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For Blog & News Letter Advertisment contact to write : Mujahid Ali mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com

www.ricepluss.com & www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

Aug ,2015

Vol 5,Issue XIII

15-21 July,2015

Vol 5,Issue XIII

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Unedited Version

15-21 Jul, 2015

9th SME FORUM TO BE HELD ON 25th AUGUST 2015 IN LAHORE

Jul 18, 2015 | Thaver

Dear ALL,

We are pleased to inform you that the 9th Pakistan SME Forum 2015

(www.shamrockconferences.net) wil l be held on August 25, 2015 in Lahore. Organized in

consultation with UNISAME and the support of the State Bank of Pakistan, the SME Forum

has evolved into an effective and strong platform to promote the cause of SMEs in

Pakistan.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND: Please register at

conferences@shamrockcom.net – Thank you

Menin Rodrigues

Chairman

9th Pakistan SME Forum 2015

http://www.unisame.org/9th-sme-forum-to-be-held-on-25th-august-2015-in-lahore/

UCCE Rice Production Workshop, July 24, Yuba City Friday, July 24, 2015 • Yuba City, CA

+ to calendar

The UCCE Rice Production Workshop covering the principles and practices of rice

production will be held July 24 in Yuba City, Calif.

The workshop location is The Refuge Restaurant, 1501 Butte House Rd.

Agenda:

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8:30 - Sign in, pick-up class material

9:00 - Introduction, workshop overview

9:10 - Rice growth and development

9:30 - Land formation, water management

9:50 - Tillage, planting, stand establishment

10:10 – Break

10:30 - Variety selection

11:00 – Invertebrates

11:30 – Diseases

12:00 – Lunch

1:00 – Fertility

2:00 - Weeds

3:00 – Adjourn

A $100 prepaid enrollment is required, and is limited to 75 people.

Enroll by July 21. Seats will be filled on a first-come basis.

DPR and CCA continuing education credits requested.

For more information, contact UCCE Farm Advisor Cass Mutters at (530) 538-7201

and rgmutters@ucdavis.edu.

http://westernfarmpress.com/ucce-rice-production-workshop-july-24-yuba-

city?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+July+21%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13%2

C+2013&utm_medium=email

All private companies allowed for C-Grade Thai rice auctions 0

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BY EDITORON 2015-07-22THAILAND

A A A

[GOOGLE-TRANSLATOR]

All private companies allowed for C-Grade rice auctions BANGKOK, 22 July 2015 (NNT) – The Minister of Commerce announced that all companies are allowed to

bid in the C-Grade in-stock rice auction, and has appointed the Permanent-Secretary to inspect the

government’s rice warehouses on Wednesday. The Minister of Commerce Gen Chatchai Sarikulya has revealed that the government’s auction on C-Grade in-stock

rice will be open to all private companies, including traders and millers. He added that the regulation and

agreements for private participation have already been clarified.

He mentioned that the in stock rice must be inspected for fungi, and added that contaminated rice will also be

supplied to the industrial sector for energy production of ethanol or biomass, due to the fact that contaminated rice

cannot be consumed or used to feed animals.

Meanwhile, the Permanent-Secretary of Commerce Ministry is set to lead the media to inspect the C-Grade rice

warehouses on Wednesday.

C-Grade is a category that the rice grain quality has deteriorated.

The Minister of Commerce has added that the price of unmilled rice is poised to rise from the current 10,000 baht,

while the Department of Foreign Trade has been ordered to discuss with rice exporters and millers to help push the

price of rice and to expanding rice exports during the later half of this year.

Rice exporters of Thailand are set to visit Africa during 25-30 July 2015, to discuss more trade negotiations and

cooperations with African rice importers. http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/all-private-companies-allowed-for-c-

grade-thai-rice-auctions/108154/

PDS Scam: SC Asks Ex-MLA to Move Chhattisgarh HC or Lodge FIR By PTI

Published: 20th July 2015 08:26 PM

Last Updated: 20th July 2015 08:28 PM

Email2

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today asked a former legislator and others, who have sought a court- monitored

CBI probe in alleged scam to the tune of Rs 36,000 crore in the public distribution system in Chhattisgarh, to either

move the High Court or lodge an FIR in the case.

A bench headed by Justice T S Thakur, however, kept the petitions for hearing on July 27 and asked the

petitioners to provide more information in support of their claims.

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Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the state of Chhattisgarh, vehemently opposed the pleas by terming

them as the part of "political vendetta".

The bench, during brief hearing, also asked senior lawyer and former Minister Kapil Sibal as to whether he was

appearing in the case to settle political score, saying "are you fighting political battle through this?"

"I will leave the case if that is the impression. In fact, two Congress people are also involved," Sibal responded.

The bench, also comprising Justices V Gopala Gowda and R Banumathi, asked about the petitioners and directed

them to go to the Chhattisgarh High Court or lodge an FIR and then come to it, if nothing happens there.

Referring to the Vyapam scam, Sibal said that influential persons in the states were involved and the state police

cannot do justice to the investigation.

