9th june,2014 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

9th June, 2014

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$2bn rice export sector ignored in budget UQ plant scientists delve into Australia’s ancient past Rice Posts Longest Run of Weekly Drops Since ’08 on Ample Supply Rice Records Longest Weekly Losing Streak Since 2008 Legislators concerned about rice production in El Niño year Vietnam’s rice export prices expected to rise Sing Buri speeding up checking of rice stockpiles Bulk buyers defer rice purchase Thai rice pushes Myanmar out of Africa Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- June 06 Rain puts state’s rice farmers behind schedule El Nino Threatening Monsoon in India to Curb Crop Outlook How to manage preflood nitrogen in rice fields with wet weather Explore the Wild Rice Recipe Contest Winners Announced Today Crop Progress: 2014 Crop 92 Percent Emerged CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures 205 farmers undergo palaycheck, palayamanan farming system training The politics of rice in Thailand Six years to settle rice debt Rice farmers seek help with costs

News Detail… $2bn rice export sector ignored in budget

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By The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Published Jun 07, 2014 05:40am KARACHI: Badly hit by rupee appreciation, the rice sector, which fetches over $2 billion in foreign exchange, has completely been ignored in the budget.Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) Senior ViceChairman Chela Ram addressing the media at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Friday deplored that the sector was overlooked and this was evident from the finance minister‘s budget speech wherein he failed to mention the word ‗rice‘ at all.If the government fails to provide relief in the form of subsidy or cut in power rates a large number of rice units will close down, he warned .―The rice exporters were expecting some relief package in the budget 2014-15 as they had suffered huge losses owing to rapid appreciation in the rupee value resulting in losing of its traditional markets to Indian and Thai rivals, but the finance minister didn‘t come with any relief for this vital sector,‖ he lamented.Normally rice exporters purchase paddy from growers three months in advance and the price is also set at that time.However, the rupee appreciation was so rapid that it rose to Rs98 to a dollar from Rs108 in a short period of 15 days inflicting millions of rupees loss to rice exporters.Speaking on the occasion, former chairman Reap Javed Ali Ghouri said that Pakistan is an agriculture country with 50 per cent workforce engaged in this sector.He stressed that the government should provide rice seed on subsidised rates.―The sector is badly damaged by poor law and order situation and power crisis and rice processing units are unable to operate normally which increases their cost and renders them uncompetitive in the world market,‖ he said.

Ghouri alleged that shipping companies have formed cartels and when rice season starts they increase their freight charges manifold which are badly damaging rice export trade.The rice export sector, he said, never asked any sort of favour from the government but now the situation has totally changed. ―If there is no support, the rice industry will shut down,‖ he added.He said there had been long demand of the Reap to provide ‗one window‘ facility for rice export sector as exporters are not ready to come in direct contact with government departments who harass them.The Reap has been asking the government to deduct all taxes and levies including of EOBI, WWF and social security through banking channels as this will eliminated corruption and also help exporters to concentrate on their exports.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2014

UQ plant scientists delve into Australia’s ancient past Professor Robert Henry from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation searches for wild rice in Queensland's Lakefield National Park.Australia‘s wild rice could be the key to global food security, according to The University of Queensland‘s leading plant geneticist.In research led by Professor Robert Henry from UQ‘sQueensland Alliance

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for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), scientists have identified gaps they call ‗genome deserts‘ in the inherited components or DNA of Australian wild rice.

Professor Henry said the gaps were evidence of one or more major selection events that occurred naturally in pre-historic times, well before domestication.―Rice has been domesticated for several thousand years,‖ he said.―Australian wild rice, which also has important similarities with domesticated rice, has been isolated from the impacts of domestication in Asia, so its genes still carry huge variation in many parts of the genome.―Natural selection in the wild was not due to humans.―Australian wild rice has enormous diversity but we can still see evidence of a major selection event happening, pre-domestication, probably millions of years ago.‖―The Australian wild populations represent an invaluable source of diversity supporting rice food security. ‖Professor Henry said rice was one of the world‘s most important food crops and if it was compromised, the ancient DNA found in Australian wild rice would be crucial to the industry‘s defence.―Australian wild rice could play a major role in future worldwide breeding programs that would improve disease and pest tolerance, reduce fertiliser needs, grow healthier crops and enhance food security,‖ he said.The study has been published in PLOS ONE.This research was funded by the Australian Research Council, the Department of Science and Technology, the Indian Council for Agricultural Research and the Government of India under the BOYCAST Fellowship and.

Media: QAAFI Communications Professor Robert Henry, +61 7 3346 6552, 0417 425 510.

Rice Posts Longest Run of Weekly Drops Since ’08 on Ample Supply

By Jeff Wilson Jun 7, 2014 1:05 AM GMT+0500 Prices for rice, a staple food for half the world, capped the longest run of weekly declines since 2008 as U.S. crop conditions improve at a time when Thailand is vying to become the world‘s largest exporter.In the U.S., 69 percent of the rice crop was rated in good or excellent condition on June 1, up for a second straight week and the highest for the date since 2010, Department of Agriculture data show. Thailand may export 9 million metric tons in 2014, up from 7.5 million forecast in February, replacingIndia as the top shipper, the Thai Rice Exporters Association said this week.

Rising grain inventories are helping to keep global food costs in check, with the United Nations saying that world prices fell for a second month in May. The Standard & Poor‘s GSCI Agricultural Index of eight crops fell for a sixth straight week, the longest slump since October 2011. U.S. farmers are poised to collect record corn and soybean crops, a Bloomberg survey showed.―U.S. crop conditions have been reported very good, and that has contributed to the speculative selling this week,‖ said Neauman Coleman, president of Neauman Coleman & Co in Brinkley,Arkansas.

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―Uncertainty about Thailand‘s rice policies also helped to depress market sentiment.‖Rough-rice futures for July delivery rose 0.7 percent to close at $14.175 per 100 pounds at 1:15 p.m. on the Chicago Board of Trade.

The price fell 5.4 percent this week, capping five straight declines that was the longest since August 2008.

Inventories Rise

Yesterday, the grain touched $14.07, the lowest since June 18, 2012.Global inventories before this year‘s harvest will climb to 111.25 million tons, the highest in 12 years, the USDA said last month.

