August 22 ,2015

All About Rice News

Daily

Vol 5,Issue XIV

Global Rice E-Newsletter

For Blog & News Letter Advertisment contact to write : Mujahid Ali mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com
www.ricepluss.com & www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
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News Headlines...
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September rains improve Rabi outlook

Asia scientists take big leap toward 'rice of the future'
Tanzania: TMEA Vows to Support Tanzania in Marketing Rice
APEDA COMMODITY NEWS
USAID-funded project to boost adoption of stress-tolerant rice in Nepal
TARIFF ON RICE
Businessman charged for rice smuggling
Study: Little evidence of cheating among 'mutualist' species
China urged to allow duty-free imports
Big data on 3,000 rice genomes available on the AWS Cloud
EAC looking into Ugandan VAT on Tanzanian rice
Scientists develop rice variety with high folate stability
Centre raises rabi crop production target to 133 mt
Arkansas Industry Celebrates National Rice Month with Donation to Arkansas Rice Depot
Japan readies rice quota offers for final tariff talks
How should rice production be reformed?
After Beef Fiasco, Government Flip-Flops on Rice Imports
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures Farmers plea for debt relief if second rice crop again
banned

News Detail...
September rains improve Rabi outlook
TOMOJIT BASU
However, kharif output may be down by 2% on deficit rains
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 21:

After prolonged dry spells in July and August, a resurgent monsoon this month is expected to
help farmers during the Rabi season.Deficit rainfall is likely to take its toll on Kharif foodgrains
(rice, pulses and coarse cereals) output which the Agriculture Ministry expects will contract by 2
per cent to 124.05 million tonnes (mt) this year, according to its early estimates released last
week.As of Monday, the rainfall deficit has narrowed to 14 per cent after showers across East
and North-East India.
The early monsoon withdrawal appears to have slowed with low pressure systems moving
toward the North bringing more moisture to parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar
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Pradesh over the weekend. Parched areas of Maharashtra also received much needed
precipitation, while Gujarats Saurashtra and Kutch areas recorded steady rainfall.
The South Peninsula also received significant rainfall in the first two weeks of September. This
helped narrow the deficit to 14 per cent from a late-August high of 22 per cent.The resurgence
will improve soil moisture in these areas. Even if Kharif yields fall due to less rain during the
monsoon, Rabi prospects appear to be good. Overall, food inflation is unlikely to worsen, said
an Agriculture Ministry official.According to India Meteorological Department data, 16 out of
36 sub-stations have reported deficient rainfall between June 1 and September 21. Eastern Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Marathwada and the Konkan coast are largely rain-fed and have been hit the
hardest.
The normal area during the Rabi season is 61.43 million hectares and important crops grown
include wheat, pulses like chickpea (chana) and gram, mustard and barley. The season accounts
for 51 per cent of the countrys foodgrain output.Rainfall has been forecast for another 10 days.
So, this will help crops in the final flowering stage. Moisture retention in the soil and charged
reservoir levels is a positive sign for Rabi, said a senior official from Indian Agricultural
Research Institute. Kharif crop sowing, of which 97 per cent has been completed, will end this
month.
Rabi conference
The two-day annual Rabi Conference, which reviews the performance of the preceding Kharif
and strategises about the Rabi, will be held here from Tuesday. The conference will see Central
and State agriculture officers engaging on preparedness for the season.Six topics, including the
promotion of horticulture and organic farming, more cultivation of pulses and oilseeds in rice
fallows, and ways to tackle agrarian crisis, will be focused on.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/september-rains-improve-rabioutlook/article7674441.ece

Asia scientists take big leap toward 'rice of the future'

Nyshka Chandran | @NyshkaC
Agung Parameswara

Two farmers cut stalks of rice using a special knife called 'anggapan' during harvest season in Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia.

Scientists have made major strides towards creating new breeds of rice that could be more
sustainable, as well as more resilient to environmental stresses.
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,
and BGI (formerly known as the Beijing Genomics Institute) have identified the exact genetic
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makeup of more than 3,000 different families of rice for the first time in what is being heralded
as a major advancement in rice science.
Now, rice breeders can use these varieties as building blocks, using the sequence data to identify
genes that represent favorable traits that can be transferred to other varieties, Marco van den
Berg, chief technology officer at IRRI, told CNBC.

By identifying the DNA of these rice varieties, researchers hope to improve the overall quality of
rice cultivation while also reducing the crop's environmental footprint. Traits targeted for
improvement include higher nutritional quality and greater tolerance of pests, diseases, floods
and drought, as well as reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
"This dataset provides access to millions of genetic markers that can be used to design
sustainable crops for the future - ones that are high-yielding while at the same time requiring less
water, fertilizer, and pesticides," said Rod Wing, director of the Arizona Genomics Institute at
the University of Arizona and IRRI scientist.
Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Chinese Ministry of Science and
Technology, and Global Rice Science Partnership, the international research project produced a
massive data set of 120 terabytes that will be hosted on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud.
Accessing the data is free and AWS hopes it will help global researchers accelerate the breeding
process.
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http://www.cnbc.com/2015/09/22/scientists-put-dna-for-over-3000-rice-varieties-onamazon-cloud.html

Tanzania: TMEA Vows to Support Tanzania in Marketing Rice

Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) has pledged to support Tanzania to capitalise on its comparative
advantage on rice production by increasing sales of the commodity in the regional markets.The
TMEA Country Director, Dr Josephat Kweka, said in Dar es Salaam at the high level policy dialogue
for rice value chain stakeholders in the EAC Common Market that although Tanzania leads in rice
production it was still not able to take advantage of the readily available markets in neighboring
countries.
It is estimated that 18 per cent of farming households grow rice and the economic activity in the rice
sector contributes to 2.66 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). The country
currently produces about 1.40 million tonnes of rice; grown mainly by small scale farmers.The theme
of the conference was the National and Regional Policy Measures for Development of Rice Value
Chain in the Context of Opportunities in the EAC Common Market. Dr Kweka said TMEA was
ready to partner with other stakeholders in implementing recommendations arising from the meeting.
"This country is not short of policies and strategies, what is needed are actions and we are ready to
partner in this important endeavor," he said. The conference was organized by TMEA and Tanzania
Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) and attended by members of the private and public sector from
within EA countries. He said TMEA was in the middle of programming its five -year second phase
of operation that will start in January 2017 which will focus on promoting cross border trade under a
new principle called "Good Neighbor Policy".
"In that policy we will be supporting partner states in East Africa and other partners especially the
private sector to leverage opportunities arising from cross border trade," he said.
He said those opportunities cannot be limited to East Africa as the region needed to trade with other
countries such as Ethiopia, Southern Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and others.
"In that sense cross border trade becomes broader and not limited to geographical configuration," he
said. He said TMEA was grateful and happy with the partnership with the private sector apex body in
Tanzania in advocating better and improved business environment that promotes regional trade in
East Africa.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201509230200.html

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APEDA COMMODITY NEWS

International Benchmark Price
Price on: 21-09-2015

Product

Benchmark Indicators Name

Price

Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)

5125

Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t)

4625

Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t)

3625

Australian 5 Crown, CIF UK (USD/t)

2116

Iranian natural sultanas (Gouchan), CIF UK (USD/t)

2122

Turkish No 9 standard, FOB Izmir (USD/t)

2125

CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t)

806

Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t)

691

Pakistani refined sugar, EXW Akbari Mandi (USD/t)

577

Apricots

Sultanas

White Sugar

Source:agra-net

For more info

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 21-09-2015
Domestic Prices
Product

Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Market Center

Variety

Min Price

Max Price

Gulbarga (Karnataka)

