13th may,2015 daily global rice e newseltter by riceplus magazine

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
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Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter
13th May , 2015
V o l u m e 5, Issue I

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Farmers up in arms over plans to import rice to South
Korean tables
Posted on : May.13,2015 17:55 KSTModified on : May.13,2015 17:55 KST
A farmer cries as he touches burning rice, during a protest gathering held by members of the Korea Peasants League and
various civic groups, calling on the South Korean government to withdraw its plan to open the domestic rice market, and
condemning plans for a free trade agreement with China, at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall, Nov. 20, 2014. (by Kim Tae-
hyeong, staff photographer)
Farmers are protesting South Korean government plans to import table rice as duties disappear
this year with a new tarification framework.The Korean Peasants’ League (KPL) and National
Rice Producers’ Association held a press conference on May 12 in front of the Korea Agro-
Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation (aT) in Bitgaram Innovation City in Naju, South Jeolla
Province, to demand a halt on imports of table rice.―If table rice that costs just half the price of
domestic product takes over at the food service places that are our major consumers, market
prices will fall and farmers will have fewer sales opportunities,‖ they warned.―That is why
farmers have been strenuously demanding that table rice imports not be allowed [unlike rice for
processing], and it’s also why the government removed table rice import duty provisions from
the concession schedule last year,‖ they added.

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―The National Assembly also urged a removal of table rice import budget items and a halt to
imports when it passed the budget last November.‖The farmers went on to say a halt to table rice
imports would not violate World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations because the rice
tarification process has already begun.―We also have to ask if the government is in its right mind
when it insists on importing table rice even when we have so much of it after the bumper crop
last year,‖ they added.The farmers’ take on Seoul’s decision to go ahead with the measures in
spite of the WTO regulations and current rice supply conditions is that it is motivated by
concerns about Washington’s reaction ahead of WTO rice negotiations and South Korea’s
possible membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).―They bowed to the anticipated US
pressure out of fears of retaliation,‖ said KPL policy committee chairman Park Hyeong-
dae.―They should try to minimize the market effects by halting the table rice imports and do
100% of their imports for processing rice, which they can provide as aid to Nepal or North Korea
or use for animal feed,‖ Park advised.
KPL chairman Kim Yeong-ho, 59, from Yesan in South Chungcheong Province, launched a ten-
day sit-in demonstration in front of the aT headquarters the same day to demand a halt to the
table rice imports. The KFL also plans to stage a nationwide farmers’ rally at the same location
on May 21, the date when bidding takes place.On May 8, the South Korean government
announced plans to import 10,000 tons of table rice through aT. The corporation held a bidding
briefing for importers on May 12. Successful bidders are scheduled to import their allotted
quantities by October.The government previously postponed rice tarification between 2005 and
2014, opting instead to import 409,000 tons of rice each year through minimum market access
(MMA). 70%, or 280,000 tons, consisted of processing rice, while the remaining 30% (130,000
tons) was table rice.The majority of table rice imports come from the US, amounting to 50,000
tons per year. Costing half the price of domestic product with a tariff of only around 5%, the
table rice found wide distribution in the market as an inexpensive option. Critics have blamed it
for a long-term slump in rice prices and havoc in the market due to illicit blending with other
rice.
By Ahn Gwan-ok, Gwangju correspondent
Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_business/691028.html
India to seek Chinese market access for non-basmati rice
AMITI SEN
VISHWANATH KULKARNI
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, MAY 13:
India is hopeful that China will provide market access to its non-basmati rice – blocked till now
as quality norms have not been defined between the two countries – during Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s visit later this week.―The solution to the problem is simple. We have suggested
to China that the protocol that exists for exporting basmati rice should be adopted for exporting
non-basmati rice as well,‖ a Commerce Ministry official told BusinessLine.China, which began

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importing rice four years ago and annually imports about 5 million tonnes, has not granted access
to Indian non-basmati rice. The absence of defined phyto-sanitary norms between the two
countries is cited by the China as the main reason for not importing from India.China, however,
has been sourcing its rice from countries such as Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand. In fact, the
steady increase in its purchases from these countries has kept the Vietnamese prices firm.
―We see a potential to export up to onr million tonnes of non-basmati rice to China, provided
they grant us market access,‖ said BV Krishna Rao, Managing Director, Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt
Ltd, the country’s largest non-basmati rice exporter.Rao, who represents the Agri Exporters
Association, said India can offer better quality, price and a wider variety to China.The
Commerce Ministry has already sent the documentation for establishing the quality protocol by
the AQSIQ – the Chinese quality management institute that gives approvals for a variety of
imports – to Beijing.―The AQSIQ required certain documents to extend the protocol existing for
basmati rice to non-basmati, and we have already sent them,‖ the official said.When the Prime
Minister visits Beijing on May 14, India is hopeful that the required quality protocol would be
implemented.Though China has opened up its market for Indian basmati in 2012, hardly any
direct shipments have taken place, industry sources said. China is still in the process of
registering the Indian mills, although some basmati rice shipments are being exported indirectly
through Hong Kong.
(This article was published on May 13, 2015)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/india-to-seek-chinese-market-
access-for-nonbasmati-rice/article7202154.ece
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- May 14
Nagpur, May 14 Gram and tuar prices showed weak tendency in Nagpur Agriculture
Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) here on poor demand from local millers amid good
supply
from producing belts. Easy condition on NCDEX in gram and release of stock from stockists
also
pushed down prices, according to sources.
* * * *
FOODGRAINS & PULSES
GRAM
* Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor.
TUAR
* Tuar gavarani recovered marginally in open market on good seasonal demand from local
traders amid tight supply from millers.
* Moong varieties moved down in open market in absence of buyers amid profit-taking
selling by stockists at higher level.
* Wheat mill quality recovered in open market on good demand from local traders amid
weak supply from producing regions like Punjab and Haryana.

