14th april,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine (1)

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine
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A LITTLE ATTENTION & INTEREST CAN JUMP
VOLUME OF PAK RICE EXPORT
Zafar Bakhtawari
Tuesday, April 14, 2015 - PAKISTAN is among those few countries in which rice, wheat,
cotton, sugar cane and milk are produced in abundance. But because of lack of management,
Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter
April 14 , 2015
V o l u m e 5, Issue I

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proper planning and government interest it is unable to get favorable outcomes. Pakistan‘s
exports are not crossing the barrier of $25 billions in which there is major contribution of cotton
and textile. It is important to note that Bangladesh which itself is not producing cotton has more
textile exports than of Pakistan. We can‘t enhance our export until and unless we would
encourage the private sector for investment and relaxation for the exporters.Rice stands second in
Pakistan‘s exports after textile, but for the last few years, its exports have been stuck up at
$2billions.
It can be increased up to $ 4 billion by a proper planning. Rice exports can be improved by
focusing on rice producing farmers, processing factories and rice exporters. The target of $4
billion from rice export can be achieved by facilitating these three sectors. There is a need of
scientific technology to improve the production of rice by the farmers, including research for
hybrid seed. Nowadays, China is working on hybrid variety of rice. In Pakistan, Guard Group
under the supervision of Iftakhar Ali Malik and Shehzad Ali Malik is doing research on this
variety.
The government contribution in this field is negligible. The government should bring all
associated institutions under the rice exporters association and it should facilitate private sector
to establish new research centers. The price of fertilizer should be reduced. Urea price in
Pakistan isRs.3500, it must be Rs.1200. The export of rice and other agricultural products cannot
be increased unless the price of Fertilizers is reduced. The fertilizer industry in Pakistan is not
working properly because of shortage of natural gas, so fertilizer is imported and sold to farmers
at high rates. By suitable planning, Pakistan can manage gas problem and can run its fertilizers
factories to supply fertilizers at low price to its farmers. It can also help it to save billions of
dollars and can revolutionize agricultural sector.
Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project which has been delayed on international pressure. It is
necessary for economic revival in Pakistan to startIran – Pakistan gas pipe line at the earliest. I
suggest new fertilizers factories must be built on Iran-Pakistan border and this area should be
connected with a network of railway with other parts of the country as long as the pipeline is not
established.The Ministry of Commerce must support the exporters to explore the new markets
for rice. Only those officials from Foreign Service should be promoted to the next grade that
show the rise in export from Pakistan to the respected country and the same should be applied to
the commercial counselors working in Pakistani embassies abroad. Commerce Minister,
Khurram Dastgeer and the chairman of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Mr. S M
Muner are very active in promoting the Pakistani export but they are not getting the same support
by the beaurocracy present in different government institutions. The developed countries have
made progress by putting private sector on driving seat and formulated economical and financial
policies according to its suggestions, whereas, In Pakistan, we are formulating our economical
and financial policy under the advice of World Bank, IMF and Bureaucracy, for the last 65 years.
It is important to come out from the hands of IMF and World Bank by ensuring the self reliance
and a policy non dependence on foreign loan.We should focus on China and ASEAN market to
enhance our rice export. In ASEAN the population of Indonesia is more than the all other nine
member countries. We should develop a very special relationship with Indonesia. Pakistan has
already preferencial Trade Agreement (PTA) with Indonesia and there is a need to sign Free
Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost the trade relation with Indonesia. There is no direct flight
between Pakistan and Indonesia and it is important to establish direct air link between the two
most populous countries in the two regions.

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The government of Indonesia and Pakistan must evolve five year multiple visa for the
businessmen to facilitate their frequent travel without wasting time to get visa. Pakistan already
had a Free trade agreement (FTA) with china and the trade balance is hugely in favor of china.
Ministry of commerce must play some active role to increase the rice export from Pakistan to
china which is a big market for rice consumption.Presently the senior vice president of federation
of Pakistan chambers of commerce and industry (FPCCI) Mr. Abdul Rahim Janu is also
associated with the business of rice export. Presently, India is the top exporter of rice and its
export is $8 billion, Thailand and America rank second and third respectively and their exports
are of $ 4.4 billion and $ 2.1billion. Pakistan is ranked fourth in this category with exports of $ 2
billion.
India searched its rice market in densely populated countries like China and Indonesia. India is
exporting rice not only to Iran which is under international sanctions but its exports have been
increased by many folds in recent years. India made a better research on rice and improved its
quality and has managed to improve the export by improving the quality and reducing the price.
Commerce Minister should visit countries like China,Indonesia, Iran and Kenya with rice
exporters‘ delegation to increase Pakistan‘s rice exports. In order to increase rice exports
Pakistani Embassies in China, Kenya, ASEAN and ECO countries should play their role by
serving Pakistan‘s Basmiti rice in festivals and other functions. Pakistan‘s embassies‘ abroad
should create markets for Pakistani basmati rice by introducing this rice to the major hotels in the
foreign capitals.
—The writer is former President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Email: zafarbakhtawari@gmail.com
http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=261946
Japan’s QZSS GNSS to benefit Australia
by Simon Chester on 14 April, 2015 in GPS & Navigation
A team of Australian and Japanese
researchers have tested a new satellite
positioning system that will improve
upon the US‘ GPS system by
additionally transmitting augmentation
signals to improve positioning
performance, ultimately boosting the
productivity of Australia‘s rural
industries and benefitting the working
and personal lives of many, particularly
those living in regional and outback
areas.The system is known as

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the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS).
The first QZSS satellite is already in orbit. When fully deployed in 2023, the constellation will
consist of seven satellites providing 24 hours coverage to the region.The orbit configuration of
these satellites will give continuous coverage at high elevation angles, providing improved
satellite navigation in areas that challenge traditional GNSS satellite positioning capabilities,
such as central city districts and other obstructed environments.While intended primarily for
users in Japan, the orbit design offers significant advantages to neighbouring East Asia countries,
including Australia.
One of the additional augmentation signals – the L-band experimental (LEX) signal – is designed
to allow high accuracy positioning in real-time through transmission of corrections for Precise
Point Positioning (PPP). This additional data delivery is a critical factor in ensuring the system
can provide a continuous centimetre-level positioning service.Trials undertaken at the Rice
Research Australia farm in southern NSW, near the historic rural town of Jerilderie, were
completed in January.The team demonstrated the first time use of a fully robotic tractor (video
here), controlled entirely by QZSS, achieving positioning accuracies of around 5cm. Data from
the satellite enabled the tractor to track, turn, and operate machinery doing a variety of routine
farming operations such as inter-row tillage and fertiliser applications.
The research is a major step toward demonstrating that such a system could provide correction
signals to enable precise GNSS-based positioning anywhere (outdoors) in Australia, at any
time.The strength of the system is the provision of wide-area positioning in areas with sparse
GNSS ground stations and where mobile phone coverage does not exist. This is particularly
important in Australia‘s rural and outback areas where the building and operation of additional
GNSS ground stations needed for high-accuracy positioning is costly.The current research is a
collaborative effort between Australia and Japan and is funded entirely by the Japanese
government.
The team includes Australia‘s Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information (CRCSI), the
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which built and operates the satellite system,
RMIT University, University of NSW, University of New England, Hokkaido University,
Hitachi Zosen, Hitachi Ltd, Yanmar, Rice Research Australia, SmartNet Australia, C R.
Kennedy, and Precision Agriculture.Although the initial testing was focused on the use of the
new technology in precision agriculture, the potential uses of the new service in Australia and
elsewhere are enormous.
―From mining to automated guidance of cars, indeed any outdoor application where a level of
machine automation is required, this technology has the potential to help,‖ said Dr Philip Collier,
the CRCSI‘s Research Director. ―My prediction is that this sort of technology will move from

