4th september ,2020 daily global regional and local rice e newsletter (2)

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How Kenya can meet local demand for rice
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 2:45
Rice farmers. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Rice is the third most consumed staple in the country, yet we are not self-sufficient to meet our
demand. With a growing population and increase in per capita rice consumption, the government
and other policymakers have been left with only a few options to meet future demand for rice;
through increased imports and increased productivity.
Our national rice consumption is estimated at 500,000 metric tonnes a year. Despite this being a
clear indication of Kenyans uptake of rice as a principal food, our annual production of 100,000
metric tonnes pales in comparison.
According to the National Rice Development Strategy-2, 2019-2030, the annual consumption of
rice in Kenya is increasing at a rate of over 12 percent owing to the progressive change in eating
habits of Kenyans, especially in urban areas.
This, together with a annual projected population growth rate of 2.7 percent, will mean that the
estimated annual national need for rice is expected to reach up to 1,290,000 tonnes by 2030.
Given that Food Security and Nutrition is one of the pillars of the Big Four Agenda which our
President is steadfast to implement, increasing the productivity of rice shall form an important
component in this pillar. In addition to enhancing food security, it should also alleviate poverty
by raising farmer incomes and increase the prospects of creating new jobs in the whole value
chain from farm to fork. Investment in the rice sector should therefore become a key priority in
the agriculture sector. WACHIRA: How to make garbage power plan a success

The largest rice irrigation scheme in the country is the Mwea Rice Scheme which was started in
1956 during the colonial times when a seed variety from India called the Basmati was planted in
the scheme and hence the birth of what is famously known as the Kenya Pishori rice.
Over the years, the scheme has expanded to 30,000 acres. The other rice schemes across the
country are the West Kano and Ahero (in Nyanza) and Bunyala. The much anticipated rice
scheme in the Tana river under Tarda was a failure from its onset.
So the key question is what has been ailing this sector to scale up production?
The rice sector has always been overseen by the National Irrigation Board (NIB) which falls
under the Ministry of Water. This is because of the provision of water under irrigation.
However, in essence the mandate of seed production, varietal development, good farming
practice and market linkage should technically be the oversight of the Ministry of Agriculture.
This could possibly be one of the primary reasons why we lost focus on prioritising rice as a
strategic food crop. The constant squabbles between the farmers and NIB in the late 1990s due to
the political interference of rice marketing in the scheme also created a lethargy in the
development of the sector.
To revive this sector, we need to take a multipronged approach which revolves around agronomy
and infrastructure development, farmer financing and market linkages. Let us explore each one
separately.
Research into new seed development shall remain crucial to ensure farmers get optimal
productivity and quality.
The choice of variety is based on its agronomical performance and not economic reasons since
varieties like the Pishori when grown in the West Kano and Ahero have proven to be failures due
to its microclimate.
In addition, to ensure efficiency, farmers should work in co-operatives and find ways of
aggregating their smaller pieces of land to farm commercially as large tracts which can enable
mechanisation.
Provision of farm extension services to educate farmers on best farming practices including the
appropriate use of farm inputs such as fertiliser and pesticides shall also play a crucial role in
productivity.
Finally, there should be a security of source of water for this irrigated crop to perform well. This
means that there should be adequate water source from dams and one should not rely on just the
river source which frequently get affected by rainfall patterns.
A case in point is how the delay in building the Thiba dam which would serve the Mwea Rice
Scheme has greatly affected the growth of this scheme.
Provision of affordable finance is very crucial for the security of the farmer income. Due to the
lack of access to this finance, farmers have the tendency of borrowing from shylocks whose
exorbitant finance costs makes it prohibitive for farmers to earn anything for their hard work.
Abject poverty
Many farmers also find it more attractive to lease out their pieces of land rather than farm for the
same low income expectation.

In addition to finance, well-structured crop insurance can also protect the farmer from the
vagaries of weather and disease leading to crop failures which wipes out the farmer‘s income and
sets them back into abject poverty.
There‘s need to work in co-operatives which will also improve the bargaining of farmers to
purchase farm inputs as well as obtaining finance from banks.
The adoption of the warehouse receipting programme also ensures farmers obtain finance for
their produce once harvested in a formalised structure and have the flexibility of trading in their
produce at their free will when the timing and pricing is right.
The third component is market linkages. Without a market for their produce at the right price, it
is an exercise in futility for the farmer.
Except for a portion of the crop which the farmer can keep for their subsistence use, there has to
be a surety of market for the remainder of their produce.
https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/analysis/ideas/How-Kenya-can-meet-local-demand-for-
rice/4259414-5617126-nn2ur2/index.html
Bagudu: Comforting flood-hit Kebbi
farmers
September 3, 2020 Editorial IV Features
YAHAYA SARKI writes on the damaging effects of the recent flood that
hit Kebbi state and the succour fast coming their way.
Kebbi state is synonymous with food production, largely due to the
formidable revolutionary approaches of the state chief executive, Senator
Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in food production, particularly rice production.
Kebbi has the potency to produce myriad of agricultural products, amongst
which is rice. Indisputably, the state is fast becoming the food basket of the
nation.
Certainly, happy development has indeed attracted the attention of President Muhammadu
Buhari, prompting him to kick-start the ‗Anchor Borrowers loan Program‘ in the state in 2015, to
provide loans and agricultural inputs such as cheap fertilizers, improved seeds, chemicals and
water pumping machines, among others. No fewer than 100,000 rice farmers in the state had
benefitted from this invaluable gesture.
The programme, a tripartite arrangement among the federal government through the Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has the rice millers as the up takers and farmers on the other side as the
producers.
Luckily, the president chose the state to launch his diversification agenda to improve the nation‘s
economy through agriculture in order to reduce over dependence on oil, bolster its food security,

by achieving self-sufficiency in rice production, curb importation of rice and create more
employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.
It is interesting to note that, the federal government‘s scheme in the land of equity has largely
been successful due to the political sagacity, unwavering commitment and ceaseless support
of Governor Bagudu. Obviously, the governor had successfully and patriotically triggered rice
revolution, not only in his state, but across Nigeria as a whole .
Today, many people who were not hitherto rice farmers but voracious consumers have happily
and willingly gone back to the farms, thus resulting in the massive increase of rice production,
stoppage of importation of rice and the establishment of small and large scale rice mills.
Interestingly, Kebbi state has now become the darling of many states and the investors ‗
destination, not only in Nigeria, but across Africa and entire world.
Flood
But sadly enough, the state‘s massive rice production was hampered by the recent devastating
floods. Although the state had hitherto witnessed flood disasters, but none was as devastating as
the 2020 floods. This is because it came when the diligent farmers of the state were expecting
bumper harvests and more people have embraced farming. The floods came with a bang and
regrettably dashed the hopes of many of the farmers.
Yes, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had forecasted that Kebbi would be among the states
to be hit by flood this year, but not many, including the authorities envisaged such colossal
losses.
The floods that came were as a result of continuous rainfall, making the dams to be filled to
capacity and the subsequent release of the water to farmlands. So, the disaster was caused by
a culmination of reasons that include the intensive rainfall and release of water from the dams.
Colossal losses
The losses incurred by the farmers, especially rice farmers in the state were colossal and
immeasurable, they run into billions of naira . Thousands of hectares of fadama rice farms in the
state were affected by the flood. Rice farms , other agricultural crops, livestock and even
communities were not spared by the raging floods.
The flood even caused the loss of eight lives in Tungar Gehuru village of Jega local government
area. The colossal damage to physical infrastructure, such as roads and bridges across the state
was also legendary and it runs into billions of naira also. Many major roads and bridges were
washed away by the floods, with a host of communities completely cut off from the remaining
parts of the state. Preliminary reports revealed that over six bridges had collapsed as a result of
the floods.
More worrisome is that major rice producing local government areas in the state were affected
by the floods, including their farming communities. Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu had to
cut off his official engagement in Abuja and rushed back to Kebbi on Saturday.
The visibly agitated and disturbed governor, right from the Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna Airport,
Ambursa, embarked on assessment visits to flood affected communities and farmlands across
the state.
On Saturday , precisely, on 30th of August, 2020 , the governor started his visit to flood ravaged
local government areas areas in the state, to assess the situation. The governor who was

accompanied by officials of the State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA), led by its
Chairman, Alhaji Sani Dododo, visited Augie, Argungu and Arewa local government areas to
assess rice farmlands, roads and bridges affected by the flood.
Governor’s response
Bagudu, who defied the difficult terrains of the hinterlands, took time to personally interact with
the victims, commiserated with them, diligently and patiently listened to their needs, with a view
to assisting them.
Speaking at Bakin Gada, in Argungu local government shortly after inspecting rice farmlands
submerged by the floods, Bagudu flanked by the National President of Rice Farmers Association
of Nigeria (RIFAN) , Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, expressed utmost shock over the incident,
describing it as regrettable.
―Things like this happen, we are not unique in the world , it is regrettable. We have seen in the
hurricane laura and other hurricanes similar and other worst problems. We are responding to
disasters and supporting each other, and i believe the FGN, the CBN and other associations will
respond to this effectively and timely too,‖ he assured.
While thanking the CBN and RIFAN for their concern over the flood situation, the governor
appreciated the Buhari administration‘s derive to making Nigeria self-sufficient in food
production.
At Kwakkwashe village where the state‘s relief agency distributed relief materials to the
displaced victims, the governor expressed his administration‘s worry over their plight.
Bagudu further charged them to cooperate with the authorities, as they should temporarily
relocate to a safe haven.
He urged them to continue to enrol their children in schools, maintain clean environment and use
facemasks to guard against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor also advised the community to organise their youths, to form vigilante services, to
boost security in the area.
Other places visited by the governor include Birnin Tudu, Tiggi, Shaharma and Agoda
communities in Augie local government, as well as Matan Fada, Bakin Gada, Zanginawa and
Yeldu in Argungu local government area.
RIFAN boss
Commiserating with his fellow farmers, RIFAN national president, Alhaji Goronyo, said he led
the North-west state chapters to Kebbi state for a self-assessment.
―I can say that the devastating effect of the flood to farms is beyond comment. I don‘t think in
the most recent time, this kind of flood has happened to this level, the only thing I can say is that,
the Almighty God is in control.
―Everything that we have seen is from God and we must thank Him and I know He can replace
whatever we lost, with what we can even imagine,‖ Goronyo said.
Our losses –Farmers
At Sabon Gari community, Birnin Tudu, Magaji Amadu, the village head, narrated their ordeals
to the visiting governor.
He said the flood was a culmination of both the continuous intensive rains being witnessed now,
as well as the water released from the dam.

