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Machines of progress
Cambodia adopts postharvest technologies
Water harvesting in Latin America
California deals with climate change
Africa's "Marshall Plan"
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2 Rice Today July-September 2010
contents
Vol. 9, No. 3
PEOPLE....................................................................... 8
Rice Today is published by The Rice Trader Inc. (TRT) in association with the International Rice Research Institute
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines
TRT, for 20 years, has brought subscribers crucial, up-to-the-minute information Web (IRRI): www.irri.org; www.irri.org/ricetoday
on rice trade through its weekly publication, The Rice Trader. Acknowledged as Web (Library): http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.org
the only source of confidential information about the rice market, this weekly Web (Rice Knowledge Bank): www.knowledgebank.irri.org
summary of market data analysis has helped both the leading commercial rice
companies and regional government officials make informed decisions, which are Rice Today editorial
critical in today’s market. telephone: (+63-2) 580-5600 or (+63-2) 844-3351 to 53, ext 2725; fax: (+63-2) 580-5699
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in the Philippines and with offices in 13 other countries, IRRI is an autonomous,
nonprofit institution focused on improving the well-being of present and future cover photo Lanie Reyes
generations of rice farmers and consumers, particularly those with low incomes, publisher Jeremy Zwinger
while preserving natural resources. It is one of the 15 nonprofit international
associate publisher Duncan Macintosh
research centers supported, in part, by members of the Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR – www.cgiar.org) and a range of other
managing editor V. Subramanian
funding agencies. editor Mia Aureus
Responsibility for this publication rests with TRT and IRRI. Designations used associate editor Lanie Reyes
in this publication should not be construed as expressing TRT or IRRI policy or contributing writers Gene Hettel, Sophie Clayton, Samarendu Mohanty,
opinion on the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area, or its authorities, Alaric Santiaguel, Trina Leah Mendoza
or the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Africa editor Savitri Mohapatra (AfricaRice)
Rice Today welcomes comments and suggestions from readers. Rice Today copy editor Bill Hardy
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4 Rice Today July-September 2010
Hidden Treasure*
I
n the last few months, I have visited Colombia, deals with countries
China, Singapore, the Philippines, and Panama. that have internal
One thing I consistently heard during my consumptions that
travels was that the world is changing—and are several times
it’s changing on many levels. One of these changes the size of global
concerns the weather, which has grown more trade. The initial
unpredictable. It would probably be better to leave the response would be
grand debate about “global warming” to the politicians to have them eat
and scientists, but the simple fact is that great shifts other food commodities (wheat, corn, etc.). However,
in the climate cycle are occurring and this troubles economics would question whether consumers will
everyone. In California, for example, I had originally or can easily shift between food items. But then again,
planned to write an article on drought-related farming would they have a choice since the export system of
issues following years of dryness in the state. But, rice is yet to be fully developed? This is the crutch of a
by the time I got to writing, I had to change it to a global food business that looks oversupplied and yet
report on the effects of the late wet season on the keeps 1.02 billion people on the brink of starvation by
crops (see page 11). Interestingly, a massive reduction not allowing this “oversupply” to reach the people who
in California’s crop will be caused by this cold, wet need it. Food may not be as “abundant” as we all think.
weather—along with a further 5% drop in output Having said all this, the world—politically and
because of water sales that would result in no crops in the trade—has sent food prices falling this year
being planted on some farmlands. This is the fate of and one could question whether this is indeed a
humans. We cannot control the weather any more than reflection of the reality that is mentioned above.
we can stop the world from turning. Market sentiment currently rules, as the five major
Similarly, there is talk of the all-important (at least rice exporters already reveal 5% more trade this year;
in terms of political and trade sentiment) situation yet, financial issues facing Europe, plus the changing
in India and its upcoming monsoon. The Indian currency rates, reveal a hesitancy that dogs food
government had been rather brilliant in keeping markets. Such volatility can be harmful to longer-
stocks before the major drought happened last year term investments in food output. There is no doubt
and then holding on to the hope that this year would that such investment decreases would also impact
allow them to bounce back. If the monsoon proved to research. While all of us would like cheap food so that
be better this time around, they would have pulled off the developing nations can feed their people with
one of the most interesting and riskiest plays on food ease, one cannot forget the long-term issues if prices
storage in recent history. If not, the pundits (fairly or are too low (lack of investment as seen in lengthy
unfairly) would come out with economics showing that periods in the 1990s until the food crisis of 2008). It is
more buffer stocks are needed for a country as large as the old economics lesson coming back to haunt us.
India and how this would impact future food storage The solution for low prices is low prices as this leads to
strategies. But, given the prediction that a perfect a fall in supply (scarcity). Subsequently, when prices
monsoon is coming, perhaps everything will work out rise, the solution for high prices is high prices, as this
fine. For the people of India and the world, we pray delivers the investments needed to raise supply. In the
that food production stays at a level that can meet all end, one should probably fear low prices more than
needs. As stated above, humans do not control the high prices as the world could once again lose focus of
weather and predictions can be quite dangerous. the idea that, without an ample food and water supply,
China is another point of interest. There has always markets quickly realize the value of all things scarce.
been a belief that, at some point, China would need
to import rice to feed its large population (around
1.3 billion). It has already imported other food
commodities such as corn (maize). When China (or
India) buys large quantities, the question becomes Jeremy Zwinger
one of how a 30-million-metric-ton global rice trade Publisher
* The opinions expressed here are those of the author and doRice Today July-September
not necessarily reflect the views
2010 of the International Rice Research Institute. 5
NEWS
U.S. aids poor Asian farmers
john r. leeper
I n the face of unrelenting pressure on
Asian rice farmers to grow more rice
to feed the poorest people in the region,
a US$300 million fund-raising campaign
was launched on 22 April 2010 in the
United States.
The campaign supports new
breakthroughs in rice research and their
delivery to rice farmers, educational and
training scholarships, the building of
world-class scientific facilities, and the
protection of thousands of unique rice
varieties.
These activities aim to help farmers
grow more rice in an environmentally
sustainable way, helping them feed their Puddling in Malaysia.
families and communities and boosting
economies to improve the lives of
Asia’s millions of poor rice farmers and are very grateful to the Bill & Melinda IRRI is partnering with the San
consumers. Gates Foundation for giving the campaign Francisco-based Give2Asia, which will
Organized by the International Rice such a strong philanthropic start,” said accept tax-deductible gifts from U.S.-
Research Institute (IRRI) to mark its 50th IRRI Director General Dr. Robert Zeigler. based donors in support of the campaign,
anniversary in 2010, the 5-year campaign “Now we’d like to invite all those in the which will run until 2012.
has already raised more than $90 million, U.S. who care about the 3 billion people in
with just over $50 million provided by the Asia who depend on rice for life to join the Source: www.irri.org
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “We campaign.”
A fter much
anticipation, the
ceremonious signing T he launch of a Certified Crop
Adviser (CCA) program in South
of the Memorandum Asia is targeting the professional
of Agreement for development of agronomists at
the Interactive Voice private companies, nongovernment
Response (IVR) organizations, and public-sector
mobile extension agencies.
service on nutrient Certification is said to be an
Sealed with a handshake. From left to right: Department of Agriculture
management for (DA) Agriculture Training Institute Director Asterio Saliot, DA Secretary
effective way to improve delivery of
rice between the Bernie Fondevilla, IRRI Director General Robert Zeigler, and Dr. Roland technical information, products, and
International Rice Buresh,IRRI's principal scientist. services from agronomy professionals.
Research Institute The CCA program has begun in India,
(IRRI) and the Philippine Department Nutrient Manager decision tool through offering the first exam in November 2010.
of Agriculture (DA) took place on 4 their mobile phones. The launch date for It will soon expand to Nepal, Pakistan,
June 2010. This agreement marks a new the service is targeted for mid-July—to and Bangladesh.
age in digital extension services as DA coincide with IRRI’s training program. Bringing the CCA program to South
Secretary Bernie Fondevilla comments, For more detailed information, see Asia is the result of collaboration with the
“I look forward to the day when Filipino the Grain of Truth article on page 46 and American Society of Agronomy and the
farmers are tech-savvy.” watch for the next issue of Rice Today, Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia
This project will be piloted across which will feature a full-length article (CSISA).
five major rice-growing regions in the on the suite of Nutrient Manager digital
Philippines. It will allow farmers and extension tools. Source: http://vertexcareer.com and
extension workers to access fertilizer http://nation.ittefaq.com
recommendations directly from the new Source: IRRI
Hybrid and flood-tolerant rice hit they have cultivated these two varieties AfricaRice develops new rice
Bangladesh on a trial basis in the last few years. lines from Oryza glaberrima.
Four new varieties of rice have been Around 20,000 farmers in Sirajganj,
released for Bangladesh’s aman or wet Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha may
season, when rice is planted before the cultivate these varieties this season, said
monsoons in July and heavily depends on Dr. Khairul Bashar, head of the Genetic
the rains for irrigation. Resources and Seed Division of BRRI.
The new varieties are submergence-
tolerant BRRI Dhan-51 and BRRI Dhan- Source: www.thedailystar.net
52, and Hybrid-4 and Hira Dhan-10, both
the first-ever hybrid rice varieties for the
k. orou
aman season. Hybrid rice gains acceptance in
The Bangladesh Rice Research the Philippines
Institute (BRRI), in collaboration with New varieties of hybrid rice introduced
New research focuses on
the International Rice Research Institute to the Philippines in 2010 have been met
African rice
(IRRI), developed the two submergence- with increased market acceptance, a Long considered a poor cousin of Asian
tolerant varieties. BRRI developed government official said. rice, African rice will be the focus of a
Hybrid-4 and a private company— Frisco M. Malabanan, director of the major scientific initiative to break the
Supreme Seed—developed Hira Dhan-10. Agriculture Department’s Ginintuang yield ceiling in farmers' fields.