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sophisticated and expensive installations in machines to mobile phones. People will, in due
course, have it in their back pockets.‖The research at Jerilderie is designed to assess the capacity
of the LEX signal to deliver high-accuracy, real-time precise point positioning (PPP) consistently
and reliably to Australian GNSS users.
A series of correction messages relevant to Australian conditions has been developed and were
tested as part of the current research project.―Our objective is to get to the point where users are
oblivious to the fact that they are using multiple satellite signals and multiple systems to receive
precise, reliable, dependable and accurate position for whatever the application happens to be,‖
said Dr Collier.The project is a major part of Australia‘s current drive to establish a national
positioning infrastructure, which will be a key factor in boosting future Australian productivity
and competitiveness in industry and business activities.
For more information on the project, please contact Dr Phil Collier.CR
Kennedy, CRCSI, GNSS, HItachi Ltd, Hitachi Zosen, Hokkaido
University, JAXA,navigation, precision agriculture, QZSS, Rice Research Australia, RMIT
University, Slider,SmartNet Aus, trial, University of New England, University of NSW
Rice farmers need access to quality seed
APRIL 14, 2015 · BY STAFF WRITER ·
Dear Editor,
At several meetings across Region Two, the President has said that he realized that the rice
industry is in a crisis and he will fix it soon. I wonder how soon he will fix it? Rice farmers who
purchased seed paddy from the RPA seed bond at Anna Regina for this upcoming spring crop
have shown me a sample of highly bug-damaged seed paddy; more than 50 per cent of the seed
has damaged grains and wind paddy, and is of very poor quality. I was the first to be trained by
Farm Supplies technical engineers to operate the seed dryer, cleaner and the standby power plant
on this project in 2000. In fact, this place where the seed project was built was an old dumpsite
for old sea defence lorries, cement mixtures and other discarded materials.
I was in charge of seeing the site cleared, and a contract was awarded to Mukesh from Cane
Grove, East Coast Demerara to build the bond and the operating areas. The drying floor was
constructed by Mr Seepersaud of Perseverance, Essequibo Coast, through IFAD. From my
experience operating the dryer and cleaner, the poor quality seed can be due to many factors;
either the dryer and cleaner fans were closed or not open enough to blow out the wind and
damaged grains from the paddy, causing it to remain in the seed paddy.The other factor could be
that the hopper from which the dry paddy is being discharged from the seed dryer was open at
high, causing same to enter and bypass the sieve of the cleaner then goes into the wooden bin
where it is stored and bagged off at 140 lbs.

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The contractor and his men would do these things if no one is on the site to overlook the
operation in order to make more bags, because they are being paid per bag to clean and dry the
seed paddy. At the end of the day the farmers who buy this paddy suffer.These farmers bought
this poor quality seed paddy for $5,000 per 140 lb bag, yet when they sold their field paddy to
the millers they only received $2,400 for the highest grade bag and $400 for the lowest grade.
Seed paddy is quite literally the starting point for rice cultivation. As such, its importance cannot
be overstated.
Poor quality seed such as what these farmers bought at the RPA bond, affects productivity and
encourages the spread of disease. High quality seed paddy must have these factors: before you
can sell it as seed, the moisture content should be 14.0; damaged kernels (single or combined)
1.0; red kernels 1.0; yellow kernels 0.1; amber kernels 0.5; green kernels 2.0; chalky kernels 2.0;
broken kernels 6.0; and foreign matter 0.5; and it must be certified to ensure quality by GNBS.
Farmers need seed adapted to their production, requirements and able to meet the challenges of
the shifting agro-ecological systems caused by climate change. I do not think the RPA and
GRDB are geared to meet these challenges in the rice industry.
There are many obstacles facing small-scale farmers in obtaining good seed at affordable prices.
Fake seed is a major problem in all rice growing regions, which has the rice industry in a crisis to
some extent. Some unscrupulous dealers are selling poor quality substitute seed at a very high
price to farmers, many of whom only discover their costly mistake when their crop fails.In my
tenure as an Extension Officer, I had to identify clean, suitable fields free from monkey trails and
all other foreign matter, then register the seed growers. The seed growers generally have small
plots of land ranging from 1-10 acres, and routinely they were given basic seed from the rice
research station at Burma.
Prior to the harvesting of their seed crop, extension officers are mandated to make at least 3
visits. The first is to advise on crop husbandry as well as generally overlook of the entire field.
On the other visits, the field will be sampled for purity, as well as insect and other pest damage.
If the field has reached the quality of C-1 seeds, the farmer will be issued with a certificate; this
practice has not being followed by officers. The seed farmers normally sell all their seeds to the
RPA bond. If the President really indeed wanted to fix the rice industry, he should begin with a
transparent and efficient regulatory system to ensure that farmers have access to quality seed.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
Philippines looks to broaden range of rice suppliers
Tue Apr 14, 2015 7:57am GMT
MANILA, April 14 (Reuters) - The Philippines' state grains procurement agency said on Tuesday that it
would look to import rice from a broader range of countries including Pakistan, India and Myanmar, as it
tries to diversify its supplies of the staple food.One of the world's biggest rice importers, the Philippines
usually buys from key producers Vietnam and Thailand.But with a longer list of possible suppliers, the
nation could keep a lid on the cost of purchases even if emergencies such as typhoons or other natural
disasters hit agriculture at home.
Renan Dalisay, administrator at the National Food Authority (NFA), said he had coordinated
with the embassies of Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Myanmar in Manila, encouraging the

