11 th january,2016 daily global regional,local rice e_newsletter by riceplus magazine

7/23/2019 11 Th January,2016 Daily Global Regional,Local Rice E_Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

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Daily Global, Regional & Local Rice E-Newsletter

1 |w w w . r i c e p l u s s . c o m , w w w . r i c e p l u s m a g a z i n e . b l o s g s p o t . c o m

January 11,2016 Vol 6 Issue

www.ricepluss.com [email protected] 92 321 36


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Editorial Board

Chief Editor

Hamlik

Managing Editor

Abdul Sattar Shah

Rahmat Ullah

Rozeen Shaukat

English Editor

Maryam Editor

Legal Advisor

Advocate Zaheer Minha

Editorial Associates

Admiral (R) Hamid Kh

Javed Islam Agha

Ch.Hamid Malhi

Dr.Akhtar Hussain

Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Sidd

Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UA

Islam Akhtar Khan

Editorial Advisory Board

Dr.Malik Mohammad

HashimAssistant Professor, Goma

University DIK

Dr.Hasina GulAssistant Director, Agriculture KP

Dr.Hidayat UllahAssistant Professor, Unive

of Swabi

Dr.Abdul BasirAssistant Professor, Unive

of Swabi

Zahid MehmoodPSO,NIFA Peshawar

Falak Naz ShahHead Food Science &

Technology ART, Peshawar

Today Rice News Headlines...

PH rice inventory adequatePSA

Compensatory payment scheme for rice farmers after tariffication A SCHEME OF DECOUPLED PAYMENTS FOR THE

PHILIPPINES

Pakistans basmati export hopes fade; Indian prices fall

PERSON OF THE YEAR

China starts rice imports from Laos

Govt's rice procurement may exceed 32 mn tons this year

USA Rice Teaches Mexican Consumers About U.S. Rice'sVersatility

Rice Exporters Cutting Prices as Yuan Falls

Compensatory payment scheme for rice farmers after tariffication

New Research Reveals Climate-Food-Conflict Connection ViaNighttime Temperatures

Rice stocks good for 90 daysPSA

Thailand to cut rice output

Paddy procurement gets to a close in Gobi taluk

Milled Rice Exports Up But Fall Short of Goal

Paddy procurement gets to a close in Gobi taluk

Government's rice procurement may exceed 32mn tons this year

Haryana, Punjab provide 20 per cent more rice for central pool

APEDA Rice Commodity News

Rice Prices Drought hits half of country, but rice bowl seen surviving"

News Detail...


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PH rice inventory adequatePSAJanuary 11, 2016 9:59 pm

by James Konstant in Galvez Reporter

The Philippines has enough rice stocks to last for the next three months despite major typhoonsthat made landfall at the end of last year and concerns of poor harvests due to the adverse effectsof El Nino, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.In its latest inventory report, thePhilippine Statistics Authority-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said that as of December 1,2015, the countrys total rice inventory was at 3.44 million metric tons, 13.5 percent highercompared to the 3.03 million MT recorded during the same period a year ago.

The inventory was also up by 10.8 percent from the 3.11 million MT recorded in November2015 as imported shipments, particularly from Vietnam, continued to arrive.The total riceinventory for this month would be adequate for 100 days. Stocks in thehouseholds would besufficient for 47 days, those in commercial warehouses for 29 days, and those in NFA

depositories for 24 days, the PSA-BAS said.Of this months total rice inventory, 47.8 percentwere with households, 28.4 percent were in commercial warehouses and 23.8 percent in NFAdepositories.To ensure stable supply and price of the staple amid droughts, Manila is looking toimport at least 1 million metric tons of rice early this year.

Over the past two years, the NFA has relied massively on cheaper imported rice to replenish itsbuffer stocks in lieu of buying locally grown palay, saying that it cannot compete with privatemillers and traders.Buying rice from abroad cuts the agencys spending on buying and millinglocally grown palay and it can earn more and slash losses by selling to consumers at higherprices.The Department of Agriculture, meanwhile, expects no shortage in the supply of the grainahead of the lean months as more farmers continued to plant rice after continuous rains late last

year.Due to the movement of the cropping calendar, a shorter lean season may be experiencedthis year, the DA said.

Traditionally, the lean season in the Philippines starts in July and ends in September. It is alsothe time when the government, through the National Food Authority, imports rice that wouldhelp stabilize price in retail markets.To recall, the palay sector suffered massively fromunrealized plantings as a result of delayed release and inadequate irrigation water, lateoccurrence of rains, and some areas left fallow.The wet season should have started mid April butwas delayed to June or July due to the lack of water supplies.http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-rice-inventory-adequate-psa/238921/

Compensatory payment scheme for rice farmers aftertariffication

In 1995, the Philippines was granted special treatment in rice by the WTO, thereby allowing it

to maintain its import monopoly and quantitative restrictions (QRs). This privilege will expire

by 2017, hence compelling the rice sector to undergo tariffication. Removal of special treatment
http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-rice-inventory-adequate-psa/238921/http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-rice-inventory-adequate-psa/238921/http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-rice-inventory-adequate-psa/238921/


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will lead to intensified competition from imports and lower domestic prices, reducing farmers

income. In the following we will assess options for agricultural production support options for

rice farmers after tariffication.

TYPES OF AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT SCHEMES

Domestic subsidies are typically provided through productivity-oriented programs, direct

payments, or a combination of both. Productivity-oriented programs include research and

development (R&D) and irrigation investments. While such programs are important

productivity-oriented programs, our assessment focuses on direct payments. The Philippines is

already spending considerable amounts for support of rice farmers under its self-sufficiency

program, which should be kept in place. However, productivity-oriented programs tend to impact

the medium to long-term, whereas the removal of QRs have immediate impacts. Direct payments

appear to be the more appropriate safety net for rice farmers.

Direct payments are classified into three types namely, traditional support, deficiency paymentsand decoupled payments. Traditional support: examples are price support and procurement

schemes. NFA procurement is an example of traditional support. Deficiency payments are

payments that compensate farmers for when farmgate prices fall. Payments under this type are

equal to the difference between a target price and the market price. The US, South Korea, and

Thailand have implemented deficiency payment schemes for farmers. Decoupled payments

refer to lump-sum payments unrelated to price or quantity. Since these payments are a form of

assistance to farmers in their transition to a free-market, decoupled payments are capped, and

time-bound. The US, Mexico, EU, Turkey, and South Korea, are examples of countries that have

implemented decoupled payment schemes.

Due to minimal distortion, decoupled payments are permitted without restriction by WTO.Based

on past research, traditional schemes such as the market price support and consumer subsidy are

disadvantageous, due to high fiscal burden, leakage, and market distortion. For example, in the

Philippines, traditional support has imposed high cost, driving the net debt position of the

National Food Authority up to 143 billion pesos. In Thailand, a paddy pledging program cost the

government the equivalent of over a trillion pesos, and led to huge stockpiles of rice.

Deficiency payments appear to be a better alternative; when Thailand switched to a Price

Insurance Scheme (PIS), it was able to reduce budgetary outlays for farmer support, while still

increasing the number of beneficiaries, from 1 to 3.2 million farmers. However, deficiencypayments are still vulnerable to high fiscal cost when farmgate prices happen to fall to

unexpectedly low levels. On the other hand, decoupled payments address the problem of wastage

and high fiscal burden affecting traditional and deficiency payments.

A SCHEME OF DECOUPLED PAYMENTS FOR THE PHILIPPINES


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In the following, we evaluate a possible compensatory payment scheme (2017-2022) that would

serve as a safety net for rice farmers after tariffication. Rice farmers registered under the Registry

System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), or their heirs, are eligible to receive

payments. The annual compensation formula is posited as follows:

Total Payments = P5/kg. x (actual imports -- normal imports) / 0.654

To compute payments for each farmer, total payments from the payment compensation formula

shall be divided by the area harvested. This will be distributed per cropping season (twice a

year). To avoid fiscal problems, eligible farm area is capped at 2 hectares per farmer.

In practice, actual imports and area harvested will be approximated by the previous years

figures.