He also referred to the alleged recovery of a diary during the probe and said the names of various recipients of

illegal monies are mentioned.

The bench then said "You (Sibal) know the fate of the Jain Hawala diary."

"This is a serious scam," Sibal said adding that several persons have been made accused in it.

The Attorney General alleged that Sibal was not stating the complete facts of the case.

One of the petitions was filed by former MLA Virendra Pandey from Chhattisgarh seeking a court-monitored probe

into the alleged PDS scam.

The Chhattisgarh anti-corruption bureau (ACB) is probing the alleged irregularities in supply of rice through the

PDS in the state.

Pandey, in his plea, has sought transfer of the probe in Chhattisgarh's PDS scam to the CBI, claiming that the PDS

scam has "engulfed Chhattisgarh casting a long and dark shadow over credibility and integrity" of the government

itself.

The plea also claimed the recent developments have shown that the investigation agency ACB has been carrying

out the probe "just in order to safeguard the main perpetrators of the crime who happen to be high dignitaries of

Chhattisgarh."

"In the present case, all the officials of Civil Supplies Corporation Raipur, Chhattisgarh from field level to senior

officers are involved in the illegal act of procuring, transporting and storing of rice.

"These officers are misusing their authority to illegally recover money from the rice millers during procurement

and transportation of rice and other food grains as well," it said.

Under PDS, essential commodities such as rice, wheat, sugar, kerosene and salt and other commodities notified by

the State Government are sold to ration cardholders through the Fair Price Shops at concessional rates.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/PDS-Scam-SC-Asks-Ex-MLA-to-Move-Chhattisgarh-HC-or-

Lodge-FIR/2015/07/20/article2930781.ece

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Government allows bulk exports of rice bran oil, removes quantitative restrictions

By PTI | 21 Jul, 2015, 11.30PM IST

Post a Comment

READ MORE ON » Solvent Extractors Association | rice bran oil | invest | export | Commerce ministry

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/government-allows-bulk-exports-of-

rice-bran-oil-removes-quantitative-restrictions/articleshow/48165144.cms

Rice prices to rise' amid lower supply, high demand

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation July 22, 2015 1:00 am

The price of Thai rice is expected to climb steadily into next year, mainly because of the impact of

drought on the world market as well as production in Thailand.

However, there are still some factors that could suppress the price including the world economy, the

financial problems in some countries, and the oil price, as it affects the purchasing power of some rice-

importing nations.

The Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) announced yesterday that Thailand should be able to export

between 9.5 million and 10 million tonnes of rice this year, as drought has increased demand in many

countries, while Thailand has plenty of rice stocks.

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TREA president Charoen Laothamatas said Thailand should be able to export at least 9.5 million tonnes

of rice worth not less than US$4.77 billion (Bt165 billion).

"The drought will encourage higher rice prices in the world market and domestically amid higher

demand amid lower production in Thailand and many countries. In Thailand alone, rice output is

expected drop by 15-20 per cent or about 2 million to 3 million tonnes from the drought," he said.

He said the price of rice had bottomed out and should increase in the future after lower production,

while higher demand by many importers such as the Philippines and Indonesia.

Thailand shipped 4.5 million tonnes of rice in the first half, down by 1.1 per cent year on year. During the

same period, India shipped 4.24 million tonnes, while Vietnam exported 2.42 million tonnes.

The association expects the domestic rice price to be above Bt9,000 per tonne of white paddy in the

second half, up from the current level of about Bt8,500, while the export price for white rice should be

above $400 a tonne, up from $390 now. According to an updated "World Markets and Trade" report

released this month by the US Department of Agriculture, global rice trading is expected to decrease

slightly from 43.42 million tonnes last year to 43.72 million tonnes this year. World production will drop

from 478.18 million tonnes to 476.28 million tonnes, consumption will rise from 481.47 million tonnes

to 484.69 million tonnes, and global ending stocks will be lowered from 107.36 million tonnes in 2014 to

98.95 million tonnes this year.

Charoen said that with more demand but less supply of rice, it was a good opportunity for Thailand to

release rice from its stocks. The country holds huge stockpiles of up to 15 million tonnes of rice, and

releasing it now should not drive down the price too much.

However, there are still some worrying factors that could hit the rice price. The European Union is still

recovering slowly from the last financial crisis, while declining oil prices in the world market have

lowered purchasing power in some rice-importing countries, mainly Nigeria but also elsewhere in Africa

and the Middle East.

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Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the association, said the baht's depreciation had

stabilised the export price of rice. However, the domestic price of paddy should increase soon as it has

already bottomed out and the drought should help drive it back up.

To promote sustainable development of the rice industry, the association urged the government to

manage rice stocks with high efficiency to ensure minimum impact on the market price of the grain.