Prices for 5-percent broken Thai white rice, an Asian benchmark, slumped 28 percent in the past year and have tumbled 62 percent from a record reached in 2008.An index of 55 food items dropped 1.2 percent to 207.8 points from a restated 210.3 points in April, UN data showed yesterday. World food prices are down 3.2 percent from a year earlier.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jeff Wilson in Chicago at jwilson29@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Millie Munshi at mmunshi@bloomberg.net Joe Richter, Patrick McKiernan

Rice Records Longest Weekly Losing Streak Since 2008

By Forexminute - Jonathan Millet | Commodities News | Jun 8, 2014 8:14PM BST

Prices of rice plummeted to cap the longest streak of weekly losses since 2008 as the crop‘s condition improved in the US and Thailand remained on course to become the world‘s largest exporter.Department of Agriculture data showed that, on June 1, 69% of US rice crop was assessed to be good or excellent, ascending for the second week in a row and hitting the highest percentage for the date since 2010.According to CCTV, Thailand expects to ship 9 million tonnes of rice into global markets in 2014 to become the world‘s number one exporter of the commodity.

Global food costs are being kept in check by rising supplies, with the United Nation showing that world prices dropped in May for a second month. The Standard & Poor‘s GSCI Agricultural Index of eight crops declined for 6 consecutive weeks, the longest losing run since October 2011. A Bloomberg survey indicated that US farmers expect to harvest record volumes of corn and soybeans crops.―U.S. crop conditions have been reported very good, and that has contributed to the speculative selling this week. Uncertainty about Thailand‘s rice

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policies also helped to depress market sentiment,‖ Neauman Coleman of Brinkley, Arkansas-based Neauman Coleman & Co told Bloomberg.

July-delivery rough rice futures advanced 0.7% and traded at $14.175 per 100 pounds at close as of 1:15 pm on the Chicago Board of Trade. The price plunged 5.4% the week ended Friday 6, capping five losses in a row in the longest run of declines since August 2008.On Thursday, the grain hit $14.07, the lowest level since June 18, 2012.A USDA report showed last month that global stockpiles of rice will rise to 111.25 million tons, levels last seen 12 years ago.A gauge of 55 food items declined 1.2% to 207.8 points, down from 210.3 points, restated in April according to UN data showed on Thursday.

To register for a free 2-week subscription to ForexMinute Premium Plan, visit www.forexminute.com/newsletter.

To contact the reporter of this story; Jonathan Millet at john@forexminute.com

Legislators concerned about rice production in El Niño year

By Leila B. Salaverria Philippine Daily Inquirer 7:22 pm | Monday, June 9th, 2014 MANILA—A lawmaker expressed concern Monday about an increase in the price of rice because of the El Niño weather phenomenon, as several other legislators indicated they were dissatisfied with the Department of Agriculture‘s preparations for the expected dry spell.At the joint hearing of the House Committees on Agriculture and Food Security, Roy Abaya of the agriculture department‘s Field Operations Service said there could be a shortfall of 1.2 million metric tons in the production of palay or unmilled rice because of El Niño.An estimated 300,000 hectares could also be affected in terms of irrigation, said Bonifacio Labiano of the National Irrigation Administration‘s engineering center.But Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares was not convinced about the government‘s preparations for El Niño.Colmenares said he believed the government should be doing more to keep the country‘s rice supply and its price stable.―I have seen no action on the part of the government even with the appointment of a new adviser on the issue of alleviating the increase in the price of rice,‖ Colmenares said.An increase in rice prices would increase the inflation rate, and thus the prices of all goods would be affected, he added.If the mitigation plans do not succeed, the Philippines might be forced to import its staple food, he warned.

Agriculture officials said they have been preparing for El Niño. Among the mitigation measures are the buffer stocking of seeds; the early planting of crops; the prioritization and allocation of water for irrigation, domestic need, and power; the provision of crop insurance; the repair of damaged irrigation dams and canals; cloud

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seeding; planting of drought tolerant rice varieties; and use of water saving technologies.But Northern Samar Rep. Emil Ong said not all of the irrigation facilities in his province were working, and called on irrigation officials to do field work and check on the status of the facilities.Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing said farmers in her area have not begun planting because irrigation of the fields has not begun.But Labiano said land soaking has begun, though there have been one- to two-week variations in some areas.

Vietnam’s rice export prices expected to rise VietNamNet Bridge – Signs indicate that the world’s rice market is expected to change and that Vietnam will be able to sell rice at higher prices, experts say.

This is the third consecutive year Vietnam has experienced a tough year in rice exports. Bountiful rice crops have been harvested in many countries in the world, while rice inventories have increased for the seventh consecutive year.In Thailand, Vietnam‘s biggest rival in rice exports, the inventories have become so high that analysts believe that the country will have to sell inventory rice at any cost to get money to pay farmers.This will cause rice prices to drop dramatically and make Vietnam, a big rice exporter, suffer heavily.However, Vietnamese analysts don‘t think the market will be too gloomy as predicted.

A rice exporter said it is true that Thailand has been trying to boost exports, but in fact, the export volume in the first four months of the year was just 725,000 tons a month, not really high.He also said that though the rice price has decreased significantly, the white rice price stays firm at $405 per ton.Another noteworthy development is that 27.2 percent of the total 2.5 million tons of rice auctioned before April 23 was rice kept in stocks for 28-33 months.The figures were 34.6 percent for 15-27 months, while only 38.2 percent for two to 14 months.A western newswire earlier this year warned that Thai rice kept in stock for a long time would flood the market.

However, Vietnamese rice exporters did not know about this. Therefore, they offered a low bid of $370 per ton to obtain the contract to export 800,000 tons of rice to the Philippines.Meanwhile, the other three tenderers‘ bids were $35 per ton higher than Vietnamese exporters.Nguyen Dinh Bich from the Trade Research Institute, an arm of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, who is believed to be a leading expert in rice exports, commented that this was the second time Vietnam has ―tasted bitterness‖ in the rice competition with Thailand.Prior to that, in the second half of 2011, Vietnam unreasonably raised its export prices sharply to levels which were even higher than Thai prices.

