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Daily Rice e-Newsletter
Global Regional and Local Rice News
July 8 ,2020
Vol 11 , Issue 7

DA assures₱10-Byearly allocationfor rice fund
despite expected lower imports due to pandemic
By CNN Philippines Staff
Published Jul 7, 2020 6:58:31 PM
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July7) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has
assured that the rice fund will have its ₱10 billion allocation every year despite an
expected decrease in imports due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
DA Director Roy Abaya made the assurance during an online briefing on Tuesday. He
said this is guaranteed under the Rice Tariffication Law, which removed restrictions on
rice imports in exchange of a 35% tariff on Southeast Asian grain. The law took effect in
March 2019.
This rice fund intends to help in the modernization of the rice industry to boost its
competitiveness.

Collected tariffs are used to fund the ₱10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement
Fund for six years, subject to review if it will be extended or not.
The DA said that for 2019, total collections reached more than ₱12 billion. Of this, ₱5
billion will be used for its machine component; ₱3 billion for seed component; ₱1 billion
for training programs; and ₱1 billion for loan programs. Excess fund will be used for
programs like crop diversification, it said.
In the first five months of 2020, rice imports reached 1.086 million metric tons (MT),
versus 1.06 million MT in the same period last year, according to the Bureau of Plant
Industry. The latter includes about 400,000 MT imported prior to the implementation of
the measure.
Total imports in 2019 exceeded 2.2 million MT.
Some rice farmers have called for the suspension of importation since this has caused the
decline of the price of the staple grain in 2019. However, the DA said this should be
given time since the law just took effect.
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/7/7/DA-P10-billion-for-RCEF.html
A simple forecastsuggests a Democraticsweep in 2020
Low presidential-approval ratings and the covid-19 recession are
key factors to watch.
The White House in Washington. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
By OliviaQuinn, Amanda Brush and Eric R. A. N. Smith
July 7, 2020 at 6:00 AM EDT
The covid-19-driven economic collapse, upheaval over racial politics in the United States
and President Trump‘s consistently low popularity ratings have given Democrats an

opening to win the presidency and both houses of Congress in 2020. Our prediction,
based on economic indicators and presidential approval ratings, provides a simple, albeit
early, forecast predicting a Democratic win in November. Here‘s how we approached
these forecasts.
The House forecast
To produce a House forecast for 2020, we built on a well-known forecasting
model developed by political scientists Michael Lewis-Beck and Tom Rice. The model is
based on three factors: changes in real gross national product in the first and second
quarters of the election year; the president‘s approval rating in Gallup polls as of July of
the electionyear; and whether it is a presidential or midterm year. That last variable
matters because of a well-known historical pattern: In midterm elections, the party that
does not hold the presidency gains seats in the House, as happened in 2018.
AD
We applied the Lewis-Beck and Rice model to each electionfrom 1948 to 2018. We
adjusted the model by using gross domestic product (GDP) instead of gross national
product because GDP excludes foreign production by American-owned firms and is the
more commonly used indicator of national economic trends. We believe this approach is
reliable, because this model has accurately predicted the winner in 14 out of 17
presidential elections between 1948 and 2012.
We then estimated the model‘s predictions for the upcoming 2020 election using the most
recent quarter‘s GDP and current presidential approval rating. In the first quarter of
2020, GDP fell at the rate of -4.8 percent and Trump‘s Gallup Poll rating in June was 39
percent. Important to our prediction is the assumption that current economic and political
conditions stay roughly the same.
The model predicts that the Republicans will lose 14 seats in the House, a number that
would solidify the Democrats‘ majority in the 117th Congress. The accuracy of the
model, however, is modest; a plausible outcome ranges from a 24-seat loss to a 53-seat
gain for the Democrats.
AD
The Senate forecast
Predicting the Senate outcome is similar, but includes an additional factor: the number of
seats the president‘s party has up for election. In 2020, this factor favors the Democrats
because 23 Senate Republicans — but only 12 Senate Democrats — must defend their
seats.
For the Senate, the model predicts that the Republicans will lose seven seats. Given the
uncertainty in the forecast, +/- 6 seats, this suggests that both parties have a reasonable
chance at a Senate majority come 2021, but the Democrats are clearly favored.

The White House forecast
Of course, it‘s very early to make presidential electionforecasts — mainly because there
are no guarantees that the key factors in our model, the economy and presidential
approval ratings, won‘t change. But if the economy continues its downward trajectory
and the president‘s approval rating remains static, our model predicts that Trump will
receive only 24 percent of the electoral college vote.
AD
Additionally, because there are fewer presidential elections than congressional elections,
models like ours are less accurate than those that predict House gains and losses alone. A
White House forecast must make use of fewer electionoutcomes to make predictions
about the future, thus, a plausible percent of the vote won by Trump ranges anywhere
from 0 to 54 percent.
A look at the model‘s recordof prediction may give us a better sense of how much
confidence we should place in our prediction. In 2018, we predicted a 38-seat gain in the
House for the Democrats; they ended up winning 41 seats. Our Senate prediction was a
one-seat gain for the Republicans; they won two seats.
The figure below shows the predictions and actual results for the presidential elections
from 1948 to 2016, with the 2020 prediction at the end of the series. As visualized in the
model, the predictive record is strong.
The question now is what happens to the economy and Trump‘s popularity in the coming
months. Given the economic uncertainties surrounding the covid-19 pandemic, the spring
protests and the unprecedented stability of Trump‘s approval ratings, 2020 may end up
challenging some of our model‘s assumptions. Yet, considering the model‘s historical
accuracy, we still believe that these two factors will best predict November‘s election
results. Without a significant change in Trump‘s approval rating and a swift recovery of
the pandemic-depressed economy, Republicans seem unlikely to prevail in November.
AD
The TMC newsletter has moved! Sign up here to keep receiving our smart analysis.
Olivia Quinn is a doctoral student in political science at the University of California,
Santa Barbara.
Amanda Brush is a doctoral candidate in political science at the University of California,
Santa Barbara.
Eric R.A.N. Smith is professor of political science at the University of California, Santa
Barbara.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/07/07/simple-forecast-suggests-
democratic-sweep-2020/

Drought Spurs Australiato Import Rice or Risk
Empty Shelves
Ainslie Chandler
BloombergJuly8, 2020
View photos
(Bloomberg) --
This season, like almost 90% of Australian rice growers, Rob Massina decided to skip
planting the grain on his land near the tiny town of Jerilderie, about four hours north of
Melbourne.
For the president of the Australian Ricegrowers‘ Association, low water allocations and
years of severe drought meant conditions were too dry to sow the crop on his property at
the southern end of the Murray-Darling Basin.

