3rd april,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

Daily

Global

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Rice E-Newsletter April 03 , 2015 V o l u m e 5, Issue I

If You Want To Eat Rice Guilt-Free, This Is How You Should Cook It? Pallavi SrivastavaApr 2, 2015, 04.10 PM IST If we ask you to choose between health and carb-laden rice, what would you choose? If you can't answer this question straightaway because of the fight between your mind and heart, we recommend you follow your heart—but with caution. If you cook rice the right way, and you can enjoy it guilt-free. The information was revealed at the 249th National Meeting and Exposition of

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Denver, where researchers shared a rice cooking method, which can reduce calorie intake

by

up

to

50-60%.

Rice trivia

Before we go on and share the recipe, it is important for you to know what your rice actually contains. It is high in starch and primarily has two types of starch: digestible and resistant (or indigestible). While our body can easily digest and absorb digestible starch, the resistance starch goes unabsorbed. It is this digestible starch that we consume, which adds on to the calories. If we can reduce the content of digestible starch in rice, it will also reduce our calorie intake and also its negative effects on our health.

The right preparation The scientists from Sri Lanka have suggested a new method for coking rice, which they claim can reduce the calorie intake by half. The recipe they have shared is simple: 1. Add one teaspoon coconut oil in boiling water and then add half cup rice 2.

Simmer

it

for

40

minutes

or

boil

it

for

25

minutes

3. After this cool the rice for 12 hours (or overnight) in refrigerator. Please note, that cooling should be done in refrigerator and not at room temperature because at room temperature proliferation of dangerous bacteria may cause food poisoning.

The science behind this preparation/cooking method Lead researcher Sudhair A. James, from College of Chemical Sciences, Colombo, Western Sri Lanka, explains how addition of coconut oil reduces the calorie intake. When coconut oil is added to rice, it changes the structure of the starch granules and makes them resistant to digestive enzymes. Then by cooling rice as part of the process, it is ensured that soluble part of grain, which also forms a bond on the outside layer, locks in the changes to the granule structure. Even reheating doesn't alter the benefits of the aforementioned process.

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The experiment details In order to conduct the experiment, the researchers had used nearly 38 varieties of rice that were rich in digestible starch. They found that if the best variety of rice is used, it can reduce the calories by 50-60%.

The researchers are also experimenting on different type of cooking oils to see if they can derive the same result using other edible oil too. Currently, coconut oil is the best option available.

According to the researchers, the high smoke point of coconut oil allows it to stand up well while preparing food.

On being asked about chances of calorie reduction in case of other food items which are made predominantly from rice like pasta, noodles, etc., the scientists asserted that it can be confirmed only after conducting experiments, but they hinted at a positive result by saying, "it's possible".

The result of this research is seen as a major breakthrough to keep obesity at bay, which is becoming a growing health problem in both developed and developing nations. As per the scientists, consuming lower-calorie rice (prepared in a slightly different manner) will be a step towards healthier world. http://www.gizmodo.in/indiamodo/If-you-want-to-eat-rice-guilt-free-this-is-how-you-should-cook-it/articleshow/46783345.cms

Chinese rice importers to pay $70-80 per tonne more in taxes and fees to Vietnam 03.04.2015 Chinese businesses that import Vietnam’s rice across the border can make fat profits. If they import rice through official channels, they would have to pay $70-80 per ton more in taxes and fees. Many trade agreements have been signed with a selling price at VND7,500-7,600 per kilo for five percent broken rice, while the domestic price is lower, at VND7,400 per kilo.―The higher price offered by Chinese businesses makes Vietnamese businesses happy. However, they should be skeptical when doing business with the Chinese,‖ Long said.Therefore, they would rather import rice across the border as they are exempted from taxes and fees. Though they have to buy at higher prices, they still make high profits.

And even if they accept to pay an additional $20-30 per ton, they still can save $40-50 for every ton of rice they buy.―By raising the rice buying prices, Chinese importers harm Vietnamese businesses which specialize in exporting rice through official channels,‖ an observer noted.―Once Chinese businessmen pay high prices for rice, they will push the market average www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine price up,‖ he explained. ―If so, Vietnamese enterprises exporting rice through official channels will have to raise their export prices, thus making Vietnam’s rice less competitive. ‖―If Vietnamese enterprises cannot find buyers, they would have to sell rice to Chinese businesses to clear stocks,‖ he said. Long said there were latent risks in exporting rice through unofficial channels.The lack of transparency gives Chinese businesses the opportunities to lower prices by using various ploys.Long said that such ploys had been used many times by Chinese businesses to push the prices down, thus making Vietnamese exporters and farmers suffer. http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/chinese-rice-importers-to-pay-70-80-per-tonne-more-in-taxes-andfees-to-vietnam

USA Rice Unveils the Fresh Look of Think Rice ARLINGTON, VA -- This week, USA Rice took the first step in launching its new consumer marketing campaign, Think Rice, by updating its social media handles and profile icons on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Think Rice is the new face of domestic promotion programs and USA Rice consumer marketing initiatives.

"From the focus groups we conducted last year, we learned that the USA Rice logo does not resonant with the average consumer," said Katie Maher, manager domestic promotion programs. "While the logo is great for our communications with members of Congress and government agencies, it does not clearly convey the messages we want to send to consumers."

Maher said U.S.-grown rice is in a position to benefit from the trends that are driving consumer food decisions, and the catchy mantra and fun graphic can help. "Think Rice is a compelling call-to-action that will resonate with a broad demographic and strongly position rice as healthy, versatile, safe, sustainable, and locally-grown food choice," she added.

"We've noticed that today's chefs, health professionals, retailers, and consumers are all interested in the same types of information," said Maher. "So, we saw an opportunity to revive domestic promotion messaging with Think Rice; we can use this theme across program platforms to leave a lasting impression on Americans and support our goal of creating awareness for U.S.-grown rice."

