14th february,2014 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

14th February, 2014

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Thai rice woes rebound on crisis-hit government
FDA warning consumers of illness potentially tied to Uncle Ben's Infused Rice
PH rice stock fell by 15% to 2.12M MT in January
Govt rice auction met with bidding frenzy
Anti-graft agency gets more evidence on rice corruption
Thai PM: Rice Farmers will be paid on Feb 17
Commerce Ministry: Proceeds of rice sales will reach THB 12 billion in Feb
Government to start paying rice growers next week
Nearly 500,000 tonnes of rice auctioned today
Thailand. Gov’t told to urgently sell stockpiled rice
January rice stocks good for 62 days
Country may harvest record rice, wheat & pulses
Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Feb 14
Foodgrain output projected at new high
Rice exports from India climbing to record on Middle East demand
Growth of biotech crops plateaus in US, climbs in Asia – report
WAAPP introduces new type of rice planting… Farmers hope to produce moreB17bn rice loan eases
pressure on government
 India has now emerged as the world’s top Rice exporter

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NEWS DETAILS:

Thai rice woes rebound on crisis-hit government
By AIDAN JONES, Agence France-PresseFebruary 12, 2014 2:21pm

BANGKOK - Angry farmers, a rice mountain and a slew of corruption allegations—a flagship policy that
helped propel Thailand's premier to power now threatens to boomerang on her embattled government.Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is struggling to steer the Southeast Asian nation through a policy vacuum created
by a chaotic general election earlier this month.A controversial rice subsidy scheme, which paid farmers up to
50 percent above market rates, helped her sweep to power in 2011 but now appears to be unraveling.Critics say
the program has incubated massive corruption, drained the public finances, dislodged the kingdom as the
world's top rice exporter and created an estimated 18 million-tonne stockpile of the grain.

FDA warning consumers of illness potentially tied to Uncle Ben's Infused Rice
DELAWARE INC.
Cori Anne Natoli, The News Journal3:46 p.m. EST February 13, 2014
(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

TAGSU.S. Food and Drug Administration

Mars Foodservices has recalled Uncle Ben's Infused Rice products that have been linked to consumer illness, the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced."Government officials are investigating a cluster of illnesses
associated with Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Mexican Flavor sold in 5and 25-pound bags," the FDA said. "Out of an abundance of
caution, the FDA is warning food service companies and consumers
not to use any Uncle Ben's Infused Rice products sold in 5- and 25pound bags."The products are purchased by companies that
distribute to restaurants, schools, hospitals and other establishments,
the FDA said. Still, they may be available online and at warehousetype retailers."Food service companies and consumers who have
purchased the products should not use the rice, and should return it
to their point of purchase or dispose of it," the FDA said. "Uncle
Ben's Brand Ready to Heat, Boxed, Bag or Cup products sold at
grocery stores and other retail outlets are not being recalled."The
FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and
state and local officials have been investigating a cluster of illnesses
associated with Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Mexican Flavor sold in 5and 25-pound bags, the FDA said."On Feb. 7, 2014, the FDA's
Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation Network was
notified of a cluster of illnesses at three public schools in Katy, Texas," the FDA said. "Thirty-four students and four
teachers experienced burning, itching rashes, headaches and nausea for 30 to 90 minutes, before the symptoms went
away.

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""Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Mexican Flavor with the lot number 351EKGRV01, made by Mars Foodservices of
Greenville, Miss., was the common food item eaten by ill students," the FDA said.The Illinois Department of Public
Health notified the CDC in December that 25 children had similar skin reactions following a school lunch that served
an Uncle Ben's Infused Rice product, the FDA said. North Dakota reported a similar incident in October involving
three children in daycare and one college student that experienced flushing reactions 45 minutes after consuming an
Uncle Ben's Infused Rice product, the FDA said.Symptoms associated with this illness include a red burning/itching
rash, headache, nausea, and flushness of the skin and appear after consuming the product very quickly and pass
within 30 to 90 minutes. Call your doctor if you have sudden nausea, headaches or a burning/itching rash after eating
Uncle Ben's Infused Rice products, the agency said.
According to the FDA, Mars Foodservices is recalling all bags and all lot numbers of its Uncle Ben's Infused Rice
products produced in 2013:
Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Roasted Chicken Flavor (5- and 25-pounds)
Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Garlic & Butter Flavor (5-pounds)
Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Mexican Flavor (5- and 25-pounds)
Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Pilaf (5-pounds)
Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Saffron Flavor (5-pounds)
Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Cheese Flavor (5-pounds)
Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Spanish Flavor (25-pounds)
The FDA asks for consumers with questions about food safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD Monday through Friday
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or
visit:http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.ht

PH rice stock fell by 15% to 2.12M MT in January
Inventory enough to last for 62 days, says agri unit
By Ronnel W. Domingo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
9:42 am | Friday, February 14th, 2014

