6th february ,2018 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

DailyDRice E-Newsletter G L E aily

lobal, Regional and

ocal Rice

-Newsletter February 06 , 2018 Volume X | Issue I

 akistan seeks unilateral market concession from China  NFA in last ditch effort for importation approval  Duterte using diplomatic means to address reported NFA rice shortage  NFA rice available 24/7 as Mayon remains active  Sado rice farmers get contact lens solution to crested ibis dilemma  Vietnam’s rice export to enjoy prosperous year in 2018  Rice crops under siege  Govt plans to build rice silos in main growing states  Rice Prices  Cheap imports force rice mills to close  Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- February 06, 2018  Nature study unveils klotho mechanism  NFA rice situation ‘under control’ — Palace

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter News Detail‌ Pakistan’s temperature to rise by 3-5 degrees: report

By Sehrish Wasif Published: February 5, 2018

Experts believe that under future climate change scenario, Pakistan is expected to experience increased variability of river flows due to increased variability of perception and the melting glaciers. PHOTO: AFP ISLAMABAD: By the end of this century, the annual mean temperature in Pakistan may rise by 3 to 5 degree centigrade, resulting in worst water crisis, decrease in hydropower generation

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter and a dip in the yield of wheat and rice crops. The mortality rate due to extreme heatwaves is also likely to jump up.

A report titled, ‘Climate Change Profile of Pakistan’ prepared by an international climate technology expert Qamar uz Zaman Chaudhary, and issued by the Asian Development Bank (ABD) reveals these horrific facts regarding the impact of climate change on Pakistan.

The report – available with The Express Tribune – predicts that apart from this rise in temperature in Pakistan a higher global emission may result in a rise of 4 degree centigrade to 6 degree centigrade.

“In the last 50 years, the annual mean temperature in Pakistan has increased by roughly 0.5 degree centigrade.

Meanwhile the number of heat wave days per year has increased nearly five folds in the last 30 years. …. Sea level along the Karachi coast has risen to approximately 10cm in the last century,” it says.

The experts believe that under future climate change scenario, Pakistan is expected to experience increased variability of river flows due to increased variability of perception and the melting glaciers.

Sea level is expected to rise by a further 60cm by the end of the century and will most likely affect low-lying coastal areas south of Karachi towards Keti Bander and the Indus River Delta.

“Demand for irrigation water may rise due to higher evaporation rates. Yields of wheat and basmati rice are expected to decline and may drive production northward, subject to water availability.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter “Water availability for hydropower generation may decline…hotter temperatures are likely to increase energy demand due to increased air conditioning requirements…warmer air and water temperatures may decrease the efficiency of nuclear and thermal power plant generation…” it claims.

It says the average annual rainfall is not expected to have a significant long term trend, but is expected to exhibit large inter-annual variability.

“Urban drainage systems may be further stressed by rainfall and flashflood, sea level rise and storm surges may adversely affect coastal infrastructure and livelihood,” it warns. The report calls for concentrated efforts by the government and civil society at all levels to mitigate these threats.

Under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Pakistan intends to reduce up to 20% of its 2030 projected greenhouse emissions, subject to availability of international grants to meet the cumulative abatement costs amounting to approximately $40 billion. https://tribune.com.pk/story/1627169/1-pakistans-temperature-rise-3-5-degrees-report/

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Pakistan seeks unilateral market concession from China

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sought unilateral market concessions from China on cotton yarn, rice, nuts, plastic waste, leather, nuts edible fresh or dried, trousers, frozen fish and crabs on immediate basis before embarking on the second phase of China Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA).

Pakistan’s high-powered delegation led by Federal Secretary Commerce Younas Dagha is going to participate in next round of talks for finalising 2nd phase of CPFTA scheduled to be held in Beijing on February 7 and 8.

In the upcoming round of parleys, Pakistan will make a request to consolidate all concessions awarded under the CPEC into a bilateral institutional mechanism, trade in services, agriculture zones, retain sovereign control over natural resources and agriculture produce, negotiate

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Voluntary Export Restraints (VERs) and exclude sensitive sectors from CPEC (minerals as done

by Mexico in NAFTA).

A top official from Pakistan confided to The News on Monday that Islamabad had made a special request to Beijing to take remedial measures in the wake of eroded exports by granting concession on products before finalising revised FTA that could give boost to our exports on immediate basis.

Pakistan’s high-powered delegation, the sources said, would remind their counterparts in scheduled parleys that following the first phase of CPFTA with China, the country’s trade deficit increased from $2.9 billion to $12.66 billion over the last decade.

Pakistan’s imports from China increased from 18% to 28% of its global imports. Pakistan’s imports from China are 36% of Pakistan’s non-oil imports while China’s imports from Pakistan are 0.1% of the country’s global imports. Pakistan’s imports from China are greater than 50% of global imports in 44% tariff lines.

China’s exports to Pakistan increased from $4 billion in 2006-07 to $14.56 billion in 2016-17.