Also, an elderly farmer, Alhaji Aliyu Soda, while appealing for assistance from the government,
said for over 11 years, they had never seen a flood disaster as devastating as this.
He appealed to the government to assist them with farming inputs such as assorted seeds and
fertilizers, among others.
Succour to the people
Earlier, SEMA chair, Alhaji Dododo, had told the governor that apart from the agency‘s efforts
at relocating the victims and relief materials were donated to them.
They included 20 bags of rice,10 bags millet, 10 bags of guinea corn, 5 bags of salt, 30 cartons
of macaroni,5 cartons of tomatoes,50 bundles of Shadda(guinea brocade), 50 bundles of atampa
and 7 jerricans of groundnut oil. Others were 5 cooking pots, 100 plastic kettles,100 plastic
buckets,100 plastic cups, 100 plastic plates, 100 mosquitoes nets, 5 cartons of bathing soaps,
100 plastic mats,100 blankets and truckload of firewood.
Appreciation
Appreciating the gesture, the district head of the area, Alhaji Suleman Mera (Sarkin Gobir
Lailaba), thanked the governor for the quick response, and described the Bagudu administration
as people-oriented .
In continuation of the visit, the governor was on Sunday at Suru, Bunza, Kalgo and Birnin
Kebbi local government areas as well as Bunza local government to see the devastation caused
by the floods.
In all the places visited, he assured that succour would come the people‘s way to mitigate the
effect of the losses they suffered.
Buhari’s comforting words
Comforting the victims, President Buhari said: ―I am particularly sad over this incident because
it‘s a setback to our efforts to boost local rice production as part of measures to stop food
importation.
―Kebbi State is the focal point of our policy to produce rice locally as part of this
administration‘s commitment to agricultural revival which suffered relative neglect in favour of
food importation.
―With the loss of six lives and still counting, thousands of hectares flooded and estimated
economic losses of more than one billion naira by rice farmers, we face a major setback in our
efforts to boost local food production.
‖This bad news couldn‘t have come at a worse time for our farmers and other Nigerians who
looked forward to a bumper harvest this year
, in order to reduce the current astronomical rise in the costs of food items.‖
While sympathising with the bereaved families and farmers affected, the president added, ―we
are going to work closely with the Kebbi State Government in order to bring relief to the
victims.‖, he averred.
With the president‘s words of succour, Kebbi farmers can rest be assured that their losses would
soon be mitigated in the fullness of time.
https://www.blueprint.ng/bagudu-comforting-flood-hit-kebbi-farmers/

Chouhan orders probe by EOW into supply of poor-quality rice
03 September 2020 Last Updated at 6:49 Pm | Source: PTI
Bhopal, Sep 3 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday termed
supply of poorquality rice to consumers as a "serious" matter, and said the state''s Economic
Offences Wing (EOW) will probe it, an official said.
The state government on Wednesday had terminated the services of two quality controllers (of
Food and Civil Supplies Corporation FCI) in Balaghat and Mandla districts and ordered filing of
an FIR against millers involved in the supply of poor quality rice at PDS shops.
"The previous government has not taken any action on the issue of supply of inferior-quality rice
by millers in Balaghat district. It is a serious matter. It smacks of collusion at different levels and
its probe will reveal many facts," the official quoted Chouhan as saying in a high-level meeting.
In the meeting, the chief minister directed that the EOW will initiate a probe in the matter, he
said.
After inspection of godowns in Mandla and Balaghat districts, the distribution and transportation
of rice has been stopped.
"As per the milling policy, in place of inferior quality rice, standard high-grade food grain will
be procured and corruption will not be tolerated at any level in the matter," Chouhan had said in
the meeting.
Meanwhile, a senior official said as directed by Chouhan, inspections were carried out at three
godowns in Balaghat district, where 3,186 MT rice was found of poor standards.
Similarly, 1,686 MT rice was not found of standard quality in Mandla district, he said, adding
that supply has been stopped from both the districts.
Apart from this, 51 teams have collected more than 1,000 samples of rice from several districts
and testing of 284 samples has already begun, the official said.
According to the FCI''s local office, 72 samples are not worth distribution, while 57 are not as
per the set standards, he said.
Services of some quality controllers will also be terminated and a FIR was also registered against
a miller for not supplying quality rice, the official added. PTI MAS ARU ARU
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/chouhan-orders-probe-by-eow-into-supply-of-
poorquality-rice/1928720
THAI RATES EASE ON BAHT SLIDE, LOW SUPPLY
LIFTS VIETNAM RATES
* Demand for Thai rice still flat * India prices unchanged after 3-week long rally * Weak
demand likely to cap Vietnamese rates - traders * Bangladesh decision on imports pending-

official By Arundhati Sarkar Sept 3 (Reuters) - Rice export prices in Thailand eased this week,
snapping a three-week-long rally as the baht slid following the exit of the country's finance
minister, while rates for the Vietnamese grain rose on waning supply. Prices of second-biggest
exporter Thailand's 5% broken rice <RI-THBKN5-P1> slipped to $500-$513 per tonne on
Thursday from $500-$520 last week. The baht was hit by the sudden resignation of recently
appointed finance minister, Predee Daochai, on Tuesday, raising uncertainty in an economy
already reeling from the coronavirus.
"The day the finance minister resigned, the rice price suddenly dropped by 0.20 baht, so it did
have a psychological effect on rice trade," a Bangkok-based trader said. Fresh supplies also
contributed to the lower prices. But another trader said the volume of Thailand's off-season crop
harvested this month has been underwhelming. Rates for Vietnam's 5% broken rice <RI-
VNBKN5-P1> rose to $490 a tonne on Thursday from $480-$490 last week on thin supplies, but
traders said weak demand should prevent a further rise in coming weeks. Supplies aren't likely to
build until the autumn-winter harvest starting November, a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said.
Preliminary government data showed Vietnam's rice shipments in the first eight months likely
fell 1.7% to 4.5 million tonnes from last year. Top exporter India's 5% broken parboiled rice
rates <RI-INBKN5-P1> were unchanged at $384-$390 per tonne. "Exporters haven't made any
changes in prices, but they have to raise prices if rupee rises further," said an exporter based at
Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. The rupee has appreciated about 3% over the
past two weeks. Neighbouring Bangladesh continued to grapple with floods, which have
destroyed rice crop worth $4.29 billion and led to a fresh price rise. "The decision on importing
rice is pending. There's no shortage at the moment," said Sarwar Mahmud, head of the
Directorate General of Food. (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um in Bangkok, Khanh Vu in Hanoi,
Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai and Ruma Paul in Dhaka; editing by Arpan Varghese and
Ramakrishnan M.)
https://www.agriculture.com/markets/newswire/rpt-asia-rice-thai-rates-ease-on-baht-slide-low-supply-lifts-
vietnam-rates

Rice millers asked to deliver processed rice to FCI by
September
30 Hans News Service |
3 Sep 2020 11:22 PM IST x District Collector Sruthi Ojha during a review meeting with rice
millers, civil supplies officials and FCI authorities at her chamber in Gadwal on Thursday
HIGHLIGHTS The rice millers in Gadwal district have been warned of severe action if they
failed to deliver the processed rice to Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Civil Supplies
department before September 30. Gadwal: The rice millers in Gadwal district have been warned
of severe action if they failed to deliver the processed rice to Food Corporation of India (FCI)
and Civil Supplies department before September 30. While taking part in a review meeting with
rice millers, civil supplies department officials at the Collector's chamber here on Thursday,
District Collector Sruthi Ojha directed the rice millers to take immediate measures to process the
paddy, which was purchased by the government during Rabi and handed over to them in July,
and to deliver to FCI and Civil supplies godowns by end of September. The Collector instructed
the civil supplies officials to issue notices to all those rice millers, who are not meeting the
deadline of the government to supply the processed rice in the said time period. She said that
about 27,218 metric tons of paddy was given to rice millers in the district, of which they have to
deliver 18,508 metric tons of boiled rice to the civil supplies department at FCI gowdowns.
However, only 4,640 metric tons of boiled rice has been handed over, while the remaining
13,868 metric tons is yet to be received. She ordered the rice millers to handover the remaining
paddy by September 30, else action will be taken against all the defaulting rice millers.
https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/gadwal-rice-millers-asked-to-deliver-processed-
rice-to-fci-by-september-30-643577
Before arrival of Basmati in mandis, farmers,
exporters demand waiver of market fee, rural
development cess
They argued that the move will help farmers get good price for their crop from exporters, who
are the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that these taxes are otherwise also refundable to
the exporters.
Written by Anju Agnihotri Chaba | Jalandhar | September 3, 2020 9:38:09 am