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* In Akola, Tuar - 7,200-7,500, Tuar dal - 10,000-10,500, Udid at 9,100-9,600,
Udid Mogar (clean) - 10,900-11,300, Moong - 9,100-9,400, Moong Mogar
(clean) 10,900-11,300, Gram - 4,300-4,600, Gram Super best bold - 6,200-6,400
for 100 kg.
* Other varieties of wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market
in poor trading activity, according to sources.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close
Gram Auction 3,500-4,425 3,500-4,510
Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction 5,500-7,080 5,500-7,170
Moong Auction n.a. 6,000-6,300
Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800
Gram Super Best Bold 6,500-6,700 6,500-6,700
Gram Super Best n.a.
Gram Medium Best 6,300-6,400 6,300-6,400
Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a.
Gram Mill Quality 5,500-5,700 5,500-5,700
Desi gram Raw 4,650-4,750 4,650-4,750
Gram Filter new 6,100-6,200 6,100-6,200
Gram Kabuli 5,000-6,800 5,000-6,800
Gram Pink 6,300-6,500 6,300-6,500
Tuar Fataka Best 10,500-10,800 10,500-10,800
Tuar Fataka Medium 10,000-10,300 10,000-10,300
Tuar Dal Best Phod 9,500-9,800 9,500-9,800
Tuar Dal Medium phod 9,000-9,400 9,000-9,400
Tuar Gavarani New 7,700-7,800 7,650-7,750
Tuar Karnataka 7,900-8,000 7,900-8,000
Tuar Black 10,700-11,000 10,700-11,000
Masoor dal best 7,400-7,600 7,400-7,600
Masoor dal medium 6,900-7,300 6,900-7,300
Masoor n.a. n.a.
Moong Mogar bold 11,000-11,400 11,000-11,500
Moong Mogar Medium best 10,200-10,500 10,200-10,600
Moong dal Chilka 9,200-9,700 9,200-9,800
Moong Mill quality n.a. n.a.
Moong Chamki best 9,500-9,800 9,500-9,900
Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 11,200-11,600 11,200-11,600
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 9,900-10,600 9,900-10,600
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG) 8,500-8,900 8,500-8,900
Batri dal (100 INR/KG) 4,400-4,600 4,400-4,600

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Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg) 3,200-3,350 3,200-3,350
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,450 3,200-3,450
Watana White (100 INR/KG) 2,450-2,625 2,450-2,625
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 3,700-4,800 3,600-4,800
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,800 1,500-1,800
Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,950-2,050 1,900-2,000
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG) 1,500-1,700 1,500-1,700
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,250-2,550 2,250-2,550
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,350 2,100-2,350
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a. n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,200-3,750 3,200-3,750
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,700-3,000 2,700-3,000
Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG) 1,400-1,500 1,400-1,500
Wheat Best (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200 2,000-2,200
Rice BPT New(100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,800 2,500-2,800
Rice BPT (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,300 3,000-3,300
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG) 1,600-1,800 1,600-1,800
Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,400 2,100-2,400
Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,700 2,500-2,700
Rice HMT new(100 INR/KG) 3,300-3,700 3,300-3,700
Rice HMT (100 INR/KG) 4,000-4,400 4,000-4,400
Rice HMT Shriram New(100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500 4,200-4,500
Rice HMT Shriram old (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,200 4,600-5,200
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 8,000-10,000 8,000-10,000
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,000-7,500 6,000-7,500
Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 4,600-5,200 4,600-5,200
Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG) 5,600-6,000 5,600-6,000
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,200 2,100-2,200
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG) 2,300-2,450 2,300-2,450
WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 42.1 degree Celsius (107.8 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
25.3 degree Celsius (77.5 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : nil
FORECAST: Partly cloudy sky. Rains or thunder-showers likely towards evening or night.
Maximum
and minimum temperature would be around and 40 and 24 degree Celsius respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but
included in market prices.)
http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/05/14/nagpur-foodgrain-idINL3N0Y54XT20150514

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PSA: Local rice stock improved last month
Ronnel W. Domingo
2:35 AM | Thursday, May 14th, 2015
The national reserve is good for 75 days of consumption, up from 67 days a month
before.However, data from the PSA showed that the National Food Authority’s inventory fell
after climbing continually in the previous months, settling at 490,000 tons from 550,000 tons.In
April, the NFA’s reserve was 93 percent imported—down from the 96 percent reported in March
as the agency renewed its procurement of locally grown palay amid falling prices.As of April 1,
the NFA’s stock was good for 14 days’ consumption, lower than the minimum mandated volume
of 15 days’ worth of supply.Supplies stored in commercial warehouses rose by 60,000 tons to
800,000 tons, equivalent to 24 days of nationwide consumption. Also, household stocks surged
by 290,000 tons to reach 1.26 million tons, enough to last for 37 days
http://business.inquirer.net/191820/psa-local-rice-stock-improved-last-
month#ixzz3aFMgUXRt
PH may again import rice to boost stocks
May 13, 2015 9:41 pm
by JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ
With the El Niño phenomenon expected to continue until the latter half of the year, the country
may again have to import rice to replenish before the start of the lean season in June.In its latest
inventory report, the Philippine Statistics Authority-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said the
country’s rice stocks can last for two and a half months.As of April 1, the total rice stock
inventory in the entire country was pegged at 2.54 million metric tons, up by 16.5 percent from
2.18 million MT from last year and 12.2 percent higher than last month’s inventory of 2.27
million metric tons―The total rice inventory for this month would be sufficient for 75 days.
Stocks in the households would be adequate for 37 days.
Those in commercial warehouses would be enough for 24 days, and in NFA depositories for 14
days,‖ PSA-BAS said. It added that around 49.4 percent of this month’s total rice stock was with
households, 31.5 percent in commercial warehouses and 19.1 percent in NFA depositories.The
National Food Authority (NFA) is required by law to have at least 15-day buffer stock at any
given time, and 30-day buffer stock during lean months (June to August).With inventory at
government depositories falling below the minimum requirement ahead of the lean season, the
state-run grains agency may have to look at buying cheaper imported rice before
June.―Importation would be the best option for the NFA to meets its mandated stocks during lean
months,‖ a source at the agency said.
But Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Modernization (PAFSAM) Secretary Francis
Pangilinan, who is also the chairman of the NFA Council, said the inter-agency body has yet to

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decide on the rice importation plan.―No decision to import has been made. Let’s just wait for the
official statement,‖ Pangilinan said in a text message.In February this year, Manila imported
500,000 MT of rice through a government-to-government deal with Thailand and Vietnam. The
NFA also allowed the entry of about 163,000 MT of rice under the minimum access volume
commitment under the World Trade Organization.In 2014, the Philippines imported over 1.7
million MT, the biggest under the Aquino administration.Meanwhile, the source said the NFA
may not be able to procure locally grown palay because of the drought.NFA Administrator
Renan Dalisay earlier said they hope to procure 3,796,900 bags or 189,845 MT of palay this year
to beef up its stocks for the lean months
http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-may-again-import-rice-to-boost-stocks/183268/
India to seek Chinese market access for non-basmati rice
AMITI SEN
VISHWANATH KULKARNI
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, MAY 13:
India is hopeful that China will provide market access to its non-basmati rice – blocked till now
as quality norms have not been defined between the two countries – during Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s visit later this week.―The solution to the problem is simple. We have suggested
to China that the protocol that exists for exporting basmati rice should be adopted for exporting
non-basmati rice as well,‖ a Commerce Ministry official told BusinessLine. China, which began
importing rice four years ago and annually imports about 5 million tonnes, has not granted access
to Indian non-basmati rice. The absence of defined phyto-sanitary norms between the two
countries is cited by the China as the main reason for not importing from India.China, however,
has been sourcing its rice from countries such as Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand.
In fact, the steady increase in its purchases from these countries has kept the Vietnamese prices
firm.―We see a potential to export up to onr million tonnes of non-basmati rice to China,
provided they grant us market access,‖ said BV Krishna Rao, Managing Director, Pattabhi Agro
Foods Pvt Ltd, the country’s largest non-basmati rice exporter.Rao, who represents the Agri
Exporters Association, said India can offer better quality, price and a wider variety to China.The
Commerce Ministry has already sent the documentation for establishing the quality protocol by
the AQSIQ – the Chinese quality management institute that gives approvals for a variety of
imports – to Beijing.―The AQSIQ required certain documents to extend the protocol existing for
basmati rice to non-basmati, and we have already sent them,‖ the official said.When the Prime
Minister visits Beijing on May 14, India is hopeful that the required quality protocol would be
implemented.Though China has opened up its market for Indian basmati in 2012, hardly any
direct shipments have taken place, industry sources said. China is still in the process of
registering the Indian mills, although some basmati rice shipments are being exported indirectly
through Hong Kong.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/india-to-seek-chinese-market-
access-for-nonbasmati-rice/article7202154.ece