As a result, importers turned their back on Vietnam‘s rice, and Vietnam could only clear the stocks in 2012.At present, many analysts are pessimistic about export prospects. A big amount of rice has been exported to China, which is believed to be a bad situation in the context of the escalating tensions in the East Sea.The analysts also think that Vietnam is taking high risks when it exports big amounts of rice to China, with the move described as ―putting all of its eggs in one basket‖.However, Bich does not think so, citing four reasons that he believes

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would help Vietnam sell more rice and at higher prices.First, the Indian weather forecasting agency has finally agreed that El Nino is likely to return to Asia.

If this occurs, agriculture production of the South Asian giant would suffer.Second, the current Thai administration does not intend to sell stored rice at low prices. Third, importers, who hear the bad news, would hurry to buy. And fourth, China is likely to increase import volume in the time to come.

TBKTSG Tags:Vietnam,rice export,FOB price,high demand,

Sing Buri speeding up checking of rice stockpiles Date : 9 มิถุนายน 2557 SING BURI 9 June 2014 (NNT) — Sing Buri is quickening its pace to check the rice stockpiles in the province's 19 warehouses. Some of the rice have reportedly been infested with moths and covered in dust. Governor of Sing Buri Pongrat Phiromratana is working closely with army officials to expedite checking the quantity of rice pledged by farmers who participated in the 2013/2014 rice season.

The quantity of rice examined matched the correct amount of that pledged by the farmers. However, some warehouses were found to have been very dusty, with some areas in the warehouses beginning to be infested with moths. So far, four out of the 19 warehouses in Sing Buri have been checked and cleared; meanwhile, 5 other warehouses reportedly have some problems. Further inspection is still underway.

Bulk buyers defer rice purchase OUR CORRESPONDENT KARNAL, JUNE 9:

There was a steady trend in the rice market with the prices of aromatic and non-basmati rice ruling flat amid tepid trading on Monday.Amit Chandna, proprietor of Hanuman Rice Trading Company, told Business Line, ―Amid continuous fall in prices, traders are not showing interest in bulk buying. Those who used to purchase 12-15 tonnes at a time are now buying 5-6 tonnes.‖Market sentiments are weak and traders expect that rice market may continue to rule range-bound but within a negative territory. Lack of buying at all levels is the prime reason behind the current situation of the market and any recovery at this time is unlikely, said market experts.

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In the physical market, Pusa-1121 (steam) sold at ₹8,600, while Pusa-1121 (sela) quoted at ₹7,000. Pure Basmati (Raw) quoted at ₹12,000. Duplicate basmati (steam) sold at ₹6,800 a quintal.

Pusa-1121 (second wand) was at ₹6,700, Tibar at ₹5,800 while Dubar at ₹5,000 a quintal.

In the non-basmati section, Sharbati (steam) sold at ₹4,300 while Sharbati (sela) quoted at ₹4,000. Permal (raw) was traded at ₹2,100, Permal (sela) at ₹2,300, PR-11 (sela) went for ₹2,400 while PR-11 (raw) at ₹2,500. PR14 (steam) went for ₹2,600 a quintal.

(This article was published on June 9, 2014)

Thai rice pushes Myanmar out of Africa

By Zaw Htike | Sunday, 08 June 2014

Myanmar rice exporters are being undercut in the important African markets by a flood of exports as the Thai junta offloads millions of tonnes of stored rice at discounted prices, according to Myanmar rice trading officials.

Myanmar 25 percent broken rice had been commanding about US$335 per tonne in African market, a competitive price compared to previous Thai prices of $400. But the Thai military junta that came to power in a May 22 coup has lowered prices to $320 per tonne in Africa in a bid to offload rice stocks purchased during the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, Myanmar traders said.Top Myanmar rice exporter U Law Maw Myint Maung said the price competition is slowing business in African countries, which together constitute an important market for Myanmar‘s rice exporters.―We are having lots of trouble selling rice on the world market, especially to our major African buyers,‖ he said.

The Thai policy to buy rice at inflated prices from Thai farmers to gain political support and then store in a bid to corner the world rice market is closely associated with the Red Shirt government of ousted premier Yingluck Shinawatra.Thailand was thought to have about 15 to 16 million tonnes of rice sitting in warehouses last week, according to The Bangkok Post on June 5.With much of the African market closed to Myanmar traders due to the low prices, rice exporters are relying on Chinese demand, said U Lu Maw Myint Maung.―China‘s demand for Myanmar rice is quite strong at the moment. This is a major relief for our rice market,‖ he said.Rice traders say Myanmar exports about 60,000 tonnes monthly through Muse in Shan State to China at present, with prices of about $433 to $449 a tonne for 25pc broken and $490 to $497 for higher quality 5pc broken.

The European Union market is also increasingly demanding Myanmar rice, though it only accepts mostly highend 5pc broken rice at about $410 to $420 a tonne, he said.―Myanmar‘s rice exports won‘t fall too badly from Thai competition this year because demand from China and the EU are quite high,‖ said U Lu Maw Myint Maung, adding total exports should be between 1 and 1.5 million tonnes, with China being the largest destination.Myanmar Rice Federation secretary U Ye Min Aung said Thailand‘s move to offload its buffer

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stock will affect exports, ―but I don‘t think it will make the market collapse, as much of Thailand‘s rice has been stored for a long time, and the world market prefers fresh rice.‖Myanmar‘s rice export volumes are also only about an eighth of Thailand‘s, which was the world‘s largest rice exporter until 2012, after the Yingluck government was elected. ―We don‘t need to worry too much about Thailand as we are not their rival on the world market yet,‖ he said. ―But we will have to worry when Myanmar can produce 5 million tonnes or so a year.‖Myanmar Rice Federation chair U Chit Khaing said Thailand is also preoccupied with politics, which could offer a relief for Myanmar traders.―I don‘t think Thailand has a stable policy towards trade right now, and it‘s not certain they will continue selling rice at a low price,‖ he said. He added diversifying export markets to more EU and Middle Eastern buyers is important for the rice industry‘s future.

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- June 06 Fri Jun 6, 2014 2:28pm IST GRAM * Desi gram suffered heavily in open market in absence of buyers amid healthy supply from producing belts.