―A lot of the towns in this part of the world have been built on rice,‖ said Massina. ―It‘s a
way of life for the southern Riverina and it‘s currently got its challenges,‖ he said,
referring to the name of the local region.
Australian rice planting and output have slumped more than 90% since the 2017-18
season. Its national 2019-20 cropis expected to be 57,000 tons, the second-smallest
output on record and the lowest since the 2007-08, according to a June report from
government forecaster Abares.
Though Australia has always been reliant on imports for certain varieties that can‘t be
grown locally, like Basmati, its supermarkets may be entirely without local supplies by
the end of 2020, according to Rob Gordon, chief executive of SunRice, which buys about
98% of domestic output and supplies local and export markets. The company has a global
appetite for about 1.4 million tons a year, meaning Australian production is meeting only
a sliver of that demand.
―We‘re already supplementing from Thailand and Cambodia,‖ Gordon said, for fragrant
and long grain rice. ―As we start running out of domestic supply of our other varieties,
we‘ll start opening up supply chains from elsewhere around the world. We‘re bringing in
rice from Uruguay at the moment,‖ he said by phone.
Rice represents only a tiny fragment of Australia‘s agriculture industry, and the country is
a small player in global trade. However, shrinking supplies of locally grown rice were
thrown into focus earlier this year when Covid-19 panic buying saw shoppers strip
grocery shelves of everything from rice to flour and pasta.
The government has reassured residents that their food supply is secure -- the country of
25 million produces enough food for 75 million and imports only 11% of food and drink
by value -- but rice remains a gap in domestic production.
That could create issues amid global food protectionism as governments start trimming
exports in order to shore up domestic supply, Gordon said.
―I believe strongly in international trade but of course during Covid, we saw in April the
Vietnamese borders closedto rice exports and they are about the third-largest exporter of
rice in the world. We saw India not shut its borders, but with a lockdown of its population
they were unable to export large volumes of rice, and they are the biggest exporter. And
we saw Cambodia and Myanmar follow Vietnam‘s lead,‖ Gordon said. ―It just puts more
risk there.‖

Water Policies
Gordon and Massina cite government water allocation policies in the Murray-Darling
Basin as a key issue for the future security of production, with rice often less profitable
than other crops and therefore less likely to be planted.
When water does become available, the first priority on his mixed-enterprise farm has to
be the livestock, said Massina. For other producers, almonds and other horticultural
products have taken priority over rice. ―What the water-policy setting seems to be doing
is favoring water going to only the very highest return, which is almonds at the moment,‖
said Gordon.
Government forecaster Abares said in June water allocations vary from year to year
based on seasonal conditions and farmers can choose how to use them.
In May, Abares described Australian rice production as ―highly variable and
opportunistic,‖ based on agricultural prices and water availability, and said international
trade is a good way to meet consumer preferences. Current low production is not a cause
for food security concern, as the world has ample supplies and any protectionism is likely
to be short-lived, it added.
―Introducing domestic market interventions and failing to support open trade would
disadvantage consumers, and could prejudice Australia‘s market access negotiations for
other agricultural products,‖ Abares said.
With early rainfall, prospects are better for the next growing season. Massina will later
this year look at water availability and decide whether to plant a rice crop. Overall, he
said the future of the Australian rice industry will depend ―on whether Australian
consumers want Australian rice on supermarket shelves.‖
―We‘re getting down to the bottom of the cupboard in terms of Australian rice supplies,‖
he said.(Updates to add quote in 12th paragraph.)
For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com
Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.
©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/drought-forces-australia-import-rice-190000653.html

Food brands like Uncle Ben's want to tell a better story.
But the past is not so easy to ignore.
Emma Balter July 7, 2020 Updated: July 7, 2020 10:36 a.m.
1of7Uncle Ben's rice boxes are photographed Thursday, June 18, 2020 in Jackson, Miss.
The owner of the Uncle Ben's brand of rice says the brand will "evolve" in response to
concerns about racial stereotyping.Photo: Rogelio V. Solis, STF / Associated Press
2of7The old Imperial Sugar refinery is seen Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, in Sugar Land,
Texas. The 158-year-old company that gave this Houston suburb its sweet name stopped
growing sugar cane a stone's throw from its operations in the days of flappers. Now
Imperial Sugar, one of the state's oldest corporations still operating at its original
site, Photo: PAT SULLIVAN, STF / AP
3of7African-American men pick potatoes, possibly prisoners from the Imperial State
Prison Farm, in 1909. Three men on horseback oversee the work.Photo: Library of
Congress / Library of Congress
In the last couple weeks, food brands such as Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben‘s, Cream of
Wheat and more have announced plans to reevaluate their names and logos, which
originated from racist stereotypes. For longtime critics, these changes are welcome, albeit
belated and cosmetic. As companies rethink their branding, it‘s also worth examining
how they tell their origin stories.
Forrest E. Mars Sr., of candy bar fame, bought a stake in the patent for parboiled rice in
1942. Developed by European scientists, commercial parboiling is a method that boosts
the grain‘s nutritional value and softens its texture by partially boiling the rice in its husk.
The final product is also known as converted or easy-cook rice. Using this invention as
their basis, Mars, along with a scientist, founded Houston-based Converted Rice Inc.

Not exactly a riveting backstory. By 1946, the brand was renamed Uncle Ben‘s,
portraying a smiling African-American man — Ben, presumably.
On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston-based Uncle Ben‘s to evolve its brand after Pepsi
ditches Aunt Jemima
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/article/uncle-bens-aunt-jemima-food-brands-
racism-15391140.php
Govt plans to import rice to keep market stable: Ministry
 UNB NEWS
 DHAKA
 PUBLISH- JULY 07, 2020, 04:29 PM
 UNB NEWS - UNB NEWS
 309 VIEWS
 UPDATE- JULY 07, 2020, 04:36 PM
UNB File Photo
The government has planned to import rice, if needed, by reducing import duty to keep
its market stable and prevent price manipulation.
There has been a bumper production of crops this year and farmers are getting fair prices,
said a Food Ministry handout on Tuesday.

If the rice market is desabilised drspite this and millers make delay in supplying rice
to government warehouses defying deals with them, the government will import import
rice, if necessary, by reducing import duty, the handout added.
https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/govt-plans-to-import-rice-to-keep-market-
stable-ministry/54233
Govt to import rice as price unchanged
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Staff Reporter :
Despite different initiatives taken by the government, prices of all kinds of rice are still
high across the country adding to woes of the consumers during the Coronavirus
pandemic.
Vendors alleged that prices of the rice have increased due to manipulation of the mill
owners and the wholesalers.
As part of the government's measures, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder held a
meeting with the traders and mill owners through video conference recently. After the
meeting, the Minister directed all the Divisional Commissioners to supervise the rice
markets closely.
He has also directed the Director General of the Food to catagorise rice mills as A, B and
C to evaluate the millers.
But no measures have yet brought any success to control the rice markets. As a result, the
government has decided to import rice by reducing import duty to keep the rice price
stable and to prevent price manipulation.
The Food Minister on Tuesday said that there has been a bumper production of crops this
year and farmers are getting fair prices. "If the rice market is destabilised despite this and
the millers make delay in supplying rice to government warehouses defying deals with

