2nd february ,2021 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

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
February 02 ,2021 Vol 2 Issue 13
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com 92 321 3692874

Editorial Board
Chief Editor
 Hamlik
Managing Editor
 Abdul Sattar Shah
 Rahmat Ullah
 Rozeen Shaukat
English Editor
 Maryam Editor
 Legal Advisor
 Advocate Zaheer Minhas
Editorial Associates
 Admiral (R) Hamid Khalid
 Javed Islam Agha
 Zahid Baig(Business Recorder)
 Dr.Akhtar Hussain
 Dr.Fayyaz Ahmad Siddiqui
 Dr.Abdul Rasheed (UAF)
 Islam Akhtar Khan
Editorial Advisory Board
 Dr.Malik Mohammad Hashim
Assistant Professor, Gomal
University DIK
 Dr.Hasina Gul
Assistant Director, Agriculture KPK
 Dr.Hidayat Ullah
Assistant Professor, University
of Swabi
 Dr.Abdul Basir
Assistant Professor, University of
Swabi
 Zahid Mehmood
PSO,NIFA Peshawar
 Falak Naz Shah
Head Food Science & Technology
ART, Peshawar
Rice News Headlines…
 A good news
 Titans of Pakistani Business
 Senators buck bid to lower tariffs on pork and
rice
 Harris Retires from Riceland Foods After 45
Years
 USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited Release 2020
Annual Report
 Basmati Rice Export Soars Amid High Demand
from EU
 A new relative of Carolina Gold rice crops up
 PhilMech distributes more than P200-M worth
of farm machinery, equipment in Bulacan
 Adegoke: Reduction in Rice Production Cost Will
Lower Prices

A good news
By
News desk
February 2, 2021
Malik M Ashraf
INDIA has all along, since partition, been making strenuous efforts to harm strategic, political
and economic interests of Pakistan through covert and overt actions besides launching a
sustained campaign to tarnish its image at the global level. It never lets go any opportunity to
follow the course steeped in enmity towards Pakistan.
India is a competitor of Pakistan in the EU market in regards to exports, particularly the export of
rice to the countries of the Union. To undermine rice exports of Pakistan to EU India claimed
geographical indication tag for the brand of basmati rice that it exported to them and was
successful in her attempt. It has been blocking attempts by Pakistan to attain this tag claiming
that basmati rice had originated in India and as such only India had the right to geographical
indication tag.
It was almost accepted as fait accompli by the Pakistan exporters and the successive
governments that never made any serious attempt to mount a challenge to the false Indian
contention. It is, however, heartening to note that Pakistan Rice Export Association in
collaboration with Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders
have won the case against India in regards to geographical indication tag.
They were able to establish the fact that basmati is grown all over Pakistan particularly in the
provinces of Punjab and Sindh and only it had the right to geographical identification tag in this
regard. It is indeed a significant step forward. The winning of this tag will ensure that the rice
imported from Pakistan is recognized as Pakistani by the importing countries of EU and fetches
higher price as the strain known as basmati is considered superior to all other varieties of rice.
This achievement will also help Pakistan improve its export image and upgrade the number of
items it can export each year and obtain correct price for them. This triumph also shows Pakistan
is quite capable of competing against its regional competitors as far as exports go. The success in
winning the geographical identification tag for basmati proves beyond an iota of doubt the
virtues of sustained and coordinated efforts for protecting commercial and business interests of
the country. Similar efforts are also needed to be made in other export domains with a view to
diversifying our export destinations. Due credit also goes to the PTI government for taking up
this important matter, which had been ignored by previous governments for too long. Too often
they were not ready to do this. The result has been a loss for the country on many fronts.
Hopefully those losses will cease to accrue from now onwards.

