15th June (Monday), 2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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June 15 ,2015
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California rice plantings down 32 percent - 375,000 acres

Estimate based on seed sales
Jun 13, 2015Todd Fitchette | Western Farm Press
California rice plantings down 32 percent - 375,000 acres
Planted California rice acreage estimate based on seed sales
Additional water curtailments could impact harvested acres more than first suspected
Impacts of reduced rice water will be seen in local economies and to wildlife
Rice fields like this one just north of Sacramento, Calif. support a host of jobs an economic activities, including Farm AIr Flying
Service just across the canal from this rice field.
The California Rice Commission (CRC) expects crop plantings at 375,000 acres this year, down
from the annual 550,000 average - or a 32-percent reduction, largely tied to the ongoing extreme
drought.
The CRC prediction came just days before the State Water Resources Control Board began another
round of closing irrigation taps to farmers. Actual harvested acreage could be vastly different with
water curtailments now extending to senior water rights holders. Many have already made planting
decisions that could require them to walk away from crops leading to dead plants.The planted rice
estimate is solely based on seed sales, according to Tim Johnson, CRC president.Mike Daddow, a
grower of rice in the Sacramento, Natomas and Nicolaus areas, hopes to plant 450 acres of rice this
season. He typically plants about 600 acres of medium grain, short grain and sweet rice.The loss of
water has also impacted the custom farming that he does. He expects to be down about 300 acres in
custom farming work this year.The loss of rice land not

only impacts whole economies in the northern San Joaquin
and southern Sacramento valleys of California. It also
means lost habitat for millions of birds and other
wildlife.Were managing water for a lot of purposes here,
says David Guy, president of the Northern California Water
Association, an organization whose mission is to advance
the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the
Sacramento Valley by enhancing and preserving its water
rights, supplies and water quality.
http://westernfarmpress.com/rice/california-rice-plantings-down-32-percent-375000-acres
NFA wants private sector to participate in rice importation

By Czeriza Valencia (The Philippine Star) | Updated June 14, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) is inviting the private sector to participate in
the importation of an aggregate volume of 805,200 metric tons (MT) of rice under the Minimum Access
Volume (MAV) for this year.The total importation volume comprises 755, 200 MT of country-specific
quota (CSQ) and 50,000 MT of omnibus origin volume.The CSQ is broken down as follows: China,
50,000 MT; India, 50,000 MT; Pakistan, 50,000 MT; Australia 15,000 MT; El Salvador 4,000 MT;
Thailand 293,100 MT; and Vietnam 293,100 MT.In its bid invitation published in The STAR on Friday,
NFA stated that each application for importation under the 2015 MAV shall cover a volume of not more
than 20,000 MT.
All rice imported under the 2015 MAV rice importation program shall be levied with a tariff of 35 percent
to be paid in advance to the Land Bank of the Philippines, with the Bureau of Customs making the final
assessment and valuation.Importers are allowed to import well-milled rice with quality not lower than 25
percent brokens or other special rice varieties. The NFA shall accept applications for importation under
the 2015 MAV 15 days from publication of the notice beginning yesterday. Interested parties should
submit pertinent documents to the Grains Marketing Operations Department at the NFA central office in
Quezon City and pay a non-refundable processing fee of P50,000.Corporations, partnerships, sole
proprietorship, farmers cooperatives and joint ventures can apply under the program. Importers should be
able to deliver the imported rice on or before Nov. 30, 2015.The Philippines agreed last year to increase
the volume of rice imports at a reduced tariff of 35 percent to 805,200 MT from 350,000 MT in exchange
for the extension of its special tax treatment on rice by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Within the MAV scheme, rice importers enjoy a lower tariff beginning this year until 2017.As Southeast
Asian economies attain full integration this year, Filipino rice farmers would be pitted against agricultural
powerhouses like Thailand and Vietnam, which can easily bring in rice to the Philippines at low
tariff.Thus, the government is grooming rice growers to increase production and improve the quality of
produce to maximize the benefits of free trade within the region.
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The opening of the 2015 MAV rice importation program sees the Philippines importing nearly two
million MT of rice this year as the prevailing dry spell is expected to reduce rice production this year.In
February, NFA awarded the supply contract for a total of 500,000 MT of rice to Vietnam and Thailand,
which delivered in March and April.The agency also approved the importation of 250,000 MT for arrivals
between July to August and the importation of a standby supply of 250,000 MT.Earlier, the Department
of Agriculture revised this years palay production target to 19.02 million MT from the original target of
20 million MT as the prevailing dry spell is expected to cause delays in planting
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/06/14/1465664/nfa-wants-private-sector-participate-riceimportation
PHL reissues tender for 100,000-MT rice imports

THE NATIONAL Food Authority (NFA) said yesterday it has reissued a tender to import an additional
100,000 metric tons (MT) of rice as it seeks to boost its buffer stock ahead of the lean harvest season in
the country beginning July.
The tender is again open only to the governments of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, with sealed bids
to be opened on June 16, the NFA said in a statement.It comes after June 5 bidding that saw the NFA
agreeing to buy 150,000 MT of rice, with Vietnam winning the deal against Thailand. Cambodia did not
submit a bid. The NFA had planned to import as much as 250,000 MT of 25% broken white rice via the
June 5 tender, but the initial price offers were higher than its budget.
Vietnam had agreed to revise its bid but for only 150,000 MT while Thailand had backed out in the
second round of bidding.Vietnam, the Philippines traditional main supplier, last week cut its export price
floor for 25% broken rice by 2.9% to $340/MT amid a lack of fresh buying demand.Dry weather brought
by the current El Nio weather episode has prompted the Philippines, one of the worlds top rice
importers, to further cut its estimated output of the staple grain in the second quarter. The NFA already
has government approval to buy another 250,000 MT later this year if drought brought on by El Nio
hurts its harvest. -- Reuters
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=phl-reissues-tender-for-100000-mtrice-imports&id=109660
Gov't to try to import rice again

ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 06/15/2015 1:03 PM
MANILA - Government is taking a second shot at importing rice ahead of the lean season that
starts next month after failing to buy as much as it wanted two weeks ago.A report from Reuters
said the Philippines will invite bids for 100,000 tons of rice from Thailand, Vietnam, and
Cambodia.Government bought 150,000 tons from Vietnam earlier this month when it wanted to
buy 250,000 from any or all of the three countries.The Philippines needs to import rice as dry
weather from El Nino cuts local production, raising the possibility of shortages.A failure to
import last year resulted in a spike in rice prices and general inflation. ANC
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/06/15/15/govt-try-import-rice-again
Mekong Delta farmers well profit from summer autumn rice

Farmers earn a profit of VND10-15
million (US$459-688) per hectare
of summer autumn rice crop which
is amid peak harvest time in the
Mekong Delta.On Sunday, traders
paid VND4,100-4,200 a kilogram
of fresh normal rice and
VND4,400-4,600 a kilogram of
fresh long grain variety in Dong
Thap, Hau Giang and Vinh Long
provinces and Can Tho city.Farmer
Vo Van Rot from Can Tho said that
he had reaped one hectare of
summer autumn rice and sold them
out at VND4,500 a kilogram to
pocket VND14 million.According
to departments of agriculture and
rural development in the delta, the rice price is not high but farmers still profit from bumper crop and high
productivity.The Vietnam Food Association reported that businesses have exported over 2.1 million tons
of rice worth US$874.9 million in the first five months this year.
Farmers harvest rice in Thoi Lai district, Can Tho (Photo: SGGP)
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/2015/6/114132/
Pakistani rice exporters seek enhanced trade

GROUP PHOTO: Members of the REAP delegation led by Rafique Suleman, third from right, with
Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar Shahzad Ahmad, centre, front row.
Photo: Umer Nangiana
By Umer Nangiana
Pakistan being an agro-based economy has natural abundance of all agricultural products
including food items. Rice is the third largest crop after wheat and cotton.Grown over 10% of the
total cropped area, rice is highly valued cash crop and is also major export item. It accounts for
6.7% in value-added agriculture and 1.6% in GDP. Pakistan grows enough high quality rice to
meet both domestic demand and allow for exports of around one million ton per annum.The
country has been consistently exporting its high quality rice to Qatar for many years. In 2011-12,
Pakistan exported over 50,000 metric ton of Basmati rice for over US$50 million besides more
than 36,000 metric ton of non-Basmati rice worth more than US$21 million.
However, the trend in exports went downwards from there on and only 15,000 metric ton of
Basmati rice was exported to Qatar from Pakistan between July 2014 and May 2015.A
delegation comprising leading rice exporters from Pakistan members of Rice Exporters
Association of Pakistan (REAP) is in town, seeking enhanced export of Pakistani rice to
Qatar. Led by Rafique Suleman, the Chairman of REAP, the delegation was invited to Qatar by
the Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar Shahzad Ahmad.
During the two-day visit, the delegation met with representatives of leading rice importing
companies in Qatar and officials of the Government of Qatar, facilitated by the Embassy of
Pakistan.Trade in rice with Qatar has been really good till 2010 but then it dropped for some
reasons, Suleman told Community at a dinner reception hosted by the Ambassador of Pakistan
at his residence here recently.We are here to determine the reasons for that drop and would try
get the problems fixed in order to bring the rice import to Qatar from Pakistan back to its high
once again, the delegation leader added.
He praised the efforts of the ambassador and urged him to provide continued support to the
Pakistani exporters, assuring him that Pakistan has the potential to export large quantity of good
quality rice to Qatar.We have all latest laboratories available in Pakistan to test rice for any
standards applicable in the world at present. We export almost 4 million ton of rice to different
parts of the world and are 4th largest exporters in the world, said Suleman.He said they just
needed a bit of support from the Qatari government and the exporters of rice in Pakistan are
capable of enhancing the current rate of rice export to Qatar from Pakistan to almost US$100
million.
He hoped to hold a meeting with the officials of Central Tenders Committee (CTC) in Qatar that
floats the tenders for import of rice for local companies in Qatar. The delegation leader said they
would urge the CTC to include Pakistans name in the list of countries as Pakistan origin, to
facilitate the import of rice by local companies directly from Pakistan.Our Basmati rice is
considered as best in the world. It sells at top price in United Kingdom (UK), United States of
America (USA) and many other countries. We know that the market in Qatar is almost 100,000
ton of rice and we can deliver this quantity, said the delegation leader.He said the REAP
delegation went to Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines before arriving in Qatar. From there, they
would head to Bahrain before proceeding to China and Britain.
We have more than 30 qualities of rice in Pakistan and the non-Basmati variety is our biggest
export. The delegations mission is to gain contracts directly from countries governments so that
the exports of top-quality Pakistani rice can be increased manifold to [its full potential].The
REAP delegation includes prominent exporters of rice and other agriculture products from all
over Pakistan.In 1988-89, REAP came into existence and started interacting with the Ministry of
Commerce and Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock and also the Planning Division of
the Government of Pakistan. It is, Suleman said, the second largest export trade body registered
with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of Pakistan. It has an active
membership of 1,500 throughout the country.
http://www.gulf-times.com/culture/238/details/443247/pakistani-rice-exporters-seek-enhanced-trade
650,000 tons of stockpiled Thai rice declared rotten, to be

