22nd May, 2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Daily Global
Rice
E-Newsletter
Daily Global
Rice e-Newsletter
www.ricepluss.com
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
May 22,2015
Vol 5,Issue V
Govt urged to procure paddy, rice directly from farmers

Farmers of Dinajpur yesterday demanded that the government procure rice and paddy directly
from farmers instead of middlemen and mill operators.They made the demand at a press
conference organised by Dinajpur unit of Jatiya Krishak Khetmajur Samity at Dinajpur Press
Club yesterday.They also urged the government to ensure fair price of paddy, direct procurement
of paddy from farmers, affordable prices of agricultural inputs, rationing system for both urban
and rural people, free irrigation facility and interest-free agriculture loan.
www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

At the conference, farmers said low price of their produce this year is unprecedented. "We are
selling paddy at Tk 350 to Tk 400 per maund, whereas the production cost for the same amount
of paddy is Tk 650 to Tk 700," they said.Farmers across the country had suffered huge loss due
to countrywide political deadlock from January to March, they said, urging the government to
procure more rice from them.Bikash Roy, general secretary of the samity, read out the keynote
paper at the conference.
http://www.thedailystar.net/country/govt-urged-procure-paddy-rice-directly-farmers-85381
National Rice Month scholarships expanded

May 21, 2015Forrest Laws
High school graduates in the 2015-16 school year can apply for scholarships totaling $8,500.
The scholarship program is open to students who live in any county in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas.
Dow AgroSciences announced an

expansion of the USA Rice
Federation National Rice Month
Scholarship
Program
from
students in U.S.- rice producing
counties to students in all U.S.
rice-producing states.High school
graduates in the 2015-16 school
year can apply for scholarships
totaling
$8,500.To
apply,
students must create a promotional program that highlights U.S.-grown rice for National Rice
Month in September.
Applicants can submit a synopsis of their promotion in a variety of ways, including in video
format, which will be accepted this year for the first time.The scholarship program is now open
to students who live in any county in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and
Texas. Three scholarships will be awarded based on the originality and effectiveness of the
winning entries. We are thrilled Dow AgroSciences is supporting this scholarship program for
the sixth year in a row and opening up the opportunity to all youth in rice-producing states, says
Darla Huff, rice product manager, Dow AgroSciences.

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Supporting our youth and educating the public about agriculture is integral to the success of the
rice industry.Because the scholarship emphasizes education, the students efforts also help build
awareness of the valuable contributions the rice industry makes to this countrys economy, Huff
says.Nicholas Schafer, a high school senior from Carlisle, Arkansas, was the grand-prize
scholarship winner in 2014 for his promotion titled Do you Know Where Your Rice Comes
From? The promotion educated children from his community about the origin of their food and
the intricacies of farming.
They need to understand all the hard work put into growing rice, Schafer says. Its not just
something you get from a grocery store. Theres a lot behind it, and they need to understand the
importance of where it comes from.Promotions must be executed in September, and
applications must be submitted by Oct. 15, 2015. Scholarship forms and additional guidelines are
available at the USA Rice Federation website.The USA Rice Federation is proud to once again
partner with Dow AgroSciences, which funds these three scholarship awards, to support the rice
industry and education of our youth, says Betsy Ward, president and CEO of the USA Rice
Federation. Students who participate do an excellent job promoting the importance of U.S.grown rice and its role in their home states.
The grand-prize winner will receive a $4,000 scholarship and a trip with a chaperone this
December to the award ceremony at the 2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference in New Orleans.
The second-place winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship, and the third-place winner will
receive a $1,500 scholarship.Dow AgroSciences has a leading portfolio of rice herbicides to help
growers maximize their yield potential. The portfolio includes Clincher SF, Grandstand R, Grasp
SC, GraspXtra and RebelEX herbicides for rice grown in southern states and Clincher
CA,Grandstand CA, Granite GR and Granite SC, herbicides for use in California water-seeded
rice.
Visit www.DowRiceHerbicides.com for more information.
http://westernfarmpress.com/rice/national-rice-month-scholarships-expanded
Health Ministry will continue monitoring 'fake rice'

Bernama |Updated:May 21, 2015
(First published on: May 21, 2015 22:33 MYT)

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According to Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS), the majority of rice imports came from
Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will
continue to be vigilant in monitoring the issue of
'fake rice' being produced in China.In a
statement today, ministry director-general Datuk
Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry
would duly update the public if there was any
new finding that concerned food safety.He also
advised those consumers who were suspicious of
the authenticity of rice to notify the ministry via
the nearest health office or Food Safety and
Quality (FSQ) Division website http://fsq.moh.gov.my or www.facebook.com/bkkmhg.He said
the ministry was aware of the allegation circulating in the social media that 'fake rice' was being
produced in China by mixing potatoes/sweet potatoes with plastic resin.Such rice was then
exported to a number of Asian countries.
http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/health-ministry-will-continue-monitoring-fake-rice-60470?cp
If you dont want your food genetically modified, tell nature

to stop it
By Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar
May 22, 2015
Tags: CHIPOTLE | CROSS-BREEDING | DNA | ENVIRONMENTALISTS | GENE FLOW | GENES |
Chipotle hit the headlines last week when the company announced it would no longer serve
customers genetically modified foods. This despite the fact that more than a trillion meals
containing genetically modified food have already been eaten in the United States without
incident. Science has decisively found that these foods have no negative impact on
health.Chipotles move seems to be based more on marketing than on science.Recent research
drives home how misled alarmists are about genetically modified food. All human beings, two
Cambridge University scientists have established, are genetically modified, including Chipotles
customers. Over the years, hundreds of foreign genes have jumped into human DNA through a
natural phenomenon called gene flow. As a result, all humans carry genes that originated in
algae, bacteria and fungi.
If humans can safely accept alien genes without mishap, why not food, too?

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GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD
A scientist shows Golden Rice (R) and ordinary rice at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna, south of
Manila, August 14, 2013. REUTERS/Erik De Castro
Farmers and breeders have for centuries used cross-breeding to improve the genetic
characteristics of crops and animals. Because this process involves gene transfers within the
same species, environmental advocates label it natural even though cross-breeding is
clearly man-made. Modern genetic splicing makes it possible to combine genes from completely
different species to produce much-needed products, including pest-resistant and high-yielding
crops.
Agriculturists prepares to plant Golden Rice seedlings at a laboratory of the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos,
Laguna, south of Manila, August 14, 2013. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

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The Bt gene from pest-resistant bacteria, for example, has been inserted into cotton to create a pestresistant Bt cotton. The
combination has greatly
raised yields and reduced
pesticide use. But some
activists condemn this as a
crime against nature.When
fears
about
genetically
modified foods first arose,
little was known about gene
flow, also called horizontal
gene transfer. The idea that
genes could jump across
species
violated
thenconventional wisdom. But
scientific
research
has
established that natural gene
transfers regularly occur. So
genetic transfers are not a human invention just a belated human effort to imitate what nature
has been doing all along.This discovery has convinced some longtime campaigners against
genetically modified crops to make a U-turn. British author and journalist Mark Lynas, for
example, converted from being an activist opposed to genetically modified food to a firm
supporter in a notable 2013 mea culpa speech, in which he apologized for letting his opinions
trump the scientific data.Scientists once thought that gene transfers occurred naturally only in
simple organisms like bacteria. But research shows that transfers are also common in complex
species, including human beings. Does this genetic intrusion make humans a monster species?
Hardly.The Economist used the headline Genetically Modified People for a report on genetic
research by Alastair Crisp and Chiara Boschetti, the two Cambridge scientists. They have
identified 145 genes that have crossed over from other species to humans.
A genetically modified grape vine plant in an enclosure of the state-financed National Institute
for Agricultural Research site in Colmar, eastern France, September 14, 2005.
REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
This is, of course, a tiny fraction of the 20,000 odd genes in a human body. Why then should
environmentalists lose sleep over the introduction of a single alien gene into crops?