The geographical indication tag is an important recognition of where a particular product has
originated from and also helps other nations in recognizing from which country particular items
can be brought in or exported. Basmati rice has gained recognition around the world because of
its quality and the particular kind of cooked product that it produces. The tag and the registration
are therefore excellent news, given that it shows Pakistan is not many steps behind India as far as
the export of rice goes.
The EU is Pakistan’s biggest trade partner and a huge market for Pakistani rice and textiles. It
has given GSP Plus status to Pakistan which allows country’s imports into the EU countries in
line with the fixed quota without open competition with other countries of the world. EU
Ambassador Androulla Kaminara while addressing the 4th Women Chamber of Commerce
meeting organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry last Wednesday
revealed that since 2014, Pakistan’s exports to EU have gone up to $7.5 billion or 34 percent of
the total country’s exports on per annum basis. Other major trade partners are USA accounting
for 33% Pakistani exports followed by China with 8%.
While the government is banking on revival of the economy through export-led growth, there is
an imperative need for all the export-oriented industries and the government to evaluate the
export potential of the country and finding new markets for the products which are competitive
in the international market. The country needs a greater focus on economic diplomacy. Our
missions abroad can play a vital role in this regard by identifying markets for our goods and
facilitating contacts between the exporters from Pakistan and importers in the countries of their
accreditation. Participation in international trade fairs and holding solo exhibitions of the
Pakistani products in the countries with potential market for them can also help in boosting
exports. There is also the need to take the representatives of the export industries on board to
formulate export policies as they are the people who have a better knowledge of the world
markets and can help the government in removing the bottlenecks in the enhancement of
Pakistani exports. Above all for remaining competitive in the international market and finding
new markets the emphasis must be on the export of value-added and high-tech products.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Pakistan’s GDP growth rate at 1.5 percent
for the current fiscal year 2020-21 compared to negative 0.4 percent for the previous fiscal year
2019-20. However the PTI government has envisaged GDP growth rate target of 2.1 percent for
the current fiscal 2020-21 with the expectation that the recovery of economic activities will help
achieve the growth trajectory in the aftermath of overcoming COVID-19 pandemic. Though
there is a discrepancy in the two projections but it nonetheless corroborates the government
claims that the economic has been put in the revival mode as a result of the policy initiatives
taken by it.
— The Islamabad-based writer is former Director Administration, Pakistan Broadcasting
Corporation.
https://pakobserver.net/a-good-news/

Titans of Pakistani Business
No discussion of a country’s economy can make sense without
referring to the top ten corporate entities that drive the domestic
economy and contribute to exports.
Magazine Desk
-
February 1, 2021
Mr. Mian Muhammad Yahya Mansha
Founder & CEO
Nishat Group
Est group worth: $6 billion
Nishat Group is Pakistan‟s leading conglomerate with diversified
investments across the national economy with an estimated worth of $6
billion. Founder Mian Muhammad Mansha, a prominent businessman,
is often described as the country‟s richest man. The family of Mian
Mansha (as he is commonly known) hails from Chiniot, but the original
family business was based in Calcutta (now Kolkata) – which then
shifted to Faisalabad after independence.
The group has over 30, listed and non-listed, companies under its
umbrella. The flagship business of Nishat Group – Nishat Textile Mills,
established in 1951 near Lahore – is now the most modern textile
production facility with exports in 2019 valued at $353 million. The
business group has diverse ownerships including MCB bank, DG Khan
Cement, AdamJee life insurance, Nishat Textiles, Nishat Power, Nishat

Properties, Nishat Hotels, Hyundai Nishat Motors and Nishat
Emporium.
Mr. Anwar Pervez
Founder & Chairman
Bestway Group
Est group worth: $4.5 billion
The journey of Bestway Group started with the owner, Sir. Anwar Pervez,
establishing his first convenience store “Kashmir” in London‟s Earls
Court in 1963. Mr Anwar went to the UK as a student, but his
entrepreneurial inclinations took him to lay the foundation of Bestway
Wholesale, the first venture of the Bestway Group, started back in 1976,
with its first cash and carry warehouse in London. Bestway Wholesale is
now the UK‟s second-largest wholesaler with a market share of 18%, has
62 warehouses, a product line of over 25,000 items and a network of
over 160,000 independent retailers.
Bestway Group has a worth of $4.50 billion. The group arrived in
Pakistan in 1995 and set up its first cement plant in Hattar, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, under Bestway Cement Limited. The company is now one
of Pakistan‟s largest cement producers. In 2002 it took a share in United
Bank Limited – the second largest bank of Pakistan. It also owns MAP
Rice Mills, Well Pharmacy and Bestway Wholesale.
Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani
Founder & Chairman
Hashoo Group
The Hashoo Group is owned by Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani. Mr Hashwami
is a Karachi based businessman with roots tracing back to Persia

