To reduce water use, labour cost & GHG emission substantially

The country’s first herbicide-tolerant rice varieties will be available for large-scale commercial cultivation next year after the agriculture ministry accorded approval to these.

The new varieties of basmati rice have been developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), affiliated to the Indian Council for Agricultural Research.

Two rice varieties–Pusa basmati (PB) 1979 and PB 1985–can be grown using direct seeding of rice (DSR) method, which significantly reduces water and labour use compared with traditional transplantation methods.

“We have submitted a dossier on the new rice varieties to the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee for allowing the use of herbicide, which had been prohibited in the rice cultivation,” Ashok Kumar Singh, director of the IARI, told FE.

The approval for the use of herbicides in these rice varieties is expected shortly.

He said these two varieties will promote the DSR method, which will help farmers reduce water usage by 30%, greenhouse emission and labour cost in the key water-deficit basmati rice growing regions of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.

Scientists say the DSR method of rice cultivation has not been popular because of issues associated with weeds. “New varieties will allow the direct application of herbicides such as Imazethapyr, which eradicates a range of weeds,” Singh said.

In the case of conventional methods of paddy transplantation, herbicides are not directly applied as they can’t distinguish between a plant and weeds. Thus, paddy seeds are first raised as young plants in nurseries before being planted in the fields after three to four weeks.

Two approved herbicide-tolerant varieties are the improved version of PB1121 and PB1509, which have a share of more than 60% in the total aromatic long-grain rice cultivation of the country. Along with the two varieties, PB 1692 and PB1401, also developed by the IARI, have more than 95% share in the country’s aromatic and long-grained rice cultivation.

Exporters say with the cost of cultivation expected to reduce because of lesser use of water and labour cost, farmers’ income is expected to get a boost.

India exported 4.5 million tonnes of basmati rice worth $ 4.78 billion in 2022-23. Shipments to top 10 countries — Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, the US, Yemen, Kuwait, the UK, Oman and Qatar—constituted more than 82% of India’s volume of exports.

In the global trade of basmati rice, India has a share of around 85% while the rest is with Pakistan.

According to an analysis by the IARI, Rs 1.66 trillion worth of export earnings between 2010 and 2019 were from the shipments of PB1121 and PB1509 rice varieties, while domestic sales were to the tune of Rs 51,501 crore in the same period.

After deducting the cost of production, the IARI assessment has stated that Rs 1.34 trillion has been accrued as earnings to an estimated 1 million farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, who grow two varieties of aromatic and long-grained rice.

The government has already requested Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana for assistance, and surplus paddy nursery sown by several farmers will be procured.

in Punjab, the floods may also increase the Basmati cultivation area, which is crucial considering the shorter duration of Basmati. (Express)

Due to the devastating floods, Punjab may need to retransplant paddy and basmati rice varieties in approximately 1.05 lakh hectares (around 2.50 lakh acres) of land across over half a dozen districts, according to agriculture officials.

By the first week of July, before the incessant rain hit the state, rice cultivation had already covered 86 per cent (27.29 lakh hectares) of the expected area of 31.67 lakh hectares. Sowing on the remaining area was then underway.punjab paddy While paddy transplanting is typically completed in the state by mid-July, some farmers transplant short varieties even by the end of July. (Express)

According to the initial estimates from the Punjab Agriculture Department, which is yet to conduct a special ‘girdawari’ (crop inspection) to gauge the actual damage in collaboration with the Punjab Revenue Department, floodwaters have submerged around 2.37 lakh hectares (5.85 lakh acres) of paddy fields.

Malwa, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Mohali, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Kapurthala districts have experienced the most significant losses. The damage is expected on approximately 44 per cent of the flooded fields. Punjab Agriculture Department Director Gurvinder Singh said the actual damage would be calculated only after the water recedes from all areas.

The government has already requested Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana for assistance, and surplus paddy nursery sown by several farmers will be procured. Additionally, several farmers have come forward with their available nurseries.

According to experts, there is still time to retransplant short-duration paddy and Basmati varieties, including PUSA 1509 and PR-126, both of which have good yields.

While paddy transplanting is typically completed in the state by mid-July, some farmers transplant short varieties even by the end of July. Farmers are waiting for the water to recede so they can proceed with retransplanting, as several parts of the state still have standing water in the fields.

Jagmohan Singh, general secretary of BKU (Dakaunda), stated that due to global warming, there are significant climate changes, and governments must be prepared for any emergencies and make advance arrangements. He added that individual farmers are growing surplus paddy nurseries, and the government is planning that after the floods.

In Punjab, the floods may also increase the Basmati cultivation area, which is crucial considering the shorter duration of Basmati. Punjab had set a target of growing Basmati on 6 lakh hectares this year.

With China's help, the African island nation has ambitions to meet food security needs

The long rainy season has finally ended, and the cool, pleasant dry season has arrived in the central highlands of Madagascar.

At the branch of the China National Hybrid Rice Engineering Research Center in the town of Mahitsy, on the outskirts of the capital city Antananarivo, hybrid rice is ready to be harvested.

Farmers lift the stalks up high and thresh them vigorously, causing the plump grains to fly into the air, filling it with the scent of rice.

As in southern China, rice is the staple food of Madagascar, and the grain has been grown there for a long time. However, due to the lack of high-quality rice seeds and advanced growing techniques, rice production in the country is not fully able to meet people's needs.

Since 2007, China has been working with Madagascar on hybrid rice technology. Some 20 agricultural experts from Hunan province have visited the island's tropical rainforests, highlands and grasslands, sowing hybrid seeds from southern China in every important rice-producing region, helping the Madagascans achieve their dream of self-sufficiency.

The global decline of the rice supply and the impact of El Nino climate pattern have led to a sharp increase in the price of rice for export.

Latest data from General Department of Vietnam Customs shows that in the first half of the year, rice exports reached more than 4.2 million tons and are valued at $2.26 billion, up over 21% in volume and 32% in value over the same period last year.

The export price of rice in June reached an average of $650 per ton, up 9.4% compared to May and 20.8% higher than the same period last year.

In the first six months of 2023, the export price of rice is estimated at $539 per ton, up more than 10% over the same period in 2022 and the highest of the past 10 years.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the reason for the sharp increase is the decrease in supply. The emergence of El Nino has also forced many countries to increase rice purchases to stock up.

The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture forecasts that El Nino will return and severely affect their domestic food production. Indonesia predicts that it may cause widespread drought in the country, so the July-August harvest for agricultural products may drop significantly.

In the first five months of the year, rice exports to the main markets - Philippines and China, both grew strongly at double digits. In addition, rice exports to new markets such as Indonesia, Chile, Turkey, and Senegal recorded a surge from 1,100-16,000% over the same period last year.

Bloomberg reported this week that the Indian government is banning the export of all rice that is not Basmati (a popular rice in South Asia), as prices have been on the rise and they want to control inflation.

Retail rice prices in New Delhi have increased by 15% this year, while the domestic average price has increased by 8%, according to India's Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Vietnam Food Association and enterprises believe that if this ban is implemented, global rice prices will increase. In the near future, Vietnamese rice will not only benefit in price but also be favorable for exports.

An enterprise based in Can Tho in Vietnam's Mekong Delta said that export orders were abundant and the price of fragrant rice was increasing the most. This enterprise does not even have enough supply to meet the orders. It is forecast that the rice export market in the second half of the year will reach a peak value.

To ensure domestic and export demand, the agriculture ministry has directed key rice production areas, especially the Mekong Delta, to actively cultivate and prioritize short-duration rice varieties as well as high-quality and fragrant rice varieties suitable for market demand.

Vietnamese rice has been exported to 156 countries and territories, including many high-end rice markets.

Global prices for rice could soar again as the world’s largest supplier, India, considers banning the export of several varieties.

As the cost of the staple reaches an 11-year high, Narendra Modi‘s government is discussing a plan to ban exports of all non-Basmati rice, according to a Bloomberg report.

If implemented, the move would see India banning 80 per cent of all of its rice exports, sending global prices to new highs as the world grapples with soaring food price inflation after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Insiders told Bloomberg the move was aimed at curbing the risk of heightened inflation, particularly ahead of upcoming elections. Indian consumers are battling prices so high that some are crossing the border to buy cheaper tomatoes.

While the rice move could control domestic prices, it carries the risk of causing global costs to surge even higher amid a tight supply.

Consumers in Britain will not be immune to the increases.

“Two-thirds of the rice we import – worth £229.2m last year – comes from climate-vulnerable parts of the world; over half of that (£127m) from India,” said Gareth Redmond-King of the London-based Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit.

“As impacts worsen, so shortages will drive up the cost of staple foods we import from overseas, which we cannot simply grow here instead,” he said.

“Cutting emissions to net zero is the only route to halting climate change to limit warming and avoid even worse impacts.”

India accounts for more than 40 per cent of the world’s rice exports. Prices jumped to a five-year high in June after the government announced an increase in minimum support prices for farmers.

Last year, India’s move to ban wheat exports led to a global outcry.

It comes amid global concerns over the disruptive El Nino weather phenomenon’s impact on farming, further adding to pressure on prices. The cyclic weather event in the Pacific Ocean is known to increase heat and is worrying researchers as it adds to the worsening climate crisis fuelling extreme weather events.

India has been grappling with repeated heatwaves and erratic monsoons impacting agricultural production. Longer droughts and heavier monsoons, resulting in more rain in a shorter period, have adversely impacted crop production.

Fears of shortages also pose challenges of stockpiling. Rice serves as a vital staple for around half of the global population, with Asia alone accounting for around 90 per cent of the world’s rice consumption. Importing countries such as Indonesia, China and the Philippines have been aggressively stockpiling rice this year.

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region has served as the country’s breadbasket for years. Known for fertile soil, the area grows more than half of all rice produced in the country, a staple in the Vietnamese diet. In 2016, however, the delta experienced a devastating drought, leaving 600,000 people without access to fresh water. Rice yields had already been falling for seasons, but the drought represented a tipping point for many farming families. Degraded land, lack of water and pollution caused nearly 1.1 million people to migrate from the region. 

Climate change threatens rice cultivation worldwide

Unfortunately, this is only the beginning of what’s to come worldwide. Climate-induced crises are threatening farmers’ livelihoods and exacerbating global hunger. Approximately 3.5 billion people rely on rice as a staple in their diet, and the grain provides around a third of the calories consumed in low- and middle-income countries. Rice is also becoming increasingly popular in the West, now commonly found in pet food, beer, cereals and other items to meet the rising demand for gluten-free products. 

All of this is impacted by the exponential growth in the global population, and with it, the demand for rice. Rice production will need to increase by an estimated 25 percent by 2050 in order to meet global needs. Meanwhile, approximately 15 million to 20 million hectares of land may suffer water scarcity due to rising temperatures, threatening to greatly reduce the yields and nutritional value of rice harvests. 

Increased water scarcity events would be devastating for rice cultivation, as the crop is extremely water-intensive, each kilogram requiring between 2,000 and 5,000 liters of water (40 percent of the world’s total irrigation water). Rice paddy fields and reservoirs have caused a 233 percent increase in manmade wetlands while natural wetlands have declined by 35 percent, throwing everything out of balance. 

Rice is also a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In fact, rice’s carbon footprint is similar to the international aviation industry. Emissions are largely caused by the conventional field flooding farming method, which prevents oxygen from penetrating the soil and leads to the growth of harmful, methane-emitting bacteria. Additional methane is released from the rotting rice straw left over from the crop in conventional rice farming. 

There is a better way, but the private sector needs to invest in it

If we continue cultivating rice using these methods, climate change-related weather incidents and exhausted resources will certainly cause a shortage, likely leading to a hunger disaster on a global scale. 

After years of research, trial and error, there are now proven methods of sustainable rice production that are adaptive and resilient to climate change, and produce the same yields as conventional cultivation. A study in the An Giang province in Vietnam, the world's fifth largest rice producer, compared harvests between farmers using the more sustainable wetting-and-drying (AWD) field method to those using the conventional field flooding approach. Yields were almost identical, and the AWD method emitted less greenhouse gases and required fewer seeds and fertilizer. 

These green farming techniques are the only pathway that can maintain rice productivity and adapt to rising global temperatures. But more private-sector finance is needed to support and grow these programs. Fortunately, it is no longer a risk for companies to shift to these sustainable methods. In fact, it’s a business imperative. 

At the Global Environment Facility, investments totaling over $600 million continue to grow from the initial cluster of Asian countries and into West Africa under our programs — demonstrating scalability, replicability and financial support from the private sector, which is a vitally needed element for equitably transforming systems.

Why invest in sustainable rice?

Here are some of the top reasons why the time is now to invest in sustainable rice. 

Reducing GHG emissions. There are now proven methods to mitigate rice’s methane emissions by up to 70 percent using simple changes in farming techniques. These modifications include removing rice straw from the fields after harvest, new fertilization and soil amendment regimes, and careful control of the timing, duration and extent of rice field flooding. These transitions are possible through the training and support of rice farmers at the ground level.  

Blended-finance to de-risk investments. There is growing attention on blended finance opportunities to de-risk private-sector investment. Instead of pure grants, which are always in short supply, these investment tools catalyze private-sector investment and foster replicable projects. By combining private and public finance sources — such as commercial investors, donors, and/or multi-lateral trust funds like the Global Environment Facility — project design teams can deploy credit lines, loan guarantees, equity investments and other innovative approaches. Many investments can be aggregated into a larger facility or funding program to help scale and attract private finance in markets where the risks are too high for conventional financial products or local institutions alone. 

Climate resilience. Researchers have discovered effective methods of reducing rice’s reliance on water that are significantly more efficient than conventional farming techniques, creating more climate resilience. For example, a sustainable rice program in Vietnam used a micro-irrigation system that allows water to drip slowly to plant roots instead of the conventional field flooding method. This resulted in water savings of 60 percent to 70 percent and highlighted the power of technical farming assistance to reduce resource exhaustion and provide more consistent yields. 
 
A global network of support. Sustainable rice farming programs are backed by a network of international organizations including the United Nations, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and my organization, the Global Environment Facility. Programs such as the Sustainable Rice Landscape Initiative are well underway to help private companies make the shift from conventional rice farming to green techniques in order to meet the Paris Agreement’s GHG emission targets. The Sustainable Rice Platform helps create customized finance approaches and climate transition blueprints. 

Small farmers are ready. Training and capacity-building for farmers and smallholders have been underway for several years now, paving the way for a systemic transition to sustainable rice production and providing additional assurance for private investors who were reluctant to invest in a country that is too early in this process. Support for farmers can take many forms, such as teaching mechanized harvesting methods in Nigeria, which prevented almost half a ton of food loss and increased farmer profits by approximately $200 per hectare. 

The time is now for the private sector to invest in sustainable rice production — not only to meet global climate policy requirements, but also to ensure that rice farming is able to adapt to our changing planet and that businesses remain profitable. Conventional rice farming methods are a ticking time bomb. The foundation has been laid in terms of developing proven techniques, working with governments to shift national policies, and training farmers around the world. It’s time for CEOs to take the leap, not only to save their businesses, but also to prevent climate and hunger disasters. 

 A farmer works in a paddy field at Dala Township in Yangon, Myanmar, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

YANGON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Farmers are busy working in paddy fields at Dala Township in Myanmar's capital Yangon, with high hopes for this year's monsoon harvest.

Myanmar produces approximately 14 million tons of milled rice annually, with around 10 to 11 million tons consumed domestically and a surplus of 2 to 2.5 million tons exported to Asian, European, and African countries.