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Meet the Mekong Delta Rice Farmers Who Are on the
Frontline of Sea Level Rise


By Mark Scialla
May 13, 2015 | 8:45 am
VICE News is closely tracking global environmental change. Check out the Tipping Point blog
here.
When Hai Thach weighed his rice harvest last week it was half as much as it should have been.
But it was still better than 2013, the year he lost everything.For Thach and millions of other poor
farmers in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, earning an income off the land is getting harder. Prolonged
dry seasons and sea-level rise, brought about by climate change, is pushing saltwater from the
South China Sea deeper inland, compromising farmers' irrigation channels."The water is salty
every year," Thach, 64, told VICE News, "but it's been worse in the last three years. I'm scared
because I cannot live without rice.
"Pointing next door to an empty rice field that is now caked earth with a thin white layer of salt
on top, Thach said his neighbors quit farming last year. "They're trying to sell their land and open
a business in the city," Thach told VICE News. "They are wealthier than me. That's not
something I can afford to do."More than 17 million people live within the Mekong Delta.
Farmers and fishermen have been intensively working the tributaries and fertile fields for only
about 150 years. Agricultural success there has made Vietnam the world's third largest rice
exporter. But a changing climate now threatens food security and livelihoods.
Hai Thach, 64, stands over his empty rice field. He lost half of his rice crop this season to saline intrusion.
Hai Thach's neighbor walks across an abandoned rice field.

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Vietnam is one of the countries most vulnerable to rising seas. And its low-lying Mekong Delta is
expected to be hit hardest. The region is, on average, just over a meter above sea level.According
to Andrew Wyatt of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, a worst-case
scenario would be something on the order of one meter of sea level rise by 2100. That could
leave 40 percent of the delta flooded, potentially leading to a mass internal migration of almost
10 million people and devastating economic losses estimated at $17 billion. That's in an area that
produced almost half of Vietnam's 45 million tons of rice in 2014. In a country of 90 million,
that would be a major blow to national income and food security."Saline intrusion has always
been a natural, seasonal process," Wyatt told VICE News.
"But with sea level rise projections, saltwater will go further inland. Much of what the local
communities are reporting is in line with our climate projections."Saltwater intrusion comes
during the Mekong Delta's dry season, which usually lasts from November to April. Lack of
rainwater allows saltwater to flow farther upstream into the Mekong River's tributaries, the main
irrigation source. In the past, Farmers adapted to this cycle by planting a single rice crop during
the wet season. Following war with the United States in the 1970s, farmers started a second crop,
and then a third in an attempt to increase meager incomes. That's becoming increasingly difficult
now that the dry is lasting longer.And this past season was extraordinary. The dry season came a
month early and precipitation has yet to return despite the onset of delta's wet

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season."There's usually enough freshwater to use, but the rainy season has come late," Thach
said. "The rain has not diluted the salty water enough to grow rice."
Salt water intrusion in Bac Lieu Province has turned this rice crop yellow.
Ngo Van Dong's family have been rice farmers for generations. He recently converted his family's rice fields to
shrimp ponds.
Saline intrusion has reached up to 35 miles inland this year, according to Vietnam's Southern
Hydrometeorology Station. In Bac Lieu Province, a coastal floodplain one hundred miles
southwest of Ho Chi Minh City, salinity is twice the level it was last year. That's not so much a
problem anymore for Bac Lieu, as most of the rice fields have been converted to shrimp ponds.
Rather than struggling to find more freshwater for a third crop, many farmers took advantage of
increased salinization and switched to intensive shrimp cultivation, which thrives in brackish
water."Ten years ago this area was all rice fields," Ngo Van Dong, 56, told VICE News. "We can
make more money this way." Ngo cleared five acres of rice fields to make seven shrimp ponds.
"I'm trying to buy more land to expand, but no one is selling."Bac Lieu has prospered from
shrimp farming, but for aquaculturists along the coastline this livelihood is much more
precarious. Do Thi Dieu started shrimp farming 15 years ago. She says the water in her shrimp
ponds is becoming too salty. "Before, even in the dry season, there was some rain, but now there
is none. It's lasting longer than it used to," Dieu said. "In the dry season, the salt content is
sometimes too high for shrimp to develop well."

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Shrimp cultivation is expensive and is usually only an option for wealthier farmers who can
afford the high cost of dredging land and buying equipment. Shrimp farming also comes with its
share of ecological problems. The land closer to the sea in Bac Lieu used to be mangrove forests,
but it was cleared to make way for the shrimp farms.
Do Thi Dieu, 35, worries climate change will force her to abandon shrimp farming.
"Vietnam had about 60 percent mangrove forest loss during the last 70 years," said Le Anh Tuan,
Deputy Director of the Research Institute for Climate Change. "Vietnam's mangrove forest areas
have fell from 408,500 hectares in 1943 to 189,200 hectares in 2000, and just 168,688 hectares in
2013."Mangroves are important habitats for a vast array of plant and animal species. They
also absorb carbon dioxide, helping to regulate the amount of the greenhouse gas in the
atmosphere. And they provide crucial barriers against coastal erosion, storm surges, and sea level
rise."Mangrove forests are buffer belts that reduce the magnitude of sea tides to the delta
floodplains." Tuan said. "Thick mangrove forests can also effectively reduce sea winds that push
saltwater inland."In efforts to keep the sea back, the Vietnamese government has continued to
construct coastal infrastructure, but it needs to reinforce and expand the existing 5,000 miles of
dikes and canals, according to the United Nations. They've also attempted to reforest large areas

