30th january ,2018 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

DailyDRice E-Newsletter G L E aily

lobal, Regional and

ocal Rice

-Newsletter January 30, 2018

 USA Rice Welcomes Jesica Kincaid  NAFTA Talks Inch Forward, But More Work Needed  UA Scientists Study Austrialian Wild Rice  Soy milk the best plant-based dairy drink: McGill study  State to introduce food fortification in big way  Effectiveness of new trade policy  Sustainable pest management stressed at international meet  Lack of long-term funding could threaten diabetes research  Why rice costs more in Kebbi  Rice agriculture area to be reduced from 1.7M to 724K feddans  Vietnam Jan coffee exports estimated up 25.1 pct y/y, rice up 34.4 pct

Volume X | Issue I

 TRAIN sends rice prices rising, farmers say  Rice prices up; gas prices increasing anew  Pakistan And Ukrain Bilateral Trade Increasing In Agriculture Sector: Envoy

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter News Detail‌ USA Rice Welcomes Jesica Kincaid

By Deborah Willenborg

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter ARLINGTON, VA - Jesica Kincaid has joined the USA Rice team as Manager of International Policy. In this role, Jesica will be working on international trade issues and producing reports on the American rice industry, including the Rice Executive, and staffing the World Market Price Subcommittee.

Prior to joining USA Rice, Jesica spent five years at the Embassy of Ireland where she worked in agriculture and food trade, trying to get Americans to buy more Irish butter and whiskey. She is excited to join the USA Rice team and to work with farmers and policymakers to promote U.S. grown rice.

Jesica grew up in Kansas City, went to college at Trinity University in San Antonio, and moved to Washington, DC in 2009 to attend graduate school at American University where she earned an M.A. in International Affairs. Jesica really only has one 'S' in her name, and her pastimes include cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, playing volleyball, and planning a return visit to Paris.

Making progress? (l. to r. Mexico's Secretary of the Economy Villarreal, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Freeland, and USTR Lighthizer)

NAFTA Talks Inch Forward, But More Work Needed

By Lesley Dixon

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter MONTREAL, CANADA - Trade ministers from Canada, Mexico, and the United States today ended the 6th round of negotiations to modernize the North American Free trade Agreement (NAFTA) without issuing a joint statement, and signaling various levels of progress. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said, "We believe that some progress was made. We finally began to discuss some of the core issues, so this round was a step forward - but we are progressing very slowly. We owe it to our citizens, who are operating in a state of uncertainty, to move much faster."

Negotiators reportedly "closed" or finished the anti-corruption chapter of what is being dubbed NAFTA 2.0. Negotiators will next reportedly meet in Mexico City in late February for the 7th round of talks. "It's clear that the parties made progress on several discrete topics during last week's talks," said USA Rice COO Bob Cummings who was in Montreal. "But the big make or break issues like improved U.S. dairy access in Canada, U.S. proposals on auto rules of origin, a hard sunset for NAFTA, and investor-state dispute settlement still need to be addressed and resolved at the political level for the negotiations to close."

Cummings continued, "Our main messages to the administration are the critical importance of NAFTA to the economic health of U.S. rice farmers and exporters and therefore the importance of concluding these negotiations with NAFTA intact and stronger. Last week offered the opportunity to keep delivering this message to U.S. negotiators, their Mexican and Canadian counterparts, and congressional staff as well as to participate in activities of pro-NAFTA groups like Farmers for Free Trade."

As negotiators enter what is known as an "intersessional period," follow-up discussions will take place among the negotiating groups to prepare for the next negotiating session. Two upcoming elections are widely seen as constraining and shaping the negotiating calendar - Mexico's presidential election in July and the U.S. midterm elections in November. Cummings said USA Rice will continue to engage with U.S. negotiators and Members of Congress as an organization and within several pro-NAFTA coalitions to educate and advocate on behalf of this beneficial trade agreement.

USA Rice Daily

UA Scientists Study Austrialian Wild Rice

By Heather van Blokland Published: Monday, January 29, 2018 - 7:05am Updated: Monday, January 29, 2018 - 7:20am

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Wild rice growing in northern Australia could hold the key to breeding a grain that is drought and pest resistant.

Rice is a staple food for over half of the world population and consumption levels are rising.

After testing 13 different species of grain, researchers found Australian rice to have valuable traits that could be bred commercially.

Rod Wing is co-author and director of the Arizona Genomics Institute at the University of Arizona. He said genetic information could produce higher yielding, more nutritious rice, using less water and pesticides.

Since 2003, Wing has been leading global research into 25 wild rice species that are genetically similar to two rice species consumed globally today, with the next research to focus on a wild rice that grows in saltwater.