(modern-day Iran), from where the tribe of his ancestors – the Khojas –
migrated to present-day Pakistan in the 1900s. Hashoo Group was
initially established as Ali Hassan & Company as a cotton trading
company in 1960. In 1972, the PPP government under Bhutto‟s
nationalization drive, nationalized cotton and rice exports and that led
Hashoo Group to venture in the hoteling industry.
The group established its first hotel – The Holiday Inn – in Islamabad
and later in Karachi in 1978 and 1981. These were later converted to the
Marriotts. Further notable assets of the group included buying the
InterContinental Hotels in 1985 that were rebranded to Pearl
Continental Hotels, which are scattered all across Pakistan. The Hashoo
group has a net worth of $3.8 billion. It is among the largest groups in
the country with a diverse portfolio ranging from Real Estate, Oil & Gas,
Hospitality, IT, Ceramics to Pharmaceuticals.
Mr. Malik Riaz Hussain
Founder
Bahria Town
Bahria Town Group, with a worth of $3.4 Billion, was founded by Malik
Riaz Hussain – Mr. Riaz, following the collapse of his father‟s business
started his career at an early age as a clerk, in Military Engineering
Service (MES). He moved on to become a contractor and founded his
own company – Hussain Global – in the mid-90s‟. As its first project, the
company developed a gated community for the Pakistan Navy.
Read more: NRO style deal for Malik Riaz to stimulate economy
The group – now with over 30,000 employees – has been in the real
estate business across the country for over three decades, with the aim to
provide clean and safe residential areas for the middle class to buy their
plot of land on installments. The only competitor to the hitherto market

leaders, are the DHAs. It turned out to be a very successful
entrepreneurial model given the lack of mortgages in the country. Mr.
Malik is now one of the richest men in the country, owner of the largest
privately held real estate developer in Pakistan -and perhaps the best
known “self-made man”.
Mr. Hussain Dawood
Chairman
Dawood Hercules Group
Mr Hussain Dawood is the chairman of Dawood Hercules Group. The
Group was formed by his father Ahmed Dawood, in 1948 and like
Pakistan has weathered much hardship. It lost close to 60% of its group
activities, which were based in East Pakistan in 1971, and then in 1974, it
lost its flagship – Dawood Petroleum, due to Bhutto‟s nationalization.
Despite these travails, it recovered and currently has a wide array of
businesses with an estimated worth of $2 billion.
Under the leadership of Mr. Hussain Dawood since 2002, the Group has
put in a sizeable amount, estimated around $7 billion, into different
sectors including energy & related infrastructure, foods & agriculture,
petrochemicals, chemical storage & handling, renewables, industrial IoT
and digital solutions. The Group has a number of subsidiaries and
associated companies. Mr Dawood is also the chairman of Engro
Corporation, under whose leadership Engro has risen through the ranks
to be one of Pakistan‟s largest industrial corporates. Hussain Dawood is
not only a businessman but also an educationalist and philanthropist. He
has set up Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL) – a
collaboration with the Cambridge University‟s Judge Business School.
Mr. Syed Nasir Hussain Schon
CEO

Schon Group
Nasir Schon is a prominent business leader of Pakistan and chairman of
the Schon Group of Companies. The group with a global portfolio of $2
billion is now being run by Danial Schon, nephew of Nasir Schon. The
company, established in 1971 in Singapore, has over 45 years of business
experience. The group has its presence in Pakistan, UAE, Germany and
Singapore through its well-diversified arms. Schon Group ventured into
the real estate business, only after the mid-90s‟ when the group moved
its headquarters to Dubai, as Schon Properties and has delivered over 1.6
million square feet of office and business space in Dubai – as of 2016.
Prior to that, they had interests in Airlines, Banking, Fiber Production,
and Fintech. For a brief period, the group also owned the „Multan
Sultans‟ franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in a bid to
diversify beyond its usual forte of operations. One of Schon‟s ongoing
real estate projects includes Dubai Lagoon, comprising of 442
apartments and over 500,000 square feet of built-up area. It is estimated
to be over $800 million in worth.
Mr. Salman Iqbal
CEO
ARY Group
ARY Group was founded by Late Mr Abdul Razzak Yaqoob. Yaqoob was
born in Surat, India, and later migrated to Karachi, Pakistan, with his
parents. Mr Yaqoob went to Dubai from Pakistan in the 60s‟ and
ventured into the gold business through his own outlet. Today ARY
Group has material holdings from media to property with an estimated
worth of around $1.40 billion. After Razzak Yaqoob‟s demise, the group‟s
ownership went to his dynamic nephew Mr Salman Iqbal. Apart from