them, the government will import rice, if necessary, by reducing import duty," Sadhan
Chandra said, according to a ministry press releas
http://m.thedailynewnation.com/news/257310/govt-to-import-rice-as-price-unchanged
Govt decides to import rice amid price surge after millers renege
on agreed price
Published: July 07, 2020 13:27:44 | Updated: July 07, 2020 18:43:28
Bangla file photo used for representation
The government has decided to buy rice from abroad while reducing the
import duty, as local millers refused to supply the staple at the agreed price.
―The government will import rice to keep the market stable,‖ the Ministry of
Food said in a statement on Tuesday, citing Foo d Minister Sadhan Chandra
Majumder.
The minster had reiterated the government‘s previous plan to import rice in
case the millers refuse to supply the rice at the agreed price, despite a bumper
harvest of paddy in the Boro season, reports bdnews24.com.
The government decided to purchase 1.9 million tonnes of Boro rice this year.
They will buy 1 million tonnes of parboiled rice at Tk 36 per kg from millers
and 1.5 million tonnes of Atap rice or sundried rice at Tk 35 per kg. It plans
to buy 800,000 tonnes of Boro rice directly from the farmers.
Refusing to sell the rice at a government-quoted price of Tk 36 per kg, some
mill owners want a price increase, jeopardising the government‘s plan to
stockpile rice as part of its efforts to ensure food security during the
coronavirus crisis.
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/govt-decides-to-import-rice-amid-price-surge-
after-millers-renege-on-agreed-price-1594106864

2 Karnal millers booked after 4,520 quintal rice found
missing from their stock
Action taken following seizure of two trucks carrying rice meant
for public distribution in Uttar Pradesh
CITIES Updated: Jul 08, 2020 00:19 IST
Neeraj Mohan
Hindustan Times, Chandigarh
Owners of two Karnal-based mills were booked on Tuesday after about 4,520 quintal rice
was found missing from their stock.
The action came after the district administration ordered registration of FIR against the
owners of New India Rice mills and Balaji Rice Mill over ‗irregularities‘ in their stock.
Karnal deputy commissioner (DC) Nishant Kumar Yadav confirmed that orders for the
registration of FIR have been issued.
It is pertinent to mention here that the district administration had swung into action after
two trucks allegedly carrying the rice meant for the public distribution in Uttar Pradesh
were seized by officials of the district food and supplies department.

During an investigation, it was found that the owners of both these rice mills had
purchased the PDS rice from Uttar Pradesh to complete their stock and return it to the
government.
DC Yadav then ordered a physical verification of their stock where 4,520 quintal rice was
found missing.
Karnal superintendent of police (SP) Surender Singh Bhoria said the FIR has been
registered under sections 406, 420 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code.
Inquiry marked against all mills in district
As per the information, 238 rice mills in the district were given 11.47 lakh MT of paddy
for milling as per the custom milling of rice contract and they had to return the rice to the
government by June 30.
But, only 77% of the rice was returned by the mills. ―We have ordered an inquiry under
the Karnal ADC against all rice mills and physical verification of their stock would be
done. Action will be taken if any irregularity is found in their stock,‖ the DC said.
In a similar case in February, brothers Rajnish Miglani and Girish Miglani, owners of RG
Enterprises, were booked after 4,000 MT rice worth Rs 7 crore was found missing from
their stock.

New reservation law won’t affect already employed workers:
Chautala
The deputy chief minister said the government‗s main objective
is to make more and more youths of the state employable by
skilling them.
CHANDIGARH Updated: Jul 08, 2020 14:46 IST
Press Trust of India | Posted by: Shankhyaneel Sarkar
Chandigarh
Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala said people who are already working
in state‘s industries need not panic at all as they will not be removed from their jobs.
(Keshav Singh/Hindustan Times)
With Haryana government planning to bring an ordinance to reserve 75 per cent of
private sector jobs in the state for local candidates, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant
Chautala on Tuesday said the new law will not affect the already employed workers.
―Nobody who is already employed is going to lose the job,‖ said Chautala, who is also
the state‘s industries minister, seeking to ward off fears on the government‘s plans.
He said the new condition will apply to new appointments only after the ordinance is
promulgated and notified.

The deputy chief minister said the government‗s main objective is to make more and
more youths of the state employable by skilling them.
If suitable local candidates are not available for a particular category of job, a provision
will be made in the law for the labour commissioner to allow firms to hire candidates
from outside the state.
The people who are already working in state‘s industries need not panic at all as they will
not be removed from their jobs, he added.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, meanwhile, said the state government is laying
special emphasis on skilling youths to make them employable.
He made the remark while interacting with the beneficiaries of Prime Minister‘s
Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) during a webinar organized here on
Tuesday by the newly formed Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,
Haryana. The chief minister had on Monday said the state Cabinet has approved a
proposal for drafting ―Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Ordinance, 2020‖
to address the unemployment of local population on priority basis. It aims at reserving 75
per cent of new jobs with salaries less than Rs 50,000 a month in private firms, societies,
trusts, limited liability partnership firms and partnership firms for local youths, he had
added.
The draft ordinance is to be placed before the Cabinet in its next meeting.

Providing 75 per cent quota in private sector jobs to local youths was a key poll promise
of Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala‘s Jannayak Janta Party, which is a coalition
partner of the BJP government in Haryana. PTI SUN VSD RAX RAX
JharkhandCM self isolatesafter coming in contact
with ministerwho tested Covidpositive
The chief minister has requested all officers and staff of his
office to undergo home quarantine.
INDIA Updated: Jul 08, 2020 14:40 IST
hindustantimes.com | Edited by Sparshita Saxena
Hindustan Times, New Delhi
File photo: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren in Ranchi. (Diwakar Prasad/
Hindustan Times)
Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren has placed himself under home quarantine after
coming in contact with a state minister who tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday.
Soren took to Twitter on Wednesday and announced the same, stating that state cabinet
minister Mithilesh Thakur and party MLA Mathura Mahato have tested positive for
coronavirus.
―Both are currently being treating at a government hospital. As a precaution, I will also
be in self-isolationfor the next few days from today,‖ his tweet read.

साथथयों,
कै बिनेट के मेरे साथी मॊत्री श्री ममथथऱेश ठाकु र जी एवॊ हमारे दऱ के ववधायक आदरणीय श्री मथुरा
महतो जी कोरोना सॊक्रममत ऩाये गए हैं।
दोनो साथी अभी सरकारी अस्ऩताऱ में इऱाजरत हैं। एहततयात के तौर ऩर आज से अगऱे कु छ
ददनो के मऱए मैं भी self- isolation में रहॉगा, ऩर 1/2
— Hemant Soren (घर में रहें - सुरक्षऺत रहें) (@HemantSorenJMM) July 8, 2020
The chief minister has also requested all officers and staff of his office to undergo home
quarantine.
―I will keep on performing important tasks,‖ the chief minister tweeted, urging people to
avoid crowded places and wear a mask on stepping out.
―If there is no mask, then cover your face with a cloth. Like every time, I would like to
remind you to keep a distance between each other but keep your hearts connected,‖ the
chief minister posted.
The entry to CM Soren‘s residence has been prohibited. The chief minister had come in
contact with state minister Mithlesh Thakur who tested positive for coronavirus on
Tuesday.
Thakur, who was inducted as the member in chief minister Hemant Soren‘s cabinet from
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) quota, has been moved to a Covid-19 ward of Ranchi‘s
Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