Wing said the major question is how to feed a world population that's projected to reach 10 billion by 2050.

The groups' paper was published this week in Nature Genetics. http://science.kjzz.org/content/598635/ua-scientists-study-austrialian-wild-rice

Domoguen: CAR’s dedicated small farmers sustain corn farming and veggie food production Monday, January 29, 2018

By ROBERT L. DOMOGUEN MOUNTAIN LIGHT I DID not exactly comprehend what he was so excited about, as he led the way to where the farmers were gathered. “If there is such a thing as heirloom rice, there is also heirloom corn in the Cordillera,” he said, showing the samples of corn cobs he has drawn out from a farmer’s bag. That was some two years ago, during a consultation meeting with the farmers in Tabuk City, when Mr. Gerardo Banawa, assistant regional corn program coordinator told me that the heirloom flint corn was being grown in the highlands of Pasil, Kalinga, since time immemorial.

According to Mr. Banawa, the corn was grown by several generations of farmers in small mountain plots beside their rice terraces. The cobs have multi-colored kernels that are sticky

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter when cooked. Actually, the heirloom corn referred to here was once cultivated all over the Cordillera, but the farmers in Pasil have succeeded in preserving this heritage crop as a smallscale mountain farm crop. With the continued growth in the nation’s population and the dwindling of the plains’ agricultural areas in favor of housing and industrial uses, the cultivation of heirloom flint corn in the Cordillera as food might just be making a come-back.

There are some folks who believe that prioritizing the promotion of flint corn as a food staple in the Cordillera is a losing venture. There is no local demand for the crop since the population has not been eating rice mixed with corn, or corn alone as a staple. However, other people say that may be true for some, at least for the moment. People use to eat sweet potato (camote) mixed with rice; or rice mixed with corn, they explained. Besides, corn is a healthy alternative to rice as a staple food, they added. To several farmers in Abra, the pros and cons of the argument does not have any effect on what they already know about flint corn, as a viable and profitable livelihood for their families for decades.

Abra Province, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is the major supplier of corn kernels for the “Cornick industry” of the Ilocos region. In Abra and elsewhere in the region, things could only get better. Last year, the whole of the Cordillera region’s production of flint corn is 17,888 metric tons (MT) with 15, 397 MT coming from Abra. The other major producers are Kalinga with 1,068 MT, and Apayao, 984 MT. This year, the agriculture department (DA) in the region will step-up its development support to the production of flint corn, which is being eyed to play a crucial role in the agency’s efforts to ensure food security in the country.

Last December 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte launched the DA’s rice-corn (RiCo) blend Project. DA Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol in an interview with reporters said that the agency will shell out at least “P500 million this year to sustain the RiCo blend project, which seeks to improve the country’s food security and cut its dependence on rice imports. ” According to Secretary Piñol, RiCo blends would be commercially sold to the nation’s markets in the second quarter, starting with pure corn grits and the 50-50 blend or rice-corn mix of 50 percent white rice and 50 percent white corn which is easier to mix than the other blends. By giving priority focus to flint corn, DA-CAR regional technical director for operations, Dr. Danilo Daguio said the region must support “the government’s bid to attain rice self-sufficiency and avoid huge rice imports.” He added that the healthy RiCo blend will target those who are health conscious.

At the same time, excess production “would also help supply the increasing requirements for flint corn in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.” For his part, Mr. Banawa said the region is tasked to produce a total of 1,952 metric tons of flint corn in an effective area of 936 hectares.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter He looks ahead to increasing production of quality flint corn for nutrition and food security, and increase the income of farmers in the six provinces of the Cordillera, with Abra leading the charge. While upping its support to flint corn production and development, assistance to yellow corn production will be sustained by the DA in the region.

Yellow corn is the basic ingredient found in livestock feed which is another booming industry that supports the livelihood of the nation’s corn farmers. Over the years, since the establishment of the Cordillera Administrative Region, corn production has become a major industry for the region’s local farmers. A yellow corn industry was unheard of when CAR was established.

Today, according to the PSA, the region produces some 242,850 MT harvested on an area of 61, 391 hectares (2017).

Once again we see how dedicated small farmers are to their livelihood. With guidance and support, they don't just make our food systems more stable, rooted to culture and history, but interesting and connected too. And with the younger generation watching on, let us hope that they will realize that they must not only care for their traditions but prepare to carry on improving them. Published in the SunStar Baguio newspaper. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/opinion/2018/01/29/domoguen-cars-dedicated-small-farmerssustain-corn-farming-and-veggie-food

Soy milk the best plant-based dairy drink: McGill study Among plant-based milks, soy milk is the best nutritionally according to a team of researchers at McGill University.