used as fuel
BY EDITOR ON
2015-06-15 THAILAND
PWO: 650,000 tons of stockpiled rice declared rotten, to be used as fuel

BANGKOK, 15 June 2015, (NNT) The Public Warehouse Organization (PWO) is working with police
regarding the inferior rice in its stock, which totals one million tons.Of this amount, 650,000 tons are unfit
for both human and animal consumption, as well as ethanol production. They can however used as fuel in
electricity generation.300,000 tons are an 80:20 mix of good quality rice and Grade C rice, and the
remaining 54,000 tons are white rice mislabeled as jasmine and sticky rice.PWO Chairman Jintana
Chaiyawonnagal estimated the police investigation would be completed within this month, after which the
organization can sell its stock for various purposes.
http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/650000-tons-of-stockpiled-thai-rice-declared-rotten-to-be-used-asfuel/97794/
Paddy farmers dues to be paid in 15 days

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SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Paddy farmers will be paid their dues within 15 days, Minister for Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob
said here on Saturday.He was cited in a press release from the Public Relations Department as
saying that Rs. 275 crore was due to the farmers for the paddy procured last season. The Kerala
State Civil Supplies Corporation will avail a loan of Rs. 225 crore to meet the outgo. The
remaining portion of the dues, Rs. 50 crore, would be provided by the State government, the
press release added. Supplyco has already completed payment to paddy farmers in six districts in
the State.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/paddy-farmers-dues-to-be-paid-in-15days/article7314491.ece
Thailand asks rice farmers to delay wet season planting

BANGKOK, JUNE 15
Thailand has asked rice farmers to delay planting their main crop in the fertile Chao Phraya
River Basin area as the country battles drought in dozens of provinces, the agriculture ministry
said on Monday.Thailand is one of the world's top rice exporters, and despite the drought the
U.S. Department of Agriculture expects output to nudge up in 2015-2016 from the previous year.
The wet or monsoon season has begun but 22 out of 76 provinces are still contending with
drought conditions, affecting around 7.45 million hectares of rice farm land, said Agriculture
Minister Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya.That's around 80 percent of the land dedicated to rice
farming during the wet season, according to Reuters calculations."The agriculture ministry and
irrigation department have requested that farmers delay rice planting in the Chao Phraya area
because the Chao Phraya area is a large rice growing area... and we need to organise the water
that is being used," Petipong told reporters in Bangkok.Farmers had begun planting rice in May
over 3.44 million hectares of land.
The government has urged farmers to suspend planting in the remaining 4 million hectares, he
said.Reservoirs in some areas remain low.The Chao Phraya, Thailand's main river, flows south
through the central rice-growing region and on to Bangkok.The basin is the most important in
Thailand, covers 30 percent of the country's land area and is home to 40 percent of its
population, according to the United Nations.Deputy government spokesman Sansern
Kaewkamnerd said there was a prospect of drought conditions worsening."It is expected that the
drought this year may be worse than last year so we ask all parties not to be complacent and for
our farmer brothers to delay planting their crops," he said.Thailand's military government has
said it plans to invest $7.5 billion in urgent water management projects over the next two
years.The projects are part of a 10-year water management plan across the country after the
military government scrapped a 350-billion baht ($10.4 billion) water plan initiated by the
previous government.The USDA expects Thailand to produce around 19.8 million tonnes of
milled rice in the 2015-2016 crop year, up from 18.8 million in 2014-2015 as farmers improve
yields. ($1 = 33.7100 baht) (Reporting by Pracha Hariraksapitak; Writing by Amy Sawitta
Lefevre; Editing by Simon Webb and Ed Davies)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/15/thailand-rice-drought-idUSL3N0Z12HX20150615
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Paddy sowing begins in Punjab, Haryana

Chandigarh, June 15
IANS
Paddy transplantation has started in food grain states Punjab and Haryana, agriculture department officials
in both states said on Monday.The transplantation is likely to continue for the next 15-20 days.Both state
governments had issued a ban on farmers from sowing paddy before June 15.Punjab Agriculture Minister
Tota Singh reviewed arrangements for the crop sowing on Monday and issued instructions to power
department officials to ensure eight-hour power supply to farmers in the state."The state government is
fully prepared to meet the challenge of deficit monsoon and the irrigation department has been directed to
run all canals to the full capacity so that farmers at tail end could get full water supply for their crop," the
minister said here.
The paddy crop requires constant watering of agricultural fields for the first few weeks.The Punjab
government has been urging farmers to shift from the wheat-paddy crop cycle. Farmers are being offered
schemes to diversify especially from cultivating paddy since the crop requires lot of watering and power
supply.Under its agriculture diversification mission to conserve depleting ground water, the Punjab
government has announced that area under water-gulping paddy cultivation will be cut from the present
26.50 lakh hectare to 14.50 lakh hectare.The reduced area of 12 lakh hectare is being shifted to alternative
crops like maize, sugarcane, cotton, pulses, fruits and vegetables, besides agro-forestry in next five years,
said an official spokesperson of the agriculture department.
http://www.newkerala.com/news/2015/fullnews-73872.html
CORRECTED-Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Jun 15

Mon Jun 15, 2015 2:56pm IST
(CORRECTED-Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Jun 15)

Nagpur, June 15 Gram and tuar prices recovered in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and
Marketing Committee (APMC) here on increased demand from local millers amid thin supply
from
producing regions. Notable rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and fresh enquiries from South-based
millers also jacked up prices, according to sources.
*
FOODGRAINS & PULSES

GRAM
* Gram varieties moved down in open market here on lack of demand from local traders
amid release of stock from stockists.
TUAR
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* Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here matching the demand and supply
position.
* Moong varieties declined sharply in open market here on poor demand from local
traders amid good supply from producing regions. Government decision to import
pulses also affected prices.
* In Akola, Tuar - 7,300-7,700, Tuar dal - 10,100-10,500, Udid at 9,100-9,600,
Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,700-11,100, Moong - 9,000-9,200, Moong Mogar
(clean) 10,700-11,100, Gram - 4,200-4,500, Gram Super best bold - 6,100-6,300
for 100 kg.
* Wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market in poor trading
activity, according to sources.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
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FOODGRAINS
Available prices Previous close
Gram Auction
3,560-4,560
3,500-4,490
Gram Pink Auction
n.a.
2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction
6,500-7,210
6,500-7,150
Moong Auction
n.a.
6,000-6,300
Udid Auction
n.a.
4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction
n.a.
2,600-2,800
Gram Super Best Bold
5,800-6,000
6,000-6,200
Gram Super Best
n.a.
Gram Medium Best
5,500-5,600
5,500-5,900
Gram Dal Medium
n.a.
n.a.
Gram Mill Quality
5,200-5,400
5,500-5,650
Desi gram Raw
4,400-4,450
4,500-4,550
Gram Filter new
5,600-5,800
5,800-6,000
Gram Kabuli
5,500-7,000
5,500-5,700
Gram Pink
6,400-6,600
6,400-6,600
Tuar Fataka Best
10,500-10,800
10,500-10,800
Tuar Fataka Medium
9,900-10,300
9,900-10,300
Tuar Dal Best Phod
9,500-9,700
9,500-9,700
Tuar Dal Medium phod
8,800-9,300
8,800-9,300
Tuar Gavarani New
7,400-7,500
7,400-7,500
Tuar Karnataka
8,000-8,100
8,000-8,100
Tuar Black
11,000-11,300
11,000-11,300
Masoor dal best
8,000-8,200
8,000-8,200
Masoor dal medium
7,500-7,900
7,500-7,900
Masoor
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Mogar bold
10,500-10,800
10,800-11,000
Moong Mogar Medium best
9,800-10,300
10,000-10,500
Moong dal Chilka
9,200-9,600
9,400-9,700
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Moong Mill quality

n.a.
n.a.
Moong Chamki best
9,600-9,900
9,600-9,900
Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 11,500-11,750
11,500-11,750
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 10,600-10,800
10,600-10,800
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
8,900-9,200
8,900-9,200
Batri dal (100 INR/KG)
4,200-4,400
4,200-4,400
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)
3,300-3,350
3,300-3,350
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)
3,400-3,500
3,400-3,500
Watana White (100 INR/KG)
3,100-3,150
3,100-3,150
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,600-4,500
3,600-4,500
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,600
1,400-1,600
Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,550-1,650
1,550-1,650
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,600
1,400-1,600
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,200-2,400
2,200-2,400
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 1,900-2,100
1,900-2,100
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a.
n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,600
3,100-3,600
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,700-2,900
2,700-2,900
Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,500
1,400-1,500
Wheat Best (100 INR/KG)
1,900-2,100
1,900-2,100
Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG)
2,600-2,800
2,600-2,800
Rice BPT (100 INR/KG)
2,900-3,100
2,900-3,100
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)
1,500-1,750
1,500-1,750
Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)
2,100-2,300
2,100-2,300
Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,700
2,400-2,700
Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG)
3,000-3,600
3,000-3,600
Rice HMT (100 INR/KG)
3,700-4,100
3,700-4,100
Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500
4,200-4,500
Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,900
4,400-4,900
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,200-10,200
8,200-10,200
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,000-7,200
6,000-7,200
Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 4,600-4,800
4,700-4,900
Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)
5,400-5,900
5,500-6,000
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
2,200-2,450
2,200-2,450
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)
2,500-2,600
2,500-2,600
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WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 34.7 degree Celsius (94.5 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
23.8 degree Celsius (74.8 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : 5.2 mm
FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely towards evening or night.
Maximum and minimum temperature would be around and 36 and 24 degree Celsius
respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
12
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)
http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/06/15/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N0Z138I20150615
RDA seeks rice boards revival