―Samples of the minister and his wife were tested on Truenat machine at Ranchi‘s Sadar
Hospital. While he was found infected with the respiratory disease, his wife tested
negative,‖ said Ranchi civil surgeon Dr VB Prasad.
He added, ―We have initiated contact-tracing exercise to identify people who came in his
contact. We are also tracing out the source of infection for the minister.‖
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/2-karnal-millers-booked-after-4-520-quintal-rice-
found-missing-from-their-stock/story-K15nK6DCFEZuDGqe6XaKZL.html
Rice Exchange from Brazil to the Bayou
By Lesley Dixon
ABBEVILLE, LA -- Cícero Marcon Manenti has known he wanted to take on the family
rice farm since he was ten years old.
"When I was a kid, I was always out with my dad in the tractor, planting and harvesting.
I decided to study agronomy because I wanted to farm with my dad," said Manenti.
After graduating in 2019 with a degree in agronomy from Universidade Federal de Santa
Catarina in southern Brazil, Manenti decided he wanted to spend some time abroad
learning about other rice farming methods before heading back to his family's operation
near Turvo, a small city in the state of Santa Catarina. Manenti's father, who is president
of the rice farming co-op in Turvo, is friends with Richard Bacha, former director of the
Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company of Santa Catarina (EPAGRI), who
in turn knows USA Rice's very own Dr. Steve Linscombe, director of The Rice
Foundation.
Manenti's interest in learning about U.S. rice farming made its way through the grapevine
to Louisiana rice farmer Allen McLain, and he jumped at the opportunity to invite
Manenti to stay at the McLain family farm in Abbeville for the summer.

"Steve contacted me and said that they had a young guy down in Brazil who wanted to
come and learn about rice production in the U.S., to enhance his rice farming skills, and
observe the growing season into the harvest for a couple months," said McLain. "And I
thought, great! We can always use more help on the farm."
Manenti arrived in mid-March, and since then he's been accompanying McLain daily out
on the farm, learning how they do rice in Louisiana. For the most part, rice farming in
Brazil and rice farming in the U.S. is pretty similar, according to Manenti - with one big
exception.
"The way they use water here is different than what we have in Brazil," said Manenti.
"We don't have water available to put in the field. We rely on rain, and it's hard. Last
year, in 2019, we had a big problem with water. We couldn't plant. All that is different
here."
Manenti works the harvestat home in Brazil
McLain has been more than happy to show Manenti all the benefits of his water systems.
"Every day he goes out and makes sure all the water is good," said McLain. "I tell him to
start the pump, and it boggles his mind that he can just flip a switch and water is on the
field. He was very impressed that you could mark it on a calendar, like every five days it
will rain no matter what."
Manenti is also eager to learn how McLain and other U.S. rice farmers deal with an old
foe: red rice. The weed has been present in Brazilian rice farms for decades, but recently
has grown resistant to treatments and become more of a problem. Manenti wants to
apply his newfound knowledge on his family's farm when he returns to Turvo in early
August.
One unexpected obstacle in Manenti's stay has been COVID-19. He is unfortunately
unable to do any sightseeing, but it hasn't stopped him from getting to experience some
Louisiana culture.

"My first week here I ate some crawfish," says Manenti. "We don't have crawfish in
Brazil, and I'd never seen one before."
In the meantime, he's perfectly happy to stay on the farm and keep learning and
observing. It's also given him a chance to work on his English - which has made
excellent progress - and for McLain to try out his own language skills.
Personal protective equipment
"For the first two weeks, Siri had no idea why I was speaking so much Portuguese," said
McLain.
When Manenti returns to Turvo, it will be just in time for Brazil's planting season, and
he's eager to implement what he's learned this summer. But he hopes this won't be his
last visit to the U.S.
"I'm really enjoying everything here, and I plan to be back. The people in Louisiana are
so cool and helpful. I don't know how to say it...""Hospitable?" McLain offered.
Manenti laughed. "Yes, in Portuguese it's almost the same word. I'd like to return next
year to see Allen's family again. I hope I get to come back."
USA Rice Daily
16,000 tonnes of sugar recovered from Punjab mills
BY STAFF REPORT , (LAST UPDATED 2 DAYS AGO)
LAHORE: The Tiger Force recovered 16,000 tonnes of hoarded sugar from different
mills in Punjab on Monday.
The sugar has been valued at Rs1.1 billion.

The force even conducted an operation against flour hoarders and recovered 716 tonnes
of it from mill owners along with rice bags and other commodities.
The operation was conducted on a tip-off.
PM Imran Khan has said that hoarders won‘t be forgiven at any cost. He has ordered
institutions to sell flour and sugar at nominal rates either by taking action against
hoarders or giving subsidy to people.
On April 23, the Punjab government implemented a law against hoarding, The Punjab
Prevention of Hoarding Ordinance 2020, and launched a crackdown against hoarders.
Those found guilty may be sent to prison for a maximum of three years.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/07/06/16000-tonnes-of-sugar-recovered-from-
punjab-mills/
Japan keen to import Basmati rice, establishing mutual
agriculture research
APP
July 07, 2020
ISLAMABAD-Ambassador of Japan Matsuda Kuninori on Monday showed keen interest
for developing mutual agricultural research and importing Basmati rice from Pakistan in
order to further strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two
countries. The ambassador called on Minister for National Food Security and Research
Syed Fakhar Imam and discussed ways and means to enhance mutual cooperation in
different sectors, said a press release issue here.

The minister also stressedthe need for enhancing mutual cooperation in transfer of
technology from Japan particularly agricultural machinery. Imam asked for providing
market access of Pakistani citrus in Japan based on historical trade of citrus fruit with
China, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Iran. He said that cold treatment prescribed in
US treatment manual and acceptable to China, Russia, Iran and no non-compliance ever
received against this treatment from these countries. He said that it worked well to
eliminate all fruit flies from our (mandarin) Kinnow and also admired Kobe beef of
Japan.
Matsuda Kuninori mentioned that Pakistani mango was more fragrant and showed
interest in export of Basmati Rice from Pakistan. Pakistan exported $3847 thousand
worth Basmati Rice last year to Japan, he added. The Japanese ambassador also showed
interest in developing mutual agricultural research.
He said that Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Japan had granted
market access to fresh Pakistani mango, which was subject to offshore disinfestations
treatment, sterilization at a temperature of 47 C or higher for 25 minutes using saturated
steam at vapour heat treatment facility dully approved by DPP and National Plant
ProtectionOrganization (NPPO) of Japan and pre-clearance program by Japanese
Inspectors. The export of Pakistani mangoes (Sindhri & Chaunsa) from Pakistan to Japan
is underway.
Roomi Foods Pvt. Ltd. has shipped successfully 3 mango shipments to Japan as per
agreed procedure between DPP and MAFF as a temporary measure. The minister
extended deep appreciation to MAFF for facilitating export of mango from Pakistan to