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of mangroves, but the results have been mixed.Vietnam is going to need all the coastal protection
it can get. The country experiences six to eight typhoons annually, and they could become more
extreme as the impacts of climate change intensify over the coming decades.In 2012, floods
swept away all the shrimp in Do Thi Dieu's ponds. "In the last three years the water levels have
risen and it's breaking our dykes and flooding our houses and shrimp ponds," Dieu told VICE
News."If climate change is to affect us, we will leave."
Photos by Mark Scialla
TOPICS: tipping point , environment, asia & pacific, vietnam, climate change, global warming, sea level
rise, rice, agriculture, shrimp, mangroves, mekong river, mekong delta
https://news.vice.com/article/meet-the-mekong-delta-rice-farmers-who-are-on-the-frontline-of-sea-level-
rise
Thai rice exports may drop this year
Michael Mackey
13 May 2015
A Thai worker loads a rice sack for export in Bangkok. Photo: PA
Thai rice exporters are signalling that exports of their produce will fall, triggering changes in
demand in where it is shipped to."Since Thai rice prices are still higher than our competitors
[Vietnam and India] the demand from both Asia and Africa is moving to the countries where rice
is cheaper," Sermsak Kuonsongtum, vice-president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, told
IHS Maritime. "This makes our estimated export figure go down to 8.0-8.5 million tonnes."Last
year, Thailand exported about 11 million tonnes of rice, making it the world's biggest rice
exporter.A big factor for the projected decline is the increasing cost of Thai rice due to the strong
baht."The key factor to driving the export volume is the price, as history has proved that the
difference of the prices influence buyers more than the difference in the quality," Sermsak

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said.India looks set to rival Thailand this year. Thailand exported 2.6 million tonnes of rice
during the first four months of the year, only fractionally ahead of India's export of 2.5 million
tonnes.Some countries managed to sell their rice up to USD40/tonne cheaper than Thailand's.
India, in particular, is helped by its government schemes to boost rice exports and its rice costs
about USD360/tonne.
Thai rice costs USD385/tonne while Vietnamese rice costs USD355-360/tonne.
To contact the author of this article, email Maritime360@ihs.com
Foodgrain production likely to fall by over 5%
OUR BUREAU
Bad monsoon, unseasonal rain drag output to four-year low of 251.12 million tonnes
NEW DELHI, MAY 13:
The country’s foodgrain production in the current season ending June is likely to decline by 5.4
per cent from a record output of 265.04 million tonnes (mt) the year before.
Weather vagaries
According to the third advance estimate released by the Agriculture Ministry here on
Wednesday, total foodgrain output will be 13.92 mt lower at 251.12 mt for this season, the
lowest since 244.49 million tonnes produced in 2010-11.Rice output is estimated at 102.54 mt,
down from 106.65 mt last season, while that of wheat, the main Rabi crop, which was damaged
across swathes of northern, central and western India due to unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms
between end-February and early-April, has been pegged at 90.78 mt from 95.85 mt last season,

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the lowest in the last three years.Total production of coarse cereals is expected to decline by 2.87
mt to 40.42 mt, while the estimate for key pulses stands at 17.38 mt – down from 19.25 mt.―It
may be noted that production of Kharif crops during 2014-15 suffered due to bad monsoon.
Unseasonal rains/hailstorm during February-March 2015 had significant impact on production of
rabi crops. As a result of setback in Kharif as well as Rabi seasons, the production of most of the
crops in the country has declined this season,‖ said an official release.Production of oilseeds is
also likely to be lower by 5.37 mt – from 32.75 mt to 27.38 mt, while cotton output will also
likely decline marginally to 35.32 million bales (of 170 kg each) but will be ―higher by 2.85
million bales than the average production of last 5 years.‖Only sugarcane production is likely to
rise by 4.42 mt to 356.56 mt from 352.14 mt, which could further depress prices of sugar in the
domestic market with a fifth consecutive season of surplus production already in the offing.
Contongency plans
According to the Met Department, this year could witness another below normal monsoon due to
the El Nino weather effect even if the rain is likely to arrive on time and hit the Kerala coast by
June 1.Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Kumar Balyan said on Wednesday that the
Centre is ready with contingency plans for 580 districts in case of acute weather disturbances.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/foodgrain-production-likely-to-fall-by-
over-5/article7202157.ece

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Government to continue arranging rice trade talks with
foreign nations
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
By NNT
BANGKOK, 11 May 2015 - Government Spokesperson Yongyuth Mayalarp has affirmed that
Thai rice is still competitive in the world market despite the rising price while saying the
government will seek more chances to forge rice trade agreements with foreign partners.In
response to the private sector’s concerns over the rising price of Thai rice, Mr Yongyuth insisted
that the Prime Minister is not being complacent and has instructed the Ministry of Commerce to
look into the issue. He said it has been reported by the Foreign Trade Department that the
increasing output from major competitors like Vietnam and India has caused their prices to be
lower than that of Thai grains. Moreover, Thailand’s shortfall in production due to drought and
the baht appreciation have also driven the price up.
Mr Yongyuth noted, nonetheless, that high-quality rice is still in high demand and Thai farmers
should use this opportunity to upgrade their production and grain quality in order to fetch higher
prices.The spokesman also said the premier has persuaded foreign leaders to purchase Thai rice
on many occasions and will continue to do so while Commerce Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikalya
has been leading rice exporters on overseas trips to organize marketing campaigns and sales
activities.As the Thailand Rice Convention 2015 is scheduled to take place from May 19 to 21,
Mr Yongyuth expects the event to serve as another important stage for entrepreneurs to showcase
Thai rice and its high quality to participating traders from around the world.
http://www.pattayamail.com/news/government-to-continue-arranging-rice-trade-talks-with-foreign-
nations-47068#sthash.1EoX41ix.dpuf
Thai govt to consider release of more stockpiled rice
Petchanet PratruangkraiThe Nation/Asia News NetworkWednesday, May 13, 2015
A Thai farmer works on her rice field in Nakhonsawan province
As rice farmers enter the end of the second-crop harvest, the government will soon consider
reopening bidding for rice from its stockpiles - before the year's main harvest season begins in
late August.The plan to release more rice from the stockpiles is part of the government's goal to
shift a total of 10 million tonnes from its warehouses over the course of this year.The warehouses
currently hold about 16 million tonnes.Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the Foreign
Trade Department, said yesterday that after suspending the release of rice for the past few
months, it was now time to reconsider further sales due to lower supply in the market."The Rice
Policy Management Committee will next Monday consider whether to open the third round of
rice bidding for this year. The government will carefully consider the impact on rice prices in the
market, and will also consider other factors such as demand, and rice supplies by other
countries," she explained.Duangporn added that despite slowly releasing rice from the stockpiles,
the government was maintaining its target for releasing 10 million tonnes of the crop this year.