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Research on gene flow is still in its infancy.
It could ultimately reveal thousands of alien
genes that have entered human DNA. This
should be no surprise: Nature has had almost
a million years to do its work.One gene
identified by the Cambridge researchers
helps hold cells together; it crossed over into
humans from a fungus. Marine algae appear
to be the source of another human gene
associated with fat mass. Bacteria have
provided a third gene that helps define blood
groups.Apart from human transfers, the
scientists examined gene transfers in nine
other primate species, 12 fruit fly species and
four nematode worms. They found that the
phenomenon
was
ubiquitous. The
researchers considered the possibility that
what looked like gene transfers between
species might actually be genes both had
inherited from a common ancestor millions
of years ago.Genes found in another animal
could be a common ancient inheritance. But
genes in animals that came from plants or
bacteria would almost certainly represent
gene flow. Crisp and Boschetti found that,
on average, worms had 173 gene transfers,
fruit flies 40, and primates had 109. Humans,
with 145 transfers, were more genetically
modified than other primates.The researchers found two imported genes for amino-acid
metabolism, 13 for fat metabolism and 15 for modifying large molecules. They identified five
immigrant genes that generated valuable anti-oxidants, and seven that aided the immune
system.Far from creating monsters, the scientists found that genes from alien species appear
beneficial. Activists against genetically modified organisms can argue that natural gene transfers
have been spaced out over millennia, giving species time to adapt. But every time a natural gene
transfer occurred, it carried the same risks as the insertion of a Bt gene into cotton or
eggplants.Besides, all crops, genetically modified or otherwise, are field-tested for safety before
commercial release. The United States has approved dozens of genetically modified crops for
commercial use. Virtually all U.S. corn and soybeans today are genetically modified.Chipotles
claim of serving food free of genetic modifications is dubious because the meats it serves come
from animals and chickens likely fed on genetically modified corn and soybean meal. More
important, why should Chipotle even make the claim when its own customers are genetically
modified?
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2015/05/21/if-you-dont-want-your-food-genetically-modified-tellnature-to-stop-it/

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The Union Of Small And Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) In

A Prior To Budget Meeting Of Its Forum Urged The Federal
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar To Ensure Facilities For The
Majority Sector Namely The Micro,Small And Medium
Enterprises (MSME) And To Ensure A Balanced Budget
Providing Level Playing Field To All Sectors Of The
Economy. UNISAME Has Proposed Practical Scientific
Measures For The Promotion And Development Of The
Sector.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver reiterated the requ irements of the MSME
sector and invited the attention of the Ishaq Dar to the lack of access to finance.
The commercial banks definitely need training in risk management and for this
reason the aspect of collateral management needs to be carried out with e mphasis.
The MSMEs need finance to purchase raw material, install machinery for balancing
modernization and replacement. They need bridge financing and post shipment
financing and the access to finance which is lacking for want of collateral. This
aspect needs to be addressed seriously.
The budget must allocate funds for specialized subsidized financing under special
schemes for the MSMES.Whilst appreciating the reduction in discounting rates, he
pointed out that the with holding tax on profit on deposits n eeds to be reduced to
encourage savings and to make sure that the senior citizens income from savings is
not insufficient for survival.The federal minister needs to realize that banking,
insurance, leasing and logistics are the pillars of the economy and t hese tools need
to be sharpened to facilitate the MSMEs.Again whilst appreciating the credit
guarantee insurance scheme for the banks to make them comfortable the UNISAME
chief stressed the need to increase the share of the government to 60% instead of
40%.The other aspect is to make doing business easy and attracting investment by
one window operation in the true sense. The government needs to seriously promote
collaboration, joint ventures and transfer of technology and provide funds in the
budget for the promotion of joint ventures and collaborations especially with
China.For promotion of alternate energy all energy generation equipment and
devices must be exempt from all duties and taxes.
The solar energy installations are proving costly and need to be s ubsidized for fast
track installations and must be made mandatory for all new buildings, factories and
schools and hospitals as an alternate line of energy resource. The country enjoys the
blessings of sunlight and this could be utilized ,The other important requirement is

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land at concession and easy payment facilities to enable the entrepreneur to pay the
cost of the land on easy installments in industrial estates and special economic
zones.Thaver said it is needless to say but the SME Chamber of Commerce, SME
Institute, specific SME bank, SME export house and ombudsman promises in the
SME policy remain unimplemented. He urged the finance minister to consider the
importance and the necessity of these institutions for SME promotion and
development.
The union also called upon the minister to strengthen the Small and Medium
Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and provide for increasing the scope
of the authority in the budget. SMEDA needs to be strengthened with more
personnel and must have wider outreach to cater to the primary, secondary and the
tertiary sectors of the economy.UNISAME appealed to the minister to lower the rate
of taxes for enterprises and exempt the new industries for a period of 3 years.
Import substitution and innovative industries must be provided additional relief for
their innovative role.Imported raw material and packing materials imports must be
allowed on lower letter of credit margins and duties must be reduced to encourage
industrialization.
The tax exemption limit must be enhanced up to Rs 600000 per annum and income
tax on association of persons (AOP) must be rationalized to avoid double taxation
on individuals and firms as most of the enterprises are family businesses.The cash
withdrawal from banks limit for the purpose of withh olding tax must be enhanced to
Rs 100000 from Rs 50000 to facilitate smooth transactions.The government needs
to realize the fact that whatever relief is given to the sector it will be returned back
in the shape of increased revenue due to growth of the se ctor and the government
must not increase taxes on the existing tax payers but broaden its tax net.The
MSMES are bothered by corruption and have to pay illegal gratification and most of
the departments are now calling it speed money. The anti -corruption department
must be strengthened to cover the several organizations and the monitoring must be
sharpened.
The law and order situation could be strengthened with the setting up of protection
squads in industrial areas and for this UNISAME has proposed the setti ng up of the
SME Liaison Committee (SME-LC) under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
or the Rangers as the police cannot cope up with the criminal activities of the
miscreants who enjoy political patronage.UNISAME has invited the attention of the
federal finance minister to the vast potential of the sector and urged him not to
undermine the sector which could turn the destiny of Pakistan if seriously
promoted, supported, facilitated and encouraged.
http://www.unisame.org/unisame-reiterates-demands-for-facilitating-msmes-in-budget/
Chinese scientists find gene that improves rice yields by 20

per cent
PUBLISHED : Friday, 22 May, 2015, 8:01am
UPDATED : Friday, 22 May, 2015, 8:01am

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Stephen Chenbinglin.chen@scmp.com
Rice fields in southwest China's Yunnan Province. A new discovery could lead to the most productive rice strain increasing its
yield by more than 20 per cent. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese scientists have discovered a new

dwarf gene in rice, which could increase the
yield of the most productive hybrid rice in
China by a further 20 per cent.By reducing the
rice plants height, the gene reduced the
incidence of stem collapse prior to harvest and
increased the number of tillers per plant,
enabling a significant increase in grain
yield.The study, led by professor Wu Yuejin
with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Hefei Institute Physicial Science and professor
Fu Xiangdong of the CAS Institute of Genetics and Development Biology, was detailed in the
journal Plos One earlier this month.To feed the worlds largest population, China launched an
ambitious project to develop high-yielding super rice in the mid 1990s. Over time scientists
had significantly improved the productivity of hybrid rice, and by last year the yield of super
rice plants had exceeded 15 tons per hectare, nearly three times the global average.But the yield
increase came with a problem. Farmers complained that the super rice plants, with their heavy
heads of grains, were prone to snapping, especially in windy days before harvest.
A regular super rice plant (left) and the new shorter variant. Photo: SCMP pictures
A lot of research worldwide has gone
into trying to find sturdy stems. Wu and
Fus team chose to bombard rice seeds
with heavy ions and after some years
found that some seeds mutated to
produce plants with reduced heights and
an increased number of tillers. The
scientists identified the mutant gene and
called it sdt, meaning semi-dwarf and
high-tillering.Further
experiments
confirmed the discovery and then the
gene was cloned onto super rice,
resulting in reduced plant heights and an increase in yield of over 20 per cent.Though the super
rice was more productive than traditional hybrid rice, the continuing growth of the worlds
population and the limited arable land resources require that grain yield capability of rice will
have to be raised yet further, the researchers said in their paper.The sdt mutant will be useful
for farmers and breeders to improve grain yield potential of rice over what is currently
available.
http://www.scmp.com/tech/science-research/article/1805288/chinese-scientists-find-geneimproves-rice-yields-20-cent