Basmati would hit the state‘s mandis this month.
Ahead of the arrival of early varieties of Basmati in mandi, Punjab farmers and exporters are
demanding a waiver of market fee and rural development fund (RDF) cess charged from
exporters when they purchase Basmati from the farmers at Punjab Mandi Board (PMB)
premises.
They argue that this move will help farmers get good price for their crop from exporters, who are
the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that these taxes are otherwise also refundable to the
exporters.
Exporters said they pay 6.5 per cent tax in total on purchase of Basmati which includes market
committee fee and RDF at the rate of 3 per cent each.
A leading exporter said: ―As per the norms, Basmati exporters are not supposed to pay any tax
and the RDF and market fee charged from them is also refundable. But for the past 2-3 years, no
refund was given to the exporters by the Mandi Board and over Rs 200 crore of such funds are
lying pending with the government.‖
―We have written to the Punjab government to issue directions to the Mandi Board to release our
long pending Market Fee and RDF dues on priority basis,‖ said Ashok Sethi, Director Punjab
Rice Millers and Exporters Association, adding that if exporters will not get this refund and they
are asked to pay both RDF and market fee then it would affect the farmers ultimately.
Another leading exporter said that when exporter will be required to pay these heavy taxes, he
will certainly keep the price low at the time of purchase.
Other exporters that spoke to The Indian Express also Centre‘s recent ordinances have raised
many important issues which require immediate intervention of the state government.

―While Punjab Assembly has passed a resolution against this ordinance, other Basmati growing
states like UP, Haryana, Himachal etc. have accepted the new ordinance and issued new
advisories like waiving off market fee and RDF while levying ‗user charges‘ (To use the yard of
state Mandis) at very low percentage like Haryana would charge 1% use charges,‖ said Sethi,
adding that taxes and levies are much higher in Punjab at over 6.5 per cent and this huge
disparity in taxes and levies would affect the purchase from farmers.
―In such a condition, exporters will purchase more from those states where user charges are
minimum and will pay less to the farmers here when they will have to spend more on the taxes,‖
said an exporter.
They demanded that the situation should be cleared before Basmati varieties like 1509 hit
markets by the first week of September.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Dakaunda General Secretary Jagmohan Singh said that Basmati is
one of the best alternative against Paddy (Parmal rice). ―We support that taxes should not be
levied on the traders or exporters when they purchase it from the farmers in the mandis but
certainly when traders sell it further and make profits, a portion of the profit share must be
charged by the government to utilise that amount for the development of our rural area from
where farmers come to the mandis to sell their produce to the exporters,‖ he said.
―When exporters are free from such charges, government should not charge from them because
they assume that they will not get the refund of these taxes and pay less to farmers and made big
profits from farmers‘ produce by exporting the premium crop,‖ said a Basmati grower Devinder
Singh of Tarn Taran, who grows Basmati on 50 to 70 acres every year.
Nearly 2.5 Million Tonnes Basmati is brought to the markets of PMB every year by the farmers.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/basmati-mandis-farmers-exporters-demand-
waiver-market-fee-rural-development-cess-6581143/
With Laura past, Arkansas growers still bogged by week of rain
September 3, 2020
Although Arkansas growers by and large escaped the worst of Tropical Storm Laura‘s
destruction, the days of rain that followed have halted the burgeoning 2020 harvest in its tracks.
(Image courtesy National Weather Service.)
LITTLE ROCK — Although Arkansas growers by and large escaped the worst of Tropical
Storm Laura‘s destruction, the days of rain that followed have halted the burgeoning 2020
harvest in its tracks.
The storm, which was briefly upgraded by the National Weather Service to a Category 4
hurricane as it came ashore in Louisiana on Aug. 27, then downgraded later the same day,
brought as much as 10 inches of rain to some areas of Arkansas, and winds as high as 50 mph.

Waves of storms since Laura have set rainfall records for the month of August in southwestern
Arkansas, including new state record at Big Fork in Polk County which saw 19.70 inches of
precipitation, according to the National Weather Service.
While some counties in the southwestern part of the state saw limited structural damage, growers
in most areas of the state reported some degree of crop damage. The most common complaint
was saturated fields and scattered instances of lodging in corn, rice and soybeans.
The days that have followed, however, have allowed little to no sunshine to dry those areas and
several inches of rain have continued to saturate most of the state. According to a weekly crop
progress report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 14 percent of the state‘s corn
crop had been harvested as of Aug. 30 — less than half of the five-year average for this point in
the season.
Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist for the University of Arkansas System
Division of Agriculture, said most operations had come to a halt as of this week.
―There‘s not too much happening,‖ Kelley said. ―We‘re waiting for some sunshine and dry
weather. Heard one combine was running in south Arkansas yesterday, but it doesn‘t look like
any harvest today for the north half of the state and likely not much in the south, either. We need
some dry weather!‖
Rice harvest has also stalled, with 5 percent of the state‘s crop harvested as of Aug. 30 — about
a third of the five-year average, according to USDA.
Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said that while Laura
did direct damage to a relatively small percentage of Arkansas rice acreage, greater economic
impact is likely to stem from the ongoing delays.
―The issue is larger than just the 5 percent of acreage that was actually damaged in the storm, as
subsequent rain and wind in the days since have only increased lodging in the fields,‖ Hardke
said.
―The longer it takes for the ground to dry out, the longer harvest will take,‖ he said. ―The thing to
remember is that the crops that were ready for harvest a week ago are now a week overdue. The
longer a crop that‘s ready for harvest sits in a field, the higher potential you have for loss of
quality, and declining yield potential.‖
As of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service was forecasting heavy rains throughout
the entire state through Friday.
https://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/with-laura-past-arkansas-growers-still-bogged-by-week-of-
rain/
Wanbao Rice Farm leads the way in taking Chinese rice-
growing to Mozambique
By Valerie Boje Sep 3, 2020

China‘s interest in investing in Africa is well documented; however the practical implications
and benefits to local people may be less appreciated. This is where a video, produced by the
People‘s Daily about the Wanbao Rice Farm project in the southern Mozambique province of
Gaza, is insightful.
Chinese infrastructure development and knowledge transfer in Mozambique is mainly directed to
the agricultural sector, and the video takes viewers to the fertile Lower Limpopo River Valley,
where a rice production project is changing the fortunes of local farmers.
In 2011, Chinese company Wanbao Africa Agriculture Development Limited (WAADL)
received a concession of 20 000 hectares for a period of 50 years, the most significant example
of Chinese investment in Mozambique to date. Wanbao's increase of the production of quality
rice is based on its successful experience in Hubei province, China‘s traditional rice-farming
area.
In the video - produced by Zhao Dantong and He Jieqiong (Lily He) - reporter Lily He explains
how it works. Investment covers the agrifood chain—from production to processing and
distribution—and adopts two models, both of which offer training to local farmers in modern
Chinese rice-growing techniques.
In the out-grower scheme, the company has a contract with local smallholder farmers, providing
technical and other assistance, and it guarantees the purchase of output from the farmers after
harvest, deducting costs from income. In the second model, Wanbao subcontracts land to
Chinese-owned agribusiness companies which work with local farmers, increasing productivity,
and passing on their knowledge and best practices.
He interviews the Minister of Agriculture in Mozambique, Higino de Marrule, who applauds the
Wanbao project as having raised productivity in rice production seven-fold, and lowering the
level of rice imports significantly.
Celso Tamele, a program director at TechnoServe, an NGO which provides assistance to the
agricultural sector, says that the project has had an impact on small farmers of the Xai-Xai
region, and he believes the model can be replicated in other regions of Mozambique, one of the
world‘s poorest countries.
https://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/wanbao-rice-farm-leads-the-way-in-taking-chinese-rice-
growing-to-mozambique--15e27b8c-7a70-4afb-a34b-6c1ce4c878bd
Ghana to stop importing rice by 2022-2023 crop
season – Deputy Agric Minister
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, George Boahen
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, George Boahen
Oduro, has promised that Government of Ghana