PRESSE CANADIENNE January 29, 2018 | Last Updated: January 29, 2018 6:15 PM EST McGill researchers compared the four most popular types of milk in the world — almond, soy, rice and coconut milk (all unsweetened) — with cow's milk. M I C H A E L P R O B S T / T H E A S S O C I A T E D PRESS

S H A R E A D J U S T C O MM E N T P R IN T

Among plant-based milks, soy milk is the best nutritionally, according to a team of researchers at McGill University.

Faced with the ever-growing popularity of these plant-based dairy drinks, and in the face of increasingly diversified offering on grocery-store shelves, the researchers have sorted out the list.

In addition, many people are allergic to or intolerant to lactose, present in cow’s milk, and are looking for alternatives.The team compared the four most popular types in the world — almond,

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter soy, rice and coconut milk (all unsweetened) — with cow’s milk.Cow’s milk remains the most nutritious of all, but soy milk comes second and is clearly the best of the vegetable drinks.

Soy milk has the most balanced nutritional profile, with lots of protein and the presence of phytonutrients that give it anti-carcinogenic properties, according to the researchers. One setback is that some people don’t like its taste, unlike most other plant-based milks.

With regard to rice milk, the researchers noted: a sweet taste, a high carbohydrate content and a low nutritional value. However, rice milk can meet the needs of people allergic to soy and almonds.

Coconut milk contains few calories and no protein. It can, however, reduce the levels of lowdensity lipoprotein — bad cholesterol — associated with cardiovascular disease.

McGill researchers described almond milk as balanced, with a low caloric content, but advised that a food supplement is essential to obtain essential nutrients. Almonds, on the other hand, are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that are believed to promote weight loss and weight management, and lower bad cholesterol.

Popular types of milk The most caloric? Cow’s milk. The least? Almond milk.

The most protein? Cow and soy milk. The least protein? Coconut milk.

The most carbohydrates (sugar)? Rice milk, by far. The least? Coconut milk and almond milk.

The most calcium? Soy and almond milk. And the least? Coconut milk.

By Stéphanie Marin. http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/soy-milk-the-best-plant-based-dairy-drink-mcgillstudy

State to introduce food fortification in big way Jan 30, 2018, 12:39 AM; last updated: Jan 30, 2018, 12:39 AM (IST) 8

Sushil Manav Tribune News Service

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Chandigarh, January 29

Come April and people in Haryana will start getting edible oils and milk fortified with vitamin A and D in all booths and stores run by government boards and corporations.

Besides, the distribution of wheat flour fortified as per the standards of the Fortification of Food Regulations, 2016, and double fortified salt will start on April 1.

“Haryana will become the first state in the country to introduce fortified food items in a big way,” said Amit Jha, Principal Secretary (Health).The move follows Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s observation on the nutritional deficiency among people of the state, he said.As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4, 72 per cent of children, 63 per cent of women and 21 per cent of men in the state are anaemic and about one-third of children under 5 are either stunted, wasted or underweight. “This is a serious matter as it is related to impaired productivity of population of Haryana,” Jha said.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Jha said, “Representatives of roller flour mills associations, rice millers, and associations of edible oil and milk manufacturers have assured the government that they will fortify their products in three months.�

Oil and milk is to be fortified with vitamin A and D; wheat flour and rice with iron, folic acid and vitamin B12; and salt with iodine and iron.

Dr Saket Kumar, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said a request has been sent to the Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for making the standard of food fortification mandatory for sale in Haryana. http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/state-to-introduce-food-fortification-in-bigway/535601.html

Effectiveness of new trade policy Nasir JamalUpdated January 29, 2018

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The government plans to share the draft of Pakistan’s first 5-year trade policy — Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2018/2023 — with the business community by the end of next month, a senior commerce ministry official told a consultative session with businessmen in Lahore last week.The new trade policy, just like the three previous, similar 3-year strategic frameworks, will primarily focus on boosting the country’s flagging exports.

Trade officials conceded that none of the previous strategic frameworks had come even close to meeting their targets because of wide implementation gaps, but expressed the hope the new trade policy will meet the goals being set to increase the shipments.“We can push our exports above $36 billion in the next five years,” insisted Nauman Aslam, director general trade policy at the Ministry of Commerce.

The present STPF 2015/2018 had set an ambitious export target of $35bn that was to be met by improving export competitiveness, transitioning a ‘factor-driven’ economy to ‘efficiency-driven’ and ‘innovation-driven’, and increasing the share in regional trade.However, exports have declined by just below 16 per cent to $20.4bn in 2016/2017 from $23.6bn in 2014/2015. Exports have consistently been on the decrease from their peak of $25bn reached in 2011/2012.