Pakistan’s exports increased from $0.5 billion to $1.47 billion during the same period. The maximum decline is registered in textiles led by cotton yarn which contributed 59% of decline in total exports. In agriculture sector, oil-cake has registered the maximum decrease and contributed 9% of decline in total exports.

Following increase in investment-led imports Pakistan’s global trade deficit has increased to $30.9 billion in 2016-17. The CPEC and infrastructure investment related balance of payment (BOP) outflows for Pakistan are expected to rise in the next several years, peaking at about $3.5– $4.5 billion by FY 2024/25.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter With an investment of $9.5 billion under CPEC in 2016-17, imports increased by $5.51 billion.

If imports continue to rise in the same proportion with incoming CPEC investment, it is estimated to increase to $58.7 billion dollars in 2017-18.

“If exports stagnate, the trade deficit would increase from $30.9 billion in 2016-17 to over $40 billion in 2017-18”, said the official. There is urgent requirement for containing a balance of payments crisis which hinged upon strong export recovery to strength Pakistan’s external sector position and paving the way for meeting the upcoming requirement of debt payments.

The government, the top official said, had devised a strategy in the light of impact on domestic industry and China will be asked to liberalize to reduce tariff on 90% tariff lines, reduce sensitive list to 10% while retaining and deepening preferences. Pakistan will request for managed trade in sensitive sectors on the pattern of Brazil-Argentina Auto Pact and linking tariff liberalization with investment of Pakistan Auto Policy 2016-21. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/277432pakistan-seeks-unilateral-market-concession-from-china

NFA in last ditch effort for importation approval Published February 4, 2018, 10:00 PM

By Madelaine B. Miraflor

The National Food Authority (NFA) will once more attempt this month to get the green light from the NFA Council, the highest policy-making body of the NFA, for the state-run grains agency’s plan to import 250,000 metric tons (MT) of rice.

NFA spokesperson Rebecca Olarte said NFA is still hoping that the NFA Council, which is composed of some of the country’s economic managers, would still consider the agency’s request to replenish its depleting stocks.

This, after the NFA Council denied such request during its last meeting. The next meeting is on February 20.

“The NFA is still finalizing its request, with additional justifications, for the council to approve the implementation of the standby authority to import the 250,000 MT of rice,” Olarte said in a text message.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Olarte said NFA’s buffer stock has already gone so low since the last time it approached the interagency Food Security Committee (FSC) on Rice — chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority — with the proposal. “[The stocks] are down that’s why NFA is prioritizing distribution to calamity areas and remote island provinces as well as MOA [memorandum of agreement] commitments with DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development], NDRRMC [National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council], LGUs [local government units], and last, depending on availability of supply, to accredited retailers,” Olarte said.

Based on a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, the total national rice inventory today stands at 2.764 million MT, which is good to last for 88 days. It is comprised of NFA, commercial, and household stocks.

All of the 250,000 MT imported rice that were ordered last year has already been delivered, while the arrival of the private sector’s Minimum Access Volume (MAV) imports are still ongoing.

In August, NFA allowed the importation of 805,000 MT of rice under MAV. Slapped with a lower tariff, MAV refers to the volume of commodities that is allowed to be imported by a member country as a commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

To make sure that the arrival of rice imports will not coincide with the harvest season, the NFA Council has earlier divided the arrival of rice imports under the 2017 MAV into two phases or December 20, 2017 until February 28, 2018 and June 1, 2018 until August 31, 2018.

Earlier, Senator Nancy Binay told the NFA to come up with contingency measures to maintain the required buffer stocks of rice until April.

The NFA is required by law to have at least 15-day buffer stock at any given time and 30-day buffer stock during lean season, which usually starts in July until September.

Binay filed a resolution directing proper Senate committees to conduct an inquiry on the status of the country’s rice supply and to study new policies that will ensure a stable rice supply.

“We will study how we can help NFA fast-track the process of rice importation especially during times of calamities and the harvests are down,” she said.

She also reminded the NFA that the agency must bare all suppliers given import permits under MAV scheme.

“This is in the interest of transparency and to prevent issues like conflicts of interest and corruption,” she said.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Binay added that NFA should go after rice traders who take advantage of the ongoing speculations by unduly increasing prices.

The senator also said that it is NFA’s duty to inform consumers not to worry about higher cost of rice even if pump prices have increased due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law. https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/02/04/nfa-in-last-ditch-effort-for-importation-approval/

Duterte using diplomatic means to address reported NFA rice shortage February 5, 2018 4:37pm

By VIRGIL LOPEZ, GMA News President Rodrigo Duterte has employed a diplomatic solution to address the reported shortage of government-subsidized rice, a Palace official said on Monday.

"I was not authorized to reveal what the President has done. But the President has done a diplomatic initiative to address this. But without authority, I cannot yet announce," Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told reporters in MalacaĂąang.

Roque's statement came after Senator Nancy Binay on Sunday asked what the inter-agency National Food Authority Council was doing to address the "dwindling supply" of NFA rice.

Binay cited a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing prices of regular and well-milled rice rising by one to three pesos per kilo in six regional centers including Kidapawan City, Naga City and the National Capital Region.