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Scientists develop high-zinc rice to fight malnutrition in
Chhattisgarh
By PTI | 22 May, 2015, 12.32PM IST
'Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1', the first zinc biofortified rice variety in India, was launched by
State
Variety
Release
Committee.ET
SPECIAL:Love visual aspect of news? Enjoy
this exclusive slideshows treat!RAIPUR :
Scientists here have developed a high zincenriched variety of rice that is expected to play
a crucial role in fighting malnutrition in tribaldominated Chhattisgarh where nearly seven
lakh children are still malnourished. The new
paddy seed, called 'Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1',
the first zinc bio-fortified rice variety in India,
was launched by State Variety Release Committee, the authority for official release of new
varieties of seeds, in March and its production is likely to begin from the next kharif season.
Similarly, researchers from Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU), Raipur, led by
Professor Girish Chandel, have rolled out two varieties of high zinc rice, of which one has been
released. "We focused on increasing our crop production since the inception of the Green
Revolution in the country aiming to eliminate hunger. In the process, we managed to yield high
production, but the quality of crop did not improve," Chandel told PTI. In 2000, the Centre,
along with, health organisations in a survey found that 60-70 per cent of population was
suffering from malnutrition because of deficiency of micro-nutrients, particularly iron, zinc and
Vitamin A.
Following this, the government decided to come out with a research programme to improve the
variety of three staple crops - rice, wheat and maize - in different states, he said. Under the
programme, Chhattisgarh, considered as the rice bowl of the country, decided to work on the
quality aspect and took up 'Rice Bio Fortification Research Project'.Chandel said the zinc content
varies between 22-24 PPM, around 8-9 PPM more than the level of the regular variety prevalent
in the country. "The university, along with the state government, is already planning to take this
new variety of rice to farmers in a wider way so that in the coming year, its production can be
enhanced to a great extent," Chandel added.
This variety of crop is expected to not only help combat malnutrition, but provide a great source
of nutrients for pregnant women. Thus, the plan is to introduce it in several government schemes

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like mid-day meal and others. Hailing the efforts of IGAU, renowned nutritionist Dr Aruna Palta
suggested scientists need to develop both zinc- and iron-enriched varieties of food with an urgent
need to bring down the malnutrition rate. In the first phase of the project in 2003-05, some 200
rice germplasm lines with high grain nutritive values but low-yielding quality were identified, he
said. ubsequently, in the next phase of 2006-11, seeds were multiplied and subjected to genetic
improvement exercise, which led to seven high-yielding zinc-enriched rice varieties.
In 2013, the Centre decided to conduct a separate exercise coordinated by Directorate of Rice
Research (DRR), Hyderabad, to analyse the outcome of the researches being conducted in
different parts of the country. Finally, four varieties were adjudged best in terms of quality, of
which the top two came from Chhattisgarh"Currently, we have 100 kg seeds of this new variety
and we are further planning to multiply it in 10 acres. By November-December this year, we will
distribute it to around 5,000 farmers across the state. Its sowing would be started in the next c
season," he said.
the Economic Times
Pre-monsoon showers and sowing preparations predict a

good harvest of grains
By Madhvi Sally, ET Bureau | 22 May, 2015, 03.37AM IST
Agrawal said the current prices of soybean at

Rs 3,900 per quintal compared to government
rate of Rs 2,700 will persuade farmers to plant
more.NEW DELHI: With the June-September
monsoon close at hand, farmers are getting
ready for sowing. They are preparing land and
readying nurseries besides buying seeds and
fertilizer for the sowing of paddy, soyabean,
pulses, cotton, bajra, jowar, groundnut and
maize, raising hopes for a bigger harvest of
grains this year. Deficient rain last year
lowered grain production to 251.12 million
tonne in FY15, 13.92 million tonne less than
in FY14.
"The pre-monsoon rains are encouraging. If it continues, farmers will pick up rice planting.
However, our concern is that if El Nino weakens or makes rain distribution uneven across the
country, it will impact yield," said Trilochan Mohapatra, director, Central Rice Research
Institute, Cuttack. Area under rice, the main foodgrain grown in the kharif season, was estimated
at 37.48 million hectares, more than 37.42 million hectares in 2013. Mohapatra said that the
initial sowing of early rice of 90-100 days had started in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
Also, in the irrigated belts of Punjab and Haryana, which contribute approximately 4.5 million

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hectares of the total area under rice, farmers have started raising nurseries and will transplant
them to the fields by June second week. "With over 45% area under paddy rainfed, mostly
farmers will start preparing nurseries in June for transplanting in July," said Mohapatra.
Rainfed regions include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and
Odisha. After rice, soyabean is the second-largest cultivable crop followed by cotton and
pulsestur, arhar and moong. Coarse cereals like bajra and jowar are also sown in the rainfed
areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka. As long as the distribution of rainfall is even, "4-5% deficit
rainfall doesn't mean much," said Rajesh Agrawal, a former chairman of the Soyabean
Processors Association of India (SPAI).
"Looking at the price realisation to farmers, planting should be similar or higher to the previous
year of 10-11 million hectares." Agrawal said the current prices of soybean at Rs 3,900 per
quintal compared to government rate of Rs 2,700 will persuade farmers to plant more.
Meanwhile, the government is focussing on increased planting of oilseeds and pulses. "Higher
prices of pulses will attract farmers to plant more this season," said Pravin Dongre, chairman of
the
Indian
Pulses
and
Grains
Association.
India is the biggest producer of pulses at 19 million tonnes and its biggest importer at 3.5-4
million tonne.
The Economic Times
Thai rice grabs over 60% market share in Hong Kong

in Business | May 5,
2015 12:32 pm (205 views)
Although Thai rice exports showed a drop of 3% in the first three months of 2015, but
in Hong Kong Thai rice has grabbed over 60% market share there.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce,
Duangkamon Chiambut said the Hong Kong
Trade and Industry imported up to 80,400 tons of
rice during the first three months this year,
increasing by 0.75%.Of this rice import figure, up
to 49,900 tons were Thai rice, increasing by
48.9%.Vietnam, Thailands main competitor,
exported less rice to Hong Kong dropping from
40% to 27%.Price fall of Thai Hom Mali rice and
importers higher confidence in Thai rice were
among factors which led to the first quarter growth.
The higher rice exports to Hong Kong brought Thailands market share in Hong Kong to
62.2%.However, Thai rice exporters are urged to continue to promote inexpensive and highquality rice, she said.Ministry of Commerce earlier reported that Thailand exported 2.1 million

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tons of rice during the first three months of this year, down 3.6%, since buyers went for cheaper
rice sold by Thailands competitors.Meanwhile, rice export to Nigeria went up 71%, which
turned the country into the largest importer of Thai rice, followed by Philippines, where rice
import from Thailand increased by 283%.However, rice exports to Ivory Coast dropped 15.9%
and also 8.2% down for China.South Africa increased its rice import from Thailand by 44%.
Tags: Business, grabbed, Hong Kong, inexpensive, market share, promote, rice export, Thai Hom Mali rice.
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thai -rice-grabs-over-60-market-share-in-hong-kong
Artificial rice unlikely to enter Sarawak market, says authority

Posted on May 23, 2015, Saturday
KUCHING: The states Padi and Rice Division under Agriculture and Agro Based Industry
Ministry (MOA) has assured all that there is little possibility for the controversial artificial rice
entering the local market.According to divisions director Ismail Sahari, the state has not been
importing rice from China over the past 20 years; thus it is very unlikely for the fake grains to be
sold here.At the moment, we have not received reports or complaints on the discovery of
artificial rice in our market, he told The Borneo Post yesterday.He also said rice importers were
required to have approved permits (AP), adding that the constant close monitoring of the grade
and quality of rice brought into the state would ensure that the supply comply with the nations
food safety and quality standards.According to Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), Vietnam,
Thailand and Pakistan are currently the main rice exporters to Sarawak.
Heading: Division to work closely with ministry on rice import
We will still be monitoring the market and working closely with the KPDNKK (Domestic
Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry), despite that we have not been importing rice
from China, Ismail said, adding that his divisions headquarters in Putrajaya had issued
directives to all divisions nationwide requiring them to remain vigilant and continue with their
monitoring efforts.State KPDNKK director Dato Stanley Tan, when contacted, also said his side
had yet to hear any complaint on the sale of artificial rice in Sarawak.We will also be keeping
tabs on the sale of rice and monitor our (consumer) complaints hotline.Meanwhile, a source
close to the ministry said the whole artificial rice issue could not be verified as information based
on news reports was rather sketchy.According to the source, rice is a very cheap commodity in
China, which is able to produce a yearly output of around 130 million tonnes for both local
consumption and export market.This questions the logic as to why someone would produce
artificial rice. The production cost, which includes that for polishing the grains, would be very
high and will affect its selling price, the source said.
The controversial issue had been making headlines across Asean, in which it stated that it was
possible to manufacture artificial rice by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and synthetic resin or
plastic together. It is said that the target markets are countries with large rural population such as
India, Indonesia and Vietnam.Apparently, the reports also highlighted the danger of the fake