Hybrid

1050

1250

Jowar(Sorgham)
1

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Gevrai (Maharashtra)

Red

1570

1600

Kota (Rajasthan)

Other

1100

1100

Hunsur (Karnataka)

Local

800

1200

Dahod (Gujarat)

Yellow

1470

1625

Kallakurichi (Tamil Nadu)

Other

1436

1613

Khanna (Punjab)

Other

2000

3000

Solan (Himachal Pradesh)

Other

4000

4500

Mechua (West Bengal)

Other

1800

1800

Nagpur (Maharashtra)

Other

1500

2000

Koraput (Orissa)

Other

1000

1100

Ludhiana (Punjab)

Other

500

1000

Maize

Mousambi

Cucumbar

Source:agmarknet.nic.in

For more info

Egg

Rs per 100 No
Price on 21-09-2015
Product

Market Center

Price

Pune

316

Mysore

300

Nagapur

278

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices

Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 21-09-2015

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Product

Market Center

Origin

Variety

Low

Onions Dry

High
Package: 40 lb cartons

Atlanta

Baltimore

Detroit

Georgia

Yellow

27

30

Peru

Yellow

27

28

California

Yellow

28

28.50

Carrots

Package: 20 1-lb film bags

Atlanta

California

Baby Peeled

19

20.75

Chicago

California

Baby Peeled

17

17.50

Dallas

Arizona

Baby Peeled

16.75

17

Apples

Package: cartons tray pack

Atlanta

Washington

Red Delicious

21.50

22.50

Chicago

Washington

Red Delicious

18

21

New York

Washington

Red Delicious

24

26

Source:USDA

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 22-09-2015

Product

Benchmark Indicators Name

Price

Chinese first grade granules, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

2100

Chinese Grade A dehydrated flakes, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

2000

Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

1800

Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

4600

Garlic

Ginger
1

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Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

5100

Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

3000

Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)

4180

Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)

1600

Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t)

2700

Guar Gum Powder

Source:agra-net

For more info

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 22-09-2015
Domestic Prices
Product

Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Market Center

Variety

Min Price

Max Price

Dhing (Assam)

Fine

3500

4000

Mannar (Kerala)

Other

3500

3700

Sultanpur (Rajasthan)

Other

2050

2100

Alappuzha (Kerala)

Other

1800

1900

Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh)

Other

1350

2200

Kota (Rajasthan)

Other

1451

1641

Shillong (Meghalaya)

Other

2000

2400

Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Other

1000

2400

Chala (Kerala)

Other

2100

2155

Rice

Wheat

Pine Apple

Carrot

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Koraput (Orissa)

Other

2400

2500

Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Other

1200

1500

Ahmedabad (Gujarat)

Other

1500

2500

Source:agmarknet.nic.in

For more info

Egg

Rs per 100 No
Price on 22-09-2015
Product

Market Center

Price

Pune

316

Nagapur

278

Namakkal

290

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices

Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 22-09-2015

Product

Market Center

Origin

Variety

Low

Potatoes

High
Package: 50 lb sacks

Atlanta

Idaho

Russet

15.50

16

Baltimore

Oregon

Russet

14

15

New York

Idaho

Russet

14

14

Cucumbers

Package: cartons film wrapped

Atlanta

Canada

Long Seedless

10

Baltimore

Canada

Long Seedless

New York

Honduras

Long Seedless

Grapefruit
1

Package: 7/10 bushel cartons

Atlanta

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California

Red

Rice E-Newsletter
10

23.50

25.50

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Chicago

California

Red

21

22

New York

California

Red

24

28

Source:USDA

USAID-funded project to boost adoption of stress-tolerant

rice in Nepal
By International Rice Research Institute September 22, 2015 | 3:20 pm EDT
Rice production is very
important to the food supply
and national economies of
Nepal
and
Cambodia.
However,
these
countries
suffer from low production of
rice caused by insufficient rain,
irrigation problems, flooding,
lack of seeds, and outdated
traditional
technology. Accelerating the
Adoption of Stress-Tolerant Rice Varieties by Smallholder Farmers in Nepal and
Cambodia (USAID-ASTV) was launched to help solve some of the problems plaguing their rice
productivity.
The project seeks to contribute to the efforts of the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) and the governments of Nepal and Cambodia toward poverty and hunger
reduction and increase food and income security for resource-poor farm households, through
provision and distribution of high-yielding rice varieties tolerant of abiotic stresses. USAIDASTV, funded by USAID, recently concluded its inception and planning workshop for Nepal in
Hotel Annapurna, Kathmandu on 16 September. The event had intensive discussions on quality
seed production of STRVs and multiplication by both public and private sector, as well as how
the project can capitalize on the seed system and new seed policy in Nepal for the success of the
project.
Welcoming the participants totalling 110 in the opening session, Director General Yubak Dhoj
G.C. of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Nepal, acknowledged IRRIs efforts for
providing about 252,000 tons of seeds of different stress-tolerant rice varieties (STRVs) such as
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drought-tolerant, Sukkhadhan 1 to 6 and submergence-tolerant, Swarna-Sub1 and Samba
Mahsuri-Sub1, to name a few.
Farmers in Nepal will have more STRV seeds available to them, said Director General Dhoj.
They will adopt more of the varieties once the seeds are disseminated to them.
Dr. Abdelbagi Ismail, overall project leader and IRRI principal scientist, acknowledge the
contribution of all the participants to the group discussions and workplan development for the
projects main activities. These are the drought- and flood-tolerant varieties; seed production and
distribution and policy issues; biotic stresses; gender and social equity; GIS and targeting; and
M&E and other socio-economic studies. Meanwhile, Dr. Faith Bartz from USAID-Washington,
presented the Feed the Future program, the U.S. Presidential food security initiative, to which
this new project is aligned.
I would like to see strong collaboration of project stakeholders with agriculture secretaries and
ministers in achieving the projects activities and updates, said USAID Mission in Nepal AID
Project Development Specialist, Mr. Navin Hada. He encouraged the project implementors to
come up with strong coordination mechanism with public and private sector.
The USAID has been helping to establish foundation in agriculture research and development
in Nepal, said Chief Guest, Mr. Uttam K. Bhattarai, Secretary, Ministry of Agricultural
Development, Government of Nepal stated, Now, it provides funds through IRRI for
disseminating and promoting drought and submergence-tolerant as well as mid-mountain rice
varieties to increase rice production.
During the closing of the program Dr. Ismail remarked that such active and enthusiastic
participation and involvement of all partners will ensure successful implementation of the
project. Dr. Uma Shankar Singh, acting IRRI representative to India and Nepal, and Dr. Bhaba
Tripathi, senior associate scientist in IRRI-Nepal office, served as overall coordinators for the
event.

http://www.agprofessional.com/news/usaid-funded-project-boost-adoption-stresstolerant-rice-nepal