A farmer carries rice seedlings at Dala Township in Yangon, Myanmar, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

Women plant rice seedlings in a paddy field at Dala Township in Yangon, Myanmar, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/ Xinhua)

Farmers plant rice seedlings in a paddy field at Dala Township in Yangon, Myanmar, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/ Xinhua)

A farmer works in a paddy field at Dala Township in Yangon, Myanmar, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/ Xinhua)

 A woman walks in a paddy field at Dala Township in Yangon, Myanmar, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/ Xinhua)

A farmer works in a paddy field at Dala Township in Yangon, Myanmar, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/ Xinhua)

A farmer works in a paddy field at Dala Township in Yangon, Myanmar, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/ Xinhua) ■

Shortage of paddy, fears of crop being affected by weather factors behind the spike

Prices of Indian rice have increased by nearly 10 per cent over the past couple of weeks in the global market, but still they continue to be competitive as prices of the cereal from other origins have also gone up. However, the high prices have dried up export demand. 

“Indian rice prices have gone up by 5-10 per cent recently but this is the usual case with it during the lean season from July-September,” said BV Krishna Rao, President, The Rice Exporters Association of India (TREA).

Prices of parboiled rice, in demand from Vietnam and African countries, have increased from the levels of $380-390 a tonne to $430, he said.

Business dull

Traders said a major reason for the increase in rice prices is that paddy is being quoted higher or reports of its non-availability. 

“There seems to be a shortage of paddy, particularly in the south pushing up prices. There is still no parity in paddy rates compared with rice,” said S Chandrasekaran, a Delhi-based trade analyst.

“Last week, we bought rice, ex-mill, at ₹29,000 a tonne, but now it is quoted at ₹30,500,” said VR Vidya Sagar, Director, Bulk Logix. Prices of 5 per cent white rice have increased by at least $25 a tonne to levels of $490.

“No business is happening as buyers are of the view that prices are high. There are enquiries only for cheap rice from Singapore and East Timor,” said M Madan Prakash, President, Agricultural Commodities Exporters Association (ACEA). 

A trader from North India said paddy prices were shooting up every day, particularly in States such as Chhattisgarh — a phenomenon not seen in the past few years. “The volume of paddy available is also less,” he said. Shortage of paddy is being reported from centres such as Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.

Fear factors

Despite these developments, research agency BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, has cut its average price forecast for rice to 2.9 per cent for CBOT-listed second-month rough rice futures in 2023. The price forecast has been lowered from $17.30 per cwt (hundredweight or 45.35 kg) to $16.80.

“Prices have gone up on fears of floods affecting production of paddy in North India and deficient rainfall lowering the area under the cereal during the current kharif sowing,” said Bulk Logix’s Sagar.

Prices of Sona Masuri, Ponni or idli rice have all increased above $650. “Prices of Sona Masuri and other varieties have gone from $550 to highs not seen in the recent past. Normally, prices of these rice varieties are stable,” said ACEA’s Prakash. 

A section of the trade blames the Chhattisgarh government’s move to hike the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy to ₹2,800 a quintal for the spike in prices. 

Reflecting new MSP

TREA’s Rao said rice prices have begun to reflect the MSP fixed by the Centre for the 2023-24 crop year (July-June). The MSP for rice has been increased to ₹2,183 a quintal for the common variety from ₹2,040 last year. 

Traders are, however, unanimous that prices could begin cooling from September onwards. 

Research agency BMI  forecast that the global rice market will loosen through the 2023-24 season, moving from an estimated deficit of 9.9 million tonnes (mt) in 2022-23 to a narrow deficit of one mt. But the “now-confirmed” El Nino could pose a risk and it will support prices in the interim.

Despite these developments, the US Department of Agriculture has estimated India’s rice exports to increase to 24 mt in the 2023-24 marketing season (September-August). It also projected India’s rice production at 134 mt compared with the record 136 mt this season. 

NEW DELHI: Warmer, drier weather because of an earlier than usual El Nino is expected to hamper rice production across Asia, hitting global food security in a world still reeling from the impacts of the war in Ukraine.

An El Nino is a natural, temporary and occasional warming of part of the Pacific that shifts global weather patterns, and climate change is making them stronger. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced this one in June, a month or two earlier than it usually does. This gives it time to grow. Scientists say there's a one in four chance it will expand to supersized levels.

That's bad news for rice farmers, particularly in Asia where 90% of the world’s rice is grown and eaten, since a strong El Nino typically means less rainfall for the thirsty crop.

Past El Ninos have resulted in extreme weather, ranging from drought to floods.

There are already “alarm bells,” said Abdullah Mamun, a research analyst at the International Food Policy Research Institute or IFPRI, pointing to rising rice prices due to shortfalls in production. The average price of 5% broken white rice in June in Thailand was about 16% higher than last year's average.

Global stocks have run low since last year, in part due to devastating floods in Pakistan, a major rice exporter. This year’s El Nino may amplify other woes for rice-producing countries, such as reduced availability of fertilizer due to the war and some countries' export restrictions on rice. Myanmar, Cambodia and Nepal are particularly vulnerable, warned a recent report by research firm BMI.

“There is uncertainty over the horizon,” Mamun said.

Recently, global average temperatures have hit record highs. Monsoon rains over India were lighter than usual by the end of June. Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday asked his ministers to anticipate a long dry season. And in the Philippines, authorities are carefully managing water to protect vulnerable areas.

Some countries are bracing for food shortages. Indonesia was among the worst hit by India’s decision to restrict rice exports last year after less rain fell than expected and a historic heat wave scorched wheat, raising worries that domestic food prices would surge.

Last month, India said it would send over 1 million metric tons (1.1 million U.S. tons) to Indonesia, Senegal and Gambia to help them meet “their food security needs.”

Fertilizer is another crucial variable. Last year China, a major producer, restricted exports to keep domestic prices in check after fertilizers were among exports affected by sanctions on Russian ally Belarus for human rights violations. Sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine don’t specifically target fertilizers but the war has disrupted shipments of the three main chemical fertilizers: potash, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

Bangladesh found suppliers in Canada to make up for lost potash shipments from Belarus, but many countries are still scrambling to find new sources.

Farmers like Abu Bakar Siddique, who cultivates 1.2 hectares (3 acres) in northern Bangladesh, had enough fertilizer to keep his yields steady last year. But less rainfall meant he had to rely more on electric pumps for his winter harvest at a time of power shortages due to war-related shortfalls of diesel and coal.

“This increased my costs,” he said.

Each El Nino is different, but historical trends suggest scarce rainfall in South and Southeast Asia will parch the soil, causing cascading effects in coming years, said Beau Damen, a natural resources officer with the Food and Agriculture Organization based in Bangkok, Thailand. Some countries, like Indonesia, may be more vulnerable in the early stages of the phenomenon, he said.

Kusnan, a farmer in Indonesia's East Java, said rice farmers there have tried to anticipate that by planting earlier so that when the El Nino hits, the rice might be ready for harvest and not needing so much water. Kusnan, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said he hoped high yields last year would help offset any losses this year.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has stressed the need to manage water well in the coming weeks, warning that various factors including export restrictions and fertilizer shortages could combine with the El Nino to “make this a particularly damaging event.”

Baldev Singh, a 52-year-old farmer in northern India's Punjab state, is already worried. He typically sows rice from late June until mid-July, but then needs the monsoon rains to flood the paddies. Less than a tenth of the usual rainfall had come by early this month, and then floods ravaged northern India, battering young crops that had just been planted.

The government has encouraged Punjab farmers to grow rice along with their traditional wheat crops since the 1960s to improve India's food security, even though farmers like Singh don’t typically eat rice and irrigation of rice fields has drained the area's aquifers. But he keeps growing it, counting on the certainty of government purchases at fixed prices.

With rain scarce, Singh may need to dig wells. Last year, he dug down 200 feet (60 meters) to find water.

“Rice has been our ruin ... I don’t know what will happen in the future,” he said.

India is considering banning the export of non-Basmati rice, which could further increase global rice prices due to the reemergence of El Niño.

India is contemplating a potential prohibition on the export of numerous rice varieties. This proposed measure, if implemented, could further elevate the already soaring global prices of this vital food staple, particularly as the disruptive El Niño weather phenomenon reemerges. India is the largest exporter of rice in the world.

Government officials are currently engaged in discussions concerning a plan to restrict the export of non-Basmati rice, as disclosed to Bloomberg by individuals knowledgeable about the matter.  LiveMint could not independently verify the report.

The motive behind this proposal, according to these insiders who requested anonymity due to the confidentiality of the information, is to mitigate the risk of heightened inflation ahead of upcoming elections.

India's decision to ban rice exports will have a significant impact, affecting approximately 80% of the India's rice exports. While this move may potentially lower domestic prices, it carries the risk of causing global costs to surge even higher. 

Rice stands as a crucial staple for approximately half of the global population, with Asia alone accounting for about 90% of the world's rice consumption. 

Concerns over the return of the El Niño weather phenomenon have already driven benchmark prices to a two-year high, heightening fears of potential crop damage and exacerbating the upward trajectory of prices in the global rice market.

India, a dominant player in the global rice trade, holds a substantial share of approximately 40%. In recent times, the country has taken measures to strengthen control over the trade of certain rice varieties. Notably, India implemented a ban on the export of broken rice in 2022. 

Also , a 20% duty was imposed on shipments of white and brown rice, in response to the surge in food staple prices, triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, impacting commodities such as wheat and corn. Furthermore, India has imposed limitations on exports of wheat and sugar, indicating a concerted effort to regulate the trade of these essential food commodities.

Representatives for the food, trade and finance ministries didn’t respond to emails or text messages seeking comment. 

Importers such as Indonesia, China and the Philippines have been aggressively stockpiling rice this year. El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, according to the World Meteorological Organization, threatening to bring drought to many rice-growing regions. A potential ban by India will add to worries over supply.

India’s plan comes after its consumer price inflation quickened in June, mainly due to higher food prices. Bloomberg Economics expects inflation to rebound further with the latest surge in tomato prices — a key ingredient in Indian cuisine — and an increase in the government’s support price for monsoon-sown crops.

BUTUAN CITY – At least 700 rice farmers in the Agusan del Norte town of Las Nieves are set to receive rice seeds under the agriculture development program of the local government with the support of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Agusan.

On Thursday, about 1,000 sacks of certified rice seeds worth PHP760,000 were received by the Las Nieves local government from PhilRice-Agusan and the Butuan Seed Producers Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

The seed allocation forms part of the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund of PhilRice and the Department of Agriculture (DA) 13 (Caraga Region).

In an interview Thursday, Las Nieves information officer Michael Mandahinog said the rice seeds would be delivered to the rain-fed rice areas, particularly in nine barangays.

“Providing support to rice farmers is among the priorities of the administration of Mayor Karen Rosales. Las Nieves is among the rice-producing towns in Agusan del Norte,” Mandahinog said.

Las Nieves produced 10,433 metric tons of palay in 2022, he said.

The newly-received certified seeds, which include varieties NSIC RC 160, RC 216, and RC 436, are stored at the municipal warehouse and are ready for distribution by the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) to the beneficiaries.

“The MAO will post the schedules of the distributions to the covered barangays for the information of our farmers who will receive the certified rice seeds for free,” Mandahinog said.

All the 700 recipients are registered at the Farmer and Fisherfolk Registry System of the agriculture department. (PNA)

Fortified rice which was supplied at ₹34/kg is being made available at ₹31/kg and wheat at ₹21.50/kg instead of ₹22.50/kg

 The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has reduced the price of rice and wheat being tendered out under the open market sale scheme (domestic) for registered bulk buyers.

Fortified rice which was supplied at ₹34/kg is being made available at ₹31/kg and wheat at ₹21.50/kg instead of ₹22.50/kg, said Manjeev Kumar Goyal, Deputy General Manager, FCI in Chennai on July 13.  

Addressing presspersons, Mr. Goyal said that the price of rice and wheat had been reduced as a market control mechanism to benefit consumers. Only traders having GST numbers in Tamil Nadu can bid. This is to ensure that the commodities are not resold to traders or middlemen outside the State. The FCI also keeps track of stock position of the millers and traders to doubly ensure this. A minimum of 10 tonnes to a maximum of 100 tonnes can be procured by one person or company, he said.

Ravi Shastri, deputy general manager (operations), said that so far, three tranches of wheat had been offered in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In the latest, 16,000 tonnes of wheat are available for Tamil Nadu and 2,000 tonnes for Puducherry. So far 4,800 tonnes have been sold via 15 depots in the State and 190 tonnes through one depot in the Union Territory. A total of 48,000 tonnes of rice are also available in this tranche. Stocks are bid through https://www.valuejunction.in/fci/ portal.  

At present, FCI’s stock in hand for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for supply under the public distribution system and the noon meal scheme is 8.54 lakh tonnes of rice and 1.11 lakh tonnes of wheat, which is sufficient to meet the requirement for 10 months, Mr. Goyal added.  

KARACHI  - A three-member delegation comprising of quarantine inspectors from the National Health Service, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA), Mexico is visiting Pakistan from 11th to 14th July, 2023 for the inspection of rice establishments to lift ban on import of rice from Pakistan. The visit of the delegation has been organized by TDAP in collaboration with REAP and DPP and our Mission at Mexico.

On the first day of the visit, the delegation inspected two leading establishments of rice in Punjab and also visited Ayub Agriculture Institute and Agriculture University of Faisalabad. They also visiting Rice Research Institute KSK. On 13 and 14th July, the delegation will visit rice establishments in Karachi.

It is pertinent to mention that Mexico granted market access to Pakistani polished rice (low risk goods) in 2012, however, banned import of rice from Pakistan claiming interception of Pakistani rice consignment with Khapra beetle in 2013. Mexico is one of the potential importer of rice and in 2022, Mexico imported $295.3 million worth of rice from the world. With the efforts of Trade Mission at Mexico, DPP, REAP and TDAP, it is expected that (SENASICA), Mexico will consider lifting ban on import of rice from Pakistan and exports of rice to South America will be increased.

July 13 (Reuters) - India, the world's biggest rice exporter, is considering banning exports of most rice varieties, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday.

The government is discussing a plan to ban exports of all non-Basmati rice, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Reporting by Yana Gaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Himani Sarkar.

NEW DELHI — 

Warmer, drier weather because of an earlier-than-usual El Nino is expected to hamper rice production across Asia, hitting global food security in a world still reeling from the impacts of the war in Ukraine.

An El Nino is a natural, temporary and occasional warming of part of the Pacific that shifts global weather patterns, and climate change is making them stronger. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced this one in June, a month or two earlier than it usually does. This gives it time to grow. Scientists say there's a one in four chance it will expand to supersized levels.

That's bad news for rice farmers, particularly in Asia where 90% of the world's rice is grown and eaten, since a strong El Nino typically means less rainfall for the thirsty crop.

Past El Ninos have resulted in extreme weather, ranging from drought to floods.

There are already "alarm bells," said Abdullah Mamun, a research analyst at the International Food Policy Research Institute or IFPRI, pointing to rising rice prices due to shortfalls in production. The average price of 5% broken white rice in June in Thailand was about 16% higher than last year's average.

Global stocks have run low since last year, in part due to devastating floods in Pakistan, a major rice exporter. This year's El Nino may amplify other woes for rice-producing countries, such as reduced availability of fertilizer due to the war and some countries' export restrictions on rice. Myanmar, Cambodia and Nepal are particularly vulnerable, warned a recent report by research firm BMI.

"There is uncertainty over the horizon," Mamun said.

Recently, global average temperatures have hit record highs. Monsoon rains over India were lighter than usual by the end of June. Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday asked his ministers to anticipate a long dry season. And in the Philippines, authorities are carefully managing water to protect vulnerable areas.

Some countries are bracing for food shortages. Indonesia was among the worst hit by India's decision to restrict rice exports last year after less rain fell than expected and a historic heat wave scorched wheat, raising worries that domestic food prices would surge.