will stop the importation of rice into the country by the end of the 2022/2023 crop season.
―Since the lockdown, we have not imported any rice, we are only consuming our local rice and
the ones that were locked up in the system…the government bought the 600,000 metric tonnes of
Ghana rice, we are now giving a seed of 11000 tonnes to our farmers…,‖ he said.
Speaking on Angel 102.9FM‘s Morning Show, Mr Oduro was confident the country will achieve
this because of the huge investments that the Nana Akufo-Addo government has made in that
sector.
―I can assure you that by 2022/2023 crop year, Ghana will not be importing rice into the country
again…,‖ he said on the show hosted by Captain Smart.
He said the government under the Planting for Food and Jobs Porgramme (PFJ) has initiated
several policies that are helping rice farmers a lot.
The policies he added, include helping with the packaging of Ghana rice to make it more
attractive.
―The country from now till then will still be importing rice but at a reduced number…,‖ he said.
He said that the government as part of measures to achieve this aim has increased the number of
seeds that it gives to farmers in the sector.
https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Ghana-to-stop-importing-rice-by-2022-
2023-crop-season-Deputy-Agric-Minister-1049605
Demand for Non-basmati Exports from India Increases as Price
Increases in Thailand and Vietnam
NEWSTHE WORLD
Demand for Non-basmati Exports from India Increases as Price Increases in Thailand and
Vietnam
September 3, 2020
Gurneel Kaur
Indian non-basmati traders expect robust exports this year. Demand for non-basmati exports
from India increases owing to the price rise in Thailand and Vietnam.
Increase in Demand for Non-basmati Rice
India benefits from a price difference of about $90 per tonne in non-basmati rice from Vietnam
and Thailand variety. BV Krishna Rao, president of Rice Exporters Association, said that Indian
rice had seen a demand increase despite a 3-5% jump in price due to rupee depreciation. He

added that the rice exports rose by 35% in the first four months of FY21 as compared to
the exports in the same period last year. Indian non-basmati variety is available at $400 per tonne
while the price for Thailand and Vietnam rice ranges between $490 to $500 per tonne.
High Demand for Indian Non-basmati Rice Exports Due to Price Rise in Vietnam and Thailand
COVID Uncertainty Results in Rice Price in Vietnam
The increasing cases of COVID and uncertainty over the pandemic have encouraged hoarding in
Vietnam, which led to price rise. Also, the increase in purchases by local traders at the end
of harvest season has contributed to the increased price. Experts say the costs will remain high at
least until the arrival of new harvest in October.
The majority of the world‘s rice demand is met by Pakistan, Myanmar, India, Thailand, and
Vietnam. India supplies its rice to almost 170 countries in the world and accounts for 11 million
tonnes out of 40-45 million tonnes of rice traded globally.
Non-basmati Exports to Touch FY18 Export Levels
September and October will witness a surge in demand for non-basmati rice from India.
Exporters expect the exports to touch FY18 levels of 8.64 million tonnes. The quantity came
down to 5.04 million tonnes in FY20 as farmers lacked interest in exporting because of high
MSP.
Shortage of Containers
The exporters are facing a shortage of export containers. Rao said that the supply of containers
has slowed down on Kakinada (the biggest non-basmati port ) after a decrease in imports
from China.
In all, the demand for non-basmati rice has increased. However, the container shortage will
remain a problem for the exporters.
https://www.grainmart.in/news/demand-for-non-basmati-exports-from-india-increases-as-price-
increases-in-thailand-and-vietnam/
Punjab rice traders ask for clarity on Centre‘s agriculture
ordinance
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
CHANDIGARH:, SEPTEMBER 03, 2020 17:21 IST

Image for representational purpose only. | Photo Credit: AFP
Fresh basmati rice crop is expected in market by mid-September
With Punjab opposing the Centre‘s agriculture-related ordinance, rice exporters in
Punjab are in quandary as fresh rice crop is about to arrive in the market but there is no
clarity on issues surrounding the market fee and rural development fund (RDF),
according to a trade body.
The Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association has asked the State government to
clarify its stand on the issue of levying fees as neighbouring States, including Haryana,
Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, have already
accepted the new ordinance.
―We are in a total state of confusion. The Central government‘s ordinance [Farmers‘
Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance] has created a
parallel system, allowing farmers to sell their produce directly to exporters, while the
Punjab government has opposed the ordinance. The basmati (rice) growing States
including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Jammu-Kashmir (UT) have notified
that they would be levying only 1% user charges on the produce brought to
their mandi yards while adhering to the new norms under the ordinance. On the other
hand, Punjab, which had been levying 2% market fees and 2% RDF, needs to
immediately take a decision on the issue,‖ said Mr. Ashok Sethi, director, Punjab Rice
Millers and Exporters Association.

Mr. Sethi said that they had written to the State government for a quick decision on the
issue since the new basmati rice crop will start arriving in the mandis by the second
week of September. ―If Punjab continues to levy 4% fees, these taxes will leave our
trade uneconomical and render our rice export unviable as we would not be able
compete with exporters based in other States given the disparity in taxes,‖ said Mr.
Sethi.
―We appeal to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to kindly exempt basmati rice from
market fee and RDF. The State government needs to work out modalities on fees, etc.,
in tune with the prevailing situation,‖ he added.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/punjab-rice-traders-ask-for-clarity-on-centres-
agriculture-ordinance/article32514301.ece
World food price index rises for third month running
in August: FAO
SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 / 1:21 PM / 2 DAYS AGO
ROME (Reuters) - World food prices rose for a third month running in August, led by coarse
grains, vegetable oils and sugar, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday.
FILE PHOTO: People shop at a vegetable market in Sirte, Libya August 18, 2020.
REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori
The Food and Agriculture Organization‘s food price index, which measures monthly changes for
a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar, averaged 96.1 points last month
versus 94.3 in July.
The Rome-based FAO also said in a statement that worldwide cereal harvests remained on
course to hit an annual record in 2020.
The agency‘s cereal price index rose 1.9% in August from the month before and 7% above its
value a year earlier.
Among the major cereals, sorghum, barley and rice prices rose the most,
FAO said. Maize also climbed strongly, pushed up by concerns over U.S.
production prospects following recent crop damage in Iowa.
The vegetable oil price index climbed 5.9% month-on-month, returning to around the levels
registered when the coronavirus crisis hit the world at the start of the year.
Palm oil was buoyed by expected output slowdowns in major producing countries, which,
combined with firm global import demand, were expected to result in lower inventory levels.
Average sugar prices rose 6.7% from July, reflecting forecasts of a reduction in production due
to unfavourable weather conditions in the European Union and Thailand. Strong import demand
in China also helped push prices higher.

By contrast, the dairy index was little changed on the month, with falls in cheese and whole milk
powder offset by stronger butter and skim milk quotations.
The meat index was also largely steady, with bovine and poultry prices in retreat while pig meat
prices rose after four consecutive months of declines, as Chinese imports jumped.
FAO revised down its forecast for the 2020 cereal season by 25 million tonnes, largely due to
expectations of a lower maize production in the United States.
However, despite this reduction, the agency still expected a record harvest this year of almost
2.765 billion tonnes, up 3% on 2019 levels.
―Record maize harvests are forecast for Argentina and Brazil, while global sorghum production
is expected to grow by 6% from the previous year. Worldwide rice production in 2020 is also
expected to reach a new record of 509 million tonnes,‖ FAO said.
The forecast for world cereal utilisation in 2020/21 hit 2.746 billion tonnes, up 2% on the
2019/20 level. The estimate for world cereal stocks by the close of seasons in 2021 was 895.5
million tonnes, down 33.4 million tonnes since July.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-economy-food/world-food-price-index-rises-for-third-
month-running-in-august-fao-
idUSKBN25U150#:~:text=World%20food%20price%20index%20rises%20for%20third%20mo
nth%20running%20in%20August%3A%20FAO,-
3%20Min%20Read&text=ROME%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20World%20food,food%20agency%
20said%20on%20Thursday.
S. Korea mulls redeeming money given to WFPfor
stalled NK rice provision project
By Yonhap
Published : Sept 3, 2020 - 13:51 Updated : Sept 3, 2020 - 13:51

(Yonhap)
The unification ministry said Thursday that it is considering redeeming the money it sent to the
World Food Programme (WFP) for a plan to provide rice assistance to North Korea if there is no
progress in the stalled project by the end of this year.
In June last year, the ministry announced the plan to provide 50,000 tons of rice to North Korea
through the WFP and sent the organization 13.8 billion won ($11.6 million) to cover
transportation, equipment and monitoring costs.
The plan, however, has since been stalled as the North rejected the assistance offer in protest
over joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.

"We are making efforts to get the project off the ground with a plan to seek cooperation with
North Korea through the WFP until the end of this year," a ministry official told reporters on
condition of anonymity.
"In case the project is terminated without any progress this year, we will have consultations with
the WFP in a way to redeem the money sent to the organization," he added.
Observers said that it is unlikely for North Korea to respond to Seoul's assistance offer given that
inter-Korean relations chilled further recently since the North blew up a liaison office in its
border town of Kaesong in June in anger over the sending of anti-Pyongyang leaflets by activists
in the South.
North Korea is presumed to face chronic food shortage problems caused by extreme weather
conditions and global sanctions. Last week's typhoon and recent heavy downpours are feared to
make things worse as they hit hard the southwestern province of Hwanghae know as its key rice-
producing zone. (Yonhap)
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200903000720
Rice Prices
as on : 04-09-2020 01:38:07 PM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
Arrivals Price