The National Seed Board has Masaganang Ani (GMA) Rice Program, New findings from the Africa Rice
certified all four new varieties. Farmers told reporters that new hybrid rice Center (AfricaRice) counter the view
can expect to get the seed within 2 years varieties have been introduced this that African rice, preferred by local
after seed production and marketing on year by the Philippine Rice Research consumers for its taste, is inherently
a large scale take place. Farmers in some Institute (PhilRice) and its partners the lower yielding than Asian rice. They
northern districts already have seeds of International Rice Research Institute also confirm its remarkable adaptability
BRRI Dhan-51 and BRRI Dhan-52 as (IRRI), Bayer CropScience, Syngenta to harsh growing conditions in Africa;
AG, Devgen NV, Pioneer Hi- hence, it is valuable in developing
Bred International, Inc., Bioseed improved varieties suited to a changing
IRRI
1 2
1. THE GOLDEN year. Communication and Publications Services staff members celebrate IRRI’s 50th anniversary.
2. ALL THE way to Timbuktu. (left to right) IRRI’s plant breeder Glenn Gregorio and plant physiologist Abdelbagi Ismail take Rice Today to Djinguereber Mosque, Timbuktu,
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mali, Africa.
Be Informed. Be Confident.
A marketing and research perspective concerning the wet weather in California and its impact on rice production
S
ix months ago, we planned to write an article about the dry ideal conditions will return to help boost the crops to normal yields
weather in northern California and its impact on rice crops. To in the months ahead.
our surprise, however, by the time we got to writing this story, From a marketing perspective, these conditions have put
the drought that had beleaguered the state for almost 4 years had California in a tight spot as it is the only origin of japonica rice left
ended with the recent exit of El Niño. The arrival of La Niña phase standing in the export market. Australia, a source of japonica rice
has brought more rains (above the average rainfall in the rice valley), before the drought wiped out much of its crop, estimates that it
helping replenish water reservoirs. will produce approximately 200
One could say that the thousand tons in 2010-11, but, with
wet weather was a blessing— domestic usage pegged at around
especially after suffering from 400 thousand tons, Australia cannot
drought since 2006. But, the be expected to return to exports any
timing of the rains has added a time soon. Egypt is another origin
new twist to the issues faced by of the medium grain, but it remains
rice farmers in California. They reluctant to export. It will likely keep
must now deal with the “chaotic” a lid on commercial exports, as it is
or unpredictable nature of these 100 thousand tons less in exports on
rains. lower production. An export ban has
Rains in California came reportedly been placed for 2010-11.
during the land preparation Rain clouds cluster over a rice valley Lastly, China remains focused on
period, thus delaying operations. on 3 June 2010, which is unusual in its internal needs, especially when
Crops were planted late as a result. California during this time of the year. its northern region—known for
Planting fell about 2–3 weeks the rice trader
producing these round grains—is
behind the normal schedule, suffering from drought conditions.
with a substantial percentage of seeds sown after 1 June, which is Interestingly enough, the southern U.S. planting region for
the generally accepted deadline for planting. This delay in planting medium-grain rice (Arkansas, Louisiana, etc.) is said to be expecting
caused more problems in the application of chemicals and nitrogen, a lower output (as much as 30–40%) in the coming year. California's
as farmers rushed in planting the crops to catch up with the “normal” water sale of about 5% of the industry’s rice fields (23,000 acres or
schedule. 9,308 hectares) has also subsequently decreased the harvestable area
The weather has remained wet, with sporadic rains mixed for 2010-11 crop production. The wet weather faced in California, along
with cold spells. Consequently, there has not been enough heat with the water sale, can possibly cause a 15% shortfall in production,
to produce a good crop. To note, heavy rains in early June are an making things difficult for regular importers of the grain.
unusual occurrence. Because of such weather conditions, yields are
expected to fall by 5–10% in the coming year. Many still hope that Mr. Zwinger is the president and CEO of The Rice Trader Inc.
I
nasmuch as the recent rains in California have caused anxieties vigor, stand establishment, early growth, cold response, cold-induced
among producers, researchers, on the other hand, are more sterility, and delay in maturity. This practice can help identify or
upbeat about the situation. Breeders, most especially, often confirm a superior or inferior variety, line, or production practice.
use these occasions to engage in experiments that could help The poor conditions for growing rice are not good for
in developing new varieties that can weather such changes in producers and can jeopardize the yield potential in nursery tests.
the climate in the future. Naturally, scientists often seek different Nevertheless, breeders do take advantage of this opportunity for
suboptimum production environments that allow them to identify selection. Long-time Rice Experiment Station breeder Carl Johnson
superior or inferior lines to develop lines that will provide more used to say, “If you get lemons, make lemonade.” He was always
stable yields over years of production. These may include making interested in how materials performed in a “rough environment,”
special nurseries to test for cold tolerance, disease, salinity, drought which frequently refers to our nurseries in cold locations. This spring
or flooding, and other conditions possible in different regions or is going to test how some of our newer releases will perform, and we
locations. They do this at a considerable expense of time, effort, and will measure their production stability under nonoptimum spring
cost. When a bad year is encountered in a specific region (such as the conditions.
late cold spring this year in California) or even in a particular nursery,
they take advantage of the screening treatment that the weather Dr. McKenzie is a plant breeder and director of the California Rice
provides and make a special effort to collect data such as seedling Experiment Station.
R
ice is a major food crop in the or ground application of herbicides, can necessary. Soon after a flood is created,
world and it would be safe to damage the crop (when farmers walk an anaerobic condition is established.
assume that it will remain the through the field), hence reducing yields. Since most weeds will not grow under
world’s leading food crop, with anaerobic conditions, the water acts as a
more than half the world’s population Crop rotation preemergent herbicide.
dependent on this cereal for nutrition Continuous cropping of rice is
and calories. The global supply of rice, commonly practiced for many reasons Secrets in planting
however, is falling short of demand. around the world. This, however, is not Farmers could also keep in mind that
Rice production under current inputs good. Growing rice after rice creates every rice variety has an optimal planting
2
and technologies is expected to fail to an environment favorable to weeds, rate, at which it is most competitive with
meet the projected demand arising from especially types most competitive to rice, weeds. Planting too few seeds per hectare
population growth. Increasing area may that is, weedy rice and the Echinochloa gives weeds space and time to grow and
help improve production, but boosting species. Rotating with an upland compete with rice. Hence, short-statured
yields is more practical given the limited crop such as soybean, peanut, melon, and semidwarf erect varieties need to be
land resources. mungbean, or sweet potato helps prevent more densely planted to shade out and
The Green Revolution that started weeds from thriving in the fields. A more aggressively compete with weeds.
in the early 1960s specifically focused on soybean-rice rotation, for example, has Furthermore, planting too few seeds per
increasing rough rice yields globally by been proven useful in reducing weed hectare forces rice plants to fill in more
developing new, improved, high-yielding pressure and increasing yield. Weeds space by producing more tillers. If a rice
conventional varieties. But, it may be can be controlled using the herbicide plant produces a lot of tillers, the grains
well worth noting that improving yields glyphosate in Roundup Ready soybeans.1 on the early tillers will ripen before the
can also be achieved through simple and Rotating to a legume also has the added late ones and result in poor grain quality
practical means, such as weed control. benefit of replenishing nitrogen in the at the time of harvest.
soil. Planting pregerminated seed
Early control onto exposed mud or into the water,
Roy Smith, a former weed scientist at Land leveling and flooding then draining the field, is also a good
the University of Arkansas, documented Weed growth can also be managed better practice as it gives the rice seeds a head
that early-season grass and mid- to by adopting good land preparation and start on germinating weeds. Once the
late-season broadleaf weed and sedge water management practices. Disking rice has established a root system, it
infestations affected rice yields the the field dry followed by flooding and is beneficial to apply a preemergent
most. They directly compete with rice puddling has been effective because the herbicide in combination with a broad
for nutrients, sunlight, space, and water; process levels the field, kills existing spectrum of contact herbicide before
contaminate harvested grains; and even weeds, and removes the dirt clods that establishing a permanent flood within
interfere in harvesting activities. Weeds may otherwise remain above the water 36 hours. With this technique, the rice
can also indirectly affect yield by serving and become “islands,” on which weeds becomes less susceptible to preemergent
as reservoirs for insect and disease can grow. herbicide injury and the emerged weeds
infestations. The ability to manipulate water are smaller, requiring less herbicide.
Although removing weeds can within the paddy is critical. Water Moreover, the application of preemergent
be delayed, early action is advisable. needs to be rapidly brought into the herbicide combined with permanent
Controlling them late in the growing field—its depth maintained at an flooding provides better residual weed
season, which involves hand weeding appropriate level—and removed when suppression.
1
Glyphosate-resistant soybeans.
2
The best number of seeds that can be planted per area, allowing rice plants to later grow and maximize the space and prevent weed encroachment.