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines’ rice stock as of Jan. 1 dropped by about 15 percent to 2.12 million
metric tons (MT) from the previous month’s 2.49 million MT, according to the Bureau of Agricultural
Statistics.The new year inventory was also about 16 percent lower than the volume recorded on the same day of
2013, the BAS said.The supply may cover 62 days of consumption—11 days less than what was reported in the
beginning of December.Based on the government’s measure of rice self-sufficiency, supply must exceed yearly
demand by 90 days’ worth of buffer stock.Households are reported to account for three-fifth of the total rice
stock—enough to last for 37 days.Commercial warehouses accounted for about 23 percent, or 17 days’ worth of
stock.Households kept 1.27 million MT, while commercial warehouses had 580,000 MT.The National Food
Authority held 270,000 tons—about 13 percent of total stock and good for eight days.
The NFA is mandated to maintain a buffer stock that should last for 15 days. The national consumption rate
stands at about 34,000 MT a day.By the start of 2014, the NFA contracted Vietnamese suppliers for a supply of
500,000 MT to top up its stock. Part of the NFA’s rice stock went to relief efforts for typhoon victims.The

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shipments have since been coming in, enabling the NFA to replenish supplies of subsidized rice in retail
stores.On Jan. 31, the grains agency said it raised the volume of rice allocated to accredited retail outlets in the
so-called hotspots of Metro Manila, particularly in the markets at Kamuning, Frisco and Muñoz.The allocation
was doubled to 50 bags a day for outlets in marketplaces, and to 20 bags elsewhere.
―This is being done to augment the supply of lower-priced rice in the market so consumers will have access to
more affordable stocks,‖ the NFA said in a statement.Regular milled and well-milled NFA rice are being sold at
P27 and P32 per kilo, respectively.

Govt rice auction met with bidding frenzy
Saturday, 15 February 2014By NNT

BANGKOK, 12 February 2014 The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) has opened an auction of 467,000
tons of rice from the government’s stockpile amid a lively atmosphere, with up to 18 companies participating
and more than 10 billion baht expected to be generated. According to DFT Director-General Surasak Riangkrul,
the auction was organized to release the rice the government had accepted from farmers under the rice pledging
scheme. The rice put up for grabs comprised in-season rice from the 2011-2012 harvest season and off-season
rice from the 2012 and 2012-2013 harvest seasons.
Out of the 467,000 tons, about 367,000 tons was for domestic sales while the other 100,000 tons was for
export.On this occasion, 20 envelopes were handed in by 18 bidders, 15 envelopes for domestic sales and the
other 5 for export. Tomorrow, the committee in charge of releasing the stockpiled rice is scheduled to open all
the envelopes and negotiate with each bidder in order to secure the best prices possible. Mr Surasak said the
department expected to raise over 10 billion baht from this auction.To speed up the rice release, the directorgeneral disclosed that the DFT would be holding as many as 2-3 rice auctions a month from now on, with the
next lot of over 500,000 tons to be available for bidding next week.Mr Surasak said 2.2 million tons of rice had
been auctioned off so far while about 170-180 billion baht had been generated and paid back to the Ministry of
Finance.

Anti-graft agency gets more evidence on rice corruption
Friday, 14 February 2014By NNT

BANGKOK, Feb 13 – Farmer leaders
have supplied information and evidence to
the National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC), charging the government with
cheating
in
the
rice
pledging
scheme.Ravee
Rungruang,
acting
president of the Thai Farmers Network,
and six farmer representatives handed
over
the
documents
to
Vittaya
Arkompituak, NACC deputy secretary
general, yesterday.

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

They charged the government with corruption and failing to pay them for the rice they have delivered under the
rice subsidy programme.NACC is currently investigating the rice corruption case in which caretaker Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, in her capacity as chairperson of the National Rice Policy Committee, was
implicated.
The farmer leaders told reporters that the evidence submitted to NACC included cheating at five rice mills,
adding that they wanted to conduct thorough checks but could not enter the rice mills, or they could be charged
with intrusion.They said they were discussing with the Lawyers Association of Thailand on the possibility of
checking rice stocks in the state’s warehouses.In the northern province of Uttaradit, governor Chat
Kittinoppadol and representatives of the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives met with more than
500 disgruntled farmers who closed Highway 11 at Dong Chang Dee intersection which links Uttaradit and
Phitsanulok provinces.The farmers protested to demand overdue payments for their rice and said over 30,000
farmers have been waiting for the payments totaling Bt3.6 billion.The governor promised to take action as soon
as possible while farmers threatened to seal off Wang Si Sueb intersection of Highway 11 if they did not receive
a satisfactory response within seven days.