Last month, India said it would send more than 1 million metric tons (1.1 million U.S. tons) to Indonesia, Senegal and Gambia to help them meet "their food security needs."

Challenges finding fertilizer

Fertilizer is another crucial variable. Last year China, a major producer, restricted exports to keep domestic prices in check after fertilizers were among exports affected by sanctions on Russian ally Belarus for human rights violations. Sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine don't target fertilizers but the war has disrupted shipments of the three main chemical fertilizers: potash, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

Bangladesh found suppliers in Canada to make up for lost potash shipments from Belarus, but many countries are still scrambling to find new sources.

Farmers such as Abu Bakar Siddique, who cultivates 1.2 hectares (3 acres) in northern Bangladesh, had enough fertilizer to keep his yields steady last year. But less rainfall meant he had to rely more on electric pumps for his winter harvest at a time of power shortages due to war-related shortfalls of diesel and coal.

"This increased my costs," he said.

Attempting to adapt

Each El Nino is different, but historical trends suggest scarce rainfall in South and Southeast Asia will parch the soil, causing cascading effects in coming years, said Beau Damen, a natural resources officer with the Food and Agriculture Organization based in Bangkok, Thailand. Some countries, like Indonesia, may be more vulnerable in the early stages of the phenomenon, he said.

Kusnan, a farmer in Indonesia's East Java, said rice farmers there have tried to anticipate that by planting earlier so that when the El Nino hits, the rice might be ready for harvest and not need so much water. Kusnan, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said he hoped high yields last year would help offset any losses this year.

Widodo, the Indonesian leader, stressed the need to manage water in coming weeks, warning that various factors — including export restrictions and fertilizer shortages — could combine with the El Nino to "make this a particularly damaging event."

Baldev Singh, a 52-year-old farmer in northern India's Punjab state, is already worried. He typically sows rice from late June until mid-July, then needs the monsoon rains to flood the paddies. Less than a tenth of the usual rainfall had come by early this month, and then floods ravaged northern India, battering young crops that had just been planted.

The government has encouraged Punjab farmers to grow rice along with their traditional wheat crops since the 1960s to improve India's food security, even though farmers like Singh don't typically eat rice and irrigation of rice fields has drained the area's aquifers. But he keeps growing it, counting on the certainty of government purchases at fixed prices.

With rain scarce, Singh may need to dig wells. Last year, he dug down 200 feet (60 meters) to find water.

"Rice has been our ruin ... I don't know what will happen in the future," he said.

With heavy showers in July have meant that, India, which was seeing a 30% deficit in rainfall in mid-June, is now at 2% excess rainfall reading. However, the June deficit has had an effect on kharif acreage sowing which is around 9% lower than what it was last year.

The sowing seen in rice and pulses saw the weakest progress — shrinking by almost a quarter.

“Within pulses, lower acreage of Arhar (Pigeon pea) and Urad (Black lentil) was noted for the same period. Even the sown area of oilseeds, cotton and Jute and Mesta have fallen sharply,” say economists at Bank of Baroda.

Economists at HDFC say that uneven distribution of rainfall is the reason for the blip in sowing.

“This could be due to weak rainfall progress in major rice and tur producing states. Looking ahead, as the majority of the season’s sowing takes place in July, rainfall progress during the month would be crucial,” say economists at HDFC.

Eastern belt states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and in Central (Maharashtra) and Southern region of Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala have received deficient rainfall. Then there is the El Nino effect which might impact the entire monsoon season.

On the other hand, signaling a bounty year for millets, sowing seen in bajra or pearl millet was much more than that of last year. Jowar or sorghum also saw higher sowing, along with coarse cereals – and a marginal growth in sugarcane.

The year of 2023 has been declared the year of millets by United Nations, and apart from the Union Budget push, most state governments like Chattisgarh and Odisha are providing incentives to farmers as a part of their millet missions.

Source: CEIC, Bank of Baroda │ Data as of 7 July 2023

Rainfall, inflation & rate cuts

The slump in sowing might have an effect on food prices, and the prices of vegetables like tomato, chillies and ginger rose sharply in the past few days, in addition to milk inflation which continues to be high. Tur, wheat and rice are also beginning to inch up.

“To reduce the impact of steep increase in tomato prices, some state governments like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have taken supply related measures. Among cereals, sufficient buffer stock of wheat and rice might offer a cushion and keep a check on prices,” said the HDFC report which expects inflation to average at 5% in the second quarter.

Also, in order to encourage pulses production the government has removed the 40% procurement limit on pulses, like Tur, Urad, Masur (red lentil).

“We expect the RBI to continue remaining on pause at its August meeting as the central bank’s inflation projections are on the cautious side and already factor in some upside to the inflation prints going forward. Although, if weather conditions turn for the worse and have a material impact on the inflation outlook, rate cut expectations by the RBI could be pushed back further in 2024,” HDFC believes.

A recent report by Kotak Institutional Equities says that a weak monsoon in July-August could make this a broad-based upside across various food items.

“This may not bode well for market expectations of an early rate cut cycle. We estimate inflation to average around 5% in FY2024 without any significant impact of monsoons and 5.3% in case monsoons were to disappoint and we see a more broad-based pickup in food prices,” Kotak says.

MANILA, Philippines — National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Eduardo Guillen over the weekend called on the public to stop wasting rice amid the possible shortage in supply as the El Niño phenomenon threatens the country’s palay production.

“The wastage of food is a big factor. We are appealing that if we cannot consume the entire one cup of rice, we should only order half (cup). All the stakeholders should help to make the task easier,” Guillen said.

At the same time, Guillen said that local government units (LGUs) should also conduct the necessary preparations to minimize the impact of the dry spell in their respective jurisdictions.

“We are appealing for unity. We call this ‘bayanihan.’ The LGUs can help more as they are the missing link. As a former mayor (of Piddig, Ilocos Norte), I know that LGUs can help as they have their own funds,” he added.

Food supply threat

Farmers’ group Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) president Danilo Fausto warned that El Niño phenomenon threatens the country’s food supply next year as he criticized the Department of Agriculture (DA) for lack of concrete actions to minimize the impact of the dry spell.

“Their (DA) programs (on El Niño) are clear but the issue is in the implementation,” Fausto said in a radio interview over the weekend.

He noted that farmers’ groups have been urging the DA to implement necessary preparation to ensure that farmers will be able to plant despite the dry spell.

“You need infrastructures. It requires bidding, budget. If you only start to provide funding, it will be too late,” Fausto said.

“The diversion dams, canal need repairs. Lateral canals cannot supply water from the dams because of leaks,” he added.

The PCAFI official noted that 75 percent of the country’s palay production comes from irrigated areas.

“If the government fails to supply water, our palay production will be affected and this will be felt during the first semester of next year,” he added.

Fausto said that aside from palay, also affected by the dry spell are cash crops including vegetables and root crops.

“Cash crops like vegetables, including root crops and onions are being planted near the rivers. If you don’t have water for irrigation, you cannot provide water for the cash crops. Even if you have deep wells, the water will also be affected,” he said.

According to Fausto, the government should not depend on importation as the El Niño is a worldwide phenomenon.

“The dry spell is also happening in Thailand, Vietnam where we import rice. What if we cannot also buy rice from them as the El Niño also affects them. These are frightening scenarios,” Fausto said.

He said that retail prices of food will also increase because of limited supply.

“If there is a shortage in the supply, it will result in the spike in retail prices. The poor or 30 percent and below of the country’s population will suffer because they cannot afford to buy rice. The rich can always buy regardless of the price,” he noted.

Fausto said that the government should hasten the construction of secondary dams, impounding systems to provide water for irrigation.

“This should be done while it is still raining although we are already experiencing below normal rains. The effect of El Niño is really frightening as definitely the result is shortage in the supply of food,” he said.

In a separate statement, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson Danilo Ramos said that the government’s El Niño Task Force and the National Irrigation Administration should inform the farmers on the plan of action to address the possible shortage of water supply for irrigation.

“We want to know NIA’s concrete plans on how to help farmers cope with El Niño and how to ensure the availability of rice and food crops despite extreme weather events,” Ramos said.

Livelihood assistance

Guillen said that among the worst-case scenarios being eyed by the NIA is to provide alternative livelihood assistance to farmers who cannot plant because of the dry spell.

“We have an estimate (on the farmers who may be affected by the dry spell). (Under the worst-case scenario) for those who cannot plant, at least they will be given alternative livelihood through the TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) of the Department of Labor and Employment. There is also the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s cash-for-work and food-for-work programs,” he added.

Guillen also called on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to provide additional funding for the repair of damaged irrigation facilities.

“We are asking the DBM to increase the budget of NIA so that we can construct and repair our irrigation canals and at the same time, provide livelihood to our farmers,” he said.

Discover the vibrant world of healthy Indian rice varieties with black rice, red rice, and brown basmati. Explore their flavours, health benefits, and culinary possibilities

Welcome to the vibrant world of healthy Indian rice varieties! In a land where rice reigns supreme, there are exquisite alternatives to traditional white rice that not only add a splash of colour to your plate but also provide a myriad of health benefits. We will take you on a captivating culinary journey, introducing you to the alluring Black Rice, the nutrient-packed Red Rice, and the fragrant delight of Brown Basmati. Get ready to explore these fascinating rice varieties and discover a whole new world of flavours, textures, and nourishment that will redefine your perception of rice!

Black Rice - Unveiling the Forbidden Elegance:

Step into the realm of the extraordinary with Black Rice, often referred to as the "forbidden grain." This enchanting rice variety hails from the northeastern regions of India and boasts a rich history. Its deep, dark hue, reminiscent of midnight skies, immediately captures the imagination. The distinct nutty flavour and sticky texture make it a versatile ingredient that can be used in both savoury and sweet dishes. But Black Rice is not just visually appealing; it is also a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with antioxidants, fibre, and essential minerals, Black Rice offers a myriad of health benefits, including improved digestion, reduced risk of heart disease, and enhanced brain function. Allow the allure of Black Rice to elevate your culinary creations and nourish your body.

Red Rice - A Symphony of Nutrition and Taste:

Indulge in the symphony of flavours and health benefits offered by Red Rice, a rice variety that exudes warmth and vitality. Cultivated in the verdant fields of southern India, Red Rice enchants with its earthy taste and a vibrant red husk that reflects the essence of the land. Red Rice undergoes minimal processing, ensuring that its natural nutrients remain intact. This rice variety is a treasure trove of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Its high fibre content aids digestion, promotes satiety, and supports weight management. Furthermore, Red Rice possesses anti-inflammatory properties and assists in regulating blood sugar levels. Add a splash of colour to your meals and savour the nutritional bounty that Red Rice brings to the table.

Brown Basmati - Fragrance, Health, and Elegance:

Prepare to be captivated by the fragrant allure and wholesome attributes of Brown Basmati rice. Known for its delightful aroma and slender, elongated grains, Brown Basmati is a staple choice for health enthusiasts. Unlike white Basmati rice, Brown Basmati retains its bran and germ layers, making it a whole-grain powerhouse. Bursting with fibre, vitamins, and minerals, including B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium, Brown Basmati offers a range of health benefits. Its fibre content promotes digestive health, aids in weight management, and supports a healthy heart. With its low glycemic index, Brown Basmati is also a wise choice for individuals seeking to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Let the fragrance of Brown Basmati infuse your meals and elevate your dining experience.

Culinary Adventures with Healthy Rice Varieties:

Now that you're acquainted with the wonders of Black Rice, Red Rice, and Brown Basmati, it's time to embark on some culinary adventures. Here are a few recipe ideas and cooking tips to make the most of these healthy rice varieties:

1. Black Rice Pudding: Transform Black Rice into a luscious dessert by simmering it with coconut milk, jaggery, and aromatic spices like cardamom. Top it off with fresh fruits and nuts for a delightful treat that indulges both the senses and the body.

2. Red Rice Salad: Combine cooked Red Rice with an array of colourful vegetables, crisp herbs, and a tangy dressing to create a refreshing and nutritious salad bursting with flavours. This vibrant dish is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.

3. Brown Basmati Pilaf: Elevate your pilaf game by using fragrant Brown Basmati rice. Sauté onions, garlic, and spices in a pan, then add soaked Brown Basmati rice and cook it to perfection with vegetable broth. Garnish it with toasted almonds and fresh herbs for an aromatic and wholesome delight.

As you journey through the realm of healthy Indian rice varieties, the allure of Black Rice, the vitality of Red Rice, and the fragrance of Brown Basmati will captivate your taste buds and nourish your body. Embrace the richness of these rice varieties' colours, flavours, and health benefits. With their unique qualities, Black Rice, Red Rice, and Brown Basmati have the power to transform your culinary experience and take you on a delightful adventure. So, savour the magic of these rich rice varieties, and let them inspire you to create memorable meals that celebrate both taste and well-being.

The government and policymakers must adopt a global mindset and address technical, economic and environmental challenges related to the production and export of basmati. The policies on quality control must be effectively implemented and rigorously monitored in the proposed zone, right from various stages of production till when the product reaches the consumer. This will ensure success of the zone as a reliable producer of export-quality, globally acceptable basmati rice.

THE initiatives of diversifying from the paddy-wheat cropping system and increasing basmati area and production are being promoted by governments and non-governmental agencies in almost all rice-producing states of the country. The main objective of this push is to achieve greater financial benefits by promoting the export of basmati rice. Basmati has tremendous export potential if the produce meets the desired quality standards. Large-scale production of export-quality basmati and the development of related export infrastructure will require the creation of basmati export zones in the rice-producing states.

The creation of these zones is imperative because the production and maintenance of purity of aromatic basmati rice are dependent on the selection of the right variety of basmati and the agro-climatic conditions under which the crop is grown. The fragrance of basmati is attributed to the presence of aromatic compounds (predominantly 2-acetyl-l-pyrroline), which are formed initially in the plant when it flowers, then get transferred to the grains, where they remain preserved if temperatures remain low during the ripening. This basmati-specific genetic character gets expressed only under specific soil and climatic conditions.

The export zones need to be created in the basmati-growing states/UTs, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The soil and climatic conditions are favourable, with mainly low temperatures during the ripening stage, for producing export-quality basmati. In Punjab, the export zone is proposed to be formed in the northern parts (Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Rupnagar). This zone should have a focused agenda to grow only the recommended basmati rice. In other parts of the state, since the temperatures remain higher, high yield may be obtained but the aroma decreases drastically.

In addition to the production of high-quality basmati, the diversion of areas from longer-duration non-basmati varieties (e.g. PR 126, Pusa 44, grown from June to October) towards shorter-duration basmati varieties (e.g. Pusa Basmati 1121, 1509, grown from early July to October) in this zone will reduce pressure on the rapidly declining water resources of the state.

In the proposed basmati zone, a transparent system needs to be developed regarding the variety of the crop being grown; the cropping system; soil, fertilisers, pesticides, water and energy management; adoption of basmati-specific quality standards at every stage, from planting of crop to maturity; post-harvest handling, processing and marketing. Efficient use of pesticides is a must to curb the accumulation of toxic pesticide residues in soil and plants, which can have an adverse effect on product quality, acceptability and exportability. In the past, basmati exports from India (especially to European Union countries) have suffered due to the presence of higher levels of pesticide residue (especially of tricyclazole and carbendazim pesticides) in rice grains. Plant breeders and entomologists need to play a significant role in recommending eco-efficient pest-control technologies. A well-run and transparent system will instil confidence in foreign buyers who will, in turn, be willing to pay more for high-quality basmati.

Pakistan is our main competitor for aromatic basmati in the global market; it is earning significant foreign exchange by exporting quality aromatic basmati. One of the reasons for Pakistan’s success is its transparent system in this regard, allowing buyers to assess the quality of the product they are purchasing. In Punjab, while basmati rice has good potential in terms of production, the inability to meet quality standards causes loss of confidence among foreign buyers.