Levee weed control weed control method. It is considered an preserves their use. Properly mixing
Levees can be constructed during each inefficient and tedious job as it requires herbicides with varied modes of action
cropping or left as permanent structures farmers to enter the field many times and and applying them early on smaller
in the rice fields. These embankments demands hundreds of labor-hours per weeds is like giving the weeds a one-two
help manage water movement and depth. hectare to finish. To make matters worse, punch, which thus provides better control
Oftentimes, however, weeds grow in some weeds such as Echinochloa and than applying higher dosages of just one
these levees and become sources of Ischaemum spp. mimic rice, making it product.
seeds, pathogens, and insects that infect more difficult for farmers to distinguish
or infest current and future crops. the rice from the weeds. In some Educated use
Permanent levees are typically not processes of intensive hand weeding, the Two crucial factors ensure the educated
planted with rice, and yet have a diverse crop gets damaged, thus affecting yield. use of herbicides: the first one is to
complex of weeds, including perennial An alternative to laboriously roguing understand the products’ chemistries
weeds. Burndown herbicides are the weedy rice plants from the paddy is (type of activity: preemergent, contact,
typically used to control weeds in these to delay taking action until they begin residual, etc.; weed control spectrum;
areas. However, permanent levees are not to head. At that stage, the weedy rice and proper timing). The second involves
cleaned of weeds often enough in fear is typically taller and more advanced application and coverage. It is always
of herbicides drifting and contaminating than the rice crop. Simply cutting off the best to use a multiple-nozzle boom with
rice crops. panicles before the weedy rice grains the proper nozzle tips, and apply the
Controlling weeds on temporary mature will eliminate those seeds from appropriate amount of pressure.
levees is also important. Moreover, infesting future crops. The drawbacks to Practical weed control is about
leaving the levees weedy, especially this practice, however, are that the weedy getting back to the basics. Again, it is
during harvest time, can foul a rice has already competed with the rice best to control weeds early; employ
mechanical harvester’s cutting blade— for resources and the late-stage rice gets cultural, nonchemical controls when
slowing harvesting because the blade damaged in the process of removing the possible; and combine herbicides with
must often be cleaned of entangled weedy rice panicles. different uses.
weeds—and, again, contaminate the Using nonchemical cultural controls,
harvested rice, resulting in lower grade Herbicide management which means reducing weed pressure, is
rice at the mill. In the last 10 years, rice farmers have always a sound practice. It reduces input
Unlike permanent levees, however, benefited from a succession of new costs and dependence on chemicals;
temporary levees within a field may herbicides introduced in the market. hence, it is better for the environment,
or may not be planted with rice. One Although these products include different and saves on chemical herbicides.
advantage to planting a temporary levee chemical classes and modes of action, Thus, controlling weeds early is a
with rice is that, once the rice fills in, it can they share attributes that differentiate good practice from a yield enhancement
shade out and displace the weeds. Needless them from earlier products (lower use perspective. It requires less herbicide to
to say, the weeds on the levee need to rates, narrower spectra favoring control control smaller weeds—which is good for
be controlled before the rice fills in. In of larger grasses) that have shaped their the environment and farmers’ pockets.
treating the weeds, farmers must bear in use and driven shifts in the weed spectra.
mind that the levee is an upland situation However, there is no magic bullet. Even
and the weeds may differ in both species with all their positive attributes, these
and growth stage from the paddy weeds. chemistries have their weaknesses.
So, this may require levees to be treated Nevertheless, in spite of these and other Dr. Leeper has worked globally in rice
separately from the paddy with different problems, farmers have more recently for over 25 years focusing much of his
herbicide combinations. Planting rice tended not to worry about weeds in their effort on weed control tactics under
on temporary levees also has the added rice until it has begun to tiller. In putting different agronomic systems. He is
advantage of increasing yield per hectare. their trust in these new products, they currently the rice technology leader for
have forgotten Dr. Smith’s work showing RiceCo International, Inc.
Hand weeding the yield benefits of early weed control.
Among small landholders, hand weeding Incorporating the new chemistries For the full article, visit http://snipurl.
is the oldest and most common direct into an early weed control strategy com/xp43m
ins by Edward Pulver, Santiago Jaramillo, Sara Moreira, and Gonzalo Zorrilla
2
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries, and Nutrition, or SAGARPA (in Spanish).
Santiago Jaramillo (3)
n Jalapa, Nicaragua: (a) dam site before construction; (b) dam finished; (c) reservoir filled.
Shift to rice? maize. Moreover, growing rice can reduce nematodes in soybean
by Mairson R. Santana areas, maximize areas for crop rotation, renew pastures, increase
profitability, as well as meet consumer demand.
Rising domestic demand for rice in Brazil, not to mention its The challenge now is to increase production at a time
lower cost of production, may soon see rice replace soybeans when funding and liquidity are tight. Planting has reflected this
as the primary crop low liquidity at the time of sale because of the use of “pirated”
seeds. These seeds rob research and breeding of investments.
T
he upland system in Brazil is responsible for two-thirds This situation can, however, be improved through better price
of the planted rice area and one-third of total actual rice transparency, the availability of forward and futures contracts,
production. This system has become as well as through efforts to grow export
vital in order to expand soybeans, maize, Field planted with AN Cambará markets that leverage rice availability from
and cotton. Rice is planted during the first 2 in Paracatu, Minas Gerais, Brazil. the Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina
years before the establishment of soybeans regions.
because it can withstand acidity and Upland rice has returned to the
aluminum in the soil. A total of 1.3 million limelight with the market release of variety
hectares of rice and 4.9 million hectares of AN Cambará, which meets the needs of
Mairson R. Santana
soybean span over Brazil’s states, namely, Brazilian consumers. AN Cambará has good
Mato Grosso, Rondônia, Pará, Maranhão, yield, is tolerant of drought and different
Piauí, Goiás, and Mato Grosso do Sul. soil types, has good fertility and consistent
Upland rice production strongly pH levels, and has excellent grain and
depends on the dynamics of the soybean market—the main cooking quality appropriate for the Brazilian market. Farmers also
crop in the region. A decrease or increase in rice area depends like the results of the yield capacity of AN Cambará and the more
on the price of soybeans every year. Because of a fair amount of recent availability of hybrid AN 9001, which can yield 8–9 tons
area allotted to soybeans, farmers can rotate soybean with rice. per hectare of rice in areas where soybeans can produce only
Moreover, more than 20 million hectares of degraded pasture 3.5 tons per hectare. These developments add new promise and
can also be used to produce rice. Needless to say, the potential potential to the ability of Brazil’s rice production to meet rising
to cultivate and increase rice production is very high as long as domestic demand.
proper funding and good marketing strategies are in place. The
regular rains from October to April allow farmers to plant a second Mr. Santana is an agricultural engineer who currently works as the
crop on top of harvested soybean fields. Some farmers plant rice director of the commercial department of Agro Norte, the largest
because it costs less to produce than producing soybean and private seed company for upland rice in Brazil.
Lower rice output in the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) of Latin America signals
new challenges to Brazil and its fellow rice-exporting countries in the bloc
A
dverse weather conditions in late Table 2. Volume of rice exported to destinations from March 2009 to February 2010 (thousand tons of
paddy equivalent).
consumption at
2009 and in 2010 have left central 12.5 million tons.
Country MERCOSUR Americas and Europe Africa Asia and rest Total exports
and southern Brazil, Uruguay, Caribbean of the world For years, the
northeastern Argentina, and Brazil 4.5 86.2 90.2 618.5 29.2 828.6
country has relied
southeastern Paraguay, where two-thirds (0.5%) (10.4%) (10.9%) (74.6%) (3.5%) (100.0%) on its MERCOSUR
Uruguay 428.0 147.3 133.0 123.8 411.7 1,243.9
of the area and more than 85% of the rice (34.4%) (11.8%) (10.7%) (10.0%) (33.1%) (100.0%) neighbors to supply
production are located, lower in rice output Argentina 337.3
(37.1%)
283.9
(31.3%)
22.4
(2.5%)
105.5
(11.6%)
159.2
(17.5%)
908.3
(100.0%)
its needs. This year,
in 2010. Paraguay 140.8 15.1 0 5.9 0 161.7 it is expected to
(87.1%) (9.3%) (0.0%) (3.6%) (0.0%) (100.0%)
The problems started during the Total 910.6 532.5 245.6 853.7 600.1 3,142.5 incur a 1-million-ton
early fall of 2009 when a severe drought (29.0%) (16.9%) (7.8%) (27.2%) (19.1%) (100.0%) deficit. This is bound
spread across the main rice areas of the Source: Lanfranco, based on official data and personal communications. to increase if Brazil
region and prevented water reservoirs from continues to export
filling up. This situation continued during more than 500,000 tons of rice
winter, causing farmers to abort their initial (mainly to Africa). How Brazil copes
expectations of increasing rice area. Rainfall with this deficit depends on the
in the middle of the planting season further bloc’s ability to meet its needs.
harmed farming activities. When water Given that the net production
reservoirs soon recovered, farmers contended surplus of Uruguay, Argentina, and
with a lack of sunlight next in March 2010—a Paraguay is expected to reach 2.2
time when crops were flowering and filling million tons (see Table 3), they should
Edison Bianchi-INIA
the grains. Consequently, more than 100,000 During normal years, average yields of irrigated be able to meet Brazil’s needs—in
hectares of the total rice area was lost in the rice in the Uruguay River basin are above 8 tons theory. But rising exports from the
Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) per hectare. bloc that eat up 1.4 million tons of
region during the 2009-10 season. The total the surplus leave Brazil with only a
harvested area reached only 3.2 million 95% of its annual production. It is the largest little more than 800,000 tons of availability.
hectares. Yields also suffered. In Uruguay, rice exporter of MERCOSUR and a leading Hence, it is possible for Brazil to turn to
average yields fell by 11% to about 7.1 tons exporter in the world (with a 2.7% market sources outside the region. The entry of
per hectare (compared with its normal share of global exports). Uruguay’s top five cheap rice into Brazil mainly from Vietnam
average of 8 tons per hectare). Rio Grande clients during the last trading season (March has caused farmers to propose an increase in
do Sul, Brazil’s largest rice-producing state, 2009 to February 2010) were Brazil, Iraq, the common external tariff for rice from 10%
suffered as well when its yields dipped by Peru, Turkey, and Cyprus. to 35% to protect the local rice industry.
