,000 3,800-4,400

1,900-2,000

1,700-1,850

1,700-1,850

2,100-2,300

Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG)

2,100-2,300

2,200-2,450

2,200-2,400

Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,150 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG)

n.a.

Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG)

2,200-2,700

Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG)

3,000-3,500

2,300-2,400

3,600-4,000 3,250-3,600 4,600-5,000

2,800-2,900

2,200-2,400

2,500-2,600

Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG)

2,200-2,700

2,800-2,900

2,200-2,400

Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG)

Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG)

3,000-3,600

3,000-3,500

Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG)

n.a.

3,000-3,600

MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG)

1,900-2,100

2,500-2,600 2,300-2,400 3,600-4,000 3,250-3,600 4,600-5,000

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Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG)

4,200-4,500

Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG)

10,000-14,000

Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG)

Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)

10,000-14,000

5,000-7,500

4,700-4,900

Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)

4,200-4,400

4,700-4,900

4,400-4,600

2,000-2,100 1,700-2,000

5,000-7,500

4,400-4,600 2,000-2,100

1,700-2,000

WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 33.4 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 17.0 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 33 and 17 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices) https://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-october-27-2017idINL4N1N23FE

Senate Hearing Attacks Food Aid Status Quo

By Rebecca Bratter

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing last week to look at ways to modernize the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Food For Peace Program. The chairman of the committee, Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), is a frequent critic of the current program structure, and has sought to push through various reforms with the goal of increasing cash/voucher-based food aid and reducing or eliminating in-kind aid.

Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) opened the hearing calling for the total elimination of the current cargo preference program requiring that 50 percent of all food aid shipped overseas is on U.S. flagship carriers. Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD) endorsed the need to eliminate cargo preference but also broadened the scope of reform to include prepositioning, monetization, and an increase in the use of cash, and local and regional purchase-based food assistance.

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Four witnesses, from USAID's Office of Food For Peace, Catholic Relief Service, the Government Accounting Office, and Cornell University, were unanimous in their agreement about the need to reform the Food For Peace Program for greater efficiencies and made strong statements about the need to eliminate cargo preference and increase cash-based assistance.

The U.S. agricultural community, including USA Rice, historically has worked together in coalition with the maritime industry and private voluntary organizations (PVO) to fight for food aid budgets and to keep U.S. programs focused on in-kind food aid.

"We believe current U.S. food aid programs work and while there is always room for reform and improvement in these programs, we maintain that food must continue to be a critical part of all future U.S. food assistance programs," said USA Rice Food Aid Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Hanks. "We will face ongoing criticism of the current food aid paradigm and it will be critical going forward for the agricultural community to communicate the success and importance of these programs."

Round Table Discussion with USA Rice Chairman Brian King

By Deborah Willenborg

ARLINGTON, VA - In town for the latest USA Rice World Market Price Subcommittee meeting, USA Rice Chairman Brian King, a rice merchant with Erwin Keith, Inc., met with USA

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Rice staff to talk about industry priorities and give some background on the important role merchants play in the U.S. rice industry. "Everyone's aware stemming imports is a top priority for our industry," said King. "This is an issue that has to be approached from many different angles. On the domestic side, working with the industry to improve quality, and with consumers and the foodservice sector to speed acceptance and increase consumption of U.S.-grown rice.

And on the international side, staying vigilant when it comes to enforcement and finding inroads into new markets around the world. We rely on USA Rice to keep our industry in play in all these areas."

King has more than 24 years of rice and grain marketing experience and has been active in various merchant groups since 2002."When the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into force in 1994, and the U.S. started exporting paddy rice in a big way to Mexico, a new business model was created, including the need for the merchant sector," King explained. "Today Mexico is our largest export market and Canada is our fourth, but we facilitate rice shipments all over the world and we're always looking for new markets."

King continued, "Merchants are really into logistics. Moving product is our business whether by truck, barge, or rail. We fulfill a 12-month need for that product and provide a market outlet for thousands of farmers in all six rice-producing states." King also praised USA Rice for filling a valuable forum and education component. "The annual USA Rice Outlook Conference continues to grow and is extremely valuable for all sectors of the industry," he said. "This meeting, and others throughout the year that USA Rice sponsors and attends, bring us all together providing excellent opportunities for us to learn from each other. We are stronger as an industry for those efforts and interactions."

"I really appreciate Brian taking the time to talk with our staff about his business and how he thinks USA Rice can best serve the industry," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.

"He is well versed on our issues having graduated from The Rice Leadership Development Program, serving on the board of the USA Rice Merchants' Association and numerous other USA Rice committees, and as current chair of the USA Rice Western Hemisphere

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Subcommittee. He's been great to work with as chairman because of his vast knowledgeable and experience and his generosity with both."

Division of Ag researchers studying impact of shifting artic geese migration into Arkansas MONTICELLO — The western edge of the Mississippi Delta, which contributes so richly to Arkansas agriculture, is well known as a prime area for hunters, with both wet marshes and flooded rice fields after the fall. But it hasn‘t always necessarily been so.

Until about the early 1990‘s, the migration patterns of Arctic geese — migrating over North America through the fall and into the winter — were dominated not by the Delta, but by the rich, rice-dominated farmland of East Texas and Louisiana. But as drought took hold in the South and water rights issues left growers in those areas with little choice but to move into other, less water-intensive crops, mid-continent migration patterns gradually gravitated toward eastern Arkansas.

Which raises more than a few questions.Douglass Osborne, associate professor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, has been leading a research team studying not only how the shift occurred, but what some of the potential adverse implications may be, as well. ―Right now, we‘re in the relatively early stages of using satellite telemetry technology to learn about the distribution of the geese on the landscape.‖ Osborne said. ―Aerial surveys are conducted during the winter, and anecdotally, we know that there‘s more geese wintering in Arkansas than ever before. We‘re using transmitters to understand migration patterns and winter distribution.‖Osborne and his team have about 40 years‘ worth of data to work with, much of it from band and encounter data, supplied from hunters on occasions when banded birds were harvested during a hunt. http://newtoncountytimes.com/sports/division-of-ag-researchers-studying-impact-of

Quote of the Day "Mothers all want their sons to grow up to be president, but they don't want them to become politicians in the process."John F. Kennedy Online Advertisement:mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell # 0321 369 2874 www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com www.ricepluss.com