Mr Aslam’s optimism is based on an average monthly recovery of 11-12pc in exports since the beginning of the present fiscal after a consistent drop during the last three years. “…even if this pace of growth is maintained our shipments will increase to $36bn in the next five years. This is a very moderate growth. We have a lot of potential and can achieve a much higher (export) growth.”

The new trade policy, Mr Aslam said, will focus on addressing investment gaps to create export surplus, gender mainstreaming and rationalisation of tariffs besides suggesting measures to raise export of services, improve export competitiveness, and diversify markets and products.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The government is also reviewing the unfavourable terms of its free trade agreements to gain greater market access for the country’s goods. While Indonesia has already agreed to allow more rice from Pakistan, China is willing to create greater space for imports from Pakistan.

“We can push our exports above $36 billion in the next five years,” insisted Nauman Aslam, director general trade policy at the Ministry of Commerce “Things will be different this time. We have extended the scope of the new strategic framework from three years to five years to ensure policy consistency and transparency. The longer period will allow us to review and tweak policy interventions mid-term.”

His optimism notwithstanding, the credibility of the government delivering on its commitments remains very low as far as businesspeople are concerned. “Gaps in policy implementation remain a major issue. You cannot meet targets without implementing the policy,” argued Quratul Ain Irfan, the vice president of a pharmaceutical company.

“Unfortunately, the Ministry of Commerce doesn’t have enough resources or powers to implement incentives and interventions recommended in its trade policies… it is dependent on other ministries to deliver on its promises.

“The success of any short to long-term strategic framework cannot be guaranteed unless it incorporates input from all the relevant ministries, including industry, agriculture, planning, labour, finance, and so on. Additionally, the provinces should also get clear-cut responsibilities for achieving the policy targets.”

Others agree. Ijaz Khokhar, a leading exporter of martial arts uniforms from Sialkot, insisted that STPF should represent a broad-based comprehensive strategy for regulating the nation’s international trade (import and export).

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter It should attract both domestic and foreign private investment in manufacturing for producing export surpluses, support value-addition, resolve long-standing issues (like inefficiencies, low productivity and outdated technology), encourage new sectors and industries to venture into exports and so on.

The objective of the framework should be realisation of the country’s true export potential and creation of jobs for the millions entering the market every year. In fact, STPF should act as an ‘umbrella’ under which finance, monetary, industrial, agricultural, energy, labour and other policies are designed to support and help the country achieve targets set by the trade policy.”

Mr Khokhar contended the new STPF must provide for periodic, quarterly review of implementation of its recommendations and interventions by a body that has businessmen on it to address any flaws, drawbacks and shortcomings.

“Such a body should be headed by the prime minster himself and consulted before any other policy or trade agreement are devised that could potentially harm/affect the implementation of recommendations and interventions spelt out by STPF. It is the only way the policy implementation can be ensured and the ministries’ focus diverted back on exports.”With three commodities — textiles, leather and rice — constituting more than two-thirds of total exports and almost 60pc of shipments directed only to five countries, former Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Abdul Basit pleaded the case for product and market diversification.

“I’m not opposed to incentives and support for large textile businessmen. But no strategic framework aimed at boosting overseas shipment can succeed unless it focuses on encouraging new industries and products.“You can push textiles or rice or leather shipments to a limit.

Beyond that you need to diversify into unconventional products even if it means cash incentives, tax relief and subsidies in the initial years.”https://www.dawn.com/news/1385801/effectivenessof-new-trade-policy

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Sustainable pest management stressed at international meet STAFF REPORTER THOOTHUKUDI, JANUARY 30, 2018 00:00 IST ‘People should be made to realise the bad effects of using banned pesticides’ Going green has become prominent through scientific fraternity and work on biocontrol needs to be projected for sustainable pest management, according to T. Ramesh Babu, Dean of Agriculture, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, and External Member for PG Board of Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

Dr. Babu was delivering the keynote address at the three-day international conference on biocontrol and sustainable pest management, organised by the Agricultural College and Research Institute (ACRI), Killikulam on Monday.

He said people should be made to realise the bad effect of usage of banned pesticides.

Biocontrol Earlier, A. Ramalingam, Dean, ACRI, Killikulam, said biocontrol was the need of the hour and sustainable pest management was required for agricultural production.

K. Ramaraju, Director, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, TNAU, Coimbatore, S. Sithanantham, Secretary and Director, Sun Agro-Tech Centre Chennai, Chitra Sankar, Director, Directorate of Rice Research, ICAR, Hyderabad and Surech, Dean, ACRI, Madurai, offered their felicitations.