The NFA sells rice at more affordable prices to provide an alternative for the poor and lowincome consumers and as part of its mandate to ensure food security.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Binay also asked the NFA Council why it chose to defer the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice despite the NFA admitting its current rice buffer stock is good for only three days.

The NFA is required to have at least 15-day buffer stock at any given time and 30-day buffer stock during lean season, which usually starts in July until September. —NB, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/642220/duterte-using-diplomatic-means-toaddress-reported-nfa-rice-shortage/story/

NFA rice available 24/7 as Mayon remains active February 3, 2018 QUEZON CITY, Feb 3 -- The National Food Authority assures quick response to emergency rice requests being made by local government units (LGUs) in the Bicol region and other relief agencies as Mt. Mayon remains restive.

According to Regional Director Bernardo Asetre, the NFA activated its Operation Center (OpCen) in Albay immediately after Mt. Mayon started acting unusual since January 13. “We have enough personnel assigned in the warehouses and in the office to man the OpCen. The center is open 24/7 so we can quickly respond to urgent requests,” Asetre said.

As of January 31, the NFA has already released a total of 22,232 bags of rice to relief agencies intended to benefit families affected by the Mayon eruption.

The provincial government of Albay has requested 8,300 bags of rice from the NFA while the office of Albay Representative Joey Salceda also bought 4,250 bags. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD), on the other hand, withdrew 2,775 bags.

The city government of Legazpi was issued with 2,686.66 bags. Other releases were issued to the local governments of Malilipot, 300 bags; Guinobatan, 200 bags; Camalig, 350 bags; Daraga, 800 bags; Libon, 200 bags; Ligao, 450 bags; Sto. Domingo, 300 bags; Tabaco, 600 bags; Polangui, 200 bags.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The NFA also released 82 bags to various Sangguniang Barangays; Office of Vice President Leni Robredo, 410 bags; Ako Bicol, 158 bags; Magdalo Partylist, 6 bags; Prime Waters, 6 bags; Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), 50 bags; Kawanggawa Foundation, 38 bags; Commerce and Industry, 50 bags; and other institutions with 20 bags.

Mt. Mayon remains restive as of this writing spewing 1,250 meter high ash and lava flows. Data obtained from Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) showed that at least 63 barangays (Village) have been affected: in Daraga, 6; Camalig, 14; Guinobatan, 10; Tabaco City, 9; Malilipot, 3; Sto. Domingo, 6; Ligao City, 5; Bacacay, 1; and Legazpi City, 9 barangays. From these barangays, 21, 950 families or 84,415 individuals were already evacuated.

Asetre said that the NFA in Region 5 is closely coordinating with nearby NFA offices to immediately replenish rice stocks when needed.

In his recent visit in Albay, President Rodrigo Duterte pledged an initial P25 million as assistance to communities directly affected by the eruption. The amount should be used for food and sanitation of the evacuees. He has directed Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol to allocate P100 million for farmers’ program. According to PDRRMC, at least 10,279 farmers in Albay and neighboring provinces have been affected. (NFA) http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1004656

NATIONAL | CHUBU CONNECTION

Sado rice farmers get contact lens solution to crested ibis dilemma CHUNICHI SHIMBUN 

FEB 5, 2018

A Japanese crested ibis looks for food in a submerged rice field during the winter on Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture. | SADO MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT / VIA CHUNICHI SHIMBUN

The habitat of the Japanese crested ibis, one of the nation’s special natural treasures, is improving on Sado Island thanks to new technology for cleaning contact lenses.

To let the birds feed on water creatures, farmers on the island in Niigata Prefecture have been leaving their rice fields submerged even during winter. However, this means they cannot clear out leftover rice straw, which subsequently interferes with rice cultivation.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

To address this problem, Nagoya-based contact lens maker Menicon Co. used its stain removal technology to create a substance to accelerate the decomposition of rice straw. Since the substance can simply be sprinkled on rice fields, it encourages more farmers to leave them flooded after harvest.

This in turn has helped revive the wild population of the crested ibis, which had been extinct outside of captivity for decades. More than 300 of the birds now live on the island together with Sado’s residents.

Menicon has devoted many years to researching an enzyme that can break down and remove stains that adhere to contact lenses. During its research, the firm discovered an enzyme that can cut through plant fiber such as rice straw and commercialized it as an agricultural material in 2003.

“At first, we marketed it as an alternative to burning rice fields, which is how farmers typically dispose of rice straw after harvest,” said 54-year-old Yutaka Matano, the chief researcher at Menicon who developed the product.

On Sado, however, they found a different purpose for it.

In an effort to restore the bird’s habitat, farmers recently adopted the practice of reflooding their rice fields each November after the annual harvest.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter This helps loaches and other creatures survive the winter, thereby providing food for the ibis. But the leftover rice straw cannot be decomposed by microorganisms and is left underwater to rot at the bottom of the fields, inhibiting the growth of seeds for the following year’s harvest.

Upon learning of the problem, Menicon suggested sprinkling its decomposition accelerator on the fields to help farmers who were keeping their paddies flooded.