The export zones can help in preventing adulteration of grains of genuine basmati. The grains should have about 7-mm length and 2.5-mm breadth; their amylose content should be in the range of 24-32 per cent. The adoption of these standards will deter growers, traders and companies from adulterating genuine basmati with non-basmati rice or other varieties. The quality-conscious international market is already carrying out DNA fingerprinting to identify adulteration material used and ensuring the credibility of the branding of the variety. For this, the setting up of state-of-the-art basmati-specific systems for quality control and infrastructure for processing (drying, milling, grading, packing, procurement, storage, transportation, marketing, etc.) will be essential in the proposed zone.

Basmati is traditionally exported to West Asia, the European Union, the US, South Africa, Tanzania and other nations. As per reports of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India caters to about 65 per cent of the world’s basmati export market. Additional international export markets must be explored through effective market-intelligence networks.

There is hardly any committed agency in Punjab that produces and supplies adequate quantities of ‘true-to-type’ basmati seed. In general, the seed is spread predominantly through farmer-to-farmer movement, resulting in deterioration of purity. A regulated genuine basmati rice seed production and supply system should also be developed in the identified zone to ensure the availability of high-quality seed to growers. For all this, farmers and traders will have to be intensively trained about various technological and economic aspects of producing high-quality basmati, marketing and other aspects so that the produce (raw or processed) is able to compete in the global market.

The government and policymakers must adopt a global mindset and address technical, economic and environmental challenges related to the production and export of basmati. The policies on quality control must be effectively implemented and rigorously monitored in the proposed zone, right from various stages of production till when the product reaches the consumer. This will ensure success of the zone as a reliable producer of export-quality, globally acceptable basmati rice.

Farmers are hopeful for better yield this year compared to the previous years given the gaining momentum in monsoon rain.

The paddy cultivation has started gaining momentum over the past week across the Jammu division with farmers expressing satisfaction over the good amount of rainfall under the influence of Monsoon winds and western disturbance over the region. The farmers are hopeful for better yield this year compared to the previous years.

The cultivation of paddy, especially the world-famous Basmati rice, serves as the sole source of income to a majority of farmers in R S Pura, Marh and parts of Samba and Kathua districts in Jammu region. "Paddy and maize are main crops of the Jammu region which are dependent on rain water…We had good pre-monsoon rains. The Monsoon has also set on time which is good,” Joint Director, Agriculture Department, AS Reen told PTI. He said the sowing of maize that is mostly cultivated in the rain-fed hilly areas was completed sometime back and the frequent rains over the past week are a blessing for the crop.

The rice cultivation in Jammu plains and some parts of hilly areas is in progress. “Watering of fields from canals and tube wells is insufficient and the rainfall is quite essential for the crop, especially Basmati Rice which needs a lot of water for irrigation.”

The Basmati crop takes 160-170 days to reach the harvesting stage and needs a lot of water at crucial stages for a successful crop. Reen said the paddy production of Jammu is around four lakh quintals, while two lakh quintals of rice are procured through Food Corporation of India to meet the local demand.

Maize production is around four lakh quintals and the department facilitates the farmers to sell their surplus produce. He said the production of paddy and maize can go up by 25% to 30%, depending on various factors including best quality seed, proper fertilization and rain water.

“The department is playing its part to ensure availability of best quality seed and fertilizers to the farmers,” he said, requesting the farmers to go for crop insurance to avoid losses in case of any calamity.

"Rains are beneficial for the growth of the paddy. The success of the crop depends on water availability during the next one month and if we had a good monsoon, we are hopeful of a good yield this time,” Darshan Kumar, a farmer from Marh block in the outskirts of Jammu city told PTI.

He said the agriculture department employees are working in close coordination with the farmers to educate them about the newly introduced government schemes. Thakur Dass said rains have brought relief as earlier there was a shortage of water, also affecting the wheat crop.

The agriculture department last week celebrated crop insurance week to launch a mass awareness campaign for maximum enrolment of the farmers under the scheme for Kharif-2023. Director Agriculture, Jammu K K Sharma said the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) will go a long way in mitigating the financial risk of the farmers suffering from the crop losses and aid in stabilizing their income.

Highlighting the achievements under the scheme, Sharma said till date one lakh farmers in Jammu division have benefited from PMFBY with the disbursement of an amount to the tune of Rs 96 crore as settlement of claims to these beneficiaries.

The Director said 50,000 farmers have already enrolled under the scheme in Jammu division well before the cut-off date of July 15. He urged farmers to enroll under the scheme to avail the benefits against weather-vagaries for the notified crops, including Paddy and Maize in the Kharif season and Wheat in the Rabi season with a minimal premium of 2% (Kharif) and 1.5% (Rabi season) as per the Scale of Finance.

MUMBAI: Global rice prices, now at their highest in 11 years, are set to rally further after India moved to boost payments to farmers, just as El Nino threatens yields in key producers and alternative staples get costlier for poor Asians and Africans.

India accounts for more than 40% of world rice exports, which were 56 million tonnes in 2022, but low inventories mean any cut in shipments will fuel food prices driven up by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year and erratic weather. “India was the cheapest supplier of rice,” B.V. Krishna Rao, president of the Rice Exporters Association (REA), told Reuters. “As Indian prices moved up because of the new minimum support price, other suppliers also started raising prices.”

Rice is a staple for more than 3 billion people and nearly 90% of the water-intensive crop is produced in Asia, where the El Nino weather pattern usually brings lower rainfall.

Yet even before the weather phenomenon can disrupt production, the global rice price index of the Food and Agriculture Organization hovers above an 11-year high.

That comes despite a forecast by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for near-record output in all top six global producers — Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

“The impact of El Nino is not restricted to any single country; it affects rice output in almost all producing countries,” said Nitin Gupta, vice president of Olam India’s rice business. The price of Indian rice exports has jumped 9% to a five-year high, following a hike of 7% last month in the price the government pays farmers for new-season common rice.

Export prices in Thailand and Vietnam have risen to more than two-year highs since that incentive, aimed at luring the votes of farmers in key Indian state elections this year and a general election next year. In recent months, the prices of sugar, meat and eggs have jumped to multi-year highs worldwide, after producers cut exports to rein in domestic costs.

Despite the forecast for a strong Asian crop, some global trading houses expect El Nino to crimp the output of all key rice producers. “Rice prices have already been rising due to limited supplies,” added Olam’s Gupta. “If production decreases, there will be a rally in prices.”

Global inventories of rice are set to drop to a six-year low of 170.2 million tonnes by the end of 2023/24, as stocks fall in top producers China and India, the USDA says, after the rising demand of recent years.

Prices could rise a fifth or more if yields drop sharply, as El Nino means the second rice crop in almost all Asian nations will be lower than normal, said a New Delhi-based grains dealer with a global trading house. No. 2 exporter Thailand has urged farmers to plant only one rice crop after May rainfall was 26% below normal.

In India, which plants its second crop in November, planting of summer-sown rice was down 26% from a year ago by Friday, as the monsoon brought 8% less rain than normal, government data show. Weather in China, the top producer of the grain, has not been conducive for the early season crop but high stockpiles will balance supply and demand, said Rosa Wang, an analyst with Shanghai JC Intelligence.

Food inflation is always a concern for India’s ruling party, which banned wheat exports last year and curbed those of rice and sugar to bring down prices.

As elections near, the slow start of planting amid rising domestic prices is a concern for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), raising the prospect that it could further curb exports.

“The Modi government is grappling with the task of containing the price rise in wheat, which is why it would not hesitate to impose restrictions,” said the dealer based in New Delhi, the Indian capital.

Non-basmati rice dispatch rise 6% as Africa, West Asia buy more

Indian rice exports were off to a good start in the current financial year with volume of shipments increasing by about a tenth in the first two months to over 3.67 million tonnes (mt) compared with 3.36 mt in the same period a year ago on strong demand for basmati rice.

Basmati rice shipments during this period were up 21 per cent at 8.30 lakh tonnes (lt) against 6.85 lt a year ago. Similarly, non-basmati rice shipments, despite curbs on broken rice and export duty, were up by 6 per cent at 2.84 mt against 2.67 mt.

Basmati shipments to West Asia, the main market for the aromatic rice registered an increase of 13 per cent at 6.15 lt against 5.43 lt a year ago on higher demand from countries such as Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates. However, shipments to countries such as Saudi Arabia and Yemen declined. Exports in dollar terms to West Asia were up 22 per cent at $665 million ($545 million in the year-ago period).

Gain in other geographies

To other geographies such as European Union and Asian countries, basmati shipments more than doubled during these two months. Shipment volumes to the European Union were up 154 per cent at 41,644 tonnes (16,407 tonnes) on demand from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Belgium. The basmati export value to the EU during April-May was up 196 per cent at $52.61 million ($17.74 million). In Asia, countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal among others stepped up the purchase of the aromatic rice with volumes rising to 15,339 tonnes (6,995 tonnes).

Similarly, in the case of non-basmati rice, shipments to Africa during April-May were up at 20.96 lt (15.49 lt), while exports to West Asia recorded a 24 per cent growth at 2.20 lt (1.77 lt). “There is a good demand. Despite certain restrictions, shipments are growing,” said B.V. Krishna Rao, President, The Rice Exporters Association. India has placed curbs on exports of 100 per cent broken rice and has levied a duty of 20 per cent on white and brown rice exports since September 8, 2022.

MUMBAI: Global rice prices, now at their highest in 11 years, are set to rally further after India moved to boost payments to farmers, just as El Nino threatens yields in key producers and alternative staples get costlier for poor Asians and Africans.
India accounts for more than 40 percent of world rice exports, which were 56 million tons in 2022, but low inventories mean any cut in shipments will fuel food prices driven up by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year and erratic weather.
“India was the cheapest supplier of rice,” B.V. Krishna Rao, president of the Rice Exporters Association (REA), told Reuters. “As Indian prices moved up because of the new minimum support price, other suppliers also started raising prices.”
Rice is a staple for more than 3 billion people and nearly 90 percent of the water-intensive crop is produced in Asia, where the El Nino weather pattern usually brings lower rainfall.
Yet even before the weather phenomenon can disrupt production, the global rice price index of the Food and Agriculture Organization hovers above an 11-year high.
That comes despite a forecast by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for near-record output in all top six global producers — Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
“The impact of El Nino is not restricted to any single country; it affects rice output in almost all producing countries,” said Nitin Gupta, vice president of Olam India’s rice business.
The price of Indian rice exports has jumped 9 percent to a five-year high, following a hike of 7 percent last month in the price the government pays farmers for new-season common rice.

Export prices in Thailand and Vietnam have risen to more than two-year highs since that incentive, aimed at luring the votes of farmers in key Indian state elections this year and a general election next year.
In recent months, the prices of sugar, meat and eggs have jumped to multi-year highs worldwide, after producers cut exports to rein in domestic costs.
Despite the forecast for a strong Asian crop, some global trading houses expect El Nino to crimp the output of all key rice producers.
“Rice prices have already been rising due to limited supplies,” added Olam’s Gupta. “If production decreases, there will be a rally in prices.”
Global inventories of rice are set to drop to a six-year low of 170.2 million tons by the end of 2023/24, as stocks fall in top producers China and India, the USDA says, after the rising demand of recent years.

Prices could rice by a fifth
Prices could rise a fifth or more if yields drop sharply, as El Nino means the second rice crop in almost all Asian nations will be lower than normal, said a New Delhi-based grains dealer with a global trading house.
No. 2 exporter Thailand has urged farmers to plant only one rice crop after May rainfall was 26 percent below normal.
In India, which plants its second crop in November, planting of summer-sown rice was down 26 percent from a year ago by Friday, as the monsoon brought 8 percent less rain than normal, government data show.
Weather in China, the top producer of the grain, has not been conducive for the early season crop but high stockpiles will balance supply and demand, said Rosa Wang, an analyst with Shanghai JC Intelligence.
Food inflation is always a concern for India’s ruling party, which banned wheat exports last year and curbed those of rice and sugar to bring down prices.
As elections near, the slow start of planting amid rising domestic prices is a concern for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), raising the prospect that it could further curb exports.
“The Modi government is grappling with the task of containing the price rise in wheat, which is why it would not hesitate to impose restrictions,” said the dealer based in New Delhi, the Indian capital.
Indian curbs would leave other countries struggling to make up supplies, industry officials say.

“The supply situation is extremely tight, and decrease in Indian exports could potentially cause global prices to surge,” said a Singapore-based dealer with a global trading house.
Taken together, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam could raise exports by 3 million to 4 million metric tons, the dealer added.
The price surge also complicates the task of building up stockpiles.
Demand from price-sensitive African countries has slowed, said Himanshu Agarwal, executive director at Satyam Balajee, an Indian exporter.
But some Asian buyers, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, have been building stocks and increasing purchases from traditional supplier Vietnam.
Last month Indonesia signed a rare pact with India to import 1 million tons if El Nino disrupts domestic supply. Indonesia usually buys rice from nearby Thailand and Vietnam.
“Rice has been a buyers’ market for the past few years, but it could become a sellers’ market if El Nino cuts production,” said the Singapore-based dealer.

Advance Market Analytics published a new research publication on "Basmati Rice Market Insights, to 2027" with 232 pages and enriched with self-explained Tables and charts in presentable format. In the Study you will find new evolving Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities generated by targeting market associated stakeholders. The growth of the Basmati Rice market was mainly driven by the increasing R&D spending across the world.

Some of the key players profiled in the study are:
KRBL Limited (India), Amira Nature Foods (UAE), LT Foods (India), Best Foods (India), Kohinoor Rice (India), Aeroplane Rice (India), Tilda Basmati Rice (Europe), Matco Foods (Pakistan), Amar Singh Chawal Wala (India), Hanuman Rice Mills (India), Adani Wilmar (India).

Scope of the Report of Basmati Rice
Basmati rice which is traditionally grown in Asian continent, is a long grain rice with aromatic smell and good quality. Basmati rice grown in India and Pakistan are famous around the globe. Basmati rice has been enjoying a premium position among all other rice varieties in the global marketplace, due to superior aroma, delicious taste, and distinct flavor. Rice forms an important part of the Middle Eastern cooking, and is considered as a staple food along with wheat in many countries. Basmati rice is extensively used in a number of lavish rice-based dishes containing layers of rice, meat, sauces & dried fruits.

The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below:
by Application (Commercial, Home), Spices (White, Brown), Varieties (Indian Basmati Rice, Pakistani Basmati Rice, Others)

Market Trends:
Increasing efforts of key players to make product available at affordable price
Growing applicability in food industry

Opportunities:
Emerging markets around the globe
Improvement in standard of living
Growing demand for lavish rice-based dishes

Market Drivers:
Increasing demand for premium, high quality and aromatic rice
Rising Population

Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa

Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc.

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Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Basmati Rice Market:
Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Basmati Rice market
Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary - the basic information of the Basmati Rice Market.
Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges & Opportunities of the Basmati Rice
Chapter 4: Presenting the Basmati Rice Market Factor Analysis, Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis.

Chapter 5: Displaying the by Type, End User and Region/Country 2015-2020
Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Basmati Rice market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile
Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by Manufacturers/Company with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions (2021-2027)
Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source

finally, Basmati Rice Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies.

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West Asian country’s share in exports falls

India’s basmati rice exports to Iran, which has been the largest importer of aromatic long-grain rice from the country for several years, have slowed recently, due to a delay in the settlement of payments to the West Asian country under the US’s sanctions.

Rice exporters said that the delays in settlement have been especially long in recent months as rupee reserve built up from the oil exports to India has depleted and a chunk of payments is being routed through third currency payment system using Dirham via Dubai.