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The department is also sticking to its forecast of pushing exports to 10 million tonnes this year,
although exporters foresee lower shipments of between 8 million and 8.5 million tonnes.In the
first four months of the year, Thailand exported about 3.3 million tonnes of rice, against 3.8
million tonnes in the same period last year. The department chief said that despite lower export
volume so far this year, the emphasis was on shipping high-quality rice, including parboiled rice
and jasmine rice, overseas sales of which had risen 6 per cent year on year in the period.To
promote Thailand as supplier of the world's best-quality rice to the world market, the Commerce
Ministry has organised the "Thailand Rice Convention 2015" next week under the theme "Think
rice think Thailand…serving the best quality rice to the world".
Duangporn said the government would focus on increasing the value of Thai rice, which would
enable the world market to recognise the Kingdom as not only a major supplier, but also as a
supplier of good-quality rice.Thailand's efforts will also help increase food security in the world
market, as it offers a full variety of rice grains to consumers anytime, anywhere and in any
amount, she added.The convention, which takes place from May 19-21 at Impact Muang Thong
Thani's Hall 4, will be chaired by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, while many
experts in the rice industry will participate in the seminar.The convention is expected to attract
more than 500 participants from 40 countries for an exchange of knowledge and views on rice
and rice trading.
International rice traders, millers and farmers will be among those attending.
http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/thai-govt-consider-release-more-stockpiled-rice#sthash.KWUkhZOM.dpuf

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Demand low for Pakistani rice in global market
By Peer Muhammad
Published: May 13, 2015
The price of Pakistani rice is higher than the paddy produced by India and other regional countries. PHOTO: APP
ISLAMABAD: Alongside wheat, potato and cotton, the high production cost of rice is
hampering its sales in the international market, despite the presence of hefty stocks in the
country.
At present, exporters and growers have five million tons of basmati rice and a similar quantity
of Irri-6 rice, but they are finding it difficult to sell the commodity in the global market
because of sluggish demand and comparatively higher price for Pakistani rice.The price of
Pakistani rice is higher than the paddy produced by India and other regional countries.The Rice
Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) held a meeting with officials of the Ministry of
National Food Security and Research in Islamabad and demanded steps for reducing the cost of
production or introduction of high-quality seeds to increase the productivity.
A senior official in the ministry told The Express Tribune that after the meeting the ministry
wrote to provinces asking them to take appropriate measures. It also told chief secretaries of
the provinces to facilitate the growers in bringing the cost down in the larger interest of
farmers, consumers and exporters.―The price of Pakistani basmati is higher by at least $100 to
$150 compared to Indian basmati, and that is a big hurdle in the way of exports,‖ said REAP
member Malik Jahangir, who also attended the meeting.―Since 1997, no new basmati seed has

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come to the market and that’s the reason for the low yield per acre, which has pushed rice
prices higher,‖ he said.India, on the contrary, has introduced five new seed varieties in the last
10 years and that has helped a lot in increasing the yield.
―Another step the government could take is to subsidise rice exports so that the stock could be
disposed of,‖ Jahangir suggested.―If we fail to export the existing stock, then next year the
farmers will not grow the grain, which might spark a crisis,‖ he warned, saying they had also
written to the Rice Research Centre, Kala Shah Kaku Lahore, but no appropriate response had
been received so far.He pointed out that after the devolution of agriculture ministry to the
provinces, confusion emerged about the policy issues. Provinces were not taking responsibility
of resolving the issues being faced by the growers and traders despite taking assets and
resources of the devolved ministry, he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th
, 2015.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/885369/demand-low-for-pakistani-rice-in-global-market/
Punjab govt warns strict action for burning paddy straw
Niti PTI BotStates AUTHOR: NITI PTI BOT - MAY 13, 2015
Chandigarh, May 13 (PTI) Punjab government today issued strict
warnings to the peasants burning paddy straw despite a complete ban on
the practise. The government also warned of strict action under the
provisions of Air Pollution Control Act. Punjab’s Agriculture Minister
Tota Singh said that it was a matter of great concern that despite educative
campaign launched by the department regarding ill effects of straw burning
on the air and health of soil, many farmers of the state were carrying on
with the illegal practise.
―Nobody will be allowed to pollute the air by burning the straw.The district administration has
been directed to book the erring farmers under the relevant provisions of the Act,‖ he said
here.Notably, a number of farmers in Punjab and Haryana have been carrying on with the bi-
annual exercise of burning crop residue, which many environmentalists have cited in the past as
one of the causes of dust haze and air pollution in Delhi and northern India. We have
always advised farmers to creatively use the paddy straw to improve the productivity of soil,
Singh said.The department has been continuously telling the farmers to use spreader to help
distribute straw in field which could be used as fertilizers that would enhance the yield of crops,
he added.
http://www.niticentral.com/2015/05/13/punjab-govt-warns-strict-action-for-burning-paddy-straw-
313184.html
Iranmayresumericeimportsthisyear:Govt
New Delhi: Iran, which has suspended rice imports, may resume the inbound shipments of the
commodity this year, Parliament was informed today.Resumption of imports would help India to export
basmati rice to Iran, which is a major destination for India for the aromatic rice.―Due to excess rice stocks

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available in Iran, Iranian authorities temporarily
suspended further imports of rice from rest of the
world from October 2014.―This ban is not country
specific. Iran may resume imports of rice this year
depending upon domestic production and demand,‖
Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.In
2013-14, India exported basmati rice worth USD
1.83 billion to Iran. It stood at USD 1 billion during
April-February 2015.Iran mainly imports from
Pakistan, Portugal, China, UAE, Latin America,
Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Oman and India.In a
separate reply, the Minister said that government has
provided Rs 1,625 crore in the Budget for 2015-16
under foreign trade and export promotion.―The guidelines of interest subvention scheme are yet to be
approved by the competent authority,‖ she said.Under the scheme, government provides loans to
exporters at subsidised rates.
http://eprahaar.in/iran-may-resume-rice-imports-this-year-govt/
Can science solve poverty?
May 13, 2015 9:25 pm
by THELMA DUMPIT-MURILLO
WE continue to rave about the country’s stable economic growth and rise in ranking by various
ratings agencies but we also continue to hear how this growth has failed to trickle down to the
masses. After five years under the Aquino administration, inclusive growth remains exclusive to
those who already have the most in life. A survey among the populace reveals a rise in self-rated
poverty or the number of those who believe they are poor. In this column, we give way below
(after the asterisk) to an analysis which appears in scidev.net provided by Dr. Crispin Maslog,
my former professor in grad school at the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, a
former journalist, and an environmental activist with stints at the Press Foundation of Asia and
the International Rice Research Institute.
* * *
Science may never completely solve the problem of poverty, but it will not be because it did not
try. After scientists have landed man on the moon and put a lander on an asteroid, there is no
reason, why it should not set its goal higher.There have been attempts to alleviate poverty in
recent history like the Green Revolution that staved off famine in the 1960s and raised the
income of poor farmers in Asia. Bruce Tolentino, deputy director-general of the International
Rice Research Institute (IRRI), says: ―One must look at the economic development histories of
countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and especially Vietnam, India, China, and more
recently, Cambodia.
Their relative success in reducing poverty is base on improvements in agricultural technology
that were brought about by the Green Revolution.‖―There is plenty of peer-reviewed, empirical
evidence that conclusively indicate the benefits of the Green Revolution, and which laid the basis
for inclusive economic development of those countries that embraced it,‖ Tolentino tells
SciDev.Net.Other initiatives, while far-reaching have not been completely successful, such as
global vaccination programs and attempts to control malaria by eradicating mosquitoes. They