Thai PM: Rice Farmers will be paid on Feb 17
Posted by weekly on February 14, 2014 in ASEAN, Diplomacy, Election, FOOD SECURITY, Global
security, World | 0 Comment
BANGKOK, 14 February 2014 (NNT) –The Prime Minister
and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has reaffirmed that
all farmers registered with the government’s rice support
program will be paid, starting on February 17th.Amid the
ongoing protests by farmers who have not received their rice
compensations, the prime minister during a trip to Ayutthaya,
reassured growers that the government would start making
payments to the farmers from Feb 17 onwards.The cabinet
earlier gave approval to a 712 million baht budget which will be
allocated to farmers waiting for their September 2013
payment.During the trip to Ayutthaya with her son, the locals
gave Miss Yingluck flowers to show their moral support as she moved towards Panun Cheong Temple to make
merit on the special occasion of Makha Pucha Day.Joining the Premier on her visit were her sister, Yaowapa
Wongsawat and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan. Another huge stock of rice from the
government’s rice subsidy scheme will be distributed this month, with more to be put up for sale in the
Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand (AFET).
Commerce Ministry: Proceeds of rice sales will reach THB 12 billion in Feb.Commerce Minister
Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn said the government had received orders for more than 600,000 tons of rice
from foreign countries and 400,000 tons more would be sold after the ministry held an auction for the scheme’s
rice inventory. The rice was from the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 crop years, he said.More 200,000 tons were
expected to be sold in the AFET to rice traders, said the minister. He added that the government would be able

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to sell around one million tons of rice worth 12 billion baht in February alone which was equal to the amount of
rice sold last month. (NNT).Hundreds of farmers have protested recently in Bangkok to demand payment after
the government ran short of cash to buy their pledged crops late last year, adding to pressure on Yingluck, who
has faced months of opposition rallies.
The cabinet earmarked nearly $22 million Tuesday for about 3,900 farmers but,
in a sign of the policy constraints it faces, the payments must be approved by the
Election Commission.An estimated one million farmers nationwide are owed
money, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute, which says
the government may need to find $3.6 billion to catch up with
payments.Thailand sought to recoup the money paid to farmers by hoarding rice
to drive up prices on world markets, but it was unable to find buyers after rival
producers such as India and Vietnam unexpectedly boosted their shipments.The
Thai Rice Exporters Association forecasts the kingdom will sell 7.5 million tonnes overseas this year, down
more than 30 percent compared with 2011."The whole Thai rice industry fell apart and the reputation it had
enjoyed in the world market as a reliable supplier of good quality rice is gone," said TDRI's Ammar Siamwalla.
Cooking the books?
The government has not revealed the exact annual cost of the scheme, but the TDRI says estimates range from
$4.6 billion to $6 billion—roughly six-eight percent of the annual budget. The ruling Puea Thai party denies the
government has run out of money and has defended the scheme as an effort to lift rural Thais out of
poverty.Yingluck blames opposition demonstrators—who disrupted the February 2 election—for leaving her
caretaker administration with limited power to raise funds.
Until voting is held in dozens of protest-hit constituencies, there are not enough MPs to appoint a new
government even if Yingluck's party wins. We are trying to solve the problem as best we can... but the banks
will not approve loans," Yingluck told reporters on Tuesday."The government's financial and monetary status is
good."A deal to sell one million tonnes of stockpiled grain to a Chinese state firm recently collapsed after a
Thai anti-corruption panel announced graft charges against several government officials linked to the scheme.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has launched a probe into possible negligence of duty by
Yingluck in connection with the flagship policy—a move that could potentially result in her
impeachment.Opposition politician Warong Dechgitvigrom, who submitted the graft complaint to the NACC,
alleges that the scheme lured many mills to increase their inventory with sub-standard grain from Cambodia and
Myanmar.Warong said he had evidence that fabricated deals—purportedly to sell rice to overseas
governments—enabled local shell companies to buy rice at bargain prices from the scheme to re-sell on the
domestic market at the expense of taxpayers."Every process within the rice scheme has been corrupt," he told
AFP."The farmers are poor... exports have collapsed and the quality of Thai rice is bad," added Warong. "I
think this is near the end for Yingluck."
Coming to boil
Voters in the northeastern region of Isaan, home to a third of the population, have helped bring three successive
governments backed by Yingluck's billionaire family to office—the first in 2001 led by her elder brother
Thaksin.Failure to pay farmers could erode that "traditionally arch-loyal rural base", said Paul Chambers,

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director of research at the Institute of South East Asian Affairs at Chiang Mai University in northern
Thailand.But the impact on the government's popularity remains unclear.In the northeastern province of Udon
Thani, farmer Mali Khampimaan blamed the opposition demonstrators for the $750 she is owed for rice
delivered in November."The banks won't pay because of the protests," said Mali. "But we still need the
money." —Agence France-Presse

Commerce Ministry: Proceeds of rice sales will reach THB 12 billion
in Feb
Date : 14
2557
BANGKOK, 14 February 2014 (NNT) – Another huge stock of rice from the government’s rice subsidy scheme
will be distributed this month, with more to be put up for sale in the Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand
(AFET).
Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn said the
government had received orders for more than 600,000 tons of
rice from foreign countries and 400,000 tons more would be sold
after the ministry held an auction for the scheme’s rice inventory.
The rice was from the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 crop years, he
said. More 200,000 tons were expected to be sold in the AFET to
rice traders, said the minister. He added that the government
would be able to sell around one million tons of rice worth 12
billion baht in February alone which was equal to the amount of
rice sold last month.