TUAR * Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here matching the demand and supply position. * Moong varieties recovered handsomely in open market here on renewed marriage season demand from local traders amid thin supply from producing regions. * In Akola, Tuar - 4,100-4,300, Tuar dal - 6,300-6,500, Udid at 6,500-6,800, Udid Mogar (clean) - 7,600-8,100, Moong - 8,000-8,200, Moong Mogar (clean) 9,200-10,000, Gram - 2,400-2,600, Gram Super best bold - 3,300-3,600 for 100 kg. * Wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market in thin trading activity, according to sources.

Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Gram Auction Gram Pink Auction Tuar Auction

Available prices Previous close 2,100-2,500 2,180-2,550 n.a.

2,100-2,600 n.a.

3,700-4,270

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Moong Auction n.a.

5,200-5,500 Udid Auction n.a.

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

2,600-2,800 Gram Super Best Bold 3,850-4,000 3,850-4,000 Gram Super Best n.a.

Gram Medium Best 3,500-3,700 3,500-3,700 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a.

Gram Mill Quality 3,300-3,400 3,300-3,400 Desi gram Raw 2,450-2,550 2,500-2,650 Gram Filter new 3,200-3,400 3,200-3,400 Gram Kabuli 8,500-10,500 8,500-10,500 Gram Pink 7,700-8,100 7,700-8,100 Tuar Fataka Best 6,300-6,500 6,400-6,600 Tuar Fataka Medium 6,100-6,200 6,200-6,300 Tuar Dal Best Phod 5,700-5,900 5,700-5,900 Tuar Dal Medium phod 5,300-5,600 5,300-5,600 Tuar Gavarani 4,350-4,450 4,350-4,450 Tuar Karnataka 4,250-4,350 4,250-4,350 Tuar Black 7,600-7,900 7,600-7,900 Masoor dal best 6,200-6,400 6,200-6,400 Masoor dal medium 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Masoor n.a. n.a.

Moong Mogar bold 9,700-10,300 9,600-10,200 Moong Mogar Medium best 9,000-9,500 8,900-9,400 Moong dal super best 9,100-9,500 9,000-9,400 Moong dal Chilka 8,900-9,300 8,800-9,200 Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.

Moong Chamki best 8,200-9,500 8,200-9,500 Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 8,200-8,500 8,200-8,500 Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,800-7,600 6,800-7,600 Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 5,700-6,000 5,700-6,000 Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,000-5,000 4,000-5,000 Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 3,000-3,100 3,000-3,100 Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,350-3,450 3,350-3,450 Watana White (100 INR/KG) 3,600-3,700 3,600-3,700 Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,900-5,400 4,900-5,400 Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,700 1,400-1,700 Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,700-1,750 1,700-1,750 Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,600 1,400-1,600 Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,450 2,100-2,450 Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,850-2,000 1,850-2,000 Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.

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MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,500 2,800-3,500 MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,700 2,200-2,700 Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG) 1,300-1,500 1,100-1,400 Wheat Best (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,200 1,700-2,000 Rice BPT (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,000 3,600-4,000 Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100 1,900-2,100 Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,200 3,000-3,200 Rice HMT (100 INR/KG) 3,800-4,100 3,800-4,100 Rice HMT Shriram (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,400 4,600-5,400 Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 10,400-13,900 10,400-13,900 Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 7,300-10,000 7,300-10,500 Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG) 5,500-5,800 5,500-5,800 Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 1,300-1,500 1,300-1,500 Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 1,600-1,700 1,600-1,700 WEATHER (NAGPUR) Maximum temp. 45.2 degree Celsius (113.4 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.

27.9 degree Celsius (82.2 degree Fahrenheit) Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.

Rainfall : 0.0 mm FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and Minimum temperature likely to be around 45 and 29 degree Celsius respectively.

Note: n.a.--not available (For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)

Rain puts state’s rice farmers behind schedule

by MBJ Staff Published: June 6,2014 Tags: agriculture, Bobby Golden, farm, farmer, farming, fertilizer, herbicide, Jason Bond, Jeff Gore, John Michael Wiley, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University Extension Service, planting, rain, rice, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Weather

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — With Mississippi‘s rice crop about two weeks later than normal, growers will have narrow windows of opportunity to perform necessary management as it grows.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated 92 percent of rice was planted by June 1. Seventy-four percent of the crop that has emerged was in good to excellent condition.Bobby Golden, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station agronomist in Stoneville, said the late planting and heavy rains in late May are making management a challenge.―We‘re going to accumulate heat units early in the season, so rice is going to get bigger more rapidly than if it was planted in April,‖ Golden said.―This compresses the management window.‖Best management practices dictate that certain steps be taken at specific points in a row crop‘s development. Missing these windows of opportunity can result in yield decreases. In early June, growers were waiting for rice fields to dry out after late-May rains so they could apply herbicides and fertilizer.

This pause delayed the flooding of rice fields.―The best management practice is to apply fertilizer to a dry soil surface and then flood it in,‖ Golden said. ―The challenge over the next two weeks is getting the preflood fertilizer out in a timely fashion.‖Applying the fertilizer before the ground is flooded is the ideal method. Golden said research done in the Midsouth indicates applying it in incremental doses to a flooded field is less efficient.―This is a Catch-22 for growers.

Do I wait for the soil to dry so I can apply preflood fertilizer, or do I start the regimen of dropping it in the flood water in successive weeks?‖ Golden said.Golden estimated state producers have planted at least 185,000 acres of rice this year.

The state planted just 125,000 acres of rice in 2013.John Michael Riley, MSU Extension Service agricultural economist, said price averaged $14.47 per hundredweight for the September futures contract during May. It has stayed about that price into early June.―Last year, prices at harvest were very strong, and with the record-setting yields in Mississippi and nationally, producers were motivated to increase their acres for 2014, especially when considering the declines in prices for crops that compete for those acres,‖ Riley said. ―This increase in acres should push supplies higher, which is weighing on prices.