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were among the biggest global public investments ever made.But hope still lingers among the
funders of science that the battle against poverty can be won with the help of scientists. In April
2014, the US and UK governments announced new funding towards this end.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced last April 3 its Global
Development Lab in partnership with 31 universities, corporations and foundations, whose
ambitious goal is to stamp out extreme poverty by 2030 through technology-based solutions.
USAID has pledged US$1 billion per year to support the project, which aims to develop in five
years technology solutions to poverty in the areas of water, health, food security and nutrition,
energy, education and climate change.A few days later, the UK government launched the
Newton Fund with funding of £375 million, which aims to strengthen research capabilities of
emerging economies including countries in South-East Asia.
Gordian knot of poverty
I commend these new and ambitious attempts to tackle the problem of poverty through the use of
science but warn that the problem is like the proverbial Gordian Knot (a metaphor referring to
the legendary King Gordius and which means an intricate or complicated problem).We
remember the early days of development aid from the West to the developing countries of Asia
in the 1950s. The World Bank and USAID employed this formula: Capital + Technology =
Development. They poured money and technological expertise into Asia. But after five decades,
the poor became poorer and more numerous and the rich became richer.
The relationship between science, technology, innovation and society is complicated. I agree
with scientists who say that new knowledge on its own cannot solve society’s problems.
Technologies do not always reach the people who need them. And if they reach the intended
people, the recipients do not know how to use them.There is no one scientific solution to all the
problems of the poor. Some science will solve some problems of some of the poor. Some science
and technology will be appropriate for poor farmers, for example. Others will answer the
problems of informal settlers in the slums.
However, once science and technology are developed, they must be accessible to the poor who
will use them. This is the problem of technology transfer from the public and private research
institutions to the end users. And just as important, the end users must know how to use the
technology.An example of effective technology transfer is the Farmers Scientists Technology
Program (FSTP) in the Philippines managed by University of the Philippines entomologist,
Romulo Davide. Under this government-funded scheme, Davide pairs a farmer with a scientist
who works with him on the farm. FSTP has hundreds of cases of farmers who have become rich
through the program.However, hundreds of successes are too few when there are tens of millions
of farmers and billions of poor people. To further involve more poor people, we need to promote
reading and science literacy among the poor. Countries cannot aspire to develop without a
scientifically literate population.A final note: The poor must be convinced that the technology
they adopt is what they need. A major cause of the failure of the World Bank aid program in
Asia in the 1950s is that the people were not consulted about the development projects the bank
funded.
Need for social participation

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In South-East Asia, there is a strong movement towards social participation. For instance, the
Universities and Councils Network on Innovation for Inclusive Development in Southeast Asia
or UNIID-SEA promotes innovation for inclusive development.It defines ―innovation for
inclusive development as that which aims to reduce poverty and enables as many groups of
people, especially the poor and marginalized, to participate in decision making, create and
actualize opportunities, and share the benefits of development‖.This time around the poor must
have a say in what problems they have that science and technology can solve for development to
be inclusive.Having said that, does the shared service facility (SSF) program of the Trade
Department of which millions have been allocated helping solve poverty or are they going to the
wrong recipients?
* * *
God is Great!
thelmadm@yahoo.com
http://www.manilatimes.net/can-science-solve-poverty/183327/
Olam Raises Investment on Rice Backward Integration
14 May 2015
By Crusoe Osagieâ€¨
Olam Nigeria Limited has unveiled plans to increase its stake in the rice industry as part efforts
to aid the realisation of the self-sufficiency target and job creation efforts of government.The
General Manager of the firm, Reji George, disclosed yesterday that his company had concluded
plans to kick-start milling of 200,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice in Doma Council, Nassarawa,
by June 1,2015. According to the firm, its backward integration plan in the sector is expected to
aid local rice production and job creation.The firm had earlier this year unveiled its locally
produced rice to the Nigerian market. Olam’s Business Head for Rice, Anil Nair, had explained
that the launch was designed to meet growing local demands for the commodity as well as
reduce its importation. He explained that the launch of the commodity in Lagos was strategic,
since the state holds the largest market of consumers of rice.
He said: ―There are lots of paddy been produced and Lagos being the biggest market in the
country is having local rice coming to it. It is a sign of good things to come and we hope that two
years from now, we will be able to bridge the gap. We have a milling capacity of about 800,000
tonnes in the country and we hope to help this country eliminate import completely.‖On placing
a total ban on the commodity, George said: ―I believe it should be a gradual process. Before you
ban rice or any agricultural commodity you must have to develop the local strength of rice
production. If you plan the ban of importation of rice, companies like Olam are into commercial
production of rice with 6,000 hectares in two cities, making it 12,000 hectares that would
definitely help bridge the demand and supply gap, and with support from other companies, in
addition to the role government is playing.
―In few years time, we would be able to bridge the demand and supply gap and we would be able
to be self-sufficient in rice production.‖The community leader of a settlement in the Doma area,
Kushunta Adi, said, ―Before the coming of Olam to our community, most people in this area

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were idle, which is not good, but today, the story is different. In fact, at that initial time, most of
the excavators on the project were foreigners, but today, the company has employed many of our
youths and this is helping many families here‖.―In fact, what they have done here is enormous. I
believe if the Federal Government can copy them, the country would be better. If we have one or
two other companies like this in Nigeria, it will be difficult for us as a country to import rice,‖ he
added .
A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Secretary of the Rice Farmers’
Association, Mr. Michael K. Aondoakaa, in his position, urged the government to urgently
protect the local rice industry from being thrown out of the agriculture sector.Aondoakaa, at the
House of Representatives hearing, stated that corrupt actions by some rice importers could
destroy government’s policy and truncate the local rice sub-sector.He disclosed that a
certain company behaves like another government and has resorted to dubious activities in
apparent bid to frustrate the local rice manufacturers.He called on all and sundry to stop this
untoward activities in the best interest of Nigeria, especially local farmers and others.
Tags: Nigeria, Featured, News
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/olam-raises-investment-on-rice-backward-integration/209279/
Grand Prairie students visit Dale Bumpers National Rice
Research Center in Stuttgart
On Monday, May 4, the students gave presentations to scientists and students at the DBNRRC,
then had a question and answer period with scientists from DBNRRC and the Harry K.
Dupree Aquaculture Research Center. Students also toured both facilities.
Photo by Dawn Teer/Stuttgart Daily LeaderHildana Tibebu holds a snake as Dylan Duncan looks on during the
Future Scientist program at the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center.
By Dawn Teer
dteer@stuttgartdailyleader.com
Posted May 13, 2015 at 3:21 PM
STUTTGART —
Students from Park Avenue
Elementary, Stuttgart High School,
Monticello and Hot Springs gave
presentations on the corn earworm at
the Dale Bumpers National Rice
Research Center (DBNRRC) last
week. Also in attendance were
students from Holy Rosary Catholic
school and Hamburg.This was the
fruition of a program that began last
summer with a two-day program for
area teachers to help promote science

