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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine
Page 1
Contact for Newsletter Advertisement [email protected] Cell : +92 321 3692774
Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter
March 12 , 2015 V o l u m e 5, Issue I
Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
www.ricepluss.com R&D Section: Riceplus Magazine
Page 2
Contact for Newsletter Advertisement [email protected] Cell : +92 321 3692774
Global campaign for 'golden rice'
Reaz Ahmad
Patrick Moore
A global campaign that supports the genetically modified "golden
rice" and promotes the cause for fighting child mortality entered
Bangladesh yesterday as part of its three-nation Asia tour. The
campaign -- Allow Golden Rice Now -- is being spearheaded by a
man who happens to be a convert from the world's biggest anti-GMO
(genetically modified organism) lobby -- Greenpeace.“If golden rice
were a cure for cancer, malaria, or Ebola, it would have been
approved 10 years ago. In that time, 20 million people, mostly
children, have died. This is a crime against humanity,” said Patrick
Moore, the campaign head and a Canadian ecologist, at a press
briefing in Dhaka yesterday.
Moore, a co-founder of Greenpeace and an ex-director of the world's largest green group, left
Greenpeace as he considered its positions on various issues unscientific.In 2013, along with his
brother Michael Moore, he founded the Allow Golden Rice Society -- a non-profit organisation
dedicated to seeing golden rice approved for commercial agriculture.Golden rice is a genetically
modified rice variety capable of fighting child mortality and blindness caused by vitamin A
deficiency. The rice is infused with vitamin A producing beta carotene taken from maize.Along
with Manila-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Bangladesh is now at the
forefront in developing golden rice. However, crops derived through agricultural biotechnology
and genetic engineering are often met with opposition from the anti-GMO lobbies.
The Allow Golden Rice Now campaign that began on March 4 will run in Bangladesh for four
days and tour the Philippines and India up to March 20, as these are the few countries where
vitamin A deficiency is a major cause of child mortality."Two million children and many
mothers die each year from a lack of this essential vitamin. It is the greatest cause of child death
today. Golden rice is the obvious cure, but because it was created with genetic science,
Greenpeace and the anti-GMO movement fervently oppose it," Moore said.
Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
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On August 8, 2013, Greenpeace instigated the destruction of golden rice scientific field trials at
the IRRI in the Philippines. The Allow Golden Rice Society is actively campaigning for the
approval of the rice so it can be delivered to the 200 million children who are deficient in vitamin
A.“All we ask is that Greenpeace and their allies make an exception for golden rice in their
opposition to GM crops,” he said. “Millions of lives are at stake.
”The members of the Golden Rice South Asia Tour also include Horst Rehberger, a senior
German politician; Uwe Schrader, a German expert in biotechnology, and Hans-Jörg Jacobsen, a
German heading Plant Biotechnology at the Institute of Plant Genetics of Leibniz University in
Hanover.“I want to seek solutions to different problems and not just oppose one thing or the
other," Moore told The Daily Star. He deplored that some 250,000 to 500,000 vitamin A-
deficient children become blind every year, half of them dying within 12 months of losing their
sight.
"This tragedy can be eliminated with golden rice… but has been blocked by Greenpeace for over
a decade. During that time over eight million children have gone blind and then died."Moore and
his campaign team lauded Bangladesh for being the first among all Asian nations in introducing
GM vegetable - Bt Brinjal. "We will see Bt Brinjal fields on Friday," Moore said, adding that
they also sought to meet Bangladesh's agriculture minister on Thursday.
http://www.thedailystar.net/business/global-campaign-golden-rice-71012
Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
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Field Day’ Exhibition held to promote water-saving in rice
production
Thursday, 12 March 2015 By NNT
PATHUM THANI, 12 March 2015 –
The Rice Department is organizing a
"Field Day” exhibition at the Pathumthani
Rice Research Center to promote water-
saving in the rice production
system.Director-General Chanpithya
Shimphalee said after presiding over the
opening ceremony that the event was held
to commemorate the 5th Cycle Birthday
Anniversary of HRH Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn on 2nd April 2015.The
exhibition is also an effort by the Rice
Department to raise farmers' awareness
about using water wisely and to optimize
the use of water in rice production.The
Field Day exhibition is organized by
Pathumthani Rice Research Center in
collaboration with seven other centers in
different parts of Thailand. The event has
the format of a Farmer Market and also
incorporates such activities as seminars,
contests of rice-based products, and
demonstrations on rice processing.