15

grains to the human digestive system.An online news portal explained that the artificial rice
would remain solid even after being boiled for hours, while the resin used to mold the grain
would emit the smell of burnt plastics whenever it got heated.A press statement from the Health
Ministry (MOH) said it would continue to monitor the situation closely.We would duly update
the public if therere new findings concerning food safety, said the ministrys director-general
Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. At the same time, he advised consumers who were suspicious
of the authenticity of rice in the market to notify the ministry via the nearest Health Office, or by
accessing the Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) Division on http://fsq.moh.gov.my.
http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/05/23/artificial-rice-unlikely-to-enter-sarawak-market-saysauthority/#ixzz3axHxyiWU
Philippines to import 250,000 tonnes of rice if El Nino

worsens
The move would be good news for regional rice markets that have been flagging this year due to oversupply,
The Philippines, one of the worlds biggest rice importers, is seeking 250,000 tonnes of the grain
to boost its buffer stocks and could buy more if the drought-inducing El Nino weather
phenomenon intensifies. Officials at the state grains agency yesterday said the country was
preparing to issue a tender in early June for the supply of 25% broken variety of rice via a
government-to-government deal.
The move would be good news for regional rice markets that have been flagging this year due to
oversupply, with an official telling Reuters by text that Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia were
qualified to submit offers. Delivery should be between July and August, in time for the onset of
the lean harvest season in the Philippines, he said.

16

The government hopes to avert a potential spike in food prices due to possible supply disruptions
that could be caused by El Nino, which Japan last week confirmed had set in. President Benigno
Aquino has approved the additional rice purchases and has also given the National Food
Authority (NFA) permission to import a further 250,000 tonnes later this year should El Nino
intensify, another official said in a text message.The Southeast Asian nation recently bought
500,000 tonnes via government-to-government deals with key sellers Vietnam and Thailand.
Last year, the NFA imported about 1.7mn tonnes, the countrys biggest purchase since Aquino
took power in 2010. The NFA plans to issue an official advisory on the additional imports within
a day, said Food Security Chief Francis Pangilinan. The Philippine government last week revised
down its estimate of first-half domestic rice production, with dry weather already affecting more
than half of the countrys 81 provinces.Thailand, the worlds No 2 rice exporter after India, has
said it plans to sell 2mn tonnes of rice over the next two months from stockpiles built up under
the previous administrations failed buying programme. In Vietnam, the worlds third-largest
exporter where prices have weakened this week on a lack of buying demand, a new crop harvest
will begin from around late June, traders said.
http://www.gulf-times.com/asean-philippines/188/details/440323/philippines-to-import-250,000-tonnesof-rice-if-el-nino-worsens
Farmers suffer in a time of plenty

Abu Bakar Siddique
A decision to allow rice to be imported this year following a surplus crop last year has hit the
Boro paddy market, with farmers seeing the lowest prices for the Boro harvest in recent
memory.Millers, the primary buyers of paddy from farmers, are reluctant to procure more from
local markets because they are already well-stocked with rice and paddy from last years
yield.Excess stocks of low-price Indian rice imports have deterred millers from procuring paddy
from the local market. And depressed market prices for local paddy are now lower than the cost
of production.
We have around 100,000 tonnes of rice and paddy collected last season in our godowns in
Naogaon district alone and imported rice is also available in the market causing millers to back
away from fresh purchases of new paddy. This is ultimately causing paddy prices to fall this
season, said Nirod Baraon Saha, convener of Noagaon Rice Mill Owners Association.Experts
said permitting the private sector to import rice this fiscal year despite surplus local production
last year was the reason for this seasons fall in the domestic price of Boro paddy.Quazi
Shahabuddin, an agricultural economist, said the government should not have permitted the
importation of such a huge volume of rice while there were available food grains at home.He
said the government had mismanaged the rice procurement situation, ultimately causing farmers
to suffer.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the Directorate General of Food (DgoF) say the
country produced 34.465 million tonnes of rice last season, against a demand of 31 million

17

tonnes.But data from the Ministry of Food shows that private sector traders were permitted to
open Letters of Credit (LC) to import 1.524 million tonnes of rice this fiscal year.Bangladesh
Bank data shows that the private sector imported rice worth $416 million between July 2014 and
March 2015. By contrast, the corresponding figure in fiscal year 2013-14 was just $71
million.Ministry of Food data shows that the governments rice reserve as of yesterday was
776,000 tonnes; the previous year the reserve was 593,000 tonnes.
Paradoxical procurement
Experts noted a paradox in the governments policies, as the import order came at a time when
the government itself declared a food production surplus in the country and took the initiative to
export 50,000 tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka last year.Meanwhile, the government has fixed a Boro
procurement target of 1,000,000 tonnes of rice and 100,000 tonnes of Boro paddy from May this
year.Quazi Shahabuddin suggested the government procure large amounts of rice from the fields
instead of stopping at the fixed procurement target, otherwise farmers may not survive.
Too little, too late
At the beginning of the month, the National Board of Revenue imposed a 10% import duty on
rice imported from India, a measure rice millers have been calling for since the beginning of the
fiscal year.Finance Minister AMA Muhith told the media on May 10 that the government had
taken the step to slow rice imports because the country had achieved self-sufficiency in the
production of rice.For the last three years, the government itself has not imported rice although
some quantities were imported by the private sector.
Farmers widely believe they are not getting fair prices because of the importation of rice from
India at low prices.Criticising the governments imposition of a 10% import duty so late in the
day, Quazi Shahabuddin, a former director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Development
Studies, said the government should have imposed the duty much earlier.He said a 10% import
duty was not enough to fix the situation, adding that the government should impose an import
duty nearer 30%, otherwise imported and local rice prices would be unevenly matched,
benefiting importers and achieving little gain for farmers.
Producers plight
This season, Boro farmers have seen the lowest prices Tk450-500 per maund (40kgs) for
their product, the lowest levels in the last few years.Boro is the largest rice harvest in the country
with a production of around 18.9 million tonnes out of a total of 34.6 million tonnes of paddy in
2013-14.At these prices, farmers are at serious risk of losing big. Currently, while the market
price per maund of Boro paddy is Tk450-500, the production cost is Tk650.This means,
ultimately, the farmers will be the losers, Masud Chowdhury, a farmer from Dinajpur, said.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/may/23/farmers-suffer-time-plenty#sthash.7MNjnBSj.dpuf

18
U.S. Rice at the Smithsonian Museum

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Last week, USA Rice attended a sushi-centric event held at the
Chef Kaz (l) and USA Rice's Maher: One day the student shall become the master
Smithsonian National Museum of American History. More than 150 people attended the sold out
"Sushi for Sale" event that explored how sushi, a Japanese delicacy, has transformed into a
mainstream American favorite. The evening opened with a panel discussion featuring Chef Kaz
Okochi of D.C.'s KAZ Sushi Bistro, Bonny Wolf of American Food Roots, and FoodStory
founder Yoko Isassi. During the conversation, the importance of quality rice was stressed as a
crucial ingredient in sushi. Kaz Okochi confirmed that he exclusively uses U.S.-grown rice to
make sushi, and that its texture and taste make it a desirable sushi staple.
Following the panel, Chef Kaz Okochi hosted interactive sushi-making demonstrations that
offered participants one-on-one tutorials on the art of making sushi. Attendees sampled a wide

19

variety of sushi and sake, both rice-based products. "Events like this are valuable because they
cost next to nothing, and you have a world-famous chef amplifying our message, helping to raise
awareness for U.S. grown rice," said Katie Maher, USA Rice's manager of domestic promotions
who participated in the event.
Contact: Colleen Klemczewski (703) 236-1446
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 22
Month
Price
Net Change
July 2015
$9.430
- $0.185
September 2015
$9.705
- $0.175
November 2015
$9.960
- $0.175
January 2016
$10.220
- $0.170
March 2016
$10.285
- $0.170
May 2016
$10.285
- $0.170
July 2016
$10.285
- $0.170
Weather, prices depress planting estimates for Arkansas