T.Abdul Razack, Head, Department of Agricultural Entomology, proposed a vote of thanks.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/sustainable-pest-managementstressed/article22582248.ece

Lack of long-term funding could threaten diabetes research Jan 29, 2018 | Daniel Allar Two diabetes research programs have received short-term funding patches of $37.5 million each to continue operating through March 31, but several groups are warning the lack of permanent funding could stall innovation and delay new research which could help the more than 100 million Americans who have diabetes or prediabetes.

The two programs given short-term funding by lawmakers are the Special Diabetes Program, which researches type 1 diabetes, and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, created in 1997 in response to the high rate of diabetes among American Indians and Alaska Natives.

“The (Special Diabetes Program) needs to be fully funded in order to move new research forward,” Cynthia Rice, senior vice president of advocacy and policy for JDRF, which funds type 1 diabetes research, told The Hill.

“Essentially, right now, the National Institutes of Health can fund $37.5 million in research, but they have a portfolio of potential research, which is so promising, to deliver new therapies and new technologies to people with Type 1 diabetes that they can’t fund.”

Meanwhile, the uncertainty over the Special Diabetes Program for Indians has caused some tribes’ programs to send furlough notices to staff, with potential layoffs coming, if additional funding doesn’t come through, according to The Hill http://www.cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/healthcare-economics/lack-long-term-fundingcould-threaten-diabetes-research

Why rice costs more in Kebbi Ismail Adebayo, Birnin Kebbi | Publish Date: Jan 28 2018 2:00AM Because of the boom, its capacity to produce rice in millions of tons and the desire of the farmer to cultivate large rice fields, it is the expectation in many quarters that rice should be cheaper in Kebbi State. Ironically, the price of rice is higher in Kebbi than other rice producing states in the country.

Reasons: Rice production in Kebbi State is virtually done during the dry season. To achieve high yield, the farmers must use water pumping machines powered by petrol to pump water for several hectares of rice fields. Unlike other states, Kebbi has no dam for irrigation farming, so for its farmers to remain in the rice business they must buy fuel on a daily basis to pump water into their rice farms.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Other factors which make Kebbi rice costlier are the competition among those who come to buy the commodity in the state and the breakthrough it has recorded in rice production in the country.

The state has become a haven for millers across the country and even from some parts of West Africa. Because of these, the farmers have jacked the price of paddy up.The chairman of the Rice Farmers Association in Kebbi State, Alhaji Sahabi Augie, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent said, “We were buying fuel at the rate of N145 per litre, but given the recent fuel situation, it rose to N220 per litre. With this type of situation, you can imagine the situation of a farmer with about five hectares of rice field and he must buy up to 20 litres every day for three months to power his pumping machine to water the farm.

“This is one of the reasons why our rice is more expensive than that produced in other states.

Some states have dams and they irrigate by gravity. But here, we have to spend more money in buying fuel to power the water pumps to produce our rice. Given this scenario, there is no how it will not affect our cost of production, and consequently, the price of the rice.

“Also, with this situation, the number of hectares a farmer can cultivate will be reduced, and this would result in low output and scarcity of the commodity in the market.”Augie added that the competition among the buyers of rice in the state and the breakthrough it has recorded in rice production had made it a centre for millers across the country and some neighbouring countries.

“We have two large rice mills in Kebbi State, Labana and WACOT rice mills. Labana has the capacity to produce 220,000 tons per annum and WACOT 120,000 metric tons annually and 400 metric tons of rice daily. We also have rice companies coming from Niger and Kano states. We also have local millers coming from Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Abia and others. This has created competition among rice buyers in Kebbi.

“Another issue is that the important tool a farmer uses to produce rice, after land and seed, is water. We have to buy fertilizers two or three times in a circle, but as far as water is concerned, it is a daily activity and we need the pumping machines powered with petrol to pump water to the farms.

“So, whether he is a small scale or medium scale farmer, his cost of production keeps on escalating. To produce rice in the rainy season is risky because the yield will depend on the character of the rain circle. The longer the period of rainfall the better your yield.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter “Last year, there was a sudden cessation of rain and there was serious flood occasioned by the over-flooding of the two rivers - River Niger and River Rima - around our farms. Some rice farms were over-flooded and destroyed. Because of this some farmers lost everything. Many only escaped with less than half of what they expected to harvest.

“In other cases, just as rice was about reaching harvesting stage, there was cessation of rain which the rice needed to take to the final growth stage. That was responsible for some of the low yields farmers suffered last year.