Understanding plants' immune systems could lead to better
tomatoes, roses, rice
Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
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Plants that are infected with speck disease often have wilted leaves and damaged fruit. Credit: University
of Missouri
Spring is just around the corner and for millions of Americans, that means planting a garden with
plenty of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes. However, some of the plants will be infected
by bacteria, leading to stunted growth and less nutritional value. Now, a University of Missouri
research team has uncovered new regulations of defense pathways for plants. This discovery
could lead to helping those home-grown tomatoes fight off certain bacteria better and has
implications for pear trees, roses, soybeans and rice.
"Each year, millions of dollars are lost from
damage to crops and ornamental plants caused
by pathogens, which include a bacteria known as
Pseudomonas Syringae," said Antje Heese,
assistant professor of biochemistry at MU. "This
bacteria directly affects tomatoes and causes
speck disease that permanently damages the fruit
and leaves. In our study, we used Arabidopsis
thaliana, a plant that has the same immune
response as tomatoes but grows at a faster rate,
to study the immune responses of plants.
"Previously, researchers thought that a plant defended itself against bacteria by activating a
specific, several-step process. However, Heese's team found that if the plant is exposed to
bacteria, it actually activates its immune system using three separate mechanisms.Heese and her
research team, including MU graduate student John M. Smith, confirmed that each mechanism
responding to the infection is doing so independently of the other two mechanisms, and that each
of these mechanisms must have the right amount of specific proteins, called immune receptors,
in the right place to respond appropriately. Having the right combination provides the plant with
an effective and efficient immune response. This discovery could allow future scientists to create
new strategies to help plants fight disease and lead to better crops.
"Like any living organism, plants have limited resources and they have to use those resources
effectively," Heese said. "If the plant makes too much of the proteins responsible for these
mechanisms, they will suffer in other areas, such as creating quality fruit. This same discovery
can be applied to many crops, including rice and soybeans, and ornamental plants, including
roses, pear and apple trees. The information discovered in this study gives scientists something
new to study in plants, with the eventual goal of better crops and ornamental plants."The study,
"Loss of Arabidopsis thaliana Dynamin-Related Protein 2B Reveals Separation of Innate
Immune Signaling Pathways," was published in PLOS Pathogens.
http://phys.org/news/2015-03-immune-tomatoes-roses-rice.html
Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
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KCR writes to PM on levy on rice millers
Hyderabad, March 12 (INN): Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, in a letter, requested Prime
Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the Government of India's decision that the State
Governments should not impose any levy on rice from the millers with effect from 1st October,
2015.The Chief Minister also suggested to continue to at least have the existing 25% levy with a
view to safeguard the interests of the farmers to get remunerative prices for certain special
varieties and at certain periods when the millers have good market outside the State or Country
as the case may be.
It may be mentioned that with a view to ensure payment of remunerative prices to farmers at
MSP or above and to improve outreach of procurement system to the farm gate for their better
coverage, the Central Government has decided that the State Governments should not impose
any levy on rice from the millers with effect from 1st October this year.The Chief Minister
mentioned in the letter that Telangana State is a paddy producing State and the practice has been
that normally the millers purchase paddy from the farmers competing with each other at
remunerative rates for delivering levy and utilizing the levy free rice. He also said that as long as
the millers pay them the remunerative prices (over and above the MSP) they will not offer to the
Government agencies at MSP.
Only when they are offered less than MSP, they choose to deliver paddy at the purchase centres
opened by the Government agencies. KCR wrote that Government of Telangana is strictly
monitoring whether the millers are paying MSP to the farmers before they deliver rice under
levy. The Chief Minister pointed out that with the decision to remove the levy system, it is
possible that the millers may not offer remunerative prices, as they normally do. The
Government agencies can assure the farmers MSP only and not remunerative prices. This may
cause hardship to the farmers as removal of levy will deny them of the remunerative prices.In
view of the above, KCR requested the Prime Minister to reconsider the decision and continue to
at least have the existing 25% levy with a view to safeguard the interests of the farmers to get
remunerative prices for certain special varieties and at certain periods when the millers have
good market outside the State or Country as the case may be.
http://www.healthaim.com/golden-rice-campaign-launched/16552
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Golden Rice Campaign Launched
By Rubelle Tan · Mar 13th, 2015
Golden rice, a genetically modified rice variety by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), will
be distributed in India to compensate for the lack of vitamin A in children. This genetically engineered
rise was the product of splicing of bacteria and maize genes into rice for it to contain pro-vitamin A (beta-
carotene).
Golden Rice grain in screenhouse of Golden Rice plants.