media and gold, the group also owns desirable property assets in
Karachi, Islamabad and Dubai, worth over $200m.
Mr. Rafi Q Habib
Chairman
House of Habib Group
Habib Bank Ltd. and Habib Insurance were set up in 1941 in Bombay,
and later the family moved to Pakistan on request of Quaid-e-Azam. It
was the House of Habib, which helped Pakistan in 1947 when the newly
independent state was in dire need of funds, it is said, by presenting a
blank Lloyds Bank cheque to Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Rafi q Habib is the
current Chairman of the group and many of its subsidiary companies.
The company‟s portfolio can be categorized into 5 primary verticals, i.e.
banks, auto parts, building material, packaging, energy and property.
The group employs over 12,000 people and own stakes in the education
sector from schools to universities. They have one of Pakistan‟s most
famous car companies, Indus motor company, Habib Metropolitan Bank,
Habib Bank AG Zurich, as well as running the Habib University
Foundation. The group‟s total worth is $1.24 Billion.
Mr. Mian Mohammad Abdullah
Founder & Chairman
Sapphire Group
Est group worth: $850 million
Sapphire Group is one of the country‟s largest textile manufacturers with
an estimated worth of $850 million; annual turnover of $800 million

and an asset base valued over $500 million. The group is owned by
veteran businessman and philanthropist Mr Mian Mohammad Abdullah.
The journey of Sapphire Group started from Calcutta, from where, post-
1947, it moved to Lahore.
Read more: Pakistan-born billionaire Shahid Khan is 66th richest man in
US: Forbes
The group has continued its growth, spanned on decades, to vertically
integrate itself in the textile industry. Today, it is the most modern textile
facility with products reaching 35 destinations worldwide and a
workforce of more than 15,000 people. The group has also ventured into
the energy sector with a power generation plant, at Muridke near Lahore,
with a capacity of 234 MW.
Mr. Syed Babar Ali
Founder & Chairman
Packages Group
Est group worth: $870 million
Packages group started its journey in 1956 as a joint venture between the
Wazir Ali Group and Swedish companies Akerlund and Rausing. The
group is headed by Syed Babar Ali, a prominent businessman and
philanthropist known for being the founder of LUMS – one of Pakistan‟s
top business schools. Packages Group with a worth of $870 million owns
numerous Coca Cola plants in Pakistan. The group has notable brands
under its umbrella such as Nestle, Mitchells, Treet, IGI Insurance, IGI
Investment bank and Tri-Pack Films. The group also runs the Babar Ali
Foundation for education.
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/titans-of-pakistani-business/

Senators buck bid to lower tariffs on pork and rice
ByJasper Y. Arcalasand
Cai Ordinario
February 2, 2021
Vendors at a Quezon City market display various pork cuts in this BusinessMirror
file
THE Department of Agriculture’s (DA) petitions to lower tariffs on pork and rice
face an uphill battle ahead of the Tariff Commission (TC) hearings on the matter,
as senators on Monday blocked the proposal, saying local producers would be
placed at a disadvantage against cheap imported products.This, as the Neda is
mulling over an option to adopt a unitary rate; while a noted economist urged both
policy makers and the farm sectors to ―look beyond‖ a simplistic resort to tariffs to
resolve systemic problems in food security.

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform Chair Cynthia A.
Villar told Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar that the senators are in ―unison‖
in opposing any moves to reduce tariffs on food items.
―You know, Secretary Dar, we are one in saying that we are not in favor of tariff
reductions and MAV (minimum access volume) expansion. So, we in the Senate
will not approve of any tariff reductions and MAV expansions,‖ Villar said during
the committee’s hearing on Monday.
The DA filed two petitions last week before the TC for the reduction of most
favored nation (MFN) rates of pork and rice imports.
The DA petitioned to lower the tariffs for in-quota pork imports from 30 percent to
5 percent for the first six months; and to raise it afterward to 10 percent for the
succeeding six months.
The DA also petitioned to lower the out-quota tariff for pork to 15 percent for the
first six months and increase it to 20 percent for the next six months. Out-quota
pork imports are slapped with a 40-percent tariff.
In terms of rice, the in-quota tariff for rice imports or those within the minimum
access volume (MAV) is at 40 percent while those outside the MAV (out-quota)
are at 50 percent.
The Cabinet-level Committee on Tariff and Related Matters (CTRM) has endorsed
the proposal to reduce pork tariffs. (Related
Hog industry leaders and experts have opposed the reduction on tariffs as it would
discourage growers from restocking, while some argued that there is no guarantee
consumers would benefit from lower tariffs.
Furthermore, the DA petitioned to cut MFN rates for rice imports to 35 percent
from the current 40 percent for in-quota imports and 50percent for out-quota
imports. )