Think Rice will make its culinary debut at next month's Worlds of Flavor conference, hosted by the Culinary Institute of America. Conference signage and an ad in the program will feature the new logo. In the coming months, Think Rice will be seen on the USA Rice website, in educational materials, promotional items, informational videos, advertising, and more.

Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444

USA Rice Needs Industry Assistance for Taiwan Rice Trade www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Seminar in May ARLINGTON, VA -- The USA Rice Federation is organizing a seminar to educate the Taiwan rice trade about a number of U.S.grown varieties, including some that are new to the market. The seminar, primarily for importers and millers, is scheduled for May 19 in Taipei, Taiwan. "It has been a number of years since we conducted this type of seminar in Taiwan and there are new players in the market," said USA Rice's Vice President of International Promotion Jim Guinn. "Southern medium grain is arriving in Taiwan this spring and Taiwan has tendered for southern long grain rice as well."

Guinn continued, "We're looking for a spokesperson from the southern industry and one from California, who can travel at their own expense, to present the physical, chemical, and cooking characteristics of the different varieties presented at the seminar. We will also need rice samples for display and tasting (see below)."

All samples will be sent to Yeedon Enterprise Corporation in Taipei and require the following documentation: certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, commercial invoice, packing list, and GMO-free certification.  Short grain: Koshihikari Milled Rice, 15kg  Medium grain: Calrose Milled Rice, 10 kg;

Jupiter Milled Rice, 10 kg; Jupiter Brown, 5 kg  Long grain: 15 kg x 2 milled varieties, and 5kg brown variety If you can assist in this seminar or need additional information, please contact Bill Farmeras soon as possible.

Contact: Bill Farmer (832) 302-6710

2015/17 Rice Leadership Class: Celebrity Sighting in Louisiana

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Front row, from left: Paul Johnson, Dustin Harrell, "Swamp Person" Troy Landry, Nicole Creason, and Collin Holtzhauer. Back row, from left: Chuck Wilson, Hudgens Jeter, Nat McKnight, and Greg Van Dyke.

Texas Rice Crop Survey reports The latest Texas Rice Crop Survey reports (updated through Friday, April 3, 2015) are available through the Beaumont Center web site at http://beaumont.tamu.edu/CropSurvey/ The crop survey provides detailed data on rice acreage across the Texas rice belt, including information on varieties and crop development.

Arkansas receives Section 18 for bird repellent in rice Blackbird populations mean Section 18 ‘absolutely necessary’ Apr 2, 2015David Bennett Delta Farm Press

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine With a blanket of blackbirds often covering fields last winter, Arkansas rice farmers will be pleased to know AV-1011 Bird Repellent for rice seed has received a Section 18 emergency exemption for use until June 15, 2015.According

to

an

Arkansas

Extension alert, ―Rice seed treated with AV-1011 is approved for use in drill, water, and broadcast systems.

The use-rate for AV-1011 is 18.3 fluid ounces per 100 pounds of seed.

With that rate structure, cost of the product on a per acre basis will be dependent on seeding rate (the higher the seeding rate, the higher the cost).

The approved registration and label. ―The AV-1011 product is a bird repellent,‖ says Jarrod Hardke, Arkansas rice Extension agronomist. ―We applied for the exemption in mid-February.―Primarily, for our purpose, it’s to stop blackbirds from feeding on newly-planted or seedling rice. Given the way the past couple of winters have developed, and the populations of blackbirds we’ve observed this winter, this Section 18 is absolutely necessary.‖Hardke says the blackbird populations have soared over the last several years. ―When I say the populations have been high, it’s no joke. I’ve driven by old rice fields a couple of times and, driving up, I thought they’d been burned off. Well, get closer and the fields weren’t burned but were covered solid with blackbirds. ―We realized there was going to be a ton of pressure brought by the blackbirds for us to need this product. The real problem areas involve not only high blackbird populations but fields where someone is water-seeding or broadcasting seed. Seed on the soil surface really entices the birds into the field.‖The product doesn’t do any harm to the birds but is strictly a feeding deterrent, says Hardke. ―They pick up a few kernels, don’t like the way they taste and then move on.‖ http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/arkansas-receives-section-18-bird-repellentrice?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+April+3%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+1 3%2C+2013&utm_medium=email

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South Louisiana Rice Planting Off to Good Start 04/02/2015 03:30 PM

(LSU AgCenter / Bruce Schultz)

CROWLEY, La. (Press Release) – Rice farmers in south Louisiana have been taking advantage of favorable weather to start their growing season with estimates of more than half the acreage planted.Keith Fontenot, LSU AgCenter county agent in Evangeline Parish, estimated Thursday (April 2) that 60-65 percent of the rice fields there are planted.Some farmers chose to go ahead and water plant, but farmers who drill-seed their crop were waiting for soil to dry, Fontenot said. ―If this clear weather continues, I’d say by Sunday we’ll be 80 percent planted. ‖Farmer Kenneth LaHaye, of Vidrine, was planting his crop into a field that had soybeans last year and had not been tilled since harvest.LaHaye said he drill-seeds his entire crop. ―I wouldn’t do it any other way,‖ he said. ―If I had to go back to water planting, I’d quit growing rice.‖LaHaye said he started planting his 675 acres on March 19, and as of Monday he had 550 acres seeded.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Barrett Courville said the rice crop will be close to 90 percent planted by week’s end in Jefferson Davis and Acadia parishes, where he is the LSU AgCenter county agent for rice.Warmer nights have boosted the growth of rice already planted, he said. ―Water-seeded rice really looks good,‖ Courville said. ―It’s two-leaf rice now.‖Courville said some farmers are holding back on planting so their crop won’t be ready for harvest all at once. He expects rice acreage to drop in both parishes.LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell said much of Louisiana missed last week’s rains, and that created an opportunity for drill-seeding. ―It’s really turned out to be a great start for the season,‖ Harrell said. ―Everything seems to be falling into place.‖The sudden jump in rice planting has created a backlog at seed dealers, Harrell said. ―Everybody wanted seed at the same time.‖ April 15 is the recommended cutoff date for planting a rice crop with the likelihood that a ratoon crop can be grown, he said.Brent Pousson, of Iota, said he had 200 of 1,000 acres left to plant on April 1. ―As the ground is drying enough, we’ve been able to get to it.‖He broadcast seed on dry ground, followed by lightly working the ground with a harrow for half of the crop, Pousson said.

