28th September, 2016 Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

September 28,2016
Vol 7 , Issue 9
Daily
Daily Global, Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter
Global, Regional & Local

Rice E-Newsletter
www.ricepluss.com / www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
Contact Online Advertisement : mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com Cell: 0321 369 2874

Today Rice News Headlines...
Basmati GI and TM issues need to be resolved promptly: Unisame

Wheat, bajra rise on increased offtake
(UNISAME) has urged the Secretary MinisMINCOM URGED TO
FILE APPLICATION FOR BASMATI TM FORTHWITH
29th R&D Plenary and Concurrent Session Presentations and
Souvenir Program
Time to pack off Naveen: BJP
APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1565
Dr. Mike Strain to Lead National Association of State Departments of
Agriculture
USA Rice Food Aid Subcommittee Names New Chairman
Crop Progress: 2016 Crop 73 Percent Harvested
Scientists warn global warming could be a threat to wheat and rice
Basmati genome data decoded, seeds of opportunity sown
UAPB researchers improve disease resistance of hybrid rice varieties
to ensure better harvests
Vietnamese investors target rice investment
Nigeria imports $18m tooth picks yearly Minister
Arkansas Rice Hardest Hit by Rain Damage
Have a cool one tomorrowrice growers will thank you
Interest growing in row rice, other rice innovations: Part I
NFA may import rice in Nov for next years need
Indonesia Needs Cheaper Rice
China urged to speed up $300M rice loan
Vietnamese trade and investment delegation in Ghana
Rice farmers donate to food bank for flood relief
Editorial Board
Chief Editor
Managing Editor
Abdul Sattar Shah

Rahmat Ullah
Rozeen Shaukat
English Editor
Maryam Editor
Legal Advisor
Advocate Zaheer Minhas
Editorial Associates
Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid

Javed Islam Agha
Ch.Hamid Malhi
Dr.Akhtar Hussain
Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Siddiqui
Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF)
Islam Akhtar Khan
Editorial Advisory Board
Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim
Assistant Professor, Gomal

University DIK
Dr.Hasina Gul
Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK
Dr.Hidayat Ullah
Assistant Professor, University of
Swabi
News Detail...
Hamlik
Dr.Abdul Basir
Assistant Professor, University of
Swabi
Basmati GI and TM issues need to be resolved

promptly: Unisame
Zahid Mehmood
PSO,NIFA Peshawar
Falak Naz Shah
Head Food Science & Technology

2
ART, Peshawar
September 27, 2016

KARACHI - Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has urged the Intellectual
Property Organisation (IPO) and the registrar Trade Marks (TM) to expedite the protection law
on geographical indications and the trademark ownership of basmati to settle both the issues
promptly.
Union of Small and Medium Enterprises President Zulfikar Thaver regretted that both the issues
of GI and TM of basmati rice are lingering since years and it is high time the matter is resolved
so that Pakistan's GI rights are protected and saved from the mischief of our competitors who are
not acknowledging and recognising our rights despite the fact that Pakistani basmati rice has
inherited features and characteristics of basmati rice because of aroma, length and look and of
course the best cooking ability as it elongates when cooked.
It is very unfortunate that the Indian court dismissed our case on grounds of lack of evidence.
Actually our representatives should not have gone in the first place without complete homework
and that too in a competitors country not at all friendly, he said.
If we have our GI protection law in place such rulings will not affect us, he said, adding now that
the draft is ready it should be placed before the cabinet and the national assembly promptly.
Thaver also urged the registrar of trade marks to grant or declare the ownership rights of basmati
rice in favour of Pakistan government which may assign it to the ministry of commerce or
agriculture as it deems fit and under no circumstances it must go to any trade body or association
http://nation.com.pk/business/27-Sep-2016/basmati-gi-and-tm-issues-need-to-be-resolved-promptlyunisame
The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has

urged the Secretary MinisMINCOM URGED TO FILE
APPLICATION FOR BASMATI TM FORTHWITH
Ministry of Commerce (MINCOM) to without loss of time file an application for registration of Basmati
trade mark (TM) on the basis of national ownership and also place the geographical indication (GI)
protection law before the cabinet and thereafter the national assembly.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said lethargy in legal matters is detrimental to national interest and
MINCOM needs to move fast through the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and
complete the process.

He said there is not an element of doubt in both the issues of GI and TM and said both are internationally
acknowledged and recognized that basmati is only grown in India and Pakistan and the basmati rice
grown in Pakistan definitely has all the characteristics and features of basmati rice namely the aroma,
length, look, taste and cooking ability of elongating when cooked.
Thaver said now that the draft GI protection law drafted by the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) is
ready and approved by the stakeholders, efforts must be made to promptly make it a law in the best
national interest.
He lamented that instead of expediting the matter some stakeholders are trying their best to seek
ownership of the TM and creating hurdles. MINCOM should not allow this to happen and declare that it
is our national heritage and belongs to Pakistan. No trade body, association or segment must be given the
ownership.
Infact all growers, shellers, processors, merchants and exporters can use the TM basmati if the grains
merit the tag
Wheat, bajra rise on increased offtake