“Despite all these, farmers here buy their inputs. We need subsidy in terms of fertilizers and others. There is need for government to come in and address the issue of inputs. If we buy at market price we must increase the price of our rice. For now, a 75kg bag of paddy is being sold at the rate of N9,000 to N9,500 in the state, depending on the quality. The finished rice is sold at the rate of N13,000.”

The Kebbi State Rice Farmers Association chairman concluded that rice has become a serious business in the state. “Many people, civil servants, businessmen and contractors are returning to the farms now because of the success that farmers in Kebbi have recorded in rice farming since the flag-off of the Anchor Borrowers programme.

“Luckily, there is a large enough market for the commodity. The buyers go as far as the farms to buy the produce. In Kebbi State, we have farmers who have 20 and even 200 hectares of rice fields. I know of a lady who was hawking medicine, now she is into farming. She told me that during the last dry season she made up to N2 million,” Augie explained. https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-rice-costs-more-in-kebbi.html

Rice agriculture area to be reduced from 1.7M to 724K feddans By: Rehab Ismail Rice agriculture in Egypt

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Sat, Jan. 27, 2018

CAIRO - 27 January 2018: Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Mohamed Abdel Aty decided to reduce the rice agriculture area in Egypt from 1,700,000 feddans to 724,200 feddans (1 feddan = 1.038 acres).

The idea of reducing the rice agriculture area was first proposed in 2015, to be decreased from 1,100,000 feddans to 724,200 feddans, then after consulting the group of economic ministries, the decision was withdrawn to avoid any shortage in local market that may lead to increase the prices; therefore, the area was increased to 1,100,000 feddans again.

The highest rice production through the past 10 years was in in 2007/2008, as it reached 7.3 million tons, while the lowest was in 2010, as it reached only 4.3 million tons, according to the Central Agency for Capital Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).

Rice production in Egypt cc CAPMAS

According to CAPMAS, the five highest areas in producing rice in the year 2014/2015 are Dakahlia governorate, producing 1.7 million tons; Kafr el-Sheikh with 1.1 million tons; Sharqia with 0.9 million tons; Beheira with 0.6 million tons; and Gharbia with 0.4 million tons.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

19 Geographical Distribution for Rice Production in Egypt (CAPMAS)

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Governorates Distribution on Map for rice production -Year 2014/2015 - CAPMAS

The majority of rice is grown under irrigated conditions in which the fields are flooded from planting to harvest. Because of this flooding, rice is said to use a lot of water, about two and a half times the amount of water needed to grow a crop of wheat or maize, according to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/41222/Rice-agriculture-area-to-be-reduced-from-1-7M-to

Vietnam Jan coffee exports estimated up 25.1 pct y/y, rice up 34.4 pct www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Reuters Staff MODITIES NEWSJANUARY 29, 2018 / 9:38 AM HANOI, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Vietnam’s coffee exports for January are estimated to have risen 25.1 percent from the previous year, while rice shipments have risen 34.4 percent, the government said on Monday.

COFFEE Coffee exports from Vietnam will rise an estimated 25.1 percent in January from a year ago to 175,000 tonnes, equal to 2.92 million 60-kg bags, the General Statistics Office said in a report on Monday.

Coffee export revenue will rise an estimated 7.7 percent annually to $340 million, the report also said.

RICE Rice exports from the world’s third-largest shipper of the grain were forecast to rise 34.4 percent to 450,000 tonnes in January. Revenue from rice exports in the month was seen jumping 49.6 percent year-on-year to $214 million.

ENERGY Vietnam’s January crude oil exports fell 21.4 percent year-on-year to an estimated 400,000 tonnes, or 95,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Crude oil export revenue in January fell 13 percent to $191 million.

Oil product imports in the month increased 3.5 percent from the same time last year to an estimated 900,000 tonnes, while the value of the product imports rose 10.8 percent to $552 million.

Vietnam’s January liquefied petroleum gas imports increased 25.3 percent from a year earlier to 130,000 tonnes. (Reporting by Mai Nguyen; Editing by Sunil Nair) https://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL4N1PL3NT

Vietnam Jan coffee exports estimated up 25.1 pct y/y, rice up 34.4 pct www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

Reuters Sunday January 28, 2018 11:15 PM Kitco News HANOI, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Vietnam's coffee exports for January are estimated to have risen 25.1 percent from the previous year, while rice shipments have risen 34.4 percent, the government said on Monday.

COFFEE Coffee exports from Vietnam will rise an estimated 25.1 percent in January from a year ago to 175,000 tonnes, equal to 2.92 million 60-kg bags, the General Statistics Office said in a report on Monday.