May 22, 2015Mary Hightower, University of Arkansas | Delta Farm Press
Weather, declining prices denting rice, corn acres in Arkansas
April saw 20-cent slip in corn prices
RELATED MEDIA
Weather and declining prices are putting a dent in the expected

total of rice and corn acres planted, said Scott Stiles, Extension

20

economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.Meanwhile, rice
growers were bumping up against insurance deadlines for planting.The Risk Management
Agency of the U.S. Agriculture Department pegs the final planting date for rice at May 25.The
late planting period begins the day after the final planting date and ends 15 days after the final
planting date, Stiles said. For insured crop acreage planted during the late planting period, the
production guarantee for each acre will be reduced by 1 percent for each day planted after the
final planting date for the first through the 15th day.For growers, Your prevented planting
coverage is 45 percent of your production guarantee for timely planted acreage, he said.Rice
was 89 percent planted for the week ending May 17, according to the National Agricultural
Statistics Service.
Thats ahead of the 85 percent five-year average.Corn was 98 percent planted, right on the fiveyear average.Stiles noted private figures forecasting 470,000 acres of corn in Arkansas versus
USDAs March 31 Prospective Plantings report estimate of 530,000 acres. The estimates also
predicted lower rice acreage at 1.425 million acres, compared with USDAs 1.441 million acres.
The companys estimates were right in line with USDAs figures for sorghum at 250,000 acres;
soybeans at 3.45 million acres; and cotton at 230,000 acres.In Arkansas, there are two factors at
work that have reduced acreage: weather and price. Weather is likely the dominant factor, Stiles
said. At the end of March we only had 2 percent of the corn in the ground. Roughly 85 percent
of corn was planted in April.September futures prices slipped 20 cents in April, but, I think the
calendar was more of a factor in any acreage reduction, he said.The National Agricultural
Statistics Service indicated we didn't have any rice planted by March 29 and only 37 percent
planted by April 26, Stiles said, which means that two-thirds will go in the ground in May and
we certainly hope planting doesnt extend into June.
He said that rice prices relative to everything else won't encourage growers to plant rice
extremely late. Given the weather delays thus far and severe price collapse, it seems very like
some of the intended rice acres will switch to soybeans or remain fallow, Stiles said.NASS
issues its annual Acreage Report on June 30, reflecting a producer survey of planted acres
around the United States. The survey period is during the first two weeks of June.
http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/weather-prices-depress-planting-estimatesarkansas?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+May+22%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+Decem
ber+13%2C+2013&utm_medium=email
LSU AgCenter rice field days begin May 28

May 22, 2015LSU AgCenter | Delta Farm Press

21

The LSU AgCenter will host a
series of rice field days across
Louisiana during the growing
season.Topics will include variety
development updates, control of
weeds, insects and disease,
fertilization
and
soybean
production.On May 28, the
Southwest Rice Field Day will be
at the Fenton Cooperative in
Fenton at 1311 U.S. Highway
165.
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., and the program begins at 9 a.m. The event will travel to the
Jimmy Hoppe farm to view research plots.Also on May 28, the Vermilion Parish Rice Field Day
will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Lounsberry Farm 1 mile east of Lake Arthur on Louisiana
Highway 14.On June 9, the Evangeline Parish Rice Field Day will be held at the Joey Hebert
Farm with cooperating producer, Kenneth LaHaye. On Bieber Road about 4 miles west of
Mamou, turn right at Daugeraux Road and drive a half mile, then turn left at a well and follow
signs to the research plots. The second part of the event will be at Bieber Farms on Bieber Road
1 mile west of Mamou.
On June 16, the Acadia Parish Rice Field Day will be at the South Farm of the Rice Research
Station, in Crowley, off Louisiana Highway 13. It will start with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the
program at 9 a.m.The Rice Research Stations annual field day will be July 1. The day will start
with field tours beginning at 7:15 a.m. The last one begins no later than 9 a.m.The Northeast
Louisiana Rice Field Day will be July 21 at 9 a.m. at the Woodsland Plantation in Richland
Parish 4 miles west of the intersection of La. Highways 15 and 133 until 11 a.m. when the event
reconvenes at the Rayville Civic Center.A St. Landry Parish Rice Field Day also will be held,
but details are pending.
http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/lsu-agcenter-rice-field-days-begin-may28?utm_source=USA+Rice+Daily%2C+May+22%2C+2015&utm_campaign=Friday%2C+December+13
%2C+2013&utm_medium=email
NFA OKs up to 500,000 MT rice imports as buffer stock

By Czeriza Valencia (The Philippine Star) | Updated May 23, 2015 - 12:00am

22
STAR/File photo
MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) has approved the importation
through government-to-government procurement scheme of an additional 250,000 metric tons
(MT) of rice that would be used as buffer stock during the lean months beginning in July.Also
approved on standby is the importation of another 250,000 MT that would be used in the event
that domestic production suffers significant loses due to the effect of the prevailing dry spell. The
Food Security Committee would evaluate the supply situation and make a recommendation to
the NFA.
The Food Security Committee is chaired by the National Economic Development Authority
(NEDA), with members composed of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department
of Finance (DOF), Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomic Services
Administration (Pagasa), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
(BSP), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the
National Food Authority.The governments of Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia will be invited
to participate in the government-to-government procurement scheme as these countries have
existing procurement agreements with the Philippine government.The Philippines would be
procuring rice of the 25 percent brokens variety.The Philippines awarded in February the supply
contract for a total of 500,000 MT of rice to Vietnam and Thailand that was expected to arrive
between March and April.

23

Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
The prevailing dry spell is expected to affect domestic palay (unhusked rice) production as
plantings have been delayed.The DA has already revised this years palay production target to
19.02 million MT from the original target of 20 million MT.The Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA) reported that palay production in the second quarter of the year is expected to fall 4.21
percent to 3.90 million MT. Harvest area may contract from 939,000 hectares to 918,000
hectares. Yield per hectare may drop to 4.25 MT from 4.34 MT per hectare in 2014.
http://www.philstar.com/business/2015/05/23/1457615/nfa-oks-500000-mt-rice-imports-buffer-stock
Vietnams rice exports drop as Thailand offloads overstocks

Vietnams rice exports have struggled to compete with cheaper shipments from Thailand in the
first four months of 2015 as the Thai government has sought to offload inventories at highly
discounted prices.As a result, a representative of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) said the
countrys exports to highly price sensitive markets such as those in Africa could fall by as much
as 60% from the figures in 2014.Lower exports are resulting in more rice remaining in
Vietnamese millers and farmers inventories, piling pressure on already-bulging storage and
raising the spectre of grain spoiling in temporary silos.The Thai government began executing a
subsidized scheme earlier this year in which it plans to sell 10 million tonnes of broken rice in
2015 and an additional seven million tonnes in 2016 at prices substantially below market prices.
As one example, the Thai government in March sold 5% broken rice from its inventories at
around US$236 to US$378 per tonne compared to the global market price of US$405 per
tonne.A representative of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, who declined to be identified, in
turn justified the programme by saying that the government's rice is old and has been stored for a
long time so its value has depreciated (Reuters).There is always a large price gap between new
rice and old rice, the official said.The nations rice industry can compete with private Thai
traders, but not with the Thai government as it slashes prices to bolster demand for old low
quality stock, said a VFA representative.In the four months leading up to May, Vietnams rice
exports dipped 12.73% in volume and 16.37% in value on-year to 1.686 million tonnes valued at
US$707 million according to VFA statistics.In addition to lower export prices and fierce
competition with Thailand, in 2015, Vietnam exporters are at risk of shrinking markets in other
countries, particularly the Chinese market.
China has been the largest importer of Vietnam's rice for the past three years. In 2014 alone,
Vietnam exported 2.1 million tonnes of rice to China, accounting for 30% of the nations export
market.However, Vietnam's rice exports to China during 2015 are likely to see a substantial
decline as the Chinese government diversifies its import strategy to increase rice import quota
from multiple sources.To address the situation, Deputy Prime Minister Hai has asked the VFA in
collaboration with relevant government offices and those in the private sector to develop specific
marketing plans for each foreign market.In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister asked the parties
to lay out a scheme to restructure production and shift rice cultivation areas to planting crops
with higher profit margins.