The Allow Golden Rice Campaign Now, headed by Greenpeace co-founder, Patrick Moore, was launched
in the Philippines and Bangladesh last March 6 and will continue in New Delhi and Mumbai, India on
March 19.Vitamin A deficiency has been observed in children in third-world countries, as well as in
adults. The campaign aims to do a “quick-fix” solution to vitamin A deficiency that can lead to blindness.
This campaign is not without objections, however. Stop Golden Rice Alliance, composed of 20 non-
government organizations around the world, has been vocal in its objections on the promotion of Golden
Rice.“With inexpensive Vitamin A available in abundance from various natural resources, produced by
small-scale and backyard producers, it is a mistake to turn blindly to golden rice, a crop that the
International Rice Research Institute itself admits it has not yet determined if it can actually improve the
Vitamin A intake,” said the Alliance.As a response to these objections, Moore stated: “Golden rice is the
obvious cure, but because it was created with genetic science, Greenpeace and the anti-GMO movement
fervently oppose it. No country has approved it for cultivation.
”“If golden rice was a cure for a disease like malaria, cancer, or Ebola it would have been approved years
ago,” he added.Vitamin A deficiency is a significant health problem of over 75 countries worldwide.
Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) can cause severe visual impairment, blindness, and increased risk for
diseases like diarrhoeal disease and measles in children.Countries where golden rice was initially
launched had mixed reviews. In the Philippines, a Facebook campaign was launched by NGOs and
scientists to stop Moore‟s advocacy for Golden Rice.“Our opposition to Golden Rice and other
Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
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genetically modified (GM) crops are founded on solid argumenta and actual experiences of Filipino
farmers on GM crops.
Filipino farmers who have been planting GM crops suffered negative income, health problems and
poisoned environment,” stated MASIPAG, a Filipino farmer-led network of people‟s organizations,
NGOs and scientists.India, on the other hand, has Modi government that is pro-technology. “The aim is
to dispel fears about GM crops, so that the country can join the US, China and Canada. GM crops are
very important for India‟s agricultural growth,” says a senior agricultural ministry official.
Here are some facts on VAD:
14 million pre-schoolchildren have some eye damage due to VAD
350,000 (or more pre-school children become partially or totally blind every year from VAD
About 60 percent of these children die within a few month of going blind
Half of all childhood corneal blindness in developing countries is caused by VAD, and half of that is from
added measles infection
Photo: IRRI photos
http://www.healthaim.com/golden-rice-campaign-launched/16552
Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
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USA Rice Identifies Market Challenges in Malaysia
Taking stock of the market
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA -- Earlier this week, USA Rice visited Malaysia as part of a USDA-
sponsored Agribusiness Trade Mission to Malaysia and the Philippines led by Under Secretary for Farm
and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse, and found a complicated rice import scheme that does
present some opportunities. "Imports of rice in Malaysia are controlled by BERNAS, a private company
that has been granted an import monopoly for all rice," explained USA Rice's Vice President of
International Promotion Jim Guinn who is on the trip. "Private companies can, and do, approach
BERNAS with an order for rice, where they can be very specific as to the supplier of the rice. BERNAS
will then import the rice for the customer, generally with a mark-up of at least 35 percent. BERNAS in
effect is an implementer of governmental policy which is to maintain the price of imports above the local
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price."
Guinn said there was an interest expressed in Southern medium grain rice and several trade contacts
requested samples for their analysis as to market acceptability.The growing global popularity of sushi is
evident in Malaysia as well, and demand for sushi rice is on the rise. One Japanese brand containing rice
from California was seen in the local retail market.
Malaysia is a party to the on-going Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations and many in the trade expect
there may have to be changes to the rice import regime in future years.Guinn added that while immediate
opportunities for U.S.-grown rice may be limited, there is good market acceptance of U.S. rice, and with
market access changes in the offing, the future opportunities are somewhat brighter.
Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444
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Weekly Rice Sales, Exports Reported
WASHINGTON, DC -- Net rice sales of 82,500 MT for 2014/2015 were up 19 percent from the previous
week, but down 15 percent from the prior four-week average, according to today's Export Sales
Highlights report. Increases were reported for Mexico (22,100 MT), Haiti (20,500 MT), Costa Rica
(11,100 MT), Colombia (7,100 MT), and Guatemala (4,600 MT). Exports of 53,100 MT were up 59
percent from the previous week and 24 percent from the prior four-week average. The primary
destinations were Colombia (35,600 MT), Saudi Arabia (4,300 MT), Canada (3,600 MT), Mexico (3,500
MT), and Haiti (1,500 MT).