To compute expected and normal imports, as well as assess the financial viability of the

program, we apply an economic model called the Total Welfare Impact Simulator (TWIST).TWIST will be used to assess two scenarios: baseline scenario and an tariffication scenario. The

former assumes QRs are maintained, with a fixed farmgate price of P17 per kg. (NFA support

price); the baseline is the basis for the normal rate of imports in the compensation formula. The

alternative scenario adopts the same assumptions, except that it posits the repeal of QRs, and

imposition of a 35% tariff equivalent (2017 onwards).

Simulation analysis shows that tariffication leads to the following changes relative to the

baseline (average of 2017-2022):

Palay output will be lower by 2.5 million tons per year.

Farmgate price will be lower by an average of P4.60 pesos per kg.

Retail price will be lower by an average of P7.00 pesos per kg.

Imports will be larger by 2.25 million tons per year.

Tariff revenues will average 27.7 billion per year.

Based on the assumed compensation formula, payments will equal 17 to 18 billion pesos per

year.

Earmarking the rice tariff revenue to pay for the compensation scheme is feasible. Assuming

eligible area is at 4 million hectares, payments per hectare is equal to P4,750. In this case, for 2


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hectares of irrigated farmland, farmers could receive P19,000 per year. This is greater than

transfer per household from the conditional cash transfer program (CCT) which is P15,000 for 3

children. Note that compensatory payments can be received simultaneously with the CCT.

TARIFFICATION INEVITABLE

Tariffication of the Philippine rice sector by 2017 is inevitable. The inevitable transition to a

more open rice trade regime should be accompanied by safety nets for smallholders suffering

from intensified competition from imports. We have evaluated a compensatory transfer scheme

combined with a 35% tariff equivalent as a feasible support scheme once special treatment is

removed. Such a compensatory scheme should be implemented alongside existing productivity-

enhancing programs for the rice sector.

Roehlano M. Briones and Lovely Ann Tolin are Research Fellow and Research Analyst,

respectively, at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. The study is conducted underthe multi-country CREW Project, supported by CUTS International Jaipur.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Opinion&title=compensatory-payment-scheme-for-

rice-farmers-after-tariffication&id=121206

Pakistans basmati export hopes fade; Indian prices fallBy Erum Zaidi

January 12, 2016

KARACHI: Pakistans aromatic basmati rice exports fell almost 30 percent in the year toOctober due to cheaper rival supplies from India, a trend that is expected to continue and would

make it difficult for the country to stay competitive, traders said.Indias competitive rice prices

have helped the country in grabbing a bigger share of the global market and increasing exports,

Muhammad Shafique, Chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap), told The News

in an interview. Our exports are already on the decline.Pakistans various varieties of rice

were quoted at $950 to 1,100/ton in the international market, while Indian varieties of basmati

rice, which competes with Pakistan, were priced at around at $720 to $850/ton.

Basmati a premium long grain variety of rice saw a sharp drop of 30.35 percent to $185

million in July to November FY16 as compared to $264 million a year ago. Exports of non-basmati rice increased 6.30 percent to $503 million compared with $474 million earlier.

Shafique said Indias lower export prices are taking toll on the Pakistans Basmati exports. "Still

we are not mulling to reduce prices to compete India," he added. "The exporters will continue to

sell at even higher prices despite decline in earnings."Analysts said world rice prices have taken
http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/89561-Pakistans-basmati-export-hopes-fade-Indian-prices-fallhttp://www.thenews.com.pk/print/89561-Pakistans-basmati-export-hopes-fade-Indian-prices-fall


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a hit because of bumper crops in Thailand and Vietnam, which will make it difficult for a

number of counties, including Pakistan to export some of its burdensome stocks.

Pakistans traditional customers of rice are African and Middle Eastern countries. The country

produced seven million tons in 2014/15 as against 6.098 million tons in the preceding fiscal year.

Given an ample supplies, it was easy for India and other Southeast Asian countries to sell at a

price that was lower than shipments from Pakistan.Figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics(PBS) revealed that the cost of basmati rice fell to $1,130.92/ton during January to November

2015 from $1,200.87/ton in the same period of the preceding year. Non-basmati (broken rice)

prices declined to $404.30/ton compared with $456.39/ton a year ago. A rice analyst said the

countrys exporters are selling rice on high prices in comparison of Indian counterparts because

of their rising input cost.

However, by and large, Pakistans rice export prices remained subdued in line with the global

trend of softening staple commodity prices since 2012, the analyst added. Otherwise, the levels

of crop production, inventories and supply in Pakistan are quite encouraging. The country hopes

to regain its share in the Iranian market after the worlds sanctions on neighbouring Iran eased inJuly last. Iranian government said that it would restart rice imports from Pakistan from October.

For Pakistani exporters, Iran can become the good destination for their basmati exports.We are

trying to capture around 1.2 million tons of Iranian rice market, but lack of payment mechanism

between the two countries is the major hurdle in meeting this objective, Shafique said.


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He said the Reap representatives scheduled visit to Iran on January 15 to discuss the issues

related to the resumption of rice exports from Pakistan, implementation of currency swap

agreement and the condition of good manufacturing practices (GMP) certification with Iranian

authorities has been postponed owing to the recent diplomatic crisis between Saudi Arabia andIran.Iran is one of the largest rice importers and purchases world rice output worth $2 billion

every year. However, Pakistans rice accounts for nearly an eight percent of Irans market.Data

on Reaps website showed that around 2,234 tons of rice was exported to Iran in 2014/15, while

the export receipts stood at $1.32 million.

Presently, trade with Iran is done on barter basis. If a currency swap agreement is implemented

between the two countries, traders of the both sides can look forward to conventional deals,

Shafique said.The Iranian health ministry has set health standards for the rice import and only

those who are registered under its GMP certification program can export to the country.The

Iranian authorities have so far registered only 15 Pakistani companies, giving them a clean chitthat their consignments are fit for human consumption and meet specific health standards,

Shafique said.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/89561-Pakistans-basmati-export-hopes-fade-Indian-prices-

fall#sthash.kMLoV73t.dpuf

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/89561-Pakistans-basmati-export-hopes-fade-Indian-prices-fall

PERSON OF THE YEAR

Mon, 01/11/2016 - 21:02 admin

Who Says Liberia Cant Grow Its Own Rice? 1M tons produced in Lofa This Year, Farmers Say

By: Gloria T.Tamba and Alvin Worzi

Mr. Selma

To say that Liberias farmers are unable to produce

enough food to supply the country would be an untruestatement. Sadly, the prevailing belief that the countryimports more than it produces, certainly appears true tosee the volume of imported rice entering the countryevery year.However, a Daily Observer team on a recenttrip to Lofa County uncovered evidence that Liberia canfeed itself, and the farmers at work have the produce to


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prove it.The evidence uncovered also pointed to the fact, however, that lack of governmentsupport to local farmers in one of the countrys major breadbaskets is what is preventing farmersin this part of the country from putting all their efforts and energy into farming, actions thatwould see Liberia being food sufficient.It all started when, earlier this month, The DailyObserver was throwing around a few names as possible person of the year. We had been through

the usual suspects President Sirleaf, Mary Broh, Mills Jones and others people who havemade significant, positive and radical moves that have influenced the economy, society ingeneral and the body politic. For 2015, we felt the need for significant focus on Agriculture. Butwho were the major players? Who was that entrepreneurial farmer, someone who was solutionsoriented a leader among his peers producing a volume of crop that inspired other famers tocompete?

And with 2017 on the horizon, the two biggest farmers who have announced their candidacy forthe Liberian presidencyVice President Joseph N. Boakai and businessman Benoni Ureyalsocame to mind. However, we shied away from any political personalities, because agricultureneed not be a political endeavor.Probing further still, we became aware of a group of farmers in

Lofa County led by a man named John Selma, who are said to have collectively producedroughly one million tons of upland and lowland rice in 2015 alone.This had to be our guyin fact, our groupfor what we saw on the ground in Lofa was a classicexample that one need not be a wealthy businessman or politician to produce the kind of volumewe are reporting about. It was a classic example of the possibilities that derive from goodleadership, trust, unity and for goodness sake hard work.Wanting to reverse the trend ofLiberia importing huge amounts of rice instead of growing its own, local farmer John Selmadecided to get involved in farming.Witnessing the daily struggles of Liberians in the country insearch of food, despite the huge amounts of imports of foodstuff on a daily basis, Selma got tiredof that and embarked on an effort to produce rice on a large scale in Liberia, thereby boostinglocal production.In an interview with Mr. Selma and others at his farm in Kpadeh Village, Lofa

County, he said he was also moved to get involved in farming to make Liberia food sufficient soas to prevent his people from struggling for food on a daily basis.