Japan by exempting pre-clearance in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak instead of
restricting it due to difficulty in implementation of pre-clearance.
It is worth mentioning here that Japanese Government has previously acceded to the
request of the Government of Pakistan and awarded funds to UNIDO in 2019 for
launching project on ―Agri-Business and Agro-Industry Development‖ with an estimated
cost of $3.02 million. The Japanese ambassador during his call on the Minister for NFSR
on April 27 unveiled the intention of the Japanese Government to provide an assistance
package to fight the desert locust in Pakistan. Japan has provided 58,502 litres insecticide
last month in Multan, Bahawalpur, Sukkar, Mirpurkhas, Dera Bugti and Dera Ismael
Khan.
https://nation.com.pk/07-Jul-2020/japan-keen-to-import-basmati-rice-establishing-
mutual-agriculture-research
California Rice Experiment Station cancels its August field
day
UC rice agronomist Bruce Linquist (right) discusses how to use the GreenSeeker at
panicle initiation to determine whether you need a nitrogen top dressing. UC Cooperative
Extension rice systems adviser is examining control measure for tadpole shrimp, a pest of
seedling rice. They made their presentations during the 2019 California Rice Field Day.
The California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation, which hosts the annual California
Rice Field Day at the Rice Experiment Station in Biggs, has decided to cancel the event
this year in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes the annual business meeting
that is held as part of the field day.
Historically, the California Rice Field Day has been held the last Wednesday of August.
In a letter to the industry, experiment station director Kent McKenzie expressed the
foundation board‘s regret in making the decision.

―We have continued all operations as ‗essential agriculture,‘ taking reasonable steps for
the safety of our employees, cooperators and those we engage with in our business and
research activities,‖ he wrote. ―The attendance numbers, individual proximity,
restrictions, logistics, and current health and safety concerns as we come out of the
COVID-19 shutdown prohibit holding this large event.‖
Instead, the board and cooperating researchers plan to communicate and report to the
research station‘s grower-owners and industry later this summer as harvest nears.
The foundation plans to hold the Rice Field Day again in August 2021.
https://www.ricefarming.com/departments/industry-news/california-rice-experiment-
station-cancels-its-august-field-day/
Delayed or incomplete drying blamed for poor quality rice
grains
Farmers urged to ensure proper post-harvest management of paddy.
In Summary
• Experts say quick-drying causes the grains to crack and result in broken grains when
milled.
• Farmers advised to dry their paddy in a sheltered area away from direct sunlight or rain
to reduce losses.
Rice harvesting in Mwea Irrigation Scheme.
Image: Courtesy
Farmers in Mwea Irrigation Scheme.
Image: Courtesy
Rice farmers know all too well the painful sting of post-harvest losses.

Massive losses demoralise and sometimes farmers opt out of production when the going
gets tough but they are not tough enough to get going. The sad state of affairs
reverberates across many rice-growing areas.
However, for experts, the panacea for such problems lies in proper post-harvest
management.
Raphael Wanjogu, the chief research officer at the National Irrigation Authority, says
post-harvest management of paddy involves a series of processes as well as any handling
techniques and treatments applied to the crop just harvested from the field for purposes of
edibility, value addition and increment of shelf life.
He says it determines the quality of grain and mill recovery rate and minimises losses that
can be controlled.
―The several stages of post-harvest management of paddy include field drying, threshing,
shed drying, cleaning, grading, storing, weighing and milling before it is fit for human
consumption,‖ Wanjogu says.
He says the first step to post-harvest management of paddy is field drying, and that paddy
should not be harvested before it has achieved 18-22 per cent wb (wet basis). This can be
tested manually by biting between teeth — it should be firm, not crumbly.
Joel Tanui, the Western Kenya Irrigation schemes manager, concurs. "When the wb is
above 22 per cent, the paddy is considered not ripe for harvesting,‖ he says.
He adds that when the wb is below 18 per cent, it does not absorb any moisture. Tanui
advises farmers not to harvest their paddy before about 85 per cent of the grains in the
field has changed colour from green to a matured yellow.
―After ensuring that the moisture content is right for harvesting, then cutting off the
paddy straws; this can be done using a combined harvester or manually using a sickle or
knife. When using a sickle or knife, ensure you cut the straws about 4cm from the
ground,‖ he says.
Tanui recommends a combined harvester because it reduces labour costs and post-harvest
losses by about 30 per cent.

Threshing is the second step. It involves separating the grains from the paddy straws.
This can be done manually by beating and whipping against a framed object or by use of
winnowing machines.―This process should be done on the day of harvest. Should they
stay overnight, then the paddy straws should be dried first before they are threshed," he
says.
The third stage is shed-drying the grain to a moisture content safe for milling (14 per cent
wb) and storing in a dry place."Delayed drying, incomplete drying or ineffective drying
reduces the quality of the rice grain. The paddy grains are spread on a plastic sheet or
canvas and turned every 30 minutes as they dry,‖ Tanui said.
He pointed out that quick-drying causes the grains to crack and will result in broken
grains when milled, hence farmers have to dry their paddy in a sheltered area away from
direct sunlight or any sudden rain.Reinforcing the need for proper care, Wanjogu says
farmers should also ensure the surface temperature of the grains being dried does not rise
above 36 degrees Celsius.
He says cleaning the paddy by separating it from any foreign particles is the fourth stage
and is important to increase the milling efficiency while reducing post-harvest losses and
the damage to the milling machines."The other important stage is the milling of the
paddy. The good grain is milled to remove the outer skin, hull and bran to reveal the
white kernel and endosperm of the grain that is used as food for humans. The by-products
can be used for other purposes such as animal feed or flour for making rice cakes,‖ he
says.
The sixth stage, which is rice grading, involves visual observations and moisture content
measurements. Visual observations indicate whole grains, broken grains, off-type grains,
coloured grains and the presence of any unmilled paddy.―They are then packed and
stored as graded. Last but not least is the storage of rice. To prevent any losses by adverse
weather, moisture, microorganisms, rodents or any other pests, the rice being stored
should have grain moisture content of below 14 per cent wb,‖ Wanjogu says.He adds that
rice bags should not be placed directly on the floor but rather on a rack.―The longer one
wants their rice to stay, the lower its moisture content should be," Wanjogu says.
Edited by F'Orieny
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-07-06-delayed-or-incomplete-drying-blamed-for-
poor-quality-rice-grains/

Liberia: Sufficient Rice On the Market
FacebookTwitterWhatsAppFlipboardLinkedInRedditEmailShare
7 JULY 2020
The New Republic Liberia (Monrovia)
By Alphonso Toweh
..Says Commerce Ministry
The Ministry of Commerce has disclosed that there is sufficient rice on the Liberian
market to run for considerable time.
A statement from the ministry issued over the weekend said there is no shortage of rice
on the market. For instance, SWAT, Supply Trading West Africa and other rice importers
have sufficient rice in stock.
Rice is Liberia's staple food.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry says based on current inventory, there are over
40,000 (forty thousand) Metric Tons of rice in the country, accounting for 1.6 million
bags of the 25Kg rice.
It added: "the available quantity has the capacity to supply the local rice market for
approximately three months. Besides that, a consignment of 30,000 Metric Tons,
equivalent to 1.2 million bags of rice is expected in Liberia this July that will sustain the
local market for two months."
The statement said, "out of this quantity, (thirty thousand Metric Tons) is expected,
18,000 Metric Tons are due in between July 12 and 18, 2020."
In recent times, there has been speculation of rice shortage on the market. But the
Ministry said, it is not true.
The statement added that a supply of 55,000 (fifty five thousand) Metric Tons are
expected in the country in August this year, accounting for 2.2 million, equivalent to
about four months' supply.