The government should accelerate negotiations with its counterparts in rice-importing countries for

rice-sale contracts. It should promote Thai rice overseas, especially Hom Mali rice (jasmine rice), and

stabilise the baht, as well as reduce obstacles or trade regulations and conditions on rice trading to

many markets.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Rice-prices-to-rise-amid-lower-supply-high-demand-

30264932.html

Jute department seeks DoE‟s help to stop polythene bag production Abu Bakar Siddique The Department of Jute has sought the Department of Environment‟s help in stopping the production of

polyethene or poly bags and sacks in the country as it prepares to implement the Mandatory Jute

Packaging Act 2010.

“We have sent a letter at the Department of Environment authorities asking for their cooperation in

stopping poly bag production, and we are going to sit in a meeting in this regard soon,” said Mohammad

Kefaetulla, director at the Department of Jute.

The environment authorities can help by not permitting poly bag producers to produce the plastic bags

and sacks which are used to package rice, sugar, fertiliser and many other products, sources said.

The government enacted the jute packaging act in January last year aiming to revive the jute industry,

making it mandatory for the country‟s agriculture sector to make all kinds of packaging with jute material.

The law says that paddy, rice, wheat, maize, fertiliser and sugar must be packaged in jute bags. Violation

of the law will result in a maximum sentence of one year in jail or a fine of Tk50,000 or both for using non-

degradable synthetics to package commodities.

However, the government‟s move to implement the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act 2010 has stumbled

due to lack of cooperation from rice mill owners, the major instruments in implementing the act.

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Most of the rice mills in the country are still using contraband plastic sacks that are also detrimental to the

environment.

“Implementation of the act has been slow just because rice mill owners, who are not interested in packing

their products in jute sacks, have been blocking the initiative,” Kefaetulla said last month.

Asked about the Department of Jute‟s letter, Department of Environment Director General Raisul Islam

Mondal told the Dhaka Tribune that his department would lend all its support to the jute sector.

The Department of Environment is the authority responsible to issue environmental clearance to any kind

of industry which produces industrial goods, including poly bags.

According to the Department of Jute, around 750 million jute bags are to be used annually and 50% of the

jute production will be consumed locally once the packaging act is implemented.

Sources from Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) claimed that the sector would regain strengths

overnight if only 20% of the businesses started using bags made of “the Golden Fibre of Bengal.”

Kefaetulla said rice millers use around 1.4 million synthetic sacks annually for packaging their products; if

these sacks could be replaced with jute sacks, it could make a significant difference.

http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/jul/21/jute-department-seeks-does-help-stop-

polythene-bag-production

AP rice mills to stop supplies to

Consumerfed, Supplyco

-

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Special Correspondent

Comment · print · T T

Decision follows dues of over Rs.100 crore

With dues from the State government crossing Rs.100 crore, rice mills based in

Andhra Pradesh have decided to stop supplies to the Kerala State Cooperative

Consumer Federation (Consumerfed) and the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation

(Supplyco) with immediate effect.

At a press conference here on Monday, general secretary of the Quilon Rice Brokers

Association G. Satheesh said the decision was taken by the East Godavari District

Rice Millers Association (EGDRMA).

No payment in 3 years

Payments had not been made for the past three years and the arrears came to more

than Rs.100 crore.

Mr. Satheesh said that Kollam-based rice brokers were the prime stockists of the AP-

based rice mills in south Kerala and that the press conference was called under

directions from the EGDRMA. Supplies for south Kerala reach Kollam by rail freight.

Mr. Satheesh said the EGDRMA representatives had met Chief Minister Oommen

Chandy and other Ministers in the past six months with requests for clearing of dues.

But no payments were made.

The decision was not to supply rice to any State government organisation.

However, the EGDRMA had said that the situation would not lead to shortage or price

rise of rice in the open market.

Rice would be supplied at the existing rate to the open market. The AP rice millers

had said that they had ample buffer stock of rice and that if there was demand more

rakes would be despatched for the open market next month to meet the Onam-related

demands.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:WO3Gu2AoLbAJ:www.thehindu.com/news/n

ational/kerala/ap-rice-mills-to-stop-supplies-to-consumerfed-

supplyco/article7446089.ece+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk

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PH rice sufficiency is desirable, attainable By Rudy Romero | Jul. 21, 2015 at 12:01am

2

In articles written in another newspaper, a friend of mine who has worked for both

the government and the private sector has written about the issue of whether a policy of self-

sufficiency in rice makes economic sense for this country.

My friend’s position is that such a policy, which has been a fixture in successive Philippine

development plans, does not make economic sense. By all means government plans should make

generous provision for the agricultural sector’s needs, he argued, but Filipino farmers should just do

the best thing they can and accept the idea of other countries supplying this country’s annual rice

supply shortfall. This country should not be despondent over the fact that Filipino farmers are unable

to supply all of the nation’s rice needs and should simply strive to support the most efficient farmers.

Rice self-sufficiency, he concluded, should not be regarded as an inviolable goal.