Prices in 2014 have been about 6 percent lower than in 2013 but very near prices in 2011 and 2012.‖Jason Bond, a weed scientist at the MSU Delta Research and Extension Center, said the biggest problem to date has been weeds growing large because wet weather prevented growers from making timely herbicide applications.―We‘ll definitely have fields with weeds in them at harvest,‖ said Bond, a MAFES researcher. ―Growers already have incurred some loss of yield potential due to interference from weeds.‖Herbicide drift is a significant problem for rice producers. Many of Mississippi‘s row crops are resistant to glyphosate herbicides, but rice does not have this resistance.

Growers spraying fields near rice must be very careful to ensure that wind does not blow the chemical spray into rice fields, causing serious losses.Jeff Gore, MSU Extension Service entomologist at the Stoneville research station, said insects have not yet become a problem in rice. Armyworms have appeared in a few fields, but those pests usually are not a problem this early unless they start reducing plant density. This problem can happen quickly in rice adjacent to wheat that is drying down.―Preventing plant loss is most important with hybrid rice, and Mississippi producers grow quite a bit of this rice,‖ Gore said.

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―Hybrid rice is planted at the rate of 20 to 25 pounds of seed per acre, while inbred varieties are planted at 75 to 85 pounds per acre. Because hybrid rice already has a very low plant density, we don‘t want to lose any plants to insectJeff Gores such as armyworms.‖Gore, who is also a MAFES researcher, said the biggest insect concern as rice goes to flood is the rice water weevil, and he urged growers to scout closely for this pest. Seed treatments can help prevent problems when used, but Gore said a supplemental pyrethroid treatment is sometimes needed to prevent an infestation.―Seed treatments are an important tool for rice water weevil management, but they are not a silver bullet under all conditions, especially in a year like this one where we have had a cool, wet spring,‖ he said.

El Nino Threatening Monsoon in India to Curb Crop Outlook

By Prabhudatta Mishra and Pratik Parija Jun 10, 2014 10:14 AM GMT+0500 Monsoon rainfall in India, the main source of irrigation for the nation‘s 263 million farmers, will be below normal this year as El Nino emerges, weakening prospects for crops from rice to soybeans and sugar and potentially boosting inflation.Showers in the June-September season will be 93 percent of a 50-year average of 89 centimeters (35 inches), the state-run India Meteorological Department said on its website yesterday.

That‘s less than 95 percent of the average predicted in April. Rainfall in July, the wettest month of the monsoon season, may be 93 percent of the average and August may total 96 percent, the forecaster said.Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s government is preparing contingency plans to deal with a sub-normal monsoon, while pledging to contain the fastest consumer-price increases among Asia‘s biggest economies. A drought in the main growing regions may curb farm output and hamper efforts to revive the country‘s economicgrowth from near the lowest in a decade. ―Out of the two things which the market is closely watching, one is budget and the other is monsoon,‖Anubhuti Sahay, an economist at Standard Chartered Plc in Mumbai, said by phone. ―The monsoon is extremely important because in case it turns out to be bad it will direct the government‘s effort from reviving investment cycle to managing drought.‖ Rupee Weakens India‘s consumer-price index increased 8.59 percent in April from a year earlier, compared with a 8.31 percent gain in March, the Central Statistics Office said May 12. The economy grew 4.7 percent in the year ended March 31, after a decade-low expansion of 4.5 percent a year earlier.

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The rupee and government bonds fell on concern the weak monsoon will hurt farm output and undermine efforts to revive the economy. The currency declined 0.2 percent to 59.3350 per dollar as of 9:38 a.m. in Mumbai, according to prices from local banks compiled by Bloomberg. That‘s the biggest drop since June 3.

The yield on the 8.83 percent notes due November 2023 rose three basis points, or 0.03 percentage point, to 8.57 percent.

The onset of the monsoon was delayed this year with rains reaching India‘s Kerala state on June 6, compared with the normal date of June 1, according to the weather bureau. Rains, which provide water for 55 percent of the farmland, have been 44 percent below normal since June 1, bureau data show. ―Food grains output may fall by at least 10 percent as major rice growing areas of the country in the northwest may get less rains,‖ said Indranil Mukherjee, an analyst with Religare Commodities Ltd. inNew Delhi. ―Farmers will not go for early sowing, which will impact yield of many crops. The latest forecast may increase prices of many commodities.‖ Food Costs India is the world‘s second-biggest producer of rice, sugar and wheat and meets more than 50 percent of cooking oil demand through imports.Lower production may stall a decline in global food costs. A United Nations‘ gauge of world pricesfell for a second month in May aided by rising grain inventories. Rough-rice futures in Chicagocapped on June 6 the longest run of weekly losses since 2008, while wheat futures dropped on the same day to their lowest level in three months.

The government may give subsidy on diesel to farmers to run water pumps for irrigation and grant incentives on seeds purchase if replanting is done, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said yesterday. Growers may also be given subsidy on rescheduling of farm loans in drought areas, he said.

El Nino Impact

To stem inflation, Modi has called for price stabilization funds and measures to prevent hoarding of food, which makes up 50 percent of the consumer price index basket. The outlook for agriculture is clouded by the delayed onset of the monsoon with a 60 percent chance of the occurrence of El Nino, the Reserve Bank of India said in its monetary policy statement on June 3.

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A below-normal monsoon will influence monetary policy as inflation may accelerate and curb rural demand, Sahay said.

Forecasters from the U.S. to the United Nations have warned an El Nino event may happen this year, and ABN Amro Group NV said confirmation could spur support for coffee, sugar and cocoa prices. El Ninos can roil agricultural markets worldwide as farmers contend with drought or too much rain.

India received normal or more-than-normal rains during only three El Nino years out of the past 10 occurrences, while the remaining were drought years, according to data from the meteorological department. Monsoon rainfall was the least in almost four decades in 2009, when El Nino occurred last, data show. Rice and oilseed harvests fell 10 percent, Agriculture Ministry data show.

Ocean Warming

El Ninos, caused by the periodic warming of the tropical Pacific, occur irregularly every two to seven years and are associated with warmer-than-average years. The last El Nino was from 2009 to 2010, and since then the Pacific has either been in its cooler state, called La Nina, or neutral.

Rains will be 85 percent of the long-period average in the country‘s northwest, which includes cotton, rice and sugar cane growing states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh. Monsoon will be 99 percent of the average in the northeastern region and 94 percent in central India, the top cotton and soybeans growing region, Singh said.