Industry groups have lamented the lack of consultation for both proposals by the
DA. The TC is set to conduct a hearing on the two petitions this Thursday.
―Ay hindi! Hindi. Over my dead body. Wala namang rice shortage. Talagang
pinapaimport naman sila eh. Bakit ninyo pinag-iinitan ang rice, eh rice ang saving
grace natin ngayon eh,‖ Villar said.
(No. No. Over my dead body. There is no rice shortage. And importers are allowed
to import. Why are you focusing on rice, when it is the saving grace today?)
Villar emphasized that tariffs are ―very necessary‖ to protect local producers. ―You
use the tariffs to subsidize your producers in order for them to become competitive
[against foreign counterparts],‖ she said.
Unitary tariff for pork, rice
One option, in the view of a National Economic and Development Authority
(Neda) official, is for the Philippines to implement a unitary tariff rate for pork and
rice imports after consultations are conducted.
Neda Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Rosemarie G. Edillon, however, told
BusinessMirror the consultations at the Tariff Commission will have to be
completed before this can happen.
Edillon said Neda is right now still completing simulations, which can measure the
implications of such a revision in the country’s tariff rates.
―This (having a unitary rate) is in keeping with our WTO (World Trade
Organization) commitments on MFN (Most Favored Nation),‖ Edillon told this
newspaper in a message. ―(It is) possible (to have a unitary rate), but we are still
studying the implications.‖

The DA is proposing to lower pork tariffs within MAV from 30 percent to 5
percent and those outside MAV, at 15 percent from 40 percent; while rice tariffs
would be brought down to a single 35-percent rate.
For Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Senior Research Fellow
Roehlano Briones, what is more important is for tariffs to be cut in order to benefit
consumers.
―A lower unitary tariff is better for consumers. (However), producers are not in
favor of this. As to the tariff rate, any rate that is better than what we have now
(would be recommended),‖ Briones said.
If it were up to the former dean of the School of Labor and Industrial Relations
(Solair), Rene E. Ofreneo, determining an overall strategy for the agriculture sector
is imperative at this time.
Focus beyond tariffs–Ofreneo
Ofreneo said policymakers and farmers organizations should bare an overall
strategy and not simply talk about tariff rates. He said it is easy to discuss tariffs,
but the effect of these rates on the entire agriculture sector are only temporary.
―We can solve inflation at the moment (by reducing tariffs) but in the meantime,
what do you do with domestic producers who suffered losses and when can they
recover?‖ Ofreneo said.
―It’s time to raise very serious questions. This is not only addressed to the
government but to farmers’ organizations. Is your only position to say no to
importation? This is a very serious matter,‖ he added.
He lamented that the Philippines has become a net food importer and that
agriculture now only accounts for about 8 percent of GDP and given the current
situation with climate change, this could go down further to 5 percent of GDP.

It is time to think of an overall strategy, especially when protectionism is rife in
many parts of the world. Ofreneo said many countries are talking about technology
nationalism and vaccine nationalism.
He also noted that India withdrew from Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership (RCEP) agreement for nationalistic reasons. India has been firm on its
resistance to the liberalization of trade in goods.
Under existing laws, the TC is mandated to conduct investigations on tariff
adjustments and afterward submit a recommendation to the Neda, which
subsequently makes its final recommendation to the President to issue an executive
order (EO) to modify tariffs.
However, the power of the President to modify tariff rates is only in effect when
Congress is not in session.
Congress is currently in session and would only be in recess on March 27.
As mandated by the Constitution, all tariff-related bills shall ―originate exclusively
in the House of Representatives but the Senate may propose or concur with
amendments.‖
In 2018, when food prices were also rising—driven by rice—the Congress tinkered
with taking an almost 2-week break in August to allow Duterte to issue an EO that
would cut tariffs on imported food products.
Villar disclosed that she is mulling over filing a bill that would create an
enhancement fund for the livestock and poultry sectors likened to the Rice
Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) that was established by the rice trade
liberalization law.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/02/02/senators-buck-bid-to-lower-tariffs-on-
pork-and-rice/