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countries to enter into a so-called Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippines for
rice supply.The MOA would allow those countries to participate in rice import tenders that the
NFA issues from time to time, similar to agreements the Philippines has with Vietnam, Thailand
and Cambodia, he said.Vietnam and Thailand recently won 500,000-tonne supply deals with the
NFA, and hope to get more contracts as they struggle to offload some of their stocks.
Dalisay issued the statement after Pakistan, the world's No.4 rice exporter, approached the
Philippines for a 50,000-tonne supply deal. A delegation from the Rice Exporters Association of
Pakistan was in Manila recently to explore deals, he said.Dalisay said Pakistan could sell as
much as 50,000 tonnes to the Philippines through the Minimum Access Volume scheme under
which local traders are allowed to import an annual volume of up to 755,200 tonnes with a 35-
percent tariff. That scheme covers private purchases and is separate from the state-buying seen in
NFA tenders.
But the NFA Council has yet to open the MAV window this year, with local media reporting the
government is looking into the possibility of removing tariffs on rice imports.Other countries that
can also sell rice to the Philippines under the MAV scheme include China, India, Australia, and
El Salvador.The Philippines imported a total of around 1.7 million tonnes of rice in 2014, the
most in four years. It may buy 1.6 million tonnes this year, according to a forecast by the United
States Department of Agriculture. (Reporting by Erik dela Cruz; Editing by Joseph Radford)
Market Watch: South Korea -- A Changing Market?
A puzzling dynamic
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA -- This country of 50 million is a small, but high-value market for the
U.S. rice industry. The U.S. exports have averaged more than 104,000 MT of rice to Korea
annually over the past 6 years -- representing about 25 percent of the roughly 410,000 MT
imported by volume, or 26 percent of imports by value. However, a shift may be coming. While
Korea continues to purchase U.S. rice, officials are attempting to manage rice supplies that
exceed domestic demand. In 2013, Korea's rice harvest produced a nearly 200,000 ton surplus.
In reaction, the Korean agriculture ministry is looking west to tap into China's rice market.
In order to boost shipments to China, the South Korean government must lift restrictions that
inhibit the volume and price of rice exports. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has just
published an exporters' handbook containing key information about prominent buyers in crucial
importing countries as a means of assisting Korea's export market to countries like China. In
addition, last year, Korea announced they were shifting to rice tarrification, eliminating the
country-specific quota the U.S. and others utilized. The United States, and several other
countries, have objected to Korea's version of rice tariffication in the World Trade Organization
(WTO), and those complaints remain outstanding, meaning that Korea's current rice import
regime has yet to be officially approved by the WTO.

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"We're active with promotion efforts in Korea because there is demand for high quality U.S. rice,
but we do have potential market access problems as a result of tariffication, which began in
January," explained Jim Guinn, USA Rice's vice president of international promotion. "We are
urging the U.S. to engage with Korea to address our concerns, and the fact that Korea is now
looking to increase exports, clearly indicate this is a challenging market. We'll continue to
monitor the situation."
Contact: Colleen Klemczewski (703) 236-1446
Sesame rice
UPDATED 6:00 AM EDT Apr 14, 2015
This rice accompaniment can be kept quite simple, or it
can become more substantial with the addition of other
ingredients such as chopped scallion, minced green or red
bell peppers, or other vegetables such as cut asparagus.
Sliced or slivered almonds can replace the sesame seeds.
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cups cooked rice (brown, white, basmati, or wild rice)
½ cup frozen baby peas
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon soy sauce
½ teaspoon dark (Asian) sesame oil
Dash of ground white pepper, or to taste
Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and garlic;
cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes, or until tender. Stir in the rice and remaining
ingredients. Heat, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

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CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures
CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for April 14
Month Price Net Change
May 2015 $10.210 + $0.105
July 2015 $10.465 + $0.110
September 2015 $10.715 + $0.110
November 2015 $10.930 + $0.105
January 2016 $11.160 + $0.105
March 2016 $11.210 + $0.105
May 2016 $11.210 + $0.105
Mars research unearths world of possibilities at WWU
BY WILSON CRISCIONE
The Bellingham HeraldApril 14, 2015
Melissa Rice, assistant professor at Western Washington University, has a few of her
undergraduate students analyze images sent by Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity that help
explain what types of materials are on the surface. WILSON CRISCIONE —
The Bellingham Herald

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BELLINGHAM — Melissa Rice‘s career revolves around answering a question that continues to entice the
human imagination: Can life evolve elsewhere in the universe?
Rice, an assistant professor at Western Washington University, thinks the answer may be found
on Mars.―We can‘t travel to other solar systems. We can‘t even see the surfaces of planets
around other stars,‖ Rice said. ―And so, if we want to answer this question — can life evolve on
other planets — the best way to do that is right here in our own neighborhood.‖Rice, 32, is part
of a team of NASA scientists making discoveries on Mars that hint the planet was once habitable
to life. In her first year teaching at WWU, her research is inspiring a group of students who, like
her, hope to one day find an answer to the same question she has been chasing.
For a couple days each month, Rice helps with rover operations that help NASA decide where
the Curiosity rover will explore minute by minute. She analyzes images taken from the rover,
then discusses a new plan for the rover‘s next-day activities via teleconference with the NASA
Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Then she helps fellow scientists come up with a sequence of
commands detailing where the rover will drive, stop or take pictures.―We tell the rover every
detail of what it‘s going to do throughout its day,‖ Rice said.The pictures taken by Curiosity,
which landed on Mars in 2012, offer scientists a glimpse into the history of the planet. Curiosity
currently is ascending from the base of Mount Sharp, a mountain 3 1/2 miles high of rocks
formed billions of years ago in Gale Crater. The pictures taken by Curiosity help scientists
analyze minerals at the base of the rock that reveal vital clues about whether the planet was once
habitable.
Just this week, calculations made on the Curiosity mission indicated that conditions in the Gale
Crater location were favorable for small quantities of brine to form at night.The most profound
discovery made by Curiosity, Rice said, were rocks found at the bottom of Gale Crater that could
only have been formed by an ancient lake with water that would have been good enough to
drink, Rice said. It was the first definitive evidence for an environment on Mars where life as we
know it on Earth could have thrived.Rice, from Sammamish, has wanted to study Mars since she
was an undergraduate studying astrophysics at Wellesley College near Boston. The college