24

Hai said for 2014 Vietnam rice cultivation area stood at around 7.6 million hectares with an
estimated production of around 43.4 million tonnes of paddy rice. Rice production exceeds
consumption, but the country imports tonnes of soybeans and corn annually.The government will
guide farmers to shift to crops to soybeans, corn or other crops that will help them improve their
overall profits, Hai stressed.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/131354/vietnam-s-rice-exports-drop-as-thailand-offloadsoverstocks.html
UPDATE 1-Philippines to import 250,000 T of rice, maybe

more if El Nino worsens
Fri May 22, 2015 2:10am GMT
* Seeks govt-to-govt deal, tender in early June

* Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia qualified to bid
* Additional imports possible if El Nino intensifies (Add comment, detail)
By Enrico Dela Cruz
MANILA, May 22 (Reuters) - The Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, is
seeking 250,000 tonnes of the grain to boost its buffer stocks and could buy more if the droughtinducing El Nino weather phenomenon intensifies.Officials at the state grains agency on Friday
said the country was preparing to issue a tender in early June for the supply of 25-percent broken
variety of rice via a government-to-government deal.The move would be good news for regional
rice markets that have been flagging this year due to oversupply, with an official telling Reuters
by text that Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia were qualified to submit offers.
Delivery should be between July and August, in time for the onset of the lean harvest season in
the Philippines, he said.The government hopes to avert a potential spike in food prices due to
possible supply disruptions that could be caused by El Nino, which Japan last week confirmed
had set in.President Benigno Aquino has approved the additional rice purchases and has also
given the National Food Authority (NFA) permission to import a further 250,000 tonnes later
this year should El Nino intensify, another official said in a text message.The Southeast Asian
nation recently bought 500,000 tonnes via government-to-government deals with key sellers
Vietnam and Thailand. Last year, the NFA imported about 1.7 million tonnes, the country's
biggest purchase since Aquino took power in 2010.The NFA plans to issue an official advisory
on the additional imports within a day, said Food Security Chief Francis Pangilinan.
The Philippine government last week revised down its estimate of first-half domestic rice
production, with dry weather already affecting more than half of the country's 81
provinces.Thailand, the world's No.2 rice exporter after India, has said it plans to sell 2 million
tonnes of rice over the next two months from stockpiles built up under the previous
administration's failed buying programme.In Vietnam, the world's third-largest exporter where

25

prices have weakened this week on a lack of buying demand, a new crop harvest will begin from
around late June, traders said.
(Reporting by Erik dela Cruz; Editing by Joseph Radford)
http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL3N0YD08N20150522?sp=true
Govt braces for El Nio impact with additional rice imports

THE GOVERNMENT is beefing up the countrys rice buffer stock as it faces a double
whammy of a lean season and the possibility of an intense El Nio episode that coincide with
signs of lower production this semester, the state grains agency said in a brief statement on
Friday.
Specifically, it is prepared to import as much as 500,000 metric tons (MT) through governmentto-government deals on top of the acquisition of the same volume last March.The National
Food Authority (NFA) Council, through the recommendation of the Food Security Committee,
approved an additional importation of 250,000 MT in preparation for the lean months beginning
July and to stabilize rice prices during the lean months, the statement read.
Existing bilateral rice agreements allow the Philippines to import from Thailand, Vietnam and
Cambodia through government-to-government procurement mode.The imports will involve 25%
broken rice variety.These are scheduled to be delivered by July 1, Presidential Assistant for Food
Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis N. Pangilinan -- who makes import
recommendations together with the NFA Council -- said in a text message.NFA Administrator
Renan B. Dalisay said separately that invitations to bid were sent to embassies concerned on
Friday.With invitations to bid sent out today (Friday), timeline is June 5 for the actual bidding,
Mr. Dalisay said via text message.
EL NIO
The NFA is also prepared to import more rice should the need arise amid the onslaught of El
Nio and the prolonged dry spell it brings.Another importation of 250,000 MT is on standby in
case there will be significant effects on production brought by El Nio... the NFA said,
clarifying that this additional volume is still subject to the evaluation and recommendation of the
Food Security Committee.The committee is headed by the National Economic and Development
Authority and consists besides of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance,
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomic Services Administration, Philippine
Statistics Authority, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Irrigation Administration, Department
of Agriculture, and NFA itself.

26

Earlier this month, Australias weather bureau said El Nio has already formed and that models
indicated a substantial event, while the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed the weather
patterns emergence, forecasting it would persist into late 2015.
Last March, Vietnam and Thailand bagged contracts to supply a total of 500,000 MT of rice to
boost the Philippines buffer stock for the three-month lean season that starts in July. Under the
Feb. 27 auction, Vietnam bagged the contract to supply 300,000 MT, involving 150,000 MT
each of the 15% and 25% broken varieties, while Thailand will deliver the remaining 200,000
MT to cover the balance of each rice variety.Last year, the government imported around 1.5
million MT of rice, equivalent to 8% of 2014s total domestic output of 18.97 million MT that, in
turn, was 2.87% more than 2013s 18.44 million MT and topped an 18.88-million MT target.
POOR START
Production of unmilled rice -- known locally as palay -- rose by 1.41% to 4.37 million MT last
quarter from 4.31 million MT in 2014s comparable three months, but still fell short of a 4.47million MT projection.This quarter, palay output is expected to drop by 4.21% to 3.90 million
MT from 4.07 million MT a year ago, leading to a 1.32% decline to 8.27 million MT this
semester from 8.38 million MT in 2014s comparable six months.The government expects a
recovery next quarter, with output to improve by 11.7% to 3.38 million MT from 3.03 million
MT in 2014s comparable three months.That, in turn, is expected to drive nine-month production
up 2.14% annually to 11.65 million MT from 11.41 million MT. -- Claire-Ann Marie C.
Feliciano
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=gov&rsquot-braces-for-el-niobrimpact-with-additionalbr-rice-imports&id=108426
Trade talks aim to boost quota

Fri, 22 May 2015
Chan Muyhong
A young woman pours rice on to a pile at a paddy in Battambang province earlier this year. A delegation from China
is set to arrive on Monday to discuss Cambodias proposal to double rice exports to China. Heng Chivoan

27
A Chinese trade delegation due to arrive in Cambodia next week has added to the hopes that the
Kingdoms rice export quota to China will be drastically raised.The three-day visit, which will be
led by Chinas Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Yan, begins on Monday and will discuss
strengthening trade ties with Cambodia, according to the Ministry of Commerce.This time, the
visit will discuss the possibility of expanding trade cooperation between Cambodia and China. A
rice deal and the possibility of exporting more agricultural products from Cambodia to China
will also be on the agenda, said Ministry of Commerce spokesman Ken Ratha.
Cambodian Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol sent a letter to Gao Yan in April seeking to
double Cambodias rice export quota to 200,000 tonnes for the period between May 2015 and
April 2016.It is expected that there will be detailed discussion of Cambodias request to double
the rice quota to China to 200,000 tonnes, Ratha said, adding, however, that no agreement or
memorandum of understanding is expected to be signed.Hun Lak, vice president of the
Cambodia Rice Federation, said yesterday that he has high hopes for a positive response due to
the successful implementation of the previous 100,000-tonne rice quota between the China
National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) and the Cambodian state-owned
Green Trade Company.[COFCO] ordered 100,000 tonnes and we successfully delivered it to
them. It shows that we can supply on time, he explained.
Lak added that the doubling of the Chinese rice export quota would help Cambodia diversify
from the European market.Although the other markets we supply now are doing well, especially
the EU, we should not be too reliant on the EU market. We should expand the market in Asian
countries, [and] China is a huge market for Cambodia.Export figures released by the CRF
showed that China was the biggest importer of Cambodian rice for the first three months of
2015, importing 36,081 tonnes, followed by Malaysia and France.Thanks largely to a boost in
shipments to China, the Kingdom increased its exports to 75,867 tonnes overall in March, more
than doubling the 37,676 tonnes exported the month before.China is also looking to import more
of Cambodias other agricultural products such as corn, bananas and mangos.