June 15, 2015
HAFIZABAD
The Rice Dealers Association (RDA) has called upon the Federal government to revive Rice
Board to steer out rice trade from crisis and earn precious foreign exchange for the country.
Addressing a press conference, Rice Dealers Association (RDA) Punjab president Haji Sheikh
Muhammad Ishaq said that superior-quality rice of Pakistan used to export and earn billion of
rupees as foreign exchange every year in the past. But due to abolition of Rice Board and
unrealistic policies, the rice stock of last two years has been rotting in warehouses owing to
which rice rates in the current season has plummet to the prices of paddy. This scenario has
caused multiple problems for all the stakeholders and inflicted huge financial losses on
cultivators, rice dealers, millers and exporters alike, he regretted.
He urged the government to ensure export of coarse rice to China and Super Basmati to Iran. He
further said that rice millers were unable to even pay mark-up to banks. He called upon the
government to take appropriate steps for the export of rice to save dealers/millers/exporters from
further losses. He also demanded prompt support prices for different verities of paddy so as to
provide incentives to the paddy growers. CITIZENS OPPOSE BAZAAR: The TMA and District
Administration have decided to arrange Ramazan Bazaar in front of TMA Office near Fawara
Chowk. Scores of local, political, social and commercial organisations have disapproved the
decision to arrange Ramazan Bazaar in one of the busiest roads near Fawara Chowk and have
called upon the authorities to review its decision for smooth flow of traffic on this busiest
road. They suggested to arrange the Ramazan Bazar in old Sabzi Mandi which were lying
deserted and is a safe place for the proposed bazaar.
http://nation.com.pk/national/15-Jun-2015/rda-seeks-rice-board-s-revival
Rice mills owners to initiate nationwide protest

June 14, 2015
ISLAMABAD
12
The Pakistan Rice Mills Association has announced nationwide protest to draw attention of the
authorities to the plight of collapsing sector linked to thousands of jobs and two billion dollars of
annual exports.Rice millers have decided to stop purchasing paddy from growers and lock the
mills putting thousands of jobs and billions of bank loans in jeopardy.President Pakistan Rice
Mills Association Mukhtar Ahmed Khan Baloch said this while talking to Dr. Murtaza Mughal,
President Pakistan Economy Watch.
13
He said that an emergency meeting of three thousand owners of rice mills has been summoned at
Kamonki where plan for sit-in in front of the Parliament and other details would be
finalised.Baloch said that authorities have turned a deaf ear to the plight of this sector as they are
focused on welfare of exporters only putting interests of planters and growers on the back
burner.Government needs to bail out sinking rice sector responsible for over two billion dollars
of exports, largest outside textiles, otherwise country may lose export market to neighbouring
country.He said that Pakistan is fourth largest exporter of rice and millions of jobs are linked to
that critical sector which merits full attention of the policy makers.
Baloch said that situation is turning against
Pakistan and in favour of India which has
introduced its own brand lacking aroma but
increased in length. Indian rice is cheaper due to
hidden subsidies which has resulting in lost
Iranian and Middle Eastern markets.He said that
some 3000 rice mills are facing problems while
those 1000 are on the brink that have failed to sell
rice in last two years.At the occasion, Dr. Murtaza
Mughal said that exporters are not cooperating
with millers to cope with the problem while
government is ignoring the critical issue.He said
that the steps taken for rice sector in the budget are insufficient, adding that TCP should buy rice
from millers for export, their mark-up should be waived and rice mills should be declared sick
industry.
http://nation.com.pk/business/14-Jun-2015/rice-mills-owners-to-initiate-nationwide-protest
Main rice crop delay ordered as water dries up

15 Jun 2015 at 16:24
WRITER: POST REPORTERS
The flow of water into the Chao Phraya dam in Chai Nat province keeps falling and authorities are
instructing rice farmers to delay planting their main crop until next month. (Photo by Chudate
Seehawong)
13
Rice growers who have not started their main crop are being instructed to delay planting until next month,
or see their crops shrivel in the fields as they fight over the increasingly scarce water supply.Deputy
government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Monday that farmers should postpone planting
crops that require excessive amounts of water.Farmers who did not follow the instruction would see their
crops wither as the water supply dried up.He asked for cooperation in conserving water not only from
farmers but also households, which were asked to cease activities that consume a lot of water, such as
operating home swimming pools."The government asks the governors of all provinces to persuade people
to save water to protect their own living and to keep water in the reservoirs so that the Royal Irrigation
14
Department can supply farmland and the Chao Phraya river basin as planned."I believe that if all Thai
people cooperate, we can get through the water shortage crisis," Maj Gen Sansern said.
"The water shortage this year may be more severe than that of late last year. So everyone should
cooperate and must not be careless," he said.The Royal Irrigation Department reported that as of Monday
medium and large reservoirs held 34.495 billion cubic metres of water, or 46% of their total capacity, but
only 10.692 billion cubic metres could be used.Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong
Phuengboon Na Ayudhaya said farmers who had not planted their main crop rice should postpone doing
so until the end of July."The government does not want to see people fighting for water.
14
The main crop of rice is grown on 3.44 million rai in irrigated areas... To prevent damage, farmers who
have not yet planted their main crop are asked to delay it," Mr Pitipong said.Lertviroj Kowattana,
director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, admitted on Monday that it was difficult to manage
the water supply at this time.Suchart Charoensri, irrigation director in Manorom district of Chai Nat
province, said that unless those farmers who had not yet started their main crop delay planting, then both
previously and freshly sown paddy fields would all be damaged. He supervises irrigation in the eastern
side of the Chao Phraya River.Ekasit Sakdeethanaporn, director of the Chao Phraya dam, said the flow of
water into the dam was declining because farmers upstream were actively pumping water directly into
their paddy fields. Under these circumstances the remaining water would be enough for only 36 days of
consumption.About 1.2 million rai of paddy fields had not been planted this main crop season yet, he
said.Get full Bangkok Post printed newspaper experience on your digital devices with Bangkok Post enewspaper. Try it out, it's totally free for 7 days.
15
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/592997/main-rice-crop-delay-ordered-as-water-dries-up
APEDA (NEWS) India

International Benchmark Price
Price on: 12-06-2015
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
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)
4680
Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
2100
3200
Garlic
Ginger
Guar Gum Powder
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 13-06-2015
Domestic Prices
Product
15
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Dahod (Dahod)
Other
1200
1300
Barley (Jau)
1
16
Deoli (Rajasthan)
Other
1100
1150
Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh)
Other
1130
1130
Dhing (Assam)
Other
1320
1500
Amreli (Gujarat)
Other
1050
2430
Theni(Tamil Nadu)
Other
1350
1450
Bharuch (Gujarat)
Other
2000
5000
Bonai(Orissa)
Other
1000
1000
Zira(Punjab)
Other
2900
3100
Solan (Himachal Pradesh)
Other
1200
1800
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
2000
2000
Gumla (Jharkhand)
Other
3600
4000
Maize
Mango
Carrot
Source:agra-net
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 13-06-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
Ahmedabad
392
Chittoor
413
Hyderabad
377
Source: e2necc.com
16
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 12-06-2015
17
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
Onions Dry
High
Package: 50 lb sacks
Atlanta
California
Yellow
23
23
Baltimore
Arizona
Yellow
23
24
New York
Canada
Yellow
19
20
Cabbage
Package: 50 lb cartons
Atlanta
Florida
Round Green Type
14
14
Detroit
Michigan
Round Green Type
12
14
Miami
Canada
Round Green Type
11
12
Apples
Package: cartons tray pack
Atlanta
Virginia
Red Delicious
19
19
Baltimore
Washington
Red Delicious
20
22
Miami
Washington
Red Delicious
24
26
Source:USDA
Preempting Indian GI move