TARIFF ON RICE
By Amado P. Macasaet on September 22, 2015
The National Economic and Development Authority was reported as having suggested that the
present tariff on rice be kept at 40 percent or close to that.The idea is brilliant if the intention is
to protect Filipino rice planters from their competitors who produce the cereal at remarkably
lower costs. Unfortunately, this has not been the case in the Philippines for at least half a century.
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The truth is this country, for one reason or another, although the prevailing view is government
neglect, has never been consistent in having enough of the cereal. Thus, in preparation for the
effects of El Nio on production, the National Food Authority is entering into contracts with
rice growers principally Vietnam, Thailand, and India.(It is a shame Thailand learned rice
technology from the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baos, Laguna.
It eventually became the worlds largest exporter of the staple cereal. For reasons very difficult
to understand, the Philippines host of the IRRI is now the worlds biggest rice importer).If
tariff is an instrument to protect local producers where are the rice farmers we are trying to
protect? They are there in the farms, yes, many working on the five-hectare areas given to them
under Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program but cannot seem to produce enough for their
big families.The farmers that a high tariff tries to protect are no longer net contributors to higher
production. Hardly anybody ever noticed they are now net consumers. Thus rice imports increase
every year made so by poor harvests and more mouths to feed.I understand the high tariff is
imposed on private importers.
The NFA does collect tariff, otherwise the government would look silly transferring its money
from one pocket to the other.High tariff is imposed on private importers, only to raise money, not
to make the cereal available to the poor. But it is available to the poor. The price is controlled by
the NFA. It is extremely difficult to understand how private rice importers who pay high tariff
rates can make money when the price of the cereal is controlled by the state.As everybody knows
smuggling of rice is rampant made so by high tariff.
I recall Senator Edgardo Angara crafted the Agriculture Modernization Program. If the plan
had been successfully implemented there would be enough funds for the rice farmers without
Congress appropriating money.My recollection of the plan is that beyond a specified volume of
imported rice, a tariff will be imposed. The tariff will form a fund to support the farmers. The
government has not made public what the specified volume is. So we do not really know if a red
cent was ever collected from the excess of the specified volume.Ignoring all these, the
government should find wisdom in hauling down to near zero the tariff on rice.
The accession to the World Trade Organization forced us to accept low or zero tariff on many
food items including vegetables we can very well grow at home.Filipino vegetable farmers try to
compete. They may not be that successful but we fill the shortage with imports precisely to make
the commodity available to the poor.Small farm lands for rice have disappeared, taken over by
small homes built with money earned by 10 million Filipinos working in many parts of the
world.The beneficiaries of land reform are expected to help attain self-sufficiency in rice.
But how can they? The government did not even leave them a work animal to make their fivehectare areas produce enough for their big families.Rice will always be a political commodity.
As a matter of fact, land reform is a political decision calculated to help the poor earn a living
selling the cereal after they are assured of enough for their stomachs.
As a farmer, in a province not known for having haciendas divided for the landless, I do not see
this happening.We were share croppers working on two hectares of rice land. My father and I
produced enough for my six brothers and sisters. As I said the small rice fields are now occupied
by homes inhabited by many children.I have not had a meal of home-grown rice for
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decades.With a population of 100 million people increasing by at about 2 percent or two million
babies a year, and the failure of land reform to increase farm productivity, there might be
wisdom in making a critical decision on which crop or fruit trees we should cultivate with full
government assistance and surrender to the reality we will never be able to attain self-sufficiency
in rice. Here is the NEDA saying the tariff on rice should stay. Who are we protecting? Certainly
not the rice farmers!
Not to be forgotten is the fact that the Philippine territory is only 300,000 square kilometers. The
density per square kilometer is increasing as food shortage gets worse.Have we determined
whether or not our farm lands have reached or are getting close to what economists call optimum
utility? We have not because we know lack of government support to agriculture leaves the
farms, particularly the five-hectare pieces from land reform, in shameful under utility.In a word,
the government refuses to hit the nail on the head.
*

email: amadomacasaet@yahoo.com
Category:

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/opinion/tariff-rice

Businessman charged for rice smuggling

Publish Date: Sep 22, 2015

Siraje Muwonge accused of smuggling of goods costing Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)
sh24m at Anti-corruption court Kololo in Kampala. September 22, 2015. Photo by Fred
Mubanda. Newvision
By Barbra Kabahumuza

The Anti-Corruption Court has charged businessman

Siraji Muwonge Muttanga for smuggling 202 bags
of Pakistani rice valued at sh24m.The Court,
presided over by Grade One Magistrate Agnes
Alum, heard that the accused on September 6, 2015
at Mityana town council in Mityana district was
found in possession of 202 bags of 50kgs each of
Pakistan rice which were not taxed by Uganda
Revenue Authority (URA).Muttanga, a resident of
Sagala in Rakai district and a father of 9 children,
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was charged with acquisition and being in possession of unaccustomed goods, contrary to section
200 (d) (iii) of the East African Community customs management act 2004.
However, the Court released the accused on a sh4m cash bail after presenting three substantial
sureties despite prayers from the state prosecutor, Lydia Katami not to grant him bail.I object to
the bail application on grounds that the accused may interfere with the inquiries which are
incomplete and state witnesses, she prayed.Clad in brown trouser sand a green shirt, Muttanga
appeared calm before the magistrate.
The sureties who were bonded at sh30m not cash were Richard Kyegombe; 39, Erias Sengabi,
44, and Abasi Mbalire, 38, all relatives of the accused.In reply the states submission, defence
lawyer Hudson Segamwenge asked court for bail on grounds that the accused is the sole bread
winner for his family. He also said that the state had not produced evidence, showing that the
accused would interfere with investigations and witnesses. No affidavit to that effect has been
submitted in court. Therefore prosecution allegations are baseless, he said.The court also heard
that the accused rights had been violated when he spent four days in custody. The magistrate
adjourned the case to October 13 for mention and to know the status of investigations

Study: Little evidence of cheating among 'mutualist' species

It's only cheating, researchers say, if one of the species gets hurt.
By Brooks Hays | Sept. 21, 2015 at 4:34 PM
Pollination is the most classic example of mutualism. Other examples include beneficial gut
bacteria and human digestion, as well as the relationships between humans and domestic
animals. Photo by Betty Shelton/Shutterstock
HOUSTON, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Mutualists are species that
benefit from each other's activity. Pollination is a classic
example of mutualism. Researchers have long assumed that
cheating is rampant among mutualists. But a new study,
published in the journal Ecology Letters, suggests the opposite
is true.As far as ecologists can tell from existing scientific
literature, cheating is relatively rare among mutualist
species.There are a range of studies which claim to detail
instances of mutualistic "cheating." But as scientists at Rice University, Michigan State and the
University of California, Santa Barbara point out: these studies rarely operate under a standard
(or accurate) definition of the word "cheating.
""By definition, a behavior is only cheating if it provides one partner with an advantage and also
imposes a disadvantage on the other partner," Emily Jones, an evolutionary ecologist at Rice and
co-author of the new study, said in a press release. "We found that most previous definitions
were focused on just one side of the interaction.""People have tended to be narrowly focused on
whether one partner was either giving less of a resource or taking more from the other partner,
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but neither of those qualifies as cheating unless the other partner is harmed," Jones added.This
isn't to say that mutualism describes some sort of socialistic cooperative among animals. In fact,
the idea of "cheating" is very much a reaction to the fact that mutualism, on its face, flies in the
face of Darwinian self-interest.But mutualism isn't about cooperation so much as
exploitation. Ayn Rand's philosophy is very much alive in the natural world."Each species is
actually exploiting the other, and each one benefits more from the mutual arrangement than they
are harmed by it," said Jones.
Authors of the new study aren't actually arguing that cheating is non-existent, or even rare, only
that previous research has failed to prove its prevalence."It is possible that cheating is
widespread," said co-autho Maren Friesenr, a plant biologist at Michigan State. "But it is clear
that previous studies have not proved that widespread cheating is taking place.""In order to
qualify as cheating," Friesen explained, "a behavior must increase the fitness of the cheating
partner above the average fitness of individuals in its own population, and it must decrease the
fitness of the partner below the average fitness of individuals in the partner's population."