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in school.
This is the second year for the Future Scientists program at DBNRRC.When the teachers
attended the program last summer, Dr. Craig Wilson showed them how to teach children about
the corn earworm, which is a pest that can cause millions of dollars in damage to crops. In the
classroom, students grew corn earworm from pupae and did experiments to learn more about
how the corn earworm causes damage to corn crops.On Monday, May 4, the students gave
presentations to scientists and students at the DBNRRC, then had a question and answer period
with scientists from DBNRRC and the Harry K. Dupree Aquaculture Research Center. Students
also toured both facilities.The students in attendance from Park Avenue Elementary were Paige
Dean, Hildana Tibebu, Dylan Duncan, Evan Watson and Lebrayden Hall.
PAE teachers were Kelly Clawitter and Shawna Wilson. Students from Holy Rosary were Mary
Grace Straus, Cole Mock, Julia Ryan, Jordan Griffith, Morgan Bock and Evie Jackson and
teacher Sarah Richards. SHS students were Zach Mock, Brannon Herring, Kylie Griffin, Robbie
Harwell, and Reema Bhakla and Coach Andrew Schroeder. Hamburg students were Evan
Ferguson, Lacee Jacobs andLarry Carher and teacher Don Wallace. Hot Springs Intermediate
school students were Eureka Smith, Emily Clutter, Logan Comstock, Marly Archie, Megan
Harbut, Anna Fletcher, Riley Matthews, Moriah Thacker and Eli Evans and teacher Lynn Strong.
Monticello Elementary School sent the most students and they were kindergarten and first
graders. Susan Starks’ students were Xander Lane, Cade Newton, Gavin Howard, Sophie
Barrilleaun, Soelee Thornhill, and Madyson James.
Janet Lane’s students were Luke Hairston, Jackson Hines, Annsley Oltmann, Maura McMickle,
Timothy Forrest and Javian Adams. Paula Lane’s students were Taylor Collins, Skyler Hill,
Jayden Rhodes, Landon Reid, Daniel Pace and Logan McAlpine.Wilson welcomed the students
starting things off with a bang. Wilson went on to show a video and then brought out a garter
snake and let the students meet it up close. Anna McClung, director of the DBNRRC, then
spoke to the students about the program and how she became a scientist.The students gave
presentations on what they learned from the corn earworm. Look online at
stuttgartdailyleader.com for videos from the presentations.Following the presentations and a
short break, they had a question and answer panel with scientists Dr. Shannon Pinson, research
geneticist; Dr. Angela Baldo,
computational biologist; Dr. Jeremy Edwards, plant molecular geneticist; Dr. Bart Green,
research fishery biologist; Dr. Miles Lange, research biologist; Dr. Steven Rawles, research
physiologist; and Dr. Dave Straus, aquatic toxicologist.
http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/article/20150513/NEWS/150519855
APEDA India News
International Benchmark Price
Price on: 11-05-2015
Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price
Garlic
1 Chinese first grade granules, CFR NW Europe (USD/t) 2100

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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) 4600
2 Chinese whole, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 5100
3 Indian Cochin, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 3000
Guar Gum Powder
1 Indian 100 mesh 3500 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 4880
2 Indian 200 mesh 3500 cps basis, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 2300
3 Indian 200 mesh 5000 cps, FOB Kandla (USD/t) 3400
Source:agra-net For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 11-05-2015
Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price
Rice
1 Cachar (Assam) Other 2000 2500
2 Saharsa (Bihar) Other 2000 3200
3 Bargarh (Orissa) Other 2100 2300
Wheat
1 Bonai (Orissa) Other 1450 1600
2 Amirgadh (Gujarat ) Other 1210 1750
3 Saharsa(Bihar) Other 1450 3200
Mousambi
1 Sirhind (Punjab) Other 3000 4000
2 Mechua(West Bengal) Other 2600 3100
3 Haldwani(Uttrakhand) Other 1600 3500
Carrot
1 Aroor (Kerala) Other 3000 2800
2 Bonai (Orissa) Other 1000 2000
3 Kharupetia(Assam) Other 1200 1500
Source:agra-net For more info
Egg Rs per 100 No
Price on 11-05-2015
Product Market Center Price
1 Pune 312
2 Ahmedabad 300
3 Hyderabad 272
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 11-05-2015
Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High
Mangoes Package: flats 1 layer
1 Chicago Mexico Ataulfo 10 11
2 Detroit Mexico Ataulfo 7 7.50

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3 New York Mexico Ataulfo 9 9
Cucumbers Package: cartons film wrapped
1 Atlanta Canada Long Seedless 9 11.50
2 Dallas California Long Seedless 12.50 13
3 Miami Mexico Long Seedless 9.50 10
Grapes Package: 18 lb containers bagged
1 Atlanta Chile Red Globe 24.50 24.50
2 Chicago Chile Red Globe 18.50 20
3 Miami Peru Red Globe 21 23
Source:USDA
IJMA wants jute policy to revive demand
With the mandatory requirement for packaging of sugar in jute bags falling to 20% from 100%, half the
jute mills have been facing demand crisis for past two-and-a-half years
Jayajit Dash | Bhubaneswar
May 13, 2
015 Last Updated at 19:58 IST
Reeling under a crisis triggered by the shutdown of jute mills,
the Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) has urged West
Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to announce a jute
policy early to help revive demand for jute bags.In the past
two months, 15 jute mills have faced temporary closure amid
tepid demand. With the mandatory requirement for packaging
of sugar in jute bags falling to 20 per cent since 2013-14, as
opposed to 100 per cent stipulated originally in the Jute
Packaging Materials Act (JPMA) of 1987, half the jute mills
have been facing demand crisis for the past two-and-a-half years.
"The indents by the various state government agencies for this year's rabi crop virtually came
down to a trickle in April 2015 and there is little likelihood of further indents of jute bags for
food grains packing for the months of May and June. Had West Bengal announced the state
policy under which packaging of potatoes and rice could have been included, all jute mills in the
state would probably have continued production well beyond April 2015," said IJMA chairman
Raghavendra Gupta in a letter to Banerjee.Gupta said a quick announcement of the jute policy
would not only revive the sector, but also improve sentiments among jute growers, workers and
jute mill owners.
At present, there are four million jute growers and about 300,000 workmen engaged in the jute
sector. If their families are factored in, approximately one-third of the West Bengal's total
population of about 90 million are directly or indirectly linked to jute.Pointing out to the overt
flouting of JPMA provisions by rice millers, Gupta said very few millers are utilising new jute
bags for packaging of rice. According to him, mandating packaging of potatoes grown in West
Bengal in jute bags would create a demand of 50,000 tonnes annually for jute bags, he felt.Over