10.5%. In contrast, Argentina’s rice production Paraguay traded 87% of its rice To completely meet Brazil’s demand
increased, but that was not enough to keep within the bloc, mainly to Brazil. Even as a in 2010, the other members of MERCOSUR
the MERCOSUR region’s rice production from traditional net importer, Brazil has become must redirect at least 600,000 tons of their
declining to 14.3 million tons, revealing an 8% a significant exporter of parboiled rice, surpluses within the bloc. Relatively cheap
reduction compared to the previous season especially to Africa, which accounts for 75% alternatives only make this task more
(see Table 1). of its exports (see Table 2). challenging. Brazil will likely import up to
200,000 tons of rice (paddy equivalent)
Traders in the bloc Challenge to Brazil from other exporters outside the bloc in the
Uruguay is a highly specialized export- Brazil has the largest population in coming months.
oriented rice producer, exporting about the region, putting its total domestic
Dr. Lanfranco is a senior researcher in the
Table 1. Rice area, yields, and production of paddy rice (2008-09 and 2009-10).
National Agricultural Research Institute of
2008-09 season 2009-10 season
Uruguay.
Area Average Paddy Area Average Paddy Change in
Country harvested yield production harvested yield production production
(t/ha) (t/ha) (000 tons) (ha × 000) (t/ha) (000 tons) (%) Table 3. Supply-and-demand balance sheet for the 2010-11 trading season (thousand tons of paddy
equivalent).
Brazil 2,909.0 4.33 12,602.5 2,793.6 4.11 11,485.9 –8.9
• North 386.7 2.42 936.3 399.1 2.49 992.8 6.0 Supply Demand
• Northeast 720.4 1.49 1,075.9 687.3 1.54 1,059.7 –1.5
• Central-West 420.0 3.00 1,257.9 358.7 2.98 1,068.0 –15.1 Country Production Imports Total Consumption Exports Total
• Southeast 82.9 2.61 216.0 78.5 2.65 207.9 –3.8
Brazil 11,485.9 1,460.3 12,946.2 12,446.2 500.0 12,946.2
• South 1,299.0 7.02 9,116.4 1,270.0 6.42 8,157.5 10.5
Uruguay 160.3 8.01 1,287.2 159.7 7.09 1,148.5 –10.8
Uruguay 1,148.5 0.9 1,149.4 63.1 1,086.3 1,149.4
Argentina 204.0 6.66 1,358.0 211.6 6.20 1,375.4 1.3 Argentina 1,375.4 4.9 1,380.3 401.3 979.0 1,380.3
Paraguay 50.0 6.20 310.0 55.0 5.50 302.5 –2.4 Paraguay 302.5 0.6 303.1 172.3 130.8 303.1
Total 3,323.3 4.68 15,557.7 3,219.9 4.39 14,312.3 –8.0 Total 14,312.3 1,466.7 15,779.0 13,082.9 2,696.1 15,779.0
Source: Lanfranco, based on official data and personal communications. Source: Lanfranco, based on official data and personal communications.
I
n view of the severe lack of with support from regional and
R. Raman
capacity in rice production, international organizations.
which is throttling the “There has to be increased
development of Africa’s technological innovations
rice sector, participants at the supported by an appropriate
Africa Rice Congress 2010 held policy environment,” he added.
in Bamako, Mali, in March The Africa Rice Congress
2010 called for a "Marshal Plan" 2010, with a theme “Innovation
to overcome this weakness. and partnerships to realize
The Congress brought Africa’s rice potential,” was
together nearly 450 participants organized by AfricaRice
from 54 countries, particularly in collaboration with the
from Africa. The participants national program—the Institut
included rice farmers; seed d’économie rurale (IER)—
producers; processors; input Rice has become a strategic commodity in Africa. under the aegis of the Malian
dealers; manufacturers of government.
agricultural machinery; national Under the main theme, the topics
rice research and extension systems; Interestingly, the Congress included rice genetic diversity and
representatives from agricultural highlighted that rice has become a improvement; ecological intensification
ministries, international and advanced strategic commodity that can potentially and diversification of rice-based systems;
research institutes, nongovernment fuel economic growth and reduce hunger developing competitive rice value
organizations, and the donor and poverty across the continent. Rice chains; new alliances and tools for rural
community; and other development consumption in Africa is growing at learning and innovations and policy
partners. 6–7% per year. To meet this demand, implications; integrated management
The participants took this Africa imports close to 10 million tons of pests, diseases, and weeds in rice-
opportunity to deliberate on strategies each year, which is equivalent to one- based systems; and rice physiology and
to significantly increase rice production third of the rice traded in the world modeling.
in Africa, develop competitive and market, and this costs US$4 billion in A major part of the Congress was
equitable rice value chains, reduce foreign exchange. a forum on “Investing in Africa’s rice
imports, and enhance regional trade. “Our studies show that the continent sector: opportunities and challenges,” in
They enthusiastically supported the has sufficient land and water resources which ways to increase investments in the
newly proposed Global Rice Science and favorable growth environments rice sector in Africa particularly through
Partnership, an initiative of the to close the gap between Africa’s rice innovative public-private partnerships
Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), the consumption and production, and that were explored. Issues such as the need
International Rice Research Institute local rice production can be competitive to increase investments for increasing
(IRRI), and the International Center vis-à-vis imported rice,” said Papa the area under irrigation, improving
for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) to Abdoulaye Seck, AfricaRice director rural infrastructure, and introducing
harmonize national and international rice general. agricultural mechanization were raised.
research agendas worldwide for increased He underlined that the capacity of The forum featured exhibitions of
impact in Africa. national programs has to be strengthened machinery, inputs, and rice products.
* Africa's "Marshall Plan" was largely inspired by the Europe Recovery Program, which was used to re-build Europe after the devastation caused by World War II.
Boubacary Cissé
P
Rs
C
√ high reproducibility
SS
ST
√ ready-to-use
√ non toxic matrices
√ direct DNA recovery (no gel extraction)
√ high and low throughput formats
ORIGINS by Elchrom™
semi automated electrophoresis
- integrated cooling/heating system
- working range 4° - 55°C
- homogenous electric field
- buffer circulation
R
ice fields are important for both multiple cultural contexts, illustrating of many families depends on the
rice production and the great their importance to farming households commercialization of these resources,
biodiversity they possess. Paddy throughout the world in many agrarian which is mainly carried out by women.
rice landscapes parallel some societies. Wild food plants are critical Traditional farmers maintain diverse
of the most diverse “natural” systems sources of nutrients, flavorings, and local aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial
on Earth, having more than 100 useful medicinal remedies. They even serve as habitats that interact ecologically
associated plant species and an enormous famine food in times of scarcity. Such throughout the rice landscape. Hillocks,
diversity of insects, fish, invertebrates, plants, which provide a balanced diet, shelters, pond margins, roadsides, and
birds, and small mammals. This are essential to children and women, tree rows are examples of terrestrial
biodiversity is essential to the livelihood particularly those with scarce resources. habitats. Dikes—which could be dry
of poor farmers, who largely depend on In northeast Thailand, the largest or flooded depending on rain/irrigation
it as a “free” source of food, medicine, and poorest region of the country, wild conditions—constitute semiaquatic
timber, fuel, and fodder, as well as for food plants from rice fields have become habitats. Field ditches and water ponds
manufacturing domestic tools, utensils, essential in ensuring household food remain flooded during most of the year,
and handicrafts. It is free because there security among farmers. These wild food providing aquatic habitats for wildlife.
is no need to “buy” biodiversity—which plants are herbs, shrubs, vines, and trees Wild plant communities that consist of
is crucial since poor farmers do not have that grow in diverse habitats in the rice trees, shrubs, vines, bamboos, herbs,
enough money to buy their basic needs landscape. Nevertheless, 30% of these and/or aquatic plants are different for
from the market. plants are regarded as “rice weeds,” each of these habitats. The distribution
Biodiversity in rice fields is vital which some agronomists suggest should of plant diversity is not only related to
in supporting farmers’ livelihood and be removed. the species’ water tolerance and life
in regulating ecosystem processes and Farmers in northeast Thailand also cycle, but also to the different degrees of
integrated pest management. As such, harvest insects, fish, birds, frogs, crabs, management they have. The way farmers
this rice landscape can be considered a snails, and rats from their fields and manage rice landscapes and wild food
multiresource agroecosystem. In current include them in their diet—representing plants influences their abundance and
terms, the availability of such resources an important means of saving income. distribution. Farmers mainly preserve
offers multiple ecosystem services. Wild foods (plants, animals, and culturally valued species, such as those
The collection and consumption mushrooms) are an important component that are key ingredients of important
of wild food plants from agricultural of local dishes and the culinary tradition local dishes or that have multiple uses.
landscapes have been documented in of this region. Furthermore, the economy This situation is different in central
Paul Peters
wild food plants, which clearly are an
important source of income that helps
sustain livelihoods among poor farmers.