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2015/09/21/Study-Little-evidence-of-cheatingamong-mutualist-species/2261442863193/

China urged to allow duty-free imports

September 22, 2015
MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN
Pakistan has urged China to immediately allow 90 per cent of its imports duty free and find out
ways to resolve wide discrepancy in bilateral trade statistics. This was stated by Commerce
Minister, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan in a chat with Business Recorder. He was in China to
attend a conference of Commerce Ministers of Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO). "It
was the first formal meeting between the Commerce Ministers of the two countries in two and a
half years. I have urge my Chinese counterpart to allow entry of 90 per cent items duty free with
immediate effect whereas there will be no change in China's status," he added.
The second round of Free Trade Agreement (FTA-II) will be held soon in Beijing. Pakistani
team will be led by Additional Secretary Robina Athar. Replying to a question, the Commerce
Minister said Pakistan has also proposed that customs officials of both countries should hold a
meeting to resolve serious discrepancies in trade statistics as there is a difference of $3- 4 billion
in the trade figures of the two countries. Answering another question, he said Pakistan has also
suggested that China should set up a special section or appoint a focal person to resolve business
disputes between Pakistanis and Chinese because Chinese legal procedure is very complicated;
he added that language is another issue. In reply to another question, he said certification
procedure for Pakistani agriculture and horticulture is very long and tedious and there is a need
to expedite the process.

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Pakistan will also make all-out efforts to complete the documents so that export of meat and
fruits including dry fruits and cherries from Gilgit Baltistan is facilitated properly. The
Commerce Minister stated that Pakistan requested China to increase rice purchase from Pakistan.
"There was an impression that exports of rice to China is based on quota but there is no quota;
however rice purchases are based on certain restrictions put in place by the Chinese
government," Khan continued. Pakistan is trying to increase rice exports to China. The Minister
further stated there is no issue on Sust border with China.
And there is no trade dispute between the two countries but these are business disputes. "My
meeting with Chinese counterpart was very constructive and he promised to resolve all Pakistan's
issues positively," he further added. The Commerce Minister said he held a meeting with his
Iranian counterpart on the sidelines of the conference and discussed the follow-up of recent visit
of Iranian officials to Pakistan including proposed five-year roadmap between the two countries.
http://www.brecorder.com/top-stories/0/1229505/

Big data on 3,000 rice genomes available on the AWS Cloud

22 September 2015
Dr. Kenneth McNally
K.McNally@irri.orgThe 3,000 Rice Genomes Project (3K RGP) is a collaborative, international
research program that has sequenced 3,024 rice varieties from 89 countries. This massive dataset
is a powerful resource for understanding natural genetic variation in rice as well as for largescale discovery of new genes associated with economically important traits. It will help
accelerate the pace of developing improved rice varieties around the globe to feed a growing
population, estimated to reach more than 9.6 billion by 2050, with half of humanity relying on
rice for sustenance and livelihood.
The International Rice Genebank of the T.T. Chang Genetic Resources Center at
theInternational Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines contains more than 127,000
rice varieties and accessions from all over the world. These accessions hold a virtually untapped
reservoir of genes/traits that can be used to make rice cultivation more sustainable, with a smaller
environmental footprint. Traits targeted for improvement include higher nutritional quality;
tolerance of pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, such as flood and drought; and reduced
greenhouse gas emissions.
Three research institutionsthe Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the Beijing
Genomics Institute (BGI) Shenzhen, and IRRIcollaborated to sequence the genomes of 3,024
rice varieties and lines housed in the IRRI (82%) and the CAAS (18%) genebanks. The
sequencing and initial analysis was funded by grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology. This dataset contains millions of genomic
sequences from a diverse set of rice varieties that, when combined with phenotyping
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observations, gene expression, and other information, provides an important step in establishing
gene-trait associations, building predictive models, and applying these models to breeding.
Through funding from the Global Rice Science Partnership, the 3,024 genomes were re-analyzed
against five popular varieties that represent the three main subgroups of cultivated riceindica,
japonica, and aus. This new 3K RGP data analysis set is massive at 120 terabytes, which is well
beyond the computing capacities of most research institutions. However, these new results are
now publicly available online, as an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Public Data Set.
Accessing the data is free (AWS usage fees apply), and use is governed by the stipulations for
data analysts and users from the Toronto Statement. Dr. Rod Wing, director of the Arizona
Genomics Institute at the University of Arizona and a pioneer in rice genome sequencing,
remarked: The dataset provides access to millions of genetic markers that can be used to design
sustainable crops for the future, that is, ones that are high-yielding and more nutritious while at
the same time requiring less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
The great thing about the release of this dataset is that it is immediately useable, said Dr.
Kenneth McNally, senior scientist in IRRIs T.T. Chang Genetic Resources Center and a project
team member. It comes with tools to help researchers visualize and analyze genetic
information.Data access and analysis tools are being made available for the 3K RGP dataset
through the International Rice Informatics Consortium (IRIC), which promotes collaboration in
bioinformatics analysis of rice data and provides computational tools to facilitate rice
improvement via discovery of new gene-trait associations and accelerated breeding.
One of the tools, the SNP-Seek database, is designed to provide user-friendly access to a type of
genetic marker called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified from this data. Another
tool in SNP-Seek, the JBrowse genome browser, displays chromosome-specific SNP data
derived from the set.The 3K RGP dataset is a powerful tool that will unite researchers from
around the world to help drive the next green revolution, Wing concludes.
http://irri.org/news/media-releases/big-data-on-3-000-rice-genomes-available-on-the-aws-cloud

EAC looking into Ugandan VAT on Tanzanian rice

BY CORRESPONDENT
22nd September 2015
EAC's Director of Customs and Trade, Peter Kiguta
The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat is investigating
allegations that Uganda charges 18 per cent value added (VAT) on rice
from Tanzania.EACs Director of Customs and Trade, Peter Kiguta,
said they are yet to receive a formal complaint from Tanzanian rice
exporters but will still carry out investigations on the matter. We have
however contacted Uganda to give us a feedback on whether they are
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imposing VAT on the rice. If it is established that the VAT imposition is discriminative against
Tanzanian rice the relevant provisions of the Customs Union Protocol will be invoked, said Mr
Kiguta in a statement.
If found guilty, Uganda will be penalized accordingly, he noted in the statement responding to
complaints from local rice producers.And if the VAT is imposed across the board including
locally produced rice then the national law will be left to apply since there will be no
discrimination, he noted.The Rice Council of Tanzania (RCT) has been complaining against
discrimination by authorities in Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda against local rice exported to the
three EAC countries under provisions of the Customs Union Protocol.RCT Vice Chairman,
Carter Coleman, said in a recent statement that local rice exports are still facing tariff barriers in
the three countries as it is charged VAT and sometimes hiked import duty. Mr Coleman, who is
also CEO of Kilombero Plantation Limited, called on the Ugandan authorities to lift the
discriminatory taxes.
Please get your government to lift the tariff on Tanzania rice as you are bankrupting local
farmers, Coleman said in the statement also addressed to Ambassador Philip Idro, Chairman of
Uganda Rice Millers Association.Idro has argued that Uganda and the EAC need to protect their
markets as cheap Pakistan rice which enters the blocs through Kenya threatens rice farmers in
the region.This is important because Africa as a whole wants to make farmers grow more rice,
he argued recently while lobbying EAC governments to impose a 75 per cent duty on rice
imports into the region. Idro also wants Kenya to revoke its agreement with Pakistan which
allows Kenya to import its rice while exporting tea on barter trade terms approved by the
EAC.Kenya should be importing rice from Uganda or Tanzania and not Pakistan, he argued.
Kenya imports over $1m worth of rice daily from Pakistan.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=84566