Coffee export revenue will rise an estimated 7.7 percent annually to $340 million, the report also said.

RICE Rice exports from the world's third-largest shipper of the grain were forecast to rise 34.4 percent to 450,000 tonnes in January. Revenue from rice exports in the month was seen jumping 49.6 percent year-on-year to $214 million.

ENERGY Vietnam's January crude oil exports fell 21.4 percent year-on-year to an estimated 400,000 tonnes, or 95,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Crude oil export revenue in January fell 13 percent to $191 million.

Oil product imports in the month increased 3.5 percent from the same time last year to an estimated 900,000 tonnes, while the value of the product imports rose 10.8 percent to $552 million.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Vietnam's January liquefied petroleum gas imports increased 25.3 percent from a year earlier to 130,000 tonnes. http://www.kitco.com/news/2018-01-28/Vietnam-Jan-coffee-exports-estimated-up-25-1-pct-y-y-rice-up34-4-pct.html

TRAIN sends rice prices rising, farmers say posted January 29, 2018 at 12:01 am by Bill Casas

RICE prices rose in the third week of January as a result of the TRAIN law, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said Sunday.The average increases were P1 per kilo of special and premium rice, P1 per kilo of regular well-milled rice, and P2 per kilo of premium well-milled rice, the farmers’ group said, citing figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority .

The PSA also noted an upward trend in the wholesale and retail prices of well-milled rice and regular milled rice this January compared to the prices a year ago.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter sun-dried. A farmer spreads palay to dry naturally under the heat of the sun along the highway in San Clemente town of Tarlac. Lino Santos

For well-milled rice, a P3-per-kilo increase was noted in Kidapawan City and a P2-per-kilo increase in Metro Manila and Naga City.

Price hikes ranging from P.50 to P3 per kilo of regular milled rice were also observed in six regional centers nationwide.

The prices of other agricultural produce such as beef, meat and pork lean meat increased by as much as P10 per kilo. The prices of dressed chicken increased by P2 to P20 per kilo, while the market prices of fish and vegetables also increased.

The price hikes were the result of the cumulative increase in petroleum prices since Jan. 1 when TRAIN took effect.

This week oil prices will once again increase, according to oil companies. “This unending cycle of price hikes will not stop as long as TRAIN is in effect. It will only continue to worsen the economic hardship of Filipinos, the KMP said. The group demanded that the government strictly implement a total price freeze in Albay due to the active Mayon volcano.

National agencies and LGUs in Albay should strictly monitor the prices of commodities in the calamity-affected areas to avoid overpricing. The agencies should provide relief and rehabilitation assistance, KMP said. As of Jan. 28, there were 28,885 families or 89,109 individuals staying in the evacuation centers in Bacacay, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Daraga, Tabaco City, Malilipot, Santo Domingo and Legazpi City. http://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/257409/train-sends-rice-prices-rising-farmers-say.html

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Rice prices up; gas prices increasing anew

By Ding Cervantes, Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star) | Updated January 29, 2018 - 12:00am

KMP cited the PSA as having reported an average of P1 per kilo increase for special and premium rice, P1 per kilo increase for regular well-milled rice, and P2 per kilo for premium well-milled rice. Philstar.com/File Photo MANILA, Philippines — The price of rice has increased by P1 to P2 per kilo nationwide starting in the third week of January, allegedly as a consequence of the government’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) measure.

“The price monitoring of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has noted rice price hikes across the country,” the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said in a statement yesterday.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter KMP cited the PSA as having reported an average of P1 per kilo increase for special and premium rice, P1 per kilo increase for regular well-milled rice, and P2 per kilo for premium well-milled rice.

“The PSA also noted an upward trend in the wholesale and retail prices of well-milled rice and regular milled rice this January compared to rice prices a year ago,” KMP said.

For well-milled rice, a P3 per kilo increase was noted in Kidapawan City and P2 per kilo increase in the National Capital Region and Naga City, the PSA report said.

KMP added that PSA also noted price hikes ranging from P.50 to P3 per kilo of regular milled rice were observed in six regional centers nationwide.

The prices of other food agricultural produce such as beef, meat and pork lean meat increased by as much as P10 per kilo. Prices of dressed chicken increased by P2 to P20 per kilo. Market prices of fish and vegetables also increased, the KMP quoted PSA. “These price hikes are the result of the cumulative hike in petroleum prices since Jan. 1, when TRAIN became effective. This week, oil prices will once again increase according to oil companies,” KMP said.

KMP chairman Danilo Ramos warned that “this unending cycle of price hikes will not stop as long as TRAIN is in effect. It will only continue to worsen the economic hardship of Filipinos.”