This summary is based on reports from exporters from the period February 27 - March 5.
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for March 12
Month Price Net Change
March 2015 $10.470 - $0.035
May 2015 $10.680 - $0.055
July 2015 $10.925 - $0.060
September 2015 $11.040 - $0.065
November 2015 $11.200 - $0.090
January 2016 $11.345 - $0.075
March 2016 $11.345 - $0.075
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New rice herbicides on the horizon, Arkansas researcher
reports
Mar 11, 2015Forrest Laws | Delta Farm Press
Forrest Laws | Delta Farm Press
Jason Norsworthy says growers tell him he‟s always bringing them bad news when he speaks at
meetings around the state.Most of the time, Norsworthy, professor of weed science at the
University of Arkansas, is talking to farmers about resistance, the number of herbicides they
need in their weed control program or a new weed that‟s become resistant to one or more
herbicides.“Why can‟t you give us a better message?” said Dr. Norsworthy, speaking at the Roy
J. Smith Barnyardgrass Workshop in Stuttgart, Ark.
“Growers tell me „Every time I see you, everything you‟re going to tell me is about what‟s
wrong, about something that‟s broken.‟ “Part of the reason for putting this program together
today is that I wanted to be the one to bring you some good news,” he said. “There are some
exciting things happening in rice. If things go as expected over the next few years, we could have
some exciting changes in our fight against barnyardgrass and other problem weeds.
”The key, Norsworthy and other speakers at the workshop said, is to make the tools currently
available to rice producers battling herbicide-resistant barnyardgrass last until the new products
can make it through the EPA approval process.Norsworthy and other weed scientists at the
University of Arkansas, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University and Texas
A&M University organized the workshop to provide growers and consultants with the latest
information on the problem of barnyardgrass resistance to multiple herbicides.
Barnyardgrass, barnyardgrass...
According to surveys of growers and consultants, barnyardgrass is the No. 1 problem weed in
rice. It‟s the driver weed, so to speak, the weed that becomes the center of growers‟ efforts to
produce a weed-free rice crop.“The No. 1 weed in rice is Barnyardgrass,” said Norsworthy.
“What‟s No. 2?”
Someone in the audience responded “Barnyardgrass.”“That‟s what I tell people,” said
Norsworthy, who holds the Elms Farming Chair of Weed Science at Arkansas. “If you rank them
by the amount of the weeds we see, it‟s barnyardgrass, barnyardgrass and
barnyardgrass.”According to the survey of growers and consultants, sprangletop is the No. 2
problem weed in rice, followed by red rice; joint vetch; Palmer amaranth; coffeebean or hemp
sesbania; smartweed; signalgrass; three sedges, yellow nutsedge, rice flatsedge and smallflower
umbrellasedge; and three aquatics, ducksalad, arrowhead and roundleaf mud plantain.
“What‟s interesting is that Palmer amaranth went from not even being considered an important
weed in rice 10 years ago to where it‟s now the fifth most troublesome,” said
Norsworthy.Besides being problem weeds, Norsworthy said, most of those – with one possible
exception – can be controlled by the new compounds he tested in his university herbicide trials in
2014.
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Most in a year
“Eight new herbicides. That is the most I have looked at in rice or I would say in any crop in one
year,” he said. “Of those eight herbicides, seven had activity on barnyardgrass. That‟s why I‟m
so excited about these herbicides.“I will be honest with you,” he noted. “Of the herbicides that I
evaluated in 2014, some will not make it past 2014. But there are some that did. I will be talking
basically about the herbicides that did make it beyond 2014.”Norsworthy said the new herbicides
encompass four different herbicide modes of action. “That‟s what really gets me excited – these
are new chemistries, new modes of action which could be added to our arsenal.”Included in the
herbicides are:
Provisia – A new weed control system from BASF that will be centered on rice lines that are
tolerant to quizalofop (Assure) grass herbicide.Benzobicyclon – Anew grass, sedge and
broadleaf herbicide that can be applied post-flood in rice.Pethoxamid – a new rice herbicide with
activity similar to Dual that will provide “excellent” control of annual grasses and suppression of
sedges. Its best fit may be in a system that include clomazone or Command pre-emergence
followed by pethoxamid and Newpath.