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the past two years, around 25 per cent of the jute mills have been shut, rendering nearly 100,000
workmen jobless.
The precarious situation has arisen due to continuous dilution of JPMA, attempts to violate the
Act by sugar sector and different procurement agencies, and erosion of non-government market
due to heavy imports from Bangladesh. Surge in imports from Bangladesh have been aided by
zero duty on imports and 10 per cent export subsidy provided by the Bangladesh
government.Procurement of jute bags has fallen from an average of 2.68 million bales in 2012-
13 to 2.03 million bales in 2013-14, dropping further to 1.99 million bales in 2014-15 (one bale
is 180 kg).The jute sector is passing through a phase of stagnation as investments in
modernisation and product diversification have almost stopped since 2012-13.
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/ijma-wants-jute-policy-to-revive-demand-
115051301092_1.html
World Market Price Subcommittee Talks Acreage, Iraq, and
Cuba
USA Rice's Betsy Ward (l.) and Sarah Moran literally
talk Turkey with The Rice Trading Company CEO Jay
Kapila. WASHINGTON, DC -- The World Market Price
Subcommittee met here this morning with
representatives from the National Agricultural Statistics
Service (NASS), the Economic Research Service (ERS),
and the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Members
noted that rice acres in California may be below those
indicated in the NASS Prospective Plantings report
issued this spring.
Members also reviewed NASS rice price reporting questionnaires. NASS reiterated that it is
looking only for reported transactions of rough rice at the point of first sale, excluding
transportation and other charges from farmers' bins to the point of sale. However, NASS does not
adjust data received on rough rice purchases. Subcommittee members agreed that this
explanation provided more clarity about the reporting of rough rice transactions at the first point
of sale.
Discussions with representatives of FAS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
focused on trade with Cuba and Turkey, and the U.S. rice industry's ongoing difficulty with the
lack of transparency and predictability in Iraq's rice tender process. "We've started the process of
looking for an Iraqi contractor to assist our efforts on the ground in Baghdad," said USA Rice
COO Bob Cummings. "This is a recommend
dation that we received during our meeting last week in Washington with the U.S. Ambassador
to Iraq, Stuart Jones, and we believe it has merit and worth pursuing. We need to look at all
options that can help us return Iraq as a steady customer for U.S. rice."Chairman Keith Glover

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said, "This was a very positive meeting, with a lot of productive conversation. And, as always,
we appreciate USDA's participation."The next World Market Price Subcommittee meeting will
be in October.
Contact: Kristen Dayton (703) 236-1464
CCC Announces Prevailing World Market Prices
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation
today announced the following prevailing world market prices of milled and rough rice, adjusted
for U.S. milling yields and location, and the resulting marketing loan-gain (MLG) and loan
deficiency payment (LDP) rates applicable to the 2014 crop, which became effective today
at 7:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). Rough rice prices decreased $0.12 per cwt for both long grain
and medium/short grain.
World Price
MLG/LDP
Rate
Milled
Value
($/cwt)
Rough
($/cwt)
Rough
($/cwt)
Long-Grain 15.25 9.88 0.00
Medium-/Short-
Grain
14.86 10.01 0.00
Brokens 9.20 ---- ----
This week's prevailing world market prices and MLG/LDP rates are based on the following U.S.
milling yields and the corresponding loan rates:
U.S. Milling Yields
Whole/Broken
(lbs/cwt)
Loan Rate
($/cwt)
Long-Grain 57.21/12.55 6.64
Medium-/Short-Grain 61.89/8.83 6.51
The next program announcement is scheduled for May 20, 2015.
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 13
Month Price Net Change

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May 2015 $9.220 UNCH
July 2015 $9.445 UNCH
September 2015 $9.715 - $0.005
November 2015 $9.965 UNCH
January 2016 $10.210 UNCH
March 2016 $10.275 UNCH
May 2016 $10.275 UNCH
Rare rice and art honored as national treasures
MANILA, Philippines - In a special gathering tonight at the National Museum of the
Philippines, two large paintings by National Artist Vicente Manansala will be elevated

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from Important Cultural Properties of the Philippines to National Cultural Treasures—
the first Manansalas to gain such status. Since 1962 and until recently, these paintings
that had been on the walls of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna will be unveiled at the museum’s new IRRI hall. In
this evening’s event, Treasures in Art and Rice, the IRRI Manansalas and several types
of heirloom rice from the mountainous Cordilleras of northern Philippines will be
featured alongside each other—the paintings’ unveiling at the museum and heirloom
rice as tasty dishes whipped up by five world-class chefs.
Philippine heirloom rice varieties are being studied and promoted through the Heirloom
Rice Project, a joint initiative of the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and
IRRI. As traditional varieties handed down through generations of a clan or village,
these unique crops have high nutritional properties, are in limited supply due to longer
growing periods, and are more expensive than more widely cultivated rice, especially in
specialty niche markets in the Philippines and abroad.
Under the project, heirloom rice varieties are characterized, classified, and studied for
their properties and genealogy. Cultivation practices for each variety are also being
documented, which allows scientists to work with farmers to optimize these practices
for desired yield and grain quality. Because of its special eating qualities and novelty,
heirloom rice is seeing increasing demand in the global market. The project team is thus
also working with entrepreneurs to find demand matches for heirloom varieties that
particular regions, villages, or farming households produce. The paintings, by National
Artist Vicente S. Manansala, were commissioned by IRRI soon after its founding in
1960.Philippine heirloom rice varieties were featured at the Madrid Fusión Manila in
April.
IRRI NEWS
Treasures in Art and Rice: The IRRI Manansala Murals
and Philippine Heirloom Rice
Together with the Philippine Department of Agriculture, the National
Museum and Friends of Manansala, IRRI will feature the formal
recognition of the two Manansala paintings as "National Cultural
Treasures." A special presentation of the Philippine heirloom rice will
be a highlight at the event to be held at the National Museum (By
invitation)

13th may,2015 daily global rice e newseltter by riceplus magazine

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