With all due respect I disagree with my friend and colleague. My inability to agree with him stems not

from any obsession with the idea of rice self-sufficiency but from a firm belief that this country has

the capability to produce all the rice it needs. It has approximately 3,000,000 hectares devoted to

rice and corn cultivation, around 50 significant rivers capable of providing irrigation water, abundant

technology—the world’s leading rice research facility, the International Rice Research Institute, is

located in this country—a government agricultural extension structure and adequate supplies of

basic farm inputs. With all of these availabilities, it is extremely difficult to comprehend the Philippine

rice industry’s inability to produce grain sufficient to meet this country’s requirement.

My economist colleague was correct in pointing out that the rice-growing areas of the Philippines are

not of equal productive capability and that the same amount of investment will yield a higher output

in some rice-growing areas than in others. An agricultural policy that invests resources in--and

expects high outputs from--both premier and marginal rice-growing areas is thus bound, in his view,

to result in failure.

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Self-sufficiency is attainable, but the rational path to that result is not the unselective expenditure of

resources but the concentration of spending on rice-growing areas with the highest yields per unit of

investment. These areas have already been identified by government agricultural experts.

They include the Cagayan River valley (especially Isabela), the Bicol River basin, Quezon, Mindoro,

Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Central Mindanao. These areas still have fertile soil and are well

drained by rivers. They are the best rice-growing areas in the nation.

The concept of the government agricultural planners was that these high-productivity areas would

supply the rice needs of the surrounding provinces, viz., Iloilo would take care not only of that

province’s needs but also of the needs of all the Panay Island provinces and the Bicol River basin

would answer for the needs of the Bicol provinces.

The administration of Ferdinand Marcos has the right approach to maximizing the benefits from

foreign assistance to Philippine agriculture. It agreed with the foreign donors that each of them would

answer for the investment requirement of a specific rice-growing area. Thus, it was agreed that

USAID (the United States Agency for International Development) would answer for the investment

requirement of the Bicol River basin, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) would take

care of the financial needs of Central Mindanao, and so on. The Department of Agriculture, with the

full support of Neda (National Economic and Development Authority) made certain that the concept

would be successfully implemented.

Rice-sufficiency in this country is not pie in the sky. It is achievable. But the way to get there is not by

constantly deriding the notion--citing other nations’ thriving rice industries--but by more judicious use

of national resources available for Filipino rice farmers.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/07/21/ph-rice-sufficiency-is-desirable-attainable/

PH says private traders apply to import 300,000 T rice Reuters

Posted at 07/21/2015 11:35 AM

MANILA - Private rice traders in the Philippines are seeking to import around 300,000 tonnes of the staple food,

mostly from Vietnam and Thailand, an official of the state grains procurement agency told Reuters on Tuesday.

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The volume is a little more than a third of the maximum 805,200 tonnes that traders can import with 35 percent tariff

before the Nov. 30 deadline, but will nonetheless help boost domestic supply at a time local harvest is seasonally

weak.

The Philippines, a major rice importer, has been boosting buffer stocks to keep retail prices stable especially during

the traditional lean harvest season starting this month.

"Maybe the entire volume will not be taken considering that importers are not interested to buy from other countries

like China, Australia, India, Pakistan (and) El Salvador," said Piolito Santos, manager at NFA's Grains Marketing

Operations department.

Traders have until July 30 to apply to import rice with quality not lower than 25 percent broken.

Rice export prices in Thailand, the world's second-biggest supplier after India, extended gains last week on concerns

that a drought may cut domestic output, while demand from private Philippine firms has also pushed up prices in No.

3 exporter Vietnam.

Under the guidelines, traders can import up to 293,100 tonnes each from Thailand and Vietnam, up to 50,000 tonnes

each from China, India and Pakistan, 15,000 tonnes from El Salvador and the rest from any other countries.

The NFA has so far bought a total of 550,000 tonnes from Vietnam and 200,000 tonnes from Thailand in government-

to-government deals this year.

The agency also has permission from President Benigno Aquino to import an additional 250,000 tonnes if a drought

brought on by the El Nino weather phenomenon intensifies and hurts local rice production.

Latest government data show local rice prices have fallen around 5 percent from a year earlier, when the retail costs

shot up dramatically due to damage to supply chains from Super Typhoon Haiyan in late 2014 and the government's

failure to import additional volumes on time.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/07/21/15/ph-says-private-traders-apply-import-300000-t-rice

SunRice tests farmer shareholder support for

listing

ELI GREENBLAT

THE AUSTRALIAN

JULY 21, 2015 8:30AM

BE THE FIRST TO RESPOND

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SunRice has had „very positive response‟ to the potential capital structure. Picture: Andy Rogers

SUNRICE, one of Australia’s last remaining export monopolies, has begun a poll

of its farmer shareholder base as it gauges support for plans to list its shares on

the stock exchange and invite new investors to its register.

If the SunRice board gains approval from A-class and B-class shareholders for a capital

restructure, the company could list on the ASX by the end of the year.

The business handles about 700,000-800,000 tonnes of rice a year on behalf of

farmers, as well as selling other snack foods under the Always Fresh label.