PTI | Sep 27, 2016, 02.10 PM IST
New Delhi, Sep 27 () Firm conditions prevailed at the wholesale grains market today as wheat
and other grains firmed up on the back of increased offtake against restricted supplies.
Traders said increased offtake by flour mills helped wheat to trade higher.
Pick up in demand from consuming industries pushed up other bold grains prices, they added.
In the national capital, wheat dara (for mills) moved up by Rs 10 to Rs 1,815-1,820 per quintal.
Atta chakki delivery followed suit and traded higher by a similar margin to Rs 1,820-1,825 per
90 kg. Maida and sooji also traded higher by Rs 10 each to Rs 1,070-1,080 and Rs 1,100-1,110
per 50 kg.
Other bold grains like bajra and barley went up by Rs 30 and Rs 20 to Rs 1,375-1,380 and Rs
1,580-1,585 per quintal, respectively.
Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal):
Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,300-2,835, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,815-1,820, Chakki atta (delivery)
Rs 1,820-1,825, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 275, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 275, Roller flour mill Rs
960-970 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,070-1,080 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,100-1,110 (50 kg).

Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,700, Basmati
common new Rs 4,700-4,900, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 3,900-4,700, Permal raw Rs 2,000-2,050, Permal
wand Rs 2,125-2,200, Sela Rs 2,700-2,800 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,800-1,810, Bajra Rs 1,375-1,380, Jowar
yellow Rs 1,800-1,900, white Rs 3,500-3,700, Maize Rs 1,510-1,520, Barley Rs 1,580-1,585. SUN KPS
SRK MKJ
Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device
29th R&D Plenary and Concurrent Session Presentations and

Souvenir Program
Click the following link to Read All albout information
http://www.philrice.gov.ph/rnd-conference/
Souvenir Program
Technology and knowledge sharing for accelerating adoption and achieving impact
Crop management options and system for improving production and resource-use efficiencies
Rice breeding for improving yields, grain quality and nutrition, and value-added traits
Socio-economic information and impact of technologies, and rice value chain
Rice and rice-based products for better quality, health, and nutrition
Knowledge management and sharing, and resource-use recovery in farming systems
Knowledge Products
Plans and strategies for attaining rice security
Technologies and extension system for increasing productivity and sustainability
Technologies and systems for increasing yield and income in the rice farming communities
Farmers Best Practices and Experiences
http://www.philrice.gov.ph/rnd-conference/

Time to pack off Naveen: BJP
By Express News Service
Published: 28th September 2016 05:16 AM
Last Updated: 28th September 2016 05:16 AM
BJP leaders taking out a protest rally in Bargarh on Tuesday | EXPRESS
BARGARH: With an eye on panchayat poll and resentment brewing among farmers over raw
deal given to them by the State Government, the BJP on Tuesday came down heavily on the
State Government for its failure in providing succour to the farmers.
The partys district unit organised a protest meeting in front of the Collectorate which was
attended by BJP general secretary Suresh Pujari and State BJP president Basanta Panda, among
others.

Addressing the gathering in the land of farmers, Pujari demanded a CBI probe into the paddy
procurement system in the State. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has indicted the
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department for showing undue favour to private rice
millers for custom milling of paddy despite huge arrears pending against them, he said.
He dared the State Government for a CBI probe and said it will land many bureaucrats and
politicians behind bars.
The paddy procurement system has been virtually outsourced to rice millers and farmers are at
their mercy, Pujari said. Though the Centre is paying for FAQ paddy, millers are deducting
money on the plea of moisture content and foreign bodies to earn quick bucks, Pujari leader
said, adding that the State Government is hand-in-glove with rice millers.
The State Government has failed on both fronts __ in the land of farmers and in governance.
Blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for covering up its failure will not absolve the BJD and
time has come to pack Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Mahaprayan and the process would
begin from Bargarh, he added. The BJD is providing mobiles to farmers and in return giving
water to the companies, Pujari said.
Addressing the gathering, Panda said failure of the State Government to support the farming
community forced them to reach out to farmers and take up their cause.Speaking on other
problems faced by the people of the State, Panda said several schools have no teachers while
many are running short of staff. There are no doctors in hospitals and corruption has reached a
new high while law and order has collapsed. Time has come to give the BJD a befitting reply,
Panda said.
The meeting was presided over State BJP vice-president Ashwini Sarangi, State executive
member Sureshswar Satpathy and State Yuva Morcha general secretary Irasis Acharya. Earlier,
the BJP took out a massive rally from district BJP office to the Collectorate after going round the
town. The BJP also submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Time-to-pack-off-NaveenBJP/2016/09/28/article3631538.ece
APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1565

Market Watch
7
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 24-09-2016

Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Aroor (Kerala)
Other
3100
3300
Dhing (Assam)
Common
1800
2100
Khatra (West Bengal)
Other
2450
2550
Alappuzha (Kerala)
Other
1875
2000
Khargone (Madhya Pradesh)
Other
1721
1850
Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh)
Other
1670
1700
Dasuya (Punjab)
Other
2500
3000
Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh)
Other
2200
2400
Bharuch (Gujarat)
Other
2500
3000
Palayam (Kerala)
Other
2700
2900
Sahaspur (Orissa)
Other
1100
1300
Solan (Himachal Pradesh)
Other
2000
2500
Rice
Wheat
Mousambi
Carrot
Source:agmarknet.nic.in
For more info
Dr. Mike Strain to Lead National Association of State