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already had a strong astronomy program while she was there, and one of her professors focused
his research on the rings of Saturn.
Rice, though, knew that wasn‘t the area of research she wanted to study.―I already knew that
Mars was the place I wanted to be,‖ Rice said.She pursued opportunities outside of her college,
one of which was a summer research project at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, where
she studied the surface of Mercury. She earned her Ph.D in astronomy at Cornell University in
2012, with minor concentrations in geology and science communication. As a planetary
geologist, her research specialty is imaging spectroscopy, meaning she works with images taken
in many wavelengths of light.This school year, she came to Western eager for the opportunity to
pioneer a planetary studies program.
She said she wanted to build a new program in a place interested in going that direction.Thanks
to her presence, students at WWU interested in researching planetary science can now do so in
Bellingham. Winter quarter marked the first year Western has offered a planetary geology
course. Rice said some WWU students sought her out as soon as they heard the ―Mars lady‖ was
coming.Michael Reynolds, a WWU junior, is one of the students using Rice as a mentor. He
compiles images that were taken by the Spirit rover, which landed on Mars in 2004, and analyzes
those images to determine how reflective the surface is.
The pictures are taken in wavelengths that include those unseen to the human eye, and the
process mostly involves data analysis. The results can help explain what types of materials are on
the surface.Reynolds said he was always interested in astronomy, but when he came to Western
he didn‘t have any intent to pursue that interest. He instead will earn a degree in geology. When
he found out he could incorporate space with geology, he realized that is ―truly where my
passion lies.‖Genevieve Studer-Ellis, a junior, has just started doing similar work with images
taken from the Opportunity rover, which also landed on Mars in 2004. She is majoring in
geology, and it wasn‘t until she took Rice‘s planetary geology course that she decided she
wanted to go after a Ph.D in that field.
―One of the neatest things is that when I compile the pan cam images, I am looking at something
that only a handful of people have seen before,‖ Studer-Ellis said. ―There are not a lot of places
that let undergrads play with data from Mars.‖The Spirit rover stopped exploring in 2011, but the
data analysis is far from complete, Rice said. The Opportunity and Curiosity rovers are still
sending images.The next Mars rover will be a sample-collecting one, Rice said. It‘s name, for
now, is Mars 2020, for the year it will launch. Instead of having a science laboratory on the rover
that determines the mineralogy, like Curiosity, it will carry tubes to store extracted rock cores,
leaving the tubes on the surface for another spacecraft to pick up.
The challenge is choosing where, on an entire planet, the best samples might be, Rice said. There
are currently more than 20 candidate sites, and scientists will narrow it down to one site within
two years. Rice‘s graduate students will have the opportunity to study potential landing sites
starting this summer.Further down the road, the goal is to have humans explore the surface of
Mars, Rice said. She is part of another NASA team, consisting of around two dozen scientists,
defining science objectives for a human exploration of Mars.

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―I think it‘s going to take human explorers on the surface of Mars — astronauts who are able to
explore the surface in detail to catch interesting things out of the corners of their eyes — to
serendipitously make new discoveries on the surface of Mars,‖ Rice said. ―I think that‘s where
the next really big leaps are going to happen.‖
To see more photos from the Curiosity rover on Mars, click here.
Reach Wilson Criscione at 360-756-2803 or wilson.criscione@bellinghamherald.com.
: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2015/04/14/4239439/mars-research-unearths-world-of.html#storylink=cpy
PhilRice pushes new planting techniques
April 14, 2015 10:40 pm
Muñoz, Nueva Ecija: Some 4,000 farmers will learn the latest technologies on farming through
the ―akbay-Palay‖ being conducted at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) here.The
two-day ―Lakbay-Palay,‖ which kicked off on Tuesday, is being held bi-annually during harvest
season.Celia Abadilla, activity lead coordinator, said that the Future Rice Farm of PhilRice,
breeder seed production, and on-farm learning center are among the stations where visiting
farmers, mostly from the country‘s rice granary, can learn new technologies.Abadilla said the
Future Rice Farm promotes technologies that are clean, green, practical, and smart.She also said
that the farm also features organic farming, nutrient recycling, use of alternative energy, and
farm mechanization.Abadilla also said that the ―Lakbay-Palay‖ provides an opportunity for
farmers, scientists, researchers and extension workers to talk more on rice production challenges
and issues.
―Most farmers inquire about the seeds that they can plant the next season. So, in the breeder seed
production area, modern rice varieties are planted for farmers to select the varieties most suited
to their field. They will also see the result of planting certified seeds,‖ she said.She said that
farmers will also be taught on how to use the ICT-based fertilizer guides such as Rice Crop
Manager and Minus-One Element Technique (MOET) application.Rice Crop Manager, which
data underwent 15 years of intensive research across the country, provides specific amount of
fertilizer and its time of application while MOET application can diagnose nutrient deficiencies
of the rice crop.
Immense possibilities of cooperation between SA state
Gauteng and MP: CM
April 14, 2015 1:55 pm
Staff Reporter, Bhopal
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Madhya Pradesh and South African state
Gauteng will work in tandem in industrial, cultural and education sectors. There are immense

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possibilities of mutual
cooperation between the 2 states.
Chouhan was holding
discussions with a delegation
accompanying Premier of South
African State Gauteng M. David
Mukhura here today.Makhura
said that both states will benefit
from mutual ties. An MoU for
mutual cooperation was also
signed on the occasion. The
Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is the fastest growing state in the country. Its economic
and agriculture growth rates are maximum in the country. Special attention is being paid in the
state to industrial development and investment. South Africa and India have historic
ties.Mahatma Gandhi had connected India to South Africa. Both states will chalk out a roadmap
jointly for mutual cooperation in trade, culture and education sectors. The Premier of Gauteng
Mukhara said that like Madhya Pradesh, his state is also in the middle of the country (South
Africa).
His state has 36 percent contribution in South Africa‘s GDP, 42 percent in industrial production,
10 percent in agriculture production and 62 percent in exports. On the basis of this common
factor, he finds Madhya Pradesh closer to him.The state has better opportunities for industries
and trade. We are striving for improvement and expansion in manufacturing sector. He said that
he is much impressed by Madhya Pradesh‘s achievements in various sectors. Chief Secretary
Anthony de Sa gave a presentation focusing on possibilities in Madhya Pradesh. He informed
that Madhya Pradesh has better infrastructure and conducive atmosphere for industries. Madhya
Pradesh‘s growth and agriculture growth rates are highest in the country.
Economic development has taken place in Madhya Pradesh at faster rate. It is the second biggest
grower of wheat in the country. Good quality Basmati rice is also produced here, which is
exported to North America. Country‘s only diamond mine exists at Panna in Madhya Pradesh.
Copper, limestone and other minerals of good quality are found in the state. From agriculture-
based economy, the state is moving towards manufacturing-based economy. Special attention
has been paid to good governance in the state.Power generation in the state is to the tune of 14
thousand MW. Madhya Pradesh is a power-surplus state.
A land bank of 25 thousand hectares is available for industries in the state. Various rules have
been simplified for Ease of Doing Business. For the last 6 years, Global Investors Summit is
being held in the state every 2 years. Investment proposals worth 95 million dollars were
received at Global Investors Summit at Indore in year 2014.The state has immense possibilities
in defence production, auto manufacturing, information technology, agro food processing and
renewable energy sectors.
South African delegation comprised Mauteng‘s Minister Dr. Ismail Wadi, Dr. Issac Mile,
SuBarbara Chris and Niyamak Nandi. ACS S.R. Mohanthy, Principal Secretary Commerce &
Industries M. Suleman, Principal Secretary Forests A.P. Shrivastava, Principal Secretary Food