The move follows a string of agricultural businesses floating on the market including

Murray Goulburn, Australia‟s largest dairy company, which raised $500 million in fresh

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equity in a partial ASX float. The Australian recently reported that cooking legend

Maggie Beer planned to list her food business.

A shift from the illiquid National Stock Exchange to the ASX would create a sizeable

new company for the main board.

Last financial year, SunRice posted sales of $1.25 billion and an after-tax profit of

$43.42m, up 46 per cent. As part of its journey to the ASX, SunRice has conducted

rounds of briefings with its farmer and investor shareholders and will now conduct a

phone poll to test the level of support for a capital restructure and listing.

SunRice chairman Laurie Arthur said the group had received a “very positive response”

to the potential capital structure, which would preserve grower shareholder control.

“This new structure represents a significant opportunity to change the way we fund Sun-

Rice‟s growth and build an Australian-controlled food company of scale that can

compete in global markets to benefit all growers and shareholders,” Mr Arthur said. “As

we approach the final stages of the capital structure review, feedback from our

shareholders will be crucial in informing whether or not we move forward with the new

structure and bring it back to shareholders to vote on.”

Under a proposal before investors, existing B-class shares would become B preference

shares held by a new SunRice fund, which would be listed on the ASX.

The fund would then issue B securities that could be traded on the ASX and give

holders economic rights including dividends. Shareholder growers with A-class shares

would preserve their control of the company.

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/sunrice-tests-farmer-shareholder-support-for-

listing/story-fnkeqfxg-1227450359711

Prolonged Thailand drought threatens global

rice shortage

SciDev Net Monday 20 July 2015

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Prolonged drought in Thailand may lead to a shortage in world rice supply if adaptation methods to

raise rice production are not taken, scientists warn.

The drought is putting pressure on Thailand‟s economy, the word‟s largest rice exporter. Although

the nation‟s Royal Irrigation Department has estimated rainfall in late July, farmers have been

advised to delay planting until August to meet water demands for public consumption.

Shaobing Peng of Huazhong Agriculture University in China believesclimate change is now affecting

the seasonal weather in Thailand.

“Global mean surface air temperature has increased by 0.5 degree Celsius in the twentieth century

and will continue to increase by 1.5 to 4.5 degrees Celsius this century. We need to think of more

holistic and adaptive measures aside from drought management such as heat-resistant seeds,” adds

Peng, a former senior crop physiologist at the International Rice Research Institute.

He says, as an added pressure, world rice production will have to increase by one per cent annually

to meet the increasing demand for the commodity.

To adapt to climate change, the Thai government has initiated plans to introduce drought-resistant

seeds. But these seeds are not reusable and can be costly to poor farmers who are not receiving

direct financial aid. Government-supplied seeds are also limited, forcing farmers to obtain their

seeds from private suppliers.

RELATED NEWS & OPINION

New seeds of hope for Nepal‟s farmers

A clear case for golden rice

100 per cent crop damage reported in parts of Mindanao due to drought

With 60 million rai (960,000 hectares) of land reserved for paddy still barren, many farmers are

resorting to secondary crops to make sufficient income.

“Farmers are aware of climate change and they have been complementing their crop production with

sugarcane, cucumber, long beans and tilapia. Their main source of income still comes from rice

yields, and with only 10 per cent of farmers receiving government-funded seeds, it still leaves the

majority saving their seeds from the previous year,” says Jintana Kawasaki from the United

Nations University.

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Thailand‟s rice production problems also have economic and political ramifications. Although

agriculture production only accounts for nine per cent of the country‟s GDP (gross domestic

product), majority of the population rely on agriculture for food and income. In 2014, rice exports

accounted for 1.3 per cent of GDP.

Rice exports declined drastically in 2011 when then prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra‟s

administration introduced a price support programme.

The policy managed to boost rural income in the short term as the government bought grains from

farmers, boosting domestic prices. This resulted in a decline in the value of rice exports, from 200

billion Thai baht in 2011 (US$6 billion) to less than US$4.4 billion in 2012.

“The situation for Thailand‟s rice export industry is improving but they are facing competitors from

neighbouring countries which offer cheaper prices,” says Luxmon Attapich, senior country economist

at the Asian Development Bank‟s Thailand resident mission.

The Economic Intelligence Center, the research centre for Siam Commercial Bank, predicts that

Thailand‟s economic growth forecast might be 0.4 per cent lower this year due to the drought.

http://www.eco-business.com/news/prolonged-thailand-drought-threatens-global-rice-shortage/

Jigawa communities welcome Dangote's proposed rice project By Innocent Senyo July 20, 2015 18:27:35pm GMT | Views: 215

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Dangote

WorldStage Newsonline-- Jigawa State Government and host communities have expressed support for the Dangote Rice project expected to be the largest in Africa.

They gave their backing for the take off of the project during a series of town hall sensitization meetings with management of the Dangote Rice Farming Limited.