“Its a complex process to get payment for basmati rice exports to Iran,” a leading exporter of rice from Haryana said on the condition of anonymity. He said that its would not be easy to replace Iran, which had share of 22% in the 4.55 million tonne (MT) of basmati rice exports from India.

According to trade data, India’s exports of basmati to Iran in the first two months of the current fiscal have veen flat at 0.15 MT compared to the same month’s previous fiscal. The share of Iran in the total basmati rice exports which was 29% in 2019-20 to 18% in April-May in the current fiscal

Rice shipments to Iran had got a boost when India launched a rupee settlement mechanism from April 2012 with Iran to avoid sanctions from the US and EU. As part of the initiative, state-owned UCO Bank tied up with Iranian lenders — Parsian, Pasargad, Saman and EN Banks — for settlements of dues.

The system of rupee settlement continued till 2019 after India stopped buying crude oil from Iran. Importers in Iran are currently settling payments using traders’ accounts based in Dubai.

Out of the total exports of 4.55 MT of Basmati rice last fiscal, the top five countries had the share of Iran (22%), Saudi Arabia (21%), Iran (8%), United Arab Emirates (7%) and Yemen (6%).

Industry sources said that major exporters of basmati rice are has stopped shipment to Iran due to payment settlement issues.

A senior official confirmed that while there is a barter system of rupee payment for India’s exports of banana and imports of apples from Iran, for basmati rice exports most of the payments are through a third currency payment system.

According to the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, the value of rice exports in FY23 rose by more than 15% on year to a record $ 11.1 billion from $ 9.6 billion in the previous fiscal.

The volume wise the rice shipment grew by 5% to 22.34 million tonne (MT) last fiscal year.

India has been the world’s largest exporter of rice since 2012 and currently has 45% share in global grain trade. India has a share of around 80% global trade of basmati rice.

Currently, India exports more rice more than the combined shipments of the next three largest exporters – Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan.

The United States department of agriculture (USDA), in its June 2023 crop outlook, has stated ‘India is expected to remain the most competitively priced global rice exporter in 2024,’. USDA, while estimating the total rice exports from India to cross 24 MT next calendar year, has stated “this would be the largest amount of rice ever shipped by any country in a single year,”

DAVAO CITY – Some 275 tons of rice will be harvested in the hybrid rice cluster demo project for the wet season in Hagonoy town, Davao del Sur, in September this year, the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) said Thursday.

Evelyn Basa, DA-11 rice program coordinator, said with an expected yield of a minimum of seven tons per hectare, the project can contribute to the country's rice production target for 2027.

Basa credited the initiative to the collaboration among DA-11, the Philippine Rice Board, the Davao del Sur provincial government, and the Hagonoy municipality, whose representatives conducted a ceremonial planting at the demo farm in Barangay Sinayawan.

The 35-hectare farm showcases 24 rice varieties and technologies from different seed companies and growers.

“The demo farm will serve as an avenue for farmers to observe and learn various technologies on cultural management practices, mechanical and seeding, and nutrient management such as the 'Abonong Swak' recommendation that can help them improve their production,” Basa said in a statement.

She said the expected harvest on the third week of September forms part of the culmination activity of the 16th National Rice Technology Forum (NRTF) from Sept. 18-22, 2023.

Meanwhile, Basa said the ongoing distribution of hybrid rice seeds to the members of Irrigators Associations (IAs) and Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations or FCAs aims to increase the adoption of hybrid rice seeds by up to 40 percent.

This is part of the DA's strategy, she said, to reach an average hybrid rice yield level of up to six tons per hectare (ton/ha) in the wet season, and up to eight ton/ha in the dry season in target areas by 2028.

Eligible beneficiaries will be provided fuel subsidies, especially those who own or rent agricultural machinery used for crop production such as tractors, transplanters, harvesters, and shredders. (PNA)

Vietnam earned 2.3 billion U.S. dollars from exporting 4.2 million tons of rice in the first half of this year, local media reported on Wednesday, citing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Its largest rice importers include the Philippines and China, according to the ministry. Vietnam will export more rice to the Philippines, which could have its domestic food production affected by the impact of the El Nino phenomenon in the second half of this year, the local newspaper Vietnam News reported on Wednesday. In the six-month period, Vietnam’s rice export increased 22.2 percent in volume and rose 34.7 percent in value year on year, according to the General Statistics Office. The Vietnamese government has recently approved a rice export scheme that aims to reduce annual shipments from 7.1 million tons last year to 4 million tons by 2030, the newspaper reported. The country plans to diversify its export markets especially those with high demand for quality grains and those with which it has signed free trade agreements. Vietnam is the world’s third largest rice exporter after India and Thailand, the newspaper said.

• Farmers advised to conserve water, avoid second rice crop
• Prolonged dry spell risks fueling inflation, economic recovery

Thailand is preparing contingency plans to deal with a potential drought that could last years and squeeze global supplies of sugar and rice. 

Rainfall across the nation may be as much as 10% below average this monsoon season, and the onset of the El Niño weather pattern could lower precipitation even further over the next two years, according to government officials. Thailand is facing widespread drought conditions from early 2024, authorities have warned.

The dire outlook has prompted Thai authorities to ask farmers to restrict rice planting to a single crop to conserve water, and sugar producers see output falling for the first time in three years. A drought is certain to fuel inflation in the Southeast Asian nation as the cost of vegetables, fresh food and meat get pricier on reduced harvests and more expensive animal feed.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha has asked state-run power utility Electricity Generating Authority and the Office of Natural Water Resources to help draw up contingency plans to conserve water. So far in 2023, the nation’s rainfall has been 28% below the same period last year, according to official data. 

El Niño can lead to drier conditions in parts of Asia and Africa, and heavy rains in South America, damaging a wide range of crops globally. Previous El Niños have resulted in a marked impact on global inflation and hit gross domestic product in nations from Brazil to India and Australia.

Thailand is seeking to nurture a rebound in economic growth that’s already facing headwinds from a slowdown in China, the nation’s largest trade partner, and a prolonged drought may scupper efforts to keep inflation under check. Thailand has already grappled with record heat this year.

“El Niño will pose a bigger worry on growth than inflation,” said Euben Paracuelles, an analyst at Nomura Holdings Inc. “Thailand is a large food exporter, with only half of total output consumed domestically. So the buffers could help limit the near-term inflation impact, alongside government price controls and subsidies.”

If El Niño turns severe, it could shave off 0.2 percentage point of gross domestic product this year because drought conditions could coincide with seasonal production in the second half, especially for rice, Paracuelles said. The central bank forecasts Thailand to clock GDP growth of 3.6% this year, accelerating from 2.6% in 2022.

Annual Rainfall in Thailand

https://www.bloomberg.com/toaster/v2/charts/181f4ce5e349ba2d63f363442b58c9de.html?brand=markets&webTheme=markets&web=true&hideTitles=true

Source: Thai Meteorological Department, Australia Bureau of Meteorology

Footnote: TMD Data Not Available for 2020-22

Power demand in Thailand hit a record in April when some regions saw all-time high temperatures, forcing companies and households to increase the use of air-conditioning to escape the sweltering heat.

The bigger, global impact from below-average rainfall in Thailand will be the hit to crops such as sugar and rubber, and could even threaten the nation’s position as the world’s second-biggest supplier of rice. Shipments tumbled a third to 7.6 million tons in 2019, the first year of the previous El Niño. 

Sugar cane is a sturdy crop, but the nation’s millers have forecast a decline in output. That will cut the supply to the world market and further fuel a rally in refined sugar prices that are hovering around a decade-high.

The nation produced about 11 million tons of sugar in the 2022-23 season and is estimated to have exported about 80% of its output.

Thailand’s lack of long-term mitigation efforts to deal with floods and droughts will likely aggravate the impact of extreme weather on the nation, according to the World Bank. 

“The frequency of floods and droughts, and the high human and economic cost associated with them, make climate change adaptation and water management important in Thailand,” said Fabrizio Zarcone, the World Bank’s country manager for Thailand. “A more robust framework prioritizing risk mitigation planning, investing in water resources infrastructure, and managing land and water use is needed.”

— With assistance by Kevin Dharmawan

The development comes amid demand from African countries that look to India for supply of fully broken white rice, other than parboiled rice.

New Delhi: India is likely to export 290,000 tonnes of fully broken white rice under government-to-government (G2G) route to Mali, a country in West Africa.

The move follows the Indian government’s decision in May to permit exports of fully broken white rice, which was banned from 8 September last year, to other countries to meet their food security needs.

“MEA (the ministry of external affairs) has forwarded a request from the minister of industry and commerce to export 290,000 tonnes of fully broken rice," a senior government official said. 

“The quantity will be exported in two separate lots of 240,000 tonnes and 50,000 tonnes once the Directorate ­General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) examines the issue and announce the policy."

The development comes amid demand from African countries that look to India for supply of fully broken white rice, other than parboiled rice.

This will be an addition to the government permitted broken rice exports of 500,000 tonnes to Senegal and 50,000 tonnes to Gambia in April. The government also allowed to export 200,000 tonnes of the rice variety to Indonesia in April.

African countries rely on India for rice supply as they get it at a cheaper rate as compared to the price offerings by Vietnam, Thailand or Pakistan.

While Thailand is offering 100% broken rice at $523 a tonne, the same variety of rice is being offered by India at $425 per tonne, the benchmark price in the global market. The Indian price includes a 20% export duty. A 5% broken rice is being offered at $468-$472 a tonne by India, whereas Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand are offering it at $488-492, $508-512 and $518 per tonne, respectively. These three countries are offering the 25% broken rice in the range of $458-498. In contrast, India is quoting this variety at $448-452 a tonne, spot trade sources said. These prices are free-­on-­board (FOB).

Queries sent to MEA, commerce and food ministries on Sunday remained unanswered till press time.

Due to an export ban on fully broken rice, Indian exporters cannot sell it to the international market. However, the Indian government on 24 May allowed the exports of broken rice based on permission given by it for shipments to other countries for meeting their food security needs, though the export of broken rice is banned in general. The step was taken by the government after it started receiving requests for the same from foreign ministries.

As the export ban on fully broken rice is on place since September 2022, African nations, which rely on India to meet its 70% rice consumption have switched to non-basmati rice. In the first two months of the ongoing financial year, import of non-basmati rice by African countries have been 35% higher than the corresponding period last year at nearly 2.1 million tonnes (mt), said executive director of All India Rice Exporters’ Association Vinod Kaul.

In April-May of FY24, India’s basmati rice exports were 21% more than the previous year during the same period at 830,858 tonnes, and a 6.1% hike year-on-year at 2.8 mt has been recorded in non-basmati rice exports.

In FY23, India exported a total of 17.79 mt of non-basmati rice, while broken rice exports were 23% lower on year at 3 mt because of a ban on shipments imposed to keep domestic prices down.

An Indian nutritionist said that giving up rice for a month can help lose weight and stabilize blood sugar levels, but only on condition that the rice is not replaced by calories and other grains.

Rice is a staple food for many around the world, and has become an integral part of the daily diet, so much so that many cannot do without at least one serving of rice at every meal. But, studies show that eating rice is not always good for one's health.

While rice provides essential carbohydrates, it is also high in starch and lacking in certain nutrients. According to the "Indian Express" website, excessive consumption of refined white rice can lead to high blood sugar levels and weight gain.

Priya Parma, head of the nutrition department at the Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in India, said that giving up rice for a month can help with weight loss and stabilize blood sugar levels since it is rich in carbohydrates.

Ria Desai, a nutritionist at the Wockhardt Hospital, also in India, explained that completely giving up rice for a month can lead to some weight loss, but only if the rice is not replaced by other grains and calories and the total amount of carbohydrates in the diet is limited, explaining that blood sugar levels will decrease "only during a period of Abstinence" from Rice.

"Once a person starts eating rice again, the glucose levels will start to change again," she said, noting that the important fact is that eating a small bowl of rice in the right way is not harmful to the body.

Muscle breakdown

Experts usually recommend a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods rich in nutrients, so excluding rice from the menu can be temporary to reduce the amount of carbohydrates a person eats.

According to Parma, "rice, a simple carbohydrate, can easily be converted into a complex carbohydrate meal by adding vegetables and protein to the meal. Carbohydrates are very necessary for energy production and not eating them at all can make a person weak because the body starts using protein by breaking down muscles to produce energy which also leads to a deficiency that is rich in vitamins and minerals. That's why the weight loss comes from breaking down muscles and not from burning fat, something that should be avoided."

Important tips

It is recommended to eat limited amounts of white rice and replace it with brown rice. Add fiber to the rice in the form of vegetables, seeds and nuts.

Add proteins: when mixed with certain grains they become proteins that are better absorbed by the body.

Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa on Friday said the government is all set to roll out the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme.

Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa on Friday said the government is all set to roll out the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme, by crediting money to the bank account of the beneficiaries in lieu of the additional 5 kg of rice promised to every member of a BPL household, as sufficient quantity of the food grain is unavailable.

Facing difficulty in procuring large quantities of rice required to fulfil its poll guarantee, the state government on Wednesday decided to pay cash into the beneficiaries' accounts at the rate of ₹34 per kilo, for the additional 5 kg of rice under the free rice scheme. The minister also said that of the total additional 5 kg, the government plans to include 2 kg of ragi (finger millet) and jowar (sorghum) -- instead of rice -- under the scheme in the southern and northern parts of Karnataka respectively, as per requirement, as these grains are considered a staple in these two regions.

In the southern part of the state, the government plans to give 2 kg of ragi and remaining will be rice, while in north Karnataka it will be 2 kg of jowar and remaining will be rice, the minister said. There is adequate stock of ragi available, while the stock of jowar is less, so we will supply as much as we can, after that we will provide a full 5 kg of rice, he added.

"We will get information about the beneficiaries and, based on their inputs in the days to come, if there is demand for more quantities of ragi and jowar from southern and northern parts of Karnataka respectively, changes will be made in the quantity," he said, adding that the government will procure required quantities of ragi and jowar directly from the farmers at MSP rates and stock it.

"From tomorrow, the scheme will begin. To pay to the bank accounts (of beneficiaries), we have information that 99 per cent of them have the accounts. Those without an account but have ration cards will have to open a bank account. We have said we will pay ₹34 per kg, and each person will get (cash for) 5 kg," Muniyappa said. Speaking to reporters here, he said the amount will be paid to the bank account of the beneficiaries until there are enough grains to be distributed.

"The process is on for purchase of rice, as we had said we will supply rice or food grains for the poor..." he added. Pointing out that the chief minister had promised to supply foodgrains from July 1, which is a Congress poll guarantee, Muniyappa said, "To keep up the promise, we are giving money for now." "If the Centre had given rice from the stocks available, for cash payment, the state government would have supplied it from tomorrow," he said, adding, "Our month-long efforts in getting rice despite approaching central ministers and officials have failed."

"There are issues (in procuring rice). We have to issue a public tender. It has not been finalised. Also what kind of rice. We will decide on it and start giving rice as soon as possible," he added. Asked as to how long the government will pay the amount to the account of the beneficiaries instead of supplying rice or foodgrains, the minister said, "I cannot give you a date for now, but I assure you that we will give rice as soon as possible. Giving money is a temporary arrangement." On whether cash would be credited to the bank accounts from tomorrow itself, he said, "Money is ready, we have information about accounts. It will begin from tomorrow."

The Karnataka State Rice Millers' Association (KSRMA) has hinted that the rice prices may be increased in the state by about ₹3 to ₹4 per kg.

Traders and small business owners held protest rallies in several parts of Karnataka and observed a one day strike on Thursday opposing the recent power tariff hike, even as the state's Medium and Large Scale Industries Minister M B Patil appealed to them to cooperate with the state government. He asserted that the power tariff was increased by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and not the state government.