Seed was flown onto flood fields for the other half.―This year was about how I wanted it,‖ he said. ―It looks like the crop is going to be in at a good time.‖ Birds were not feeding on the seed as heavily as last year, he said.Steve Linscombe, director of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station, said planting has gone well after the rains stopped this year.―The last 10 days to two weeks have been really good for south Louisiana,‖ he said.Planting overall in the area is 60 percent complete, and north Louisiana rice farmers are just starting to plant their crop.Birds feeding on seed has declined, probably because the flocks have moved north, Linscombe said. He said the amount of water-seeding conventional rice varieties probably increased this year.Andrew Granger, AgCenter agent in Vermilion Parish, said about half of the fields there are planted. ―We’re making pretty good progress now,‖ he said. ―We missed that last rain.‖ Granger said he expects a slight decline, 5-10 percent, from last year’s acreage in Vermilion Parish of 51,000.Nationwide, the area planted in rice in 2015 is expected to total 2.92 million acres, 24,000 less than 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service's Prospective Plantings report released April 1. Planted acreage is forecast lower for Arkansas and California, higher for Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri, and essentially the same as last year for Texas.In 2014, Louisiana rice farmers grew their crop on 455,000 acres. http://www.myarklamiss.com/story/d/story/south-louisiana-rice-planting-off-to-goodstart/40142/a3QjPmcAMEWpoNEsIxrxfg?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+April+3%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&utm_me dium=email

Chinese, Indian rice subsidies altering export landscape Apr 2, 2015Forrest Laws | Delta Farm Press

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine China grows a lot of rice – about 144.5 million metric tons on a milled basis in 2014, which is up about 2 percent from the 142 million metric tons it produced in 2013, according to analysts at USDA’s Economics Research Service.So why is China expected to import a record 4.5 million metric tons of rice in the 2014-15 marketing year or 8 percent more than it purchased in 2013-14, making it the world’s largest rice importing country?

The answer is simple, according to Robert Cummings, the chief operating officer at the USA Rice Federation: China’s support program for its rice farmers means prices are much lower for imported rice than for rice grown domestically. That and China’s rice consumption continues to outpace its modest production increases. ―There are two ways to value those supports,‖ says Cummings. ―We looked at two different ways of doing it and came up with value of supports for the rice sector of either $12 billion or $37 billion.

That’s a big range, but, in either case, both of those figures are well above the $8 billion WTO ceiling for China’s domestic subsidies for any one crop in 2013-14.‖Speaking at the USA Rice Outlook Conference, Cummings displayed a chart that illustrates the impact of China’s support program for rice. China’s imports of milled rice, particularly from Thailand and from cheaper sources in Southeast Asia, have surged since 2012.India’s government has also been increasing support for its rice farmers. Since it began in 2005-06, rice prices have risen 130 percent, production is up 16 percent and India’s rice exports have risen 100 percent. India, in fact, became the world’s largest rice exporter in 2013. (It’s since fallen behind Thailand.‖ ―It’s part of India’s food security policy,‖ said Cummings. ―That is they want to be very secure in their production of staple crops like rice and wheat and other bulk commodities. As you can see prices are up, production is up and exports are up because of these supports.‖USDA is projecting a decline in India’s production and exports in the coming year, primarily because of problems relating to the monsoons that typically provide irrigation water for a large part of the country’s rice crops.―Nevertheless India remains a tremendous force in the world-export market, and we believe a big part of that is because of the support program,‖ Cumming said.USA Rice estimates India’s aggregate measures of support or AMS for rice at $12 billion, which far exceeds India’s de minimis level or the minimal level of support a country can provide under its WTO agreement.

For more information on the rice situation in China and India, visithttp://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/103665/2/Yang_and_Blandford.pdf. http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/chinese-indian-rice-subsidies-altering-exportlandscape?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+April+3%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2C+2013&ut m_medium=email

Amira Nature Foods Ltd Announces Amira Organics Now Available in Costco * Thu Apr 2, 2015 12:28pm EDT Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Amira Nature Foods Ltd Announces Amira Organics Now Available in Costco Amira broadening its partnership with the third largest retailer in the United States Amira Nature Foods Ltd (ANFI), a leading global provider of branded packaged Indian specialty rice, announced today that Amira Organic products will now be available in Costco stores in the United States.Costco, the third largest US retailer, will carry the 20lb bag of Amira Organic Sona Masoori Rice at locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah.The Amira Organic Sona Masoori was launched at the Natural Products Expo West in March 2015 as part of Amira’s new range of organic product offerings. Sona Masoori is a medium grain rice popular for being aromatic, lightweight and low in starch. ―We are very proud to announce the launch of Amira Organics in Costco stores,‖ said Karan A Chanana, Chairman of Amira Nature Foods Ltd. ―We understand the US consumer demand for organic products, and we have worked diligently to create the highest quality organic rice products. It is exciting to see the product on the shelves following its initial launch with a strong retailer like Costco.‖ About Amira Nature Foods Ltd Founded in 1915, Amira has evolved into a leading global provider of branded packaged Indian specialty rice and other products, with sales in over 60 countries today. The Company primarily sells Basmati rice, which is a premium long-grain rice grown only in certain regions of the Indian sub-continent, under its flagship Amira brand as well as under other third party brands.

Amira sells its products through a broad distribution network in both the developed and emerging markets. The Company’s global headquarters are in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and it also has offices in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Amira Nature Foods Ltd is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol ―ANFI‖.