Departments of Agriculture
By Carrie Castille
BATON ROUGE, LA -- Elected last week, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., will serve as the 2016-17 President of the National Association of

State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). NASDA represents the elected and appointed
commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S.
territories and has been very involved in many policy fronts including Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS),
trade, and the Farm Bill. "I look forward to working with my counterparts in the states to realize our call
to action for a renewed commitment to state-federal partnerships for the advancement of America's
farmers and ranchers," Strain said.
"USA Rice has a very strong relationship with Commissioner Strain and the Louisiana Department of
Agriculture and Forestry," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. "He has been a vocal advocate
for not only the Louisiana rice industry but the entire U.S. rice industry, and continues to administer
critical programs such as the blackbird abatement program, and conduct important work supporting EPA
approval of essential plant protection products. We are fortunate to have Commissioner Strain at the
helm of NASDA." Strain has been a strong supporter of opening markets for Louisiana and U.S.-grown

rice and is a proponent of advancing the phytosanitary protocol that would ease access to trade with
China. Recently, he led a Louisiana delegation to Cuba that included members of USA Rice.
Additionally, he worked with the U.S. Secretary of State's office to help navigate issues with trade in
Iraq.In the wake of the 2016 floods that impacted much of Louisiana including the rice industry, Strain
continues to work closely with rice leadership, USDA, Louisiana's congressional delegation and other
members of Congress, and the Governor to secure additional appropriations to assist those with uninsured
agricultural losses.
Bobby Hanks at the Sara Moulton party on Randy Thibodeaux's farm
USA Rice Food Aid Subcommittee Names New Chairman

By Sarah Moran
ARLINGTON, VA -- As a member driven organization, USA Rice has more than 40 boards, committees,
and subcommittees to address the myriad issues that face the U.S. rice industry. An area of continued
interest is food aid, which comprises about 3-5 percent of U.S. exports. USA Rice is proud to announce a
new chairman to USA Rice's Food Aid subcommittee, Bobby Hanks. Hanks is president of Louisiana
Rice Mill which he helped co-found in 1999. Bobby has great institutional knowledge of food aid issues
for rice and will help this subcommittee push for greater utilization of rice in U.S. government food
10

assistance programs," said Hugh Maginnis, USA Rice vice president of International. The introduction of
fortified rice is a real game changer for the U.S. rice industry and we have the potential to increase our
exports in this area," said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.
"There are many legislative and administrative hurdles that we will face in the coming months and years
but I am confident that we as an industry will be successful with Bobby at the helm, because we have an
excellent product and rice is the most consumed commodity in the world."USA Rice will be exhibiting at
the upcoming USDA/USAID International Food Security Conference, October 10-11 in Des Moines,
Iowa where information will be distributed to attendees and fortified rice samples will be available for
view.
Crop Progress: 2016 Crop 73 Percent Harvested

WASHINGTON, DC -- Seventy-three percent of the nation's 2016 rice acreage is harvested, according to
yesterday's U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report.
Rice Harvested, Selected States
Week Ending
State
Sept 25,
2015
Sept 18,
2016
Sept 25,
2016
2011-2015
average
Percent
Arkansas
68
73
84
63
California
29
18
15
Louisiana
97
92
95
97
Mississippi
71
63
72
66
Missouri
40
53
72
42
Texas
98
99
100
98
Six States
65
64
73
59
11

Scientists warn global warming could be a threat to wheat
and rice
28/09/2016 - 06:25:23Back to World Home
Global warming could rapidly threaten grasses including staple foods such as wheat and rice that
provide half of all the calories consumed by humans, say scientists.A new study looking ahead to
2070 found that climate change was occurring thousands of times faster than the ability of
grasses to adapt.While the research cannot predict what might happen to world food supplies as a
result, the authors warn of "troubling implications".Grass is food, both for many species of
animals and humans.Wheat, rice, maize, rye, barley and sorghum are all edible grasses that yield
nutritious grains. In many parts of the world and throughout history, wheat or rice famines have
led to widespread starvation.advertisementThe new research, published in the Royal Society
journal Biology Letters, looked at the ability of 236 grass species to adapt to new climatic niches
- the local environments on which they depend for survival.
Faced with rapid climate change, species wedded to a particular niche can survive if they move
to another region where conditions are more suitable, or evolve to fit in with their altered
surroundings.The scientists found that the predicted rate of climate change was typically 5,000
times faster than the estimated speed at which grasses could adapt to new niches.Moving to more
favourable geographical locations was not an option for a lot of grass species because of limits to
their seed dispersal and obstacles such as mountains or human settlements.
12

The researchers, led by Dr John Wiens, from the University of Arizona in the US, wrote: "We
show that past rates of climatic niche change in grasses are much slower than rates of future
projected climate change, suggesting that extinctions might occur in many species and/or local
populations."This has several troubling implications, for both global biodiversity and human
welfare."Grasses are an important food source for humans (especially rice, wheat and corn).
Evolutionary adaptation seems particularly unlikely for domesticated species ... and even local
declines may be devastating for some human populations.
http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/scientists-warn-global-warming-could-be-a-threat-to-wheat-and-rice756786.html
Basmati genome data decoded, seeds of opportunity sown