Rice24
Today July-September 2010, Vol. 9, No. 3
Rice Today July-September 2010
Herons scatter as a farmer comes into his rice field to checkRice
the Today
early rice irrigation in2010
July-September Malacatoya, Nicaragua. 25
The 2007-08 food crisis appears to have accelerated the acquisition by wealthy nations of
large tracts of poorer countries’ land for food production. Such investments could offer
benefits on both sides, but, without appropriate regulations in place, local communities’
livelihoods are threatened.
I
n 2008, the Saudi Binladin Group To start with, you need to look at crisis of 2007-08, which saw rice export
began negotiations with the the reason behind these deals. In the case prices more than triple in barely a few
Indonesian government to invest of rice, there’s simply not enough on the months. Suddenly, rice imports became
US$4.3 billion in 1.6 million planet. According to the International prohibitively expensive. Although
hectares in Papua Province, primarily Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the things have settled over the past 2 years,
to grow basmati rice for export back to supply-and-demand equation needs to be prices remain substantially higher than
Saudi Arabia. In the same year, China such that rice export prices stay around they were before the crisis and many
negotiated to lease more than 1 million US$300 a ton in the long term (Fig. 1). At importing countries have had their faith
hectares of rice land in the Philippines. that level, poor farmers are able to make in the market well and truly eroded.
These were two of the largest of a host a profit but rice remains affordable for
of similar plans put forward by interests poor consumers. To achieve this, “Each Support for agriculture
from economically powerful nations that year we need to produce an additional The silver lining in the food-crisis cloud
faced serious agricultural challenges 8–10 million tons of rice more than in has been a long-awaited reinvigoration
in their respective countries and, in the the previous year for the next 20 years,” of support for agricultural research
wake of the 2007-08 food crisis, had says IRRI Director General Robert and development. This is helping some
lost faith in international food markets. Zeigler. Many rice-dependent countries importers increase their rice production
And, the deals haven’t been restricted need to supplement their own production domestically in several ways, including
to rice. Also in 2008, Korea’s Daewoo to varying degrees by importing rice. improved technologies to increase yields
Logistics Corporation brokered a deal for In the 20–30 years up to 2008, thanks on existing rice land, irrigation schemes
a 99-year lease on 1.3 million hectares in to a relatively reliable international that allow two or even three crops to
Madagascar (around half the country’s market, importing was a safe policy. All be grown per year instead of just one,
arable land) to grow maize and oil palm. that changed, however, during the food and additional farming land that was
It sounds like good business
and potentially win-win. Wealthy
governments or companies buy land and
set up large-scale agricultural operations
in poorer countries, which have land
and water but not the resources,
infrastructure, or technologies to do it
themselves. With improved tools, the
local farmers increase their productivity
and get paid (relatively) well for their
efforts. The foreign entities take the
profits and food back home. The modern
technologies and expertise remain in the
host country, eventually trickling down
to other farmers across the land, resulting
in better production and increased
wealth. Fig. 1. The growth in production required for rice prices to remain around an affordable
$300 per ton.
But not so fast. Data source: International Rice Research Institute
Africa remains the major target for land for their livelihood. Further, it doesn’t such code rise above mere well-meaning
acquisitions but Southeast Asia and take too much to imagine a situation in statements that are largely ignored by the
South America have also seen investor which local communities dependent on more powerful of the actors in any land
interest (Fig. 3). Recent investments have rainfed agriculture struggle to produce deals. Existing legal frameworks—such
involved government-to-government, sufficient food, while foreign interests as business laws adopted to prevent
private sector-to-government, and private export food grown on well-resourced, corruption in foreign direct investment—
sector-to-private sector deals, along with irrigated farm compounds. It’s not a could serve as models for agricultural
agricultural investment funds that offer scenario likely to be accepted gracefully land acquisitions.
finance to private investors. Ironically, by the hungry. The FAO concurs,3 pointing out
the desire to ensure food security and Sure enough, the three land deals that, in many of the recent major
stable domestic prices was in itself a mentioned earlier—in Indonesia, the land deals, negotiations have been
major reason behind the price rises, as Philippines, and Madagascar—were predominantly between the investor
major exporters restricted or banned all scrapped or postponed after public and the host-country government,
exports and major importers scrambled outrage and resistance from local with minimal consultation with local
to secure rice at almost any cost. The communities. The Madagascar deal populations. Although the rights of
resulting problems—rising domestic reportedly influenced the political unrest small-scale landowners remain poorly
prices (despite, or possibly because of, that engulfed the country and led to a documented (if at all), it is next to
the attempts to avoid this) and civil change of government in 2009. impossible for local communities to
unrest in several countries—reinforced make claims on a legal basis. This
in the minds of politicians the importance Code of conduct situation is compounded by the fact
of ensuring adequate domestic supplies. To reap the potential benefits of that much land that may be considered
The potential for such projects to international land acquisition and “surplus” is not necessarily unused or
bring agricultural investment to countries avoid win-lose results, there is general unoccupied. Thus, there is an urgent
that sorely need to increase their own agreement that appropriate policies and need for better systems and processes
production is undeniable. But, if things enforceable regulations must be drawn to deal with land rights. For investors,
are done poorly, poor farmers in target up and followed strictly. As a starting adhering to fair regulations, which,
countries can lose control over and even point, IFPRI has suggested a code of in addition to land rights, would also
access to the land on which they depend conduct (see box). It is crucial that any consider labor and environmental
M
ore than 500 alumni of the contingency of alumni came from IRRI’s considering the future of rice research.”
International Rice Research host country, the Philippines. The positive energy of all the
Institute (IRRI) visited the IRRI alumnus Dr. Ronnie Coffman, organizers, alumni, and current staff
headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, international professor of plant resulted in a week of vibrant activities
Philippines, last April during IRRI’s breeding and genetics, and director and interactions. There were open
alumni homecoming celebrations. They of International Programs at Cornell houses to view research and other
traveled from the United States, Egypt, University, said that the IRRI alumni facilities, field site tours, a barrio fiesta,
Papua New Guinea, Australia, and all homecoming “was a wonderful art exhibition, nostalgic display and
across Asia, including India, Korea, opportunity to reunite with old friends videos, rice harvesting, presentations
China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and colleagues but, more importantly, about IRRI and various science topics,
Laos, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, and a forward-looking event that drew and much more.
Taiwan. And, of course, the largest on the experience of IRRI’s alumni in Two important ceremonial
Country highlight:
S
outh Korea, officially known as collaborated on a research project that
the Republic of Korea, boasts aimed to breed improved rice varieties
a remarkable rice cultivation with cold and salt tolerance, pest and
history. By adopting high-yielding disease resistance, and better grain
rice varieties and improved management quality.
techniques in the 1970s, South Korea did In 1968, Korean scientists and
away with rice imports and turned itself plant breeders at IRRI saw the
into a self-sufficient rice producer. potential of crossing and selecting a
In 2008, the country produced tropically grown indica and temperate
an average rice yield of 7.3 tons per japonica variety. This spawned the
hectare, feeding around 48 million of its Tong-il variety, a cross of three
people. Its advances in rice production varieties, namely, IR8, Yukara, and
technology and policies can be attributed Taichung Native 1. The release of
to the Rural Development Administration Tong-il and other IR8-derived varieties
(RDA), its agricultural research and in 1972 delivered a record yield increase
extension arm, and also to its strategic of more than 30%. From then on, the
map by Nel Garcia and Arnel Rala
South Korea: fast facts later directed to problem areas such abides by the International Treaty
Population 1
48.6 million as tolerance of low temperature and on Plant Genetic Resources for Food
Total land area 9.5 million hectares2 improved grain palatability. and Agriculture, a treaty that fosters
Average rice yield (2008) 7.3 tons per hectare2 Recognizing the constraints in international cooperation and open
Total rice production (2008) 6.9 million tons2
Area harvested (rice, 2008) 936,766 hectares2
rice tolerance of low temperature, IRRI exchange of genetic resources.
and RDA established the Collaborative With the exchange of elite breeding
1
World Bank
2
Project on Rice Cold Tolerance. Together, lines, five breeding lines from South
FAOSTAT
they conducted experiments at South Korea were released as varieties in
Korea’s Chuncheon Crop Experiment Bhutan, China, and Guatemala, and
Seed materials of newly released rice Station, which allowed for large-scale were planted on a large scale. More than
varieties were propagated at IRRI during screening of potential new rice lines that 174 Korean breeding lines and varieties
the winter season and then returned have high tolerance of low temperature. had been used as donor parents in 26
to South Korea for planting during countries for hybridization with local
the summer. By 1995, a total of 1,500 Exchanging plant genetic materials varieties.
lines had been planted to advance a To ensure the safe, fair, and free exchange In the early 1980s, for instance,
second generation of rice cultivation not of different types of rice and their Milyang 46 was bred in South Korea and
normally feasible during the country’s characterization and adaptation, South
winter season. This process saves time, Korea, along with IRRI, got involved in
labor, and cost for developing rice the International Network for the Genetic
varieties. More than 120 lines were also Evaluation of Rice (INGER). INGER is “South Korea, through the RDA, had
produced for small-scale seed increase. a 35-year-old partnership among national remained not only a donor but also
At this time, as many as 81 Korean agricultural research and extension a vital partner through the years in
scientists had been seconded to IRRI to systems of rice-growing countries around providing not only scientific but also
supervise the off-season nurseries and the world and international agricultural
seed multiplication. research centers, such as IRRI.
financial support to IRRI.”