Like father, like son

Born on March 20, 1972, Selma grew up in David Selma Town, Lofa County. As a boy Selmaalways wanted to be like his father, after whom the town is named.A surveyor by profession,David Selma earned the respect and admiration of many people in the county. He earned extramoney helping local people in Lofa cash their government checks and gained a reputation forbeing trustworthy and for his goodwill.This initial contact with business led young John Selmato see himself pursuing business as a career.

However, the Liberian civil war put an end to that vision, which caused Selma to stop formalschooling in the 5th grade.Yet, with business in his blood, the enterprising Selma and his friendssold everything from cocoa to cane juice during the war, instead of getting involved in the bloodletting that was characteristic of the war.During the war some of us went through difficulties Ilost my father and other relatives. After the war, I got involved into petty business like buyingand selling tobacco, cane juice, salt, and other important items that our people needed.


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Back to the soilThe issue of getting a better job was something very difficult so I decided to get back to myfathers old business by giving out loans to farmers to improve their farming activities in2009.Late 2012, I realized that I needed to get back to the soil to grow more food after noticing

that the issue of food is the countrys major problem, with not much efforts being placed onputting an end to the huge importation of food.With this I decided to start my farming activitieswith a village savings loan for only farmers in the county, while at the same time encouragingthem to go back to the soil with high expectations of earning a better living for them and theirfamilies through the maximum production of food that would feed the country, said Selma.

From acres to hectares

He said that he got involved in commercial farming because it was then a new phenomenon inLiberias agriculture sector. Historically, he said, smallholder farmers in Liberia had beencontent with subsistence farming.This has partially been due to the difficulties in accessing

money from commercial banks. Banks do not trust the farmers ability to repay, and in turn,farmers are not willing to take loans at the high interest rates required by the banks, he added.Although access to farming loans from local banks is still a big issue that is hindering theagriculture sector from maximizing its potential, Selma said that farmers across Liberia aregrateful for the assistance they receive from local and international NGOs.He said that topromote access to finance for smallholder farmers in Liberia, the Liberia Entrepreneurial AssetDevelopment (LEAD) and the United States Agency for International Development Food andEnterprise Development (USAID FED) Program for Liberia have partnered to provide financialassistance to farming organizations.

USAID FED provides the projects beneficiaries with training on basic financial management

principals and then links them to LEAD for loans.We are glad to be among the nine farmingorganizations benefiting from the LEAD loan program in coordination with USAID FED sinceDecember 2014. We received US$10,000 which was invested in buying paddy rice from farmersand sold to the government and a local partner (Fabrar), John Selma, lead farmer of the ZilehFarmers Association, disclosed.Selma said that the Zileh farmers, from December 2014 toFebruary 2015, have sold rice to both the government and to Fabrar for a total of US$98,893from 5.25 metric tons of 50kg paddy rice.

USAID FED has assisted the Zileh farmers with the construction of irrigation structures andprovided power tillers to plow the lowland rice field. The farmers were also trained on how togrow lowland rice according to improved methods.Prior to USAID/FEDs intervention, the

group continuously experienced low yield harvests due to the application of traditional farmingmethods, harvesting only twenty 50-kg bags of rice from their seven-hectare plotannually.However, as a result of USAIDs intervention, the Zileh farmers experienced a dramaticincrease in yield, harvesting nearly two hundred 50-kg bags from the same area undercultivation.Selma said that USAID/FED has been supporting farmers to improve production infood value chains such as cassava, rice, goats and vegetables.Following this intervention in the


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process several farmers have let go of the past and turned to this new way of life by increasingtheir farms from cultivating an acre or so to hectares of rice and other food value chains.

I have been in the farming [business] for the past three years. I started with 50 farmers at theinitial stage but through our tireless efforts providing farming equipment, cash and other support

to them, they increased in Lofa because the farmers have now increased from 50 to over 350farmers currently, he said.Selma manages more than 175 hectares of lowland and upland ricefarms in Lofa County. He said that he increases his production through a barter system withsubsistence farmers, where he would trade certain amenities the farmers need for their farmsoutput.Selmas vision of going back to the soil with the hopes of improving the agriculture sectorhas been encouraging to farmers in Lofa. Farmers in Lofa County have in 2015 harvested morethan 15,000 bags of rice, which is a true success story considering the fact that prior to hisefforts, they were mostly subsistence farmers.

Big harvest, no market

Despite this level of success, however, the farmers are deeply frustrated because there is no oneto purchase their rice.With about a million tons produced this year in Lofa County alone,according to Selma, believes that Liberia can feed itself if farmers nationwide are given thefullest support in terms of finance, materials and moral support.He explained that several farmers in the country are capable of producing more food, especiallyrice, the countrys staple food, as well as cassava, potatoes, vegetables and many of the othercrops that grow in the country.We the farmers are willing to grow more food but we are notreceiving the necessary support we need. Instead, the money that is supposed to be used toimprove agriculture is being used [to import huge volumes] of food into the country.TheMinistry is aware of the large quantities of rice being produced around the country, AgricultureMinister Moses Zinnah told the Observer, but it is not the role of the government to buy rice.

Asked whether rice importers could be encouraged to purchase more local rice, Zinnah said wewant importers to buy rice from farmers, but did not speak to any efforts being made toencourage or mandate rice importers to do so, arguing that that is a question for the Ministry ofCommerce.Commerce Minister Axel Addy told the Observer that the government has engagedrice importers, who have welcomed the idea. However, Addy said, the Ministry of Agriculturehas to take the lead in either encouraging or mandating them to buy rice locally. The questionthen becomes, whose job is it to ensure that local farmers are able to sell their rice?

Another issue is that the few rice importers who are in fact buying from Liberian farmers areonly buying at US$17 per bag, while the MOA normally buys at US$20 per bag. For this year,

however, the MOA says it does not have a budget for buying rice from local farmers. So thesurplus rice produced by farmers this year is wasting on their farms because they have no buyers.Give Liberia ten more John Selmas and Liberias food insecurity days will be over! But afterthey have done the work, who will buy?http://www.liberianobserver.com/news/person-year


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China starts rice imports from Laos

English.news.cn 2016-01-10 22:14:58

SHENZHEN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The first shipment of rice imports from Laos have passedthrough inspection and quarantine procedures at south China's Shenzhen port, according to localauthorities.The shipment weighed 87.8 tonnes and was valued at 746 million U.S. dollars, saidthe Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection And Quarantine Bureau.China mainly imports rice fromVietnam, Thailand and Pakistan. It recently added Laos to the list.Chinese appetite for grainimports has been growing fast, as the increasingly wealthy population seek more choices ofstaple food.

As China's biggest port for rice imports, Shenzhen handled over 1 million tonnes of rice importsin 2015, accounting for nearly half of the country's total.The Shenzhen bureau said it has carriedout both on-the-spot inspections and lab tests for pesticide residue and heavy metal pollutants oneach batch of goods to ensure the quarantine quality of the imports.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-01/10/c_134995687.htm

Govt's rice procurement may exceed 32 mn tons this yearAccording to a Food Ministry official, overall rice procurement in 2015-16 will surpass lastyear's level

Press Trust of India | New Delhi January 11, 2016 Last Updated at 17:56 IST

FCI fixes higher rice procurement target despite fears of crop lossGovt to rope in pvt players forkharif rice procurementAgriculture Ministry to be renamed as Ministry of Agriculture &Farmers' WelfareAgriculture Ministry proposes further 5% hike in import duty of edible oilFCI'swheat procurement falls to 27.6 MT this year

Government's rice procurement may surpass last year's level of 32 million tonnes in the 2015-16marketing year despite prospect of lower production due to deficient monsoon.As per the latestdata, rice procurement has risen by 31% to 20 MT so far in the 2015-16 marketing year thatstarted from October, from 15.29 MT in the year-ago period.The Centre's nodal procurementagency Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state government-owned agencies undertakeprocurement operations. The Centre has kept a rice procurement target of 30 MT for the this

year.