"We would also like to make it emphatically clear that the approved retail price for the
25Kg bag of Rice is US$13.50 (thirty United States Dollars and fifty cents)."
https://allafrica.com/stories/202007070551.html
Monsoon 2020: Images, ForecastAnd Updates From Across
India
Weather update today: More rainfall likely in parts of Gujarat
and Madhya Pradesh. Monsoon covered the entire country
before the scheduled date and so far 12 per cent excess rainfall
has been recorded
All IndiaEdited by Debjani Chatterjee (with inputs from Agencies)Updated: July 07,
2020 01:46 pm IST
Monsoon news and updates: Heavy rain and water-logging in Rajkot
New Delhi:
Monsoon has been active in most parts of India and surplus rainfall has been recorded in
the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said. Mumbai and its
neighbouring areas received moderate to heavy rain in the last 24 hours and intermittent
intense showers are likely over the next 24 hours. The Santacruz weather office reported
30 mm and the Colaba station recorded 13 mm of rainfall.
According to the IMD, Mumbai city has received 928 mm rainfall this monsoon season
so far, which is 26 per cent more from normal average rainfall at this time of the year. It
rained heavily in Matheran hill station and neighbouring Raigad received 93 mm rainfall

in the 24 hours. Thane weather office also recorded 74 mm rainfall, the IMD said told
news agency PTI.
While the intensity of rainfall reduced slightly in Maharashtra, heavy rain battered large
parts of neighbouring Gujarat. Monsoon remains "vigorous" and heavy to very heavy
rainfall is likely in parts of Gujarat in the next three days and moderate rains in parts of
Maharashtra, said the met office.
In Rajkot, cattle were washed away in floods at a village near Paddhari.
#WATCH Gujarat: Cattle washed away in flood at Khijadiya Mota village in Paddhari,
Rajkot due to incessant rainfall. pic.twitter.com/QHAXW7tLIX
— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2020
Due to heavy rainfall in Gujarat, a 30-year-old bridge over a river in Junagadh district
collapsed yesterday. A team of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) has been
deployed at Khambhalia to tackle rain-related emergencies. Severe water-logging has
been reported in Dwarka.
Gujarat: Severe waterlogging in parts of Dwarka city following heavy
rainfall pic.twitter.com/nzje4RLjtD
In Madhya Pradesh, heavy rain and severe water-logging has been reported in several
areas. Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Shahdol, Sagar, Rewa and Hoshangabad are
likely to receive heavy rain, the IMD said.

Madhya Pradesh: People walk on severely waterlogged streets in Shajapur, following
heavy rainfall in the district. pic.twitter.com/CF2eXeG92z
Monsoon covered the entire country before the scheduled date and so far 12 per cent
excess rainfall has been recorded
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/monsoon-2020-images-forecast-and-updates-from-
across-india-2258487
Telangana targets 2.88 crore tonnes of foodgrain production this
agri season
KV Kurmanath Hyderabad | Updated on July 07, 2020 Published on July 07, 2020
Farmers with their produce at a procurement centre in Telangana Telangana Rythu
Sangham - Telangana Rythu Sangham
A big chunk of yield increase to come from paddy
After a successful agricultural season in 2019-20, Telangana is aiming for a production of
2.88 crore tonnes of foodgrains, including 2.54 crore tonnes of paddy, in the 2020-21
season. This is 44 lakh tonnes more than what the State reaped last season.
A big chunk of the increase will come from increased paddy yields.

The total area (in both kharif and rabi seasons) for the season is pegged at 108.45 lakh
acres, which includes 58.14 lakh acres in the kharif season.
The State projects a production of 23.54 lakh tonnes of maize this season. In the new
regulated cropping pattern system, it has asked farmers not to grow maize in the kharif
season and instead grow it in rabi.
As a sharp deviation from the previous Agricultural Action Plans, this year‘s Action Plan
is in line with the new regulated cropping system. The new plan has pegged the cotton(a
kharif crop) area at 60 lakh acres and paddy at 81 lakh acres (in both the seasons).
At 108.45 lakh acres, there‘s not much increase in the area under foodgrains this year.
But the State is betting on an increase in yields. From about 2,450 kg/acre, the
Agriculture Department is pegging the paddy yield at 3,142 kg/acre.
The Department has asked the farmers to go for fine varieties in order to get better yields
and returns.
Farmers protest
Meanwhile, the farmers‘ organisations have asked the government to facilitate disbursal
of crop loans. ―The season has begun six months ago but the government has not
finalised the Credit Plan. This will force the farmers to depend on private lenders,‖ S
Malla Reddy, Vice-President of the All-India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), has said.
A group of farmers held a dharna on Monday in front of Nabard‘s local office,
demanding immediate release and implementation of the Credit Plan for the primary
sector.

―Sowing is in full swing. Sowing was completed in 60 lakh acres but the government is
yet to finalise the Credit Plan,‖ he alleged.
Of the 60 lakh farmers in the State, only 50 per cent are able to access institutional credit.
The remaining 50 per cent are being forcedto depend on private loans, putting a heavy
burden on them, he said.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/telangana-targets-288-
crore-tonnes-of-foodgrain-production-this-agri-
season/article32009546.ece#:~:text=After%20a%20successful%20agricultural%20season
,in%20the%202020%2D21%20season.&text=The%20new%20plan%20has%20pegged,(i
n%20both%20the%20seasons).
‗Additional rice for cardholders till November‘
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, JULY 07, 2020 00:08 IST
CM has instructed officials: Minister
The State government will continue to provide additional rice — five kg per
person — to all rice cardholders in the State until November, Food Minister R.
Kamaraj said on Monday.
In a statement, the Minister said that the Chief Minister had instructed officials
to that effect, which was in line with the recent announcement by the Centre.
Since consumers paid for some essential supplies between July 1 and 3 (before
the announcement), the sum will be adjusted with ‗toor‘ dal, sugar or edible oil
in August, he said. The additional rice that the cardholders are entitled to can be
received from this month, the Minister added.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/additional-rice-for-cardholders-till-
november/article32007688.ece