Rinskor Active – A new rice herbicide that controls barnyardgrass, broadleaf signalgrass, yellow
nutsedge, pitted morningglory and coffeebean. Its best fit will probably also be in a tank mix
with Newpath.Norsworthy said Provisia and benzobicyclon could each be available in 2017
while pethoxamid and rinskor active could be approved by 2018. Another weed control system
involving rice that is resistant to Callisto and Fusilade may also be in the mix, but no time table
is available on when it might come to market.“These are very exciting herbicides,” said
Norsworthy. “But we – and I‟m pointing to myself, to Extension, to consultants and growers –
must do a better job of preserving the herbicides we have until we can reach the next stage.”For
more on controlling barnyardgrass, go to www.uaex.edue and click on publication number
FSA2175.
http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/new-rice-herbicides-horizon-arkansas-researcher-
reports?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+March+12%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+Decem
ber+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email
Thailand Pushes For Implementation Of Mou On Farm
Product Trade With China
BANGKOK, March 12 (Bernama) - The Thai Ministry of Commerce is pushing for the
implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on farm product trade, Thailand
News Agency (TNA) reported.Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya had begun
discussing the MoU with Wang Xiaotao, deputy director of China's National Development and
Reform Commission since Wednesday.Bangkok and Beijing signed the agreement on Dec 19
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last year.Under the pact, the Chinese government will buy two million tonnes of rice and
200,000 tonnes of natural rubber from Thailand in the 2015-2016 period.
The rice comprises one million tonnes of new rice and another million from the government's
stockpile.China has said it will buy more Thai rice and farm products during the Sino-Thai
construction of new rail tracks in Thailand.Both countries will negotiate farm product trade
through a joint steering committee co-chaired by Chatchai and made up of members of the
Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and Chinese
authorities.Thailand exports around 500,000 tonnes of rice to China every year.-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/bm/wn/newsworld.php?id=1116258
Vietnam secures deal to export rice to Philippines
Viet Nam has won a contract to supply 300,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice to the Philippines this year.
Deputy Chairman of the Viet Nam Food Association Pham Van Bay revealed this yesterday.In a
phone interview with BusinessWorld, Administrator of the Philippines's National Food Authority
(NFA) Renan B Dalisay said that Viet Nam has won the contract to supply 150,000MT each of
the 15 per cent and 25 per cent broken rice.
Earlier, the NFA council agreed to import
250,000MT of 25 per cent broken, well-milled long
grain white rice and another 250,000MT of the 15
per cent broken rice. The auction was held on
February 27.Thailand will deliver the remaining
200,000 MT to cover the balance of each rice
variety."The offers of both Viet Nam and Thailand
are below the reference prices or world market
prices," Dalisay said.The auction reference prices for
the 15 per cent and 25 per cent broken rice were set
at US$442.94 per MT and $425.85/MT
respectively.Viet Nam, whose original bid was $442.5/MT, matched Thailand's $441/MT offer
for the 15 per cent broken rice.
With an original offer of $424.50/MT, Viet Nam likewise matched Thailand's $421/MT bid for
the 25 per cent broken rice.Half of the volume awarded by the contract will be delivered by the
end of this month, Dalisay said, adding that the balance will be due for import by the end of
April.Rice stocks from the two countries will ensure buffer stocks for the three-month lean
season that starts in July, the NFA administrator pointed out.
VNS
Tags:Vietnam secures deal to export rice to Philippines,
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FCI to sell rice in open market from April By: Sandip Das | New Delhi | March 12, 2015 1:36 am
After a gap of several years, the government will sell its rice stocks in the open market in the
next fiscal. According to sources, given the excess stocks, two million tonne of rice will be
offloaded by the Food Corporation of India in the open market starting April 1.The food ministry
has received the nod from the finance ministry to sell rice from the stocks to bulk buyers such as
millers and traders, the sources added. The stocks would be sold through a weekly e-auction
under the open market sale scheme (OMSS), currently in operation for selling wheat to bulk
buyers by the FCI.Sources said rice would be offered to private buyers or traders at around
R2,300 per quintal for the grade-A quality of rice procured by the FCI.
“The rice prices have been kept at the level, keeping in mind the minimum support price, MSP,
for ruling out recycling of rice procured by the FCI and state agencies,” an official said.Officials
said that at the start of this month, the FCI has rice stocks of more than 15.2 million tonnes and
another 8.8 million tonnes are still to be received from the millers.As per the revised buffer stock
norms for April, 2015, the FCI should hold rice stocks of around 13.5 million tonnes, thus
rendering a chunk of rice stocks as „excess‟.Sources said the minimum and maximum auction
quantity would be in the range of 50 tonne to 3,500 tonne. “The state governments would also be
asked to participate in the e-auction for OMSS),” an official said.