According to the farming plan released during a sensitization town hall meetings with some host communities by the Dangote Rice farming Limited, the rice project at Kaffin Hausa has a five year plan to achieve between 175,000 and 200, 000, hectares of rice grown twice a year.

The communities specially expressed satisfaction and delight at the choice of their area for the project just preparations commenced in the state which is one of the states, where the company, for a start, is cultivating 600 hectares of land for commercial rice farming by November.

Jigawa state government was particularly excited at the Out-Grower part of the plan that would see Dangote Rice helping farmers with implements to cultivate and grow rice which would also be bought from them by Dangote

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19

rice, a project, the state government would compliments its agenda of job creation and poverty reduction at the grassroots in the state.

Already, multi million dollars worth state of the arts equipment for the commencement of the rice project is expected in a location in Kaffin Hausa local government area of Jigawa state for the project with potentials of thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities.

The rice project has a plan to follow a due process for the development of the 20,000 hectares of land for rice farming in order to produce and sell high quality parboiled rice in the Nigerian market

Management of the Company, led by Alhaji Mohammed Bello said the Dangote Rice project has the objective of becoming the leaders in rice farming in the world and also boost the Nigerian economy, encourage self sustainability and import substitution in rice.

He said the that company was set to reduce importation of rice into Nigeria by investing to become the largest farming operations in the world by 2020 with excess of 150,000 hectares of land spread around three to five states.

According to him, Dangote Rice Company will produce and sell one million tons of high quality parboiled rice within the next five years and at the same time supporting and developing Nigerian rice farmers through the out-grower plan that will generate employments.

The management of the Company expressed appreciation to the government of the state for its willingness to come to the aid of the company to ensure a smooth the off of the project.

While meeting with the communities and some of those whose settlements fall within the government reserved area earmarked for the project, Bello pleaded for maximum co operation of the people to realize the project, describing the decision by Alhaji Dangote to delve into the project as laudable.

He promised that the people would experience a new dawn in all areas of their life as a people as the Company would be ready to give them a new lease of life better than they are currently experiencing.

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The sensitisation meeting has taken the Company and state government officials to some 15 communities including, Ciyayi, Gafaya, Wiwi and Auno villages in Kaffin Hausa local government area of the state.

Community leaders, described the rice project as a transformation project that they could not but support.

They urged Dangote Rice company to put machinery in motion and commence cultivation as the project would provide thousands of jobs for their youths who usually abandon the communities for big cities like Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Kano in search of better living.

They assured that the Project would be safe and that Dangote could go and sleep because they would do all within their power to protect and make it flourish.

In his remark, Alhaji Hamisu Sabo, the Director of Jigawa Investment, an investment agency of the state government, said the state government “has been encouraging and supporting Dangote Rice project because it is a project that will make a difference in the lives of the people of the state.”

He stated that the decision to establish the rice project in Jigawa was a boost to the development agenda of the new government in the state, pointing out that job creation and poverty reduction are a cardinal objectives of the state government agenda.

http://worldstagegroup.com/index.php?active

=news&newscid=23475&catid=30 Prolonged

Thailand drought threatens global rice shortage

SciDev Net Monday 20 July 2015

Prolonged drought in Thailand may lead to a shortage in world rice supply if adaptation methods to

raise rice production are not taken, scientists warn.

The drought is putting pressure on Thailand‟s economy, the word‟s largest rice exporter. Although

the nation‟s Royal Irrigation Department has estimated rainfall in late July, farmers have been

advised to delay planting until August to meet water demands for public consumption.

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Shaobing Peng of Huazhong Agriculture University in China believesclimate change is now affecting

the seasonal weather in Thailand.

“Global mean surface air temperature has increased by 0.5 degree Celsius in the twentieth century

and will continue to increase by 1.5 to 4.5 degrees Celsius this century. We need to think of more

holistic and adaptive measures aside from drought management such as heat-resistant seeds,” adds

Peng, a former senior crop physiologist at the International Rice Research Institute.

He says, as an added pressure, world rice production will have to increase by one per cent annually

to meet the increasing demand for the commodity.

To adapt to climate change, the Thai government has initiated plans to introduce drought-resistant

seeds. But these seeds are not reusable and can be costly to poor farmers who are not receiving

direct financial aid. Government-supplied seeds are also limited, forcing farmers to obtain their

seeds from private suppliers.

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100 per cent crop damage reported in parts of Mindanao due to drought

With 60 million rai (960,000 hectares) of land reserved for paddy still barren, many farmers are

resorting to secondary crops to make sufficient income.

“Farmers are aware of climate change and they have been complementing their crop production with

sugarcane, cucumber, long beans and tilapia. Their main source of income still comes from rice

yields, and with only 10 per cent of farmers receiving government-funded seeds, it still leaves the

majority saving their seeds from the previous year,” says Jintana Kawasaki from the United

Nations University.

Thailand‟s rice production problems also have economic and political ramifications. Although

agriculture production only accounts for nine per cent of the country‟s GDP (gross domestic

product), majority of the population rely on agriculture for food and income. In 2014, rice exports

accounted for 1.3 per cent of GDP.