The firm claimed that one sprinkling is enough to produce results. The powder costs about ¥3,000 per 2-kg bag.

According to a local agricultural cooperative, about 4,000 bags were sold in 2017, up from 150 in 2006 when they first went on sale. A quarter of the bags were used to treat the reflooded rice paddies.

“Because it can reduce the impact on the following year’s harvest, I think it gives farmers peace of mind,” a cooperative official said.

In the past decade, the area covered by paddies flooded during winter has expanded by 300 hectares to roughly 675 hectares.

“It’s an honor to be able to contribute to improving the habitat of the crested ibis,” said Matano, the Menicon researcher, who happens to be from Niigata.

Menicon has been applying its lens cleaning know-how to agriculture since the 2000s.

This section, appearing Tuesdays, features topics and issues from the Chubu region covered by the Chunichi Shimbun. The original article was published Jan. 20. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/02/05/national/sado-rice-farmers-get-contact-lens-solutioncrested-ibis-dilemma/#.Wnl04a6Wbm4

Vietnam’s rice export to enjoy prosperous year in 2018 Vietnam shipped nearly 6 million tones of rice in 2017, up one million tones compared to the year before. Continuing the success, since the beginning of 2018, many enterprises have earned high price orders, helping to increase the domestic rice prices by 30 percent.

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Many foreign countries have welcomed Vietnam’s high quality rice with higher prices, helping increase the country’s rice prices by 20- 30 percent.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Learning from previous years’ experiences, this year the agricultural sector has applied technology and restructure crop to boost rice productivity and quality.

According to Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, since the beginning of this year, many exporters have signed feasible orders from Asian countries, and traditional markets with export price of over 475 USD per tonnes. Production and market organization has showed positive sign, ensuring income for farmers and exporters.

The world’s rice market is expected to enjoy an eventful year. Many traditional trading partners of Vietnam have bounced back.

Pham Thai Binh, Director of Trung An High Technology Agriculture JSC told reporters: "My company and other exporters nationwide have received big number of orders compared to 2017.

However, enterprises should have plans to sign orders with the highest prices."

The world’s rice trade is forecasted to increase by1 percent to reach 42.3 tonnes, opening a chance for the country’s rice sector to continue bringing into play its advantage, promoting Vietnamese rice brand worldwide.-VNA http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/195168/vietnam-s-rice-export-to-enjoy-prosperous-yearin-2018.html

Rice crops under siege

By TAN SRI DR ZAKRI ABDUL HAMID February 5, 2018 @ 11:19am

RECENTLY, there was an uproar in the news about rice production woes faced by local farmers.Two rice varieties, named MR220 CL1 and MR220 CL2, were introduced about seven years ago to control the menace of weedy rice or padi angin.The two varieties are unique because they have genes which confer tolerance to herbicide. When sprayed on the rice crop, a special herbicide named “OnDuty” will kill the padi angin, but, will spare the rice plants from being affected. “OnDuty” is bundled and sold with the rice varieties in the Clearfield production system. The emergence of weedy rice is a phenomenon essentially triggered by the recent rise of direct seeding — the uniform scattering of seeds across fields. In the past, rice farmers grew rice by transplanting — a method of weed control for wet or puddled fields. Transplanting requires less seed, but much more labour then direct seeding. Also, transplanted rice takes longer to mature due to transplanting shock.

Farmers started to practise direct seeding in early 1990s and it is now widespread in all our 10 rice granary areas — which feature major irrigation schemes (more than 4,000ha) and are recognised by the government as the country’s main rice producing areas.

Due to heavy infestations, padi angin has now put our rice productivity under siege.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

There are several hypotheses which suggest how padi angin originated. However, there is strong evidence to support the hypothesis that weedy rice varieties are actually progenies of hybrids formed naturally between cultivated rice and a species of wild rice which is prevalent where rice is usually grown.

Weedy rice resembles cultivated rice. Farmers call them padi angin because the seeds are easily shattered by wind before or during crop harvest, and fall on to the soils. Because the seeds have a strong dormancy, they quickly build up into a potent weed seed bank in the soils, which provides the reserve of viable weed seeds from season to season.

They compete for sunlight, water and nutrients, and quickly dominate the field. They take up most of the fertilisers applied to the rice crop, and the yield loss can reach between 60 and 90 per cent, or, may even result in complete crop failure. In 2004, the production loss due to padi angin was estimated at RM90 million. Now, widespread infestations have drastically reduced farmers’ rice yields and incomes.

Previously, farmers removed padi angin manually or killed them by spot spraying with herbicides. Such practices were time consuming, and are no longer practical and effective.

When Clearfield varieties were introduced, they quickly gained popularity. Farmers, who previously had yields of less than three tonnes per hectare, began enjoying harvests three times greater.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Now, those farmers are seeing an ugly side of the new technology. The same herbicide used before no longer kill padi angin effectively. Padi angin has become kebal or herbicide resistant and yields have plummeted back to between and three and four tonnes per ha.