Harris Retires from Riceland Foods After 45 Years
By Deborah Willenborg
STUTTGART, AR -- Terry Harris, senior vice president of operations at Riceland
Foods, retired last Friday from the farmer-owned cooperative where he spent his
entire career. Harris started out as a quality control grader in 1975, and eventually
became the vice president of international rice marketing. In that role, he traveled
the globe selling Arkansas rice to countries around the world.
Terry Harris in Cuba in 2005
Prior to his retirement, Harris managed operations at Riceland’s four mill points
and numerous drier locations.Riceland President and Chief Executive Officer
Danny Kennedy called Harris a long-standing leader in the rice industry, saying the
co-op was better today because of his years of service to Riceland’s farmer
members and employees.
In addition to his work at Riceland, Harris promoted the U.S. rice industry by
sharing his knowledge and expertise with others, serving on numerous boards and
committees at both the national and state level. He was on the board of directors
for USA Rice, the USA Rice Millers’ Association (RMA), the USA Rice Council,
and The Rice Foundation. He also was chair of many USA Rice working
committees including the International Promotion Committee and the Europe,
Africa, Middle East Promotion Subcommittee.
―Terry’s depth of knowledge will be hard to replicate or replace,‖ said USA Rice
President & CEO Betsy Ward. ―His understanding of the intricacies of rice
production and trade come from years of experience, putting in a lot of time and
even more miles, on behalf of the U.S. rice industry. Terry and I worked together
for many years and I am grateful for his mentorship and friendship. He devoted a
lot of time and energy as a volunteer leader to USA Rice and that legacy of

dedication and commitment is something we’ll miss greatly now that he has
retired.‖
USA Rice Daily
USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited Release 2020 Annual Report
By Emily Woodall
RIDGELAND, MS – American rice farmers faced numerous challenges in 2020,
from record rainfall, swollen river basins, a relentless hurricane season for the Gulf
of Mexico, unprecedented wildfires in the West, and a global pandemic. Despite
these obstacles, rice farmers produced an abundant crop across the six major rice-
growing states.
One year in rice stewardship
In addition, working together with local U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural
Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) staff, they had a positive impact on more
than 88,000 acres through the USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited (DU) Rice
Stewardship Program.
This sustainability success story, reinforcing the important relationship between
agriculture, responsible water usage methods, and wildlife, is told in the recently
released 2020 Rice Stewardship Annual Report. ―Being able to utilize natural
resources such as surface water to improve farm operations and improve the area’s
water quality benefits everyone,‖ said Wes Simon, Louisiana rice farmer and Rice
Stewardship Program participant.
While 2020 taught many how to adapt to change, one thing remained the same,
according to Dean Walls, Arkansas rice farmer. ―If it’s good for rice, it is good for
ducks. And if it is good for ducks, it is good for all of us.‖
Go here to read the 2020 Rice Stewardship Annual Report.
USA Rice Daily

Basmati Rice Export Soars Amid High Demand from
EU
Date: 01-Feb-2021
Basmati Rice demand from EU soared over 70% in FY 2020-21. Increased demand
from countries including Belgium, Italy and Netherlands supported the basmati
rice industry amid uncertainty over export to Iran. This led to an increase in
basmati rice prices by 10% in the past two months. The industry has been
dependent on Iran which imports over a million tons of basmati rice every year.
India produces over 7 million tons of basmati rice yearly. Out of the total
production 60% is exported and 40% sold in the domestic market.
Lockdown in Many EU Countries Urged Importers to Stock
Many countries in EU imposed lockdown over rising COVID-19 cases. This led to
many EU importers stocking essential commodities and panic buying. India
exported 231,930 Metric Tons of Basmati Rice to EU from April 2020 to
November 2020.Export from India to EU from April 2020 to November 2020 –
Source APEDAExports to EU surged significantly if you compare export from
April 2019 to March 2020 which stood at 219,176 Metric Tons. According to
reports from experts, export picked up further in December 2020 and January
2021. In addition, we expect basmati rice export to surpass 4 Lakh metric tons this
financial year.
Pakistan’s Increased Export of Basmati Rice to EU
Pakistan’s export of basmati rice to European Union doubled in the past three
financial years. Total exports by Pakistan to EU in 2017 stood at 120,000 Metric
Tons. However, it surged to more than 300,000 Metric Tons in 2019. EU’s
pesticides restriction on Indian Basmati rice was the reason behind Pakistan taking
over major share of EU market. In conclusion, India’s surge in export to EU most
likely to have an adverse affect on Pakistan’s basmati rice export industry.
https://www.grainmart.in/news/basmati-rice-export-soars-amid-high-demand-
from-eu/