Government to start paying rice growers next week
Date : 14
2557
BANGKOK, 14 February 2014 (NNT) – The government asserted on Thursday it will start paying money to
farmers under the rice pledging project, as financial institutes have started to lend money to the government for
this purpose. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra revealed that financial institutes have started lending to the
government so the latter could use the money to pay the rice growers.
Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan said the government has informed the Election
Commission of the Cabinet's approval of 712 million baht allocation from the central budget, for the purpose of
paying farmers who were still waiting for September 2013 pay. The Election Commission, whose consent is
needed by the caretaker administration when pursuing budgetary affairs, is expected to use between 1 and 2
weeks to deliberate the matter. Mr. Niwatthamrong added the government would welcome inspection of rice
warehouses by protesting farmers, and it will discuss relief measures with the farmers next week.

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Nearly 500,000 tonnes of rice auctioned today
Friday, 14 February 2014By MCOT

BANGKOK, Feb 12 – The Commerce Ministry today tendered nearly 500,000 tonnes of
rice from the subsidy scheme and announced an auction for 220,000 tonnes in the futures
market tomorrow. Bid winners for 467,622 tonnes of rice from the 2011/2012 crop, 2012
second harvest and 2012/2013 crop will be officially announced tomorrow.Three

bidders submitted their offered prices this morning. The auction ends at 4pm
today.Caretaker Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn will
be asked to sell the rice with high price offers while the Foreign Trade
Department is responsible for negotiating with bidders whose offered prices
are too low.The Commerce Ministry has so far sold 2.2 million tonnes of rice
under the pledging programme through 12 auctions while bids for nearly 150,000 tonnes of rice were conducted
in the Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand last month, returning Bt180 billion to the Finance Ministry

Thailand. Gov’t told to urgently sell stockpiled rice
14.02.2014

The caretaker government has been advised to urgently release 18 million tonnes of rice from the state
stockpiles to secure money to pay farmers.Att Pisanwanit, director of the Center for International Trade Studies
(ITS) of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), said the government should accept losses
by selling rice at US$350-400 per tonne, lower than the price currently offered by Vietnam, to earn about Bt200
billion which should be more than sufficient to pay the current Bt130 billion overdue payments.The government
can spend the remaining Bt70 billion raised to help farmers in other agricultural products such as rubber and
tapioca, he said.Att, dean of the UTCC Faculty of Economics, said that in the last decade since the Thaksin
Shinawatra government in 2001, the Thai government has allocated a total of Bt1.5 trillion to help farmers and
the Yingluck Shinawatra government has become the biggest spender at Bt700 billion, or more than half of
budget expenses.
Production costs for Thai farmers between 2006 and 2012 have increased 60 percent, from Bt4,000/rai to
Bt9,000/rai but the yield per rai has not been higher.Thailand’s yield per rai for rice production is only one-third
of the Vietnamese, he said, adding that Thai farmers produce 450 kg of rice per rai while the Vietnam’s rice
production is one tonne per rai.Att said the government should adjust its long-term assistance policy for farmers
by refraining from rice trading intervention and offering appropriate assistance options for farmers.

January rice stocks good for 62 days
By Czeriza Valencia (The Philippine Star) | Updated February 15, 2014 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s total rice stock inventory as of January remains sufficient for 62 days,
according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS).Of the current stock level, 59.7 percent were held in
households, 27.4 percent were in commercial warehouses and 12.9 percent were in depositories of the National
Food Authority (NFA).In its latest Rice and Corn Stocks inventory, the BAS said stocks in households would
last for 37 days while stocks in commercial warehouses would last for 17 days. Stocks in NFA depositories

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would last for eight days.Total rice stock inventory
in January was placed at P2.12 million metric tons
(MT), down 14.7 percent month-on-month and 15.8
percent below year-on-year.Month-on-month, stock
levels in commercial warehouses and in the
households decreased by 22.8 percent and 11.8
percent, respectively. Stocks in NFA depositories,
of which 43.8 percent were imported rice, dropped
by 8.4 percent.Year-on-year, stocks held in
households, commercial warehouses, and in NFA
depositories declined by 3.2 percent, 6.2 percent,
and 53.7 percent, respectively.orn stock inventory,
meanwhile, stood at 168, 800 MT in January, 10.9
percent lower than the previous month’s level of
189, 400 MT, but 4.7 percent higher than the
inventory of 161, 300 MT in the same period last year.Around 55.2 percent of the January corn stock inventory
were with the commercial sector, 38.6 percent were held in households and 6.2 percent were with the NFA
depositories.

Country may harvest record rice, wheat & pulses
New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) Foodgrains production is estimated to
reach an all-time high of 263.2 million tonnes in 2013-14 crop year
as the country is likely to achieve record rice, wheat and pulses
output on the back of good monsoon.In the second advance estimates
for major crops released today, the Agriculture Ministry has pegged
rice production at record 106.19 million tonnes (MT) as against
105.24 MT in the previous crop year (July-June, 2012-13).