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and Civil Supplies Ashok Warnwal, Secretary to CM Vivek Agrawal and Secretary Mineral
Resources Shiv Shekhar Shukla were also present on the occasion.
Lifting of rice levy from next kharif to prove costly to ryots,
consumers
B. CHANDRASHEKHAR
Lifting of rice levy, compulsory procurement of paddy from farmers and rice from millers, by
the Centre completely from 2015-16 kharif marketing season (KMS) is being feared to have a
telling impact on farmers and consumers by denying most of them the minimum support price
and the commodity getting dearer in the market, respectively.In the absence of any procurement
of paddy by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the first and direct impact would be on the
farmers as they would have to largely depend on whatever purchases to be done by the State
Government agencies such as Civil Supplies Corporation, Markfed and IKP for getting the MSP
or else left to the mercy of traders and millers, who seldom pay MSP to farmers.
Against the MSP of Rs.1,400 and Rs.1,360 per quintal, at which the government agencies
procure the produce from farmers, fixed by the Centre for common and super-fine varieties of
paddy, the traders and millers would pay at the most Rs.1,200. ―I have not seen traders paying
more than Rs.1,200 per quintal during KMS 2014-15,‖ a field official overseeing the
procurement in a North Telangana district told The Hindu .―Denial of MSP to farmers by traders
and millers, however, will not provide any respite to the end-consumers. Millers will have the
freedom to sell the rice stocks anywhere and resort to hoarding to create artificial shortage and
increase the price heavily,‖ sources in the Civil Supplies Department stated.The super-fine
quality rice whose wholesale price is about Rs.32 per kg is being sold between Rs.42 to Rs.52
per kg in the open market even when the procurement is being done by government agencies,
officials pointed out.
Sri Lanka: New Method of Cooking Rice Cuts Calories in
Half
COLOMBO – Sri Lankan scientists have discovered an innovative method of cooking rice,
reducing the amount of calories absorbed in the body by 50 percent, in response to increasing
obesity problem worldwide.―What I achieved with my research was to change the structure of
rice,‖ Sudhair A. James, the 22-year-old creator and student at College of Chemical Sciences in
Sri Lanka, told Efe on Tuesday.
The recipe calls for adding coconut oil in boiling water before adding the grains, then cooking it
in low heat for 40 minutes.The cooked rice is then to be refrigerated for 12 hours, after which it
can be reheated and consumed.James recently presented his findings at the National Meeting &
Exposition of the American Chemical Society in the United States, and hopes to tackle global
obesity with his discovery. ―We wanted to find a solution, based on food, that could prevent and

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tackle this growing crisis,‖ said the researcher after six months of dedicated work.The key,
according to the Sinhalese student, is the type of starch, the main component of rice: the less
caloric resistant starch, and non-resistant.
James found that his method of cooking rice multiplied the amount of resistant starch ten-
fold.―We believe that we could develop a universal method for cooking all food that contains
starch, for example bread, which could be nutritional and at the same time fight obesity,‖ James
was optimistic.According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, rice is the
staple food in 17 countries in Asia and the Pacific, nine nations in North and South America, and
eight African countries.
Reuters
April 15, 2015
MANILA: The Philippines‘ state grains procurement agency said on Tuesday that it would
look to import rice from a broader range of countries including Pakistan, India and Myanmar, as
it tries to diversify its supplies of the staple food. One of the world‘s biggest rice importers, the
Philippines usually buys from key producers Vietnam and Thailand. But with a longer list of
possible suppliers, the nation could keep a lid on the cost of purchases even if emergencies such
as typhoons or other natural disasters hit agriculture at home. Renan Dalisay, administrator at the
National Food Authority (NFA), said he had coordinated with the embassies of Pakistan, India,
Malaysia and Myanmar in Manila, encouraging the countries to enter into a so-called
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippines for rice supply.
The MOA would allow those countries to participate in rice import tenders that the NFA issues
from time to time, similar to agreements the Philippines has with Vietnam, Thailand and
Cambodia, he said. Vietnam and Thailand recently won 500,000-tonne supply deals with the
NFA, and hope to get more contracts as they struggle to offload some of their stocks. Dalisay
issued the statement after Pakistan, the world‘s No.4 rice exporter, approached the Philippines
for a 50,000-tonne supply deal. A delegation from the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan
was in Manila recently to explore deals, he said.
Dalisay said Pakistan could sell as much as 50,000 tonnes to the Philippines through the
Minimum Access Volume scheme under which local traders are allowed to import an annual
volume of up to 755,200 tonnes with a 35-percent tariff. That scheme covers private purchases
and is separate from the state-buying seen in NFA tenders. But the NFA Council has yet to open
the MAV window this year, with local media reporting the government is looking into the
possibility of removing tariffs on rice imports. Other countries that can also sell rice to the
Philippines under the MAV scheme include China, India, Australia, and El Salvador.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/business/15-Apr-2015/philippines-looks-to-broaden-range-of-
rice-suppliers

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Japan, U.S. aim for TPP deal before summit
8:58 pm, April 14, 2015
ReutersJapanese and U.S. officials will meet from Wednesday in a bid to strike a two-way deal
giving momentum to the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership ahead of a leaders‘ summit late this
month.Success, however, depends on whether the U.S. Congress, which returns from recess this
week, approves measures to ease passage of trade deals, or trade promotion authority (TPA),
Japanese officials have said.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet U.S. President Barack Obama on April 28 in Washington
at a summit that will also focus on security issues.Japan said U.S. Acting Deputy Trade
Representative Wendy Cutler and USTR chief agriculture negotiator Darci Vetter would travel to
Tokyo for talks with Japan‘s deputy chief trade negotiator, Hiroshi Oe, and economic
ambassador Takeo Mori.Discussions are expected to tackle gaps remaining over agriculture and
the auto industry.
―We think it would be good if the two leaders could announce something positive,‖ a Japanese
government source said recently. ―We are hoping that the U.S.-Japan can send a good
message.‖Japan wants to protect farm products such as rice, wheat, sugar, dairy, beef and pork,
while the United States argues Japan has nontariff barriers in its auto sector.Both allies, however,
are keen for a TPP deal they see as central to America‘s ―rebalance‖ of its strategic focus to
Asia, in response to China‘s growing clout.
―I don‘t know if they [Abe and Obama] will use the word ‗agreement,‘‖ said another Japanese
source.―There are lots of possible expressions such as ‗good discussions,‘ ‗significant progress,‘
‗epoch-making progress‘ or ‗steady progress.‘‖Japan‘s economy minister, Akira Amari, has
urged Washington to push the TPA through Congress and expressed hope he can meet U.S.
Trade Representative Michael Froman to clinch a trade deal before the summit.Speech
Nigeria rice import drops by 3.3% to 2.9m tones in 2015
14.04.2015
Nigeria‘s rice import will drop by 3.3 per cent to 2.9 million tonnes this year, a report released
on Friday by the Food and Agricultural Organisation has said.China, which was the world‘s
biggest importer of rice last year along with Nigeria, would raise its import volume by 5.2 per
cent to 3.2 million tonnes in 2015 due to higher demand in the mainland, the FAO said in its rice
market monitor report for April.Last year, China and Nigeria each bought three million tonnes of
rice from abroad.
According to the United Nations food agency, the global milled rice trade this year is forecast to
drop by 2.5 per cent from 2014 to 41.3 million tonnes, due mainly to good stockpiles or higher
production in Asia.Global paddy output in 2015 is forecast to edge up 1.1 per cent from last year
to 749.8 million tonnes, the UN agency said.Thailand is expected to be the world‘s largest rice