Scientists develop rice variety with high folate stability

This achievement can offer a solution to health problems related to folate deficiency in
developing countries
GHENT UNIVERSITY
The human body is unable to make vitamin B9, better known as folate. Adults need
approximately 400 microgram of folates per day to remain healthy, a number which is increased
to 600 microgram for pregnant women. Folates are abundant in green leafy vegetables (folium is
Latin for leaf), such as spinach and legumes (e.g. beans). Most staple crops, such as rice and
other cereals, contain very low amounts of this vitamin.Inadequate folate intake can have severe
effects on human health. In addition to certain forms of anemia, folate deficiency in pregnant
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women can result in an impaired development of the neural tube (the precursor of the spinal
cord) of the embryo.
These developmental problems often result in spina bifida: the so-called "cleft spine". Folate
deficiency is also associated with Alzheimer disease, cardio-vascular diseases and the
development of a range of cancers. Due to the marginal levels of folate in rice, consumed by
about half the world population as sole energy source, folate deficiency is highly prevalent in
developing countries. Several studies show that in certain regions of e.g. China and India the
occurrence of neural tube defects is at least 10-fold higher than in Western countries.
Unstable molecules
Vitamins are unstable molecules, that degrade easily upon contact with oxygen, light, humidity,
increased temperatures and changes in acidity. For this reason, it is important to consume food
products, such as vegetables and fruit, as fresh as possible. A lot of vitamins get lost, not only
during food processing and preparation, but also during storage. In biofortified corn, for instance,
provitamin A levels decrease 70% upon six months of storage; vitamin C content in guava nectar
even 89%. Evidently, these problems occur in harvest products that are stored for a longer
period, such as rice grains.
These stability problems become more severe in developing countries where the storage in high
temperature and high humidity is inevitable.In 2007, a research team from Ghent University
(Belgium), coordinated by prof. Dominique Van Der Straeten, reported the development of a
first generation of rice lines with 100-fold higher folate levels as compared to normal rice. This
result was achieved through metabolic engineering, the modulation of the biosynthesis pathway
of a plant compound. Their new study shows that about half of the folate content in these rice
lines degrades after half a year.
Assemblage lines
To tackle this problem, researchers from this lab developed a new rice prototype, in which the
folate content remains stable upon long term storage. Again, metabolic engineering was applied.
Folate is produced in a plant cell by specific enzymes (molecular machines) that add consecutive
changes to a certain start product until a folate molecule is formed. This process is comparable to
a car assembly line. By stimulating the production of two enzymes in the folate biosynthesis,
researchers created the first generation of rice lines containing high folate levels.
Two strategies

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Now, they were able to stabilize this high folate content in a new rice prototype. They applied
two strategies. A first strategy comprised the binding of folates with a folate binding protein.
This protein is unknown in plants, but well studied in mammals. It occurs in e.g. milk and
protects folate from degradation. This is also the way intact folates are passed on from the
mother to her infant, to support its development. By expressing a synthetic gene, based on a
folate binding protein from bovine milk, in the rice grain, the same principle is applied and folate
content remains stable upon long term storage.A second strategy consisted of the stimulation of
the last step in folate production. This step extends the tail of the folate molecule.
This promotes cellular retention and binding to folate dependent proteins. Besides enhancing
folate stability, the new gene combinations also resulted in folate levels that are up to 150 fold
those found in normal rice. Since all genes which were used in this study, were placed next to
each other on a single piece of DNA, this piece of genetic material can easily be transferred to
edible rice varieties. Moreover, it is fairly easy to make combinations with other interesting
traits, such as the enhancement of other vitamins or certain minerals, such as iron. This
technology can also be used in other crops, both cereals (e.g. wheat, sorghum) and non-cereals
(e.g. potato, banana).
Collaboration
This investigation is the result of a close collaboration between the labs of prof. Dominique Van
Der Straeten (development and characterization of the new rice prototypes), prof. Willy Lambert
and prof. Christophe Stove (development of analytical methods to measure folates) and dr. Hans
De Steur and prof. Xavier Gellynck (study of the socio-economic impact of folate rice). These
results were published yesterday in the renowned journal Nature Biotechnology(Blancquaert et
al., 2015).
Pioneers
The stability issue is often underestimated or even neglected in biofortification programs. It is
obvious that not only high, but also stable vitamin levels are important to tackle vitamin
deficiencies. Not only does this study describe the effect of long term storage on the folate levels
in the first rice prototypes, it also provides an elegant solution to the stability problem. This
solution can be applied, in a customized form, to other crops and vitamins and opens the door for
awareness and consideration of vitamin stability in future biofortification studies.
###
Article
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BLANCQUAERT, D., VAN DAELE, J., STROBBE, S., KIEKENS, F., STOROZHENKO, S.,
DE STEUR, H., GELLYNCK, X., LAMBERT, W., STOVE, C. and VAN DER STRAETEN, D.
Improving folate (vitamin B9) stability in biofortified rice through metabolic engineering. Nature
Biotechnology (2015) doi: 10.1038/nbt.3358.
Info
Prof. Dominique Van Der Straeten and Dr. Dieter Blancquaert
Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology
Tel. 09 264 51 85 (Van Der Straeten) en 09 264 87 87 (Blancquaert)
Dominique.VanDerStraeten@UGent.be
Dieter.Blancquaert@UGent.be

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-09/gu-sdr092215.php

Centre raises rabi crop production target to 133 mt

TOMOJIT BASU

NEW DELHI, SEPT 22:

The Centre on Tuesday said that production of Rabi crops will be about 1.6 per cent higher at
132.78 million tonnes (mt) in 2015-16 compared with 130.75 mt produced last crop year (JulyJune).Speaking on the sidelines of the Rabi Conference here on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister
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Radha Mohan Singh said his Ministry was confident that there will be no shortfall in Rabi
output.
Soil moisture improves
The winter cropping season accounts for 51 per cent of total foodgrain production in India.The
rainfall deficit is currently at 14 per cent, which is worse than last year. However, the overall
crop area during the Kharif season is higher than last year. We have also had good rain over the
past few days and this will improve soil moisture for Rabi crops, said Singh.
Rainfall deficit

According to the India Meteorological Department data, the rainfall deficit between June 1 and
September 21 stood at 14 per cent due to successive shortfalls in July and August after an excess
in June.Rainfall has been steady in the first three weeks of September, first in the South
Peninsula, which had been the most deprived of precipitation through the monsoon, and then
Central and North India.
Duty on pulses
Crop coverage under Kharif cereals as on September is 54.94 million hectares, more than the
normal for the corresponding week of 2014-15, said Singh. He added that the Ministry has
proposed an import duty on pulses for Indian farmers to receive remunerative prices.There is no
import duty on pulses at present and officials said that a 10 per cent duty had been
suggested.We will procure pulses the same way rice and wheat are lifted, Singh said.The
Ministry is targeting 4 per cent growth in agriculture and allied sectors this fiscal, after recording
just 0.2 per cent growth in the category last year.
(This article was published on September 22, 2015)
The Hindu

Arkansas Industry Celebrates National Rice Month with Donation to

Arkansas Rice Depot
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Arkansas is the number one rice-producing state in the nation and
celebrates that fact in a big way each September in honor of National Rice Month. On Monday,
Governor Asa Hutchinson presided over a signing ceremony at the State Capitol officially
proclaiming September as Rice Month. To mark the occasion, the Arkansas rice industry
donated 110,100 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Rice Depot providing 1.1 million servings of
rice
for
hungry
Arkansas
families.

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The Arkansas Rice Depot, a statewide food bank, works with 600 Arkansas hunger relief
programs including food pantries, school food programs, disaster relief organizations, and a
statewide hunger hotline to help feed hungry families across the state. Participating rice mills
were Cormier Rice Mill of DeWitt, Windmill Rice Company of Jonesboro, Riceland Foods, Inc.
of Stuttgart, Producers Rice Mill of Stuttgart, Riviana Foods of Carlisle, and Specialty Rice, Inc.
of Brinkley.