Shimona Kanwar | TNN | Sep 28, 2016, 10.35 AM IST
CHANDIGARH: For the first time,
the magic behind the aromatic
basmati seed has been decoded. The
Institute of Microbial Technology
(Imtech)
has
sequenced
the
megagenomic data of microbes
coexisting with basmati rice. With
this, scientists have opened a big
window of opportunity in this tiny
white speck. They say that with
access to such a data, there can be
huge possibilities of new research to
increase rice plant output and
quality Megagenomics imply large-scale genetic data and sequencing of bacteria. One bacteria has around
5,000 genes and scientists at Imtech have sequenced genomes of 100 such bacteria. Imtech is one of 37
laboratories of Council of Scientific and Industrial Re search (CSIR) in Chandigarh.
"The new data can also lead to research in using lesser resources like water and land to grow rice -a staple
for almost half the world's population," said Prabhu B Patil, lead author of the study.
In India, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Madhya
Pradesh and Bihar are major basmati cultivating states. India's export of basmati rice fetches between Rs
35,000 crore and Rs 40,000 crore annually. "The data can be a boon for farmers if it can identify those
microbes of the grain which makes the crop drought, disease and shattering (during harvesting 1015% of
the grains fall off) resistant," said Rameshwar Singh, project director, Directorate of Knowledge
Management in Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Delhi.
13
It is believed that with the chemical and artificial treatment of rice, the original or native bacteria that
coexisted with the plant had been suppressed. Exploitation of this genomic data might restore the native
bacterial consortium as was in millions of years ago. Plants are host to numerous microbes that coevolved over millions of years. These natural microbes in turn aid development and protection of plants in
diverse climatic conditions. "Analysis of bioinformatics by an expert can become valuable source for
further research. Imtech has shown a new direction to the world. It is a breakthrough when the world is
talking about food security," said Girish Sahni, director general CSIR.
Patil's group at Imtech has published the `The rice microbiome' in Frontiers in Microbiology. It is the first
megagenome database of seed microbiome of any plant. "We have sequenced genome of bacteria found
in basmati seeds. These bacteria would be contributing to boost rice's immunity to fight against diseases
and other stressful conditions like less water etc," said Patil.
While genome data of many plants is available, the microbial megagenomic resource of only a plant weed
-Arabidopsis thaliana was sequenced earlier. The data generated by Patil's group is the first megagenomic
information of microbes associated with an economically important plant.
Samriti, who is the first author of the megagenomic study , along with Kanika Bansal, both PhD scholars
associated with Patil at Imtech, is carrying forward this work.
UAPB researchers improve disease resistance of hybrid rice

varieties to ensure better harvests
hehemannw
Will Hehemann | School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences

As part of the largest rice-producing state
economy in the U.S., Arkansas rice producers
are likely familiar with straighthead disorder,
one of the most damaging rice diseases that can
drastically reduce grain yields year-to-year, Dr.
Bihu Huang, professor of agriculture at the
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, said. To
offset the economic risks for rice farmers,
faculty and student researchers at the UAPB
14

School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences are working on hybrid varieties of rice for
resistance to the disease, which costs Arkansas farmers $27 million and 74 million cubic meters
of water annually.
Straighthead is a non-fungal disease characterized by the sterility of the floral parts of a rice
plant, Dr. Huang said. The diseases name is derived from the appearance of the flowering
parts of the diseased rice, which remain straight when sterile and devoid of the weight of grain.
The disease, first reported in Arkansas in the early 1900s, is considered a threat to farmers
because it can reduce grain yield to practically nothing, she said. Straighthead can occur every
year, and Arkansas farmers have reported higher prevalence of the disease in recent years.
A viable solution to the problem is introducing resistant genes into hybrid rice, which has a 20
percent yield advantage over traditional rice, Dr. Huang said. This could vastly reduce the
amount of money and water used for the prevention of the disease. UAPB is working to improve
the disease resistance in hybrid rice varieties to help ensure greater yields in Arkansas.
During the course of her research in rice breeding, Dr. Huang and a team of graduate and
undergraduate researchers utilized various rice germplasms from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture world rice collection. The varieties she used are selected based on their relevance to
field conditions in Arkansas.
Dr. Huang said UAPBs involvement in rice research in Arkansas works to fulfill the objective
of the Department of Agriculture to strengthen economic development in Arkansas by
developing new and innovative research applicable to farming systems in southeastern Arkansas.
Additionally, it enables UAPB to expand its capacity to conduct research in the area of food
production and support its research mission to enhance the quality of life for diverse and limitedresource audiences.
The research in rice breeding has provided involved, hands-on research opportunities for five
graduate and three undergraduate students at UAPB, Dr. Huang said. In addition to contributing
to research on campus, the students collaborated with and received training from scientists at the
Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center and University of Arkansas Rice Research and
Extension Center in Stuttgart and the Texas A&M University AgriLife Research and Extension
Center.
Research into timely topics with real-world applications and collaboration with the nations
leading scientists has generated student interest in the Arkansas rice industry and provided
invaluable training for future careers in agriculture, Dr. Huang said. UAPBs participation in
research so relevant to one of our states strongest industries will increase the ethnic, racial and
gender diversity of the nations agricultural, scientific and professional expertise base.
15

https://uapbnews.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/uapb-researchers-improve-disease-resistance-ofhybrid-rice-varieties-to-ensure-better-harvests/
Vietnamese investors target rice investment