For more information, please visit www.amira.net.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the ―safe harbor‖ provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as ―may,‖ ―will,‖ ―except,‖ ―anticipate,‖ ―aim,‖ ―estimate,‖ ―intend,‖ ―plan,‖ ―believe,‖ ―is/are likely to,‖ ―future‖ or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: our goals and strategies; our expansion plans; and our future business development.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine We would like to caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and you should read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed in ―Risk Factors‖ appearing in our Annual Report on Form 20-F as well as our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Those risks are not exhaustive and reflect our expectations as of the date of this press release. We operate in a rapidly evolving environment.

New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forwardlooking statements except as required under applicable law.

Reuters

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for April 3 Month

Price

Net Change

March 2015

$10.865

UNCH

May 2015

$11.095

UNCH

July 2015

$11.235

UNCH

September 2015

$11.405

UNCH

November 2015

$11.575

UNCH

January 2016

$11.625

UNCH

March 2016

$11.625

UNCH

Eating Out Modern Indian cooking at Romy's Kitchen

By Bristol Post Thu | 02 Apr 2015

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine It was an innocent enough request, but the chap on the next table looked crestfallen when he was told he couldn't have his usual Indian restaurant opener of poppadoms and chutneys."Sorry, sir, we don't do those here," was the firm, but friendly response from the waiter at Romy's Kitchen, which was opened by local mum-of-two Romy Gill in September 2013.Romy is that rarest of creatures – one of the very few female head chefs in the UK to run her own Indian restaurant.She always wanted Romy's Kitchen to be a very different type of Indian restaurant to the usual high street curry joints that attract post-pub hordes in search of yet more pints of lager soaked up with the hottest dish on the menu.

Requests for poppadoms may be met with a frown, but you have to admire Romy's perseverance and uncompromising approach. It seems to have worked since the restaurant was busy and there was a TV crew filming here on the night I visited.With its mix of flagstones, wooden floorboards, old black beams and low doors with "mind your head" signs, this intimate, tworoom restaurant has plenty of olde worlde charm and the casual passer-by may well expect it to serve scones and afternoon tea rather than authentic Indian cuisine.Unlike many Indian restaurants, there are no candlelit hot plates to keep your food warm. Instead, each dish is served complete in white bowls, or on square plates and even pieces of slate.It would have been commercially suicidal not to offer a few familiar Indian restaurant staples and sheekh kebab, chicken makhani, lamb rogan josh and chana dal are all present and correct.

Alternatively, you could kick off with vegetarian paneer marinated in ginger, garlic, cream and fenugreek, then move on to chicken in pomegranate paste, desiccated coconut, white poppy seeds and Nigella seeds.I kicked off with crab cakes (£6.50) – a light but full-flavoured starter of two decent sized pucks packed with white crab meat, chillies, ginger, garlic, desiccated coconut and poppy seeds.Goat is one of the most talked about ingredients of the moment and it was good to see it on the menu here as kosha mongnsho.Cooked in the Bengali style with onions, potatoes, ginger and garlic, it was served in a deceptively deep white bowl. It didn't look much, but the dish packed a deceptively spicy punch and the goat couldn't have been more tender.

At £14.50, it was good value, but I had to order the saffron-infused basmati rice separately, which added an extra £2.50 to the bill.To finish, a bowl of unimprovably good saffron and cardamom ice cream (£3) was creamy and fragrant, with a pronounced cardamom flavour.Romy's Kitchen. 2 Castle Street, Thornbury, BS35 1HB. Tel: 01454 416728.VERDICT: Tantalising flavours and authentic Indian home cooking is elevated to restaurant status at Romy's Kitchen – a uniquely special little place. http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/8203-Modern-Indian-cooking-Romy-s-Kitchen/story-26272987detail/whatson/story.html#ixzz3WKqOXA5p http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/8203-Modern-Indian-cooking-Romy-s-Kitchen/story-26272987detail/whatson/story.html#4kfrwDT1HXQZuShJ.99

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Rice exports: No demand for surplus production Prices low in global market; India giving huge subsidy.

By Peer Muhammad Published: April 3, 2015

During 2014-15, total rice production of the country was 6.720 million tons over an area of 2.76 million acres. PHOTO: APP ISLAMABAD: Following the troubles encountered by wheat growers, rice farmers and exporters are also facing problems in disposing of around three million tons of surplus stock of last year because of lower prices in the international market.

At present, the country has two million tons of surplus stock of basmati and one million tons of coarse rice. Weak demand in the international market is causing trouble for the exporters and growers.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

During 2014-15, total rice production of the country was 6.720 million tons over an area of 2.76 million acres. ―Fifty per cent of this production is the domestic requirement and the remaining is surplus,‖ said a senior officer in the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.He said weak demand in the international market was due to comparatively cheaper global prices, particularly in India, where the rate was very low. Chawla Ram, a representative of the Rice Exporters Association, said both the exporters and growers were in financial trouble because the government was not giving subsidy to facilitate exports.

On the other hand, the Indian government is giving a huge subsidy to its agriculture sector, which is why the country still competes in the international market.Chawla said they had written to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, asking him to help the growers and exporters, but the government did not take any interest.―The government has given subsidy on the export of wheat, but the rice industry is not being treated the same way,‖ he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3rd, 2015.

USAID, University of California partnering to develop rice strains compatible with challenging African climate, soil Lominda Afedraru | April 2, 2015 | Daily Monitor Rice is a staple food in many African countries and constitutes a major part of the diet in many others. And there is an ever-increasing demand for the crop that production has to match up to catch up.

Some of these challenges are pests and diseases, drought and poor soils. To curb these challenges, scientists in several African countries have embarked on breeding transgenic rice varieties (that is those with a gene or genes transferred from another species).

Promising lines In Uganda, the National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) in Namulonge has been breeding such varieties that can thrive in nitrogen-deprived soils and in drought conditions.

Many farmers in northern, central and eastern parts of the country usually complain of poor yields due to drought.

The first trial was conducted in 2013 where the team obtained three promising lines that can be grown in soils with less nitrogen.The current trial is to evaluate the varieties under drought www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine conditions as well. The project is funded by US Agency for International Development (UAID) in collaboration with University of California, which is collecting data on efficiency of the rice varieties.