"Despite the Agriculture Ministry's first estimate of lower production, somehow riceprocurement has been higher so far in most states. If the current trend continues, the overall riceprocurement in 2015-16 would surpass last year's level," a senior Food Ministry official toldPTI.Higher rice procurement was mainly due to fall in prices of common variety in most mandisafter basmati rice rates declined sharply, the official said.At present, procurement has been
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-01/10/c_134995687.htmhttp://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-01/10/c_134995687.htmhttp://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-01/10/c_134995687.htm


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completed in Punjab and Haryana, while the operations are in full swing in Uttar Pradesh,Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.Winter rice will be procured from Andhra Pradesh,West Bengal, Telangana and Odisha.

As per the latest data, rice procurement in Punjab rose to 9.34 MT in 2015-16 from 7.78 MT inthe last year. Similarly, rice purchase in Haryana increased to 2.85 MT from 2.01 MT in thereview period.Rice procurement in Andhra Pradesh has more doubled to 1.2 MT so far this yearas against 5,58,573 tonnes in the year-ago period, while neighbouring Telangana state procuredonly 9,07,180 tonnes as against 1.28 MT in the said period.

In Chattishgarh, the procurement was up at 2.53 MT from 1.56 MT, while in Uttar Pradesh thepurchases rose to 1 MT from 6,05,000 tonnes in the said period, the data showed.Riceprocurement in Odisha increased to 7,36,945 tonnes so far this year from 1,59,793 tonnes in the

year-ago period.In its first estimate, the Agriculture Ministry has projected a fall in kharif riceproduction to 90.61 MT in the 2015-16 crop year (July-June) from 90.86 MT in the year-agoperiod due to 14% fall in monsoon rains.

The agencies buy paddy from the farmers and give to millers for conversion into rice. Thegovernment has fixed the minimum support price of common variety of paddy at Rs 1,410 perquintal for 2015-16 kharif season


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http://agriculture.einnews.com/article/305765375/594RB-Ia4mEzPE6M

USA Rice Teaches Mexican Consumers About U.S. Rice's

Versatility

ByMichael Klein

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - USA Rice chefs and representatives took advantage

of Sunday being a major family shopping day in Mexico to set up a cooking demonstration event

at a Sam's Club here yesterday. About 75 shoppers crowded around as two USA Rice chefs and

two assistant chefs pulled from the audience cooked three very different dishes featuring U.S.-

grown rice.A rice dessert featuring long grain rice with pineapple, raisins, and eggnog was

presented alongside a rice salad with ham, cheese, peanuts, and vegetables made with parboiled

rice. The main event, and biggest crowd pleaser was the "People's Paella" that featured yellow

rice, chicken, shrimp, sausage, onions, and other vegetables.

"One very important aspect of these events is that they enable us to actually teach Mexican

consumers about U.S. rice and break some old habits that may discourage rice use," explained

Chef Gabriel Saucedo who led the seminar. "Mexicans are used to having to wash their rice and

then fry it in some oil before cooking it. Neither are necessary and they make rice more

complicated than it needs to be."USA Rice's Marvin Lehrer drove the point home when he

showed off the clean rice in the packages on display. "It's ready to cook right now - don't waste

your time washing the rice - the mill has done it for you," he told the crowd, handing out

coupons for U.S.-grown rice.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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The chefs shared other cooking tips with the crowd, such as cooking rice in bulk and storing it in

the refrigerator for use over several days. USA Rice's Gaby Carbajal helped dish out the prepared

food to the hungry crowd and then led a Quiz Show to see how much the spectators learned with

USA Rice cookbooks as prizes."I was happily surprised to learn of new ways to use rice today

such as the main course paella, salad, and dessert," said Malena Martinez, a shopper and mother

of two who participated in the event.

"Here in Mexico we know of only three traditional ways of cooking rice that we learned from

our mothers, so I'll definitely use more rice now that I know how versatile it is."Mexico, with a

population of more than 122 million, is the top destination for U.S.-grown rice that has a huge

logistical advantage over other origins. Mexico City is a sprawling metropolis of some 21

million people and Sam's Club and Walmart are major shopping centers here.

USA Rice goes live at Sam's Club cooking demo

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/governments-rice-procurement-

may-exceed-32mn-tons-this-year/articleshow/50534238.cms

Rice Exporters Cutting Prices as Yuan Falls

Khmer Times/Sum ManetSunday, 10 January 2016As Chinas currency, the yuan, falls against the US dollar and other major global currencies,Cambodian rice exporters say they will need to adjust their prices to compete in the market theyhave targeted for expansion.Hun Lak, vice president of the Cambodia Rice Federation, said

prices of rice exports to China will need to fall due to yuans depreciation, which began at theend of last year. Thailand and Myanmar lowered their rice prices and if we dont follow suit wecannot sell our product [in China], Mr. Lak said. Fragrant rice was priced at $740 per ton on average [in China] at the end of 2015, compared toaround $800 early in the year and white rice is going for $430 per ton, about $20 to $30 lower,Mr. Lak said, noting that pricing is in US dollars. This is a problem for rice producers because itis challenging to make a profit from exports, not only for Cambodia but also for other countries,Mr. Lak said, adding that members of his federation will hold talks and eventually a roundtablediscussion to find solutions to the problem.

Economist Srey Chanthy said the dollarization of Cambodias economy adds to the pressure on

exporters to China.Cambodia exported 538,396 tons of rice last year, up almost 40 percent fromthe 387,061 tons exported in 2014, according to a report from the Secretariat of One WindowService for Rice Export Formality. Cambodia exports both white and fragrant rice. Chinaimported about 100,000 tons of rice from Cambodia last year, according to official figures. HeanVanhan, deputy director of the General Department of Agriculture, said exports to China were amajor factor in the rise in ric export last thanks.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/governments-rice-procurement-may-exceed-32mn-tons-this-year/articleshow/50534238.cmshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/governments-rice-procurement-may-exceed-32mn-tons-this-year/articleshow/50534238.cmshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/governments-rice-procurement-may-exceed-32mn-tons-this-year/articleshow/50534238.cmshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/governments-rice-procurement-may-exceed-32mn-tons-this-year/articleshow/50534238.cmshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/governments-rice-procurement-may-exceed-32mn-tons-this-year/articleshow/50534238.cms


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He said this was due to lobbying from the government to identify new markets and the closerelationship between the Cambodian and Chinese governments. Cambodias rice farmers are alsobecoming more productive, Mr. Vanhan added.He added that because China is tightening qualityand hygiene standards on imported rice millers and exporters will need to ensure they comply

with these.

We need to transform some policies in order to increase exports, Mr. Vanhan said.KhanKunthy, CEO of rice exporter Brico, remains optimistic about Chinas market due to its size andthe amount of rice consumption in the country.My company exported rice to many countries,but not China and Malaysia, he said, adding that it plans to export rice to both of the countriesthis year. It only exported eight tons last year, but expects to double that amount this year, hesaid, adding that it will focus on fragrant and romdul rice.Mr. Kunthy said that Europe has been the major export destination for Cambodian exporters butChina is a growing market for them.

http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/19666/rice-exporters-cutting-prices-as-yuan-falls/

Compensatory payment scheme for rice farmers after

tariffication

In 1995, the Philippines was granted special treatment in rice by the WTO, thereby allowing it

to maintain its import monopoly and quantitative restrictions (QRs). This privilege will expire

by 2017, hence compelling the rice sector to undergo tariffication. Removal of special treatment

will lead to intensified competition from imports and lower domestic prices, reducing farmers

income. In the following we will assess options for agricultural production support options for

rice farmers after tariffication.

TYPES OF AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT SCHEMES

Domestic subsidies are typically provided through productivity-oriented programs, direct

payments, or a combination of both. Productivity-oriented programs include research and

development (R&D) and irrigation investments. While such programs are important

productivity-oriented programs, our assessment focuses on direct payments. The Philippines is

already spending considerable amounts for support of rice farmers under its self-sufficiency

program, which should be kept in place.

However, productivity-oriented programs tend to impact the medium to long-term, whereas the

removal of QRs have immediate impacts. Direct payments appear to be the more appropriate

safety net for rice farmers. Direct payments are classified into three types namely, traditional

support, deficiency payments and decoupled payments. Traditional support: examples are price

support and procurement schemes. NFA procurement is an example of traditional support.


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Deficiency payments are payments that compensate farmers for when farmgate prices fall.

Payments under this type are equal to the difference between a target price and the market price.