The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and the multinational Germany-based chemical company BASF developed the Clearfield special purpose varieties. They are scientifically proven to be a good solution to weedy rice, but farmers must strictly follow a set of do’s and don’ts for the system to work. For example, seven days after direct-seeding, the herbicide must be applied when the soil is saturated (wet but not flooded).

The varieties were recommended only as a stop-gap measure to combat weedy rice. Farmers were supposed to grow them in only two successive planting seasons in a year, leaving an interval of one planting season. Once the weedy rice is no longer a problem farmers then have the option to grow any other varieties.

Attracted by the high yields, farmers grew the Clearfield varieties more often than prescribed.

And, large numbers of farmers also had easy access to uncertified seeds, planting them without using the required herbicide.

Population of weedy rice in the fields increased drastically. It became prone to cross breed with rice and evolved into hybrids. The process resulted in the transfer of the herbicide-tolerance gene, thus, turning the progenies of the hybrids into super weeds.

Padi angin is not a unique problem to Malaysia. Worldwide, weedy rice affects about 10 per cent of total rice production.

The super weeds have emerged as another new devastating menace to our rice production.

Undoubtedly, farmers’ incomes, rice prices, crop yield levels, and our global food security index status will be at stake, sooner rather than later. Therefore, we urgently need to get our act together and review current approaches and come out with new strategies to achieve sustainable solutions for our weedy rice management.

In the final analysis, one thing is for sure: to be progressive, we need to support new technologies such as the Clearfield rice system and others that improve yields and help crops adapt to changing conditions. The point seems to be that the importance of using these technologies properly is as great as the importance of these technologies to our long term ability to feed a growing world population. zakri@pmo.gov.my The writer is science adviser to the prime minister and founding president of the Genetics Society of Malaysia (1994-2000). https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2018/02/332147/rice-crops-under-siegeFeb 05,

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Govt plans to build rice silos in main growing states At present, pilot projects for rice silos have been undertaken by state-owned Food Corporation of India (FCI) at Kaimur and Buxar in Bihar to test the technology.

PTI@moneycontrolcom

2018 01:50 PM IST | Source: PTI

The government will construct high-tech silos for storage of rice in producing states once the technology for the same is fully ready, a senior Food Ministry official said today.

At present, pilot projects for rice silos have been undertaken by state-owned Food Corporation of India (FCI) at Kaimur and Buxar in Bihar to test the technology.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter The West Bengal government has evinced interest for construction of rise silos when the technology for the same is finalised, the official said.

Once the technology is established, the central government would like to construct in West Bengal and other rice producing states, the official added.

The official further said the construction of silos for wheat is underway. The FCI has awarded contracts to operators for construction of wheat silos with a capacity of 2.5 lakh tonnes at six places in Punjab, Delhi, Bihar, Assam and Karnataka.

A storage capacity of 25,000 tonnes at Kotkapura in Punjab has been completed in 2017-18 while construction work is in progress in the remaining locations.

Further, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) has also initiated construction of silos of 50,000 tonnes capacity at Nabha in Punjab.

Punjab has also planned to construct silos of 17 lakh tonnes capacity, of which work for 1.5lakh-tonne capacity is completed while construction of another 15.5 lakh tonnes by the state agency is underway, the official added. http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/govt-plans-to-build-rice-silos-inmain-growing-states-2499841.html

Rice Prices as on : 06-02-2018 12:15:27 PM Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.

Arrivals

18 Price

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Current

% change

Season cumulative

Modal

Prev.

Modal

Prev.Yr %change

Rice Bindki(UP)

800.00

23.08

9158.00

2240

2260

-

Kanpur(Grain)(UP)

550.00

5.77

6955.00

2100

2125

-4.55

Bahraich(UP)

224.50

56.45

1199.50

2200

2200

-0.45

Risia(UP)

210.00

-44.74

3048.60

2200

2150

-

Howly(ASM)

204.00

175.68

2006.00

1400

1400

-

Siliguri(WB)

158.00

1.94

1926.00

2600

2600

-3.70

Gondal(UP)

154.00

-6.67

2851.50

2170

2170

-0.46

Durgapur(WB)

133.00

0.76

3035.00

2550

2550

-4.49

Choubepur(UP)

132.50

-14.52

662.50

2360

2175

-

Asansol(WB)

132.00

NC

3153.00

2550

2550

-4.85

Allahabad(UP)

120.00

20

3245.00

2560

2560

14.29

Kalna(WB)

103.00

-0.96

1281.00

3400

3400

14.48

70.00

NC

700.00

3300

3500

10.00

19 Thodupuzha(Ker)

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Hapur(UP)

60.00

50

835.00

2670

2650

-

Gauripur(ASM)

45.00

-10

694.00

4500

4500

NC

Cachar(ASM)

40.00

NC

1080.00

2400

2400

9.09

Lalganj(UP)

40.00

NC

257.00

2040

2040

-

Lakhimpur(UP)

40.00

14.29

406.00

2160

2180

0.47

Devariya(UP)