ASHFAK BOKHARI
A SENIOR vice-president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry has sought
the commerce ministers intervention in preventing India from getting its basmati rice registered as
Geographical Indication (GI) in the subcontinent in the name, style and title of basmati.If India succeeds
in its intent, Abdul Rahim Janoo says, it may deprive Pakistan of using the title of basmati for its basmati
rice which, in terms of value, happens to be the second highest export commodity after textiles. It is time,
he says, the ministry preempted Indian move in order to protect interests of Pakistani farmers who had
been growing the long-grained aromatic rice for centuries.
17
There is no denying the fact that India is currently in a hurry to get its basmati registered as a GI.
A. K. Gupta, director of the state-run Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export
Development Agency (Apeda), a wing of the commerce ministry, says We must have the GI for
basmati before others start claiming.The GI registration should be seen from a national interest
perspective, as Pakistan is also claiming rights over basmati. His attitude shows that the idea of
a joint registration of basmati as a Geographical Indication is no more on table.However, it is
18
Apedas legal battles with Madhya Pradesh which is delaying the process. The two have been
locked in a dispute on whether the basmati grown in parts of the state has the characteristics of
original basmati, claimed for inclusion in GI registry.
Apeda is defending the GI status of basmati grown in two districts of Jammu and Kashmir,
undivided Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. If Apeda
includes MP, other states will claim it, too. Three years ago, it was proposed that both India and
Pakistan apply for a joint GI but for various political and legal reasons, the plan was
dropped.One may note that the problem doesnt arise from any non-recognition by India of GI
rights of basmati being grown in areas of Pakistani Punjab such as Gujarat, Gujranwala, Sialkot,
Narowal, etc. The problem arises from lack of serious efforts on the part of bureaucracy to
resolve a serious issue. One can witness an indifferent attitude and a half-hearted approach in
pursuing negotiations with the Indians whenever the occasion came.To begin with, an obvious
deficiency Pakistan suffers from is the absence of GI registry in the country, nor is one planned
in the near future.
The argument advanced is that the GI-related work in Pakistan is too little, hence no need for
registry.Instead, trademark is seen a good substitute for GI and a trademark for basmati has been
granted to the Basmati Growers Association (BGA), investing it with exclusive ownership of the
commodity. But this has not been accepted by the European Union and some other
countries.Earlier it was in 2006 that talks on joint GI registration were initiated. Following
detailed discussions between the commerce secretaries of India and Pakistan, the two nations had
agreed to form a joint study group to explore the possibility of a joint registration of basmati as a
geographical indication.
The move also had the support of the All India Rice Exporters Association and the Rice
Exporters Association of Pakistan.Under WTO rules two countries can apply together for
registering a product or good as a GI under the homonymous provision.A year later a senior
official in Indian High Commission at Islamabad, told reporters that Indian Commerce Minister
Kamal Nath too had taken up the proposal of a joint GI registration of basmati with his Pakistani
counterpart Mr Humayun Akhtar but nothing came off.This non-response from Pakistan side
forced India to go ahead to claim intellectual property rights for super basmati which Pakistan
had been exporting to the EU and enjoying a good market position.
In May 2010, Apeda, which like BGA in Pakistan, is also invested with exclusive ownership of
basmati until the commodity is granted GI status, filed an application for registering the basmati
growing regions for grant of GI tag under the GI Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999.
On October 25, 2010, BGA served a notice to oppose Apedas move.In fact, the Lahore-based
BGA also opposed the grant of GI tag basmati to India in totality. It said in its appeal, Any
registration of basmati as GI under Indian statutes would be in clear violation of BGAs rights as
only the parties concerned in Pakistan are rightfully entitled to GI basmati.Four months later,
Apeda filed its counter statement.
18
Despite providing two extensions, BGA failed to provide evidence in support of its claims within
the stipulated period, according to India media. Apeda then moved an interlocutory petition
seeking directions to quash the opposition petition.The GI registry on December 31, 2013, set
19
aside BGAs petition. Meanwhile, the Chennai-based Intellectual Property Appellate Board on
March 30 this year allowed the appeal of Basmati Growers Association to contest the award of
GI tag for basmati rice to Madhya Pradesh to be heard sometime this month.
Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, June 15th, 2015
http://www.dawn.com/news/1188190/preempting-indian-gi-move
Southern parts of Pakistan to experience harsher droughts

JAMAL SHAHID
THIS map, released by the SASCOF, shows that except the northern parts of the country, most
of Pakistan will see below normal rainfall this year. International weather experts predict that
Pakistan may face harsher drought conditions than last year. -Photo courtesy of Al Mustafa
Welfare Trust
19
ISLAMABAD: International weather experts predict that Pakistan may face harsher drought
conditions than last year.Their prediction, reported by the South Asian Climate Forum
(SASCOF) after its yearly study of the altering climate in the region, has experts at home
worrying.We expect lesser rains in the southern half of the country, which is already in the grip
of drought-like conditions, chief of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Dr Ghulam Rasul,
told Dawn.The situation in Cholistan, Tharparkar and parts of Balochistan is likely to worsen,
he said, partly agreeing with the study.
20
A sub-regional arm of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the SASCOF is

dedicated to monsoon-specific predictions and monitoring the climate outlook needs of South
Asian countries. It has warned that the deficient summer monsoon could affect agriculture-based
economies in the region.Below normal rainfall is likely over broad areas of western, central and
southwestern parts of South Asia, said the seasonal outlook sketched by the climate experts,
drought managers and flood forecasters of the forum members who met in April.We, in
Pakistan, are looking at very less rain - about 20 to 25mm.
That may sound relief in severe drought
conditions but the relief will not be sustainable
due to the high evaporation rate of 10mm per
day, said the Met chief.Though the study
suggests normal showers in the northern
parts of the country, it brings no relief to the
worrying environmentalists. They say heavy
precipitation in Kashmir and upper Punjab and
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to cause flash
flooding as experienced last year.Hopes, in
fact, lay in flawed forecasts.It is not possible
to make 100 percent seasonal predictions. It is still a very big challenge, made more so by the
fast changing climate patterns around the world, said one expert.Which is why the amounts of
precipitation might look different later in the season. Only medium range forecast of seven to ten
days has attained sufficient accuracy, the expert added.
Indeed, Dr Rasul recalled that last year the month of September saw heavier than normal rains,
although the forum had predicted drier spells.Nonetheless, the Met chief sent out a warning to
the farming community, especially to rice growers.Experts would soon meet to analyse data
collected from the eight weather centres around the country to finalise seasonal forecast for
Pakistan.Meanwhile, we are also concerned about rice zones such as Sheikhupura, Gujranwala
and Sialkot because these areas will receive less rain. Farmers will have to irrigate their fields, a
challenging task, said Dr Rasul.Pakistan saw 30 to 60 percent less monsoon rains last year, and
has experienced 11 such episodes in the past.A deficient monsoon this year could significantly
impact agriculture and life pattern, particularly in Sindh which is also deficient in irrigation
system.Some of the worst drought events recorded by the Pakistan Meteorological Department
occurred in 1969 and 2002 when rainfalls decreased more than 90 percent. In 1987 and 1991, 75
percent less rain fell.
Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2015
Trade Mission Bolsters Export Opportunities

20
Preparing for an increased flow of U.S. rice

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA -- USA Rice participated in USDA Under Secretary Michael Scuse's
Agricultural Trade Mission to the Dominican Republic and Panama from May 31 to June 5. Nearly 20
21
U.S. agribusinesses/organizations and six state agriculture departments participated in order to expand
export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products in the region.
"Since the United States implemented trade agreements with the Dominican Republic and Panama, trade
has flourished," Scuse said. "U.S. market share in this region averages more than 40 percent, the highest
outside of Canada and Mexico." USA Rice met with almost a dozen companies that either currently
import U.S. rice or are interested in doing so soon. Both countries have tariff rate quotes (TRQs) which
limit the amount of U.S. rice that can enter duty free.
Those quotas will increase each year for the next ten years, when they are ultimately eliminated. Last
year, both Panama and the Dominican Republic imported U.S. rice above and beyond the TRQ levels,
indicating great interest in U.S. rice. "A strong preference for American goods and a quality image of
U.S. rice are prevalent in these two countries, indicating strong potential growth markets particularly once
rice is duty free," said Brian King, chairman of USA Rice's Western Hemisphere Promotion
Subcommittee. "In the meantime, USA Rice continues trade servicing efforts in Central America to
develop and strengthen relationships with rice importers and retailers."
Contact: Sarah Moran (703) 236-1457 USA Rice Millers' Association Announces New Chairman, Vice
Chairman
21
USA Rice Millers' Association Announces New Chairman,

Vice Chairman
Happy to serve: Alex Balafoutis (l) and Robert Trahan
22
WAILEA, HAWAII - Last week, the USA Rice Millers' Association (RMA) announced the election of
Robert Trahan of Falcon Rice Mill in Crowley, Louisiana, and Alex Balafoutis, Vice President of Sales
for the Rice Business Unit at PGP International in Woodland, California, as chairman and vice chairman,
respectively. Each will serve a two-year term that begins August 1, 2015.
Chairman-elect Trahan presented outgoing RMA Chairman Chris Crutchfield with a plaque to
commemorate his tenure. Trahan thanked Crutchfield for his outstanding service and dedication to the
organization. In accepting the plaque, Crutchfield said, "The RMA is more than a trade association - it is a
family. Our connections are strong and deep and long-standing. Outside of being a father and a husband,
the ability over the last two years to represent an industry full of people I respect and admire has been the
most rewarding and humbling experience of my life."
Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444
22
23
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Preliminary): Closing Rough Rice Futures for June 15
Month
Price
Net Change
July 2015
$9.775
+ $0.095
September 2015
$10.035
+ $0.090
November 2015
$10.305
+ $0.095
January 2016
$10.565
+ $0.095
March 2016
$10.760
+ $0.090
May 2016
$10.760
+ $0.090
July 2016
$10.760
+ $0.090
Basmati exports to Iran will pick up after October