The US, South Korea, and Thailand have implemented deficiency payment schemes for farmers.

Decoupled payments refer to lump-sum payments unrelated to price or quantity.

Since these payments are a form of assistance to farmers in their transition to a free-market,decoupled payments are capped, and time-bound. The US, Mexico, EU, Turkey, and South

Korea, are examples of countries that have implemented decoupled payment schemes. Due to

minimal distortion, decoupled payments are permitted without restriction by WTO.

Based on past research, traditional schemes such as the market price support and consumer

subsidy are disadvantageous, due to high fiscal burden, leakage, and market distortion. For

example, in the Philippines, traditional support has imposed high cost, driving the net debt

position of the National Food Authority up to 143 billion pesos. In Thailand, a paddy pledging

program cost the government the equivalent of over a trillion pesos, and led to huge stockpiles ofrice.

Deficiency payments appear to be a better alternative; when Thailand switched to a Price

Insurance Scheme (PIS), it was able to reduce budgetary outlays for farmer support, while still

increasing the number of beneficiaries, from 1 to 3.2 million farmers. However, deficiency

payments are still vulnerable to high fiscal cost when farmgate prices happen to fall to

unexpectedly low levels. On the other hand, decoupled payments address the problem of wastage

and high fiscal burden affecting traditional and deficiency payments.

A SCHEME OF DECOUPLED PAYMENTS FOR THE PHILIPPINES

In the following, we evaluate a possible compensatory payment scheme (2017-2022) that would

serve as a safety net for rice farmers after tariffication. Rice farmers registered under the Registry

System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), or their heirs, are eligible to receive

payments. The annual compensation formula is posited as follows:

Total Payments = P5/kg. x (actual imports -- normal imports) / 0.654

To compute payments for each farmer, total payments from the payment compensation formula

shall be divided by the area harvested. This will be distributed per cropping season (twice a

year). To avoid fiscal problems, eligible farm area is capped at 2 hectares per farmer. In practice,

actual imports and area harvested will be approximated by the previous years figures.


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To compute expected and normal imports, as well as assess the financial viability of the

program, we apply an economic model called the Total Welfare Impact Simulator (TWIST).

TWIST will be used to assess two scenarios: baseline scenario and an tariffication scenario. The

former assumes QRs are maintained, with a fixed farmgate price of P17 per kg. (NFA support

price); the baseline is the basis for the normal rate of imports in the compensation formula. The

alternative scenario adopts the same assumptions, except that it posits the repeal of QRs, and

imposition of a 35% tariff equivalent (2017 onwards).

Simulation analysis shows that tariffication leads to the following changes relative to the

baseline (average of 2017-2022):

Palay output will be lower by 2.5 million tons per year.

Farmgate price will be lower by an average of P4.60 pesos per kg.

Retail price will be lower by an average of P7.00 pesos per kg.

Imports will be larger by 2.25 million tons per year.

Tariff revenues will average 27.7 billion per year.

Based on the assumed compensation formula, payments will equal 17 to 18 billion pesos per

year.

Earmarking the rice tariff revenue to pay for the compensation scheme is feasible. Assuming

eligible area is at 4 million hectares, payments per hectare is equal to P4,750. In this case, for 2

hectares of irrigated farmland, farmers could receive P19,000 per year. This is greater than

transfer per household from the conditional cash transfer program (CCT) which is P15,000 for 3

children. Note that compensatory payments can be received simultaneously with the CCT.

TARIFFICATION INEVITABLE

Tariffication of the Philippine rice sector by 2017 is inevitable. The inevitable transition to amore open rice trade regime should be accompanied by safety nets for smallholders suffering

from intensified competition from imports. We have evaluated a compensatory transfer scheme

combined with a 35% tariff equivalent as a feasible support scheme once special treatment is

removed. Such a compensatory scheme should be implemented alongside existing productivity-

enhancing programs for the rice sector.


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Roehlano M. Briones and Lovely Ann Tolin are Research Fellow and Research Analyst,

respectively, at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. The study is conducted under

the multi-country CREW Project, supported by CUTS International Jaipur.

http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/19666/rice-exporters-cutting-prices-as-yuan-falls/

New Research Reveals Climate-Food-Conflict Connection

Via Nighttime TemperaturesJanuary 11, 2016 ByRaul Caruso&Roberto Ricciuti

The effect of climate change on the emergence of violent conflict has become one of the morelively academic debates and is evenbleeding over into the mainstream. Despite a substantial

number of studies, results arecontradictoryand somewhatinconclusive.In aforthcoming issue oftheJournal of Peace Research,we present the results of a novel case study: Indonesia from 1993to 2003, a period of major economic, political, and social transition.

We found a close relationship between an increase in the minimum temperature during the ricegrowing season and an increase in violence.Perhaps more importantly, however, we suggest thatsome of the contradictory results from previous climate change and conflict research may be a
http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/author/rcaruso/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/author/rcaruso/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/author/rcaruso/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/author/rricciuti/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/author/rricciuti/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/author/rricciuti/http://www.nationaljournal.com/s/92653/why-trying-answer-isis-vs-climate-change-doesnt-make-much-sensehttp://www.nationaljournal.com/s/92653/why-trying-answer-isis-vs-climate-change-doesnt-make-much-sensehttp://www.nationaljournal.com/s/92653/why-trying-answer-isis-vs-climate-change-doesnt-make-much-sensehttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10584-012-0649-4http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10584-012-0649-4http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10584-012-0649-4http://www.sciencemag.org/content/341/6151/1235367.fullhttp://www.sciencemag.org/content/341/6151/1235367.fullhttp://www.sciencemag.org/content/341/6151/1235367.fullhttp://jpr.sagepub.com/content/53/1/66.abstracthttp://jpr.sagepub.com/content/53/1/66.abstracthttp://jpr.sagepub.com/content/53/1/66.abstracthttp://jpr.sagepub.com/content/53/1/66.abstracthttp://jpr.sagepub.com/content/53/1/66.abstracthttp://jpr.sagepub.com/content/53/1/66.abstracthttp://jpr.sagepub.com/content/53/1/66.abstracthttp://jpr.sagepub.com/content/53/1/66.abstracthttp://www.sciencemag.org/content/341/6151/1235367.fullhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10584-012-0649-4http://www.nationaljournal.com/s/92653/why-trying-answer-isis-vs-climate-change-doesnt-make-much-sensehttp://www.newsecuritybeat.org/author/rricciuti/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/author/rcaruso/


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result of methodological differences namely, not looking at the relationship between theprinciple crop in a given place and temperature.

What You Measure Matters

Among social scientists studying conflict, climate change has been represented by measures of

rainfall and mean temperature. However, when studying different crops we may find thatdifferent climate factors actually affect harvests and yields.In our study, we focus on rice, thestaple crop in Indonesia. We rely on the natural science literature that claims rising minimumtemperatures have astrong negative impactonrice production. Higher minimum temperaturesincrease the amount of energy plants needs to spend to maintain a healthy state, shorten the timeto maturity, and reduce net growth and productivity. Since minimum temperature is reachedduring the night, it is a variable often lost when scholars consider a daily average temperature.

With these different insights in mind, we investigate the impact of climate change on violencevia agricultural production. The hypothesis underlying our work is that climate change maynegatively affect rice production, rice prices, and eventually food availability and food prices,

thus making the emergence of violence more likely.

Higher minimum temperatures reduce net growth and productivity

This framework of how climate change contributes to conflict holds when considering a singlecountry whose economy is strongly dependent on rice. Rice in Indonesia is a staple food, andfood constitutes50 percentof household expenditures in urban areas and 67 percent in ruralareas.Rice production is a source of income for a substantial number of Indonesian households.According to data drawn fromWorld Development Indicators,the employment in agriculture aspercentage of total employment was around 46 percent between 1994 and 2003.In addition,Indonesia experienced substantial violence during a period of three major transitions in the1990s. The first transition was political, from autocracy to democracy; the second was economic,from crony capitalism to a rules-based market system; and the third was social, from statecentralization to decentralization.The overall severity of violence in terms of deaths peaked afterthe fall of Suhartos regime in 1998 and decreased after 2001. However, the sheer number ofviolent incidents has risen since then.