Current %
change
Season
cumulative
Modal Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Sultanpur(UP) 200.00 -20 8837.00 2350 2300 -13.76
Gondal(UP) 115.50 10 9825.50 2400 2400 -3.23
Dadri(UP) 100.00 17.65 3005.00 5950 5950 -
Barhaj(UP) 90.00 -18.18 11985.00 2520 2570 4.13
Kalipur(WB) 84.00 16.67 3823.00 2400 2400 2.13
Mandya(Kar) 74.00 -71.76 8099.00 2500 2400 -
Kopaganj(UP) 62.00 NC 2120.00 2550 2575 3.87
Choubepur(UP) 45.00 16.88 2778.95 2400 2450 -10.11
Aligarh(UP) 40.00 14.29 5007.00 2550 2540 NC
Raibareilly(UP) 39.50 618.18 1798.00 2300 2300 -2.13
Jhargram(WB) 37.00 2.78 1052.00 2900 3000 NC
Lalitpur(UP) 36.00 -5.26 1931.50 2475 2460 -5.89
Mainpuri(UP) 36.00 2.86 4463.50 2500 2650 -3.47
Allahabad(UP) 35.00 NC 2902.50 2550 2500 NC
Bharwari(UP) 35.00 -12.5 310.50 1700 1700 -
Saharanpur(UP) 34.00 36 3179.50 2820 2800 -1.40
Lakhimpur(UP) 30.00 -14.29 3333.00 2440 2430 1.67
Beldanga(WB) 30.00 NC 1835.00 2700 2700 3.85
Firozabad(UP) 28.50 14 2094.60 2600 2590 -

Muradabad(UP) 28.00 -6.67 2180.00 2610 2600 1.95
Madhoganj(UP) 27.00 28.57 3904.00 2430 2425 5.19
Balrampur(UP) 26.00 4 1355.00 2400 2400 4.35
Sahiyapur(UP) 21.50 7.5 2855.50 2530 2530 3.48
Vilaspur(UP) 21.00 NC 1957.20 2585 2580 2.99
Paliakala(UP) 20.00 NC 941.00 2420 2400 4.09
Champadanga(WB) 18.00 28.57 892.00 3250 3250 10.17
Sirsaganj(UP) 16.00 -3.03 1381.50 2610 2600 -1.88
Rasda(UP) 16.00 6.67 714.50 2550 2560 1059.09
Medinipur(West)(WB) 16.00 -11.11 241.00 2900 2900 1.75
Gazipur(UP) 15.50 3.33 2321.50 3260 3260 0.93
Islampur(WB) 15.00 NC 799.80 3400 3400 -5.56
Raiganj(WB) 15.00 NC 700.50 3300 3300 -5.71
Unnao(UP) 14.00 211.11 335.50 2450 2450 -7.55
Soharatgarh(UP) 13.50 -15.62 1774.70 2520 2510 3.28
Sindhanur(Kar) 13.00 - 13.00 2800 - -
Farukhabad(UP) 13.00 4 1383.50 2450 2460 -7.55
Utraula(UP) 12.50 -34.21 799.70 2400 2420 -
Mawana(UP) 11.00 57.14 464.20 2800 2850 -
Vishalpur(UP) 10.00 -37.5 548.20 2650 2550 0.57
Indus(Bankura Sadar)(WB) 10.00 -16.67 1279.00 2800 2800 1.82

Badayoun(UP) 8.00 100 1195.50 2600 2620 1.56
Etah(UP) 8.00 33.33 557.00 2600 2610 1.56
Mahoba(UP) 7.80 -13.33 509.60 2430 2460 7.28
Mohamadabad(UP) 6.80 13.33 963.10 2450 2470 -
Fatehpur(UP) 6.50 16.07 2433.10 2510 2500 5.46
Devariya(UP) 6.50 8.33 1189.50 2535 2530 3.47
Amroha(UP) 5.50 22.22 142.50 2590 2570 -0.38
Kasganj(UP) 5.00 25 571.50 2610 2620 1.95
Mirzapur(UP) 5.00 25 358.50 2665 2675 10.12
Kayamganj(UP) 5.00 -28.57 2149.00 2470 2480 -6.79
Nadia(WB) 5.00 66.67 303.00 3200 3350 -15.79
Lucknow(UP) 4.30 19.44 5013.20 2410 2400 -13.93
Jhijhank(UP) 4.00 -20 515.50 2500 2475 -
Jahangirabad(UP) 3.50 -12.5 344.50 2640 2640 2.52
Chitwadagaon(UP) 3.50 -22.22 508.30 2620 2640 24.76
Kalyani(WB) 3.50 NC 113.00 3400 3400 NC
Fatehpur Sikri(UP) 3.40 6.25 182.70 2590 2585 -0.96
Chhibramau(Kannuj)(UP) 3.40 3.03 667.70 2460 2450 -7.52
Buland Shahr(UP) 2.50 108.33 166.60 2665 2650 0.57
Chandoli(UP) 2.20 10 112.60 2590 2580 11.16
Khurja(UP) 2.20 83.33 217.00 2666 2650 -0.34

Charra(UP) 1.70 -5.56 145.70 2560 2560 0.79
Jhansi(UP) 1.60 -20 171.00 2505 2490 5.47
Melaghar(Tri) 1.50 87.5 81.70 2800 2800 3.70
Lalganj(UP) 1.50 50 293.00 2300 2300 31.43
Pilibhit(UP) 1.50 -94.64 46986.00 2585 2605 -1.71
Muskara(UP) 1.50 NC 100.50 2400 2360 0.84
Wazirganj(UP) 1.50 -25 56.00 2590 2590 -
Alibagh(Mah) 1.00 NC 111.00 2200 2200 NC
Murud(Mah) 1.00 NC 109.00 2200 2200 NC
Anandnagar(UP) 1.00 -28.57 237.90 2515 2510 4.79
Bangarmau(UP) 0.80 -77.14 223.00 2450 2450 3.16
Atrauli(UP) 0.60 NC 17.10 2555 2560
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:50eojMZDURQJ:https://www.thehind
ubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-
prices/article32521812.ece+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk
Japan's appetite for rice takes biggest plunge in 7 years
Besides tax hike and economic downturn, Tokyo's farm policy also blamed for drop
Children scoop rice into their bowls during lunch time at a Japanese nursery school. © Reuters
HARUKI KITAGAWA, Nikkei staff writerSeptember 3, 2020 06:56 JST
TOKYO -- Demand for Japan's signature crop, rice, has wilted under the triple whammy of the
consumption tax hike, the pandemic-induced economic downturn, and high prices due to
government policies that have restrained production.
The country's demand for domestically produced rice has plunged by 220,000 tons during the
agricultural year that ended in June, according to government statistics, a far steeper decrease
than previously estimated.
The sharpest drop in seven years comes as Japan raised its consumption tax last fall and
consumers tighten spending during an economic downturn brought about by the coronavirus

pandemic. Rising prices for rice also seem to have depressed demand.
"The fact that [rice] prices have been relatively high for about three years could have impacted
consumer behavior," an official at the agriculture ministry reluctantly admitted during a ministry
meeting in July.
Demand for rice stood at 7.13 million tons in the 12 months through June, down 220,000 tons.
The industry had anticipated demand sinking by 100,000 tons per year.
For the year ended June, the average wholesale price for rice was 15,725 yen ($148) for a 60 kg
sack, rising for five straight years to its second-highest point in the past decade, industry data
indicates.
The higher prices were mainly driven by generous government subsidies to farmers to diversify
production implemented after the policy to reduce the amount of land under cultivation was
scrapped. As a result, farmers enjoyed more income, but because they produced less rice, retail
prices rose and there were shortages of cheap rice for commercial use.
The agriculture ministry has rarely considered the relationship between rice price and demand.
But the steep drop in demand -- which undershot last fall's projections by 140,000 tons -- forced
it to take a look, and now says demand does fall when prices rise.
A consumption tax hike and a coronavirus-hit economy hurt Japan's demand for rice. (Photo by
Keita Takano)
The Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives, also known as JA-Zenchu, was quick to object
to the findings. A representative of the group told the agriculture ministry that the drop in
demand can be explained by several factors, such as the graying population or the shift in eating
habits to meat.

The assumption that rice consumption would drop by 100,000 tons a year is based on the
shrinking population and changing eating habits. Low-carb diets have also been cited as a factor.
However, "the rise in rice prices and the consumption tax increase last fall have dampened
consumer sentiment, and the novel coronavirus added further downward pressure," said Mitsuo
Fujio, president of Shinmei, Japan's largest rice wholesaler.
That the consumption tax was raised to 10% from 8% in October, during peak selling season of
new rice, also dealt a blow, said an industry source.
Rice purchases by volume decreased 11% in October 2019 compared with a year earlier,
according to an official household survey. At the same time, purchases of bread and noodles
climbed 2%. Consumers tend to feel that purchasing rice is more expensive than buying other
foods.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, people are eating more meals at home. But fewer people eat
out.
Agriculture ministry data shows that between March and June, purchases of rice for household
use jumped 77,000 tons on the year, but sales of rice for commercial use dropped 86,000 tons
during the same period.
The types of rice that have become strong sellers have also shifted, said Fujio. Blended rice,
which costs 20% to 30% less than single-variety rice, have grown in sales. Because of the rise in
costs, some operators that cook rice for commercial establishments have closed up shop.
Japan has upheld a policy of acreage reduction in one form or another until 2018. But both the
ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the farm lobby remain wary of falling rice prices. Farmers
continue to collect subsidies to plant other crops, and financial support is set to increase in fiscal
2020.
The restraints placed on farming staple rice will lead to an increase in prices, producing a vicious
cycle of decreased demand.
Demand for rice this growing year "could fall below 7 million tons," said Fujio. The subsidy
program is poised to make the situation worse.
"Forcibly maintaining rice prices through crop diversification subsidies is no longer feasible,"
said Shoichi Fukuhara, president of agribusiness Fukuhara Farm. The company's main product is
rice for commercial use.
"If the government is going to think about farmers, they should seriously think about who wants
what type of rice," Fukuhara said. "Large farmers will be the ones who will take the biggest
brunt from the shift away from rice."
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/Commodities/Japan-s-appetite-for-rice-takes-biggest-
plunge-in-7-
years#:~:text=TOKYO%20%2D%2D%20Demand%20for%20Japan's,policies%20that%20have
%20restrained%20production.