Vietnamese rice investors and exporters drawn
from about 14 companies are in the country to
explore investment opportunities in rice
production, processing, storage, marketing and
distribution.The one-week visit from September
23-29 is organised by the Vietnamese Ministry
of Agriculture and Rural Development and the
Ghana-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and
Industry.The country consumers about 750,000
metric tonnes of rice annually. However, just
about 290,000metric tonnes are produced
locally; leaving a deficit of some 460,000 tonnes
which has to be imported.The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data shows that,
Ghanaians, in 2014, consumed 754,698 metric tonnes of rice, with imports making up 52 per
cent. Government has said it is poised to cut the annual rice import bill of about US$600million
and make the country net exporter by 2020.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture argues that efforts at increasing local rice production to
curb over-reliance on importation of the commodity is being undermined by lack of adequate
infrastructure, specifically rice processing mills, in rice-producing communities of the country.
Prairie Texas Incorporated, otherwise known as Aveyime Rice Project, has also been left to rot.
The rice processing facilities at the factory have been quiet for years. Hundreds of workers have
also been laid off.Vietnam is the worlds fifth-largest rice-producing country and has the
requisite expertise in the production of the crop. The Southeast Asia countrys rice production
has continuously increased, from 25 million tons in 1995 to almost 40 million tons in 2010.
Vietnam is one of the worlds leading rice exporters. The countrys rice exports reached 5.3
million tons in 2005 and almost 6.9 million tons in 2010.The similarity in the landscape of the
Asian country is similar to Ghanas landscape which is ideal for the production of the crop.Rice
production challenges For the 2014/15 farming season, farmers in the three northern regions had
thousands of bags of rice locked up in warehouses due to the unavailability of mills to process
16

the commodity, a situation that compelled the farmers to use manual means of rice processing
which do not meet market standards.
Ghanaian consumers often cite the presence of stones in locally produced rice, aside price, as the
reason they opt for imported brands.According to the Agric Ministry, the situation is an
impediment to governments quest to motivate rice farmers into boosting local production of the
commodity to cushion food security, aside from robbing the farmers of their primary source of
livelihood.
Lack of rice-processing plants in the Northern Region is making it difficult to produce to feed
the nation and produce quality rice that meets market specifications, Alhaji Mohammed
Limuna, the Agriculture Minister has said.He added that: The few in the region are defuncta
situation that has compelled government to continue spending huge sums of money to import
similar goods to meet demands of the population.
This is affecting income generation of the local rice farmers, aside from discouraging most of the
farmers from venturing into the rice sector only to incur debt.There are also other production
constraints, such as land tenure problems, removal of subsidy on inputs, absence of water control
systems which consequently leads to high-risk and non-intensive cropping practices.
Other problems include low yields and low profitability, reduction of the productive capacity of
the soil, coupled with over liberalization of rice trade in Ghana.Rice is important to the countrys
economy and agriculture, accounting for nearly 15% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).The
rice producing area totals about 45% of the total area planted to cereals. The rice sector is an
important provider of rural employment.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Vietnamese-investors-target-rice-investment472738
Nigeria imports $18m tooth picks yearly Minister
In NIGERIA
Jeremiah Bako Gyang
The Federal Government yesterday bemoaned Nigerias over dependence on imports for its daily
needs including food items.Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh
said it was ridiculous that the country spends over $18m annually on importation of tooth picks.
17
Asked how he arrived at the figure, he said it was from a recent Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
report, stressing that it was pathetic that Nigeria was spending its hard earned resources on nonessential items. The Minister reeled out some scary statistics on the nations food import

situation for example; where over 7 million tons of rice consumed annually in the country were
imported from Thailand, India and Vietnam.
Ogbeh said: We depended on Thailand, India and Vietnam to feed us with rice, we depend on
other countries to feed us with tomato paste; we depend on others even for tooth picks at the cost
of 18 million dollars per annum. We depend on Brazil for sugar; and we also depend even now
on other countries for pepper and so on. We import 5million eggs per a day from South Africa.
We bring sliced potatoes from South Africa. We spend $600 hundred million in importing fish a
year.
Theres no reason why we cant grow our fish here. We bring in milk and milk products to the
tune of $1 billion dollars per annum because our cows dont yield enough milk. One litre per a
day and the meat you eat is as good as plastic because the cows walk too much. To walk from
Maidugiri to Lagos is a bit of excessive exercise and when we spoke of special grasses to feed
the cows, we got all the abuse in the world on the internet because those who dont know about
the subjects got involved.While he said the Buhari government was making efforts to reverse
the trend, the Minister regretted that the country lacked enough machinery for food
processing.We dont have enough rice mills even now that rice paddy is increasing in large
volumes. We are behind schedule in our capacity to mill our rice. We dont have enough mills to
produce enough cassava starch for the upcoming textile industry, he lamented
Arkansas Rice Hardest Hit by Rain Damage