TOMOJIT BASU
A view of Basmati rice field.
Teheran policy requiring Indian mills, exporters to register causing delay in shipments
NEW DELHI, JUNE 12:
First quarter numbers for basmati rice exports to Iran the biggest buyer, accounting for a fourth
of sales overseas are yet to be released, but industry sources say that volumes are likely to pick
up only after October even if issuance of import permits may be undertaken from July.
Policy hassles
23
The current delays are due to the Iranian governments policy of Indian units and exporters being
required to be registered with the Teherans Health and Medical Education Ministry. The process
can only be initiated by an Iranian importer, who has to furnish a list of intended exporters.The
24
main factor is the initiation of a new process which requires Indian mills to be assessed for good
manufacturing practices. They will be eligible to export to Iran and its a slow process, since few
units have got themselves registered so far, said R Sundaresan, Executive Director, All India
Rice Exporters Association (AIREA).
Exports to Iran are on, but not at the same quantity or speed as the same time last year. We
expect sales to pick up after October, since their own produce is available currently, he
added.While there is no guarantee of basmati sales gathering pace, the issuing of import licenses
should begin next month.A resumption of issuing import permits will take place after Ramadan,
which is in July, said AK Gupta, Director, Basmati Export Development Foundation,
APEDA.Iran stopped issuing authorisations last October which saw Indias basmati rice exports
slide from $1.4 billion in 2013-14 to $600 million last fiscal.By volume, exports fell from 1.44
million tonnes (mt) to 0.94 mt over the same period.
Importer cartel
24
Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh met with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Hojjati on
the sidelines of the UNs Food and Agriculture Organisation conference in Rome earlier this
week to enhance agri-cooperation and increase farm trade.Some domestic millers alleged that
political intervention in granting these import permits is partly responsible for dragging basmati
prices down to around $1,000/tonne from $1,400-1,500/tonne during the same period a year
ago.A syndicate has been created in Iran on the pretext that its easier to monitor quality of
Indian basmati.
There are 5-10 importers who work with a few exporters from here. Its skewing the market in
favour of the buyer and driving prices down, said Vijay Setia, Executive Director, Maharani
Rice, toldBusinessLine.The process of selling basmati on a loan-basis under a clean direct-
25
advance (DA) system needed to be corrected as well, he said. Its a matter of judgment, once
you have a system of import permits, how many people will get them and the number issued is
up to the Iran government since its their system, said Gupta.
Prices dip
With the acreage under Basmati expected to rise 5 per cent this year in the counrty against 2.1
million hectares coverage last year, prices could come under further pressure.The association
has no confirmed reports of a cartel operating in Iran. Prices are lower mainly due to huge
production of 8.1 mt last year, up from 6 mt the year before and theres a lot available at the
moment, said Sundaresan.
http://agriculture.einnews.com/article/270524395/sR3UGjsy_p3CgxUd
Search for best rice campaign on

Public and private sectors are preparing for the search for RICEponsible champions, an initiative that
encourages the national and local sectors to promote non-wastage of rice and consumption of healthier
forms of rice in their communities.With about P10M at stake, the search is open to government offices,
local government units, and learning institutions.We intend to join in this competition not just for the
prize, but because we believe in the campaign messages. We are responding to the call of achieving rice
self-sufficiency by conserving rice, eating brown rice and other rice staples such as corn, and encouraging
farmers to adopt new rice farming technologies, Cecille Palisoc, an elementary school teacher in Metro
Manila said.Hazel V. Antonio, director of the Be RICEponsible campaign, said the contest banks on the
effectivity of local campaigns.We are encouraging our local stakeholders to participate because they
know better how to gain support in their respective areas, said Antonio.
Details
about
this
contest
are
available
at
the
Be
RICEponsible
website:
http://www.bericeponsible.com/downloads. Deadline of submission of entries is on 30 June 2015.
Campaign starts on 1 August 2015 and will run for a year.Antonio said the participants will be provided
with basic campaign material designs, which can be downloaded from the Be RICEponsible
website.Participants can use the materials available or custom-fit the messages and designs to their
audience to instill behavior change more effectively, she said.Taking off from the National Year of Rice
2013, the Be RICEponsible campaign engages all Filipinos to do their part in achieving rice selfsufficiency in the country.
Phil Rice News

25
New tech for rice nutrient status explored
26
Science City of Muoz, Nueva Ecija Researchers from PhilRice are exploring a new way of analyzing
rice leaf nitrogen. A study titled Rapid estimation of rice leaf nitrogen contents using low-cost visiblenear-infrared (Vis-NIR) Spectroscopy, aims to develop and evaluate the performance of a visible-NIR
spectroscopy technology to estimate the leaf nitrogen contents of some Philippine irrigated lowland rice
cultivars. Spectroscopic analysis is being used in the United States and Australia to analyze nutrients in
plants.The Vis-NIR spectroscopy, with its immediate transmittal of recommendations, could bring down
the costs of analysis for more accurate and timely fertilizer development.
The technology also has potential for soil, chemical and grain quality analyses. These instruments are
versatile to simultaneously analyze data in less than 1 minute.I was intrigued if this kind of technology
could work in our country. It exists but I dont think we are taking advantage of its full capacity, said
Jasper G. Tallada, lead researcher.There are existing tools in the country to guide farmers with application
rates of fertilizers and minimize environmental pollution such as the Soil Test Kit and Leaf Color
Chart.There are limitations in using these tools. The more technical approach is to determine the nutrient
status from tissue analysis of the plants at different growth stages to quantify the nutrient demand and
correspondingly apply the needed fertilizers, Tallada said.One main hesitation for the use of NIR
spectroscopy is the high initial costs in acquiring the instrument due to the high manufacturing costs,
significant tariff, and custom duties.Currently, commercial NIR instruments in the Philippines cost about
P4 to 5 million.Tallada and co-researcher Maricel A. Ramos suggest that the instrument can be developed
locally. The LR1-based instrument system can be produced somewhere between P 100,000 to 150,000.
Cheaper land prep possiblePhilRice