"Ths year, Arkansas family farmers will produce over 50 percent of the nation's rice for the first
time in history," said Arkansas Rice Council President Steve Orlicek. "The Arkansas rice
industry proudly contributes over $6 billion annually to the state's economy and employs nearly
25,000 Arkansans."
Contact: Chuck Wilson (870) 673-7541

Japan readies rice quota offers for final tariff talks

Rice imports have been a sticking point in Japan-U.S. talks.TOKYO -- The Japanese government
is preparing for the final stages of negotiations on duties on agricultural and automotive products
as it gauges prospects for progress at the 12-party talks at the end of this month. The U.S.,
Japan, Canada and Mexico began talks Monday in San Francisco on rules for reduced
automotive tariffs. Washington and Tokyo are still at odds with Mexico over the percentage of
TPP-produced parts a car would need to qualify for lower duties.
Autoparts, along with pharmaceuticals and dairy products, are among the points of contention
that prevented an agreement at a broader ministerial-level meeting held in Hawaii in late July.
That led Tokyo and Washington to put off negotiations on rice and other issues. Japanese
Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Akira Amari and U.S. Trade Representative Michael
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Froman will enter into talks if the 12 TPP participants look likely to reach a deal at the cabinetlevel meeting starting Sept. 30 in Atlanta.
Japan plans to propose maintaining the current tariff of 341 yen ($2.82) per kilogram on
imported rice while allowing 50,000 tons a year of American rice to be brought in duty-free
when the TPP takes effect. That ceiling would be raised by 2,000 tons each year starting in the
agreement's fourth year to a maximum of 70,000 tons. Japan would not have to fully satisfy the
import quota. Whether the proposal will be enough to break down U.S. resistance is uncertain,
given that American rice producers want Japan to open its doors wider.

Tokyo hopes to strike a deal

with Canberra on an 8,400-ton
cap, equivalent to 12% of the
proposed U.S. figure.
Talks
have effectively wrapped up for
some key product categories for
Japan, including beef, pork and
wheat. The duty on beef will drop
from 38.5% to 27.5%, then to
15% a decade after the agreement
takes effect and 9% after 15 years.
The tariff on cheap cuts of pork will be gradually reduced from 482 yen per kilogram now to 50
yen in 10 years. The current 4.3% duty on pricier cuts will be lowered to 2.2% immediately, then
eliminated altogether in a decade. For wheat, the tariff itself will be kept, but the government's
markup on imported wheat sold wholesale will be cut 45%.okyo is offering low-tariff imports of
dairy products from New Zealand, Australia and the U.S. equivalent to a combined 70,000 tons
of raw milk. But New Zealand is standing firm on its demands for greater access. Meanwhile,
Japan wants the U.S. to open up its automotive market. The two sides are leaning toward an
agreement under which the U.S. would remove its 2.5% autoparts tariff for more than 50% of
product categories, though final adjustments are still needed.
(Nikkei)
http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/Japan-readies-rice-quota-offers-for-finaltariff-talks

How should rice production be reformed?

The Vietnam Food Association (VFA) works as a goods management agency primarily based on
administrative measures. This sometimes distorts the rice market. VietNamNet continues its talk
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with Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute for Policy and Strategy for Agriculture
and Rural Development (IPSARD).
Q: Many suggested that the Vietnam Food Association is an obstacle to a healthy, competitive
rice market. What is your opinion about this?
Vietnam rice loses to Thailand and Cambodia

VFA is an association organized in the form of cross-linking model, gathering rice processing
and exporting businesses. VFA has great power and influence on rice trading and exporting
businesses while rice is considered the top export item of Vietnam. Up to 98% of the total export
value of rice is contributed by members of VFA. This association is directly assigned by the
Government to implement the national policy to ensure food security.
The VFA is granted a lot of power in management of rice exports in Vietnam, shown in Decree
109/2010/ND-CP of the Government dated 4/11/2010 on rice export business.Under this decree,
VFA holds an important executive role supervising the registration of export contracts of
businesses. It has the right to allocate 80% of the volume of export rice under government-togovernment contracts among its members, publish the floor export price as the basis of
negotiations and signing of rice exporting contracts, and monitor progress and update the
statistics of related ministries.
In addition, VFA also is involved in the implementation of purchasing rice for temporary stock
whenever this measure is applied. Thus, VFA operates as a goods management agency, mainly
based on administrative measures.This sometimes distorts the rice market of Vietnam.
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Meanwhile, VFA has ignored some roles that goods management associations have to do, such
as building rice development strategy, building and promoting rice brands, developing and
stabilizing domestic supply, and expanding membership vertically to connect cooperation and
development...
Besides, members of the VFA are only large enterprises and they do not represent all production
and business factors in the rice value chain, such as representatives of rice producing localities,
small businesses, farmers and cooperatives.
Q: There are opinions that we should distinguish between commercial rice and reserved rice
(food security), and that State-owned food companies like Vinafood need to focus on rice
coordination and hoarding, not perform export activities. What is your opinion?
Currently Vinafood mainly focuses on the export of rice under government contracts. The main
customers of government contracts are the traditional export markets of Vietnam as the
Philippines and Indonesia. These customers are mainly interested in cheap price, and are not
demanding in terms of rice quality.Therefore, Vinafood pays attention to commercial
relationships, not connections to develop material areas, and to improving the quality of rice
varieties and sharing benefits with farmers.
Regarding the temporary storage of rice policy, businesses that are allocated to purchase rice for
temporary storage mainly buy rice through traders. Thus, the beneficiaries are not the farmers,
and in many cases not the rice businesses, but traders who bought rice cheap and sold it at high
prices.Moreover, the state grants interest rate support for businesses to purchase rice for
temporary storage in a period of three months, but the purchase price is still completely
dependent on the ability to sign export contracts of rice exporters.
In fact, surveys show that the increase is unstable due to limited output, especially at a time of
low rice export prices. Businesses are even afraid of getting losses if they purchase rice for
temporary storage at high prices and export prices do not increase again. Therefore, the effect of
the temporary storage policy is still low.
To support the implementation of restructuring of the rice sector, it is needed to distinguish and
separate the commercial objectives and functions from the social goal and function of Vinafood.
There is evidence that if these two objectives are combined, both the public policy objectives and
aspirations of the private sector will not be achieved. Thus, Vinafood needs to be reformed in
two directions: (i) privatizing the commercial activities to operate as other private companies;
(Ii) separating the function of rice storage for the country.
Q: In your opinion, the monopoly role of Vinafood 1 and Vinafood 2 on the rice purchasing
market is justified? Do they need influence to create competition between them and to give
more opportunities for farmers?
There are many businesses, both state-owned and private, that purchase and export rice. In 2011
the Ministry of Industry and Trade approved a list of more than 140 entrepreneurs eligible for
trading and exporting rice.In terms of institutions, the State does not encourage monopolies in
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rice business but in reality it depends on many factors like financial capacity, technical
competence, business experience, etc ... which can create the dominance of some businesses.
Thus the opportunities of entrepreneurship or farmers here is the chance to participate more in
government-to-government contracts. Currently, under Decree 109, businesses signing rice
exporting contract are allowed to directly export 20% of the contract value and the rest (80%) is
allocated by the VFA to other businesses.
Such distribution rights still exist, not operating under market mechanisms, so Vietnam should
apply the form of competitive bidding in this stage to create conditions for fair competition
between businesses so farmers can benefit more.
Q: Does the State needs national marketing policies for Vietnamese rice brands or should the
market decide?
On 21/5/2015, the Prime Minister issued Decision 706/QD-TTg approving a project to develop
Vietnam rice brands to 2020 with a vision to 2030. The decision defines the role of the state of
organizing and supporting the implementation of promotional activities, introducing Vietnamese
rice brands at home and abroad,and issuing policies to help organizations and individuals
(businesses, associations, producers ...) to expand production, broaden markets, enhance value,
competitiveness, reputation and market share of Vietnam's rice on the world market.Businesses
play a key role in the construction, use and development of the rice brands of Vietnam through
development of rice products and management of production, processing, developing the market,
and participating in global value chains.
Hoang Huong