Rice exports declined drastically in 2011 when then prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra‟s

administration introduced a price support programme.

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The policy managed to boost rural income in the short term as the government bought grains from

farmers, boosting domestic prices. This resulted in a decline in the value of rice exports, from 200

billion Thai baht in 2011 (US$6 billion) to less than US$4.4 billion in 2012.

“The situation for Thailand‟s rice export industry is improving but they are facing competitors from

neighbouring countries which offer cheaper prices,” says Luxmon Attapich, senior country economist

at the Asian Development Bank‟s Thailand resident mission.

The Economic Intelligence Center, the research centre for Siam Commercial Bank, predicts that

Thailand‟s economic growth forecast might be 0.4 per cent lower this year due to the drought.

http://www.eco-business.com/news/prolonged-thailand-drought-threatens-global-rice-shortage/

International Benchmark Price Price on: 20-07-2015

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Rice

1 CZCE Early Rice Futures (USD/t) 411

2 Pakistani 100%, FOB Karachi (USD/t) 318

3 Pakistani 15% Broken (USD/t) 365

Peanuts

1 South Africa, HPS 70/80 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t) 1200

2 South African, HPS 40/50 peanuts CFR main European ports (USD/t) 1592

3 US 38/42 Runners, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 1300

Honey

1 Argentine 34mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 3740

2 Argentine 50mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 3630

3 Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 3520

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 20-07-2015

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Maize

1 Amreli (Gujarat) Other 1170 1285

2 Dhing (Assam) Other 1340 1500

3 Barshi (Maharashtra) Other 1400 1400

Barley (Jau)

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1 Dahod (Gujarat) Other 1200 1250

2 Deoli (Rajasthan) Other 1100 1115

3 Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) Other 1120 1220

Pine Apple

1 Aroor (Kerala) Other 2800 3000

2 Sirhind (Punjab) Other 1500 2200

3 Shillong (Meghalaya) Other 2000 2400

Carrot

1 Bonai (Orissa) Other 2000 3000

2 Shillong (Meghalaya) Other 3000 3500

3 Thodupuzha (Kerala) Other 2000 2500

Source:agra-net For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 20-07-2015

Product Market Center Price

1 Pune 320

2 Hyderabad 300

3 Nagapur 297

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 17-07-2015

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Potatoes Package: 50 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Colorado Russet 20 23

2 Baltimore Idaho Russet 16 19

3 Detroit Wisconsin Russet 21 21.50

Cabbage Package: 50 lb sacks

1 Atlanta Virginia Round Green Type 15.50 15.50

2 Miami New York Round Green Type 12.75 13

3 New York Canada Round Green Type 11 12

Grapefruit Package: 7/10 bushel cartons

1 Atlanta California Red 26 27

2 Baltimore California Red 22 23

3 Philadelphia California Red 18 20

Source:USDA

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Boosting trade ties with Pakistan is important to our growth BY JULIUS BITOK Updated Tuesday,

July 21st 2015 at 05:57 GMT +3 Share this story: Kenya and Pakistan have long enjoyed strong

diplomatic ties, underpinned by robust commercial activities. Currently, trade between the two

countries is worth about Sh81.8 billion ($800 million) annually, with Pakistan being a leading importer of

Kenya’s tea, and more than 80 per cent of the rice imported into Kenya coming from Pakistan. Data

from the Kenya Bureau of Statistics shows that in 2014, tea accounted for more than 95 per cent of total

exports from Kenya to the South Asian nation. Pakistan is the fourth-leading destination for Kenya’s

goods after Uganda, Tanzania and Britain. In 2013, we exported goods worth Sh37.8 billion to Pakistan.

And in 2014, the country was the leading importer of our products in Asia, buying goods worth Sh47.7

billion, an increase of Sh9.9 billion over 2013. Strategic deals Aside from tea, other high-potential export

commodities from Kenya to Pakistan include coconuts, dry nuts, mangoes, fresh flowers and powdered

milk. Pakistan can, through strategic deals, sell to Kenya pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment, textiles,

farm machinery and sports goods at favourable terms. Several factors underpin trade between the two

countries, including a strong commitment from the two nations to grow their ties. This is driven mainly

by the fact that bilateral relations have become a key cog in transforming the two economies. These

bilateral relations have been sustained by a raft of agreements. For instance, rice from Pakistan attracts

35 per cent duty, while commodities from other markets face higher levies. On its part, Pakistan

imposes 5 per cent import duty on Kenyan tea. See Also: The paradox of foreign investment in Kenya A

second reason our relations are bound to improve is the ongoing integration of East African economies,

which is shaping the region into a huge market for goods and services. With a population of more than

100 million, the five-nation East African Community is attracting investors from all corners of the globe.