40.00

-20

987.50

2145

2140

1.66

Jayas(UP)

35.00

-2.78

545.50

2025

2025

3.32

Sehjanwa(UP)

31.50

-22.22

223.50

2000

2000

-

Bareilly(UP)

30.30

-44.91

330.90

2360

2350

-

Safdarganj(UP)

30.00

-14.29

418.00

2225

2225

-

Chorichora(UP)

25.00

16.28

224.00

2140

2135

-

Naanpara(UP)

24.00

60

485.50

2135

2135

-

Muzzafarnagar(UP)

22.00

-18.52

533.00

2650

2650

-

Gajol(WB)

22.00

-31.46

459.10

3450

3450

27.78

Tamkuhi Road(UP)

18.00

12.5

307.00

2140

2130

-

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20

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Saharanpur(UP)

17.00

-5.56

423.00

2655

2655

13.95

Paliakala(UP)

16.00

14.29

620.80

2170

2160

-

North Lakhimpur(ASM)

15.20

-1.94

148.80

2600

2600

36.84

Atarra(UP)

15.00

25

89.00

1800

1800

-18.18

Jafarganj(UP)

15.00

50

130.00

1950

1900

-

Raath(UP)

12.50

66.67

35.00

1900

1900

-

Billsadda(UP)

10.00

-16.67

37.00

2160

2170

-

Dibrugarh(ASM)

9.90

-13.91

146.60

2400

2400

6.67

Mirzapur(UP)

9.00

12.5

26.00

2130

2125

-

Rampur(UP)

9.00

28.57

103.00

2325

2310

-

Khurja(UP)

8.00

-27.27

252.00

1620

2370

-

Shahganj(UP)

8.00

-

22.00

2140

-

-

Chandoli(UP)

7.50

-21.88

90.20

2200

2195

-

Badayoun(UP)

7.00

16.67

170.00

2400

2400

-

Unnao(UP)

7.00

-6.67

87.10

2050

2100

-

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21

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Sheoraphuly(WB)

6.50

103.12

15.90

3200

3100

10.34

Chengannur(Ker)

5.50

NC

21.00

2800

2900

16.67

Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP)

5.00

25

104.50

2250

2240

0.90

Buland Shahr(UP)

4.50

-25

43.00

2400

2430

6.67

Balrampur(UP)

4.00

-20

41.00

2050

2000

-5.96

Bonai(Bonai)(Ori)

2.50

150

14.40

3000

2800

20.00

Jahangirabad(UP)

2.00

-20

48.50

2575

2575

13.69

Bangarmau(UP)

1.20

20

13.70

2025

2050

-1.22

Tundla(UP)

1.10

-8.33

31.60

2525

2527

-

Jagnair(UP)

1.00

-44.44

27.30

2490

2490

4.18

Khairagarh(UP)

1.00

-54.55

31.00

2500

2480

-

Achnera(UP)

0.60

-14.29

6.80

2500

2510

4.17

Richha(UP)

0.60

-50

14.00

2600

3100

-

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-prices/article22666223.ece

Cheap imports force rice mills to close SHANKAR ACHARYA, PARSAFeb

6, 2018-More rice mills in the Parsa-Bara area are at risk of going belly up as they can’t compete with cheaper Indian products. In the past four years, 250 of the 300 rice mills here have shut down. Half of the remaining 50 are also in the red, said traders.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Many rice mills in Parsa and Bara are doing brisk business by repackage rice imported from India and selling it under their own brands. However, domestic rice mills are operating at a loss.

According to Binay Shah, a rice mill owner at Prasauni, out of about 300 rice mills that existed seven years ago in these two districts, only 50 are still in operation. He said that more than half of them were incurring losses and would be forced to shut down soon. Shah said, “Rice factories in these districts have to pay higher prices for domestically grown paddy compared to Indian paddy.�

Rice is imported from India through legal channels as well as through illegal border crossings.

Some transporters deliver cheaply priced rice up to retail shops. The higher price of rice milled in Nepal has lured consumers to cheaper rice imported from India.

According to the statistics of the customs office in Birgunj, rice worth Rs998.1 million has been imported through the border point in the first six months of this fiscal year. In the same period of the last fiscal period, imports were valued at Rs888.3 million.

In 2011, India lifted export restrictions on rice other than the Basmati variety. Imports of Basmati rice have continued to surge in subsequent years.

Industrialists here cannot import paddy due to the export quota set by the Indian government.

The customs office charges an agricultural improvement fee of 8 percent on rice imported from India. Entrepreneurs have long been asking that the rate be increased to 10 percent.

The customs office also charges 5 percent agricultural charge on paddy imported from India.

Rice factory owners complain that if the customs office cannot increase fees on imported rice, the office can at least reduce fees for paddy. Either of the two options would help entrepreneurs compete with milled rice imported from India, they said.

Rice entrepreneurs have demanded that exports of Nepali basmati rice be promoted. The government has so far blocked rice exports to India and other countries. He said, “Red

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Basmati in Nepal has a richer aroma compared to other Basmati varieties in the world. If we can export this rice to other countries, both farmers and entrepreneurs will profit.”