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/special-reports/141625/how-should-rice-production-be-reformed-.html

After Beef Fiasco, Government Flip-Flops on Rice Imports

Jakarta. The Indonesian government has flip-flopped on earlier statements that it will not import
any rice this year, with Vice President Jusuf Kalla saying on Tuesday that imports would be
permitted if necessary.The governments latest estimate for demand for rice this year is 31.9
million tons, while the Agriculture Ministry claims domestic production will top 42.5 million
tons.Kalla, however, warned that with an unseasonably long and harsh dry season looming as a
result of the El Nio weather phenomenon, yields could fall far short of expectations.The option
for importing rice for domestic consumption must be open, considering the El Nio phenomenon
that is likely to cause drought, leading to harvest failure, he said.
He also dismissed as overly optimistic the estimates by the Agriculture Ministry and the
Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of a rice surplus of more than 10 million tons this year, saying
the figures need to be recalculated to take into account the real situation on the ground.

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Those numbers, especially the estimate from BPS must be re-evaluated, Kalla said, adding the
government did not want to risk a shortage that would force prices of the food staple up.resident
Joko Widodo previously declared that there would be no rice imports this year, as part of his
wider plan for Indonesia to be self-sufficient in food production.
A similarly rosy outlook on beef supplies led then-trade minister Rachmat Gobel to slash
quarterly cattle imports by more than 80 percent, prompting an acute shortage and subsequent
price spike that drew public protests.Gobel was later replaced in a cabinet reshuffle, and his
successor, Thomas Lembong, immediately restored the cattle import quota.Dwi Andreas
Santosa, a professor at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), said the domestic rice supply
was at a critical condition.
If the government doesnt make the right move then there will be a quite serious food crisis by
the end of this year, he said.He added that Indonesia ideally needed to import at least a million
ton of rice to boost domestic stock.The government has not said how much rice it plans to import
this year.
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/business/beef-fiasco-government-flip-flops-rice-imports/ CME

Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for September 22

Daily Global

Month

Price

Net Change

November 2015

$12.745

- $0.060

January 2016

$13.030

- $0.060

March 2016

$13.245

- $0.065

May 2016

$13.435

- $0.060

July 2016

$13.590

- $0.070

September 2016

$12.845

- $0.060

November 2016

$12.845

- $0.060

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Excited about Cuba trip, Hutchinson tells rice growers

Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks to representatives of Arkansas' rice industry at the state Capitol on
Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, during a ceremony in which he proclaimed September as Rice Month.
Hutchinson told the group he sees new opportunities for increased trade with Cuba and will
promote rice and other agricultural products on a trade mission to the island nation later this
month. (John Lyon photo)
By John Lyon
Arkansas News Bureau
jlyon@arkansasnews.com
LITTLE ROCK Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Monday told representatives of the states rice
industry he is excited about his upcoming trade mission to Cuba and hopeful that Arkansas
farmers will have new opportunities to export rice to the island nation.Also Monday, Hutchinson
issued a proclamation of Arkansas participation this month in National Rice Month, and
Arkansas rice growers marked the event by donating more than 110,000 pounds of rice to the
Arkansas Rice Depot to feed hungry families in the state.During a proclamation ceremony at the
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state Capitol, Hutchinson, who will visit Cuba next week, told rice growers that politics have
limited trade with Cuba in the past, but I think all of thats changing.
President Barack Obama announced in December that the U.S. and Cuba would normalize
diplomatic relations. The two countries re-opened embassies on each others soil this summer for
the first time in 54 years.Hutchinson said Monday that financing is currently the biggest barrier
to U.S.-Cuban agricultural trade.Right now we can sell rice, but they dont have cash to pay for
it, he said, referencing the fact that U.S. exporters are prohibited by the rules of the trade
embargo from extending credit to Cuban buyers, but Brazilian exporters are not.The first step
to increasing trade is making financing possible, the governor said.
I think theres really some opportunity there, he said, adding that he is excited to visit Cuba
next week.Former Gov. Mike Beebe also advocated increased trade with Cuba and visited the
country in 2009.Mondays donation to the Arkansas Rice Foundation will provide 1.1 million
servings of rice to needy families in the state. The participating rice mills are Cormier Rice Mill
of DeWitt, Windmill Rice of Jonesboro, Riceland Foods of Stuttgart, Producers Rice Mill of
Stuttgart, Riviana Foods of Carlisle and Specialty Rice of Brinkley.
The Arkansas rice industry is pleased to partner with the Arkansas Rice Depot to fight hunger in
Arkansas, Arkansas Rice Council President Steve Orlicek said in a statement. We are proud to
produce a quality food supply in our own backyards that can be used to help feed our neighbors
and hungry families across the state.Arkansas Rice Depot President and CEO Kim Aaron said,
I cant express how grateful we are for the Arkansas rice industrys generous donation. Rice is
such a staple across the globe, but we are fortunate to have local growers to donate such a
versatile product for us to put into backpacks and pantries.
The Arkansas Rice Depot is a statewide food bank that works with 600 Arkansas hunger relief
programs including food pantries, school food programs, disaster relief organizations and a
statewide hunger hot line.Arkansas is the top rice-producing state in the nation. The rice industry
contributes more than $6 billion annually to the states economy and employs nearly 25,000
Arkansans, according to the Arkansas Rice Federation.This year, Arkansas farmers will produce
more than 50 percent of the nations rice for the first time in history, the federation said
http://arkansasnews.com/news/arkansas/excited-about-cuba-trip-hutchinson-tells-rice-growers#sthash.JqGmVhEq.dpuf

Arkansas Farm Bureau Daily Commodity Report

A comprehensive daily commodity market report for Arkansas agricultural commodities with
cash markets, futures and insightful analysis and commentary from Arkansas Farm Bureau
commodity analysts.

Daily Global

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Noteworthy benchmark price levels of interest to farmers and ranchers, as well as long-term
commodity market trends which are developing. Daily fundamental market influences and
technical factors are noted and discussed.
Soybeans
High Low
Cash Bids 904

818

New Crop 893

824

Riceland Foods

Cash Bids Stuttgart: - - -

Pendleton: - - -

New Crop Stuttgart: - - -

Pendleton: - - -

Futures:

Daily Global

High

Low

Last

Change

Nov '15 873.50

861.00

861.75

-12.50

Jan '16 878.00

866.00

866.50

-12.25

Mar '16 882.00

870.50

871.00

-11.25

May '16 884.50

873.75

874.25

-10.75

Jul '16 890.50

878.75

879.25

-10.50

Aug '16 889.25

878.25

878.75

-10.25

Sep '16 874.25

872.50

871.00

-9.75

Nov '16 878.00

867.75

868.25

-9.75

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Jan '17 877.00

875.00

874.50

-9.25

Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Soybean Comment
Soybeans closed lower today as yesterdays stronger exports were not enough to sustain gains.
The outlook for this year continues to point towards large soybean supplies both here in the U.S.
and in South America. While exports have picked up recently they remain well below their
normal pace which will be a negative for prices until such time sales pick up.