Science City of Muoz, Nueva Ecija Comprising about 19% of the total labor cost in rice production,
there, indeed, is a pressing need to look for new ways of doing land preparation.
The Reduced Tillage Technology (RTT) is an alternative system of land preparation for irrigated areas
where plowing is not applied.Rice stubbles, weeds, and the scattered rice straws are pressed two to three
times using the hand tractors paddy wheels attached with riding-type leveler or by drop down-spiked
tooth harrow. The pressing is done at a 5 to7-day interval.
After the final leveling, crop establishment is done either by transplanting, direct seeding using the
drumseeder, or by manual broadcasting.RTT was piloted in 2012 in Talavera and Science City of Muoz,
Nueva Ecija. After the success of its initial implementation, 14 more towns in Pangasinan, Pampanga, and
Ilocos Sur were added as demonstration sites .Yield increase relative to using the conventional tillage
method and savings generated on land preparation were the parameters used in measuring the success of
the study, said Ruben Miranda, study lead.
26
He explained that for 3 consecutive seasons, the average yield of the demonstration sites were relatively
higher at 5.35 t/ha, 4.92 tons/ha for conventional tillage. In addition, farmers saved P3, 380.00/ha per
season.Savings can be attributed to the faster operation time and lesser fuel consumption. In RTT,
farmers can save more than 5 hours per ha in their farming operations. Savings on fuel is up to 50% or 14
l/ha lesser than in conventional tillage, Miranda explained.
Aside from the savings and ease of land preparation, RTT also mitigates impacts of climate change.
27
The reduced diesel consumption and scattering of rice straws, which are usually burned by farmers, result
in lesser methane and carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere.Celia Abadilla, Julian Macadamia,
Mark Angelo Abando, Melvin Ruiz, Laarnie Mandia, and Marvin Manalang are the study team
members.RTT is a collaborative project of PhilRice, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), DARegional Field Office in Central Luzon, and participating local government units.
Texting OK in ag ex PhilRice researcher
Science City of Muoz, Nueva Ecija Access to farming information is now taking a new trend as
modern technology plays pivotal roles in reaching Filipino farmers. According to Dr. Ronan G. Zagado,
development communicator at PhilRice, use of short message service (SMS) allows an alternate and
easier route for farmers in obtaining agricultural information.Zagado explained that aside from being a
social communication medium, SMS is also used massively in agriculture.The PhilRice Text Center
(PTC) is a good example of this. From merely 11 text messages in 2006 to more than 100,000 SMS
queries in 2010, he said.PTC provides information in the form of farm advisories, technology updates,
market information, how-tos, and other farm insights. Texters, predominantly farmers, consult to PTC in
every cropping season and even during fallow period.Furthermore, the information provided by PTC
translates into additional income for farmers. In a study conducted by PhilRice development
communicator Hazel V. Antonio in 2011, the use of SMS in getting agricultural information could give
up to P39,730 additional income.
A different view of agri-extension
In a study titled Texting as a discursive approach for the production of agricultural solutions by Zagado
and Michael Wilmore of the University of Adelaide, the meaning of agricultural knowledge varies and
depends on its use to the user or client.An example of this is the meaning of rice variety. As reported,
which rice variety to grow was the most frequently asked topic received by the PTC.Varietal
recommendations will vary depending on farmers requirements relating to yield potential, pest
resistance, varietal maturity, location, and eating quality, Zagado said.
27
Zagado said SMS now provides an entirely different view and process of agricultural extension
particularly in the production and distribution of agricultural knowledge.Several factors play vital role in
this process such as content, clarity, length, timing and cultural factors.Queries received within working
days from 8am to 5pm get speedy response. As for the content of the message, it is preferred if it is
shorter and easier messages receive faster reply.It is advised to make queries concise and direct to the
point, and send it during office hours to receive faster response. Longer messages or difficult queries may
take longer time for the operator of the PTC to respond.While texting has indeed provided an alternate
route in getting agricultural knowledge, Zagado stressed, improvements can still be made to make it more
effective.Capacity enhancement for extension workers on how to optimize SMS-ing in their work is in the
right direction, he said.Zagados thesis on Human Agency, Power and Discourse: Accomplishing Farm
Work through Short Messaging Service (SMS) in the Philippines received the Thesis Excellence Award
at the University of Adelaide.
28
Smarter, cleaner heat
If the searing heat wasnt enough, the thick, dark smoke that engulfed the area surrounding the
furnace made the workers want to give up. The smoke wasnt confined only to the immediate
vicinity, but it affected neighboring areas as well. This smoke machine was the inclined-grate
design of a rice hull furnace used to provide heat to a flatbed dryer that is used to dry rice.The
workers couldnt stay long near the furnace because it was too hot, says Jose Gagelonia, a
flatbed dryer operator in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines, about the old furnace of his
dryer.
The smoke and ash coming from it irritated our neighbors, who said that they ended up smelling
like smoked fish.The furnace, a key component in flatbed dryers, greatly affects the quality of
the seeds and grains dried in it. Rice farmers and seed producers who came to Mr. Gagelonia to
have their produce dried often ended up with grains that were unevenly dried and reeked of
smoke. Because of this, they opted to have their grains sun dried.
28
Cleaner heat
Now, thanks to the new semi-automated downdraft rice furnace (dRHF) designed by experts at
the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), farmers and seed producers have a better choice.
In the old updraft furnaces, ashes were sucked from the top of the burning husk, especially when
the grill bed was stirred or fed with rice hull. The new dRHF allows hot air to go down into the
chamber and blower (downdraft) instead of being blown upward and outward. This produces
clean hot air because the burning husk on the combustion grill filters the ashes.
29
The dRHF has an automatic feeding mechanism that controls the amount and frequency of the
rice hulls fed into the combustion grill using a programmable electronic timer connected to a
motor. This produces a clean and steady combustion, resulting in a constant drying air
temperature.The cleaner combustion greatly reduces machine operators exposure to heat and
smoke because they need to check on the new furnace only every half hour (instead of the old
practice of every 5 minutes) during an 8-hour operation.
Perseverance and perfection
The dRHF was first developed through collaboration between IRRI and Hohenheim
University in Germany, in the 1990s. It was intended to be used for drying systems with small
energy requirements. However, the concept was not successfully introduced to its target market
in Southeast Asia, setting back the testing of the furnaces design.Fortunately, Nong Lam
University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, an IRRI collaborator, continued working on the
design of the dRHF.
29
Its improved design was tested for commercial use in three 4-ton-capacity flatbed dryers in
Vietnam before IRRI adapted it for further testing at Philippine pilot sites.Although the
development of the dRHF was partly supported by the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium
through the IRRI Postharvest Unita lack of funds and ideal test sites for adaptive research in
the Philippines proved to be a challenge. The solution arrived in 2010 when Generoso Bautista,
an agricultural engineer by education and a commercial airline pilot by profession who had just
acquired a rice farm in the province of Batangas, became interested in flatbed dryers.I wanted to
build a more efficient flatbed dryer for my own rice farm, explains Capt. Bautista.
30
Then I came across an online Rice Today article, Machines of progress, which featured IRRIs
postharvest technology package and its impact on the lives of farmers. He contacted Martin
Gummert, head of IRRIs Postharvest Unit, who referred him to Pat Borlagdan, the engineer in
charge of the testing of the dRHF in the Philippines.On his farm in Batangas, Capt. Bautista and
Engr. Borlagdan spent hours going over the design and discussing the parts that needed
tweaking. I financed the construction of the furnace, while Pat provided technical assistance,
says Capt. Bautista.After 2 years of hard work, Capt. Bautista is now the proud owner of a rice
hull furnace with aerodynamic fan blades.We could safely work around the new furnace
without worrying about the heat and smoke, says farm manager Luis Soliban, Jr.
Other beneficiaries
In Kidapawan, North Cotabato, the National Food Authority, one of the first recipients of the
dRHF, suffered from high costs of drying and grain quality losses until the new furnace was
installed in its warehouse.In Peablanca, Cagayan Valley, Don Lister, an entrepreneur, wanted to
learn more about rice postharvest losses. While searching the Internet, he read a story about
mechanical dryers using rice husk furnaces. He wasted no time in contacting Engr. Borlagdan,
who sent him diagrams of the flatbed dryer, blower, and dRHF. After months of coordination,
the 6-ton-capacity flatbed dryer with the dRHF was finally launched in March 2012.If the
family can harvest rice, thats good, says Mr. Lister. But, if we can help other farmers save
their harvest, thats even better.Interest in the furnace has continued to spread. Early technology
adopters believe that the dRHF is a simple technology that the government should support and
disseminate.
Marketable technology
30
31
Mr. Gagelonia runs a semi-automated dRHF and he manufactures made-to-order furnaces after
he and 19 others attended training provided by IRRI on rice husk furnace manufacturing.All
materials used for fabrication are sourced locally, making them more affordable. He has already
sold 12 rice hull furnaces to farmer groups and seed growers from all over the Philippines. He
has also made smaller furnaces to fit dryers with lower capacity.Capt. Bautista, on the other
hand, still wants to continue improving the machine and he is now in the process of developing
another type of furnace. In fact, an all-steel furnace sits in a shed on his farm, waiting to be taken
to another farm for further testing.Other training participants have also started making and
marketing their own machines. Mr. Eugene Manalo from Laguna and Mr. Antonio Caspillo from
North Cotabato have manufactured and sold the dRHF in their respective provinces.
Partnership forged in heat
Engr. Borlagdan, though no longer with IRRI, still provides technical assistance and shares his
experiences to help improve the operation and maintenance of the furnace. He credits the publicprivate partnerships that had been formed for the successful adoption of the dRHF
technology.Partnering with the private sector during the early testing stages became a valuable
reference point when technological trials by government agencies failed, Engr. Borlagdan
explains. It was easier to show that the dRHF works, and is actually being used by the private
sector. The IRRI postharvest team, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, has now
taken steps to transfer the dRHF technology to other countries such as Cambodia and
Indonesia.Farmers should be aware that the technology is available to them, adds Capt.
Bautista. With support from both the private and public sector, technologies such as the dRHF
could go a long way in improving the quality of rice and lifeof farmers.
http://irri.org/rice-today/smarter-cleanerheat?utm_source=IRRI+email+subscriptions&utm_campaign=228bbade96RiceToday_Weekly6_01_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c803adc7cf-228bbade96-40925885
Green fuel from rice

Written by Paula Bianca Ferrer.
Farmers typically grow two or three crops a year. Since they dont have enough turnaround time
before beginning the next planting season, they resort to the quickest and easiest solution to get
rid of the rice waste, that is, the residueby burning. This releases methane, a greenhouse gas
that remains in the atmosphere for 915 years and contributes to global warming. On top of this,
exposure to smoke and soot causes respiratory problems among farmers and townspeople alike.
31
32
Waste not, want not
Rice straw and husks offer an immense potential to create bioenergy, an alternative renewable
source of power, said Dr. Stephan Stephan Haefele, senior researcher at the International Rice
Research Institute (IRRI). He and his scientific team have been exploring ways to turn rice
residues into useful and valuable by-products to support more efficient, productive, profitable,
and sustainable rice farms.Rice residues can produce bioenergy and at the same time reduce the
negative effects of rice production systems on the environment; they could also be a source of
extra income for farmers, said Dr. Haefele.
32
Moreover, rice residues and production