Traders and small business owners held protest rallies in several parts of Karnataka and observed a one day strike on Thursday opposing the recent power tariff hike, even as the state's Medium and Large Scale Industries Minister M B Patil appealed to them to cooperate with the state government. He asserted that the power tariff was increased by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and not the state government.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Rice Millers' Association (KSRMA) has hinted that the rice prices may be increased in the state by about ₹three to ₹four per kg. “It is not us who are increasing the price. The power tariff and paddy prices have gone up. The hike will be by ₹three to ₹four per kg across the fine rice varieties,” KSRMA General Secretary S Shiva Kumar said.

Following a call for a 'bandh' given by Hubballi-based Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), industrialists and small traders participated in a protest march in big numbers. Their protests came at a time when the state government started the registration process earlier this week for the 'Gruha Jyoti' scheme offering up to 200 units of free electricity for residential connections.

Carrying banners, posters and placards, the traders and industrialists held marches in the district headquarters of Hubballi-Dharwad, Shivamogga, Belagavi, Ballari, Vijayanagar, Davangere and Koppal, among others. They shouted slogans demanding that the government roll back the hike. In Belagavi, a large number of traders and small-and-micro industry owners marched up to the office of the Deputy Commissioner with their banners and placards.

KCCI acting president Sandeep Bidasaria claimed that the hike in power tariff has gone up between 50 and 70 per cent, which has deeply impacted small businesses. A protester in Belagavi, a city bordering Maharashtra, alleged that many industries were planning to move out to the neighbouring state due to the drastic increase in tariff.

Many shops were shut and production was stopped in small industries in several parts of the state in response to the bandh call. In the district headquarters town of Bidar, several shops were shut and the main market wore a deserted look following the Bandh. In an attempt to make the protestors see reason, Minister Patil said, “First of all, the power tariff has not been hiked by us. Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission, an autonomous body, has increased the power tariff before our government came to power. So we have no connection with the power tariff hike".

According to him, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too has given a statement that the power tariff hike cannot be rolled back. However, Patil told reporters that he would discuss the matter with Siddaramaiah and Energy Minister K J George. “I appeal to everyone, the industries and others, to please cooperate. KERC keeps revising prices from time to time. It follows a procedure. It is not done by the government. They revised the tariff now and will do it in future as well,” the minister said.

Amid speculations that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board was also planning to revise the water supply charges, an official said a BWSSB team apprised Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, on the issues. “We told the DCM that we have not revised the water supply charges for the past 10 years and it's about time to increase the rate given the increase in input costs. The decision has not been taken yet. The matter is under consideration,” the official said.

Top rice exporters saw rates for the staple grain advance this week to a more than two-year peak on supply concerns and continuing high demand.

Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $495-$505 per tonne, a peak since April 2021, up from $498 last week.

“Exporters are rushing to purchase domestic rice to fulfil export contracts, boosting domestic prices amid tight supplies,” a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said.

Due to unfavourable weather, output from the summer-autumn crop is also not as high as expected, traders said.

Vietnam exported 284,798 tonnes of rice in the first half of June, taking total shipments this year to June 15 to 3.9 million tonnes, customs data showed. Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices rose to $505 per tonne, also an over two-year peak on average, versus $495 last week.

“There are ships waiting to collect rice bound for Indonesia while new rice product has not entered the market,” a Bangkok-based trader said, adding “exporters are struggling to find enough supply in time.”

Asia rice: Vietnam rice prices jump on low supply; traders flag El Nino risks

Another trader said prices could remain at this level due to rising domestic prices.

Thailand’s commerce minister said last week that Thai rice exports could exceed 8 million tonnes this year, larger than the previous 7.5 million-tonne projection.

Top exporter India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $397-$405 per tonne, a peak since Feb. 2021, rising from $390-$398 last week.

“Exporters are forced to increase prices because paddy prices are rising. Moreover, the rupee has also strengthened this month, adding additional pressure,” said a New-Delhi-based trader.

India recently raised prices at which it will buy new-season common rice paddy from farmers by 7%.

Neighbouring Bangladesh’s rice production is forecast to increase by 1.8% versus year-on-year to 38.9 million tonnes in the 2023/24 marketing year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Global Food Outlook report.

Among the long list of agriculture initiatives announced in the Rs. 14.4 trillion budget was the blanket duty exemption on agriculture machinery i.e. harvesters, seed planters, trans-planters, and most importantly, dryers for agriculture products but easing this single export can add $5 billion into exports annually.

Only 1 percent of small rice mills out of the total of 800-900 in Sindh province have dryers due to it being cost-heavy with custom duties and high markup loans. Plus, the import restrictions didn’t make it any easy either to import agricultural machinery, but why are the dryers so important?

The dry rice is priced far higher than its wet counterparts in all seasons due to the longer shelf life. “We are often unable to hold and export rice after March because we lack dryers, so we end up selling when the market is paying the least”, a rice trader from Sindh told ProPakistani.

He added that millers are often unable to hold rice for more than one month on the other hand, our regional competitors in India have rice stored for nearly two years as they have better facilities.

On top of that, he went on, higher electricity prices and increased markups of the Export Finance Scheme (EFS) are also hurting exporters while some have opted for solar power to survive this challenging time.

The international market is witnessing the biggest rice shortage in two decades with conflict in Ukraine and weather extremes in China and Pakistan declining production. Prices have seen multiple peaks from $16 per quintal in October when Pakistan’s harvest starts to come in the market to $19.6 per quintal recently, but specific contacts can often price higher for variety and better quality.

Apart from the increased market value, drying also provides security against weather risk and enables exporters to hold their stocks till they can get better rates. But in Pakistan, when rice is harvested from 3 million acres in a one to two months time period, there is no window for conventional drying.

Moreover, wheat sowing urgency is on the horizon around that time and farmers often harvest and sell their paddy even at 21 percent moisture which is bound to discolour in a few months unless dried. Customers are often willing to buy rice from Pakistan at even higher prices than competitors, but our low shelf life beats us in the middle.

Even at the moment, the rice exported from Pakistan is going to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Indian-run processing mills in tax-free zones, and from there, it is being exported around the globe, with their stamps of course. Our traders are making 20–25 percent margins per container despite all of that per our sources, so one can only imagine what Indians are making from that.

Talking about the initiatives in the budget, one trader said that while it’s a good initiative on paper, it will be seen whether the government allows the LCs or not.  The government’s unrealistic numbers presented in the budget have baffled everyone from academics to industry professionals who say that it tried painting the picture of ‘business as usual’ which is far from reality.

If anything, the budget has only increased the economic uncertainty prevailing since last year, and it will take far more than announcements to make the $5 billion rice exports target a reality. Rice is Pakistan’s second-largest export, and it deserves facilitation from all fronts from research to processing.

BANGKOK: Thailand’s rice exports for January-May were at 3.47 million metric tons, up 26.6% from a year earlier, helped by higher global demand and a weaker baht currency, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday.

In May alone, rice shipments jumped by 88% from a year earlier to about 850,000 metric tons.

The ministry earlier put January-May rice exports at 3.4 million metric tons but later adjusted the amount to 3.47 million.

Rice exports are expected to exceed 8 million metric tons for the whole of 2023, beating the ministry’s target, Ronnarong Phoolpipat, head of the ministry’s foreign trade department, told a news conference.

Asia rice: Tight supply, robust demand propels export prices to 2-year peak

Thailand has also seen high rice output this year as Vietnamese exports will be limited after large shipments earlier in the year, he added.

The baht, which has weakened by 1.8% against the dollar so far this year, should continue to support Thai rice shipments, Ronnarong said.

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said this week that the expected rice exports this year would help Thailand become the world’s second-largest rice exporter after India.

In 2022, Thailand exported 7.69 million metric tons of rice, up 22.1% from a year earlier, beating a target of 7.5 million metric tons, with top markets being Iraq, South Africa, China and the United States.

MUMBAI: India has decided to approve wheat and broken rice exports to few selected countries following their requests to allow the shipments of the grains, the government said in two separate notifications issued late on Tuesday.

The South Asian country banned exports of wheat and broken rice in 2022 to lower local prices.

But following requests, India would allow broken rice exports to Indonesia, Senegal and Gambia in 2023/24 financial year started on April 1.

New Delhi also approved request from Nepal and allowed wheat exports in the current financial year.

Indian exporters, which were exporting grains to these countries, need to bid for the allocated quota of wheat and broken rice, the government said in notifications.

CBOT wheat to test resistance $7.16-3/4

Indonesia has signed an agreement with the Indian government to potentially import 1 million tonnes of rice if the El Nino weather pattern hits domestic supply, media quoted the trade minister as saying on Friday.

Rice Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) meeting at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Headquarters in Islamabad was led by Dr. Imtiaz Hussain, Member of PARC’s Plant Sciences Division. During the meeting, Dr. Hussain underscored PARC’s dedication to assisting both public and private sector institutes as well as seed companies in the evaluation and introduction of rice hybrids and varieties.

Attendees included representatives from the Federal Seed Certification, national and multinational seed companies, provincial seed councils, as well as rice scientists from research institutes at the provincial and federal levels.

The committee members were provided with a comprehensive overview of fifty-one proposals for rice hybrids/varieties by Dr. Muhammad Yousuf, National Coordinator Rice of PARC. Following thorough discussions and careful considerations, the VEC recommended 14 high-yielding rice hybrids from private seed companies for the cultivation in Pakistan.

Furthermore, the National Institute of Genomics and Biotechnology (NIGAB) of PARC introduced four fine rice varieties that demonstrated significantly higher grain yield compared to the currently grown varieties. These fine rice varieties were also endorsed by the VEC for cultivation in Pakistan, with the aim of enhancing farmers’ productivity and profitability.

In addition to the above recommendations, the VEC also suggested the cultivation of Sona Super Basmati, a long-grain variety measuring 9.5 mm, and Vital Super Basmati developed by RRI, Kala Shah Kaku. Vital Super Basmati is notable for its high levels of zinc and iron enrichment.

During a meeting with rice scientists, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman PARC, expressed his confidence in the positive impact that the introduction of these high-yielding rice varieties would have on rice productivity and the profitability of farmers across the country.

Dr. Waseem ul Hassan, representing the Ministry of Food Security and Research applauded the efforts of rice scientists in Pakistan for their achievement in releasing the biofortified Basmati rice variety, along with the four high-yielding fine rice varieties.

Furthermore, representatives from seed companies lauded PARC for establishing a transparent testing procedure for evaluating rice hybrids and varieties, recognizing the subsequent benefits it brings to farmers and the rice sector in Pakistan.

New discovery set to boost disease-resistant rice

Newswise — Rice that is resistant to some of the worst crop-destroying diseases but can still produce large yields could soon become a reality for farmers worldwide.

A University of Adelaide researcher is part of an international team which has identified a new gene variant in a type of rice that can be modified to improve the performance of the crop.

“Rice is the most widely grown crop in the world but serious bacterial and fungal diseases such as rice blast and bacterial blight are a major threat to the industry,” said co-author Associate Professor Jenny Mortimer from the University of Adelaide’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.

“By identifying a specific gene called RBL1, we may have cracked the code for developing rice crops that are resistant to these destructive diseases without the yield penalties often associated with disease resistance.”

In an international collaboration led by researchers at Huazhong Agricultural University, China and University of California Davis, USA, researchers identified a rice variety that already had strong resistance to fungal and bacterial diseases but produced poor grain yields. They showed that this plant was mutated in the gene RBL1.

“Using existing genome-editing technology, the team then generated 57 gene variants from this type of rice and tested their immunity against several strains of rice blast and bacterial blight. We found that one variant of RBL1 had broad-spectrum disease resistance but unlike other varieties, it was still able to produce large yields in small-scale field trials,” said Associate Professor Mortimer, who is a researcher at the University’s Waite Research Institute.

The research has been published in the journal Nature and also indicates the RBL1 gene may play a role in the plant’s defence system by interacting with the cells that stop fungal infections from spreading.

In 2021/2022 about 520 million tonnes of rice were consumed worldwide.

“This is an exciting development because rice is a staple food for more than a third of the world’s population and crop disease is a constant threat to this food source,” said Associate Professor Mortimer.

Australians alone are estimated to consume around 300,000 tonnes of rice each year; half comes from imports while the remainder is grown here. The Australian rice industry has the ability to produce up to one million tonnes of rice each year.

While the new gene identified in this research has promising traits, more field trials are needed to test the immunity and yield of the RBL1 gene in other rice varieties.

Initial work also indicates that this gene is important in disease resistance in other staple crops, and future research will explore this.

“Rice crops with higher yields are needed to meet growing global demand and the results from this study could help shore up food supply in the future,” said Associate Professor Mortimer.

Journal Link: Nature 14 June 2023REQUEST AN EXPERT

MANILA  -The country’s rice farms have seen little improvement in the use of machinery and equipment even if the government poured in billions of pesos for farm mechanization in previous years.

The farm mechanization level of rice farms in the Philippines stood at 2.68 horsepower per hectare (hp/ha) in 2022 compared with 2.31 hp/ha in 2013, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) reported.

With just a 16-percent improvement over a nine-year period, the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) flagged several factors behind the slow uptick in farm mechanization efforts.

“We are coming from a low base, so the absolute increase appears surprisingly small given the billions spent each year under RTL-RCEF (Rice Tariffication-Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund) and other programs for farm mechanization. It is possible that the machines are not being properly maintained and become unutilized after a few years,” said FFF national manager Raul Montemayor.

Another possibility is that “farmers are hesitant to buy machines unless given to them for free because the low prices of palay brought about by excessive imports discourage investments,” Montemayor said, adding that rising fuel costs could be another disincentive.

PHilMech said among the regions, Cagayan Valley recorded the highest mechanization level at 3.51 hp/ha while the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had the lowest level of 0.93 hp/ha.

In other regions, the farm mechanization level in terms of hp/ha were as follows: Cordillera Administrative Region at 2.35; Ilocos Region, 3.09; Central Luzon with 2.62; Calabarzon with 3.36; Mimaropa with 2.22; Bicol Region with 2.98; Western Visayas with 2.76; Central Visayas with 3.02; Eastern Visayas with 2.41; Zamboanga Peninsula with 1.59; Northern Mindanao with 2.3; Davao Region with 2.59; Soccsksargen with 1.72; and Caraga Administrative Region with 1.65.

“The increase in the country’s farm mechanization level can be attributed to the impact of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Mechanization Program that is now in its fifth year of implementation,” PHilMech executive director Dionisio Alvindia said in a statement on Friday.

“Ultimately, addressing postharvest issues and pushing mechanization still form the core of farm modernization in the Philippines, hence PHilMech will continue to push technologies that will further level up the farm mechanization level of the country,” added Alvindia.

The government earmarks P5 billion or half of the P10 billion collected annually from rice tariffs for PHilMech to implement the mechanization part of RCEF from 2019 to 2024.

RCEF is a component of the Rice Tariffication Law that liberalized rice trading and lifted quantitative restriction on importing rice.

PHilMech has been batting for the extension of the RCEF-Mechanization Program beyond 2024, noting this provision has made little or no impact in boosting the rice industry.

Last month, Alvindia said the P30-billion fund for distributing farm machinery under RCEF could only cover 14 percent of the 2.7 million hectares of rice lands across the nation.

“If you ask me, the interventions we provided covering only 14 percent did not have as much impact,” he said back then.

Between 2019 and 2022, PHilMech distributed a total of 22,844 units of various farm machines to 10,633 farmers’ cooperatives and associations and local government units.

Most of the machines were for land preparation (12,644 units), such as four-wheel tractors, one-hand tractors, floating tillers and farm implements/attachments.