Pakistani traders and investors have the opportunity to expand their engagement with Kenya to gain a

foothold in the region and cash in on its potential. Kenya is East Africa’s financial and technology hub,

and a gateway to the region, with most imports and exports going through the busy Mombasa port. The

country’s position in East Africa, and its stature in Africa, was further boosted by last year’s rebasing,

which saw Kenya leap into middle-income status and become the continent’s ninth largest economy, up

from 12th.

Read more at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000169890/boosting-trade-

ties-with-pakistan-is-important-to-our-growth

PH says private traders apply to import 300,000 T rice

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Reuters

Posted at 07/21/2015 11:35 AM

MANILA - Private rice traders in the Philippines are seeking to import around 300,000 tonnes of the staple food,

mostly from Vietnam and Thailand, an official of the state grains procurement agency told Reuters on Tuesday.

The volume is a little more than a third of the maximum 805,200 tonnes that traders can import with 35 percent tariff

before the Nov. 30 deadline, but will nonetheless help boost domestic supply at a time local harvest is seasonally

weak.

The Philippines, a major rice importer, has been boosting buffer stocks to keep retail prices stable especially during

the traditional lean harvest season starting this month.

"Maybe the entire volume will not be taken considering that importers are not interested to buy from other countries

like China, Australia, India, Pakistan (and) El Salvador," said Piolito Santos, manager at NFA's Grains Marketing

Operations department.

Traders have until July 30 to apply to import rice with quality not lower than 25 percent broken.

Rice export prices in Thailand, the world's second-biggest supplier after India, extended gains last week on concerns

that a drought may cut domestic output, while demand from private Philippine firms has also pushed up prices in No.

3 exporter Vietnam.

Under the guidelines, traders can import up to 293,100 tonnes each from Thailand and Vietnam, up to 50,000 tonnes

each from China, India and Pakistan, 15,000 tonnes from El Salvador and the rest from any other countries.

The NFA has so far bought a total of 550,000 tonnes from Vietnam and 200,000 tonnes from Thailand in government-

to-government deals this year.

The agency also has permission from President Benigno Aquino to import an additional 250,000 tonnes if a drought

brought on by the El Nino weather phenomenon intensifies and hurts local rice production.

Latest government data show local rice prices have fallen around 5 percent from a year earlier, when the retail costs

shot up dramatically due to damage to supply chains from Super Typhoon Haiyan in late 2014 and the government's

failure to import additional volumes on time

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/07/21/15/ph-says-private-traders-apply-import-300000-t-rice

Rice Wednesday is Back in Mexico

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If it's Wednesday,

it's U.S.-grown rice!

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- The popular USA Rice "Rice Wednesday" promotion is underway here at La

Chilanguita, a chain with 11 restaurants in high traffic areas in Mexico City and Mexico State, including

its most popular location, Masaryk, the most exclusive area in Mexico City. The promotion began last

month and runs through December.

Patrons of La Chilanguita can choose between four rice entrees: Arroz a La Tumbada (a dish from

Veracruz combining rice and seafood), Arroz Frito (fried rice), Morisqueta (a spicy rice dish from

Michoacán) and paella. The restaurant reports the most popular rice dish, generating many repeat

visits, is the USA Rice paella. So popular, in fact, the managers of several locations have chosen to serve

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the paellas with U.S.-grown rice on Sundays as well.

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Angel Donovan, Executive Chef of La Chilanguita, enjoys working with U.S.-grown rice. He included a

popular rice ceviche from his restaurant in the USA Rice "Great Chefs" cookbook in 2014 and has

appeared on the Arroz Gourmet TV Shows.

"Since the promotion started, it has inspired me to create new rice dishes to include in the daily

suggestions, and the most popular options will become a staple on the menu," Donovan said.

La Chilanguita purchases nearly 1,500 pounds a month of U.S. long grain and parboiled rice from

Schettino, one of the largest millers/packers in Mexico.

Contact: Sarah Moran (703) 236-1457

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for July 21

Month Price Net Change

September 2015 $11.005 + $0.115

November 2015 $11.275 + $0.110

January 2016 $11.545 + $0.110

March 2016 $11.700 + $0.110

May 2016 $11.885 + $0.110

July 2016 $11.885 + $0.110

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September 2016 $11.895 + $0.110

Riceland Class Visits USA Rice Headquarters

Riceland Getting In-Depth at USA Rice

ARLINGTON, VA-- Rice farmers from Arkansas taking part in the Riceland In-Depth program

visited USA Rice headquarters yesterday for a briefing on the structure and work of the U.S. rice

industry's national association. The class met with USA Rice staff for a briefing on government affairs,

trade, promotion and communications activities.

In welcoming the group, USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward stressed the importance of

education and engagement for young rice farmers through programs like Riceland In-Depth.

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"I commend you for taking part in this program and being proactively informed on the issues

that affect you as rice farmers," Ward said. "Those are the issues USA Rice is here to work on every day,

and we appreciate the opportunity to meet with you in person."

The group's study session in Washington, D.C. also included meetings with administration

officials and congressional offices.

Contact: Trish Alderson (703) 236-1472