With this context in mind environmental factors alone are never enough to provoke conflict we analyzed the link between climate change and violence in 14 Indonesian provinces.Wematched climate data from NOAAsGlobal Historical Climatology Networkwith provincial-level conflict datafrom the United Nations.We studied the emergence of violence as measuredby the number of monthly events (say for example riots and lynchings). Using an econometricapproach that allows us to claim that our results are causal and not just correlations, we show thatan increase of the minimum temperature during the core month of the wet planting season (e.g.,December), determines an increase in violence fueled by the reduction in future rice production.A Flexible Framework?
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6042/616http://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6042/616http://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6042/616http://www.pnas.org/content/101/27/9971.fullhttp://www.pnas.org/content/101/27/9971.fullhttp://www.pnas.org/content/101/27/9971.fullhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X02000281http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X02000281http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X02000281http://wdi.worldbank.org/tableshttp://wdi.worldbank.org/tableshttp://wdi.worldbank.org/tableshttps://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/data-access/land-based-station-data/land-based-datasets/global-historical-climatology-network-ghcnhttps://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/data-access/land-based-station-data/land-based-datasets/global-historical-climatology-network-ghcnhttps://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/data-access/land-based-station-data/land-based-datasets/global-historical-climatology-network-ghcnhttp://www.worldcat.org/identities/nc-united%20nations%20support%20facility%20for%20indonesian%20recovery%20unsfir$indonesia/http://www.worldcat.org/identities/nc-united%20nations%20support%20facility%20for%20indonesian%20recovery%20unsfir$indonesia/http://www.worldcat.org/identities/nc-united%20nations%20support%20facility%20for%20indonesian%20recovery%20unsfir$indonesia/http://www.worldcat.org/identities/nc-united%20nations%20support%20facility%20for%20indonesian%20recovery%20unsfir$indonesia/https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/data-access/land-based-station-data/land-based-datasets/global-historical-climatology-network-ghcnhttp://wdi.worldbank.org/tableshttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X02000281http://www.pnas.org/content/101/27/9971.fullhttp://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6042/616


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This analysis supports the hypothesis that minimum temperature negatively affects riceavailability (per capita), which in turn inflames violence. The evidence is robust. Some havesuggestedthat what is missing in the climate change and conflict literature is a strong articulationof howclimate change leads to conflict. This framework may be an answer to thatquestion.Stated broadly, our work suggests that some inconclusive results in the climate change

and conflict literature may suffer from not considering specificities of different crops.

The dominant agricultural output and economic relevance of that crop changes across countries,from rice to wheat and others. Crops also differ in terms of growing season, cultivationtechnology, and reaction to climate variability. Further research seems necessary to explore othercombinations of climate change variables, crops, and violence in different countries to see if thisframework holds up.Raul Carusois an assistant professor of economic policy at Catholic University of the Sacred

Heart. Roberto Ricciutiis an associate professor of economic policy at the University of Verona.Sources: Climactic Change, Journal of Peace Research, National Journal, National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration, PNAS, Science, United Nations Support Facility for Indonesian

Recovery, World Bank, World Development.Photo Credit:A rice harvest in Indonesia,courtesy of Curt Carnemark/World Bank.

Topics:agriculture,Asia,climate change,conflict,democracy,development,economics,environment,environmental

security,featured,food security,Guest Contributor,Indonesia,security

http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2016/01/research-reveals-climate-food-conflict-connection-higher-

nighttime-temperatures/

Rice stocks good for 90 days PSABy Louise Maureen Simeon(The Philippine Star) | Updated January 10, 2016 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines Stock of the main Filipino staple remains ended the year more thanenough to meet he government-mandated target for rice-sufficiency, data from the PhilippineStatistics Authority (PSA) showed.Local rice stock inventory hit 3.44 million metric tons (MT)as of December, 13.5 percent up from their year-ago levels. The figure was also an increase of10.8 percent from end-November.

The current inventory is good for 100 days, the PSA said. As a matter of government policy, a90-day national rice buffer is considered enough to meet everyday consumption needs.Brokendown, stocks held by households are sufficient for 47 days, while those in commercialwarehouses are good for 29 days.The National Food Authority (NFA), the state rice importer,

meanwhile has depositories enough for 24 days, figures showed.By percentage, Filipinohouseholds held the bulk of inventories at 47.8 percent, followed by commercial warehouses at28.4 percent. NFA supplies cornered 23.8 percent of the total.Stock levels increased in bothcommercial warehouses and NFA, data showed. The latter posted the highest year-on-yeargrowth of 68.9 percent, while the former increased 4.9 percent.Household supplies, on the otherhand, dipped 0.2 percent.Meanwhile, corn stock inventory stood at 265,200 MT by the end oflast year, up by 22.8 percent year-on-year, but fell11.1 percent from the previous month.
http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2013/09/climate-lead-conflict-provocative-study-leaves-questions/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2013/09/climate-lead-conflict-provocative-study-leaves-questions/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2013/09/climate-lead-conflict-provocative-study-leaves-questions/https://www.flickr.com/photos/worldbank/2118579062/in/photolist-4edgKd-8kx6Hg-mYMVEH-n8uoiA-7T8bkW-94cko9-a1JwcU-4P5AN-xwUyf-bffAhz-82i7Z2-bpgfsf-bBHNbk-gBHSjm-9PQZN2-auFL4u-gBBZRY-fFY6jd-q3zN8C-aT4yR2-i1QZaV-eVzWEe-quuWgx-rSJMU3-6RMn1m-5hCwpJ-gB7ZKG-7QLg1z-7QLgqn-eiXW2T-8Rz9d6-8pbTgz-5jDa2o-2MAJ1d-74Lc3U-fN1oJi-bBTPkt-72M8kx-gB8TWB-ejjF6Y-7j6Fx5-gBH9o5-r9GUNq-fEewKX-4UiocE-jbMru-jAaRhX-jAc8uT-gB9tTf-auDbZrhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/worldbank/2118579062/in/photolist-4edgKd-8kx6Hg-mYMVEH-n8uoiA-7T8bkW-94cko9-a1JwcU-4P5AN-xwUyf-bffAhz-82i7Z2-bpgfsf-bBHNbk-gBHSjm-9PQZN2-auFL4u-gBBZRY-fFY6jd-q3zN8C-aT4yR2-i1QZaV-eVzWEe-quuWgx-rSJMU3-6RMn1m-5hCwpJ-gB7ZKG-7QLg1z-7QLgqn-eiXW2T-8Rz9d6-8pbTgz-5jDa2o-2MAJ1d-74Lc3U-fN1oJi-bBTPkt-72M8kx-gB8TWB-ejjF6Y-7j6Fx5-gBH9o5-r9GUNq-fEewKX-4UiocE-jbMru-jAaRhX-jAc8uT-gB9tTf-auDbZrhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/worldbank/2118579062/in/photolist-4edgKd-8kx6Hg-mYMVEH-n8uoiA-7T8bkW-94cko9-a1JwcU-4P5AN-xwUyf-bffAhz-82i7Z2-bpgfsf-bBHNbk-gBHSjm-9PQZN2-auFL4u-gBBZRY-fFY6jd-q3zN8C-aT4yR2-i1QZaV-eVzWEe-quuWgx-rSJMU3-6RMn1m-5hCwpJ-gB7ZKG-7QLg1z-7QLgqn-eiXW2T-8Rz9d6-8pbTgz-5jDa2o-2MAJ1d-74Lc3U-fN1oJi-bBTPkt-72M8kx-gB8TWB-ejjF6Y-7j6Fx5-gBH9o5-r9GUNq-fEewKX-4UiocE-jbMru-jAaRhX-jAc8uT-gB9tTf-auDbZrhttp://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/agriculture/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/agriculture/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/agriculture/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/asia/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/asia/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/asia/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/climate-change/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/climate-change/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/climate-change/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/conflict/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/conflict/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/conflict/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/democracy/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/democracy/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/democracy/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/development/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/development/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/development/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/economics/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/economics/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/economics/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/environment/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/environment/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/environment/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/environmental-security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/environmental-security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/environmental-security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/environmental-security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/featured/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/featured/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/featured/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/food-security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/food-security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/food-security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/blog-columns/guest-contributor/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/blog-columns/guest-contributor/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/blog-columns/guest-contributor/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/indonesia/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/indonesia/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/indonesia/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/security/http://www.philstar.com/author/Louise%20Maureen%20Simeon/http://www.philstar.com/author/Louise%20Maureen%20Simeon/http://www.philstar.com/author/Louise%20Maureen%20Simeon/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/indonesia/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/blog-columns/guest-contributor/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/food-security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/featured/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/environmental-security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/environmental-security/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/environment/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/economics/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/development/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/democracy/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/conflict/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/climate-change/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/asia/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/category/agriculture/https://www.flickr.com/photos/worldbank/2118579062/in/photolist-4edgKd-8kx6Hg-mYMVEH-n8uoiA-7T8bkW-94cko9-a1JwcU-4P5AN-xwUyf-bffAhz-82i7Z2-bpgfsf-bBHNbk-gBHSjm-9PQZN2-auFL4u-gBBZRY-fFY6jd-q3zN8C-aT4yR2-i1QZaV-eVzWEe-quuWgx-rSJMU3-6RMn1m-5hCwpJ-gB7ZKG-7QLg1z-7QLgqn-eiXW2T-8Rz9d6-8pbTgz-5jDa2o-2MAJ1d-74Lc3U-fN1oJi-bBTPkt-72M8kx-gB8TWB-ejjF6Y-7j6Fx5-gBH9o5-r9GUNq-fEewKX-4UiocE-jbMru-jAaRhX-jAc8uT-gB9tTf-auDbZrhttp://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2013/09/climate-lead-conflict-provocative-study-leaves-questions/http://www.newsecuritybeat.org/2013/09/climate-lead-conflict-provocative-study-leaves-questions/