systems have several decisive advantages
over many other bioenergy crops, he
explained.
Unlike
crops
grown
exclusively for biofuels, using rice
residues to generate energy would not
divert land use away from food
production. It has also been shown that,
even if all rice residues are removed, the
quality of rice soils is unaffected.
Residue removal for energy production
directly reduces the emissions of
greenhouse gases caused by field burning
33
or by residue incorporation into the soil. Also, the high cropping intensity in irrigated rice
systems ensures a constant residue supply and keeps transportation time to processing centers
short.
Backyard fuel
In 2011, Dr. Haefele and his collaborators analyzed the energy and carbon life-cycle of existing
gasifiers that turn rice residues, without burning them, into gases that can be used as an energy
source. Such gasifiers are increasingly common in Cambodia, where rice millers want to make
use of the husks that pile up in their backyards.Each ton of husk gasified can save about 1 ton of
greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) compared to current uses. The energy needed to build and
operate a gasifier was produced by the gasifier within 245 days of operation. And, it took only
109 days of gasifier operation to save as much carbon as was emitted to build and establish it.
Looking at the rice production system, a 1-hectare irrigated rice field can produce 12 tons of
husk and straw per year, which can be converted to clean energy in a medium-sized gasifier
equivalent to about 1,800 liters of diesel.
More power to farmers
These results show the potential of residues as an energy source, and as an option to make rice
cultivation even more sustainable, said Dr. Haefele.We now intend to investigate rice straw.
Quite a lot of research has been done on rice husks but little is known about the use of rice straw.
We will try to answer how best to collect straw, how to store it, and whether pretreatments, such
as leaching, drying, and/or briquetting, are necessary.For the most promising systems, we plan
to conduct a life-cycle analysis and to develop complete business models, he added. We are
also testing what effects biochara by-product from straw and husk burninghas on soil
quality in various rice production systems, and determine its optimal uses and look at how to
participate in emerging carbon markets.
http://irri.org/rice-today/green-fuel-fromrice?utm_source=IRRI+email+subscriptions&utm_campaign=228bbade96RiceToday_Weekly6_01_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c803adc7cf-228bbade96-40925885
Laser-guided dreams
Written by Trina Leah Mendoza.
33
With her tiny frame, blunt-cut bangs, and trendy outfits, 28-year-old Truong Thi Thanh Nhan
looks more like a school girl than a farmer. Nhan earned her degree in software programming
from the University of Science in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in 2010. But, after graduation,
she agreed to her parents wishes to oversee their family farm in Dak Lak Province in Vietnams
Central Highlands. In December 2011, Nhan started the daunting task of managing their almost
70 hectares of land. She started planting rice twice a year on 20 hectares of their farm. Once a
year, Nhan also grows maize and pumpkin on 10 hectares each. Although her familys farm is
located on a steep slope, bringing water into the field was easy because the field was next to a
water canal. It was managing the watermaking sure that higher areas were reachedthat was
34
the problem. Most of the rice plants in higher areas die because they lacked sufficient water. She
had no choice but to hire many laborers to replant the field.
A flair for laser
In early 2012, Nhan chanced upon a show on a Vietnamese TV channel that featured rice farmer
Nguyen Loi Duc from Tri Ton District, An Giang Province. She found herself glued to the
channel as Nguyen was sharing his experiences and the benefits from laser leveling his 150hectare field. With her interest piqued, she searched the Internet to learn more about the
technology.With laser leveling, a transmitter placed at the side of the field sends a laser beam to
a receiver, which is attached to a leveling bucket drawn by a tractor. Then, a control panel
mounted on a tractor interprets the signal from the receiver and opens or closes a hydraulic
valve, which in turn raises or lowers the bucket. The bucket then drags and drops soil across the
field to make it even.
34
Nhan, together with her family, visited Nong Lam University (NLU) in Ho Chi Minh City. They
were briefed on the technology by NLU staff member Tran Van Khanh, a principal lecturer on
agricultural machinery, and Phung Anh Vinh Truong, a researcher who became Nhans husband
in 2013 and now helps her manage the farm.Engr. Khanh emphasized the benefits of the
technology and assured Nhans family that the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) also
provides technical support. Nhans family was convinced and decided to buy laser-leveling
equipment and a drag bucket from a Saigon-based distributor, Ideal Farming Corporation.
35
Loads of benefits
They began using laser leveling in their rice-growing area. Now that 9 hectares of our rice field
have been laser-leveled, the benefits have been tremendous, Nanh says. We save on water
because we dont need to pump more water to reach the once-high areas. With even water
coverage, the crops are healthy and thrivingand we dont need to hire laborers for
replanting.Laser leveling their land had other benefits too. Fertilizer is now spread evenly
among the crop, saving as much as 77 kilograms per hectare. Pests, which used to hide in uneven
spots, can no longer do so, resulting in less pesticide applied. Weed control is also easier.
Herbicide spraying has been reduced to one, before the emergence of rice, unlike before when
they sprayed herbicide twice during the season. The yield from the laser-leveled field during the
dry season, from January to May 2013, was higher at 6.7 tons per hectare compared with 4.5 tons
per hectare for the unleveled field.
The laser-leveling equipment, however, is subject to wear and tear. Nhans husband, Truong,
shares that the usual challenges they face with laser leveling have more to do with fixing the
equipment when it breaks down. It usually takes a week to repair the system, and Truong, being
an agricultural engineer by profession, does it on his own in their workshop. However, since they
live in a rural area where power shortages are common, repairing broken equipment takes more
time and effort.
Spreading the word
35
36
But, overall, Nahns decision to purchase the equipment is proving to be a very wise one. As the
neighboring farmers witnessed the improvements on Nhans rice farm, it wasnt long before they
sought her help. She already provided laser-leveling services to one farmers 2.7-hectare rice
field in December 2012 and she has plans to do more.After I finish leveling our 20 hectares of
rice farm and our maize farm, we plan to rent out our equipment to other farmers, not only for
rice but for other crops as well, says Nhan.Nhan is now also on a mission. An advocate of laserleveling technology, she shares her experiences in adopting laser leveling with representatives
from both the public and private sector during meetings and seminars on postharvest
technologies organized by the Asian Development Bank-IRRI Postharvest Project.
A role model
Although Nhan is not a typical Vietnamese farmer, she has managed to turn their farm into a
productive and efficient business. But, many people are surprised by Nanhs decision to be a
farmer. They do not understand why a young lady like her, with a background in software
programming from a prestigious university, would want to go back to agriculture.For Nhan, it
was no surprise. Her parents both grew up on farms, and agriculture was part of their family
tradition. Going back to her roots made her happy and she is optimistic about her future. She
hopes that, with a new generation of farmers like her, it will be possible to change the general
perception of farming.
Nowadays, young people think that farmers are old-fashioned, poor, and lack social standing,
and that returning to the farm is a last option, says Nhan. I am a smart, young, dynamic person,
and even though I am a farmer living in an area without many comforts and I face difficulties
with finances and managing people, I know that I am on the right path toward a stable income
and a sustainable future.I am contributing to food sustainability for my region and country,
which young people now rarely do. And, I have my family to thank for helping me be the farmer
that I am now.
http://irri.org/rice-today/laser-guideddreams?utm_source=IRRI+email+subscriptions&utm_campaign=228bbade96RiceToday_Weekly6_01_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c803adc7cf-228bbade9640925885
PetroCaribe money was never spent in the Region Two rice

areas
Dear Editor,
36
From the inception of the PetroCaribe deal I know that something was amiss, and that farmers
and millers would have to bear the brunt of the Jagdeo-Hugo Chvez agreement. The polished
rice and paddy sold to Venezuela was going to pay for oil; the remaining money was for the
payment of farmers paddy and millers rice. The previous government was using this fund for
37
other projects outside of the rice industry rather than paying the millers for their rice and paddy
so they in turn could not pay the farmers for their produce.
PetroCaribe had to run into bankruptcy; the previous government was receiving US$130M for
every 200,000 tonnes of rice and paddy. How could it divert Region Two PetroCaribe funds to
the Hope canal when Essequibians wouldnt benefit from this project? Last years production
exceeded a whopping 635,000 tonnes. 501,000 tonnes were exported according to the GRDB. I
can only speak for Region Two since I worked as an extension rice officer in the rice industry
there. This region is cultivating 31,500 acres of rice with a yield of some 3 million bags of
paddy.
Not a cent of this PetroCaribe fund was ever spent here to develop this regions rice industry, and
still millions of dollars are owed to rice farmers in the region. No wonder the previous
government claimed that they were bailing out rice millers; they were not bailing them out, since
they were the ones who owed these millers for their rice and paddy. The former administration
should tell the millers and farmers what they did with the money they received from the
PetroCaribe fund. They used some of it to buy standby generator sets for GPL which was totally
wrong; none of these sets was ever placed in the rice growing region to cushion the effects of
blackouts.
GRDB was misleading the farmers and people of Guyana when they said they had other markets
outside Venezuela. No wonder the millers still have a surplus of rice and paddy in their
warehouses crop after crop; they were only depending on the Venezuelan market and never
sought other international markets. Guyanas rice farmers have been expanding rice production
on the assurance of receiving higher prices for the rice and paddy sold in the Venezuelan market
according to the agreement. However, recent changes in the agreement have sharply reduced the
price for rice and paddy.
There has been a general decline in rice and paddy prices from $4000 to $3000 for Ex-A Grade
paddy since the agreement was signed in 2005.This trend of $2000 a bag for this coming crop
paddy is non-uniform, and will have more serious consequences for rice farmers. Government
should move to protect the interests of our rice producers and millers.This could be expedited by
finding new markets for Guyanas rice and paddy on the international market. Further the new
government should seek to tap into the EU market.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
37
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/opinion/letters/06/15/petrocaribe-money-was-never-spent-in-theregion-two-rice-areas/
38
Arsenic shield for rice
Clumps of bacteria (soil microbe EA106) and iron plaque begin forming on the roots of a rice
plant. This "iron shield" blunts the uptake of arsenic. Image by Venkatachalam Lakshmanan and
Deepak Shantharaj taken with the scanning electron microscope (SEM), UD Bioimaging Center.
11:03 a.m., June 15, 2015--University of Delaware researchers have discovered a soil microbe
that mobilizes an iron shield to block the uptake of toxic arsenic in rice. Arsenic occurs
naturally in rocks and soils, air and water, plants and animals. Its used in a variety of industrial
products and practices, from wood preservatives, pesticides and fertilizers, to copper smelting.
Chronic exposure to arsenic has been linked to cancer, heart disease and diabetes.The UD
finding gives hope that a natural, low-cost solution a probiotic for rice plants may be in
sight to protect this global food source from accumulating harmful levels of one of the deadliest
poisons on the planet. Rice currently is a staple in the diet of more than half the worlds
population.
38
Harsh Bais, associate professor of plant and soil sciences, led the UD team that conducted the
study, which is reported in the international journal Planta. The work was supported by the
National Science Foundation. His co-authors include professors Angelia Seyfferth and Janine
Sherrier and postdoctoral researchers Venkatachalam Lakshmanan, Gang Li and Deepak
39
Shantharaj, all in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.The soil microbe the team identified
is named EA106 for UD alumna Emily Alff, who isolated the strain when she was a graduate
student in Bais lab.
The microbe was found among the roots of a North American variety of rice grown
commercially in California. It belongs to a group of gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria called
the Pantoea, which form yellowish mucus-like colonies. Because rice is grown underwater
often in water contaminated with arsenic in such hot spots as Bangladesh, India and China it
takes in 10 times more arsenic than do other cereal grains, such as wheat and oats. As rice plants
absorb phosphate, a nutrient needed for growth, they also take up arsenic, which has a similar
chemical structure.
This particular microbe, EA106, is good at mobilizing iron, which competes with the arsenic,
effectively blocking arsenics pathway, Bais explains. An iron plaque forms on the surface of
the roots that does not allow arsenic to go up into the rice plant. The researchers conducted the
study with hundreds of rice plants some grown in soil, others grown hydroponically in
UDs Fischer Greenhouse. Inoculations with EA106 improved the uptake of iron at the plant
roots, while reducing the accumulation of toxic arsenic in the plant shoots.While the results are
promising, Bais says the next steps in the research will determine if a natural solution to this
serious issue is at hand.
Were not all the way to the grain level yet. We are working on that now, to see if EA106
prevents arsenic accumulation in the grain. That is the ultimate test, Bais says.If the next phase
of the research shows success, Bais says inexpensive technologies (think even a cement mixer)
exist for coating rice seeds with beneficial bacteria. He also sees an added plus fortifying rice
plants with iron would not only reduce arsenic, but also increase the grains iron content as a
nutritional benefit. I grew up very near to a rice field in India, so I have a different interest in
this problem, Bais says. Basically, these small farmers dont have much to feed their families.
They grow rice on small plots of land with soil and water contaminated with arsenic, a poison.
The work we are doing is important for them, and to the global security of rice. In related
research, Bais wants to assess the performance of plants inoculated with EA106 when they face
multiple stresses, from both arsenic and from rice blast, a fungus that kills an estimated 30
percent of the worlds rice crop each year. Bais group previously isolated a natural bacterium
from rice paddy soil that blunts the rice blast fungus. His group is evaluating how a natural
alliance between benign microbes and rice can strengthen the plants disease resistance. Both
plant threats face rice farmers near his parents home in India. Bais plans to start field tests there
when he visits with family this summer. The whole world is waking up to biologicals, Bais
says. Its an exciting time for researchers in this area.
Article by Tracey Bryant
Photo of researchers by Lindsay Yeager
39
http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2015/jun/soil-microbe-rice-061515.html
40
Rainfall 11% higher than normal till now