The FCI has been selling excess wheat stocks through OMSS to bulk buyers since 2009-10. It
has sold 4.1 million tonnes of wheat in the open market till the end of February through weekly
e-auctions.However, the government had set a target of uploading 10 million tonne of wheat
under OMSS by March 2015, which is unlikely to materialise.In 2013-14, the FCI sold more
than 6.1 million tonnes of wheat in the open market from its stocks. Meanwhile, the food
ministry has also got a nod from the finance ministry to extend OMSS wheat till March end.
Earlier, the OMSS wheat auction used to be held till end of February and March was meant for
delivery of grain to bulk buyers.“We will hold weekly auction for selling wheat till March 26
and the delivery of grain would be done in April,” an FCI official said.
The FCI has asked the food ministry to launch OMSS for wheat stocks immediately after the
procurement of grain for the 2015-16 season gets over by June 2015.While the wheat purchases
from the farmers for the current rabi marketing season is set to commence from April 2015, the
FCI has huge wheat stocks of close to 20 mt at the start of March 2015 while the buffer stocks
norm is only 6.5 mt.The FCI conducts weekly auction to sell wheat in the open market using
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commodity bourse NCDEX platform. The government has set a reserve price of R1,500 per
quintal plus freight cost to the consuming locations.
http://www.financialexpress.com/article/miscellaneous/fci-to-sell-rice-in-open-market-from-april/52638/
Basmati rice exports to Iran likely to resume soon in Freight News 12/03/2015
After several rounds of discussions, Iran is likely to start issuing permits to
Indian exporters, paving the way for basmati exports.“India may resume
exports of basmati rice exports to Iran early next year,” said Ajay Sahai,
Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations
(FIEO).Basmati rice exports from India in 2013-14 are likely to decline 10
per cent due to Iran‟s temporary stoppage of fresh order issuances. The
country has not issued any fresh import permits after October 2014. However, execution of
existing and past orders has continued.“India does not face any ban in terms of basmati rice
exports to Iran.
Only thing is Iran has not issued import permits, which it does to any country before bringing
consignments into its territory, since October due to oversupply. During past years, Iran had
imported large quantity of basmati rice from India,” said A K Gupta, Director, Agricultural &
Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).Once, import permit is issued,
India would commence exports of basmati rice to Iran, said Gupta.India‟s overall basmati rice
exports declined by over six per cent at 2.57 million tonne during April and December 2014 as
compared to 2.74 million tonnes reported in the corresponding period last year.In value terms,
overall basmati rice exports declined by 2.64 per cent to $3373.23 million in the first nine
months of the current financial year as compared to $3465 million in the same period last year.
But average per tonne realisation increased to Rs 80,000 this year as compared to Rs 75,000
during the previous year.
While country-wise bifurcation is not available, experts believe, exports to Iran has declined by
15-20 per cent this year.Iran is the largest basmati rice importer, accounting for around 60-65 per
cent of total premium rice exports from India. India exported 1.44 million tonne of basmati rice
worth $1,834 million to Iran in 2013-14. During 2012-13, however, basmati rice shipments to
Iran totaled 1.08 million tonnes worth $1187 million.Basmati was India‟s second largest export
commodity after buffalo meat.A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations estimated Iran‟s rice output in 2014 at all time record of three million tonnes as
compared to 2.9 million tonne and 2.8 million in the two subsequent previous years. Total cereal
output in Iran, however, is estimated to decline by 4.4 per cent to 20.4 million tonne in 2014 as
compared to 21.4 million tonnes and 21.3 million tonnes in 2013 and 2012, respectively.Apart
from basmati, India exports non-basmati rice and other cereals to Iran to the tune of around $150
million annually.
Source: Business Standard
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http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/basmati-rice-exports-to-iran-likely-to-resume-soon/
China rice deal on the cards
12 Mar 2015 at 06:00
NEWSPAPER SECTION: BUSINESS | WRITER: PHUSADEE ARUNMAS
Aram Songsuayroop, a former office worker turned farmer, displays a variety of rice from his
farm at the Thai Rice: Thainess fair hosted by the government to promote the rice industry. The
fair, which is being held outdoors next to Government House and runs until April 5, features rice
exhibitions, cooking demonstrations and the sale of rice products. CHANAT KATANYU
Agriculture, China
Thailand hopes to finalise a government-to-government (G2G) deal to
sell 2 million tonnes of rice and 200,000 tonnes of rubber to China
when authorities meet with their Chinese counterparts in early May.The
government will try to convince China to ink the rice deal at the next
meeting scheduled for May 6 in Beijing, Commerce Minister Chatchai
Sarikulya said yesterday.He spoke after meeting with Wang Xiaotao, vice-minister of China's
National Development and Reform Commission, in Bangkok about monitoring the progress of a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the 2-million-tonne rice sale.