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Of the total, 63 percent were in commercial warehouses, 36.5 percent with households, and 0.5percent were in NFA depositories.Year-on-year, corn stocks in commercial warehouses andhouseholds went up by 36.5 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively while in NFA depositories fellby 18.4 percent.Rice and corn are considered main Filipino family staples.

http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/01/10/1540930/rice-stocks-good-90-days-psa

Thailand to cut rice output

BANGKOK, Jan 11, 2016:

Thailand plans to produce about 25 million tonnes of rice in the 2016-2017 crop instead of the

normal production output of between 31-32 million tonnes in the last periods, according to the

latest report released by the countrys Ministry of Commerce.The decision to cut output is

prompted by a huge rice inventory and severe droughts in the country, Vietnam News Agency

(VNA) reported.Commerce permanent secretary Chutima Boonyaprapat said that the private and

farming sectors had been invited to join the government in working out an integrated rice

production and market plan for the 2016-17 crop.


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Chutima said the plan was agreed by the three parties that the yield for the 2016-17 crop years

would be capped at 25 million tonnes.Thailand, one of the worlds leading rice exporters, is

striving to unleash its huge rice inventory of 13 million tonnes. In 2014, Thai rice production

exceeded local demand by 50%.Restoring the balance on the rice market and raising farmers

income are now key items on the Thai governments agenda.

The Rakyat Post-

Padyprocurement gets to a close in Gobi taluk

R. KRISHNAMOORTHY

Insufficient manpower in TNCSC's direct procurement centres was a major deterrent

Paddy procurement by Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) has almost beencompleted in the ayacut areas of Thadapalli-Arakankottai canals.This time around, paddy wasprocured through nine direct procurement centres (DPC), and farmers had a reason to feelrelieved on two counts: increase in procurement price and direct remittance of amount in thebank accounts of the farmers by the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Banks.The Tamil NaduCivil Supplies Corporation was not able to deploy sufficient manpower at the DPCs, due towhich there was a backlog, and farmers found themselves forced to sell their produce in the openmarket, Subi Thalapathi, president of Thadapallai-Arakankottai Ayacut Farmers Associationsaid.

Rates
http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/r.-krishnamoorthy/http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/r.-krishnamoorthy/http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/r.-krishnamoorthy/


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As per the revised rates, the farmers were given Rs. 1,460 per quintal, inclusive of incentive ofRs. 50, for coarse variety. For the fine variety, the rate was Rs. 1,520 per quintal along withincentive of Rs. 70. This time, however, there was not much of a difference in the procurementrate by the DPCs and open market. But, it was necessary for the TNCSC to strengthen manpowersince farmers in inaccessible locations prefer to sell their produce at the DPCs, Mr. Thalapathy

said.The procurement was carried out at nine centres: N.G. Palayam, T.N. Palayam, Kookalur,Elur (Arakankottai), Pudukkaraipudur, Puduvalliampalayam, Kasipalayam, Kallipatti andAthani.A few farmers found themselves forced to sell their produce in the http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/paddy-procurement-gets-to-a-close-in-gobi-

taluk/article8087513.ece

Milled Rice Exports Up But Fall Short of Goal

BYKANG SOTHEAR| JANUARY 11, 2016Cambodias year-on-year milled rice exports increased by 39 percent to 538,396 tons in 2015,

with most of the rice going to China and European Union countries, according to a reportreleased by the Agriculture Ministrys General Directorate of Agriculture on Friday.Exports toChina accounted for 21.7 percent, or nearly 120,000 tons, of total exports, according to thereport.However, despite the substantial increase, the figure was still more than 460,000 tonsshort of the governments much-touted target of 1 million tons of milled rice per year, whichPrime Minister Hun Sen said in 2010 that he hoped to achieve by 2015.Although the country hasa surplus of 4 million tons of rice paddy, it still lacks the private sector financing and storagecapacity that would allow that paddy to be milled and exported, according to Hean Vanhan,deputy director of the general directorate.

We could not export our rice to the targeted amount because we did not have sufficient [milled]

rice to export, although we had surplus rice paddy, Mr. Vanhan said.One of the main reasonswas that the private sectors ability to process and buy rice paddy was limited. Mr. Vanhanadded that the 1 million ton goal had not disappeared.The government still has the ambition to export 1 million tons of rice a year, but the timeframeand what needs to be reviewed are not set yet.

[email protected] 2016, The Cambodia Daily.All rights reserved.No part of this article may be reproduced inprint, electronically, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without written permission.https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/milled-rice-exports-up-but-fall-short-of-goal-105012/

Paddy procurement gets to a close in Gobi talukR. KRISHNAMOORTHY

Insufficient manpower in TNCSC's direct procurement centres was a major deterrent

Paddy procurement by Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) has almost beencompleted in the ayacut areas of Thadapalli-Arakankottai canals.This time around, paddy wasprocured through nine direct procurement centres (DPC), and farmers had a reason to feel
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/author/kang-sothear/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/author/kang-sothear/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/author/kang-sothear/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/r.-krishnamoorthy/http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/r.-krishnamoorthy/http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/r.-krishnamoorthy/mailto:[email protected]://www.cambodiadaily.com/author/kang-sothear/


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relieved on two counts: increase in procurement price and direct remittance of amount in thebank accounts of the farmers by the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Banks.The Tamil NaduCivil Supplies Corporation was not able to deploy sufficient manpower at the DPCs, due towhich there was a backlog, and farmers found themselves forced to sell their produce in the openmarket, Subi Thalapathi, president of Thadapallai-Arakankottai Ayacut Farmers Association

said.

Rates

As per the revised rates, the farmers were given Rs. 1,460 per quintal, inclusive of incentive ofRs. 50, for coarse variety. For the fine variety, the rate was Rs. 1,520 per quintal along withincentive of Rs. 70. This time, however, there was not much of a difference in the procurementrate by the DPCs and open market. But, it was necessary for the TNCSC to strengthen manpowersince farmers in inaccessible locations prefer to sell their produce at the DPCs, Mr. Thalapathysaid.The procurement was carried out at nine centres: N.G. Palayam, T.N. Palayam, Kookalur,Elur (Arakankottai), Pudukkaraipudur, Puduvalliampalayam, Kasipalayam, Kallipatti and

Athani.A few farmers found themselves forced to sell their produce in theopen market

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/paddy-procurement-gets-to-a-close-in-gobi-

taluk/article8087513.ece

Government's rice procurement may exceed 32mn tons this

year

By PTI | 11 Jan, 2016, 06.40PM IST

Government's rice procurement may surpass

last year's level of 32 million tonnes in the

2015-16 marketing year despite prospect of

lower production due to deficient

monsoon.NEW DELHI: Government's rice

procurement may surpass last year's level of

32 million tonnes in the 2015-16 marketing

year despite prospect of lower production due

to deficient monsoon. As per the latest data,

rice procurement has risen by 31 per cent to 20

MT so far in the 2015-16 marketing year that

started from October, from 15.29 MT in the

year-ago period. The Centre's nodal procurement agency Food Corporation of India (FCI)and
http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/ricehttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/ricehttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/FCIhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/FCIhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/FCIhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/FCIhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/rice


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state government-owned agencies undertake procurement operations. The Centre has kept a rice

procurement target of 30 MT for the this year.