Although the release of Tong-il and INGER provides a global model for
subsequent varieties promoted Korean the exchange, evaluation, release, and Dr. Robert Zeigler, director general, IRRI
rice production, breeding efforts were use of genetic resources. The network
Birds, maps, and genetic resources head of the Department of Botany, asked for one year to take over the management
I
’ve always been interested in nature me, “Mike, how would you like to go of the germplasm collection while he sent
and in geography. As a young boy, I to Peru in South America for a year?” a young Peruvian to Birmingham for
spent many hours bird watching and Well, I had always been fascinated with training.
looking at maps. When I began to the map of South America. It’s a huge What got in the way of me
think about what to study at university, I continent of jungles and mountains. I had going immediately was the CGIAR
thought it would be great to do a degree always wanted to visit Peru and here was (Consultative Group on International
in zoology and take up ornithology as the opportunity. So, I said, “When do I Agricultural Research). Because, in
a career. But I came to realize there get the ticket?” 1971, discussions were taking place to
were very few posts in ornithology. form what would become the CGIAR
In any case, my interest in plants Best of both worlds later in 1972 and DfID was still debating
grew. So, I attended the University of Well, it didn’t quite work that quickly. whether it should join this entity or
Southampton starting in 1967 and spent Hawkes had gone to Peru as part of a whether it should continue to give
3 years there, half the time on learning USAID-North Carolina State University- funding on a bilateral basis. So, being
about landforms, glacial processes, Peru joint mission on potatoes. This delayed for 15 months, I started a PhD
river processes, etc., and the other half had been set up in the mid-1960s and it at the University of Birmingham funded
working on a full botany degree. After was slowly being transformed into what by the UK government and eventually
Southampton, I took a new one-year would become the International Potato headed to Peru in January 1973.
master-of-science course in plant genetic Center (CIP) in 1971. The soon-to-be I had the best of both worlds in
resources offered at the University of director general of CIP, Dick Sawyer, many ways—I was employed by the
Birmingham. This fit into my interests at was looking for funding and he’d been International Potato Center and, at the
the time and my intention was to finish to the UK to talk with the people at what same time, I was there doing my PhD
the course and find a job. was later to become DfID (Department in a country that I’d always wanted to
At the end of my first semester in for International Development). He visit. It was a marvelous time. I was 24
early December 1970, Jack Hawkes, the wanted somebody like me to go to Peru years old and, as they say, “the world is
have no idea how it would fit into In February 2010, Dr. Jackson completed I’m certainly proud of it. I think it
the scheme of things. We really do his 355th and last scuba dive in the Philip- was a good basis for my successor
pines at Anilao on the Batangas coast.
not have much of an idea on what Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton to
money we’re raising and where and come in and build on, much like I
how it is being spent, etc. We really do social life. And, I also intensely believe built on the foundation that T.T. Chang
need to bring some order to this whole it’s very important to have a private life. I had established. Much of what we built in
process and we’d like you to set up a new remember when I came to IRRI in 1991, I the 1990s is still in place.
unit at the director level.” So, we came told then Director General Klaus Lampe, And it goes without saying that the
to an agreement and, on 1 May 2001, I “From 8 to 5, I’m IRRI’s. After 5 o’clock stability that we have brought to donor
started as Director for Program Planning in the afternoon and before 8 o’clock relations and fund-raising here at IRRI
and Communications (DPPC) and that’s in the morning, that’s my time.” I share has put us ahead of the game—compared
what I’ve been doing for the last 9 years. my time with the Institute on my terms to many other institutions. And, yes, it
In many respects, my new position and have maintained that over the time will be with a sense of satisfaction, when
was very different from running a I’d been here and I kept a private life, I do finally come to leave the Institute in
genebank, but, in some ways, it was not. which I think has kept this balance very a few weeks time, that we put in place
In order for a genebank to operate, you important. some solid foundations for which the
have to make sure that all the different So, what to do [during non-IRRI Institute can continue to grow.
elements, all the different processes, and time]? Well, I had never thought in my I will leave IRRI feeling that I made
the flows of information are integrated life that I would ever go scuba diving. a contribution, feeling that I’ve left some
and work together. In the genebank, But, with the coast so close, we would things better than I found them, and
you manage seed samples, which we go down and have a look. I had never having made some great friends in the
call accessions. Well, managing donor actually been snorkeling before we came process. I feel better for having worked
relations, managing projects, managing to the Philippines. My first snorkeling at IRRI and I hope IRRI also appreciates
contracts, etc., are a little bit like running experience was wonderful; I don’t need the contributions that I’ve made.
the genebank. Instead of seed packets, to do anything else but snorkel for the
we have grants, we have projects, we rest of my time. Then, [daughter] Hannah
have contracts, and all the information took a dive course. In the early 1990s, Go to www.irri.org/publications/today/
that flows between them. One of the there were large groups of IRRI staff Jackson.asp for the full transcript of
important things that I think I brought who took the dive course together. And Dr. Jackson’s far-ranging interview in
to the genebank and to the DPPC was a so in 1993, I thought I would give it a which he discusses his frustrations in a
systematic way of doing business. try and I haven’t looked back. I’ve been complex organization, perspectives on
diving there for 17 years and it’s been a five IRRI directors general, improving
Balancing work with private time tremendous experience. relationships with donors, looking to
Working at IRRI is quite an intense philanthropy for new funding sources,
experience. Some colleagues wonder Leaving things better than they the “overrated” doomsday vault, IRRI’s
how I’ve been able to manage this sort were found greatest challenges, a prolific publishing
of life-work balance. I think that it is I was joking with somebody a few weeks career, skiffling on the wall of the Beatles
extremely important that anybody who ago about when it’s my time at the IRRI Museum, organizing some of IRRI’s key
comes to work at IRRI maintain a good Guesthouse for the “hail and farewell.” 50th anniversary events, and playing
balance between their work and their I was asked, “What do you want on Santa Claus.
Cambodian farmers adopted IRRI’s postharvest technology package, which improved the quality of their
rice grains, increased their harvest’s milling output, and allowed them to save on labor, time, and money
Lanie Reyes (3)
A
sea of newly harvested rice The combine harvester, an iconic fields,” as the country was ravaged by
extends to the horizon in image of farming in progressive the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot. (See
Battambang Province—the rice countries, is becoming the usual scene in Towering legacies Vol. 1, No. 1 of Rice
bowl of Cambodia. It was only Cambodia—a hint that a labor shortage Today.)
the third week of February, just the during harvest time is becoming a Since almost all traditional
beginning of the harvesting season for serious problem for Cambodian farmers. knowledge on rice farming had been
many Asian countries, but it seemed lost, Drs. Nesbitt and Denning were
like harvest time was already over in A dynamo of change there to basically build a whole new
Battambang. When Martin Gummert, an agricultural farming infrastructure and a system of
As we drove farther along the engineer at the International Rice agricultural research for Cambodians to
dry and dusty roads of the province, a Research Institute (IRRI), visited carry on. In 2001, a newly established
combine harvester suddenly appeared Cambodia for the first time in 2001, Cambodian Agricultural Research
on the horizon. It cut through the rice it reminded him of Vietnam in the and Development Institute then took
stalks almost as effortlessly as mowing 1990s, when the mechanization of the over—part of the social context of
a backyard lawn with an operator sitting country’s agriculture was in its infancy. the dynamism, which Engr. Gummert
on top of a lawn mower. This is a stark Its postharvest technology was at a very observed.
contrast to the traditional backbreaking low stage. The milling industry was
Chris Quintana
and tedious harvesting process, in which mismatched and outdated, and there
farmers bend to gather and slash stalks was limited storage capacity. “Though
using razor-sharp sickles. Some collect there was a lot of poverty, I could sense
and tie the stalks while others thresh, by the excitement of people trying to leave
hitting the rice plant on a piece of wood. the past behind, grab every opportunity,
Then the farmers winnow the paddy and move on, and develop,” recalled Engr.
let the trash blow away from it. Gummert.
Farmers’ chats to let their minds Many years back, in 1988, Harry
drift away from the scorching sun and Nesbitt and Glenn Denning, two of
the harrowing labor have been replaced IRRI’s agricultural scientists, went to Martin Gummert, an agricultural engineer at IRRI,
advocates better postharvest management to improve
by the whirring sound of the machine Cambodia to rebuild its rice production the quality of rice and reduce losses caused by
making its way through the rice fields. and “to breathe life back into the killing spoilage and pests.
Battambang and Prey Veng provinces Prey Stor Village, Prey Veng, said that,
that improved harvesting, drying, with an improved granary, her grains are
storage, and milling can help farmers protected from rain, insects, birds, and
rats.
increase incomes from rice harvests and
Flatbed dryers
Bringing technology to farmers is
important for them to see their options up
close. Thus, in 2007, the team introduced
mechanical drying in Cambodia, by
installing the first flatbed dryer in Balat
Cambodian farmers rest under a tree Village, Battambang, in collaboration
while waiting for the combine to load with the irrigators’ association.
rice on a truck.
When the farmers from the Po Chrey
community in Prey Veng heard about
the benefits of using mechanical dryers,
When the team brought in this small Hiring a combine harvester with they requested the project team to help
contraption from Vietnam, they had two an operator, on the other hand, costs $90– them install a mechanical dryer in their
reasons in mind: one, to reduce the high 100. Aside from the difference in cost, village. The team assisted the community
harvesting cost caused by a lack of labor grain quality is better, and it doesn’t take by providing a blower and rice husk
and, two, to increase the quality of the so much time. A large combine harvester furnace, while the farmers financed and
grain. with a cutting width of 3 meters, for installed the drying bin and the shed.