Target interest During the gene processing, the scientists introduced a gene, alanine aminotransferase, from barley for nitrogen efficiency and antiporter gene, from wild rice, for drought resistance.

In the trials the team is applying nitrogen at different levels. That is, soil where nitrogen fertiliser is not applied at all and where it is at 30kg of fertiliser per hectare, 60kg and 90kg respectively.

But the target interest is where the rice is planted on soil with zero fertiliser.

Scientists breed rice that can grow on less nitrogen, in drought http://geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/04/usaid-university-of-california-partnering-to-developrice-strains-compatible-with-challenging-african-climate-soil/

How Coconut Oil, New Heating Process Could Cut Calories in Rice by Half

By Nicole Akoukou Thompson (staff@latinpost.com) First Posted: Apr 03, 2015 05:37 PM EDT

Scientists have established a new way to cook rice, which reduces the number of calories by at least half with the use of coconut oil--and this could subsequently shrink obesity rates.The 249th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), held in March, welcomed the new cooking method, alongside nearly 11,000 other reports on advancements in science and other topics. The research was one of many reports to comprehensively address the reduction of obesity, by offering food-based solutions.

Arroz con pollo could not be possible without the world's favorite staple food, rice. Latino homes thrive on the frequently inexpensive grain, which is one of the base ingredients for countless key dishes in many nations. Unfortunately, starchy carbohydrates, like rice, have 240 calories per cup. The new heating and cooking regimen, whereby scientists increased rice resistant starch (RS) concentrations, produces a calorie reduction of 50-60 percent.According to Sudhair A. James, a team leader at the College of Chemical Sciences, Colombo, Western, Sri Lanka, starch can be digestible and indigestible. RS isn't broken down in the small intestines, where carbs are metabolized into glucose and non-complex sugars to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Scientist found that transforming digestible starch into RS could lower calories, and rid rice of unusable calories. www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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The researchers experimented with nearly 40 types of rice from Sri Lanka as they developed the new cooking regimen. By adding one teaspoon of coconut oil to boiling water, then a half of cup for a 20-25 minute cook, followed by a 12-hour refrigeration session, this changes the resistant starch. The RS for traditional, non-fortified rice is increased ten-fold.This works because the coconut oil enters the soluble part of starch during the cooking process and changes its resistance to digestive enzymes, resulting in fewer calories. The next steps for the researchers are to learn which types of rice are best suited for calorie reduction, and which oils best benefit this process http://www.latinpost.com/articles/46005/20150403/coconut-oil-and-new-heating-process-could-lowercalories-by-half.htm

If You Want To Eat Rice Guilt-Free, This Is How You Should Cook It? Pallavi SrivastavaApr 2, 2015, 04.10 PM IST If we ask you to choose between health and carb-laden rice, what would you choose? If you can't answer this question straightaway because of the fight between your mind and heart, we recommend you follow your heart—but with caution. If you cook rice the right way, and you can www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine enjoy it guilt-free. The information was revealed at the 249th National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Denver, where researchers shared a rice cooking method,

which

can

reduce

calorie

intake

by

up

to

50-60%.

Rice trivia Before we go on and share the recipe, it is important for you to know what your rice actually contains. It is high in starch and primarily has two types of starch: digestible and resistant (or indigestible). While our body can easily digest and absorb digestible starch, the resistance starch goes unabsorbed. It is this digestible starch that we consume, which adds on to the calories. If we can reduce the content of digestible starch in rice, it will also reduce our calorie intake and also its negative effects on our health.

The right preparation The scientists from Sri Lanka have suggested a new method for coking rice, which they claim can reduce the calorie intake by half. The recipe they have shared is simple: 1. Add one teaspoon coconut oil in boiling water and then add half cup rice 2.

Simmer

it

for

40

minutes

or

boil

it

for

25

minutes

3. After this cool the rice for 12 hours (or overnight) in refrigerator. Please note, that cooling should be done in refrigerator and not at room temperature because at room temperature proliferation of dangerous bacteria may cause food poisoning.

The science behind this preparation/cooking method Lead researcher Sudhair A. James, from College of Chemical Sciences, Colombo, Western Sri Lanka, explains how addition of coconut oil reduces the calorie intake. When coconut oil is added to rice, it changes the structure of the starch granules and makes them resistant to digestive enzymes. Then by cooling rice as part of the process, it is ensured that soluble part of grain, which also forms a bond on the outside layer, locks in the changes to the granule structure. Even reheating doesn't alter the benefits of the aforementioned process.

The experiment details In order to conduct the experiment, the researchers had used nearly 38 varieties of rice that were rich in digestible starch. They found that if the best variety of rice is used, it can reduce the

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine calories by 50-60%.The researchers are also experimenting on different type of cooking oils to see if they can derive the same result using other edible oil too. Currently, coconut oil is the best option available. According to the researchers, the high smoke point of coconut oil allows it to stand up well while preparing food.

On being asked about chances of calorie reduction in case of other food items which are made predominantly from rice like pasta, noodles, etc., the scientists asserted that it can be confirmed only after conducting experiments, but they hinted at a positive result by saying, "it's possible".The result of this research is seen as a major breakthrough to keep obesity at bay, which is becoming a growing health problem in both developed and developing nations. As per the scientists, consuming lower-calorie rice (prepared in a slightly different manner) will be a step towards healthier world. http://www.gizmodo.in/indiamodo/If-you-want-to-eat-rice-guilt-free-this-is-how-you-should-cookit/articleshow/46783345.cms

As rice mountain shrinks, Thailand risks amassing rubber hoard Thursday April 2, 2015 07:34 PM GMT+8

Workers at the Udon Permsin rice mill pile up sacks full of rice to for storage in the northeast province of Udon Thani, Thailand, January 21, 2014. — Reuters picBANGKOK, April 2 — Eight months after Thailand’s military junta started selling rice into an oversupplied global market, the officers are taking a different tack amid a rubber glut.But this approach by Thailand, the world’s biggest exporter of both commodities, may cause as many problems in global markets as the old one, analysts say. That’s because while the rubber purchases revived domestic prices that touched a five- year low in October, they’re failing to cut a global production surplus that is entering its fifth year, according to data from the International Rubber Study Group.