The farmers group also demanded that the government “strictly implement a total price freeze in Albay province where the erupting Mayon volcano is located.”

“National agencies and LGUs in Albay should strictly monitor the prices of commodities in calamity-affected areas to avoid overpricing. Agencies should provide relief and rehabilitation assistance,” Ramos said.

KMP and the Bicol Movement for Disaster Response are continuously seeking assistance for farmers affected by Mayon’s eruption, he added.

KMP reported that as of Jan. 28, there were 28,885 families or 89,109 individuals staying in evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, motorists will see another round of prices hikes on all fuel products this week, Department of Energy (DOE) undersecretary Felix Wimpy Fuentebella said in an interview yesterday.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter However, Fuentebella declined to give more information as to how much the increase will be after Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi issued a policy directing oil companies to explain the weekly price movements of petroleum products.

This would be the seventh consecutive week diesel and kerosene prices will be raised and the third straight week for gasoline.

Based on the agency’s monitoring, Fuentebella added that comments from Saudi Arabia that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other major oil producers could extend their production cuts beyond 2018 propped up global oil prices last week.

Adding to the upward pressure was the global economic growth and expectations of robust global oil demand.

US crude supplies were reportedly lower by 1.1 million barrels at the end of trading Jan. 19, according to the US Energy Information Administration, pushing oil to hit $71 a barrel last Thursday for the first time since 2014.Reuters also reported that global oil prices settled higher last Friday with crude also posting a weekly gain as a weaker US dollar underpinned prices.

Earlier, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian proposed to review the Oil Deregulation Law to impose stricter monitoring of oil inventories and price hikes and of harsher penalties for non-compliant oil companies and negligent government agencies that should monitor price movements.The DOE has been tightening its watch on oil companies since the start of the year in light of the implementation of TRAIN. The DOE earlier said the new excise tax on petroleum products should be applied starting Jan. 1 but not including old stocks, meaning the increase in fuel prices under the new tax regime should only be implemented 15 days after the start of the year since oil firms have a 15-day minimum inventory requirement.So far, it has issued show cause orders against at least 20 oil retailers that implemented higher prices due to TRAIN. Reportedly, there have been several oil retailers that implemented the TRAIN excise tax that have yet to be validated by the agency.Under the TRAIN, gasoline will have a higher excise tax from P4.35 per liter to P7 per liter while new tax rates of P2.50 per liter will be imposed on diesel, P3 per liter on kerosene and P2.50 per liter on auto liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Based on DOE estimates, gasoline prices are expected to have an additional P2.97 per liter, diesel with P2.80 per liter, kerosene with P3.36 per liter, LPG for motor vehicles with P2.80 per liter and LPG for household with P1.12 per kilo. http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/01/29/1782360/rice-prices-gas-prices-increasing-anew

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Pakistan And Ukrain Bilateral Trade Increasing In Agriculture Sector: Envoy Sadia Abbas (@SadiaAbbas25) 4 hours ago Tue 30th January 2018 | 02:50 PM

Ambassador of Ukraine in Pakistan Volodymyr Lakomov said Tuesday that agriculture products were one of the most dynamic segments of bilateral trade between Ukraine and Pakistan ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jan, 2018 ): Ambassador of Ukraine in Pakistan Volodymyr Lakomov said Tuesday that agriculture products were one of the most dynamic segments of bilateral trade between Ukraine and Pakistan.In a statement issued here on Tuesday, the ambassador said that the agricultural trade between the two countries would further go up in coming years. The ambassador said that Pakistani edible exportssuch as various types of oranges and Basmati rice were popular among Ukrainians while Pakistanis had been enjoying Ukrainian sunflower oil, nuts etc.He said that this year both countries plan holding the first session of Ukraine-Pakistan inter-governmental commission on economic and investment cooperation.

Volodymyr Lakomov informed that revenue produced from Ukraine's farm exports in 2017 grew by 16.

3% that is more than US$17.9 billion. He said in the preceding year, the figure was $15.5 billion.

Currently the share of exports in the total volume of foreign trade in farm produce and foods is 79.4%, farmers provide over 41% of Ukrainian exports. The ambassador said that recently agriculture ministry of Ukraine has published a report and noted that the country's foreign trade turnover of agrarian and food products stood at $22.6 billion in January-December 2017. The top three staples of Ukrainian farm produce and food exports were grain crops (36.2%), vegetable oils (25.1%), and oil seeds (11.3%). https://www.urdupoint.com/en/agriculture/pakistan-and-ukrain-bilateral-trade-increasin252537.html

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