After they showed how a mini- example, can harvest a hectare in only an In early 2008, two dryers were
combine works to farmers in both hour. installed in Po Chrey community: one
Battambang and Prey Veng provinces, Now, with less labor required in the was initially supported by the PPWG
combines in different sizes have become field, Mr. Kimyorn and his family can and the other was set up by the private
a big hit. devote their extra time to other income- company ABK in cooperation with the
Net Kimyorn of Boeng Pring Village generating activities such as fishing and community. Dryers became so in demand
in Battambang said, “My fields are selling noodles. Most of all, the family that, by mid-2009, the number of dryers
already less prone to accidents like fire.” can spend more quality time with each increased to nine. Now, the country
In Cambodia, it was common for other. already has 11 known dryers.
soon-to-be-harvested rice to catch fire, Before, Kul Savouen, just like other
caused by lit cigarette butts thrown in Competition benefits the farmers farmers in Ballat Mancheay Village of
the rice fields. Since harvest time falls There are even some cases wherein Battambang Province, had no idea about
during the summer season, rice fields are farmers do not need to do much after moisture content. He relies only on his
vulnerable to fires. Mr. Kimyorn recalled harvesting because, recently, buyers gut feeling in determining whether the
a fire in his community in 1993 when 98 from Vietnam and Thailand have been paddy is dry or not. After learning about
hectares of rice fields were turned into purchasing rice directly from them. moisture content, he noticed that his
ashes because a drunken man cooked rice According to Dr. Meas, though grains became clean, had no bugs, and
near the fields. Lucky for Mr. Kimyorn, these purchases are informal and are had better quality.
his rice fields were spared. not in good order, farmers benefit much
“Moreover, we can harvest the crop from them. Without buyers crossing
Kul Savouen, a Cambodian farmer, said that,
on time, with less labor, and at less cost,” the border, farmers rely mostly on rice because the quality of the rice grains dried through
Mr. Kimyorn said. “And, we do not rely millers to buy their paddy. However, with a mechanical dryer has improved, he can sell them at
on the climate anymore. Before, it took competition, farmers can ask for a better a higher price.
almost a month to harvest a crop. Now, it price.
takes only a few days. Less likely for rain This does not mean, however,
to come while we are harvesting.” that drying is no longer needed. Some
To manually harvest a hectare of farmers dry and store their rice, then
rice field, a farmer needs to hire at least wait until the price is high before they
25 persons. The farmer pays each one sell it. This is when the information
US$3–4 per day or spends $100–120 per board greatly helps farmers. The use of
hectare. Aside from it taking longer, the information boards, as part of the holistic
workers would still need to gather the package of the PPWG of IRRI, gives up-
crop for threshing. to-date reports on the rice prices in the
A
lmost 40% of the world’s provides around 30% of the calories soils drastically reduce yields and harm
harvested rice areas are in consumed by 1.48 billion South Asians.1 farmers’ livelihoods. Recent advances
South Asia―home to 1.1 These are just some of the statistics that in genetics and breeding have made
billion people (74% of the reveal how rice farming is important for the development of stress-tolerant rice
population) that survive on less than the region. varieties feasible and their cultivation
US$2.00 per day and 600 million people The poorest rice farmers produce can substantially contribute to poverty
(40% of the population) that live on their crop under rainfed conditions, in alleviation, especially in rainfed
less than $1.25 a day. Furthermore, rice which drought, submergence, and poor environments. If we can locate exactly
1
Based on World Bank 2005 data.
where rice is cultivated and under what season since this was the most recent Kolkata and Hyderabad. But, there
conditions, we will be able to identify the “good year” for rice cultivation in South are also areas such as Bangladesh, the
regions where new stress-tolerant rice Asia as no widespread droughts or flood far northeast of India, southern India,
varieties—being developed and promoted events occurred during that season. and Sri Lanka where no single system
through the Stress-Tolerant Rice for Since the map has high accuracy (over dominates and several systems lie within
Poor Farmers in Africa and South Asia 80% accuracy and a 94% agreement close proximity.
(STRASA) and Green Super Rice (GSR) with district-level rice statistics), this This map is a useful output in itself,
projects—will have maximum impacts on encouraged us to apply the method to but it also forms the basis for further
the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers. other years. Here, we present the map for research. By producing rice area maps
In collaboration with the STRASA the 2009-10 wet season, which we believe for different years, we can observe
and GSR projects, we have developed a to be the most up-to-date and detailed trends in rice area as producers move
series of maps that accurately display the map of rice cultivation areas in South from one crop to another (e.g., from rice
location and types of rice production in Asia. to sugarcane) or as land is converted
agroecosystems across six countries in The map shows 11 classes of to other uses. Examples of agricultural
South Asia. rice cultivation covering 50.6 million expansion include areas where stress-
2
We started with an extensive field hectares. The two major types are tolerant rice varieties permit farmers
survey across as many different rice irrigated and rainfed. The irrigated to cultivate land that they could not use
systems as possible to describe the on- classes account for 24.2 million before. Conversely, agricultural land
the-ground conditions in terms of the hectares and are further described by can be lost when pressure to convert
number of crops per season and whether their irrigation type, such as surface- arable land to other uses, particularly
the crops are rainfed or irrigated. We water irrigation (from tanks, rivers, for urban expansion and development, is
then acquired remotely sensed images of or reservoirs), groundwater irrigation high. We also use these maps to identify
the entire region with a spatial resolution (from wells or springs), and the cropping the extent, duration, and frequency
of around 20 hectares at regular intervals system, such as single rice, rice-rice, or of submergence and drought events
throughout the season. This time series rice–other crop systems. The rainfed during the growing season. When these
of images was used to characterize the classes account for 26.4 million hectares maps are fully validated, they will be
phenology―that is, the health of the plant and include areas that have some made available on the International
in relation to its climatic conditions—at occasional supplemental irrigation from Rice Research Institute’s Web site as
our survey sites to provide us with a groundwater sources as well as upland/ a valuable resource for mapping and
set of “signatures” for the different rice dryland rice and deepwater rice areas as monitoring the trends in rice cultivation
agroecosystems. found in eastern Bangladesh. across Asia.
Then, in connection with various The map shows a complex pattern,
remote-sensing analyses, we compared in terms of both where and how rice is
these signatures to the time series of cultivated. As expected, the dominant
vegetation vigor in each and every rice areas are in northern and eastern
20-hectare pixel across South Asia to India, Bangladesh, the river systems of Dr. Gumma is a postdoctoral fellow with
create a rice map for the wet season Pakistan, and the southern lowlands of IRRI’s Geographic Information Systems
(also known as the kharif, aman, maha, Nepal. However, rice cultivation occurs (GIS), Social Sciences Division (SSD).
autumn, or fall season) for all South in almost every region where there is Dr. Nelson is a geographer in GIS. Dr.
Asia. A subset of the survey data is arable land and a suitable climate. The Thenkabail is a research geographer in
kept back and used to validate and variation in rice systems is equally the U.S. Geological Survey. Dr. Singh
assess how accurate the map is. The diverse. There are some dominant trends works as a consultant for the STRASA
mapped rice area is then compared such as the irrigated rice–other crops project. Ms. Garcia is an associate
against agricultural statistics and expert across northern India, the rice-rice areas graphic designer, while Ms. Maunahan
knowledge to confirm its reliability. We east of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, and Ms. Villano are researchers at GIS,
tested this methodology on the 2000-01 and the rainfed areas stretching between SSD.
2
This is the harvested wet-season area only. The harvested rice area across all seasons where there is more than one rice crop (kharif and rabi in India; aman, boro, and aus in
Bangladesh; and maha and yala in Sri Lanka) is almost 60 million hectares.
T
he 2008 rice crisis seems to be
a distant memory now, with
rice prices slipping back to the
precrisis level. In the last few
months, global rice prices have fallen
by more than 30%. Potential buyers
have opted to stay on the sidelines, as
they expect prices to drop even lower.
Despite the free-falling global prices,
however, rice in major domestic markets
remains expensive. Hence, the real
question now is, “What will happen to
the global market in the next few months
as we move into the thick of the wet- Fig. 1. Breakout from consolidation.
season rice crop?” The plain and simple Data source: World Bank Pink Sheet and Thai Rice Exporters’ Association.
answer is, “Nobody knows.” Certainly,
the impending monsoon will play a
significant role in directing the trend in overflowing government warehouses in What does this mean for future rice food
rice prices in the near term. Moreover, India and Thailand may add downward security?