28

Agriculture and mining are other sectors that China is eyeing in Cambodia, said Lim Heng, vice
president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce.Cambodias rich natural resources,
agricultural products, cheap labour costs and investment incentives are significant attractions for
Chinese investors to choose Cambodia over neighbouring countries, he said.We have always
encouraged Chinese investors to invest in agricultural processing in Cambodia as the country has
high demand for this kind of investment, he added.In late 2012, China and Cambodia pledged to
increase bilateral trade to $5 billion by the end of this year
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/trade-talks-aim-boost-quota
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 22

Nagpur, May 22 Gram and tuar prices reported down again in Nagpur Agriculture
Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on lack of buying support from local millers
amid
poor quality arrival. Release of stock from stockists and fresh fall in Madhya Pradesh pulses
also pushed down prices in weak trading activity, according to sources.
*
FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM
* Gram super best bold and medium best moved down in open market here in absence of
buyers amid increased supply from millers.
TUAR
* Tuar gavarani new recovered in open market on good demand from local traders.
Reports about weak overseas supply also fuelled prices.
* Moong dal chilka declined sharply in open market here on poor buying support from
local traders amid healthy supply from producing regions.
* In Akola, Tuar - 7,200-7,500, Tuar dal - 9,900-10,300, Udid at 9,100-9,600,
Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,700-11,100, Moong - 9,000-9,200, Moong Mogar
(clean) 10,700-11,100, Gram - 4,100-4,400, Gram Super best bold - 6,000-6,200
for 100 kg.
* Whear, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market
in poor 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

3,500-4,470
3,500-4,490
n.a.
2,100-2,600
5,500-7,210
5,620-7,370

29

Moong Auction
n.a.
6,000-6,300
Udid Auction
n.a.
4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction
n.a.
2,600-2,800
Gram Super Best Bold
6,200-6,400
6,300-6,500
Gram Super Best
n.a.
Gram Medium Best
5,900-6,100
6,000-6,200
Gram Dal Medium
n.a.
n.a.
Gram Mill Quality
5,250-5,450
5,250-5,450
Desi gram Raw
4,500-4,650
4,500-4,650
Gram Filter new
6,050-6,150
6,050-6,150
Gram Kabuli
5,100-6,900
5,100-6,900
Gram Pink
6,300-6,500
6,300-6,500
Tuar Fataka Best
10,500-10,800
10,500-10,800
Tuar Fataka Medium
10,000-10,300
10,000-10,300
Tuar Dal Best Phod
9,500-9,800
9,500-9,800
Tuar Dal Medium phod
9,000-9,350
9,000-9,350
Tuar Gavarani New
7,800-7,900
7,750-7,850
Tuar Karnataka
7,900-8,000
7,900-8,000
Tuar Black
10,700-11,000
10,700-11,000
Masoor dal best
8,100-8,300
8,100-8,300
Masoor dal medium
7,500-7,800
7,500-7,800
Masoor
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Mogar bold
11,000-11,500
11,000-11,500
Moong Mogar Medium best
10,200-10,600
10,200-10,600
Moong dal Chilka
9,100-9,650
9,200-9,7050
Moong Mill quality
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Chamki best
9,600-9,900
9,600-9,900
Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 11,200-11,600
11,200-11,600
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 9,900-10,600
9,900-10,600
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
8,500-8,900
8,500-8,900
Batri dal (100 INR/KG)
4,300-4,500
4,300-4,500
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)
3,150-3,300
3,150-3,300
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)
3,200-3,450
3,200-3,450
Watana White (100 INR/KG)
2,450-2,625
2,450-2,625
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,700-4,800
3,600-4,800
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,600
1,400-1,600
Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,700
1,500-1,700
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,600
1,400-1,600
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,450
2,200-2,450
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,800-1,950
1,800-1,950
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a.
n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,700
3,100-3,700
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,800-3,000
2,800-3,000
Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,500
1,400-1,500
Wheat Best (100 INR/KG)
2,000-2,200
2,000-2,200

30

Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG)
2,500-2,800
2,500-2,800
Rice BPT (100 INR/KG)
3,000-3,300
3,000-3,300
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)
1,600-1,800
1,600-1,800
Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)
2,100-2,400
2,100-2,400
Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700
2,500-2,700
Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG)
3,300-3,700
3,300-3,700
Rice HMT (100 INR/KG)
4,000-4,400
4,000-4,400
Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500
4,200-4,500
Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,200
4,600-5,200
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,000-10,000
8,000-10,000
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,000-7,500
6,000-7,500
Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,200
4,600-5,200
Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)
5,600-6,000
5,600-6,000
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
2,200-2,300
2,100-2,200
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)
2,400-2,550
2,300-2,450
WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 47.0 degree Celsius (116.6 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
29.9 degree Celsius (85.8 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : nil
FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 47
and 30 degree Celsius respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, butincluded in market prices.)
http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/05/22/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N0YD3F520150522
Punjab to bring 4.44 million acres of land under paddy

cultivation
May 22, 2015
RECORDER REPORT
The Punjab has fixed a target of bringing 4.44 million acres of land under paddy cultivation for
the forthcoming season with a production target of 3.5 million tonnes. A Punjab Agriculture
Department spokesman on Thursday urged farmers to only sow approved varieties for achieving
maximum per acre yield of paddy and said approved varieties with higher production capabilities
were super basmati, basmati-370, basmati-385, basmati Pak (Kernal basmati), basmati-2000,
basmati-515, PS-2, PK-386 and Basmati 198 (for Sahiwal, Okara and adjoining areas). "Nursery
of these varieties should be sown between June 1 and June 20 while suitable time of nursery
preparation for Shaheen basmati is between June 15 and June 30," he added.

31

http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183:pakistan/1188885:punjab-to-bring-444-million-acresof-land-under-paddy-cultivation/?date=2015-05-22
Rice sowing gathers pace, cane area rises

Tomojit Basu
Rural women engaged in paddy sowing operations at Bhavadevarapalli village in
Krishna District. (file photo)
New Delhi, May 22:
The sowing of rice, the main foodgrain
grown during the Kharif season, is
gathering pace with 2.68 lakh hectares
(lh) covered as of Friday, as per the
latest estimates provided by the
Agriculture Ministry. The figure during
the corresponding period last year stood
at 2.28 lh.About 2.68 lh area coverage
under rice has been reported from
Assam (1.10 lh), Nagaland (0.85 lh),
Arunachal Pradesh (0.52 lh), Tamil nadu
(0.19 lh) and Odisha (0.02 lh), said an
official statement.Overall, area under
Kharif crops increased to 56.22 lh from
49.04 lh at the same time last year.
Monsoon concerns
Pre-monsoon showers have been encouraging say experts but warn that official estimates of
lower rainfall during the four-month southwest monsoon could have an impact in low-lying rainfed cultivation areas in eastern India which accounts for 60 per cent of
the rice growing area with almost 50 per cent reliant on rain.The Indian Meteorological
Department has predicted rainfall this Kharif at 93 per cent of long-period average of 89 cm.,
driven mainly by the El Nino weather phenomenon. Last season, deficient rainfall estimated at
88 per cent resulted foodgrain output declining by 13.92 million tonne (mt) to 251.12 mt.Premonsoon showers should benefit farmers planting the early aus varieties of 90-110 days
duration.
However, heat waves have been strong, and if the lower rainfall prediction is true, there could be
some apprehension about large scale sowing particularly in eastern India, said Trilochan
Mohapatra, Director, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack.He did not expect rice acreage to
increase beyond the 37.48 million hectares registered last season if there is a rainfall deficit and

32

any predictions about sowing could only be made once there were estimates of distribution made
public.If there is a delayed monsoon, farmers in States like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand,
Bihar and parts of West Bengal and eastern Uttar Pradesh, could opt to not plant rice, said
Mohapatra.
He added that even if water levels in reservoirs were up due to the pre-monsoon rain, it would be
difficult to supply the water in the areas mentioned given the lack of infrastructure.In betterirrigated States like Haryana and Punjab, sowing would start by early June with nurseries being
raised already. Long-duration varieties are generally sown between end-May and early-July
across eastern and southern India, ahead of the heavy showers between July-early September.
Cane acreage up
Acreage for sugarcane has also risen to 40.7 lh from 40.58 lh at the same time last year with
increased area reported from Uttar Pradesh (0.38 lh), Madhya Pradesh 0.43 lh) and Gujarat (0.19
lh) and decline reported from Maharashtra (0.61 lh), Karnataka (0.88 lh) among
others.Area under jute and mesta has also shown an uptick with 6.72 lh under the crop as
compared to 6.18 lh at the same time in 2014.
(This article was published on May 22, 2015)

The Hindu
Mahindra Group to acquire 33% stake in Japan's

Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery
This deal will enable strategic growth avenues for MAM, which has been providing OEM
tractors to Mahindra USA and technical license to Mahindra for rice planters & tractor in
India
BS B2B Bureau | Mumbai May 22, 2015 Last Updated at 12:10 IST
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M), part of the Mahindra