Gupta contends that exporting Nepal’s Basmati rice could break the dominance of Basmati varieties produced in India and Pakistan.

Gupta said, “About 10 rice mills in the Parsa-Bara Industrial Corridor and altogether 50 mills across the country are capable of producing rice that can be sold at the international level.

There is a huge demand for Basmati rice in the US, Europe and the Gulf countries.” http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-02-06/cheap-imports-force-rice-mills-toclose.html

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- February 06, 2018 FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices – APMC/Open Market-February 6, 2018 Nagpur, Feb 6 (Reuters) – Gram and Tuar reported down in Nagpur Agriculture Produce MarketingCommittee (APMC) on poor demand from local millers amid good supply from producing belts. Highmoisture content arrival and easy condition in Madhya Pradesh pulses also affected prices.About 400 bags of gram and 1,200 bags of tuar reported for auction in Nagpur APMC, according tosources.

FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Desi gram raw recovered in open market here on renewed demand from local traders.

TUAR * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here on subdued demand from local traders amid ample stock in ready position. * Batri dal showed weak tendency in open market here lack of demand from local traders. * In Akola, Tuar New – 4,100-4,300, Tuar dal (clean) – 6,400-6,600, Udid Mogar (clean)

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter – 7,600-8,700, Moong Mogar (clean) 7,300-7,600, Gram – 3,500-3,600, Gram Super best – 5,200-5,700 * Wheat, rice and other foodgrain items moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in weak trading activity.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 3,100-3,825 3,000-3,925 Gram Pink Auction n.a.

2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 4,000-4,540 3,900-4,570 Moong Auction n.a.

3,900-4,200 Udid Auction n.a.

4,300-4,500 Masoor Auction n.a.

2,600-2,800 Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,600-1,712 1,600-1,704 Gram Super Best Bold 6,000-6,500 6,000-6,500 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a.

Gram Medium Best 5,500-5,700 5,500-5,700 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 3,800-3,900 3,800-3,900 Desi gram Raw 3,850-3,900 3,800-3,850 Gram Kabuli 12,500-13,100 12,500-13,100 Tuar Fataka Best-New 6,400-6,600 6,400-6,600 Tuar Fataka Medium-New 6,100-6,300 6,100-6,300 Tuar Dal Best Phod-New 5,600-5,800 5,600-5,800 Tuar Dal Medium phod-New 5,500-5,700 5,500-5,700 Tuar Gavarani New 4,250-4,550 4,250-4,550 Tuar Karnataka 4,600-4,800 4,600-4,800 Masoor dal best 4,800-5,000 4,800-5,000 Masoor dal medium 4,500-4,700 4,500-4,700 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold (New) 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000 Moong Mogar Medium 6,500-7,000 6,500-7,000 Moong dal Chilka 5,800-6,500 5,800-6,500 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 7,500-8,000 7,500-8,000 Udid Mogar best (100 INR/KG) (New) 7,200-7,700 7,200-7,700 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,600-7,000 5,600-7,000

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,200 5,800-6,200 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,000 4,700-5,000 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 2,500-2,600 2,550-2,650 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,150-3,250 3,150-3,250 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,300 4,200-4,300 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,000 1,900-2,000 Wheat Mill quality (100 INR/KG) 1,750-1,850 1,750-1,850 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 2,150-2,350 2,150-2,350 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,400 2,200-2,400 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,200 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,700 3,200-3,700 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,700 2,400-2,700 Rice BPT best (100 INR/KG) 3,500-4,000 3,500-4,000 Rice BPT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,200 3,000-3,200 Rice BPT new (100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,500 3,300-3,500 Rice Luchai (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700 Rice Swarna best (100 INR/KG) 2,600-2,800 2,600-2,800 Rice Swarna medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500 Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500 2,400-2,500 Rice HMT best (100 INR/KG) 4,500-4,800 4,500-4,800 Rice HMT medium (100 INR/KG) 3,900-4,300 3,900-4,300 Rice HMT new (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,400 4,000-4,400 Rice Shriram best(100 INR/KG) 5,200-5,600 5,200-5,600 Rice Shriram med (100 INR/KG) 4,700-4,900 4,700-4,900 Rice Shriram new (100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,200 4,800-5,200 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 9,500-14,000 9,500-13,500 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,000-7,500 5,000-7,500 Rice Chinnor best 100 INR/KG) 6,100-6,300 6,100-6,300 Rice Chinnor medium (100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,700 5,500-5,700 Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 5,600-5,800 5,600-5,800 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,100 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,800-2,000 1,700-2,000 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 33.0 degree Celsius, minimum temp. 16.0 degree Celsius Rainfall : Nil FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 33 and 16

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26

Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices) https://in.reuters.com/article/nagpur-foodgrain/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-february-06-2018idINL4N1PW3I2

Nature study unveils klotho mechanism VI KRAM SH AW 12:15 AM, FEB 06, 20 18 CONTRIBUTING REPORTER

A new Yale study has shown how a membrane receptor vital to human metabolism looks and functions, potentially allowing researchers to better develop drugs to address diseases as diabetes and obesity. The team’s research was published in the journal Nature on Jan. 25.