the drought in many Southeast Asian pressure on rice prices in the short run, The current situation brings back the
countries—particularly in Thailand and barring some unexpected news that could burning question: Is the 2008 food crisis
the Philippines—had some impact on the change market perceptions. According just a fluke and should the world go back
recently harvested dry-season rice crop, to a report published in Hindu Business to business as usual and not worry about
but it was not intense enough to cause Online, public rice stocks in India as the future of rice food security? Before
any considerable change in the global of 1 May 2010 were nearly 26 million answering this question, one needs to
rice market. tons, that is, 5 million tons higher than look at global rice supply-and-demand
A technical analysis of the recent what they were on 1 May 2009. Despite prospects in order to assess food security
price trend suggests that Thai rice (5% a 10-million-ton shortfall in production objectively. On the demand side, global per
broken) has been fluctuating between in the 2009 kharif (wet) season and capita rice consumption has been more or
US$500 and $600 per ton for the last the domestic commitment to provide less flat, with rising consumption in some
year and a half (November 2008 to subsidized grains for 65 million families countries offset by declining consumption
April 2010). Technical experts refer below the poverty line, the government in others. Outside Asia, where rice is not
to this as “market consolidation” and has been able to procure enough to add 5 a staple, per capita consumption continues
the range is termed the “consolidation million tons to its already bulging stock. to rise steadily and the trend will likely
zone.” Once the market breaks out of In the case of Thailand, high continue in the foreseeable future. In the
the consolidation zone, prices can be pledging prices in the last 2 years last two decades, per capita consumption
expected to move away from this range have resulted in a significant rise in in sub-Saharan Africa has increased by
significantly. If the breakout happens on government stock holdings. This scheme nearly 50%, from 15 kilograms in 1990
the downside, prices can drop notably to contributed to the rise in market prices, to 22 kilograms in 2010. Outside Asia
a low level and vice versa. Fortunately pricing Thai rice out of the export and sub-Saharan Africa, rice has also
or unfortunately (depending on whom market. However, under the newly gained in importance—as reflected in the
to ask), the price of 5% broken in early introduced price guarantee program, changing consumption patterns—despite
June has fallen below the $500 support participating farmers can sell their rice in being a minor food grain. In the last five
level and, since then, has dropped by the market at the prevailing price and get decades, per capita consumption has more
more than $75 (Fig. 1). In the third week the difference between the guarantee and than doubled, from 8.3 kilograms in 1960
of June, the export quotation of 5% the market price from the government— to 18.3 kilograms in 2009. The past trend
broken was $425 per ton. It remains to definitely a move in the right direction will very likely continue in the future as
be seen how far down the price will fall in terms of making Thai rice more people continue to move toward a more
before it stabilizes and moves upward. competitive in the global market and also balanced diet. Total rice consumption is
The recent introduction of a price in easing the pressure on government projected to rise by an additional 25% by
guarantee program in Thailand and the warehouses. 2035.
C
rop management has no such guideline based on information they
thing as a one-practice-fits-all provide about their rice field. This tool
solution. In fact, awareness is is set to be released in mid-2010. More
increasing throughout the world information on this tool will be featured
that crop management practices must in the next issue of Rice Today.
be tailored to location-specific needs Information technology and mobile
in order to produce more food with phone applications could change the role
higher profitability and to reduce risks of extension workers. In the future, they
to the environment. This is particularly could become less of a technical expert
important for the application of nutrients on a topic such as nutrient management
to cereal crops because optimal amounts and more of an expert on where and how
and sources of nutrients to meet the needs to access information—an important role
of the crop can vary, even across short in orienting farmers to new IT tools and
distances within and among fields. If either on a CD or via the Internet. how to effectively use them.
the application of nutrients as fertilizers But computers are not always readily Mobile phones are already capable
is insufficient, it can result in loss of accessible by small-scale farmers. of wireless banking and connecting
yield and profit, whereas applications Web-based mobile phones with Internet farmers to microfinancing and loans, and
in excess of crop needs not only reduce access provide another option but, again, purchasing power they have never had
profit but can also increase risks to the not many farmers have such phones or before. Bringing precision agriculture
environment. Internet connectivity. with IT to small-scale farmers can open
In Europe, North America, Australia, However, one alternative is available up opportunities for farmers to obtain
and parts of South America, where to many small-scale farmers: mobile a fertilizer recommendation via a text
agriculture is mechanized on a large scale, phones with SMS (short message service) message and then use their phones to
concerns about the environment and high capability. With such mobile phones, text access suppliers of the fertilizer and
cost of fertilizers relative to the value of messaging and call centers are options financing options to purchase it.
harvested crop have resulted in “precision for getting information to farmers. These Nutrient Manager decision tools
agriculture” technologies. Precision require trained staff to handle texts and to provide field-specific guidelines for
agriculture aims to better match fertilizer calls and ensure that accurate, timely, rice, wheat, and maize are now under
applications with the spatial and temporal and consistent information is provided development for specific countries
needs of the crop for nutrients. In large- to farmers. Another way to reach many and crop-growing regions (www.irri.
scale farming, sophisticated technologies farmers with mobile phones is through org/ssnm). Information technology
often based on crop sensors, global interactive voice response (IVR). and the use of mobile phones offer the
positioning systems, or remote sensing With IVR, a farmer calls a phone opportunity to bring precision agriculture
are being developed and used to carry out number with a voice recording that to small-scale farmers. The farmer
precision agriculture. This is unsuitable presents a menu of questions about the becomes the “sensor” for rapid, cost-
to most Asian rice farming, where fields farmer’s rice field and growing conditions. effective acquisition of location-specific
and the entire landholding of one farmer The farmer answers each question by information, the IVR and Nutrient
are typically small—usually fractions of pressing an appropriate number on the Manager software become the processors
a hectare up to only a few hectares. Thus, keypad. Once all questions are answered, of this information, and the mobile
sophisticated sensors must be replaced the farmer receives a text message with phone becomes the vehicle for fast and
with other means for rapid, cost-effective a guideline on the amounts, sources, and effective transmission of the information
acquisition and processing of location- timings of fertilizer application for his or to farmers.
specific information for a field. her specific rice field. Precision agriculture, such as field-
Computer-based decision tools The Nutrient Manager decision tool specific nutrient management, could
with simple questions for farmers to for rice has already been released and become available to small-scale farmers
answer and able to quickly provide a used with CD and Web-based applications at their fingertips within a few minutes.
field-specific guideline (www.irri.org/ in the Philippines. To reach more farmers,
nmrice) represent a cost-effective option especially those without computers,
for small-scale farmers to implement the Philippines has been selected as the
precision agriculture. But such tools must country to develop and provide, through Dr. Buresh is a principal scientist,
be readily accessible to extension workers a partnership with the public and private specializing in nutrient and crop
and farmers in rural areas. sector, a mobile phone–based IVR management for intensive rice-based
Computers are one option for application that sends farmers a text cropping systems, at the International
accessing decision tools provided message with a field-specific fertilizer Rice Research Institute.
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Rice Today July-September 2010 47
2010
World Rice Conference 12-14 October 2010, Hilton Arcadia Phuket Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand
www.trtworldrice.com
F
ollowing the success of the inaugural TRT World Rice Conference in
2009, The Rice Trader is pleased to invite delegates and members of Speakers include:
the rice industry to Phuket, Thailand for the TRT World Rice Conference Jeremy Zwinger, President/CEO, The Rice Trader
2010—an event that is fast becoming the annual gathering for rice Korbsook Iamsuri, President, The Rice Exporters Association, Thailand
industry professionals from around the world. Chanchai Rakthananon, President, Thai Rice Mills Association
Ed Schafer, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
This year’s event comes with MORE! Dwight Roberts, President/CEO, U.S. Rice Producers Association
More Networking, More Content, More Speakers, More Issues, More Buyers Dr. Bill Wilson, Professor, North Dakota State University
And with your support, More Attendees! Senior Representative, Ministry of Industry and Trade, SR Vietnam
Dr. Bruno Lanfranco, Senior Researcher, National Agriculture Research Institute
of Uruguay
What’s next after an action packed 2009? We have already
Ludovico J. Jarina, Deputy Administrator, National Food Authority, Philippines
seen India threaten to import and, subsequently, not import. Then, the
Sutarto Alimoeso, President Director, Perum Bulog
Philippine tenders came early (Nov 2009), pushing the country to buy
Tim de Mestre, Value Chain/Trade Consultant, SME Cambodia
more rice than it did in 2009. Bangladesh has also returned to the market
Fuad Hamid Garib, Director, Garibsons (Pvt) Ltd
to import, and Indonesia leans toward importing as well as it continues to
Henry Allard, Filhet-Allard Maritime
deal with a delayed crop and the effects of El Niño that would surely create
Richard Watts, Proprietor, HR Maritime, Switzerland
an impact in the months ahead. Brazil, on the contrary, was a victim of
Dr. Samarendu Mohanty, Head and Senior Economist, Social Sciences Division,
untimely rains, which damaged harvests. Nonetheless, Brazil presses on to
International Rice Research Institute
sustain its rice exports to Africa, particularly parboiled rice.
Dr. John Leeper, Head of Research and Development/Technology, RiceCo
Interestingly, during the TRT World Rice Conference in Cebu last
Eduardo Libin, Vice President, Delta Technology, USA
year, the Euro peaked in value (at 1.5 against the U.S. dollar). Since then,
Patricio Mendez del Villar, Collective Action, Policies & Markets, Centre
however, the Euro has weakened, creating an alarming impact on West
de Coopération Internationale en Recherche, Agronomique pour le
Africa’s purchasing power. All these have happened while the industry
Développement (CIRAD)
deals with the monsoon (the development of which would tell us more
Iain McAlpine, Trader, Atlas Trading & Shipping a Division of Grindrod Trading
about India), droughts in Northern Vietnam and Southern China, and the
(Pty) Ltd.
El Niño that has left many unable to predict output. Add a cautious trade
Kalpesh Patel, Head (Rice Trading), Export Trading Co., Kenya
and buyer to this mix and we have an industry that is vulnerable to the
Spondon Phukan and Elhaj Thierno Sidy Barry, Regent International, Guinea
swift moves in the price and business environment—and one that is
Pitak Supanantakarn, Country Manager (Consumer Goods Division), Intertek
already clearly living “hand-to-mouth.”
Testing Services (Thailand) Limited
Featuring a “who’s who” line-up of speakers, the agenda is broken
V. Subramanian, Vice President, The Rice Trader
down into specific sessions that aim to deliver intelligence and offer an
Logan Wilson, Director, The Rice Trader
opportunity to meet with peers to gain insights regarding the current year
Thomas Wynn, Analyst, The Rice Trader
and what lies ahead
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