Demand is slowing in China, the world’s top buyer and tire exporter, and natural rubber faces stiffer competition from synthetic material made from crude oil, which costs half what it did a year ago. Rubber prices are down more than 70 per cent from their 2011 peak as trees planted in Asia over the past decade matured and flooded the market. That hurt farmers and cut costs for users of the raw material, including Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Michelin & Cie.―Thailand’s approach is just pushing the problem down the road,‖ Colin Hamiltonne, head of commodities research at Macquarie in London, said by e-mail on March 20. ―The market needs supply to exit, not be encouraged.‖ Political support

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine To some observers, the junta may be supporting rubber farmers to ensure political stability. The growers who backed General Prayuth Chan-Ocha’s takeover have successfully lobbied for subsidies as prices slumped, said Ambika Ahuja, a London- based analyst at Eurasia Group, a political-risk adviser.

In addition to buying at above-market prices, the government makes direct payments to growers and helps with borrowing costs. While the junta has ruled out purchasing rice, it also makes payments directly to farmers and subsidizes loans to help millers and growers with storage.

Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was overthrown last year and now faces criminal charges related to her administration’s rice-buying programme, which the finance ministry estimates lost US$16 billion. The junta began selling off record stockpiles, prices have tumbled, and the country is reclaiming its place as the world’s biggest exporter.Yingluck’s opponents say the rice programme was part of a pattern of corruption by politicians allied with her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed as prime minister in 2006. Since his ouster, the country has been divided between Shinawatra family loyalists — mostly farmers in the north and northeast — and urban and middle-class opponents. Yingluck denies the corruption charges.

Farmer backing Southern Thailand is home to 70 per cent of domestic rubber output and many local farmers supported protests against Yingluck’s regime. About 1.6 million households in the nation of 65 million people own rubber plantations and exports totalled US$6 billion (RM22 billion) last year, www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine government data show. Some 4.4 million households grow rice, with shipments valued at US$5.4 billion. ―The government has to step in as the market mechanism alone is not enough to help farmers have enough income to offset costs of living,‖ Amnuay Patise, deputy minister for agriculture and cooperatives, said in an interview on March 6, when asked why the junta changed its policy toward direct purchases. ―We’ll buy when farmers are in trouble.‖ While the government measures don’t solve the farmers’ problems completely, they’re better than doing nothing, said Sangwern Tuadhoy, the president of the Thai Rubber Growers Network, who owns a 40-acre plantation in Rayong province.―We decided to buy rubber, as an additional step, to increase prices and there’s no hidden political agenda,‖ government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said by phone on April 2. ―We’re not aiming to build a voter base because this is an interim government.‖ Curbing exports Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, which account for two- thirds of world production, said in November they would limit exports to tighten supply. The global surplus will narrow to 51,000 tonnes in 2016 from an estimated 77,000 tonnes this year, the International Rubber Study Group said in January.

Prices of ribbed smoked sheet grade 3 in Bangkok, the Thai benchmark, averaged 58.59 baht (US$1.80) a kilogram in March compared with 52.79 baht in October. That was lower than rubber on the Shanghai Futures Exchange, which averaged about 12,802 yuan a tonne, or 67 baht a kilogram. The contract in Shanghai increased 1.4 per cent to 12,770 yuan today.

The junta in Thailand is also encouraging farmers to fell aging trees over an area of 400,000 rai (158,000 acres) annually, with some land being turned over to palm oil. That may reduce production by about 100,000 tonnes a year, according to data from the Office of Agricultural Economics. Output will be 4.3 million tonnes in 2015, the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries estimates.

Crude slump Prices will find little support from China, where the producer group predicts imports will drop 9.9 per cent this year, the first decline since at least 2010. China forecasts economic growth of 7 per cent, the slowest pace since 1990.The Thai government has bought 130,000 tonnes since November, Amnuay, the deputy minister, said March 6. Buying probably will resume in May, he said last week. ―Small-holders want the government to continue purchases and we’re listening to the voice of farmers,‖ he said.

Buying is ―artificially distorting the market,‖ Michael Coleman, managing director of RCMA Asset Management Pte., said in Singapore on March 25. ―It’s keeping the price higher than it otherwise would be. Thailand just created a case study of that with rice in the most dramatic fashion you could imagine.‖ — Bloomberg http://www.themalaymailonline.com/money/article/as-rice-mountain-shrinks-thailand-risks-amassing-rubberhoard#sthash.VwYI5yIK.dpuf

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'We Established Rice Investment Consortium to Boost Production'

By Aliyu M. Hamagam Minna — Niger State government floated a rice investment consortium to increase paddy rice production across the rice producing belt of the state. In this interview, the state Commissioner of Agriculture, Professor Mohammed Kuta Yahaya gives an insight into the success story of the outfit thus far. Excerpts: What is Niger State Rice Investment Consortium all about?

Niger State government took the decision to harness its enormous potentials as a leading rice producer in Nigeria. Virtually all the rice millers in Nigeria come to the state to buy rice paddy.

But this is largely based on the high level of production among the peasant farmers in the rice belt of state along Bida emirate, Dhoko, Ndogiji and places around the River Niger and River Katuka. Rice production in the state is courtesy of the peasant farmers effort whose output stood at the average of 500, 000 metric tons per annum.

So with the federal government policies and expected ban on rice importation, people massively went into rice production. The federal government is supportive of this initiative including dry season farming and others. So the Niger State government now bought some tractors and there is a policy in place for procuring 100 tractors every year so for the 2013 cropping season the state government bought additional 100 tractors which have been distributed to all of the 25 local government areas of the state.