A new relative of Carolina Gold rice crops up
By CJ LOTZ
February/March 2021
PHOTO: MARGARET HOUSTON DOMINICK
Ready-to-cook Carolina Gold, the ancestor of the new Santee Gold rice.
This rice, it loves gumbo,‖ says Rollen Chalmers as he waves his hand over a marshy
field near Hardeeville, South Carolina. Gumbo stew goes well over rice, sure, but the

gumbo he means is soil—a mix of mud and clay where rice plants thrive. Chalmers
steps down a bank toward yellow stalks of Carolina Gold rice. ―Downwind, you can
smell these fields, a nice nutty smell,‖ he says. Soon, he’ll plant a newly conceived
descendant of this heirloom rice, one inspired by a variety not harvested in these parts
since 1862.
In the early 1800s, near South Carolina’s Santee River, the planter Joshua John Ward
found a lone panicle of strikingly long rice and developed it into a version of Carolina
Gold soon grown all over the region, largely by enslaved laborers. ―With grains
measuring up to half an inch in length, Long Gold rice became the most highly and
widely esteemed American rice,‖ says David Shields, a culinary historian at the
University of South Carolina. ―But the Civil War disrupted the complicated seed
management that kept the variety viable,‖ and Long Gold disappeared.

Farmer Rollen Chalmers, who will soon sow Santee Gold.

That is, until Anna McClung, who directs the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research
Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas, began reintroducing historic Lowcountry grains bred to
be stronger than their ancestors.
To create a new rendition of Long Gold—one with the vanilla and hazelnut notes that
have made chefs love Carolina Gold—McClung’s team crossed the latter with even

longer rice, and bred it for disease resistance and shorter stalks to withstand wind. ―Rice
moved away from the East Coast, not only because of the war,‖ McClung says, ―but
because of competition in the Mid-South, as well as the hurricanes that went through.‖
Irony has a way: As McClung and her team prepared to harvest their years-long
experiment last summer, the remnants of Hurricane Laura passed through. ―But our rice
stood beautifully,‖ McClung says.
A field of Carolina Gold near Hardeeville, South Carolina.
This spring, farmers including Chalmers will trial the new hybrid seeds. With harvest
success, the heirloom grain purveyor Anson Mills plans to bag up the longer rice for
mail order in late summer and donate profits to its project supporting Sea Island
agricultural development. Written on each sack will be McClung’s name for her
creation, a nod to the river on whose banks the story of American rice began: Santee
Gold.
https://gardenandgun.com/articles/grains-of-gold/
PhilMech distributes more than P200-M worth of
farm machinery, equipment in Bulacan
Published February 2, 2021, 2:07 PM
by Freddie Velez
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development
and Mechanization (PhilMech) distributed farm machinery and equipment worth
P202,708,000 to 91 farmers’ cooperatives and associations in Bulacan as part of its Rice
Competitiveness Enhancement Program (RCEP).
The P202,708,000 million worth of farm machinery distributed to Bulacan farmers by the
Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization.
(Freddie Velez / MANILA BULLETIN)
The distribution was held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium on Tuesday.
PhilMech gave out 70 four-wheel-drive tractors, 84 hand tractors, two precision seeders, 12
transplanters, 15 rice reapers, 28 combine harvesters, four floating tillers, three transplanter
riding types, and post-harvest facilities such as one multi-pass rice mill and one

recirculating dryer.
Ma. Gloria Carrillo, Provincial Agriculturist of Bulacan, said that all beneficiaries
underwent application, submitted requirements, and were evaluated accordingly based on
PhilMech’s policies.
Governor Daniel R. Fernando, for his part, thanked PhilMech and the Department of
Agriculture and PhilMech for providing assistance to Bulacan farmers.
―This is a big help for us after the strong typhoons last year as well as the challenges in this
pandemic,‖ Fernando said.
RCEP is funded under the Republic Act (RA) 11203, the ―Rice Tariffication Law‖ (RTL).
https://mb.com.ph/2021/02/02/philmech-distributes-more-than-p200-m-worth-of-farm-
machinery-equipment-in-bulacan/