Published 09/26 2016 12:03PM
Updated 09/26 2016 12:03PM
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas rice crop is taking the hardest hit after heavy rains in
August that have cost farmers across the state more then $46 million, according to preliminary
damage estimates.
In a news release issued Mond ay by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture,
Economist Brad Watkins said that figure may be as high as $50 million once the fall harvests are
finished and the extent of the damage is known.
Losses to the state's rice crop amounts to more than $18.6 million in lost value, with estimated
yield loss of more than 4.1 million bushels. Of harvested grain, 16 percent is rated poor and 12
percent rated very poor.
18
The preliminary report, drafted by Watkins and Eric Wailes, Distinguished Professor of
agricultural economics, is based on crop and harvest reports by Division of Agriculture crop
specialists, the release stated.
Watkins presented the report to a meeting of the Arkansas General Assemblys Joint Committee
of Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development held Sept. 21 at the Division of
Agricultures Livestock and Forestry Research Station near Batesville.
Watkins said the losses resulted from heavy rains around the third week of August. Many crops
were at or near harvest stage when the rains and flooding occurred.
Seven counties Randolph, Greene, Lawrence, Craighead, Independence, Jackson and White
along the Black, Cache and White rivers were the hardest hit, Watkins said. Those rivers
collected rainfall from watershed tributaries and sent it into low areas, submerging many
northeast Arkansas fields.
Sustained submergence of fields accompanied by sustained cloudy conditions destroyed many
fields and severely damaged crop output and quality from others.
Many rice, soybean, corn and grain sorghum grains were damaged by sprouting in the field, and
soybean pods split open. The result was that significant percentages of harvested crops were
rated poor or very poor when they arrived at market.
19
Soybeans have an estimated yield loss of nearly 1.1 million bushels, amounting to nearly $10.8
million in lost value. Ten percent of harvested soybeans were rated poor and 9 percent very poor.
Only Lawrence and Randolph counties reported some flooding of corn and sorghum fields, but
rain and cloudy conditions resulted in sprouting damabe to about 80 percent of the sorghum crop.
The result is an estimated $5.6 million in lost value.
The main impact of the rains on corn was delayed harvest. Other impacts were increased ear
molds and greater occurrence of stock rot and lodging. Lodging may become more of a problem
as harvest continues.
About 5 percent of cotton acres were affected by the August rains. A preliminary estimate of lost
value is about $11.5 million.
Watkins said the August rains are believed to have damaged vegetable and melon crops, but
reports are incomplete and losses cannot be estimated. One producer reported a complete loss of
500 acres of cantaloupes, Watkins said, losing a market value of $1.5 million.
Other small farmers with cooperative contracts with grocery stores that market local produce
have had significant losses and were not able to deliver on their contracts, Watkins said.
Copyright 2016 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,
rewritten, or redistributed.
Have a cool one tomorrowrice growers will thank you

Sep 27, 2016 by Hembree Brandon in Farm Press Blog
Of the 25 most beer-loving states, only two Mid-South states were included, Missouri at No.
2 and Louisiana at No. 11, but the region does supply a goodly amount of the rice used in
brewing beer.
Tomorrow (Sept. 28), I am advised by a pre-dawn e-mail, is National
Drink Beer Day, and that Budweiser (The King of Beers, their ads have
told us for decades) has conducted a Beer With Your Buds national
survey to determine respondents favorite drink to enjoy with
friends.Not surprisingly, the survey found beer at the top of the list,
more than double that of margarita and wine, with cosmopolitan and gin
and tonic a distant fourth and fifth. And when drinking socially, those
surveyed prefer domestic beer over imported.
Of the 25 most beer-loving states, Massachusetts was at the top of the list. Only two MidSouth states were included, Missouri at No. 2 and Louisiana at No. 11, but the region does
supply a goodly amount of the rice used in brewing beer. California and Washington state ranked
18th and dead last, respectively, one supposes because of their many wineries.
20
Those drinking domestic beers, the survey found, are perceived as more genuine and approachable than
those drinking imported beers.Getty Images/Scott Olson
No mention is made of the genuineness and approachability of those imbibing the hundreds, or maybe
even thousands, of craft beers that have sprung up in recent years; mayhap they are too bogged down in
analyzing all of the taste components, real or perceived (aromatic, peppery, smoky, cidery, acidic, grassy,
astringent, and on and on).
Delta Farm Press Daily
As the little boy remarked when he kissed a cow, Everyone to his own taste, beer has never
been one of mine. Just never liked the stuff. Youve got to cultivate a taste for it, Ive been told
any number of times over the years. Sorry, not for me.
On a junket once, in an ancient underground beer hall in Brussels, Belgium, our group was
offered a choice of more than 100 different beers, the most popular being served in two foot-tall
glasses. I gamely tried a couple of sips, then washed the taste away with Pepsi.
DELTA COMING EVENTS
21