"Despite the Agriculture Ministry's first estimate of lower production, somehow rice

procurement has been higher so far in most states. If the current trend continues, the overall rice

procurement in 2015-16 would surpass last year's level," a senior Food Ministry official told PTI.Higher rice procurement was mainly due to fall in prices of common variety in most mandis after

basmati rice rates declined sharply, the official said.

At present, procurement has been completed in Punjab and Haryana, while the operations are in

full swing in Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Winter rice will be

procured from Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Telangana and Odisha. As per the latest data, rice

procurement in Punjab rose to 9.34 MT in 2015-16 from 7.78 MT in the last year. Similarly, rice

purchase in Haryana increased to 2.85 MT from 2.01 MT in the review period. Rice procurement

in Andhra Pradesh has more doubled to 1.2 MT so far this year as against 5,58,573 tonnes in the

year-ago period, while neighbouring Telangana state procured only 9,07,180 tonnes as against1.28 MT in the said period. In Chattishgarh, the procurement was up at 2.53 MT from 1.56 MT,

while in Uttar Pradesh the purchases rose to 1 MT from 6,05,000 tonnes in the said period, the

data showed.

Rice procurement in Odisha increased to 7,36,945 tonnes so far this year from 1,59,793 tonnes in

the year-ago period. In its first estimate, the Agriculture Ministry has projected a fall in kharif

rice production to 90.61 MT in the 2015-16 crop year (July-June) from 90.86 MT in the year-ago

period due to 14 per cent fall in monsoon rains. The agencies buy paddy from the farmers and

give to millers for conversion into rice. The government has fixed the minimum support price of

common variety of paddy at Rs 1,410 per quintal for 2015-16kharif season.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/governments-rice-procurement-may-

exceed-32mn-tons-this-year/articleshow/50534238.cms

Haryana, Punjab provide 20 per cent more rice for central

poolBy ET Bureau | 9 Jan, 2016, 03.20PM IST

The two states are the largest contributor of both paddy and wheat to the central

kitty.CHANDIGARH:Punjaband Haryana have contributed 20% morepaddyto the central pool

in the current marketing season that was marked by scanty rains, providing a major boost to the

National Food Security Mission. The two states are the largest contributor of both paddy and

wheat to the central kitty. As per the Food Corporation of India's latest figures, Punjab

contributed 139.54 lakh tonnes of paddy compared to 120 lakh a year ago in the current market
http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/Andhra-Pradeshhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/Andhra-Pradeshhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/kharif-seasonhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/kharif-seasonhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/kharif-seasonhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/Punjabhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/Punjabhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/Punjabhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/paddyhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/paddyhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/paddyhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/commoditysummary/symbol-WHEAT.cmshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/commoditysummary/symbol-WHEAT.cmshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/commoditysummary/symbol-WHEAT.cmshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/paddyhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/Punjabhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/kharif-seasonhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/Andhra-Pradesh


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season that began in October, while Haryana's share was 42.6 lakh tonnes compared to 30.5 lakh

tonnes.

Together, the tworicebowl states contributed

64% to the central kitty of 283 lakh tonnes of

paddy. The other contributors includedChhattisgarh (37.89 lakh tonnes), Andhra

Pradesh (18.46 lakh tonnes) and Uttar Pradesh

(16.37 lakh tonnes). Rice, a water intensive

crop, was suspected to be affected due to

untimely and scanty rains in the current Rabi

season. Diversification from water guzzling

rice has been on agenda of the two states due

to rapid depletion of water levels. The Food

Corporation of India's rice stock dwindled to

99.47 lakh tonnes in December 2015, the lowest in the last five years. The rice stock was 106

lakh tonnes in December 2014, 142 lakh tonnes in 2013, 306 lakh tonnes in 2012 and 270 lakh

tonnes in 2011.

The increase in procurement from the two states is attributed to the yield increase and buying of

PUSA 1509 basmati variety by government agencies. The government agencies in the two states,

especially Haryana, had to resort to bulk buying of PUSA 1509 basmati variety after prices in

open market dwindled below minimum support price for premium variety non-basmati rice. The

rice market was affected by downward price trend in basmati due to carryover stock and limited

demand from overseas markets. While the record procurement has strengthened Food Security

Scheme, farmers' remuneration has been affected by the slump in prices in open market.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/haryana-punjab-provide-20-

per-cent-more-rice-for-central-pool/articleshow/50509940.cms

APEDA Rice Commodity News

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 11-01-2016

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Garlic
http://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/ricehttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/ricehttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/ricehttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/haryana-punjab-provide-20-per-cent-more-rice-for-central-pool/articleshow/50509940.cmshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/haryana-punjab-provide-20-per-cent-more-rice-for-central-pool/articleshow/50509940.cmshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/haryana-punjab-provide-20-per-cent-more-rice-for-central-pool/articleshow/50509940.cmshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/haryana-punjab-provide-20-per-cent-more-rice-for-central-pool/articleshow/50509940.cmshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/haryana-punjab-provide-20-per-cent-more-rice-for-central-pool/articleshow/50509940.cmshttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_4/topic/rice


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1 Chinese first grade granules, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 2100

2 Chinese Grade A dehydrated flakes, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 2000

3 Chinese powdered, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 1800

Ginger

1 Chinese sliced, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 2150

2 Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 2300

3 Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 2850

Guar Gum Powder

1 Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 3850

2 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 1250

3 Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2370

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch

Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 09-01-2016

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Jowar(Sorgham)

1 Gulbarga (Karnataka) Hybrid 1455 1822

2 Amreli (Karnataka) Other 1355 1905

3 Vaduj (Maharashtra) Other 2200 2300

Maize

1 Bagalakot (Karnataka) Local 1300 1461

2 Dahod (Gujarat) Yellow 1500 1530

3 Sangli (Maharashtra) Other 1520 1565


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Papaya

1 Reasi (Jammu and Kashmir) Other 2700 3000

2 Barnala (Punjab) Other 800 1200

3 Ahmedabad (Gujarat) Other 600 800

Brinjal

1 Surat (Gujarat) Other 700 1300

2 Jalgaon(Maharashtra) Other 1500 2500

3 Bonai (Orissa) Other 2000 2000

Source:agmarknet.nic.in For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 11-01-2016

Product Market Center Price

1 Pune 430

2 Chittoor 413

3 Nagapur 390

Source:e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 11-01-2016

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Onions Dry Package: 40 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Peru Yellow 24 26

2 Chicago Nevada Yellow 34.50 34.50

3 Detroit Peru Yellow 23 25.50

Cabbage Package: 50 lb cartons
http://agmarknet.nic.in/http://agmarknet.nic.in/http://agmarknet.nic.in/http://e2necc.com/http://e2necc.com/http://e2necc.com/http://e2necc.com/http://agmarknet.nic.in/


30/36



1 Atlanta GeorgiaRound Green

Type11 11.50

2 Detroit TexasRound Green

Type18 22.50

3 Miami CanadaRound Green

Type12 12

Apples Package: cartons tray pack

1 Atlanta Virginia Red Delicious 27 28

2 Chicago Washington Red Delicious 22 22.50

3 Miami Washington Red Delicious 24 25

Source:USDA

Rice Prices

as on : 11-01-2016 08:10:39 PMArrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.

Arrivals Price

Current%

change

Season

cumulative ModalPrev.

Modal

Prev.Yr

%change

Rice

Bangalore(Kar) 5046.00 163.5 68508.00 4100 4100 -

Gadarpur(Utr) 1400.00 400 46703.00 1993 1840 -5.10

Jasvantnagar(UP) 850.00 - 850.00 2260 - -

Varanasi(Grain)(UP) 600.00 15.38 4135.00 1940 1945 -2.27

Bharthna(UP) 600.00 NC 3200.00 2

11 th january,2016 daily global regional,local rice e_newsletter by riceplus magazine

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