However, the management for these tractors become a problem therefore in order to effectively manage them, the idea of Niger State Rice Investment Consortium was conceptualised.Considering the fact that majority of the rice farmers in the state are peasant farmers, don't you think collaboration between the farmers and the consortium will be very difficult?

The consortium is where a group of investors will come under one umbrella with a lead consultant that will be mobilising the private producers within the rice production locality to come and participate in the tractor hiring scheme. This way they will be able to in turn assist others in their own farm holdings or smallholder farmers around the catchment areas so that they can expand the scope of their production.

This was launched in 2013 and it became a watershed in the sense that the 25 tractors that were initially provided for the consortium by the state government, which was out of a total of 100 tractors, the remaining 75 were distributed to the 25 LGAs and Niger State Agriculture and Mechanisation Development Authority (NAMDA).

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine How will you rate the success of the consortium in term of offering tractor hiring service to rice farmers in the state?

You will discover that in the final analysis of the consortium, the management of the tractor hiring scheme impacts more than the one distributed to the local government areas. The consortium and other individuals managed the scheme in five other centres and this enables farmers to access the service of the tractor not only with ease but at any time they need them because the companies ensure that they are in serviceable form always. The centres managing the tractors hire them from the state through the consortium and the consortium pays the government annually.

The agreement between the state government and the consortium is for four years - from 2014 to 2018 - and at the end of the project the tractors will become theirs. The records indicate that the scheme is far better than when it was in the hands of the LGAs.The feedback government is getting also shows that there are very encouraging improvements in terms of production as more farmers now take advantage of the scheme to cultivate more farmland.

One of the farmers around Dhoko area told this reporter that pieces of land that they were unable to cultivate for over 20 years are now being cultivated with the setting up of the scheme. That is very commendable. We are therefore calling on prospective investors to partner with the government in order to move the sector forward.

Does the consortium provide other services apart from addressing the problem of tractor hiring?

The consortium also collaborates with donor agencies in the provision of agricultural financial aid and technology information to paddy rice farmers so as to increase productivity and income for rice farmers. It is the aim of the consortium to improve the livelihood of rice farmers with a view to increase domestic rice supply to the ever increasing market.

The consortium was created to improve tractor hiring services alongside provision of other agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizer which is now provided via the e-wallet.

At the end of the programme what is the benefit for those that participated in the management of the tractors under the consortium?

You know after paying the value of each of the tractors, it automatically becomes theirs but government is working hard to ensure that all payments are effected to avoid the errors of the past where the tractor services will not reaching the targeted farmers and due poor culture of maintenance within a short period they would become unserviceable http://allafrica.com/stories/201504021348.html

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New rice market to help clarify prices

The Yomiuri

Shimbun

3:22 am, April 03, 2015 The Yomiuri ShimbunThe Japan Rice Millers and Distributors Cooperative will open a new rice market in July in which producers can conclude transactions with wholesalers.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine The new market is expected to increase the transparency of the mechanism for determining the price of rice, after long years of setting prices mainly through direct transactions with agricultural cooperatives.Observers said this means supply-and-demand conditions, and the status of popular brand-name rice, may more readily influence prices.

The cooperative is known as Zenbeihan and comprises major rice wholesalers.Currently, about 6 million tons of rice are distributed in the market annually. The amount of rice subject to dealings between the JA Group and wholesalers accounts for 50 percent to 60 percent of that total. The remainder is mainly subject to direct sales, including transactions between agricultural production corporations and retailers.Under this mechanism, the prices offered to farmers and wholesalers by the JA Group can greatly affect the entire market. The has led to criticism that it is not easy to understand what factors were involved in price designations.

The newly proposed ―medium- to long-term rice mediation market‖ will begin transactions with rice produced in 2015. Any entity, including agricultural production corporations, can join the new market as a seller if they annually produce or collect at least 500 tons of rice.Buyers are expected to be wholesalers and supermarkets. They will post orders for specific brands and prices, which means brands that are popular with consumers may become more expensive, and good harvests would result in lower prices. When there are more transactions in the new market, Zenbeihan plans to disclose prices by brand, hoping to create a new standard. ―We’ll have more choices in the distribution process,‖ said a major wholesaler, welcoming the attempt. But success depends on how many producers will participate in the new market, he added.Zenbeihan plans to ask the JA Group, a potential major seller, to participate in the new market. Many are waiting to see how it will respond.

Speech http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002054342

Arkansas Rice Depot Happy Easter from all of us at Arkansas Rice Depot!

This year we are looking forward. As we continue on our mission to improve the lives of hungry Arkansans we hold ever before us a vision of communities that are healthier, happier and more productive through improved nutrution. Behind our mission is faith in the redemptive work of Christ. At Easter, Christ ultimately displayed His

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine ability to make broken things beautiful, to bring life from death.

Every day we work to provide hope to families, seniors and kids all across our state who hunger. At Easter we celebrate the hope secured for us by Christ at the cross. With hope we look forward to continuing our mission where the need is greatest.

"Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'" John 6:35

U.S. Rice Takes Center Stage in ShopRite's GlutenFree Newsletter ARLINGTON, VA -- For March National Nutrition Month, USA Rice partnered with the registered dietitians at ShopRite to tell shoppers about the gluten-free and nutritional benefits of U.S.-grown rice. ShopRite, a chain of more than 250 stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, distributes its monthly Gluten-Free newsletter to more than 30,000 shoppers, and U.S.-grown rice took center stage in

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine the March edition.

The newsletter displayed the Grown in the USA logo and included a feature titled, "10 Reasons to Think Rice for Gluten-Free Diets," which emphasized the many health benefits U.S. rice. To inspire home cooks, USA Rice's Chunky Vegetarian Chili and Greek Rice Stuffed Tomatoes were called-out as gluten-free recipes to try. Rice was also featured in other sections of the newsletter including: "Tips on Packing a Gluten-Free Lunch," which encouraged shoppers to prepare a whole grain salad with rice and; "GlutenFree Doesn't Mean Grain Free," which highlighted rice and wild rice as healthy gluten-free grains and suggested mixing brown and wild rice together for added whole grain variety.