Wind Rain deal below harvested rice
bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu(link sends e-mail)
THORNWELL —
A worker from the Supreme Rice Mill uses a lift to inspect a set of bins owned by Sweet Lake
Land Co. of Calcasieu Parish. (Photo by Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter)
WIND, RAIN DEAL BLOW TO HARVESTED RICE
Wed, 09/02/2020 - 2:32pm
BRUCE SCHULTZ
Rice farmers without electricity across southwest Louisiana are struggling to save their rice crop
in storage.
Farmer Paul Johnson, of Bell City, had a good rice crop harvested long before Hurricane Laura
hit the Louisiana coast on Aug. 27.
He stored his grain at a dryer facility in Thornwell, but the storm blew parts of the roof away,
exposing his rice to rain. Without electricity, he was not able to dry the grain.
―This old dryer has withstood a lot of storms, but not this one,‖ Johnson said.
Like many farmers, he had one of his best crops in several years.
But the Supreme Rice Mill, of Crowley, was prepared for this catastrophe, renting generators for
farmers in anticipation of the disaster and providing workers to help farmers make repairs on
their bins and get the generators connected to their electrical system.
―You‘re talking a class operation there,‖ Johnson said. ―I don‘t know what I‘d do without
Supreme. The first call I made was to them, and they handled it from there.‖
Johnson said Supreme has sent trucks to get his rice, and company representative John Morgan
was onsite helping set up the generator.
LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell said Johnson is not alone in the hard-hit area around
Lake Charles in the struggle to save the harvested rice. ―They‘re all trying to get that rice dried
and moved,‖ he said.
Jeremy Hebert, AgCenter agent in Acadia Parish, said rice with high moisture will generate heat
and ruin. ―The farmers finally had a good crop, and now they‘re faced with this,‖ he said.
Farmer Jordan Aguillard, of Grand Lake, finished harvesting his rice crop the day before storm
hit.
But his challenges were not over. Not only was his house damaged by Hurricane Laura; the tops
of three bins full of rice were blown off by the storm. And the grain needed to be dried to prevent
it from spoiling.
Aguillard had stored some of his rice in bins owned by Rick Hoffpauir, and the tops of three of
the bins were blown off, exposing the rice to the weather. As Aguillard was waiting on an
insurance adjuster and electrician to blow air into the rice, storm clouds threatened overhead.
Aguillard said one option may be to move the rice to other storage facilities.
Hoffpauir said Aguillard eventually got his generator connected, and he was able to move the

exposed rice to the bins that were intact.
Aguillard said his house is badly damaged. ―It‘s still standing. The shingles are all gone, and I
think the ceiling is going to fall in,‖ he said. Many other houses in the Grand Lake area where he
lives are in similar condition.
Aguillard also has cattle, but he said they survived the storm, although fencing will need to be
replaced. ―I‘ve got a lot of fence down, and it‘s mostly from debris from houses,‖ he said.
Hoffpauir said it appears the wind damage is much worse than from Hurricane Rita in 2005.
Hoffpauir said his house is badly damaged as well as his son‘s next door, along with a shed full
of farm equipment. ―I haven‘t even seen my lawnmower yet,‖ he said.
Proof of the wind‘s power is obvious just a quarter mile away from Hoffpauir‘s place. A train of
dozens of empty rail cars is laying on its side.
Neighboring farmer Johnny Hensgens had a bin destroyed. Talking from Ft. Worth, Texas,
where he had evacuated, Hensgens said his house was also badly damaged. ―The roof split open.
My son‘s house‘s roof is off, and it‘s getting wet when it‘s raining,‖ he said.
David Bertrand, of Elton, who buys and sells rice, was picking up a generator in Lake Charles to
supply power for his rice bins. He said many farmers are dealing with the same problems of
drying their rice.
―It‘s a fight. It‘s disastrous,‖ Bertrand said. ―Several farms‘ bins are missing roofs, or they have
collapsed roofs. I don‘t see how some of these guys are going to survive.‖
To the east, the impact on rice farmers was minimal. Farmer Jeffrey Sylvester, of Whiteville in
St. Landry Parish, had about half of his rice harvested, and he borrowed a generator from another
farm to run his dryer system. The rice remaining in the field went through the storm in good
shape with some downed areas, but Sylvester was relieved that much of the crop survived intact,
along with his soybeans.
Adam Habetz, who farms west of Lake Charles, has one generator that he has to rotate between
two sets of bins. He‘s also trying to fix his leaking roof and tend to cattle. ―It‘s all got to be done.
You just have to pick your battles,‖ he said.
Habetz said he finished harvesting his rice crop Sunday night, but its moisture level was high, at
22% to 23%, and it required drying.
His electric provider told him it will be at least six weeks before power is restored. In the
meantime, Habetz is paying $200 a day for generator rental in addition to the fuel cost. ―That‘s
better than losing your whole crop,‖ he said.
All but six of his cattle have been located, but fencing is inadequate now. ―The fences are a
mess. There‘s no patching it. It‘s got to be replaced,‖ he said.
Todd Fontenot, AgCenter agent for rice in Evangeline and Allen parishes, said power was
restored in Evangeline Parish, but Allen Parish farmers remain without power unless they have
generators.
A thunderstorm came through Evangeline Parish du
https://www.eunicetoday.com/news/wind-rain-deal-blow-harvested-rice

Laura deals below harvested lousiaiana rice
Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter
Rice is exposed in one of three bins holding the rice crop of farmer Jordan Aguillard of
Calcasieu Parish, La. In the distance is a train of rail cars knocked over by Hurricane Laura.
Laura deals blow to harvested Louisiana rice
Without electricity, Louisiana farmers struggle to save rice crop in storage.
Bruce Schultz | Sep 01, 2020
Rice farmers without electricity across southwest Louisiana are struggling to save their rice crop
in storage.
Farmer Paul Johnson of Bell City, La., had a good rice crop harvested long before Hurricane
Laura hit the Louisiana coast on Aug. 27.
Related: Louisiana agriculture, forests take hit from Hurricane Laura
He stored his grain at a dryer facility in Thornwell, La., but the storm blew parts of the roof
away, exposing his rice to rain. Without electricity, he was not able to dry the grain.
―This old dryer has withstood a lot of storms, but not this one,‖ Johnson said.
Related: Laura‘s winds twist soybeans, flatten rice, scatter cotton bolls
Like many farmers, he had one of his best crops in several years.
But the Supreme Rice Mill of Crowley, La., was prepared for the catastrophe, renting generators
for farmers in anticipation of the disaster and providing workers to help farmers make repairs on
their bins and get the generators connected to their electrical system.
―You‘re talking a class operation there,‖ Johnson said. ―I don‘t know what I‘d do without
Supreme. The first call I made was to them, and they handled it from there.‖
Setting up generator
Johnson said Supreme has sent trucks to get his rice, and company representative John Morgan
was onsite helping set up the generator.
LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell said Johnson is not alone in the hard-hit area around
Lake Charles, La., in the struggle to save the harvested rice. ―They‘re all trying to get that rice
dried and moved,‖ he said.
Jeremy Hebert, AgCenter agent in Acadia Parish, said rice with high moisture will generate heat
and ruin. ―The farmers finally had a good crop, and now they‘re faced with this,‖ he said.
Farmer Jordan Aguillard of Grand Lake, La. finished harvesting his rice crop the day before
storm hit.
Photos: Laura hits stored Louisiana rice
But his challenges were not over. Not only was his house damaged by Hurricane Laura; the tops
of three bins full of rice were blown off by the storm. And the grain needed to be dried to prevent
it from spoiling.
Aguillard had stored some of his rice in bins owned by Rick Hoffpauir, and the tops of three of
the bins were blown off, exposing the rice to the weather. As Aguillard was waiting on an