Ive cooked with beer, made bread with beer, and have had many interesting, fun, times with
friends who were drinking beer; I just never wanted to drink it myself.
But to all those who do like it and find it enjoyable, have a cool one tomorrow in observance of
National Drink Beer Day. Mid-South rice growers will thank you.
http://deltafarmpress.com/blog/have-cool-one-tomorrow-rice-growers-will-thank-you
Interest growing in row rice, other rice innovations: Part I

Sep 26, 2016 Forrest Laws | Delta Farm Press
Low prices, high production costs and growing pressure to reduce water usage are leading rice
farmers to try new ways of growing their crop.One of those is planting rice without using the
traditional levees to flood their crops, a practice many are calling row rice. Another is the
increased use of no-till, less water and new herbicide technologies.
Jeff Reeves, regional sales manager for central Arkansas for RiceTec talked about those changes
and what they could mean to producers during an interview at RiceTecs Mid-South Field Day at
its Arkansas Business Center near Harrisburg.
For more information on RiceTec and rice production, visit http://www.ricetec.com/
NFA may import rice in Nov for next years need

By James Konstantin Galvez, TMT on September 27, 2016
THE state-run National Food Authority (NFA) on Monday said that it might start negotiations as early as
November for the remaining half of its standby authority to fill the countrys rice requirement by the start
of next year.NFA Officer in Charge Tomas Escarez said that they have already submitted the proposal to
the interagency NFA Council for approval, noting that the 250,000 metric tons of rice to be imported
would include buffer stock in anticipation of the La Nia climate phenomenon, which is expected to start
affecting the country by January or February 2017.
22
We already imported 250,000 MT but then we think more is needed between January to February, which
is considered as a temporary lean months because there is no harvest, Escarez said told reporters on the

sidelines of the agencys 44th anniversary celebration.The official said that they are just waiting for the
final instructions from the NFA Council, which scheduled to meet on Tuesday (today).Traditionally, lean
season in the Philippines starts in July and ends in September. It is also the time when the government
imports rice that would help stabilize price in retail markets.But with the effects of La Nia expected to
be felt in the country by the end of the year, the NFA Council will need to decide immediately if it will
push through with the importation plan to prepare for the impact of a wetter climate.This will give NFA
sufficient lead time to preposition the stocks nationwide in time for the season of tropical storms and
typhoons which usually occur during the end of the third quarter until the fourth quarter, Escarez earlier
said.
La Nia, a weather phenomenon characterized by unusually cool ocean surface temperatures in the
central and eastern tropical Pacific, usually occurs after an El Nio episode. The weather phenomenon is
also expected to bring heavy rains in most parts of the country, especially in Mindanao.Meanwhile,
Escarez assured that the public that there is more than enough stocks with more than 18 days grains
reserve stored at government-owned warehouses.At present, withdrawals at NFA warehouses nationwide
was pegged at 32, 150 bags per day, he added.Under the Food Staples Sufficiency Program, the entire
country should have a 60-day inventory at any given time, and a 90-day buffer stock during lean
months.The state-run grains agency alone is required by law to have at least 15-day buffer stock in its
depositories at any given time, and 30-day buffer stock during lean months.Last month, the NFA awarded
to the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam the supply contract for 250,000 metric
tons of rice to beef up the countrys food security stocks.
http://www.manilatimes.net/nfa-may-import-rice-in-nov-for-next-years-need/288101/
Indonesia Needs Cheaper Rice

Indonesia would consider buying more rice from Cambodia if the price was more competitive, the
Indonesian ambassador to Cambodia told reporters after the Indonesian Trade and Tourism Promotion
2016 expo in Phnom Penh on Friday. Ambassador Pitono Purnomo said that Cambodia and Indonesia
signed a memorandum of understanding in 2012 for the annual export of about 100,000 tons of milled
rice and have been in continuous talks since.
He added that so far, negotiations had yet to provide enough incentive to increase imports as the price of
Cambodian rice was too high. He said Indonesia was one of the worlds biggest rice consumers and
needed rice not only for consumption but also for stock stabilization. The price of Cambodian rice is
high, you have to make it lower to compare with your competitors like Thailand and Vietnam. Indonesia
is one of the biggest rice consumers, Mr. Purnomo said.
23

If you make the price more competitive compared to Vietnam and Thailand, Indonesia will of course
consider Cambodian rice. We are not going to import premium rice as we are importing it for the average
citizen. We dont need high grade as we also want to use it for stock purposes, he added.Mr. Purnomo
said the ball was now in Cambodias court, adding that if the price was reduced, Indonesia would make
appropriate considerations. As far as I know, were only stuck on the price. I understand the price is a bit
higher since you have higher-quality rice and logistics are high.Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak said at
the rice purchasing and export workshop that Indonesia has been working with the Ministry of Commerce
to purchase about 400,000 tons of rice and just needed to agree on the price and type of rice.
Indonesia demands white rice with more than 15 percent broken rice to deliver to average people. It is
not a premium rice. Indonesia wants to purchase low-grade rice, he said. We are now working with
Indonesia, but we want our rice exporters to consider low-quality rice for export.
Song Saron, president of Amru Rice of Cambodia, told Khmer Times that his company had yet to export
to Indonesia because the price for logistics was higher than neighboring countries and added that
Indonesias market was for white rice. In my opinion, we cannot talk about export [to Indonesia] at the
moment. We must first make our price more competitive, he said.Mr. Saron added that Cambodian rice
would be more competitive if electricity, logistics and port costs were reduced as well as other
administrative procedures for rice millers and exporters. He said Cambodian white rice costs about $425
per ton while that in Thailand and Vietnam was $380 and $360 respectively, about $40 to $65 higher per
ton.
Production costs should be under $30 per ton. Generally, our production costs are about $100 from rice
paddy. If it is $40 to $60 per ton we could do it, Mr. Saron said. If logistics, electricity, and port costs
are high, how can we compete with neighboring countries?
In 2015, according to figures from the Indonesian embassy, Indonesia exported $435 million in goods to
the Kingdom while Cambodia exported only $15 million to Indonesia. Indonesias exports included
garments, spare parts, chemicals, medicine and tobacco while Cambodia mostly exported garments and
food.
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/30146/indonesia-needs-cheaper-rice/
China urged to speed up $300M rice loan