Tamil Nadu bucks national trend in rice off-take
T. Ramakrishnan
CHENNAI , JULY 07, 2020 00:03 IST
Drawal rose only marginally in April-June 2020 when
compared to corresponding period last year
Tamil Nadu has bucked the national trend when it comes to rice off-take from
the Central pool.
Unlike many other States, which had doubled their drawal under various
schemes of the Central government, including COVID-19 relief schemes, during
April-June 2020 when compared to the corresponding period last year, Tamil
Nadu had seen only a marginal increase in rice off-take. Tamil Nadu had lifted
13.08 lakh tonnes of rice during April-June 2019, and its offtake was only 13.5
lakh tonnes during the corresponding period this year, in spite of the State
having availed itself of the special schemes announced by the Centre to mitigate
the hardship faced by the people due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Andhra
Pradesh, a major rice-producing State in the south, lifted one-and-a-half times
the quantity of rice it had drawn during the three-month period last year.
This year‘s off-take included the quantities of rice drawn by T.N. under three
special schemes – 5.36 lakh tonnes under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann
Yojana, and 36,000 tonnes and 1.98 lakh tonnes under schemes for migrant
workers and non- priority household (NPHH) cardholders, respectively.
Different explanations have been given by officials of the Food Corporation of
India (FCI) and the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC). As far as
the Central agency is concerned, Tamil Nadu‘s policy of having a universal
public distribution system is a major reason for its current position. As the State

does not make any distinction between priority household and NPHH
cardholders, if both fall under the category of rice-drawing cardholders, an
enormous quantity of rice will be required. This makes the State keep on
drawing its usual allocation of rice from the Central pool as early as possible.
The FCI also allows States to draw their requirement of rice or wheat up to six
months in advance. If and when T.N. exhausts its share of rice in a given year, it
buys the commodity from FCI under the Open Market Sales Scheme, or from
other States.
A TNCSC official said the State‘s requirements only determined the pattern of
offtake. In the three-month period, the maximum quantity of rice was drawn
from the Central agency, apart from procurement from farmers in T.N. In the
end, Tamil Nadu‘s position should be judged by the way in which it makes use
of the rice drawn. In April-June, around 17 lakh tonnes of rice were provided to
PDS beneficiaries, the official added.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-bucks-national-trend-in-
rice-off-take/article32007660.ece
Bangladesh to provide free rice for 10m people in pandemic
Senior Correspondent, bdnews24.com
Published: 07 Jul 2020 03:58 PM BdST Updated: 07 Jul 2020 04:52 PM BdST
The government has decided to give 10kg free rice to each poor family during the Eid-ul-
Azha amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Government aid will amount to 100,068 tonnes of rice for more than 10 million
beneficiaries under a programme known as the Vulnerable Group Feeding.
The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry sent a letter to the director general of the
Disaster Management Department providing the instructions on Tuesday.
A total of 87,792 tonnes of rice was allotted against 8,779,203 VGF card holders for
distribution in 64 districts and 12,276 tonnes of rice for 1,227,666 card holders in 328
municipalities in three categories, according to the letter.

The letter instructed the deputy commissioners to collect the aid by Jul 28 and inform the
MPs of their respective areas about the allotment.
The flood-affected people and marginalised people hit by other natural disasters would be
prioritised for this aid.
The ministry set 12 conditions for the selectionof people who would receive aid.
The government said that the list will be prepared and sanctioned by union or municipal
VGF committees while the delivery of rice and expenditures will be carried by the
government.
Authorities were also instructed to keep vigil that no more than one member of a family
gets aid under VGF.
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2020/07/07/bangladesh-to-provide-free-rice-for-10m-
people-in-pandemic
Govt plans to import rice to keep market stable
Tribune Desk
 Published at 05:09 pm July 7th, 2020
People queue up in front of a Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) truck in
Azimpur, Dhaka to buy rice at low price on Thursday, April 2, 2020 Mehedi
Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
There has been a bumper production of crops this year and the farmers are getting
fair prices, says Food Ministry
The government has planned to import rice, if required, by reducing import duty to
keep the market stable and prevent price manipulation.
There has been a bumper production of crops this year and the far mers are getting
fair prices, said a Food Ministry hand-out on Tuesday, reports UNB.

If the rice market is destabilized despite this, and millers make delay in supplying
rice to the government warehouses defying the deals with them, the government
will import rice, if necessary, by reducing import duty, the hand-out added.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/government-affairs/2020/07/07/govt-plans-to-
import-rice-to-keep-market-stable
Bangladesh decides to import rice as prices surge in
pandemic
The Bangladesh government has decided to buy rice from abroad while reducing
the import duty, as local millers refused to supply the staple at the agreed price
Jul 07, 2020
The Bangladesh government has decided to buy rice from abroad while reducing the
import duty, as local millers refused to supply the staple at the agreed price.
―The government will import rice to keep the market stable,‖ the Ministry of Food said in
a statement on Tuesday, citing Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder.
The minster had reiterated the government‘s previous plan to import rice in case the
millers refuse to supply the rice at the agreed price, despite a bumper harvest of paddy in
the Boro season
The government decided to purchase 1.9 million tonnes of Boro rice this year. They will
buy 1 million tonnes of parboiled rice at Tk 36 per kg from millers and 1.5 million tonnes
of Atap rice or sundried rice at Tk 35 per kg. It plans to buy 800,000 tonnes of Boro rice
directly from the farmers.
Refusing to sell the rice at a government-quoted price of Tk 36 per kg, some mill owners
want a price increase, jeopardising the government‘s plan to stockpile rice as part of its
efforts to ensure food security during the coronavirus crisis.
https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2020/07/07/bangladesh-decides-to-import-rice-as-
prices-surge-in-pandemic
https://southasiamonitor.org/bangladesh/bangladesh-decides-import-rice-prices-surge-
pandemic#:~:text=Image-

,The%20Bangladesh%20government%20has%20decided%20to%20buy%20rice%20fro
m%20abroad,Food%20Minister%20Sadhan%20Chandra%20Majumder.
Vietnam’s retail market before EVFTA takes effect
 07.07.2020, 17:19,
 News
Customers go shopping at Co.opmart. (Photo: SGGP)
In the market, some retail distributors have emerged, including both domestic and foreign
enterprises that are holding the major market share, competing with each other, and
leading in new retail trends. Large corporations, namely Lotte, Central Group, Aeon,
Circle K, K Mart, Auchan, and Family Mart have continuously promoted strategies to
penetrate and expand the retail market in Vietnam.
With the increasing speed of penetration and expansion, foreign enterprises have caused
great pressure and been a threat to domestic retailers. Many domestically-produced goods
have seen a decline in market share, especially for the high-end customer segment, there
are no signs of Vietnamese brands. Large foreign enterprises have continuously increased
their market share and it is forecastedthat it is likely to increase swiftly in the future.
When the Vietnam – EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) comes into effect, the
commitment to open the service, investment, and distribution markets is also the reason
that makes many big enterprises of the EU‘s members promote their investment in the
distribution and retail industry in Vietnam. Meanwhile, most Vietnamese enterprises are
small and medium-sized enterprises with limited resources. Only a few large Vietnamese
enterprises such as Saigon Co.op, VinCommerce, Thegioididong, Bach Hoa Xanh, Satra,
and BRG Retail are capable of competing and affirming their positions in Vietnam‘s
retail market.