Group, has agreed to acquire 33% stake in Mitsubishi
Agricultural Machinery Co Ltd (MAM), a subsidiary of
Japans Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI), for $ 25
million (about Rs 159 crores).The agreement was signed by
Kazuaki Kimura, president and CEO, MHI Machinery,
Equipment & Infrastructure; Katsumi Tottori, president,
MAM; and Rajesh Jejurikar, president & chief executive (farm
equipment & two wheeler), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. The
deal is expected to close by October 1, 2015, with the new
funding to be used to increase MAMs capital base.
Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery is a full range agri-machinery company producing and selling
tractors, combine harvesters, rice transplanters and other agri-machinery. It had revenues of

33

approximately Yen 50 billion ($ 408 million) in 2014-15.Commenting on the partnership, Rajesh
Jejurikar, president & chief executive (farm equipment & two wheeler division), M&Msaid, It
is a matter of pride for us to have signed this alliance today which is a win-win for the
agricultural machinery businesses of both companies. This will enable strategic growth avenues
for Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery (MAM) through Mahindra USA, China and other
international markets, thereby speeding up international expansion.
It will also provide a platform for both the companies to leverage technology and product
development synergies.Mahindra is the worlds largest tractor manufacturer by volume with a
very strong leadership position in India. MAM has been supplying OEM tractors to Mahindra
USA (subsidiary of M&M in the US) as well as providing technical license to Mahindra for
walk-behind rice planters and new tractor in India.The new partnership will help both companies
to jointly develop products to address global opportunities in the tractor and agri-machinery
space. In addition, the partnership will enable MAM and Mahindra to improve cost
competitiveness though joint procurement and optimise the supply chain,
http://www.business-standard.com/content/b2b-manufacturing-industry/mahindra-group-to-acquire-33stake-in-japan-s-mitsubishi-agricultural-machinery-115052200933_1.html
Raipur scientists develop high-zinc rice to fight

malnutrition in Chhattisgarh
Sourav Roy | May 22, 2015 at 10:43 pm 125 113 12
0 0 inShare Scientists from Raipur have developed a
high zinc-enriched variety of rice that is expected to
play a crucial role in fighting malnutrition in tribaldominated Chhattisgarh where nearly seven lakh
children are still malnourished. The new paddy seed,
called Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1, the first zinc biofortified rice variety in India, was launched by State Variety Release Committee, the authority
for official release of new varieties of seeds, in March and its production is likely to begin from
the next kharif season.
Similarly, researchers from Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU), Raipur, led by
Professor Girish Chandel, have rolled out two varieties of high zinc rice, of which one has been
released. We focused on increasing our crop production since the inception of the Green
Revolution in the country aiming to eliminate hunger. In the process, we managed to yield high
production, but the quality of crop did not improve, Chandel told PTI. In 2000, the Centre,
along with, health organisations in a survey found that 60-70 per cent of population was

34

suffering from malnutrition because of deficiency of micro-nutrients, particularly iron, zinc and
Vitamin A.
Following this, the government decided to come out with a research programme to improve the
variety of three staple crops rice, wheat and maize in different states, he said. According to
PTI, Under the programme, Chhattisgarh, considered as the rice bowl of the country, decided to
work on the quality aspect and took up Rice Bio Fortification Research Project. In the first
phase of the project in 2003-05, some 200 rice germplasm lines with high grain nutritive values
but low-yielding quality were identified, he said. Subsequently, in the next phase of 2006-11,
seeds were multiplied and subjected to genetic improvement exercise, which led to seven highyielding zinc-enriched rice varieties.
In 2013, the Centre decided to conduct a separate exercise coordinated by Directorate of Rice
Research (DRR), Hyderabad, to analyse the outcome of the researches being conducted in
different parts of the country. Finally, four varieties were adjudged best in terms of quality, of
which the top two came from Chhattisgarh. Currently, we have 100 kg seeds of this new variety
and we are further planning to multiply it in 10 acres. By November-December this year, we will
distribute it to around 5,000 farmers across the state. Its sowing would be started in the next
kharif season, he said. Image Credit : Shutterstock ... read more onsocial.yourstory.com
http://social.yourstory.com/2015/05/raipur-scientists-zinc-rice/
Rain hurting Louisiana wheat crop, affecting

others
Excessive rain across Louisiana is compounding existing problems with the states 2015 wheat
crop and leading to what LSU Agricultural Center experts call a disastrous season.Heavy rains
also are causing problems for some soybean and corn farmers, especially in the north part of the
state where a storm system brought as much as 10 inches of rain in some areas in the past week.
Also being affected are cotton, pastures and cattle.Less affected by rain are sugar cane and rice,
AgCenter experts said.
WHEAT: Wheat is normally harvested from mid-May to the first week of June in south
Louisiana and from the end of May to mid- to late-June in north Louisiana, said Steve Harrison,
LSU AgCenter wheat breeder. But rain is keeping farmers out of muddy fields and causing the
quality of the crop to deteriorate and also contributing to what is commonly called scab disease.

35

Some of the wheat being harvested has a low weight, reducing its value.A normal test weight is
60 pounds per bushel, said Josh Lofton, LSU AgCenter extension wheat specialist. But down
south were seeing wheat in the high 40s and low 50s.Grain elevators are either rejecting the
low-quality wheat or significantly docking the price, he said.Some of the wheat will be left in the
field because its not worth harvesting.
Theyll plow it under and plant soybeans, Harrison said, adding that some farmers will let the
damaged fields go fallow for a year.Harrison expects yield losses of 30 percent to 40 percent for
the 2015 wheat crop. Yield losses could translate into about a $13 million economic loss, based
on the 130,000 acres planted to wheat, LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry estimated.Lofton
said the wheat season started with poor planting conditions through late fall, followed by freezes
in March when the wheat was growing rapidly.
The low temperatures didnt kill the crop but caused damage that weakened the stems and
resulted in the crop collapsing when heads formed as heavy storms hit. These conditions can
cause wheat to fall over, and harvesters cant pick up the crop as easily. Harvesting becomes less
efficient and more costly.In addition, the continual wet conditions are favorable for development
of a disease on wheat commonly known as scab, which can lead to low yields, low test weight,
dockage and even rejection at the elevator.This is the worst year by far for scab, said Boyd
Padgett, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist and director of the Central Region, whos been
studying diseases in wheat for more than 20 years.
SOYBEANS: Ron Levy, LSU AgCenter soybean specialist, said some fields of young soybeans
have been too wet. We may have some losses and have to replant.Levy said some farmers have
been waiting to plant, but the excess moisture makes that difficult.Delayed planting will
probably mean yields will be affected, he said. A late-planted soybean crop faces more stress
from intense summer heat and more disease and insect pressure.In southwest Louisiana, as much
as a third of the soybean crop may have to be replanted, said Barrett Courville, LSU AgCenter
county agent in Acadia and Jefferson Davis parishes.The wet ground also is delaying farmers
from getting into fields to spray herbicides, Courville said. But some areas havent received
much rain, and the fields are ready to be planted.
CORN: Dan Fromme, LSU AgCenter corn specialist, said corn benefits from the rain as long as
the fields are not flooded. Were in the rapid growth stage right now.Some fields hit by high
winds had corn tip over, he said. Corn will suffer from a lack of oxygen in fields with

36

waterlogged soil. Corn farmers had to deal with excess moisture during planting in March and
April.
COTTON: Cotton in Louisiana is 80-90 percent planted, but flooding for that commodity is not
good for the crop.Donna Lee, LSU AgCenter county agent in East Carroll Parish, and Keith
Collins, county agent in Richland Parish, said water from recent heavy rains appear to have
drained, but low-lying areas have standing water.Now we need sunny weather, Lee said.She
said the cotton, corn, soybeans and milo she has seen in northeast Louisiana look good so far.
But cool weather that came on May 21 could slow plant growth.The most susceptible crops
were those that are small, said Collins.
CANE: Sugar cane is not as affected by heavy rains now, said Kenneth Gravois, LSU AgCenter
sugarcane specialist. At this stage, cane is pretty resilient.He said sugar cane farmers have
made herbicide and fertilizer applications. It would be better if it were a bit drier, but going into
the summer with good moisture is good. Overall prospects for the crop continue to look good,
Gravois said.
RICE: Even though rice thrives in a wet environment, the frequent rainfall has caused problems
for rice farmers.In a lot of places, farmers are struggling to get done whats needed in the
fields, said Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter rice specialist.He said landing strips for airplanes
have been too wet to use for midseason nitrogen fertilizer applications. Flying services are using
hard-surfaced runways, which are often several miles from a field, and the extra distance is
resulting in higher fees, he said.He said young rice is struggling, and an early outbreak of leaf
blast disease has been found because of frequent rains.

37

22nd May, 2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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