Southern states of Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, which are the main producers of coffee, rice and rubber, may get 93 percent of the 50-year average rain, the bureau said.

To contact the reporters on this story: Prabhudatta Mishra in New Delhi atpmishra8@bloomberg.net; Pratik Parija in New Delhi at pparija@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: James Poole at jpoole4@bloomberg.net Thomas Kutty Abraham, Ovais Subhani

How to manage preflood nitrogen in rice fields with wet weather Jun 9, 2014Jarrod T. Hardke, Arkansas Rice Extension Agronomist | Delta Farm Press

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Delta Farm PressRegular and repeated rainfall across the Delta has had a significant impact on this year‘s rice crop. Many rice fields in Arkansas are, or already were, up against the final recommended time to apply preflood nitrogen (N). Further complicating the situation has been the rain and wind in previous weeks that also prevented preflood ―cleanup‖ herbicide applications that needed to go out ahead of fertilizer applications. With the latest round of wet weather to hit the state, preflood N management in rice just became almost unmanageable.

When preflood N is applied onto dry soil to rice at the 4- to 5-leaf stage and a flood is applied timely, plants take up at least 60 percent of the total N applied. This N uptake typically occurs over three weeks with about 10 percent uptake in week one, 20 percent in week two, and 30 percent in week three (to total 60 percent). In general, the period from the optimum time to apply preflood N until internode elongation (IE) is about three weeks. From the final recommended time to apply preflood N to IE is about two weeks.

However, these timings are also based on plant development when rice has received a flood and N fertilization at the 4- to 5-leaf stage — delaying the flood causes rice to develop more slowly. Keep in mind that we can only make up a small amount of yield with N applied at midseason.If you have any time to spare, it is always best to attempt to apply preflood N onto dry soil. Applying N onto muddy soil or into standing water is far less favorable and much less efficient method of N fertilization.In order of preference, based on yield response and N efficiency, here are options for applying preflood N based on field situations: 1. Field is dry: Apply NBPT-treated urea onto dry soil and establish the permanent flood in a timely manner to incorporate N below the soil surface. This is always the most preferred option.

2. Field is muddy: Apply NBPT-treated urea onto muddy soil and attempt to let the soil dry if you have time. If a significant rainfall event occurs to re-wet the field then begin flooding; otherwise let the soil dry before establishing the flood. If you‘re applying N to mud we do not know how much N will be lost, but if you feel the need to increase the N rate, do so only slightly (10 to 20 pounds N higher). This increase may or may not provide much benefit, but it‘s less likely to hurt in this case. Watch the crop closely and apply extra N if N deficiency occurs.

3. Field has standing water: Get the water off the field if at all possible. Many no longer have time to get the water off and let the soil dry. In this case, ―spoon-feeding‖ N into the flood in small quantities every five to

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seven days for three to four weeks is the best option. A small quantity means 45 pounds N per acre (100 pounds urea per acre). If you have a short time to IE, maybe applying N for three weeks at 45, 60, and 60 pounds N per acre will be better. However, smaller quantities applied more frequently are your best option in this situation.

Do not, for any reason, apply the entire recommended preflood N rate in one application into standing water.

Preferred ―worst-case‖ management would be to apply N to muddy/wet soil as rice reaches the end of the optimum window according to the DD50 program. Attempt to dry the soil out and if a significant rainfall occurs, start flooding. Realize that some N is lost in this case and be prepared to monitor the crop closely and apply additional N later if the rice looks like it needs it.

Previous research has shown that N applied onto dry soil has the most yield benefit. Applying urea onto muddy soil can result in a 20 percent yield loss. However, applying ammonium sulfate or urea + NBPT onto muddy soil and letting the soil dry can reduce the yield loss to only 10 percent. In this research, N was applied just prior to permanent flood at the 4- to 5-leaf stage.

Past the 4- to 5-leaf stage, potential yield losses could become more dramatic. However, many factors influence how much flexibility we have in our N fertilization timing, including cultivar, length of maturity, native soil N, soil type, etc. If native soil N is high, then the effect is reduced. If it is a longer season cultivar then there is a greater window before midseason. In any case, don‘t let it get too late before applying N. Use of the DD50 Rice Management Program can help to time management decisions in these situations (http://DD50.uaex.edu).

Explore the Wild Rice Recipe Contest Winners Announced Today Wild rice dish Winner, winner, wild rice dinner WASHINGTON, DC - Today the USA Rice Federation announced that Nadine Mesch of Mount Healthy, Ohio is the grand prize winner in the "Explore the Wild Rice" consumer recipe contest, conducted in partnership with the California Wild Rice Advisory Board (CWARB). Promoted by both groups through social media throughout May, the contest drew more than 70 recipes from all around the country. But it was Mesch's interesting take on a rice salad that took home the top prize."The recipes had to utilize wild rice and either white or brown rice," explained Katie Maher, USA Rice's manager of domestic promotion, "other than that, the entrants were free to get creative."Maher says they did just that. "We saw a lot of creativity and a lot of healthy and tasty dishes, which was one of the reasons we held the contest - to remind people that rice is an important part of a healthy diet.

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"Mesch, a retired mother of four and new grandmother loves cooking and has instilled that value in her family.

She enjoys using rice in her cooking because she finds it flavorful and versatile and has a long shelf life. Her winning recipe, Tropical Wild Rice Medley Salad, is, she says, "a perfect summertime dish - colorful and light, yet filling." Second prize went to another salad dish, Wild Rice & Brown Rice Kale Salad, while Saigon Style Wild Rice & Salmon Fritters with Red Curry Mayonnaise took third. Honorable Mention was awarded to Rice, Bacon and Goat Cheese Fritters."This recipe contest and other joint promotional activities with CWRAB benefit both regular and wild rice," said Maher. "Wild rice and regular rice are primarily served together in a blend, so promoting one, benefits the other with consumers and foodservice professionals. It's also another avenue to promote whole grains."

Contact: Katie Maher, (703) 236-1453

Crop Progress: 2014 Crop 92 Percent Emerged WASHINGTON, DC -- Ninety-two percent of the nation's 2014 rice acreage has emerged, according to today's U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report.