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Feb 14
Fri Feb 14, 2014 3:34pm IST
Nagpur, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Gram and Moong prices in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing
Committee (APMC) firmed up again on increased buying support from local millers and restricted
arrival from producing belts. Notable hike on NCDEX, fresh rise in Madhya Pradesh gram prices
and enquiries from South-based millers also boosted prices, according to sources.
*

*

*

*

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FOODGRAINS & PULSES
GRAM
* Deshi gram raw recovered in open market on renewed demand from local traders amid
weak supply from producing regions.
TUAR
* Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market here matching the demand and supply
position.
* Major wheat varieties showed weak tendency in open market in absence of buyers amid
increased supply from producing regions like Punjab and Haryana.
* In Akola, Tuar - 4,100-4,200, Tuar dal - 6,200-6,400, Udid at 6,000-6,300,
Udid Mogar (clean) - 7,000-6,200, Moong - 8,000-8,200, Moong Mogar
(clean) 9,400-9,600, Gram - 2,600-2,700, Gram Super best bold - 3,600-3,800
for 100 kg.
* Rice and other commodities remained steady in open market in thin trading activity,
according to sources.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
FOODGRAINS
Available prices Previous close
Gram Auction
2,790-2,950
2,700-2,870
Gram Pink Auction
n.a.
2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction
n.a.
3,900-4,050
Moong Auction
n.a.
4,800-5,000
Udid Auction
n.a.
4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction
n.a.
2,600-2,800
Gram Super Best Bold
3,800-4,200
3,800-4,200
Gram Super Best
n.a.
Gram Medium Best
3,600-3,750
3,600-3,750
Gram Dal Medium
n.a.
n.a.
Gram Mill Quality
3,200-3,400
3,200-3,400
Desi gram Raw
3,000-3,100
2,950-3,050
Gram Filter Yellow
n.a.
n.a.
Gram Kabuli
7,900-10,300
7,900-10,300
Gram Pink
7,700-8,100
7,700-8,100
Tuar Fataka Best
6,400-6,700
6,400-6,700
Tuar Fataka Medium
6,000-6,200
6,000-6,200
Tuar Dal Best Phod
5,800-6,000
5,800-6,000

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Tuar Dal Medium phod
5,400-5,700
5,400-5,700
Tuar Gavarani
4,050-4,150
4,050-4,150
Tuar Karnataka
4,300-4,400
4,300-4,400
Tuar Black
7,000-7,200
7,000-7,200
Masoor dal best
5,300-5,400
5,300-5,400
Masoor dal medium
5,000-5,200
5,000-5,200
Masoor
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Mogar bold
8,700-9,950
8,700-9,950
Moong Mogar Medium best
8,800-9,200
8,800-9,200
Moong dal super best
8,500-8,800
8,500-8,800
Moong dal Chilka
7,900-8,200
7,900-8,200
Moong Mill quality
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Chamki best
8,000-8,500
8,000-8,500
Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 7,200-7,600
7,200-7,600
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,800-6,600
5,800-6,600
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
4,700-5,000
4,700-5,000
Batri dal (100 INR/KG)
4,000-5,000
4,000-5,000
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)
3,000-3,100
3,000-3,100
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)
3,100-3,200
3,100-3,200
Watana White (100 INR/KG)
3,200-3,300
3,100-3,200
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500
4,200-4,500
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)
1,700-1,800
1,800-1,900
Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,825-1,875
1,825-1,950
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)
1,650-1,850
1,750-1,950
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,500
2,400-2,550
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,000-2,200
2,050-2,200
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a.
n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,000-3,600
3,100-3,600
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,400-2,900
2,500-2,900
Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG)
1,600-1,700
1,600-1,750
Wheat Best (100 INR/KG)
1,700-1,750
1,650-1,800
Rice BPT new(100 INR/KG)
2,800-3,200
2,800-3,200
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)
1,700-1,850
1,700-1,850
Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG)
2,500-2,750
2,500-2,750
Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)
2,300-2,400
2,300-2,400
Rice HMT new (100 INR/KG)
3,700-4,200
3,700-4,200
Rice HMT Shriram (100 INR/KG) 4,600-4,800
4,600-4,800
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 11,000-13,500
11,000-13,500
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,300-7,600
6,300-7,600
Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)
5,500-5,800
5,500-5,800
Rice Chinnor new (100 INR/KG) 5,100-5,500
5,100-5,500
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,600
1,400-1,600

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)

1,700-1,800

1,700-1,800

WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 29.7 degree Celsius (85.5 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
20.2 degree Celsius (68.4 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : nil
FORECAST: Generally cloudy sky. Maximum and Minimum temperature likely to be around 31 and 20 degree
Celsius respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but
included in market prices.)