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exporter this year with shipments of 11.2 million tonnes, followed by 9.3 million tonnes from
India and 6.5 million tonnes from Vietnam.As such, the three Asian nations would account for a
combined 65 per cent of the world‘s rice trade, down slightly from 68 per cent last year.
The FAO revised up India‘s rice exports last year to 11.3 million tonnes from 8.2 million tonnes
estimated earlier, making it the world‘s largest exporter in 2014, followed by Thailand with 11
million tonnes and Vietnam with 6.5 million tonnes.Nigeria‘s purchases abroad are forecast to
drop by 3.3 per cent to 2.9 million tonnes in 2015.Rice output in China, also the world‘s top
producer, had been forecast to edge up 0.2 per cent to 208.5 million tonnes this year, the FAO
said.President Goodluck Jonathan had in January this year said rice farmers across the country
had a new lease of life due to the transformation taking place in the sector.He said over six
million rice farmers had received improved rice seed varieties, boosting domestic rice production
by an additional seven million metric tonnes.
He had said, ―The rice revolution is taking place across the country, from Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna,
Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Bauchi, Gombe, Niger, Kogi, Ogun, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Rivers, Anambra,
Delta, Edo to Bayelsa State. High quality Nigerian rice is now competing favourably with
imported rice in the markets.Our rice millers have taken advantage of these new opportunities,
and the number of integrated rice mills has expanded from one at the beginning of this
administration, to 24 today.‖
Arkansas rice: Managing seed rots, seedling diseases
By Yeshi Wamishe, University of Arkansas April 13, 2015 | 4:30 pm EDT
A field with yellow and poor seedling stand.
Photo by University of Arkansas
Seed rotting microbes can be associated with seeds from storage, fields from the previous season,
or soil and water through secondary infection. Rotting seeds become mushy and may be
surrounded by gooey substances or white moldy growth due to microbial activities. Certain
environmental conditions such as puddled spots also favor seed rotting.
Causes of Rice Seedling Diseases

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Multiple microbes may be responsible for causing complex symptoms in rice seedlings.
Problematic seedlings may show brownish discoloration below or above the soil line causing
seedling blight. When diseases are severe the seedlings are stunted, turn yellow, and eventually
could die. Seedlings may also have darker rot at the base of the plant. Pathogen structures such
as mycelia may easily be detected on collar of infected seedlings or may be seen radiating from
rotted seeds.
Environmental factors such as temperature and wet conditions can make soil conditions
unfavorable for normal growth of rice seedlings. Cool temperatures at or shortly after planting
intensify seedling problems. Warmer temperatures under wet conditions also favor some fungi
that compromise seedling health.
Water seeding favors water molds and severe seedling diseases appear more in water seeded
than drill-planted fields. Seedling diseases are usually severe since seeds for water seeding are
not chemically treated. Even if treated, the chemicals can quickly wash off lowering the benefit
of seedling protection.
Freezing nights in early spring often result in white bands (rings) on the leaf at the soil line or
freeze spots. Seedling stands are not usually affected by the white bands or spots because the
seedling continues growing.
Soil types play a substantial role in seedling emergence. Seedlings emerge faster and easier in
sandier soil than clay soil as long as there is enough water to help the seed germinate.
Rice varieties do not all emerge equally well in different soil types. Rice cultivars clearly show
differences in seedling vigor even on the same soil type. A recent greenhouse experiment
showed quite a difference in emergence among 13 cultivars tested. Healthy looking seeds were
selected and planted without chemical treatment.In another recent preliminary test where
different ―soil-sand mixtures‖ were treated with the panicle blight bacteria (Burkholderia
glumae), seedling emergence greatly varied. Knowledge about your field in relation to cultivar
emergence is useful to match the right cultivar with the right soil type. The faster the seeds
germinate and emerge, the higher the chance of escaping the early season disease complex.
Herbicides applied pre- or post-emergence can substantially affect young and tender seedling
tissues making seedling disease diagnosis difficult. The white band (ring) formed due to freezing
can be confused with symptoms caused by herbicide damage- for instance, Command.
Sometimes damage caused by herbicides can be more substantial than actual seedling diseases.
Awareness of herbicide residues and drifts will help in understanding seedling problems in some
cases.
Insects such as grape colaspis can cause loss of seedling stand or render a sick appearance with
the crop making a seedling disease more complex to pinpoint a cause.
Zinc deficiency in soil can show a distinct leaf bronzing symptom in rice seedlings. Zinc
deficiency affects crop growth. Symptoms are more prominent at seedling stage. However, the
problem will persist throughout the growth cycle of the crop – ultimately affecting the grain
yield unless corrected in a timely manner. To read more on zinc deficiency, go to chapter 9
Pages 91-93 in MP192.
Consider the following to ensure adequate seed germination, good seedling stand by reducing
seed rots, and seedling disease complex at early stage of your rice crop:
 Plant healthy-looking plump seeds treated with appropriate fungicides and insecticides.

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 Higher rates of seed treatment containing mefenoxam, fludioxonil, metalaxyl, trifloxystrobin,
either individually or in combinations of two fungicides need to be used for early planting or
even for late planting if the season stays cold and wet. A known field with a history of disease
such as rice blast requires higher rates of the appropriate fungicides.
 Gibberellic acid seed treatment may be considered on cultivars with weak seedling vigor to
increase emergence and seedling vigor.
 Make sure seeds are treated uniformly.
 Avoid using seeds stored inadequately for a lengthy period. For instance, seeds stored under high
moisture and temperature can lose their viability within a few months.
 Before planting, test for germination. Seeding rates may need to be adjusted based on your
germination results.
 Check for adequacy of soil moisture to promote seed germination.
 Correct low areas that puddle in your field so you can have more uniform emergence of rice
seedlings.
 To maximize crop tolerance to diseases, correct nutrient deficiencies in a timely fashion.
Rice seed failure calls for official investigation
Updated: 2015-04-14 08:03
(China Daily)
The quarrel between rural villagers who say they have harvested little with super hybrid rice
seeds and the seed provider Longping Hightech has a lot to do with not only the reputation of
China's hybrid rice but also the credibility of the government.In October 2014, more than 600
hectares of rice fields in East China's Anhui province planted with super hybrid rice seed
Liangyou 0923 witnessed a sharp decline in harvest or had no harvest at all. Local villagers
accused the seed provider of concealing the fact that this type of seed has poor resistance against
rice blast disease.
The seed provider denied the seeds were at fault and claimed poor weather was to blame.The
local seed management authorities responded to this by saying this type of rice seed suffered the
most from rice blast under the same weather conditions.The fact is this type of seed has brought
a harvest for villagers for a couple of years. But the output has been declining and has never been
nearly as high as the publicity says.Such a single failure is, of course, hardly enough to deny the
advantages of super hybrid rice seeds, which come in many different types. Yet how this incident
is handled will be a test of the government's governing capability. It will also be a touchstone of
whether a high-tech seed company will be able to survive a crisis of trust.It goes without saying
that a thorough investigation headed by experts and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture is
badly needed.
, It needs to find out how much the seed has contributed to the harvest failure. If it is villagers'
poor farming practices that are the cause, they need to be told about it with convincing
evidence.No doubt the villagers will give a vote of no confidence to the company by choosing
another seed this year.Yet if this type of seed does indeed have poor resistance against rice blast,
acknowledging it would do the company no harm; if it compensated the villagers for their