The MoU was signed last December for 1 million tonnes each of old and new grains along with
the 200,000 tonnes of rubber.Deliveries of rice and rubber would be set for this year and
next.The contract will be made through the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs
Corporation, the giant state enterprise that oversees rice imports, to ensure transparency.The
transaction with China is unrelated to an earlier deal for 1 million tonnes struck by the Yingluck
Shinawatra government.
Thailand has already delivered 300,000 tonnes as part of that deal.At yesterday's meeting, the
two parties agreed to set up a joint steering committee to study in detail the rice and rubber deals
as agreed in the MoU.Gen Chatchai said Thailand would at the next meeting try to convince
China to buy other farm products too.
Charoen Laothammatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, urged officials to
wrap up the talks so that delivery of all 2 million tonnes could take place this year."The
government should settle the deal with China as fast as possible to reduce price pressure from
new supply," he said."Talks with other potential buyers such as African countries for the old
grains should also be wrapped up."The present government has vowed to dispose of 17 million
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tonnes of rice in state stockpiles accumulated from the previous government within two years,
with 10 million tonnes to be sold this year.
Last Thursday it sold 780,000 tonnes in the second rice auction this year, fetching more than 8
billion baht.And last month, it endorsed the sale of 496,243 tonnes worth 7.85 billion baht in the
year's first auction of state rice stocks. The Commerce Ministry has called five auctions since last
May, selling a combined 1.12 million tonnes for 13.6 billion baht.The government also early this
month secured a G-to-G contract to sell 200,000 tonnes of rice to the Philippines. Gen Chatchai
called this latest contract a good sign, as the government in 2014 won its first contract in 10
years to sell 300,000 tonnes of rice to the country.Get full Bangkok Post printed newspaper
experience on your digital devices with Bangkok Post e-newspaper. Try it out, it's totally free for
7 days.
Agriculture Hall of Distinction honors 3 veteran farmers, one
from Morehouse Parish
Posted: Thu 5:56 PM, Mar 12, 2015,By: Bob Walters
The 2015 inductees were Jimmy Hoppe of Jeff Davis Parish, Lucien Laborde of Hamburg in
Avoyelles Parish, and Edwards Barham of Oak Ridge in Morehouse Parish who was honored
posthumously.PICTURED ABOVE: Taking part in ceremonies honoring the 2015 inductees into
the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction are, from left, Louisiana Radio: Network Farm
Director Don Molino with Erle Barham, whose father, Edwards Barham of Morehouse Parish,
was honored posthumously. The ceremonies were held on March 5 in Baton Rouge.
BATON ROUGE, La. (KNOE 8 News & La. Radio Network) - An accomplished rice grower, a
veteran conservationist and a pioneer in agricultural aviation were recently inducted into the
Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction, which annually honors individuals who make
extraordinary contributions to Louisiana agribusiness.
The 2015 inductees were Jimmy Hoppe of Jeff Davis Parish, Lucien Laborde of Hamburg in
Avoyelles Parish, and Edwards Barham of Oak Ridge in Morehouse Parish who was honored
posthumously.Hoppe, who retired from farming in 2012 and now runs a specialty rice-packaging
business, was recognized for his long list of accomplishments as a rice grower. Known for his
advocacy of sustainable practices and efficient use of resources, Hoppe was named U.S. Rice
Farmer of the Year in 1999. He is also known for his contributions in cutting-edge agricultural
research and working with the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station.
Laborde, a veteran farmer with more than 50 years in the industry, was honored for his work in
cattle and seed farming. He is known as a strong soil, water and wildlife conservationist, as well
as an ardent supporter of higher education. Laborde served as director of the LSU Foundation
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and as the first president of the LSU-Alexandria Foundation. A World War II veteran, Laborde
landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and earned a Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Army.
Barham, who passed away in 2014, was honored for his contributions to cotton, rice, corn and
soybean farming, as well as his pioneering work in agricultural aviation. As the founder of
Flying Tiger Aviation in Rayville, one of the country‟s top agricultural flying schools, Barham
helped break new ground with the use of aviation in farming. Widely respected for his dedication
to conservation and higher education, Barham served on the state board of regents, the board of
supervisors for the University of Louisiana System, the board of supervisors for the Louisiana
Community and Technical College System, and he served as a state senator.