Foodgrain output projected at new high
OUR BUREAU

Rice, wheat, maize and pulses set to rise to records, says Agriculture Ministry

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 14:
The country is set to witness a new record in foodgrain output this year on higher acreages aided by well spread
and timely monsoon. The latest estimates released by the Agriculture Ministry point to a record foodgrain
production of 263.20 million tonnes, an increase of 2.36 per cent over last year’s final output of 257.13
mt.Higher soil moisture coupled with comfortable water levels in reservoirs had led to record planting of winter
or rabi crops boosting record harvest prospects. The bumper foodgrain harvest is seen lifting farm sector growth
rate to around 4.6 per cent this fiscal, more than double than last year’s 1.9 per cent.The production of rice,
wheat, maize and pulses, such as tur and gram, are likely to rise to a new record this year. Rice production is
pegged at 106.19 million tonnes, while output of wheat – a key winter crop that has been planted on a record
acreage of 31.53 million hectares – is projected to touch 95.60 mt.
Record

output

Besides raising prospects for higher exports, the record output is also expected to aid the softening trend in
inflation. Wholesale inflation eased to an eight-month low of 5.05 per cent for January on decline in food
prices, mainly vegetables. Retail inflation also touched a two-year low of 8.79 per cent in January.The
Government has forecast tur output to touch 3.34 mt, higher than last year’s 3.02 mt. Production of gram or
chana is projected to hit a new high of 9.79 mt against the previous high of 8.83 mt.
The output of urad is projected to decline about 16 per cent to 1.59 mt, over last year’s 1.90 mt, while that of
moong is projected to reduce marginally to 1.28 mt against 1.19 mt.Production of oilseeds – mainly groundnut
is set to double to 9.14 mt over last year’s 4.69 mt. The output of rapeseed-mustard -- another key oilseed is also
set to increase marginally to 8.25 mt over last year’s 8.20 mt. However, soyabean output has seen a decline to
12.44 mt against last year’s 14.66 mt, while castor seed production is also projected to decline to 1.64 mt
against last year’s 1.96 mt.The rising foodgrain output in the recent years has helped India emerge as the largest
exporter of rice, while wheat shipments have also gained momentum. With the Government announcing
incentive for raw sugar exports this week, shipments of the sweetener are also expected to gain momentum.
(This article was published on February 14, 2014)
Keywords: foodgrain, production,

Rice exports from India climbing to record on Middle East demand
Bloomberg Feb 14, 2014, 12.57PM IST
Tags:Thai Rice Exporters Association|Kotak Commodity Services|International Grains Council|Darren
Cooper|Chicago Board of Trade|All India Rice Exporters Association
NEW DELHI: Rice shipments from India, the world's largest producer after China, will probably expand to a
record as buyers from Iran to Saudi Arabia boost purchases of aromatic basmati grain used in biryani and pilaf
dishes. Exports are set to increase 7.8% to 11 million tonne in the 12 months through March from a year earlier,
said MP Jindal, president of the All India Rice Exporters Association.Sales of basmati may jump 14% to 4

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

million tonne as cargoes of non-basmati
varieties advance 4% to 7 million tonne, he said
in a phone interview. Shipments are increasing
from India as Thailand, once the world's
biggest supplier, is also set to boost exports.
"India has an edge over other countries because
of quality and price competitiveness," said
Faiyaz Hudani, an associate vice president
at Kotak Commodity Services, a Mumbaibased broker. "When the output is high and the
pace of growth is stable, there is no cause of
concern."Rising sales may benefit Indian
shippers such as KRBL, LT Foods and
Kohinoor Foods. India is targeting production
of 106.3 million tonne in the year through June, compared with a record 105.3 million tonne in 2011-2012 ,
according to the Agriculture Ministry.
The harvest would add to global inventories estimated at 109 million tonne in 2013-2014 by the Londonbased International Grains Council. The price of Thai 5- % broken white rice, a benchmark grade, fell 23% in
2013, the most in at least five years, and was at $460 a tonne on Wednesday.A slump to $370 by March is
possible as grain is offloaded from state granaries, according to Chareon Laothamatas, president of the Thai
Rice Exporters Association. Rough-rice futures on the Chicago Board of Trade rose 0.6% to $15.625 per 100
pounds on Wednesday. Thailand may not be able to find enough buyers for its stockpiles because major
importers in Africa and the Philippines increasingly prefer grain from Vietnam and India, according to Darren
Cooper, a senior economist at the council. "Thailand will try to dispose of the stockpiles at whatever price it
gets," said BV Krishna Rao, MD of Pattabhi Agro Foods, an Indian exporter. Shipments may not be affected by
rising Thai sales as the two countries catered to different markets, he said. Basmati rice exports from India are
climbing as Iran is building reserves, said Jindal at the exporters association.
Sales to Iran jumped to 1.28 million tonne in the nine months through December , exceeding the 1.07 million
tonne for whole of 2012-2013 , according to the association. The country is India's biggest buyer of basmati and
imports 1.5 million tonne annually. India supplies 65% of the overseas basmati rice market, while Pakistan
accounts for the rest, according to the state-run Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development
Authority.