insurance adjuster and electrician to blow air into the rice, storm clouds threatened overhead.
Aguillard said one option may be to move the rice to other storage facilities.
Hoffpauir said Aguillard eventually got his generator connected, and he was able to move the
exposed rice to the bins that were intact.
House badly damaged
Aguillard said his house is badly damaged. ―It‘s still standing. The shingles are all gone, and I
think the ceiling is going to fall in,‖ he said. Many other houses in the Grand Lake area where he
lives are in similar condition.
Aguillard also has cattle, but he said they survived the storm, although fencing will need to be
replaced. ―I‘ve got a lot of fence down, and it‘s mostly from debris from houses,‖ he said.
Hoffpauir said it appears the wind damage is much worse than from Hurricane Rita in 2005.
Hoffpauir said his house is badly damaged as well as his son‘s next door, along with a shed full
of farm equipment. ―I haven‘t even seen my lawnmower yet,‖ he said.
Proof of the wind‘s power is obvious just a quarter mile away from Hoffpauir‘s place. A train of
dozens of empty rail cars is laying on its side.
Neighboring farmer Johnny Hensgens had a bin destroyed. Talking from Ft. Worth, Texas,
where he had evacuated, Hensgens said his house was also badly damaged. ―The roof split open.
My son‘s house‘s roof is off, and it‘s getting wet when it‘s raining,‖ he said.
David Bertrand of Elton, La., who buys and sells rice, was picking up a generator in Lake
Charles to supply power for his rice bins. He said many farmers are dealing with the same
problems of drying their rice.
―It‘s a fight. It‘s disastrous,‖ Bertrand said. ―Several farms‘ bins are missing roofs, or they have
collapsed roofs. I don‘t see how some of these guys are going to survive.‖
To the east
To the east, the impact on rice farmers was minimal. Farmer Jeffrey Sylvester of Whiteville in
St. Landry Parish, La., had about half of his rice harvested, and he borrowed a generator from
another farm to run his dryer system. The rice remaining in the field went through the storm in
good shape with some downed areas, but Sylvester was relieved that much of the crop survived
intact, along with his soybeans.
Adam Habetz, who farms west of Lake Charles, La., has one generator that he has to rotate
between two sets of bins. He‘s also trying to fix his leaking roof and tend to cattle. ―It‘s all got to
be done. You just have to pick your battles,‖ he said.
Habetz said he finished harvesting his rice crop Sunday (Aug. 30) night, but its moisture level
was high, at 22% to 23%, and it required drying.
His electric provider told him it will be at least six weeks before power is restored. In the
meantime, Habetz is paying $200 a day for generator rental in addition to the fuel cost. ―That‘s
better than losing your whole crop,‖ he said.
All but six of his cattle have been located, but fencing is inadequate now. ―The fences are a
mess. There‘s no patching it. It‘s got to be replaced,‖ he said.
Todd Fontenot, AgCenter agent for rice in Evangeline and Allen parishes, said power was
restored in Evangeline Parish, but Allen Parish farmers remain without power unless they have
generators.

A thunderstorm came through Evangeline Parish during the weekend and flattened some rice that
had withstood Laura.
Source: LSU AgCenter, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly
owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any
of the content contained in this information asset.
https://www.farmprogress.com/rice/laura-deals-blow-harvested-louisiana-rice
Natural pest control is saving billions
Researchers assess the impact in Asia and the Pacific.
Chadchai Ra-ngubpai / Getty Images
Biological control, where natural enemies keep insect pests at bay, is saving farmers in Asia and
the Pacific billions of dollars, according to research led by Australia‘s University of Queensland.
Kris Wyckhuys and colleagues reviewed the use of 75 different biological control agents against
43 pest targets over the period 1918–2018 and found they promoted rural growth and prosperity
even in marginal, poorly endowed, non-rice environments.

Scientists meticulously choose co-evolved beneficial insects that are the most effective and least
likely to pose ecological upsets, Wyckhuys says.
―Biological control delivered durable pest control in myriad Asia-Pacific agriculture sectors,
permitting yield-loss recoveries up to 73%, 81% and 100% in cassava, banana and coconut crops
respectively,‖ the authors write in a paper in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.
―The ensuing economic dividends are substantial, as pest-induced losses up to US$6.8 billion,
US$4.3 billion and US$8.2 billion annually for the above crops were offset (at respective values
of US$5.4-6.8 billion, US$1.4-2.2 billion and US$3.8-5.5 billion yr, for a conservative to high-
impact scenario range).‖
Nations such as Indonesia that prioritised biological control enjoyed productivity gains in pest-
afflicted banana (1222%) and cassava (322%) far surpassing those of paddy rice (303%).
―That‘s a phenomenal amount of money and benefit, particularly when compared to other
innovations in the agricultural sector,‖ says Wyckhuys about the overall results.
―A good point of comparison is the Green Revolution in Asia during the late 1960s, which
tripled the output of local rice production but also saw a rise of chemical fertilisers,
agrochemicals and newer methods of cultivation.‖
The researchers say their findings are consistent with a recent global synthesis that demonstrated
the economic value of biological control for arthropod pest management on the basis of 44
published studies from across the globe.
However, values in the new study ―dwarf those from this recent synthesis largely because they
are founded on a much larger pest complex, more crops, an expansive geographic coverage and
broader underlying assumptions‖.
The new findings, they say, highlight that technological change and its associated productivity
gains are ―not exclusively due to improved genetics, mechanisation or synthesised chemicals, but
also involve agro-ecological measures‖.
And yet, they suggest, the discipline of biological control finds itself at a crossroads.
―As pest–natural enemy interactions are tied to global environmental change, habitat loss,
agrochemical pollution and insect biodiversity decline are causing net negative impacts,‖ they
write.

―Biological control equally suffers from declining institutional capacity, a lack of public
recognition, fading attention by the [Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres]
and increasingly stringent regulations.
―Yet, modern biological control explicitly balances ecological risks with multifaceted benefits,
and its judicious use can safely reduce invasive species impacts, ease vector-borne disease
burden and exert stabilising effects on commodity markets.‖
Nick Carne
Nick Carne is the editor of Cosmos Online and editorial manager for The Royal Institution of
Australia.
https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/agriculture/natural-pest-control-is-saving-billions/
Natural pest control saving billions
Date:
September 3, 2020
Source:
University of Queensland
Summary:
Biological control of insect pests - where 'natural enemies' keep pests at bay - is saving farmers in
Asia and the Pacific billions of dollars, according to new research. Biological control involved the
careful release of an exotic natural enemy from a pest's native habitat.
Share:
FULL STORY
Biological control of insect pests -- where 'natural enemies' keep pests at bay -- is saving farmers
in Asia and the Pacific billions of dollars, according to University of Queensland-led research.

Dr Kris Wyckhuys from UQ's School of Biological Sciences said biological control involved the
careful release of an exotic natural enemy from a pest's native habitat.
"Scientists meticulously choose co-evolved beneficial insects that are the most effective and least
likely to pose ecological upsets," Dr Wyckhuys said.
"We've reviewed how biological control introductions have effectively managed 43 insect pests
in food, feed and fibre crops in the Asia-Pacific region over a century."
The team found that biological control has helped regulate invasive pest threats in multiple key
food crops such as banana, breadfruit and coconut.
"Our work shows these techniques are saving farmers in Asia around $20.1 billion to $26.8
billion (US$14.6-19.5 billion) per year," Dr Wyckhuys said.
"That's a phenomenal amount of money and benefit, particularly when compared to other
innovations in the agricultural sector.
"A good point of comparison is the Green Revolution in Asia during the late 1960s, which
tripled the output of local rice production but also saw a rise of chemical fertilisers,
agrochemicals and newer methods of cultivation.
"A large part of the Green Revolution impacts can be ascribed to double-yielding rice varieties,
which generated $4.8 billion (US$4.3 billion) per year in Asia."
UQ's Associate Professor Michael Furlong said recognition of the success of biological control
might lead to greater uptake and more resilient, prosperous farming globally.
"Biological control offers great opportunities for some of the world's poorest farmers," Dr
Furlong said.
"It's promoted rural growth and prosperity even in marginal, poorly endowed, non-rice
environments.
"A great example is the coconut scale (Aspidiotus destructor), which jeopardised the economic
prosperity and food security of entire nations.
"This coconut scale posed a serious problem to crops like coconut, bananas and copra industries
in Fiji at the start of the Twentieth Century.
"In 1928, lady beetles from Trinidad and millimetre-long parasitic wasps were introduced, and
the results were almost immediate.
"Coconut scale ceased to be an economic issue on all of the main Fijian islands within nine
months, and after 18 months, the scale was so rare it was difficult to find.
"These innovative approaches, with increasingly better science, are helping feed the world,
safeguard on-farm biodiversity and increase farmers' quality of life.

"We're hoping this research provides lessons for future efforts to mitigate invasive species,
restore ecological resilience, and sustainably increase the output of our global food system."
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Queensland. Note: Content may be edited for style and
length.
Journal Reference:
1. Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Yanhui Lu, Wenwu Zhou, Matthew J. W. Cock, Steven E. Naranjo,
Atumurirava Fereti, Frances E. Williams, Michael J. Furlong. Ecological pest control fortifies
agricultural growth in Asia–Pacific economies. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2020;
DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-01294-y
Cite This Page:
 MLA
 APA
 Chicago
University of Queensland. "Natural pest control saving billions." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 September
2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200903095607.htm>.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200903095607.htm
One Week Later, Laura's Damage Report Still
Unfolding
By Kane Webb
LOCATIONS IN LOUISIANA, TEXAS, ARKANSAS, MISSISSIPPI, & MISSOURI -- It's been a week
since Hurricane Laura made landfall in the rice country of southwest Louisiana, carving a path of

destruction with winds and rain that then moved on through neighboring states to the north. Effects on
the 2020 rice crop are still being assessed to determine the extent of damage.
"Things are slowly improving, but we've got a long way to go before we get back to a place we feel
comfortable," said Paul Johnson, who grows rice near Thornwell, in Jeff Davis Parish. "We will probably
feel the effects of this storm for years to come on a crop that was shaping up to be one of the best we'd
seen in several years."