Rice Emerged, Selected States Week Ending

State

June 8, 2013

June 1, 2014

June 8, 2014

2009-2013 average

Percent Arkansas

94

94

98

95

California

87

70

75

73

Louisiana

99

98

99

99

Mississippi

87

86

91

96

Missouri

98

88

97

96

Texas

97

99

100

95

Six States

93

89

93

92

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CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures CME Group (Preliminary): Closing Rough Rice Futures for June 9

Month

Price

Net Change

July 2014

$14.145

- $0.030

September 2014

$13.950

+ $0.050

November 2014

$14.100

+ $0.075

January 2015

$14.250

+ $0.085

March 2015

$14.410

+ $0.100

May 2015

$14.410

+ $0.100

July 2015

$14.410

+ $0.100

205 farmers undergo palaycheck, palayamanan farming system training Sunday 8th of June 2014 SAN MATEO, Isabela, June 6 (PIA) – Around 205 rice farmers from the different parts of Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera regions have successfully finished the palaycheck and palayamanan farming system training held at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE) – Isabela.The training aims to equip rice farmers on new farming technologies that would increase their rice production.The farmer-trainers have undergone four different training locations such as location-specific technology development (LSTD) in Itogon, Benguet and Rizal, Kalinga; upland rice development program (URDP) in Jones, Isabela, Paracelis in Mountain province, Alfonso Lista in Ifugao, and Pinukpok in Kalinga; promotion of Palaymanan cum Palaycheck in Gunot, Santiago city; and Palaycheck training in Philirice – San Mateo, Isabela.Romeo Fajardo,

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one of the trainees on Season-Long training, thanked Philrice Isabela for sponsoring the training which will help farmers like him to improve their rice yield.

Fajardo said he will also share to his fellow farmers the knowledge and new farming technologies he learned from the training.Meanwhile, Lorenzo Caranguian, technical director for operations of the Department of Agriculture (DA) region 2, urged farmers regionwide to adopt the new farming technologies for the next cropping season."If only all farmers in the country will adopt these latest farming technologies, then surely, we will achieve our country's objective which is to become rice self-sufficien," he added. (Maritha C. Manubay,PhilRice/ALM/MGE – PIA2/Isabela)

The politics of rice in Thailand

By Bangkok Pundit Jun 09, 2014 10:00AM UTC n the day after the coup, the junta announced they would immediately pay farmers monies owed from the rice pledging scheme. One of the first tasks by the junta was to repay farmers. At the time of the coup, 92 billion baht had not been paid to farmers and since then around 5-6 billion baht a day has been paid out (around 30 billion baht had been paid since January when pressure came on the government over the failure to pay farmers and prior to that 70 Billion Baht had been paid). By the end of June, it seems likely that all outstanding payments will be made.

NYT: But if the country’s ruling generals expected gratitude, it was not on display on Tuesday in this northeastern town, a bastion of the former governing party, which the military overthrew in a coup last Thursday.

“I still have anger in my heart,” said Maitree Vichapa, a farmer and part-time carpenter who arrived with his wife and child to receive 27,000 baht, or around $850. “We should have had this money a long time ago.” …

The military also cranked up its propaganda machine, aided by the Thai news media, which has been largely subservient since the coup. “Farmers Receive Money With Tears of Joy,” ran the headline in a national newspaper, Ban Muang. …

Other reports showed farmers marching to army bases to hand over red roses and holding up banners proclaiming appreciation for the general who led the coup, Prayuth Chan-ocha. Identical banners, featuring

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rice stalks and the same image of General Prayuth raising his hand in the air, were paraded by farmers in Phuket, Lopburi and Ubon Ratchathani, provinces that are separated by hundreds of miles.

Thai newspapers quoted farmers praising the military in highly formal language.

“We, on behalf of all farmers, would like to thank you for your true kindness and understanding of the hardship of the people,” a man who was described as a farmer was quoted by the ASTV Manager news website as saying. “We are here to offer moral support and flowers to thank you, the military of the entire people.”

“Real farmers wouldn’t come out and do those things,” said Duen Douangchansi, a farmer who received 280,000 baht (about $8,580) on Tuesday. “Real farmers would be too busy working.”

David Streckfuss, an expert in Thai politics who is based in the northeast, where the former government was popular, said the army was unlikely to win over many people in the region by handing out the rice money.

“Simply paying people for what they are owed is not going to buy the military any popularity, or somehow legitimize it,” Mr. Streckfuss said.

FT on a visit to the Northeast notes: Several Isaanis said they felt patronised rather than grateful over what they see as a crude effort at bribery by the junta, which has pledged to pay almost $3bn of unpaid rice subsidies owed to farmers in the region and elsewhere.

BP: Some comments: At the time of the coup just under half of the 190 billion baht in the current pledging season had yet to be been paid. Not all the voices of support for the military quickly paying the farmers is off former Puea Thai voters, because in many of the provinces where there are many rice farmers particularly in the Lower North there are large pockets of Democrat voters. The failure of the Puea Thai government to pay them is hardly going to make them more likely to vote Puea Thai.

For Puea Thai voters who had already received money – you have to remember more than half of rice farmers had received the money in the current season (as well as for 2 years prior to this) before the coup although it was certainly delayed for this season for many – so for those who had received their money they don‘t have much personal reasons to be grateful to the military. In addition, a survey by the Thai Chamber of Commerce last year showed the scheme was popular amongst rice farmers – see here and here.

For Puea Thai voters who hadn‘t received their money, this depends on who they blamed. BP does think you can apportion plenty of blame on the government in not ensuring adequate monies to pay the rice farmers for the season that ended at the end of February. Even before the dissolution there were delays in payment, but then

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again, the PDRC seized the Ministry of Finance on November 25 (around 2 weeks before the dissolution) and other ministries involved in raising money to pay farmers. Many farmers will be upset at the Puea Thai government regardless but, as stated in the above stories, many won‘t as they will assign more blame to protesters and others who prevented the government from paying farmers.

Nevertheless, there is another problem for Puea Thai aside from those Puea Thai voters who feel grateful to the military. The previous government faced protesters, lawsuits, court decisions, and all manner of obstacles.