Growth of biotech crops plateaus in US, climbs in Asia - report
Source: Reuters - Fri, 14 Feb 2014 12:25 AM
Author: Reuters
A scientist shows "Golden Rice" (R) and ordinary rice at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos,
Laguna south of Manila, Aug. 14, 2013. Bruce Tolentino, Deputy Director of the International Rice Research

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

Institute, said his team has been perfecting their decades-old research on ―Golden Rice‖, which consists of
genetically-modified rice grains infused with beta-carotene, a chemical substance responsible in producing
Vitamin A in the body. REUTERS/Erik De Castro
(Removes reference in first paragraph to GMO corn and rice, which are not grown for human consumption in
China.).By Carey Gillam.Feb 13 (Reuters) - The growth of biotech crops in the United States appears to have
hit a plateau, but farmers are accelerating plantings in Asia, although it still remains a much smaller market,
according to an industry report issued Thursday.Farmers around the world grew a record 175.2 million hectares
(433 million acres) of biotech crops in 2013, up 3 percent from 2012, with American and Brazilian farmers
continuing to be the dominant users, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech
Applications (ISAAA), a pro-biotech industry organization.Critics of GMO crops accuse the ISAAA of
inflating figures in the European Union and developing countries to show growing support for biotech crops.
Particularly in the European Union, opponents of biotech crops say they lead to increased pesticide use and
environmental damage and have not been proven safe for human and animal consumption.Backers say the crops
are no different to normal crops
."Biotech crops are demonstrating their global value as a tool for resource-poor farmers who face decreased
water supplies and increased weed and pest pressures - and the effects of climate change will only continue to
expand the need for this technology," said ISAAA Chairman Clive James in a statement.Farmers in the United
States planted an estimated 70.1 million hectares, or 173 million acres, last year with corn, soybeans, cotton,
canola, alfalfa and other crops that have all been genetically altered, the report said. That was up less than 1
percent over 2012 plantings.In Brazil, farmers planted 40.3 million hectares, or 99.5 million acres to biotech
soy, corn and cotton, up 10 percent over 2012, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of
Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA), a pro-biotech industry organization that annually releases a survey of
biotech crop plantings around the world.
GMO GROWTH IN CHINA, EU
While growth was hitting a plateau in the United States, where biotech crops were first introduced in 1996,
plantings in China grew 5 percent in 2013 to 4.2 million hectares (10 million acres), the report said.Overall,
ISAAA said the global value of biotech crops was estimated at $15.6 billion in 2013, up from $14.6 billion in
2012.Monsanto Co, DuPont, Syngenta and other global chemical and seed companies have over the last 18
years rolled out a variety of genetic traits for agricultural seeds.
The most popular genetically modified (GM) traits alter crops such as corn, soybeans and cotton so that they
can be sprayed with weed killer and still thrive, or resist damaging pests.The European Union continued to be a
difficult market for biotech crop.Five European Union countries planted a record 148,013 hectares, or 365,000
acres, of biotech corn last year, up 15 percent from 2012, the ISAAA report said.Farmers in Spain were the
largest users of the biotech seed referred to as "Bt," planting 94 percent of the total biotech corn in the EU.Not
all countries where farmers have been trying biotech crops were expanding their use. Biotech crop plantings
dropped 7 percent in Canada in 2013 compared to 2012; and plantings held steady or dropped in South Africa,
Australia and Mexico.

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

CRITICS SAY NUMBERS DOUBTFUL
Some critics of biotech crops say the numbers are dubious and the report is more promotional than factual."The
numbers are incredibly doubtful... totally doctored," said Anuradha Mittal, executive director of the Oakland
Institute, a California-based think tank and policy group that focuses on global agriculture."It is an industry
publication and they use fake numbers to show a groundswell of use of GMO crops," she said. "But the
evidence is coming in around the world that shows the crops are failing and farmers are turning away."Last year
the Africa Centre for Biosafety accused ISAAA of inflating plantings in South Africa and said that ISAAA's
numbers were at odds with a trend there away from GMO plantings.Also in 2009, critics accused ISAAA of
inflating numbers for crop plantings in the European Union.ISAAA spokesman John Dutcher said the group
would not comment on the complaints. (Reporting by Carey Gillam in Kansas City; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

Sierra Leone News: As WAAPP introduces new type of rice planting…
Farmers hope to produce more
System of Rice Intensification (SRI) plot programme is a new
type of rice planting that has recently been introduced at the
Rokupr Agricultural Research Center in Kambia.It is also all
over the country to that of the normal farmer based production
which they were used to.This system was incorporated from
Madagascar and introduced into Sierra Leone with the trials
commencing last year aimed at large rice production and the
use of less chemical fertilizers during the production.This
system, according to Dr. Bert Meertens, Rice Research
Coordinator, Rokupr Research Center, West Africa Agricultural
Productivity Programme (WAAPP),said this application is
being adopted all over the country and it uses organic fertilizers
otherwise known as palm kennel cake and that the process includes the planting of rice different from what used
to obtain when the planning was cluster.
With a single seedling, it can yield approximately over 200 seeds per panicle. The Coordinator said this
represents a huge difference between the farmers based to the SRI system.Adding that the famer based process
used to yield 1.8 tons per hectare as against 15 tons per hectare using the SRI system which represents a huge
difference in terms of production of rice. ―This means there will be huge turnaround of rice production
throughout the country using the mangrove or low land ecology.He said all the farmer needs to do is patiently
plant the single seed with wide space between them with water drainages which will allow the flow of
water.However, the process is labour intensive since they will need more time to plant each seedling unlike the
other process.