For crop establishment, 3,387 units of machines were distributed composed of precision seeders, walk-behind transplanters and riding-type transplanters.

Meanwhile, 1,338 units of facilities were given for drying and milling.

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said the rice would be delivered once Indonesia’s reserves neared depletion.

JAKARTA – The government has agreed to import 1 million tonnes of rice from India in a move that it says is necessary to ensure a sufficient supply of the staple food amid an increased risk of poor harvests this year.

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said the rice would be delivered once Indonesia’s reserves neared depletion.

“We have to import rice, however unpopular it is, take the initiative,” said Zulkifli on Thursday as quoted by Kompas.com, acknowledging that rice imports were often opposed by local farmers.

The minister said the government was seeking to keep the price of rice stable amid the potential impacts of this year’s El Niño climate phenomenon, which could worsen harvests.

The hot, dry weather that El Niño causes is expected to threaten food production throughout Asia.

“If the price [goes up] during El Niño, we must have enough stock [to bring it down again]. That’s why I signed a memorandum of understanding with India for 1 million tonnes that we can procure anytime,” said Zulkifli.

In late May, Zulkifli opposed the import of garlic despite calls from the National Food Agency (Bapanas) to bring down soaring prices amid low garlic stocks nationwide. He said the country should reduce its reliance on imported goods in favor of local producers.

“We want exports. Let’s not get used to importing goods. We should reduce any imports that can hamper our economy,” Zulkifli told reporters, as quoted by Tempo.

Prior to the deal with India, the government had, since December 2022, ordered a total of 500,000 tonnes of rice from countries including Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan.

According to Bapanas, Indonesia is expecting to import around 2 million tonnes of rice this year.

The government’s import plan has rattled farmers. Smallholders in East Java and Central Java told The Jakarta Post on March 27 that they opposed plan, saying it would put downward pressure on farmgate prices.

Farmers have faced difficulties over the past months, including elevated fertilizer prices caused, in part, by supply issues stemming from the Ukraine war.

Some experts have urged the government to refrain from importing rice and wait until August to get clearer picture of state production this year.

Rice procurement may be more difficult than usual, as some countries, including Vietnam, are seeking to limit their exports of the commodity.

Vietnam recently announced it would, by 2030, export just 4 million tonnes of rice annually, down from the current 7.1 million tonnes.

The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) said it was not worried about Vietnam’s export policy shift, as other producing countries, such as India, Pakistan, Thailand and Myanmar could readily fulfill domestic stocks, Bisnis.com reported.

KARACHI: Russia has confirmed registration of another 15 Pakistani mills for export of rice to Russia. This will help further escalate the rice exports, which have already earned $2.5 billion for the exchequer during last fiscal year.

According to Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap), Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia (Rosselkhoznadzor) has confirmed registration of 15 rice mills for export of rice to Russia.

Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia has give green signal to Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection (DPP), Ministry of National Food Security and Research Pakistan that it has completed registration of 15 more rice companies with Rosselkhoznadzor as upgraded and recommended by DPP and now they can export rice to Russia.

REAP urges govt to help it achieve $5bn rice exports

This marks a huge success towards boosting exports of Pakistani rice and overall economy of the state. The Russian Federation had put a ban on import of rice from Pakistan in 2019 on pest interception in rice consignment.

However, it lifted ban in 2021 after corrective measures taken by DPP in the rice establishment with respect to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, however, it only approved 4 compliant rice mills for import of rice from Pakistan based on inspection report of its technical delegation and asked for additional information and measures for the remaining rice facilities.

DPP took special steps to upgrade 15 more rice mills by implementing Standard Guidance Document as per requirements of the Russian Federation.

The tireless efforts including guidance, repeated technical compliance audits were put in this direction by DPP to ensure and enable these companies to export rice through improvement in food safety and phytosanitary measures besides quality, storage and packaging. Now, 19 rice enterprises from Pakistan ca export rice to the Russian Federation.

Reap said that this is a huge achievement of the Pakistan government where the Department of Plant Protection under the MNFSR in close collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce became able to pitch increased rice exports to the Russian Federation.

This brings good news especially to the rice farmers of Punjab and Sindh, as their main source of earning is based on these exports. Moreover, Pakistan being the agrarian economy can also look for enhancing exports in other domains as well by improving quality standards as per global markets.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023

Tariq Cheema, Zafar successfully get approval for exporting more rice to Russia

Federal Minister National Food Security and Research (NFSR) Tariq Bashir Cheema, through the scholastic guidance of Secretary Zafar Hassan, successfully got approval for the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) to export rice to Russia by 15 more mills, following the recommendation after a technical audit by the DPP, said a press release issued here Friday.

The development is a major success towards boosting exports and the overall economy of the country.

Russia had put a ban on rice exports a few years back because of pest interception in rice

However, the ban was lifted in 2021 and only four rice mills which complied with their quality standards, were allowed to export rice from Pakistan to Russia.

The DPP with the support of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) took special steps to upgrade 15 more mills as per the Guidance Document prescribed by the Russian Federation for compliance with the requirements for rice exports.

Tireless efforts were put in this direction to ensure these establishments were in conformity with the SPS requirements of Russia and make them able to export rice through improvement in quality and quantity of rice.

Now, 19 rice enterprises from Pakistan can export rice to the Russian Federation. This was a big achievement of the Government of Pakistan which brings good news especially, for the rice farmers of Punjab and Sindh, as its ultimate beneficiaries.

Moreover, Pakistan being an agrarian economy, can also look for enhancing exports in other domains as well by improving quality standards as per global markets. This agreement opens a gateway to further exports to international markets given the quality standards remain sound.

Further, the up-gradation of more rice processing facilities is in the pipeline with DPP, to make them at par with international standards in order to achieve major shares in high-end markets of Asia, Europe, USA and Australia.—APP

Cambodia earned nearly $737 million from the export of milled rice and paddy to 49 countries and territories in the first five months of 2023, with China and the EU ranking as the first and second largest buyers of the processed grains.

Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) data released on June 9 show that individually, the Kingdom shipped 278,184 tonnes of milled rice worth $191.64 million via 48 exporters to 49 destinations, as well as 2,142,483 tonnes of paddy to the tune of $545.26 million.

These figures indicate that the milled rice and paddy exported over the January-May period were worth a per-kilogramme average of 68.89 US cents and 25.45 US cents respectively.

The CRF noted that the exported paddy would yield 1.37 million tonnes of milled rice, or about 64 per cent of its original weight.

Broken down by variety of milled rice in terms of tonnage, “fragrant” represented the lion’s share at 83.49 per cent, followed by “white” (10.87%), “parboiled” (3.71%) and “organic” (1.93%).

By export destination in terms of value, China imported the most at 42.43 per cent of the total, followed by 25 EU countries (37.93%) and four ASEAN nations (8.86%). The remaining markets bought 10.78 per cent.

For comparison, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries reported that China imported 149,477 tonnes – or 52.69 per cent – of the total 283,675 tonnes exported by the Kingdom in January-May 2022.

The CRF noted that last month saw Cambodia’s inaugural formal shipment of milled rice to the Philippines, weighing in at 2,575 tonnes.

Amru Rice (Cambodia) Co Ltd CEO Song Saran on June 11 shared with The Post that his company’s exports to its primary destinations – the EU and US – continues to grow, adding that plenty of retailers are buying its products.

“We mainly export to Europe, and organic rice. We’ve received a lot of support from the retail market there. Of course, China remains a big market for milled rice but my company mainly exports to Europe and the United States,” he said, hinting that Amru Rice’s milled-rice exports increased by around one-tenth year-on-year in the first five months of 2023.

Although Saran affirmed that the company’s exports have been in positive growth territory, he believes that there may be speed bumps ahead for the rice business at large.

“We’re also concerned about climate change’s effects on the grain, though this worry is not unique to us – it is shared by people all across the world,” he added.

City Rice Import Export Co Ltd CEO “Andy” Lay Chhun Hour also pointed out to The Post on June 11 how large a market China has become for Cambodian milled rice since Beijing committed to buy the grains.

He disclosed that his company exported “around 40,000 tonnes” of milled rice to China in the January-May period, making a “slight” increase. “I’m optimistic that China will remain our largest market … we’ve gained a lot of support from the Chinese thanks to the quality of our milled rice.”

Meanwhile, the CRF is in talks with Beijing on a deal that would commit Chinese state-owned China Oil and Foodstuffs Corp (COFCO) to buy more than 400,000 tonnes of homegrown milled rice as Chinese demand climbs.

The agreement would come in the form of the seventh in a series of memorandums of understanding (MoU), with the previous iteration – entailing 400,000 tonnes – having been rolled out in the fourth quarter of 2021.

CRF data indicates that last year’s milled-rice exports were to the tune of $414.29 million. This is equivalent to 34.38 per cent of the $1.205 billion in total exports of “cereals” – corresponding to Chapter 10 of the Harmonised System (HS) – posted by Customs (GDCE) for 2022.

King Norodom Sihamoni has provided four tractors and donated $5 each to farmers of Popel commune in Kampong Chhnang province to speed up their paddy cultivation during the rainy season.

The King also distributed 25kg of rice noodles and other daily essentials, including canned fish and fish brine, to 234 families of the Popel commune in Boribor district of Kampong Chhnang province. The children also received a surprise Royal gift of $2.5 each.

Kong Sam Ol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Royal Palace, handed over the tractors as he visited the farmers on behalf of the King to monitor the progress in farming.

Sam Ol, also the representative of the King, shared the details of the King’s assistance to the struggling farmers of Popel commune.

Sam Ol said that the King’s humanitarian gesture will help the farmers who have started ploughing the fields in a slow pace to speed up their work and it will make their cultivation easier than before. The donation of tractors and money shows the King’s thoughtfulness to improve the lives of the poor people.

Popel commune chief Chea Sobon said yesterday that the King always assists the farmers and other communes in Boribo district had already benefitted from the tractors the King had provided them.

Sobon said, “Farmers in Popel commune are grateful to the King for providing them with tractors as it will speed up their work by 60 to 70%. Previously they were using  cattle to plough their paddy field. Once the ploughing is done, the tractors will be sent back to the Royal Palace.”

Thanking the King for providing tractors, Thoeun Saroth, 36, said that it will benefit the families who have been struggling without cattle to plough their rice fields. Some farmers take tractors on rental basis to speed up their farm work.

“I want to thank both the King and Kong Sam Ol for helping farmers in Popel commune. I wish the King long life and prosperity,” she added.

Exporters have expressed concerns over expected water shortage for rice and cotton crops during the current Kharif season.

Pakistan’s rice and textile exports are declining during the current year, and they are feared to drop further if enough water is not available for crops, exporters said.

The experts responded to a report of Indus River System Authority (IRSA) saying that the country is facing a significant water shortage of 37% during the current Kharif season, which could affect important cash crops.

Hamid Zaman, Chairman (North Zone) of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), told WealthPK that constant decline in cotton production was already hurting the country’s textile sector and exports.

“Decline in cotton production is directly hitting Pakistan’s exports, employment and in come of the people besides increasing trade deficit,” he said.

Hamid called upon the government to take measures for water conservation in the country.

“Agriculture is the backbone of the economy as it provides raw material to industry and ensures food security,” he said. 

The APTMA representative said textile producers have to pay $400 million to import one million bales of cotton. “Imported cotton is expensive and it also impacts the competitiveness of the textile sector,” he added.

Hamid said that government should help farmers to grow cotton crop.

“According to an estimate, Pakistan was losing at least $5 billion directly on account of low production of cotton,” Hamid said, adding that increase in cotton production will have a direct impact of $1 billion per 1 million bales.

According to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, production of cotton declined by 35.49% in Pakistan due to various reasons during last 12 years.

Chela Ram Kewlani, Chairman of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), said while talking to WealthPK that the federal and provincial governments should take measures to ensure availability of water for important crops during the coming season.

He pointed out that the export of rice was already on a declining trend during the current fiscal year. 

“Rice export dropped by 11.17% in terms of value and 19.49% by quantity during first 10 months of the current fiscal year,” Kewlani said.

The REAP chairman said rice crop was damaged by floods last year, and now another calamity is feared in shape of water shortage.

Kewlani said that exporters were expecting rice exports to grow over $2.8 billion during the current fiscal year (2022-23) after getting encouragement from record exports of $2.51 billion during last fiscal year. However, he said, initially the floods, and then the water shortage shattered their hopes.

He urged the government to re-consider the water distribution formula for the coming seasons to avoid such situations in future.

According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan spent $1.828 billion to import 776,394 metric tons (MT) of raw cotton during 2021-22.

Pakistan’s rice exports increased by 23% during the fiscal year 2021-22 compared to the exports of 2020-21, PBS reported. During 2021-22, over 4.877 million metric tons of rice valuing $2.511 billion was exported against 3.684 million metric tons worth $2.041 billion during 2020-21.

YANGON (Xinhua): Myanmar's rice exports declined to 46,786 tonnes in May, compared to 94,691 tonnes recorded in the same period last year, data by Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) showed on Tuesday (June 6).

The South-East Asian country also exported 63,920 tonnes of broken rice last month, compared to 58,815.5 tonnes exported a year earlier, the MRF data showed.

Turkiye was the top buyer of Myanmar's rice in May, with 11,376 tonnes, while Belgium was the top buyer of broken rice during the cited period, with 25,925 tonnes.

In May, Myanmar exported its rice and broken rice to Turkiye, Spain, Bulgaria, Poland, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, China and other countries.

The South-East Asian country, which has a long coastline, has shipped most of its rice and broken rice via sea routes.

Myanmar earned US$853.472 million from the exports of more than 2.2 million tonnes of rice and broken rice during the 2022-23 fiscal year, showed the MRF data.

In Myanmar, rice is the most cultivated crop followed by beans and pulses.

The state government has expanded the supply of fortified rice, aimed at addressing malnutrition, to 31 districts of Karnataka without conducting any biomarker tests or studying the pros and cons.

In April 2022, the government, under its ‘Poushtika Karnataka’ (Nutrition Karnataka) programme, decided to provide fortified rice on a pilot basis. It involves grinding broken rice into powder and fortifying it with micronutrients such as iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, and then shaping it into rice-like kernels for beneficiaries in 14 districts. Based on the findings, the programme was to be implemented across the state. From April 2023, over 4.44 crore people are receiving fortified rice under the centrally-sponsored programme.

However, multiple sources in Food & Civil Supplies and Women & Child Development departments confirmed to DH that they have not conducted any study to ascertain if fortified rice has addressed the intended purpose of minimising anaemia, malnutrition and others.

Scientists are divided over supplying iron-fortified rice under various schemes of the public distribution system including Antyodaya, priority household cards, Anganwadi, and mid-day meals.

While a section of experts fears that an irrational supply of iron- a 'non-friendly chemical'-could cause more harm, others argue that India is supplementing fortified rice as per the advice of the World

Health Organisation and within the permissible limits.

Dr Anura Kurpad, member of NITI Aayog's National Technical Board on Nutrition and Professor at St John's Medical College, Bengaluru, says in principle, supplying fortified rice to a poor population is a great idea.

"But doing this in an imprecise way by supplying all through a mandatory system is not so great. This

could provide excess iron supplement to a large proportion of beneficiaries, particularly men whose

requirements are lower and whose diets do not need additional iron content, and this is is a worrying

factor," he says.

He says several studies have shown that providing an excess of iron content, especially to men, can have a cascading effect (as they cannot easily excrete iron from body). His study of data from a national survey of children has also found that adolescent children with higher iron stores, as measured by serum ferritin levels, run a risk of higher blood sugar levels, which in the long run has been shown to increase the risk of diabetes, dyslipidemias, and high blood pressure. Giving an iron supplement through fortification to children will increase body iron stores over time, and there is need for caution and precision in giving iron only to those who need it. A mandatory blanket provision will not do this.