Under the pressure that in international economic integration, the domestic market must
be opened following the commitments of signed free trade agreements and the upcoming
EVFTA. This has led to strong penetration of foreign enterprises to expand the retail
chains in Vietnam, imposing great challenges, requiring authorities to make timely
decisions to develop the retail market, in particular, and the domestic market, in general,
amid the new context.
To resolve the challenges and benefit from the EVFTA, the Domestic Market Department
under the Ministry of Industry and Trade has made some recommendations for small and
medium-sized enterprises operating in the distribution sector. Specifically, domestic
enterprises need to strengthen connection and cooperation with many domestic and
foreign partners to take advantage of technology, management, and the market to increase
their ability to participate in value chains; cooperate with manufacturers, create friendly,
trustworthy, and reliable relationships with customers through participating in production
networks and supply chains from domestic to regional and global to improve quality,
added-value, and competitiveness of enterprises in the market.
Along with that, domestic enterprises need to strengthen corporate strategic management,
effectively implement the building and adjustment of business strategies and structures in
accordance with domestic and international market conditions, meeting the more and
more diverse and higher needs of consumers; improve the quality of retail services on the
basis of research and application of modern retail technology and advanced business
management methods; promote market research and product marketing; integrate
information about consumers both offline and online to manage customer relationship
effectively; strengthen trade promotion activities, develop and promote enterprises‘ brand
names on internet channels, mobile phones, and social networks; carry out the
identification and finalization of geographical indications and origins of Vietnamese
goods and products to take advantage of the opportunities to promote exports to the

market of member countries in the FTAs; diversify and develop multi-channel retail to
avoid risks and improve business performance.
At the same time, they should focus on developing human resources of enterprises to
meet the requirements of retail business in the fourth industrial revolution; strengthening
the implementation of corporate social responsibility, meeting consumers‘ increasing
demands for environmental protection, safety, public health, and improving the quality of
life.
By Le Dung – Translated by Thanh Nha
https://vietreader.com/news/4253-vietnams-retail-market-before-evfta-takes-effect.html
Farmers get 2.26M bags of certified rice seeds
Published July 7, 2020, 2:26 PM
by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
About 2.26 million bags of certified inbred rice seeds have been distributed for free
to rice farmers to help boost the country‘s rice production.
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Deputy Executive Director Flordeliza
Bordey on Tuesday said seed delivery is already 90 percent of its target 2.5 million
bags of certified inbred seeds for distribution this wet cropping season.
―We have already reached 968 municipalities or about 97 percent of our target 1,000
municipalities in 55 provinces,‖ Bordey said during the Laging Handa virtual presser.
She explained that farmers listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in
Agriculture and are practicing transplanting method received one 20-kilogram (kg)
bag of seed for every half hectare of cultivated area up to a maximum of six bags for
those who have rice fields larger than 2.5 hectares.
Meanwhile, farmers practicing the direct-seeding method received two bags of seeds
for every half hectare, she added.

The distribution of certified inbred seeds was done under the Seed Program of the
Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, which is a component of the Republic Act
11203 or Rice Tariffication Law.
Under the law, P10 billion will be allocated every year for the next six years from
2019 for RCEF and will be allocated as follows: P5 billion for farm mechanization;
P3 billion for high-yielding seeds; P1 billion for credit support; and P1 billion for
training programs.
PhilRice leads the RCEF-Seed Program.
Compared with farmer-saved seeds from previous harvest, Bordey pointed out that
the certified inbred seeds distributed under the RCEF program could yield 10 percent
or more as these seeds have high seedling vigor, pure, and uniform crop stand.
The RCEF-Seed Program, the government‘s intervention to enhance farmers‘
competitiveness in a free trade regime, aims to distribute more than 2.5 million bags
of high-quality seeds to more than one million Filipino rice farmers, which is about
twice the total number of bags distributed and beneficiaries reached by the Institute
when it rolled out the program in October 2019.
Bordey said the next distribution of seeds will be done during the next planting
season in October 2020.
https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/07/farmers-get-2-26m-bags-of-certified-rice-seeds/
Fifteen students enrol in agrotechnology programme
July 8, 2020
Rokiah Mahmud
An induction for the second batch of Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) agro-technology
students was held at the multi-purpose hall of IBTE Agro-Technology Campus in Kampong Wasan
yesterday. It was held with support from LiveWIRE AgroBIZ and initiated by Brunei Shell
Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd (BSP).

IBTE Chief Executive Officer Dr Haji Mohd Zamri bin Haji Sabli, BSP In-Country Value Manager
and Chairperson of LiveWIRE Brunei Hajah Rosita binti Haji Hassan and LiveWIRE Programme
Director Pengiran Redzuan bin Pengiran Haji Abbas were present.
Fifteen students under the HNTec Agrotechnology programme of IBTE Agro-technology Campus,
School of Agro-Technology and Applied Sciences that selected rice industry as their specialisation –
enrolled in the AgroBIZ project that will be developing 10 hectares of paddy fields and utilising
high-yield rice varieties and modern machinery to improve yield and make production more efficient.
The scheme will run for 27 months until September 2022.
This is in succession from the first batch of IBTE students who have undergone the same scheme
from July 2019 to October 2020.
The project aims to produce skilled and trained agropreneurs – highly skilled and knowledgeable
in agriculture and business to be successful commercial farmers. The AgroBIZ project is aligned
to the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu‘izzaddin Waddaulah ibni
Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‗Ali Saifuddien Sa‘adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-
Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam‘s vision in building the nation‘s resilience in food security and
developing agriculture and future agropreneurs in the Sultanate.
Group photo during the induction programme. PHOTOS: ROKIAH MAHMUDDuring the
signing ceremony
Students in this programme will also be equipped with entrepreneurial skills by attending
LiveWIRE training programmes such as the LiveWIRE Bright Ideas workshop, three-day
Leadership Camp programme in Temburong and the Business Plan Series.
Additionally, students will have access to infrastructure and facilities including the use of drones
for fertiliser spraying, organic and eco-friendly materials such as the cultivation of companion
crops (sunflower or saffron) as a natural pesticide, vertical rice dryers, and harvesting rainfall to
be channelled into water reservoirs. Students will also be provided with technical and
commercial training conducted by local and international experts.
Meanwhile, the commercial production of rice from the first harvest earlier this year will be
available for sale at the stores in IBTE Gadong and Seria YES Centres starting this week. The
bags of rice come in 0.5kg, two kg and five kg sizes of locally grown, vacuum-packed and
pesticide-free Sembada 188.

The LiveWIRE AgroBIZ scheme is a collaborative project between LiveWIRE Brunei and the
Ministry of Education. BSP, through LiveWIRE Brunei, its entrepreneurship arm and Social
Investment Flagship programme, allocated funds to support the AgroBIZ Padi Agropreneur
scheme under IBTE in the development of an ecosystem to provide opportunities for young
Bruneian Agropreneurs to grow and sustain their businesses.
https://borneobulletin.com.bn/2020/07/fifteen-students-enrol-in-agrotechnology-programme/
Making ResilientRice
MeganBean
July 7, 2020
K. Raja Reddy, research professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in MSU‘s
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and scientist in the Mississippi Agricultural and
Forestry Experiment Station, examines rice samples as part of his studies on next generation rice
seed germination. Reddy and his team are investigating the effects of various climate change
factors on rice, an important crop for global food security. Reddy recently was elected president
of the Mississippi Academy of Science
https://www.msstate.edu/state-spotlight/2020/07/making-resilient-rice

8th july 2020 daily global regional and local rice e newsletter master

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