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

He emphasized the production of rice used during this process which he said entails more rice production using
less seeds. Adding that, when once this pilot programme becomes successful, then farmers will not be using
more seeds. He disclosed that the difference between the Sierra Leone pilot and the Madagascar one, the
difference is that in Sierra Leone, the process is that it is done without complete water management.A farmer of
two wives and six kids at Rotifunk, Gbile Dixion Chiefdom that has been engaged in farming for over 20 years,
Adikalie Kamara, said he is happy for the new method of planting which he said he started last year on just one
hecter of land.He said the Nerica L 19 rice variety is what they received from the research and they only started
the process and from the trial this is much better compared to the farmer -based system.The farmer maintained
that ever since he started farming, this process is very good in terms of yields and that although it is time
consuming, after harvest the farmer will get a reward for their hard work.
The West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAP) and Rural and Private Sector Development
Project (RPSD) together with journalists from both the print and electronic media have undertaken a tour of the
agricultural research on rice and cassava and the increase production of agricultural commodities by 20% and
sales by 10%.This is done through production of drying floors, construction of roads and bridges.These two
projects are being funded by the World Bank and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and it is aimed
at showcasing the impacts of the government of Sierra Leone and WAAPP projects in the country under the
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security. The team will visit four projects areas in Kambia, Makeni
and Kono.
By Betty Milton
Thursday February 13, 2014
Comments are closed.

B17bn rice loan eases pressure on government
Published: 15 Feb 2014 at 01.08Newspaper section: NewsThe
caretaker government has secured a loan of 17 billion baht from the
Government Savings Bank (GSB), which will be used to distribute
overdue payments to rice farmers.Caretaker Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra, also caretaker defence minister, her son
Supasek Amornchat and her close aides sit under giant monk robes
at a religious ceremony yesterday held at Wat Phanan Choeng in
Ayutthaya. The practice is believed to bring good luck on Makha
Bucha Day. CHANAT KATANYU
The move is likely to temporarily ease pressure on the government, which has faced mounting anger from
farmers forced to wait several months for money owed to them under the rice-pledging scheme.The money will
be paid directly to farmers from Monday, caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Friday.The
GSB credit committee on Thursday approved the inter-bank loan to the state-run Bank for Agricultural and

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), which is responsible for allocating rice-scheme payments to farmers.The
borrowed cash should relieve pressure on the government for at least a month, as the BAAC usually has the
capacity to process payments of two billion to three billion baht per week.The caretaker government has been
struggling to find the 130 billion baht needed to pay the more than 1 million farmers who are still awaiting
money from the rice scheme. The farmers have been threatening to stage mass rallies in Bangkok, a move
which would likely aggravate the government’s ongoing political woes.A man walks checks a rice stockpile
kept in a warehouse in Suphan Buri
(Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
The farmers were due to be paid in October for the main 2013/2014 crop."The BAAC must take the money to
pay farmers after the Finance Ministry secures the source of funding. Otherwise, the bank may be deemed
negligent," a source at the BAAC said.In a bid to secure funding, caretaker Finance Minister Kittiratt NaRanong issued a letter of guarantee to both state-owned banks assuring them that the ministry would take
responsibility for interest costs and principal incurred from the loan.The source said Mr Kittiratt told bank
executives the ministry would seek 20 billion baht a month to support the BAAC.The ministry will also ask
state enterprises to shift their deposits from other banks to the BAAC to increase its liquidity. The BAAC
recently said its liquidity stood at just over 110 billion baht.
Ms Yingluck said she believes that once farmers are paid, those who took to the streets in protest would return
home and get back to work."Those farmers who have sued us for 19 million baht [in damages for the payment
delay], we would rather let the legal experts deal with that. [The government] doesn’t want to argue with
people," she said.GSB labour union head Likit Klinthanom said the 17 billion baht is part of a total of 20 billion
baht in loans that was approved by the board on Jan 8. The process of finalising the loan and transferring the
funds, however, was disrupted by anti-government protesters.The loan carries a 30-day maturity with just over
2% annual interest, he said, adding that such a borrowing arrangement is normal practice and the GSB has
surplus liquidity to extend to other banks.Mr Likit said the labour union supports the bank’s deal.But former
finance minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala questioned the agenda behind the loan arrangement, suggesting
it could raise legal hurdles.Such borrowing could be considered a bank loan rather than inter-bank lending, he
said.Inter-bank borrowing does not need the Finance Ministry to guarantee the lending, he said, and borrowing
through the inter-bank market does not require borrowers to identify the borrowing purpose, unlike bank loans.
He suspected that the borrowing could violate Section 181 (4) of the constitution, which bars the caretaker
government from using state agencies’ resources to boost its electoral support.

India has now emerged as the world’s top Rice exporter
India has now emerged as the world’s top Rice exporter. A good monsoon along
with improved sowing of both Kharif (summer) and Rabi (winter) Paddy crops
have improved the prospects of a better food grains production this year. The
country is likely to achieve record 263.2 million tons food grains production this
year, Farm Minister said.By: Skymetweather.com.

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

14th february,2014 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

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