By the time Laura hit last Thursday, a majority of the crop in the southern Louisiana parishes had been
harvested. Post-storm, growers are dealing with damage to bins plus extended power outages that
preclude the operation of drying facilities. Power is being restored in some areas, allowing growers to
switch from generators and aeration to full drying functions, but many dryers may be on backup power
for some time.
Johnson added, "Rice farmers are resilient, and for those familiar
with this industry, you know we're in it together. Communication
and assistance between fellow growers, millers, and merchants
have been coordinated for access to generators, available storage,
and equipment for repairs to those with resources and those in need."
If there are any positive aspects from the storm in this region, it is that the storm surge was less than
initially expected, sparing southern parishes from complete destruction of the ratoon crop, and rainfall
amounts have stayed at manageable levels.
Further north, in central and northeast Louisiana, harvest was just getting underway last week. Damage
reports of down rice across those regions is common. "We feared that the storm would lodge virtually all
of the rice in northeast Louisiana," said Scott Franklin in Holly
Ridge. "It was a pleasant surprise to find that only about a third of
the rice blew over, though we still feel horrible for our friends in
the Acadiana rice region."
Some of the north Louisiana rice crop was just heading when the storm swept through there and Laura's
high winds caused severe damage to rice in this region.
Following Hurricane Laura's path across Arkansas, additional thunderstorms have hit the state every day
through Wednesday. East Arkansas, in particular, has no shortage of water due to rain.
In central Arkansas, the Brantley operation has received a total of 8 to 9 inches of rain in the past
week. "We harvested two fields of rice before the storms hit and as soon as the sun comes out for a few
days and dries out our turnrows, we'll be back in the fields harvesting," said Dow Brantley. "We were
lucky to have less than 5 percent downed rice in our community."
Jeremy Jones and his crew in England were able to harvest 30 percent of their crop a week before Laura
hit. "Most of our rice is still standing so we're pumping water off a few fields and just waiting for the
fields to dry out. I expect that once we get back in the fields, we'll harvest straight through. We were
hoping for a short break between harvesting the early and later planted rice but with this week-long delay,
by the time we harvest all of our early rice, the later planted fields will be ready."
Dr. Jarrod Hardke, state rice specialist at the Rice Extension Research Station in Stuttgart, said, "The
Rice farmer Paul Johnson surveys
storm damage
(photo by Bruce Schultz)
Aerial view of crop damage
at Brantley operation
in England, AR

biggest concerns of producers right now are one, a delay in harvesting rice that is mature and pushing
back overall harvest; two, reduced grain quality from harvest delays; and three, reduced yield and quality
from lodged rice that continues to fall down worse with additional rains this week. Rutting of fields is
also a concern, more so if we fall into a wet winter again that prohibits early field work to prepare for next
season. Some of the later maturing rice that was just heading when the hurricane arrived are seeing
varying degrees of blanking due to wind damage, with some experiencing substantial loss."
The Texas crop was spared, although there was temporary loss of power to some rice drying facilities. "I
have only seen a very small percentage of main crop rice "down" and honestly most of that was just
squatted and not completely flat," said Dorsey Jones, branch
manager of the Helena facility in Raywood. "Our second crop rice
took no damage either. Farm buildings and grain bins were all still
in good shape with only one farmer south of Beaumont reporting
power outages at his on-farm grain bins. We are currently overall
about 85-90 percent harvested in Liberty, Chambers, and Jefferson Counties."
Mississippi and Missouri rice farmers also report minimal damage
due to Hurricane Laura. Austin Davis, who farms near Cleveland
had a little rice go down, but it was a small enough amount to be
considered negligible. Zach Tanner, from the Missouri Bootheel, said, "We were thankful not to have
large lodged rice areas, just small spots. However, it has rained here every day since Thursday last
week."
Steve Linscombe, Josh Hankins, and Emily Woodall contributed to
USA Rice Daily
exporters demand waiver of market fee, rural
development cess
They argued that the move will help farmers get good price for their crop
from exporters, who are the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that
these taxes are otherwise also refundable to the exporters.
Written by Anju Agnihotri Chaba | Jalandhar | September 3, 2020 9:38:09 am
Laura's aftermath
continuesin Arkansas
(photo by Harrison Jones)

premises.
They argue that this move will help farmers get good price for their crop from exporters, who are
the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that these taxes are otherwise also refundable to the
exporters.
Exporters said they pay 6.5 per cent tax in total on purchase of Basmati which includes market
committee fee and RDF at the rate of 3 per cent each.
lying pending with the government.‖

―We have written to the Punjab government to issue directions to the Mandi Board to release our
long pending Market Fee and RDF dues on priority basis,‖ said Ashok Sethi, Director Punjab
Rice Millers and Exporters Association, adding that if exporters will not get this refund and they
are asked to pay both RDF and market fee then it would affect the farmers ultimately.
Another leading exporter said that when exporter will be required to pay these heavy taxes, he
will certainly keep the price low at the time of purchase.
many important issues which require immediate intervention of the state government.
―While Punjab Assembly has passed a resolution against this ordinance, other Basmati growing
states like UP, Haryana, Himachal etc. have accepted the new ordinance and issued new
advisories like waiving off market fee and RDF while levying ‗user charges‘ (To use the yard of
state Mandis) at very low percentage like Haryana would charge 1% use charges,‖ said Sethi,
adding that taxes and levies are much higher in Punjab at over 6.5 per cent and this huge
disparity in taxes and levies would affect the purchase from farmers.
said an exporter.
They demanded that the situation should be cleared before Basmati varieties like 1509 hit
markets by the first week of September.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Dakaunda General Secretary Jagmohan Singh said that Basmati is
one of the best alternative against Paddy (Parmal rice). ―We support that taxes should not be
levied on the traders or exporters when they purchase it from the farmers in the mandis but
certainly when traders sell it further and make profits, a portion of the profit share must be
charged by the government to utilise that amount for the development of our rural area from
where farmers come to the mandis to sell their produce to the exporters,‖ he said.
―When exporters are free from such charges, government should not charge from them because
they assume that they will not get the refund of these taxes and pay less to farmers and made big

profits from farmers‘ produce by exporting the premium crop,‖ said a Basmati grower Devinder
Singh of Tarn Taran, who grows Basmati on 50 to 70 acres every year.
Nearly 2.5 Million Tonnes Basmati is brought to the markets of PMB every year by the farmers.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/basmati-mandis-farmers-exporters-demand-waiver-
market-fee-rural-development-cess-6581143/
MP CM orders EOW probe into low-grade rice
Bhopal, Sep 3 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday directed
an Economic Offences Wing inquiry into supply of sub-standard rice to consumers, it was officially
learnt.
―No action was initiated by the predecessor dispensation in the context of rice procured from millers
in Balaghat under the Public Distribution System in February. Connivance at various levels is
suspected. Subsequent to inspection of Balaghat and Mandla districts, transport from warehouses
plus distribution have been discontinued. As per the milling policy, the second-rate rice will be
replaced with that of satisfactory quality. Inconsistencies perpetrated in the past shall also be
investigated. It is imperative to break the vicious cycle of black-marketeers,‖ he averred during a
meeting.
http://www.uniindia.com/mp-cm-orders-eow-probe-into-low-grade-rice/north/news/2148355.html
exporters demand
Before arrival of Basmati in mandis, farmers, exporters demand waiver of market fee,
rural development cess
They argued that the move will help farmers get good price for their crop from exporters,
who are the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that these taxes are otherwise also
refundable to the exporters.

premises. They argue that this move will help farmers get good price for their crop from
exporters, who are the main purchasers of the Basmati, adding that these taxes are otherwise also
refundable to the exporters. Basmati would hit the state‘s mandis this month. Exporters said they
pay 6.5 per cent tax in total on purchase of Basmati which includes market committee fee and
RDF at the rate of 3 per cent each.
lying pending with the government.‖ ―We have written to the Punjab government to issue
directions to the Mandi Board to release our long pending Market Fee and RDF dues on priority
basis,‖ said Ashok Sethi, Director Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association, adding that if
exporters will not get this refund and they are asked to pay both RDF and market fee then it
would affect the farmers ultimately. Another leading exporter said that when exporter will be
required to pay these heavy taxes, he will certainly keep the price low at the time of purchase.

many important issues which require immediate intervention of the state government. ―While
Punjab Assembly has passed a resolution against this ordinance, other Basmati growing states
like UP, Haryana, Himachal etc. have accepted the new ordinance and issued new advisories like
waiving off market fee and RDF while levying ‗user charges‘ (To use the yard of state Mandis)
at very low percentage like Haryana would charge 1% use charges,‖ said Sethi, adding that taxes
and levies are much higher in Punjab at over 6.5 per cent and this huge disparity in taxes and
levies would affect the purchase from farmers.
said an exporter. They demanded that the situation should be cleared before Basmati varieties
like 1509 hit markets by the first week of September. Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Dakaunda
General Secretary Jagmohan Singh said that Basmati is one of the best alternative against Paddy
(Parmal rice). ―We support that taxes should not be levied on the traders or exporters when they
purchase it from the farmers in the mandis but certainly when traders sell it further and make
profits, a portion of the profit share must be charged by the government to utilise that amount for
the development of our rural area from where farmers come to the mandis to sell their produce to
the exporters,‖ he said. ―When exporters are free from such charges, government should not
charge from them because they assume that they will not get the refund of these taxes and pay
less to farmers and made big profits from farmers‘ produce by exporting the premium crop,‖ said
a Basmati grower Devinder Singh of Tarn Taran, who grows Basmati on 50 to 70 acres every
year. Nearly 2.5 Million Tonnes Basmati is brought to the markets of PMB every year by the
farmers.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/basmati-mandis-farmers-exporters-demand-
waiver-market-fee-rural-development-cess-6581143/

4th september ,2020 daily global regional and local rice e newsletter (2)

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