The Hall of Distinction honors outstanding contributions to Louisiana agriculture in farming,
ranching, forestry, aquaculture, education and agribusiness. It is presented by Louisiana Radio
Network in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the LSU
AgCenter. Monsanto was the title sponsor and First South Farm Credit was the presenting
sponsor.
http://www.knoe.com/home/headlines/La-Agriculture-Hall-of-Distinction-Honors--
296138211.html
Iowa rice farmer inducted into Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction Posted: Mar 12, 2015 11:06 AM PDTUpdated: Mar 12, 2015 11:06 AM PDT
By Michael Cooper
Jeff Davis Parish farmer Jimmy Hoppe, right, and Louisiana Radio Network Farm Director Don
Molino. (Source: Louisiana Radio Network)
BATON ROUGE, LA (KPLC)
Jimmy Hoppe, a third-generation rice farmer from the Iowa area,
has been inducted the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of
Distinction.Hoppe retired from farming in 2012 and now runs a
specialty rice-packaging business. He was recognized on March 5
for his long list of accomplishments as a rice grower. Known for
his advocacy of sustainable practices and efficient use of resources,
Hoppe was named U.S. Rice Farmer of the Year in 1999. He is also known for his contributions
in cutting-edge agricultural research and working with the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station.
In February, Hoppe was featured by KPLC. You can read more about Hoppe's career HERE.
Others inducted with Hoppe were Lucien Laborde of Hamburg in Avoyelles Parish and Edwards
Barham of Oak Ridge in Morehouse Parish.The Hall of Distinction honors outstanding
contributions to Louisiana agriculture in farming, ranching, forestry, aquaculture, education and
agribusiness. It is presented by Louisiana Radio Network in conjunction with the Louisiana
Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the LSU AgCenter.
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http://www.kplctv.com/story/28407238/iowa-rice-farmer-inducted-into-louisiana-agriculture-
hall-of-distinction
NGOs oppose Greenpeace co-founder's campaign to
promote `golden rice'
12 March 2015
Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore is bringing his `Allow Golden Rice Campaign', launched
in the Philippines on 6 March and in Bangladesh on Wednesday, to India now.Moore is
launching a country-wide campaign in India on 16 March to allow the ''golden rice'' that claims
to help tackle Vitamin A deficiency.The campaign, however, faces opposition from a group of
20 non-governmental organisations across the world under the banner of ''Stop Golden Rice
Alliance''.The NGOs allege that Moore is in league with the GM food industry and that the
campaign for launching the Vitamin A-enriched golden rice is a covert attempt to win wider
approval for genetically modified food.
''It (golden rice) will not solve the problems of malnutrition,'' the alliance said in a
statement.According to the Alliance, Vitamin A deficiency, like other problems of malnutrition
and hunger, is not caused by the lack of the vitamin in foodgrains, but by people's inability to
achieve a balanced diet.In a statement in Dhaka on Wednesday, Moore said, ''Golden rice is the
obvious cure, but because it was created with genetic science, Greenpeace and the anti-GMO
movement fervently oppose it.
No country has approved it for cultivation.''If golden rice was a cure for a disease like malaria,
cancer, or ebola it would have been approved years ago,'' said Moore, who quit Greenpeace in
1986 saying the organisation did not care about people and it was more worried about politics
than science.According to Moore, golden rice has been proven to deliver Vitamin A to both
adults and children and it could save millions of lives.The Alliance said that the Green
Revolution, with a bias towards monocultures of staple crops, has led to unbalanced patterns of
food production around the world.''As the UNICEF and the Food and Agriculture Organisation
have stated, variety and diversifying food is the key to solving vitamin deficiency; in countries
where people eat more than 200 gm of vegetables per day, Vitamin A deficiency is not a major
problem,'' it said.
Issues underlying Vitamin A deficiency can never be addressed by promoting genetically-
modified golden rice, the Alliance said, adding that the increased complexity of the gene
constructs of golden rice makes it more hazardous than the existing genetically modified
plants.''With inexpensive Vitamin A available in abundance from various natural sources,
produced by small-scale and backyard producers, it is a mistake to turn blindly to golden rice, a
crop that the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) itself admits that it has not yet
determined if it can actually improve the Vitamin A intake,'' said the Alliance.
http://www.domain-
b.com/economy/agriculture/20150312_golden_rice.html#sthash.oVwHVFjR.dpuf