Tue, 27 September 2016
A Cambodian government official urged Chinas new ambassador to the Kingdom yesterday to
speed up a $300 million loan aimed at building rice storage facilities across the country, a nearly
24

two-year-old request that has seen little traction as Cambodias rice sector continues to struggle,
state-owned media outlet AKP reported. Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong told Chinas
ambassador to Cambodia, Xiong Bo, that the country desperately needs the funds and asked
China to buy 300,000 tonnes of Cambodian rice annually
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/china-urged-speed-300m-rice-loan
Vietnamese trade and investment delegation in Ghana

September 27, 2016 Dao Manh Duc
A Vietnamese Trade and Investment delegation is in

Ghana, to explore opportunities in rice
production/farming, processing, storage, marketing
and distribution.The trip is being organised by the
Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam and the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in
collaboration with the Ghana-Vietnam Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.Among the delegation for
the visit, which runs from September 26 to
September 29, include top government officials
from the Ministries and the Trade Office of the
Vietnam Embassy.Mr Dao Manh Duc, Head of
Trade Office of Embassy of the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam in Nigeria, said the visit is to help
improve the balance of trade between the two
countries.He said the rice investment and trade
programme would provide education on the latest trends in rice production, both in terms of practice and
technology.Vietnam is the number one exporter of rice in the world.
Source: GNA
https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2016/09/27/vietnamese-trade-and-investment-delegation-in-ghana/
25

Rice farmers donate to food bank for flood relief
Posted: Sep 28, 2016 12:22 AM PST Updated: Sep 28, 2016 12:22 AM PST
The Louisiana rice industry donated 13 tons of rice to the Greater

Baton Rouge Food Bank to help the organization rebuild its
inventory after last months devastating floods.The gift will
provide 324,000 half-cup servings."The donation from the
Louisiana rice industry has tremendous impact for us, because it
truly is a staple of Louisiana culture and of a Louisiana diet," said
Michael Manning, President and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. "In light of the
recent flooding and the destruction to our community as well as our facility, this donation of rice
is a great non-perishable item for us to distribute to those most in need.
The donation was made by the Louisiana Rice Growers Association Louisiana Rice Mill and
Falcon Rice Mill, both of Crowley; Planters Rice Mill of Abbeville, Farmers Rice Mill of Lake
Charles, the, retired rice farmer Jimmy Hoppe, the USA Rice Federation and USA Rice Staff.
26

In addition to contributing rice, Falcon Rice Mill packaged the donated rice from all sources and
Farmer Rice Mill provided, at cost, the rice that was purchased for donation by LARGA, Hoppe,
and USA Rice and its staff.
Our farmers are just completing one of the most challenging harvest seasons in memory, but
they realize that this flood also impacted our fellow citizens and are happy to share our rice with
those in need, said Michael Fruge, president of the Louisiana Rice Growers Association.
The donation is being made during National Rice Month, and Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a
proclamation declaring September as Louisiana Rice Month.
The August flooding crippled the Food Bank as its facility had 4 feet of water that damaged
equipment and ruined more than 500,000 pounds of food.
Just days after the flood, the Food Bank secured a temporary location to begin operations,
Manning said. We provided food assistance through neighborhood distributions and member
agencies. Since the middle of August, more than 1 million pounds of food have been
distributed.
He said the Food Bank is moving its warehouse operations back to its original location.
But he said the Food Banks services are needed now more than ever as flood victims continue to
recover from the disaster.
The food bank is a regional organization that provides food to more than 115 charitable agencies
operating food pantries, group homes, shelters, meal sites and special agencies in 11
parishes. In 2015, the Food Bank provided approximately 8.7 million meals.
Steve Linscombe, director of the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station said the
contribution from the LRGA is significant because of the difficult times currently facing farmers.
Low prices had already presented a difficult challenge. This years flooding made harvest a
struggle for many farmers. In some cases, they had no choice but to leave their ruined fields
unharvested.
http://www.katc.com/story/33261994/rice-farmers-donate-to-food-bank-for-flood-relief
27

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Have a cool one tomorrowrice growers will thank you

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Interest growing in row rice, other rice innovations: Part I

NFA may import rice in Nov for next years need

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Indonesia Needs Cheaper Rice

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