Whereas the junta can just do anything it wants. So not only will some voters feel grateful that the junta has loosened the purse strings and allowed monies to be paid, it is also the quickness and lack of obstacles. The question is, how many Puea Thai voters will lose heart over a pro-Thaksin party‘s ability to implement policies successfully without the policies being blocked by opponents?

However, don‘t expect all things to be plain sailing for the junta. Rice pledging officially ended in February when the Yingluck government didn‘t renew the scheme, but now we already have calls for farmers for a new rice pledging price. The Bangkok Post: Thai Agriculturists Association president Wichian Phuanglamjiak said the NCPO should enforce measures to ensure the market price of rice covers the actual cost of production plus some sort of profit.

He said the junta must help farmers if it abolishes the rice-pledging scheme,since the production cost of rice is currently 7,000-7,700 baht per tonne, compared to an average market price of 4,000-6,000 baht.

Farmers should be able to make a 40% margin on top of their average production cost, meaning they should be able to sell rice for 10,000-12,000 baht, he said.

Mr Wichian said growers also want the junta to help supply them with affordable rice farming materials and to help them access markets in which growers can sell their grain directly to rice buyers.

He added that the NCPO has promised to come up with ways to tackle the issues before June 20.

Rice farmers’ representative Rawi Rungruang told the NCPO the state should offer a subsidy of 3,000 baht per tonne of rice.

Prasit Boonchuey, president of the Thai Farmers Association, said farmers must be given subsidies calculated per rai of land.

BP: There you go, there are three different opinions on how subsidies should be given out. There will also be academic advice as well. Unless the junta spends around 100 billion baht a year, it will be difficult to give farmers anywhere close to the level of subsidy they want.* The junta has a populist streak, but it will be difficult to go back on the rhetoric of criticism of recent years against a rice pledging scheme so BP expects that the

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junta will choose a different method whether subsidies per rai or per tonne or subsidies at the production stage or mixture of these.

In the next couple of months, this is not likely to be a big issue particularly with martial law and current legal restrictions in place on criticism of the junta and that any new scheme will probably only start in October (when the main harvest starts), but BP expects the level of money the junta will spend will likely be short of what farmers want and once we have the installed PM in place, there are likely to be less restrictions in place. We will then see see at the end of the year/beginning of next year see more clearly how farmers view the new policy. Then you also have the issue for Puea Thai voters (as of the last election, at least), how they view this policy compared with rice pledging to see how their views about Puea Thai change. *World rice prices this week hit the their lowest since 2008 and there are no signs yet of any change and this part of the reason why more than 100 billion is likely needed (whereas one year ago 90-100 billion probably would have been enough).

Six years to settle rice debt The high cost of a scheme that backfired Published: 9 Jun 2014 Newspaper section: Business Writer: Wichit Chantanusornsiri

It could take at least five or six years to settle the estimated loss and interest burdens incurred from the Yingluck Shinawatra administration's flagship rice-pledging scheme, according to a Finance Ministry source. A mill employee checks the quality of pledged rice kept in a warehouse in Ayutthaya province.

(Photo by Thiti Wannamonth).The Pheu Thai Party-led government borrowed 730 billion baht in loans carrying an average annual interest rate of 3% or 20 billion baht to fund the scheme for the five crops starting with the 2011-12 main crop.Academics have estimated that losses from pledging rice at 40-50% higher than market prices could reach 500 billion baht.Thailand must also shoulder a loss of another 100 billion baht from subsidising agricultural products before the Yingluck government.Further delays in releasing stockpiled rice will add to the time it takes to settle the loss and interest burdens, the source said.The source said about 150 billion baht in losses incurred from the rice subsidy has been rolled over each year.

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The scheme was aimed at boosting rice farmers' income and driving domestic consumption. The government withheld a large amount of rice from the market in the hope the price would rise. The move backfired when supply from other countries flooded the market and put pressure on prices.Moreover, the rollover of debt payment will limit the Finance Ministry's ability to guarantee state enterprises' borrowing. The Public Debt Management Act permits the ministry to back their borrowing up to 20% of annual expenditure.In the 2014 fiscal year, the ministry's credit guarantee to state enterprises accounts for almost 10% of government expenditure, offering more room for a rollover of debt payment.

The country's public debt stands at 5.55 trillion baht, representing 46% of GDP. The ratio accelerated from 40.78% when Ms Yingluck took the helm in late 2011 and the rice scheme has been largely blamed.Rice exporters estimated the government has kept 15-16 million tonnes of milled rice that accumulated from the scheme over the past three years. It may take up to three years to clear the huge stock even if the rice scheme is stopped to prevent new supplies entering state stocks.Holding a large amount of stock and speedy exports by the Commerce Ministry in recent months to get quick cash to pay back the Finance Ministry have dampened Thai rice prices in the global market.

Based on May statistics from the Thai Rice Exporters Association, export prices of Thai rice were lower than those of competitors, with 5% white rice sold at US$390 per tonne compared with $405 for Vietnamese rice, $435 for Indian rice and $440 for Pakistani rice.The association's president Charoen Laothamatas suggested authorities make a comprehensive stock check to classify the quality of grains kept in state warehouses.Knowing the quantity and condition of rice could help the state outline sales plans more efficiently and increase rice prices, he said. More importantly, authorities may focus on the sale of newly harvested rice while managing the sale of old rice through auctions.

Rice farmers seek help with costs Published: 7 Jun 2014 at 13.53 Online news: Writer: Online Reporters

Rice farmers on Saturday asked for help to control their cultivation costs in a meeting with members of the National Council for Peace and Order(NCPO). Prasit Boonchoey, president of the Thai Rice Farmers Association, said before the meeting that he wanted the junta to suspend plans for long-term solutions that could otherwise have severe impact on farmers.Instead, he said, he wanted the NCPO to focus on cultivation costs and rice prices and introduce immediate assistance for growers.He also said he expected the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to clear all overdue payments to farmers for pledged rice within this month, as the bank already received sufficient funds from the Government Savings Bank.Gen Chatchai Sarikalaya, assistant army chief and deputy chief of the NCPO supervising economic affairs, chaired the meeting at the Royal Thai Army auditorium on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok. Participants included representatives of government agencies and rice growers' organisations.

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