Wheat
High Low
Cash Bids --

--

New Crop 504

479

Futures:

High

Low

Dec '15 496.75

488.25

495.50

-1.25

Mar '16 503.75

496.00

502.75

-1.25

May '16 521.25

501.25

507.50

-1.25

Jul '16 512.00

504.75

511.50

-1.25

Sep '16 520.00

514.50

520.00

-1.25

Dec '16 534.50

527.25

534.00

-0.50

544.50

-0.25

Mar '17
Daily Global

Last Change

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May '17
Jul '17 525.00

525.00

543.25

-0.25

524.75

-0.25

Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Wheat Comment
Wheat prices were lower today; however prices were able to close well off the daily low. Prices
continue to trend lower as slow demand remains a drag on prices.

Grain Sorghum
High Low
Cash Bids 395

353

New Crop 395

370

Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops

Corn
High Low
Cash Bids 394

335

New Crop 370

345

Daily Global

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All About Rice News

Futures:

High

Low

Last Change

Dec '15 384.50

377.25

380.50

-4.00

Mar '16 395.75

388.75

392.25

-3.75

May '16 403.50

396.25

399.50

-4.00

Jul '16 408.25

401.50

404.75

-4.25

Sep '16 402.50

396.50

398.75

-5.00

Dec '16 409.00

402.50

404.75

-4.75

Mar '17 416.00

414.25

414.75

-4.75

May '17 418.50

418.25

420.75

-4.75

Jul '17 425.00

424.00

424.50

-4.75

Arkansas Daily Grain Report

FOB Memphis Elevator Crops
Corn Comment
Corn prices closed lower today as the market again came under harvest pressure. There remains
uncertainty surrounding the size of this years crop and while positive demand news yesterday
supported prices it was not enough to sustain gains. Corn remains near support at $3.80 and well
off of contract lows near $3.57. The upside remains limited as both supply and demand remain
uncertain.

Cotton
Futures:

Daily Global

High

Low

Last Change

Oct '15 60.68

58.57

58.73

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-1.02

All About Rice News

Dec '15 60.87

59.86

60

-0.79

Mar '16 60.65

59.76

59.89

-0.74

Memphis, TN Cotton and Tobacco Programs

Cotton Comment
Cotton futures posted their third new contract low in a row today. General economic concerns
and harvest pressure continue to weigh on prices. With the ending stocks estimate continuing to
climb thanks to higher production, weaker demand will only make the balance sheet worse for
cotton prices. December is testing the water at 60 cents.

Rice
High Low
Long Grain Cash Bids - - -

---

Long Grain New Crop - - -

---

Futures:

Daily Global

High

Low

Last Change

Nov '15 1285.0

1269.0

1274.5

-6.0

Jan '16 1312.5

1297.0

1303.0

-6.0

Mar '16 1325.5

1325.5

1324.5

-6.5

May '16

1343.5

-6.0

Jul '16

1359.0

-7.0

Sep '16

1284.5

-6.0

Nov '16

1284.5

-6.0

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Rice Comment
Rice futures were lower again today and futures are testing the steep uptrend of the past few
weeks. The trendline for November is currently at $12.73, just below the day's low. Reports of
disappointing yields across the south coupled with smaller acreage has fueled the recent rally.
November continues to have resistance at $13, while January has resistance at $13.34.

Cattle
Futures:
Live Cattle:

Feeders:

Daily Global

High

Low

Last

Change

Oct '15 137.400

135.375

135.475

-1.525

Dec '15 140.325

138.100

138.225

-1.525

Feb '16 140.950

138.750

138.900

-1.450

Apr '16 139.600

137.525

137.575

-1.425

Jun '16 130.900

129.000

129.100

-1.375

Aug '16 128.875

127.125

127.125

-1.350

Oct '16 131.600

129.750

129.750

-1.575

Dec '16 132.275

131.200

131.200

-1.475

Feb '17 131.125

131.025

131.025

-1.350

Low

Last

Change

Sep '15 197.375

195.075

195.675

+0.975

Oct '15 188.675

186.400

186.725

-0.950

Nov '15 185.975

183.525

183.700

-1.350

High

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Jan '16 180.225

177.750

178.025

-1.225

Mar '16 178.000

175.575

175.625

-1.400

Apr '16 178.375

176.125

176.125

-1.250

May '16 177.900

175.650

177.375

+0.375

Aug '16 178.525

176.650

176.775

-1.225

Arkansas Prices
Ft. Smith Livestock Auction
Heber Springs Livestock Auction
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City - Feeder Cattle Auction Weighted Average Report
Cattle Comment
Cattle prices closed lower today ending hopes of sustained follow through from Fridays USDA
report. Weakness in outside markets combined with a stronger dollar continues to fuel concerns
over demand for beef products.

Hogs
Futures:

Daily Global

High

Low

Last

Change

Oct '15 71.850

70.750

71.000

-0.625

Dec '15 65.200

64.325

64.800

-0.175

Feb '16 69.400

68.750

69.325

+0.100

Apr '16 72.900

72.225

72.750

-0.025

May '16 77.700

77.200

77.600

+0.100

Jun '16 80.775

80.125

80.550

-0.100

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Jul '16 79.875

79.400

79.650

-0.150

Aug '16 79.250

78.850

78.925

-0.050

Oct '16 67.825

67.625

67.625

-0.125

Hog Comment

Shell Eggs
Daily Midwest Regional Eggs
Daily New York Eggs
National Turkeys
Weekly Weighted Average Prices for Whole Young Turkeys
Delmarva Broilers
Daily Southern Broiler/Fryers
http://www.arfb.com/ag-markets-statistics/report/

Farmers plea for debt relief if second rice crop again banned
22 Sep 2015 at 15:32

A paddy crop wilts as the ground dries and cracks due to lack of water in Suphan Buri's
Doembang Nangbuat district. (Bangkok Post file photo)
A farmers' leader has called for an interest-free debt moratorium of 5-10 years if the government
bans the planting of a second rice crop for the third time this year.Thai Farmers Association
chairman Wichian Puanglamjiak on Tuesday said if the the government asks farmers not
to plant second-crop rice during this period, by citing drought, it would be bad news for
planters. Many farmers did not want to obey the ban if it were imposed, he said.
However, they would not stage street protests as they feared drastic legal action by the military
government.What they would do was submit a petition to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and
his government, appealing for understanding and help, the farmers' leader said.It would be the
third time this year if the ban on off-season rice crops is imposed, he said. Without a rice crop,
farmers had no way to earn their living.Switching to other alternative crops as suggested by the
government would not work as prices of many other crops were falling, Mr Wichian said.

Daily Global

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Thai Farmers Association chairman Wichian Puanglamjiak on Tuesday urges the government to
declare a debt moratorium of 5-10 years for rice farmers. (Photo by Sunthon Pongpao)
He appealed to the government to declare an interest-free debt moratorium of 5-10 years for
farmers.Agriculture Minister Chatchai Sarikulya said earlier he would propose to the cabinet a
ban on planting a second crop of rice on 15 million rai of fields because the water shortage is
even more serious than previously estimated.
Water reserves were expected to total 3.6 million cubic metres at the end of the rainy season on
Oct 31, which was an inadequate amount for farming, said Gen Chatchai.The Agriculture
Ministry would also propose that the cabinet set up a national committee to manage the situation.
Ministries in charge of government projects must also be instructed to hire farmers so they have
some income.The ban would mean many farmers will not have been allowed grow rice for
most of the 2015 crop year. This involves 870,000 rai that have not been farmed, and the 15
million rai on which planting would be prohibited.

link:http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/702712/farmers-plea-for-debt-relief-if-secondrice-crop-again-banned.

Daily Global

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