As a membrane receptor — which is a biological molecule that helps transmit cellular signals — klotho plays a significant role in receiving signals from fibroblast growth factors, which are common cellular messengers. Until now, however, scientists knew little about why or how klotho interacted with FGF21, a specific fibroblast growth factor. Researchers at the School of Medicine have determined that klotho is structurally related to sugar-cutting enzymes found in rice. Klotho recognizes molecules, such as FGF21, that look very similar to sugars in order to function.

“It is an extremely interesting biological question,” said Joseph Schlessinger, professor of pharmacology and the study’s senior author. “Endocrine fibroblast growth factors are interesting hormones that regulate a lot of interesting responses with a great potential for using them therapeutically, but we didn’t know how they worked.”

Using a technique called X-ray crystallography, the researchers found that klotho actually evolved from the enzymes found in rice into the highly specific and powerful membrane receptors in humans.

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter X-ray crystallography is a widely used technique for visualizing structures that are too small for ordinary microscopes to see. In this form of imaging, X-rays are directed at a molecule, and, based on the molecule’s structure, they are diffracted into various directions. A computer analyzes the diffraction patterns and produces a three-dimensional image of the molecule.

“Throughout my career, when you determine the mechanism of action through using crystal structure, a lot of new secrets are unveiled,” said Schlessinger. “This is the ultimate way of seeing how the molecules really function.”

By comparing the revealed structures to the sugar-cutting enzyme from rice, researchers began to understand how klotho recognizes FGF21. Part of the FGF21 protein looks like a sugar, which explains why klotho was able to recognize it. The crystal structure of klotho bound to FGF21 provides clear evidence of how the sugar-cutting domains of klotho, according to the study, “have been ‘repurposed’ in evolution to recognize FGF21 specifically.”

Even more fascinating is that FGF21 plays a significant role in sugar and alcohol metabolism, according to Schlessinger. The study points out that FGF21 can even help lower blood-sugar levels.

“We don’t think it is an accident,” he said. “One of the roles of the hormone is to regulate sugar metabolism. It acts in the brain to compromise the interest in getting further sugar.”

Given FGF21’s important role in regulating human metabolic processes, it is an attractive target for therapeutics looking at diabetes and obesity-related diseases. One study, published in the American Diabetes Association’s journal Diabetes, discovered that obesity can be characterized as a disease that is in a FGF21-resistant state.

Schlessinger recognizes this potential, and his lab has filed two patents relating to the discovery.“This really unveils a secret and provides answers of how to develop new drugs,” he said. “We patented this finding and are likely going to start a drug company to utilize it.”

Many diseases either activate or block the FGF21 pathway, and, as a result, there is significant demand for commercial drugs for its regulation, according to Schlessinger.

According to the European Association for the Study of Obesity, obesity has nearly doubled since 1980.

Vikram Shaw | vikram.shaw@yale.edu https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2018/02/06/nature-study-unveils-klotho-mechanism/

NFA rice situation ‘under control’ — Palace

BY THE MANILA TIMES ON FEBRUARY 6, 2018LATEST STORIES, TODAY'S BREAKING NEWS

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter MALACANANG assured the public on Tuesday that the rice situation in the country was “under control” and that President Rodrigo Duterte has found a “diplomatic solution,” amid fears raised on the possible shortage of National Food Authority (NFA) rice in the market.

In a press conference, Palace Spokesman Harry Roque said Secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio Evasco Jr., chairman of the NFA Council, gave assurances that the government has enough standby rice stocks to address the shortage.“Well, I just talked to Cabinet Secretary Evasco… he says the (rice) situation really is under control,” Roque told reporters.

“There’s a standby order for 250,000 metric tons of rice. Of course we will not allow our inventory to be depleted,” he said.

Roque made the statement after Sen. Nancy Binay lamented the shortage on Sunday of NFA rice in the market, as she asked the Council to address the “dwindling supply” of affordable rice.

Binay cited a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing prices of regular and well-milled rice rising by P1 to P3 per kilo in six regional centers in the country.

“Kasama sa trabaho ng NFA ang siguruhin na mayroong sapat at murang bigas para sa lahat, lalo na ngayong damang-dama ng ating mga kababayan ang kakulangan sa NFA rice (It’s part of the NFA’s job to make sure that there’s sufficient and cheap rice for everyone, especially now that our countrymen are really feeling the shortage of NFA rice),” Binay said.

According to the senator, the NFA sells rice from P27 per kilo to P32 per kilo, while commercial rice varieties of comparable quality are sold from P36 per kilo to P41 per kilo.

During Monday’s press briefing, Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte had employed a “diplomatic solution” to address the rice problem.

“I was not authorized to reveal what the President has done. But the President has done a diplomatic initiative to address this. But without authority, I cannot yet announce,” he said.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE http://www.manilatimes.net/nfa-rice-situation-control-palace/378556/

29

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Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

30

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