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economic losses, it would win the trust of villagers instead. And doing so and working to
improve the disease resistance of the seeds would make the company a winner in the long
run.Otherwise if the villagers' claim is true the company's credibility will suffer and so too will
the government's.
Rice supply up 26.9%; corn drops
RICE INVENTORIES rose year-on-year at the beginning of March while corn stocks
suffered a decline, government statisticians said.
The latest rice and corn inventory report released by the Philippine Statistics Authority -- Bureau
of Agricultural Statistics (PSA-BAS) showed a total national rice supply of 2.27 million metric
tons (MT) as of March 1.The inventory level was up 26.9% over the year-earlier figure but down
3.6% from the 2.35 million MT in the preceding month.
―This month‘s rice stock levels in all sectors were higher compared to their respective levels in
the same period last year,‖ the PSA-BAS noted.Specifically, rice held by households rose 2.3%
year-on-year. Those in commercial warehouses and depositories of the National Food Authority
(NFA), meanwhile, jumped 97.9% and 19.7%, respectively.Compared to February, however,
only rice stocks in NFA depositories improved with a 3.8% increase.Stocks in households and
commercial warehouses fell by 7.6% and 3.2%, respectively. Total rice stocks in March are
considered adequate for 67 days -- with household stocks sufficient for 29 days; commercial
stocks, 22 days; and NFA reserves, 16 days.While rice stocks rose on a year-on-year basis, corn
inventories at the beginning of March registered a decline.
Corn inventories totaled 186,500 MT during the period -- 30.3% lower year-on-year and down
26.2% compared with February.―This month‘s corn stocks in all sectors were lower compared
with their respective levels in the same period last year,‖ the PSA-BAS said.Corn reserves held
by households fell 24.8% year-on-year; while those held by commercial establishments and NFA
depositories declined 31.4% and 84.6%, respectively.Compared to February, March household
inventories increased by 13.2% and those in NFA depositories improved by 8.1%.However,
commercial stock level declined by 46.2%.In another development, the NFA said yesterday that
local rice traders are exploring possibility of importing basmati rice from Pakistan. The NFA
said Filipino and Pakistani traders have met to discuss the matter, which will help the Philippines
diversify its rice supply.
Around 17 representatives of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) met with 29
Philippine rice importers for a possible trade partnership last April 10.REAP Chairman Rafique
Suleman said his group is the second largest export trade body registered with Pakistan‘s
Ministry of Commerce and Industry.He said Pakistan is the world‘s fourth largest exporting
country even though it is only the 12th-largest rice producing country.―Pakistani rice is now very

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competitive because they have made huge investments in upgrading their infrastructure and
adopting the latest technologies,‖ he said in the statement.
NFA Administrator Renan B. Dalisay expressed optimism that this exploratory business meeting
will produce positive results for both parties.―I would like to reiterate the present
administration‘s commitment to provide our importers the most feasible, just, and conducive
business environment where they can gain higher returns from their investments, while
encouraging or inviting new players as a means to level the playing field,‖ Mr. Dalisay said.The
Philippines currently has standing memoranda of agreement (MoA) with only three countries --
Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia -- under the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) Rice
Procurement Program.
But as part of efforts to expand sources of rice imports, the NFA has seeking similar agreements
with other rice exporting countries like Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Myanmar.―Through a
MoA, the countries will be able to participate in the G-to-G Rice Procurement Program of the
food agency,‖ Mr. Dalisay said. But an option Pakistan can explore is the Minimum Access
Volume (MAV) mechanism.Under an agreement with the World Trade Organization, the
Philippines is committed to import a total of 350,000 MT of rice under the MAV scheme for the
private sector.Some 163,000 MT fall under Country Specific Quota (CSQ), while the remaining
are under Omnibus Origin.Mr. Dalisay said the NFA Council has set the opening of MAV to the
private sector within the next two months.
―Under the CSQ, Pakistan was granted 50,000 MT out of the total CSQ of 755,200 MT under the
MAV for 2015 and until 2017,‖ the NFA said.―While under the Omnibus Origin total import
volume is 50,000 metric tons for 2015 from any country of origin,‖ it added.The quantitative
restrictions (QR) on rice -- which should have expired in 2012 -- were extended to 2017,
according to Agriculture officials last year.As part of the continuing QR on rice, the Philippines
will also see reduced tariffs starting July 2015 as part of the tweaks to the MAV scheme.The
current tariff of 40% on shipments up to 350,000 MT will be cut to 35% and for a larger volume
of 805,200 MT. Purchases beyond that will remain subject to a 50% rate. -- Claire-Ann Marie
C. Feliciano
April 14, 2015 3:57 AM
MANILA, April 14 (Reuters) - The Philippines' state grainsprocurement agency said on Tuesday
that it would look to importrice from a broader range of countries including Pakistan, Indiaand
Myanmar, as it tries to diversify its supplies of the staplefood.One of the world's biggest rice
importers, the Philippinesusually buys from key producers Vietnam and Thailand.But with a
longer list of possible suppliers, the nationcould keep a lid on the cost of purchases even if
emergenciessuch as typhoons or other natural disasters hit agriculture athome.Renan Dalisay,