"An estimated 21 million Americans have celiac disease or some form of gluten-sensitivity," said Katie Maher, USA Rice's manager of domestic promotion programs. "It's important to bring awareness around this serious genetic autoimmune condition and inform people that U.S.-grown rice is a safe, sustainable, and nutritious solution for a gluten-free lifestyle."

USA Rice finds ways to work with retail dietitians throughout the year to increase visibility of U.S.-grown rice and boost consumer awareness of the many benefits of U.S. rice.

Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444

2015/17 Rice Leadership Class: In Texas Dustin Harrell (r) videos an interview with Texas producer LG Raun.

From left: Collin Holtzhauer, Paul Johnson, and Nicole Creason inspect the crop at Douget's Rice Mill in Beaumont, TX.

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Jay Davis at Rice Belt Warehouse (r) goes deep with Hudgens Jeter (l) and Nat McKnight

As rice mountain shrinks, a rubber one rises

Government purchases failing to cut a global production surplus 3 Apr 2015 at 11:54 WRITER: BLOOMBERG NEWS Rubber farmers in the Bung Kan province lay out latex at a market to sell. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) rice, rubber, farmers Eight months after the government started selling rice into an oversupplied global market, officials are taking a different tack amid a rubber glut.But this approach by the world's biggest exporter of both commodities may cause as many problems in global markets as the old one, analysts say. That's because while the rubber purchases revived domestic prices that touched a five-year low in October, they're failing to cut a global production surplus that is entering its fifth year, according to data from the International Rubber Study Group.

Demand is slowing in China, the world's top buyer and tyre exporter, and natural rubber faces stiffer competition from synthetic material made from crude oil, which costs half what it did a year ago. Rubber prices are down more than 70% from their 2011 peak as trees planted in Asia over the past decade matured and flooded the market. That hurt farmers and cut costs for users of the raw material, including Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co and Michelin & Cie.Rubber farmers in the Bung Kan province unload their latex crop at a market where it will be sold. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) "Thailand's approach is just pushing the problem down the road," Colin Hamilton, head of commodities research at Macquarie in London, said by email on March 20. "The market needs supply to exit, not be encouraged."

Political support To some observers, the government may be supporting rubber farmers to ensure political stability. The growers who backed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's takeover have successfully lobbied for subsidies as prices slumped, said Ambika Ahuja, a London-based analyst at Eurasia Group, a political-risk adviser.

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine In addition to buying at above-market prices, the government makes direct payments to growers and helps with borrowing costs. While the government has ruled out purchasing rice, it also makes payments directly to farmers and subsidises loans to help millers and growers with storage.

An employee sweeps rice into a pile in a warehouse at the Rouysabthavorn rice mill in Bang Sai, Ayutthaya province on March 21. Thailand plans to cut production to reduce a local surplus and boost prices, complementing a drive by the government to sell record stockpiles that are clogging warehouses nationwide. (Bloomberg photo) Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra faces criminal charges related to her administration's rice-buying program, which the Finance Ministry estimates lost 600 billion baht.

The government began selling off record stockpiles, prices have tumbled, and the country is reclaiming its place as the world's biggest exporter.

Ms Yingluck's opponents say the rice program was part of a pattern of corruption. She denies the corruption charges.

Southern Thailand is home to 70% of domestic rubber output and many local farmers supported protests against Ms Yingluck's regime. About 1.6 million households in the nation of 65 million people own rubber plantations and exports totalled $6 billion last year, government data show.

Some 4.4 million households grow rice, with shipments valued at $5.4 billion.

A farmer walks through his flooded rubber farm in Surat Thani province in December. (Photo

by Patipat Janthong) "The government has to step in as the market mechanism alone is not enough to help farmers have enough income to offset costs of living," Amnuay Patise, deputy minister for agriculture and cooperatives, said in an interview on March 6, when asked why the government changed its policy toward direct purchases. "We'll buy when farmers are in trouble."

While the government measures don't solve the farmers' problems completely, they're better than doing nothing, said Sangwern Tuadhoy, the president of the Thai Rubber Growers Network, who owns a 100-rai plantation in Rayong province.

"We decided to buy rubber, as an additional step, to increase prices and there's no hidden political agenda," government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said by phone on April 2.

"We're not aiming to build a voter base because this is an interim government." Public officials in Narathiwat province cut down rubber trees as part of government’s effort to reduce supplies by thinning plantations of old wood. (Post Today photo)

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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine Curbing exports Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, which account for two-thirds of world production, said in November they would limit exports to tighten supply. The global surplus will narrow to 51,000 tonnes in 2016 from an estimated 77,000 tonnes this year, the International Rubber Study Group said in January.

Prices of ribbed smoked sheet grade 3 in Bangkok, the Thai benchmark, averaged 58.59 baht ($1.80) a kilogramme in March compared with 52.79 baht in October. That was lower than rubber on the Shanghai Futures Exchange, which averaged about 12,802 yuan a ton, or 67 baht a kilogramme. The contract in Shanghai increased 1.1% to 12,765 yuan on Thursday.

The government is also encouraging farmers to fell aging trees over an area of 400,000 rai annually, with some land being turned over to palm oil. That may reduce production by about 100,000 tonnes a year, according to data from the Office of Agricultural Economics. Output will be 4.3 million tonnes in 2015, the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries estimates.

Prices will find little support from China, where the producer group predicts imports will drop 9.9% this year, the first decline since at least 2010. China forecasts economic growth of 7%, the slowest pace since 1990.

The Thai government has bought 130,000 tonnes since November, Mr Amnuay said March 6.

Buying probably will resume in May, he said last week. "Small-holders want the government to continue purchases and we're listening to the voice of farmers," he said.Buying is "artificially distorting the market," Michael Coleman, managing director of RCMA Asset Management Pte, said in Singapore on March 25. "It's keeping the price higher than it otherwise would be.

Thailand just created a case study of that with rice in the most dramatic fashion you could imagine."

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