East and North-east receive 20% more rainfall during June1-14
By: fe Bureau | New Delhi | June 15, 2015 11:25 pm
Widespread rainfall witnessed on Sunday across the country has pushed overall rains received so
far in the current monsoon season to 11% higher than the normal and is expected to boost kharif
sowing activities.The quantum of rainfall during June 1-14 (61.6 millimetres) is above the
normal benchmark of 55.7 mm for the period arrived on the basis of a 50-year average shower.
This is despite south-west monsoon entering Kerala coast on June 5, instead of usual June 1.
Even before the monsoon reached the Indian shores, there had been pre-monsoon showers in
various regions, particularly in southern and north-eastern parts.According to India
Meteorological Department data, during June1-14 period, the regions such as North-east, central
India and southern peninsula have received 20%, 12% and 1% more rainfall, respectively
compared to normal benchmark while north-west region got 6% less volume of rainfall.
40
According to a senior official with the agriculture ministry, most of the regions which are vital
for agricultural sector such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Odisha, Marathwada, Vidarbha, Saurahstra, Kutch, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and
Rayalseema have received more than normal rainfall so far.Paddy sowing have commenced in
key growing regions, but the monsoon rainfall during next two months would be crucial for
kharif output, Trilochan Mohapatra, director, Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), a
Cuttack-based institute under ministry of agriculture, told FE.As per the latest agriculture
ministry data, rice has been sown in only 4.7 lakh hectare till now which is marginally higher
than last year.
The agriculture ministry official said that rice is usually sown in close to 36 million hectare in
kharif season and the farmers in majority of rice growing areas have been preparing their field
41
taking the help of monsoon rains in the last few days.Sowing of other kharif crops pulses,
oilseeds, coarse cereals, sugarcane and cotton has just commenced.Meanwhile, private
weather forecaster Skymet on Monday said third week of June is expected to get good amount
of rain in most parts of the country.It stated that the first monsoon system that is being formed
in the Bay of Bengal. When it crosses coast, it will trigger monsoon activity across most parts of
North-east, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, along with parts of central India,
including Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
While moderate to heavy rainfall has been witnessed in central and eastern regions, Skymet has
stated that south-west monsoon is likely to reach Jharkhand and West Bengal anytime soon and
cover some more parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. North-eastern states
continue to record moderate to heavy rainfall.The IMD earlier this month had revised downward
its forecast of seasonal rainfall (June-September) for this year to 88% of a long-period average
(LPA), from 93% reported last month. However, Skymet has predicted a normal monsoon, with
showers at 102% of the LPA.LPA is calculated on the basis of the average annual rainfall
recorded between 1951 and 2000.m for the four-month period from June to September.Monsoon
rains are crucial for agriculture as about 40% of the cultivable area is under irrigation and around
55% of the foodgrains production mainly paddy and coarse grains is contributed by kharif or
summer crop.
First Published on June 16, 2015 12:10 am The Indian Express Online Media Pvt Ltd
Farmers getting older, study shows

June 15, 2015 10:05 pm
by LEANDER C. DOMINGO
CORRESPONDENT
OLDER FARMERS
Ilocano farmers from Candon City, Ilocos Sur are harvesting the palay in their fields. A study by the Philippine center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) showed that more rice farmers are between 40 and 50 years old but there
are plans to attract young people to be involved in agribusiness. PHOTO BY THOM F. PICAA
MUOZ, Nueva Ecija: A study conducted by the Philippine Center for Post-harvest Development and
41
Mechanization (PhilMech) showed that most of the countrys farmers are getting older and
warned of an eventual shortage of farm workers.But efforts are afoot and are focused on getting
the youth sectors involvement in agri-business through equipment modernization and
developing agribusiness.In collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los BaosAgricultural Mechanization Development Program (UPLB-AMDP), PhilMechs study in 2014
reveals that farmers are above 40 years old.Most rice farmers were within [the] 40-59 age
bracket although a high percentage of farmers aged 60 and above was noted in Camarines Sur
and Iloilo, the study said.
The PhilMech and UPLB-AMDP study covered 13 provinces where rice is grown showing that
many old farmers are no longer doing actual farm work and warned that there would be a
42
shortage of farm labor in the future if the agriculture sector does not get new young
farmers.Last year, two studies, one done by PhilMech and UPLB-AMDP and another by the
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
entitled, Benchmarking Philippine Rice Economy Relative to Major Rice-Producing Countries
in Asia also showed that Filipino rice farmers are among the oldest in Asia.For the 2014 study,
PhilMech is optimistic that more young people will be more interested in agriculture as more
post-harvest and mechanization technologies are now available.
Rex Bingabing, PhilMech Executive Director,
said the agency has developed new technologies
for the countrys agriculture sector.For example,
he said, there are technologies for rice
mechanization that would ease the drudgery that
goes with rice farming by developing a tractormounted rice transplanter and mini-combine
harvester.He said PhilMech has also produced
other technologies in which the youth can be
involved as entrepreneurs in agriculture such as
the coco water extraction-pasteurization system
that can transform mature coconut water into
refreshing energy drink.He said the young farmers can also invest in cacao, cashew, soybean and
coffee processing system or a multi-commodity solar tunnel dryer-based business
enterprise.These agribusiness enterprises are good start-up for young agribusiness entrepreneurs
as they require low level of investment, Bingabing said.
http://www.manilatimes.net/farmers-getting-older-study-shows/192193/
APEDA India (News)

Price on: 15-06-2015
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
Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
5100
Garlic
Ginger
42
43
Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)
3000
4680
Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t)
2100
3200
Guar Gum Powder
Source:agra-net
For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 15-06-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Cachar (Assam)
Other
2000
2500
Kheda (Gujarat)
Other
1740
3320
Bargarh (Orissa)
Other
2100
2300
Dhing (Assam)
Other
1500
1700
Amirgadh (Gujarat)
Other
1250
1500
Bonai(Orissa)
Other
1450
1600
Dasuya (Punjab)
Other
2500
3000
Rudrapur(Uttrakhand)
Other
1800
2000
Mechua(West Bengal)
Other
2400
3000
Aroor (Kerala)
Other
2600
2800
Rice
Wheat
Mousambi
43
Cabbage
1
44
Koraput (Orissa)
Other
1500
1600
Talalagir (Gujarat)
Other
1100
1130
Source:agra-net
For more info
Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 13-06-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
Ahmedabad
392
Chittoor
413
Hyderabad
377
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 15-06-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
Potatoes
High
Package: 50 lb cartons
Atlanta
Baltimore
Detroit
Colorado
Russet
20
24
Idaho
Russet
16
18
Wisconsin
Russet
19
19.50
Cucumbers
Package: cartons film wrapped
Atlanta
Canada
Long Seedless
8.50
Dallas
California
Long Seedless
12.50
13
Detroit
Canada
Long Seedless
8
Package: 18 lb containers bagged
44
Source:USDA

15th June (Monday), 2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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15th June (Monday), 2015 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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1

California rice plantings down 32 percent - 375,000 acres

custom farming work this year.The loss of rice land not

NFA wants private sector to participate in rice importation

PHL reissues tender for 100,000-MT rice imports

Gov't to try to import rice again

Mekong Delta farmers well profit from summer autumn rice

Pakistani rice exporters seek enhanced trade

650,000 tons of stockpiled Thai rice declared rotten, to be

PWO: 650,000 tons of stockpiled rice declared rotten, to be used as fuel

Paddy farmers dues to be paid in 15 days

Thailand asks rice farmers to delay wet season planting

Paddy sowing begins in Punjab, Haryana

CORRECTED-Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Jun 15

(CORRECTED-Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Jun 15)

FOODGRAINS & PULSES

Moong Mill quality

RDA seeks rice boards revival

Rice mills owners to initiate nationwide protest

Main rice crop delay ordered as water dries up

APEDA (NEWS) India

Benchmark Indicators Name

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

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

Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t)

Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t)

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

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

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

Guar Gum Powder

For more info

Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh)

Solan (Himachal Pradesh)

For more info

Other International Prices

Unit Price : US$ per package

Round Green Type

Round Green Type

Round Green Type

Package: cartons tray pack

Preempting Indian GI move

Southern parts of Pakistan to experience harsher droughts

A sub-regional arm of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the SASCOF is

Trade Mission Bolsters Export Opportunities

Preparing for an increased flow of U.S. rice

USA Rice Millers' Association Announces New Chairman,

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

Basmati exports to Iran will pick up after October

Search for best rice campaign on

Phil Rice News

New tech for rice nutrient status explored

Cheaper land prep possiblePhilRice

Smarter, cleaner heat

Green fuel from rice

Waste not, want not

Moreover, rice residues and production

PetroCaribe money was never spent in the Region Two rice

Arsenic shield for rice

Rainfall 11% higher than normal till now

Farmers getting older, study shows