Adegoke: Reduction in Rice Production Cost Will Lower
Prices
February 2, 2021 12:00 am
Mr. Seun Adegoke is the Managing Director of SGL Farms, a company that cultivates 5,000
acres of rice. He tells Bennett Oghifo that it will make economic sense for the federal
government to do all that is necessary to reduce the cost of rice production, rather than engage in
unsustainable border-closure policy
The federal government has been talking about boosting local production of rice, while
shielding growers from foreign competition. What else can be done?
There is a lot that the government can do. The government has to be consistent with policies.
This is very important. Then, of course, there is need for more investment in agricultural
research. For instance, in some nations, it is possible to attain 12 to 14 tonnes of rice per hectare.
Here we attain about 4 tonnes on research fields. Unfortunately, most of us as farmers cannot
invest in research. It has to be the government coming in to help. It is important that government
shoulders research because of the long term goal of benefitting the people. There also has to be
some sort of subsidies available for farmers. For us, the subsidy can come in the form of
machinery. It is important to have installmental payment packages available. It would make farm
financing easier if the schedule of payment is convenient.
What is your opinion about border closure and its impact on rice production?
Quite a number of people have been asking about this. Policy consistency is important.
Inconsistency will give investors shocks. No matter how much you try, if the market is flooded
and you can’t sell your products, everybody will have headache.

Policy consistency is most important. Even when government shuts the borders, there was still
smuggling. Actually, I don’t personally believe in border closure. I believe that market forces
should dictate. If we produce more at less cost, we will counter the low cost of foreign rice. The
problem is that cost of production is very high in this country. If local rice is affordable and are
good in quality, foreign rice will disappear to oblivion. If we have eyes on a philosophy of
stimulating increased local production through less stress in production, we would be better for
it. Instead of the unsustainable policy of closing the borders, we should aim at getting rice to be
produced at cheaper rates. Research would also help boost returns relative to investment. Thus,
increased production or supply will force prices to drop. This goes across board for everybody.
This is the way I see it, makes economic sense. In speeding achievement of the national objective
of food self-sufficiency, and going forward, food independence, the country really has to support
the farmer.
Besides the required intervention from the government, do you have any corporate social
responsibility plans?
Right now, we are committed to breeding new generations of rice farmers. We are setting up a
boot camp. Young minds can live with us on the farm, where we all live for three to four months.
They’ll understand the dynamics of rice production. The practical aspect is different from what
you read in books. We want to encourage people. We are looking to having about 1,000 people
with us on the farm. We are commencing this in January 2021. We’ll train them; we try to reach
out to organisations that can support them. The more we have these kinds of people taking to rice
cultivation, the better for the country.
Tell us about SGL Farms
We have farmlands in Anigbado – Yelwa North Local Government, Ogun State. We also have at
Wasimi. Currently we have operations going on at Anigbado farm. The current capacity is 5,000
acres. We are working towards expanding this acreage. We’ve have done majority of the land
clearing. Right now, we are at the stage of land preparation and nursery establishment. In the
next couple of weeks, we should be transplanting.

What are your challenges?
So far, so good, we have a few operational challenges which are normal in farming but we are on
course. So far, we have not had any but we have structures in place.
What do you want from your investors?
We appreciate the confidence they repose in us. We appreciate their sustained support and
encouragement. By God’s grace, we shall keep meeting our obligations to them.
What is your current employment strength?
We have about 400 people in our employ. Most are farm labourers. We have 17 supervisors and
support teams attending to welfare, health, security, etc.
How do you sustain this large number?
We are putting in our best. Our pay is competitive relative to the sector. I believe we have been
fair. We pay more than the average labour rate. Many of the workers live on the farm. We have a
suitable accommodation for them. We take care of their health and do other necessary things.
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/02/adegoke-reduction-in-rice-production-cost-will-
lower-prices/

2nd february ,2021 daily global regional local rice e newsletter

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