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administrator at the National Food Authority(NFA), said he had coordinated with the embassies
of Pakistan,India, Malaysia and Myanmar in Manila, encouraging the countriesto enter into a so-
called Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with thePhilippines for rice supply.
The MOA would allow those countries to participate in riceimport tenders that the NFA issues
from time to time, similar toagreements the Philippines has with Vietnam, Thailand
andCambodia, he said.Vietnam and Thailand recently won 500,000-tonne supply dealswith the
NFA, and hope to get more contracts as they struggle tooffload some of their stocks.Dalisay
issued the statement after Pakistan, the world'sNo.4 rice exporter, approached the Philippines for
a50,000-tonne supply deal. A delegation from the Rice ExportersAssociation of Pakistan was in
Manila recently to explore deals,he said.Dalisay said Pakistan could sell as much as 50,000
tonnes tothe Philippines through the Minimum Access Volume scheme underwhich local traders
are allowed to import an annual volume of upto 755,200 tonnes with a 35-percent tariff.
That scheme coversprivate purchases and is separate from the state-buying seen inNFA
tenders.But the NFA Council has yet to open the MAV window thisyear, with local media
reporting the government is looking intothe possibility of removing tariffs on rice imports.Other
countries that can also sell rice to the Philippinesunder the MAV scheme include China, India,
Australia, and ElSalvador.The Philippines imported a total of around 1.7 milliontonnes of rice in
2014, the most in four years. It may buy 1.6million tonnes this year, according to a forecast by
the UnitedStates Department of Agriculture. (Reporting by Erik dela Cruz; Editing by Joseph
Radford)
Growing rice on rock plateau in northern Vietnam
TUOI TRE NEWS
UPDATED : 04/14/2015 09:38 GMT + 7
Farmers have to chisel rock to create hollows and fill
them with soil for cultivating rice on the Dong Van
rock plateau in the northern province of Ha
Giang.With a lot of efforts and labor, Mong ethnic
minority people living in the Ma Pi Leng Mountain have
grown their crops that way.The Mong people have a
proverb, ―No mountain is higher than the knee of the
Mong people,‖ meaning that they can overcome the hardship and challenges of Nature.
These people have a special variety of rice called Khau Mang since it produces fragrant and tasty
rice seeds.The price of Khau Mang is always around twice that of other rice varieties.Vu Se Co
is the farmer who owns the biggest amount of rice on the rock plateau in Dong Van, with over a
hectare and a half. He resides in Ma Xi B Village in Ma Le Commune of Dong Van District.The
road leading to his house can challenge even the most experienced driver because it is often
slippery over morning dew or after a rain. The road is wide enough for a car to travel and below

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it is a deep abyss.Standing on the peak of Ma Pi Leng, the Nho Que River looks like a blue
thread below the Tu San Abyss.
Co‘s house is located by the abyss.A local held his mouth with two hands and made a long and
loud howl, which is the way to call each other. Down the abyss, a similar howl was sounded as a
reply.Waiting for a while, Co appeared with his hands wet with dew. He bowed to enter his
house and carried out a can of alcohol to treat his guests.Watering rock with sweat to plant
crops
After some bowls of wine, Co took the guests to his rice fields located along the banks of the
Xeo Ho Stream, around a hectare and a half in total area.
To own such an amount of rice, Co has worked almost all of his lifetime to transform rock into
farming land for growing the grain.He recalled that he did not want to follow local practices:
carrying bags of soil to stuff into rock holes and put seeds in.He decided to transform rock
foundations into strips of rice fields.He works all days round, even at night under the moonlight,
year after year.The story of transforming rock into rice fields can be summarized with those
words and the farmer and his family have lost so much labor and sweat to this farming. ―The
state granted me money to transform rock into rice fields.
―Every farmer was encouraged, and given money, to do it.―I worked to have my own rice fields,
to harvest crops, and to be granted the state money. It‘s a pleasure to do it,‖ Co said.Now, Co
owns 1.5 hectares of rice field, two hectares of corn farm, 45 cows, and some hundred goats.The
man even lends his rice fields and cows out to other poor people in his village.Thao Xin Ho,
Thao Dung Sin, Thao Va So, and Vu The Chu are those to whom Co lent his land.―The people
here are poor. I am now having enough to eat so I help them,‖ Co said simply. ―I have money to
buy many cows and goats. I‘ve lent them to my villagers and when the animals give birth to
cubs, they‘ll get a part.‖
APEDA NEWS
International Benchmark Price
Price on: 10-04-2015
Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price
Apricots
1 Turkish No. 2 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 5650
2 Turkish No. 4 whole pitted, CIF UK (USD/t) 4125

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3 Turkish size 8, CIF UK (USD/t) 3425
Raisins
1 Californian Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t) 2415
2 South African Thompson seedless raisins, CIF UK (USD/t) 2222
Sultanas
1 Iranian natural sultanas (Gouchan), CIF UK (USD/t) 1634
2 Turkish No 9 standard, FOB Izmir (USD/t) 1650
3 Australian 5 Crown, CIF UK (USD/t) 2828
Source:agra-net For more info
Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 14-04-2015
Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price
Maize
1 Dehgam (Gujarat) Other 1175 1300
2 Godda (Jharkhand) Other 1350 1450
3 Aklera (Rajasthan) Other 1260 1300
Paddy(Dhan)
1 Songadh (Gujarat) Other 1300 1300
2 Kendrapara (Orissa ) Other 1360 1400
3 Gumla(Jharkhand) Other 1150 1250
Mango
1 Bharuch (Gujarat) Other 1500 5000
2 Rajam(Andhra Pradesh) Other 1700 2000

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3 Banga(Punjab) Other 3791 4000
Cauliflower
1 Pattamundai (Orissa) Other 2000 2200
2 Gumla (Jharkhand) Other 1200 1600
3 Sirhind(Punjab) Other 500 700
Source:agra-net For more info
Egg Rs per 100 No
Price on 14-04-2015
Product Market Center Price
1 Ahmedabad 261
2 Chittoor 263
3 Hyderabad 228
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package
Price on 10-04-2015
Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High
Potatoes
Package:50 lb cartons
1 Atlanta
Colorado
Russet 21 21.50
2 Baltimore
Idaho
Russet 19 20
3 Detroit
Wisconsin
Russet 18 18.50
Cabbage
Package: 50 lb cartons
1 Atlanta Florida Round Green Type 8.50 11.50
2 Chicago
Texas
Round Green Type 12 14
3 Detroit Florida Round Green Type 13 13.50

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Grapefruit
Package: 4/5 bushel cartons
1 Atlanta
Florida Red
13 16
2 Baltimore
Florida
Red 16 17
3 Chicago
Florida
Red 15 16.50
Source:USDA
PhilRice pushes new planting techniques
April 14, 2015 10:40 pm
Muñoz, Nueva Ecija: Some 4,000 farmers will learn the latest technologies on farming through
the ―akbay-Palay‖ being conducted at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) here.The
two-day ―Lakbay-Palay,‖ which kicked off on Tuesday, is being held bi-annually during harvest
season.Celia Abadilla, activity lead coordinator, said that the Future Rice Farm of PhilRice,
breeder seed production, and on-farm learning center are among the stations where visiting
farmers, mostly from the country‘s rice granary, can learn new technologies.
Abadilla said the Future Rice Farm
promotes technologies that are clean,
green, practical, and smart.She also said
that the farm also features organic farming,
nutrient recycling, use of alternative
energy, and farm mechanization.Abadilla
also said that the ―Lakbay-Palay‖ provides
an opportunity for farmers, scientists,
researchers and extension workers to talk
more on rice production challenges and issues.―Most farmers inquire about the seeds that they
can plant the next season. So, in the breeder seed production area, modern rice varieties are
planted for farmers to select the varieties most suited to their field.
They will also see the result of planting certified seeds,‖ she said.She said that farmers will also
be taught on how to use the ICT-based fertilizer guides such as Rice Crop Manager and Minus-
One Element Technique (MOET) application.Rice Crop Manager, which data underwent 15
years of intensive research across the country, provides specific amount of fertilizer and its time
of application while MOET application can diagnose nutrient deficiencies of the rice crop.

14th april,2015 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine (1)

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