"Without screening or surveying patients, the government through PDS is providing fortified rice to two- thirds of its population. The amount of iron that will be delivered to a beneficiary will be 10 mg per day, from each iron-fortified food. Apart from this, it is also providing iron and folic acid tablets to women (60 mg per week) and children. Given that men and women need only 10-15 mg of iron per day, one serving of iron-fortified rice will supply the entire daily iron requirement for men, and most for women. Eating two fortified foods simultaneously-like fortified salt along with rice-will double the amount

ingested iron to 20 mg per day. To this, we must add the iron from iron tablets supplied to women and children, plus the natural iron in the usual foods that are eaten, like green leafy vegetables and millet. There is no defined time limit to the fortification programme, nor any plan to test when this should be rolled back. The prolonged consumption of fortified rice can result in high iron stores along with oxidative stress resulting in harm to the body. Without monitoring the consequences, we could be putting a large proportion of the population in harm's way," he warns

Unlike other medications that are clinically provided under supervision (including consumption of iron

tablets) where the dosage is for a specific period, the government has not mentioned a plan or

indicators for tapering of fortified rice consumption, he adds The government, as recommended by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has

been mixing one kg of fortified rice in one quintal of normal rice.

Countering Dr Kurpad's argument, Dr Prashanth Thankachan, an expert in micronutrients at St John's Research Institute, says the iron from fortified rice being provided in PDS is one-third (4.5 mg) of the total daily requirement. "In a country with a lack of diversity in food consumption, supplying iron fortified rice is a low-cost, safe and effective means of addressing malnutrition," he says. At least 14 countries including the United States of America, Canada and Bangladesh are supplying fortified rice since 2000, None of these countries have reported any adverse impact, he says.

"A person with no iron deficiency will not absorb additional iron into the body even if present in the food and, therefore, the risk of adverse events is nonexistent. The classic example is of salt fortified with adine to tackle iodine deficiency in the country, fodine deficiency has come down drastically in India, he says

A couple of days ago, the World Health Organisation in its Switzerland assembly passed a resolution

aking nations to increase supply of fortified food grains at the earliest to improve micronutrient levels among children and women,

Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, Additional Director (Vigilance & Public Distribution) of the Food and Civil

Supplies Department, says they are awaiting a study from Path Foundation regarding the benefits of

fortified rice.

Path Foundation is funded by the Bill Gates and Melinda Foundation that is promoting the use of fortified rice in India.

"As of now, the state government does not have any report on the pros and cons of fortified rice. The centrally-sponsored scheme is being implemented based on several scientific studies conducted across the world. It has proved efficient in improving haemoglobin and nutrition levels in children and pregnant women," he says.

Path Foundation office-bearer Satyabrat informed DH that they have not conducted biomarker tests but meta-analyses on beneficiaries.

Experts say there is no proof to suggest that the consumption of fortified rice improves malnutrition as

the iron content in 'chemically laced rice is low.

Kalaburagi Women and Child Welfare Department Deputy Director Naveen Kumar U says the department is not completely dependent on fortified rice. "We are trying to mitigate malnutrition and anaemia at multiple levels, including providing eggs, bananas and others. So, it is difficult to say if the

changes witnessed in the district are due to fortified rice," he says.

Kalaburagi was among the 14 districts selected on a pilot basis and received 1.33 lakh metric tonnes of

fortified rice. It ranks among districts with high levels of malnutrition. Dr Anura Kurpad said instead of supplying iron-fortified rice, the government should encourage the

consumption of fruits and provide nutritious supplements based on screening.

MANILA, Philippines — The government should prioritize the competitiveness of local palay farmers amid the flooding of imported grains, according to a farmers’ group, as it pointed out that achieving rice self-sufficiency would be short-lived if it lacks profitability for producers.

In a radio interview yesterday, Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) national manager Raul Montemayor said that while President Marcos’ target of achieving 97.5-percent rice self-sufficiency in five years is “technically” achievable, local farmers would still compete with the unabated influx of imported rice under the rice tariffication law (RTL).

“Under the rice tariffication law, the government cannot prevent the importation of rice. It did not impose a ceiling on the importation. The law only stated that all agencies of the government are barred from preventing the arrival of imported rice,” Montemayor added.

Marcos has approved the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program, which seeks to achieve the highest possible rice self-sufficiency level by implementing various strategies.

The Masagana Rice Industry Development Program is similar to Masagana 99, a program implemented in 1973, during the late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s administration, that sought to address rice shortage and boost production.

“Technically, (we can achieve rice sufficiency in 2027) as our shortfall for one year is only about 10 to 15 percent, and it is easy to achieve if we can increase the rice plantations and increase the palay yield per hectare,” Montemayor said.

He noted that during the implementation of Masagana 99, many farmers suffered huge debts.

“Normally, if you want to increase the yields, you will invest on fertilizer, inputs, you will borrow. Based on the experience of farmers during the Masagana 99 period, their yield increased, but they were left with huge debts,” Montemayor said.

For the FFF leader, the government should make sure farmers can compete with the retail price of imported grains.

“We can be self-sufficient, but the market is still open to cheap rice imports. Local farmers, with the low cost of imported grains, will be forced to bring down their farm gate price just to compete with imported rice,” he said.

He added that the Philippines has a commitment under the World Trade Organization to allow an open market for rice trading without the intervention of government.

“The government should first fix the cost of production of our farmers, their competitiveness, before targeting self-sufficiency. Otherwise, it will be short-lived, the self-sufficiency will not last as farmers will suffer losses,” he said.

Because of the RTL, the country imports 20 to 25 percent more of the rice needs as against the 10 to 15 percent of actual needs.

“This is the reason why the farm gate price of palay is down during the harvest season,” Montemayor said.

Based on data from the Bureau of Plant Industry as of May 25, at least 1.6 million metric tons of imported rice had arrived, where the bulk or 1.4 million MT came from Vietnam, from January to May this year.

Montemayor expressed belief that the government’s target to bring down the farm gate price of rice to P8.13 per kilo will actually dissuade farmers from planting.

“If you will offer P8 per kilo, it will not entice farmers as the cost of production is actually at P12, P13 (per kilo),” he said.

“The approach of Masagana 99 was good as it had fertilizer, technical advice, credit, lands under the CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program). It was discontinued during the administration of (the late former president Corazon) Cory (Aquino) as the implementation of the program was no longer comprehensive,” he added.

Montemayor emphasized that the government should learn from the mistakes from the past.

“A good slogan is not enough if no concrete program is offered. President Marcos should task officials to consult with farmers. Officials may succeed in impressing the President through the slogan, but if there is no detailed evaluation, the past mistakes will just be repeated,” he said.

Masagana 99 was able to address the rice shortage, but was dogged by credit program issues, according to experts.

Thailand’s rice output this year may drop by as much as 6%, to between 25.1 and 25.6 million tonnes, due to the impacts of the El Niño weather phenomenon, according to a forecast by the Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC).

KRC predicts that total rice production this year will be between 32.7 and 33.2 million tonnes, when combined with about 7.6 million tonnes from the second crop, which will be enough for domestic consumption and exports, which are expected to see an increase from last year.

It warns that the anticipated rice output may be much lower if the drought is prolonged and causes more damage to the crops.

KRC warned that the El Niño phenomenon this year, if it is further prolonged, will cause a substantial drop in water levels in numerous reservoirs, which will have an impact on both main and second-crop cultivation next year, as it urged agencies concerned to adjust their water management plans immediately, to ensure that there is sufficient water for cultivation and other purposes.

Meanwhile, the Royal Irrigation Department is urging farmers in the Chao Phraya river basin to suspend second crop cultivation.

KRC said, however that, due to the attractive export price and global demand for Thai rice, many farmers still want to plant their second crop, despite the risk of a water shortage.

According to the department, about 19,600,000m3 of water, including about 7,000,000m3 for the Chao Phraya river basin alone, have been discharged into about 1.59 million hectares of rice fields under the 2022-23 water management plan.

Vietnam will develop and diversify rice export markets with a reasonable, stable, and effective scale, market and product structure under a strategy recently approved by the Prime Minister.

The Strategy on Development of Vietnam's Rice Export Markets until 2030 sets the targets of improving the value of exported rice, and reducing export volume by 2030 to about 4 million tonnes with a turnover of about US$2.62 billion.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that last May, Vietnam shipped abroad some 1 million tonnes of rice valued at US$489 million, raising rice export volume and value in the first five months of this year to nearly 3.9 million tonnes and US$2.02 billion, representing year-on-year increases of 40.8% and 49%, respectively.

In the first four months of this year, the Philippines was Vietnam’s biggest rice importer, making up 42.4% of the market share.

Among Vietnam’s 15 biggest rice buyers, Indonesia experienced the sharpest rise in value (26.3 times), according to the ministry.

Under the strategy, Vietnam's rice sector will also increase exports of high-quality rice. Specifically, between 2023 and 2025, the proportion of low- and medium-grade white rice will not exceed 15%; high-grade white rice will account for about 20%; fragrant rice, japonica rice and specialty rice 40%; sticky rice 20%; rice products with high added value such as nutritious rice, parboiled rice, organic rice, rice flour, rice-processed products, rice bran and some other rice by-products 5%; and rice with brand names 20%.

Nguyen Van Thanh, Chairman and CEO of Phuoc Thanh IV Trading - Production Company Limited, said the adjustments are suitable, explaining that the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's rice bowl, reduced the number of rice crops to only one from three.

Experts said intensive processing will help Vietnam raise its rice value by multiple times, noting it requires investment in science-technology to put the grain on market shelves in Europe, the US, Canada, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said up to 85% of Vietnamese rice varieties are high-quality ones. Therefore, prices of Vietnamese rice have exceeded those of Thailand to stand at US$485-US$495 per tonne.

Given requirements of markets and free trade agreements, the research of high-quality rice varieties with affordable prices has proven effective in rice production, especially in terms of food security, he said. VNA

Rice exports have increased by 49% year-on-year in the first five months to US$2.02 billion, the highest growth in 10 years.

It grew by 40.8% in volume terms to 3.9 million tons, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Philippines was the biggest buyer with 1.29 million tons, a 40.6% increase. Exports to Indonesia rose by 26 times.

On average, a ton fetched $517, a 5.8% increase from last year.

Vietnamese rice producers are having a bountiful year with high yields and rising demand in traditional markets such as the Philippines, China and Malaysia, Nguyen Ngoc Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, said.

There were also sharp spikes in exports to southern African countries, he told VnExpress. Some fragrant Vietnamese rice varieties are also popular in some niche markets, he added.

Vietnam is seeing increased opportunity since major competitors India and Thailand are being affected by El Nino, the warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern parts of the tropical Pacific Ocean.

The Russia-Ukraine war has also caused an increase in global food stocking.

Vietnamese producers said there has been a surge in orders in recent months but not enough supply for exports.

Exports are forecast to reach 6.5 million tons at most this year, down 8.4% from last year, according to the Vietnam Food Association.

MUMBAI/HANOI /BANGKOK/DHAKA: Prices of rice exported from top hub India edged higher this week from a near six-month trough as weaker rates attracted buyers from other Asian countries, while comparatively higher rates in Vietnam posed risks to demand in the near term.

India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $375-$380 per tonne, up from the last week’s $374-$378.

“Buying from Asian countries has improved a bit because of lower prices, although the majority of buyers are still on the sidelines,” said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Neighbouring Bangladesh, which often requires imports to cope with shortages caused by natural calamities such as floods, doesn’t need to import rice this year, its food minister said.

“There is a good harvest in the country, so there is no need to import rice,” Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder told reporters. Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $490-$495 per tonne, unchanged from a week ago, which was the highest level since late April.

“Trading activity is quiet as some buyers are slowing their purchases due to high prices,” a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said. Vietnam’s rice exports in the first five months of this year are estimated to have risen about 40.8% from a year earlier to 3.9 million tonnes, government data showed on Monday.

DGFT AMENDS EXPORT POLICY CONDITION OF BASMATI AND NON-BASMATI RICE

DGFT has made amendment in Policy condition of Sl. No. 55 & 57, Chapter 10 Schedule-2, ITC(HS) Export Policy, 2018 for export of Basmati and Non-Basmati rice.

DGFT amends Export Policy Condition of Basmati and Non-Basmati Rice

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued an amendment in Policy condition of Sl. No. 55 & 57, Chapter 10 Schedule-2, ITC(HS) Export Policy, 2018 for export of rice (Basmati and Non-Basmati) via issuing Notification.

The Notification Stated as, “In exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 of the foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 (No. 22 of I 992), as amended read with para 1.02 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, the Central Government hereby makes the following amendment to the Notification No. 27/2015-2020 dt. 17.08.2022, with immediate effect policy condition at SI.No. 55 and 57, Schedule 2 of ITC (HS) Export Policy, 2018 for export of rice (Basmati and Non-Basmati).”

The following policy conditions shall be amended/added to the existing entries of Chapter 10 at SI.No. 55 and 57:-

Effect of Notification:

Existing notification No.27/2015-2020 dated 17th August 2022 is amended to the extent that export of Rice (Basmati and Non-Basmati) to EU member states and other European Countries namely Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and United Kingdom only will require Certificate of Inspection from EIA/EIC. Export to remaining European countries will not require Certificate of Inspection by Export Inspection Council / Export Inspection Agency for export from the date of this notification for a period of six months.

JITRA: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will explore saltwater rice cultivation methods in an effort to increase the country’s rice production.

Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said his office had held discussions with relevant experts, including professors in China, regarding the technology that could be used for producing rice here.

“We are still in the early stages of discussions,” he said.

Mohamad said it took China four years to conduct a study on the method before it could be implemented.

“There is no reason why Malaysia should not have enough rice in the future,” he told a press conference after an engagement session with Harumanis Kodiang Entrepreneurs at the Harumanis Farm Collection Centre, Kampung Pida 3, Kodiang near here yesterday, Bernama reported.

He said irrigation and care were among the factors why there was a low yield of rice production in Kedah compared with Sekinchan, Selangor, thus requiring effective action to increase the yield in the rice bowl state.

“You cannot do rice cultivation part-time; in Sekinchan, rice farmers do it as a permanent job. In Kedah, we want to go in that direction. (However) we cannot blame the farmers either because the irrigation system is also important.

“We cannot survive on five tonnes per hectare. In Sekinchan, we get between eight and 10 tonnes per hectare. If we can get six tonnes or more, we will have enough rice in Malaysia. Now, farmers have taken this seriously,” he added.

Mohamad said the method of planting rice through a large-scale scheme such as in Sekinchan could be practised by rice farmers in Kedah with the help and cooperation of the Muda Agricultural Development Authority and Padiberas Nasional Bhd.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has signed a decision approving the Strategy on Development of Viet Nam's Rice Export Markets until 2030.

Rice loaded for export. Viet Nam eyes the export of high-quality rice and rice-based products. — VNA/VNS Photo

Under the strategy, Viet Nam will consolidate traditional and key export markets and develop new and potential ones, and those with which it has signed free trade agreements (FTAs). The country also targets increasing the market share of Vietnamese rice in markets, especially in developed countries.

Viet Nam will also associate the export markets with domestic production according to value chains, ensure the quality and safety of exported rice, increasing the presence of Vietnamese rice and products processed from rice in direct distribution channels in markets.

The country also eyes the export of high-quality rice and rice-based products, increase their values, ensure sustainable exports, and affirm the prestige and brand of Vietnamese rice.

Specific goals are increasing added value, improving the value of exported rice, and reducing export volume by 2030 to about 4 million tonnes with a turnover of about US$2.62 billion. The average export growth rate will decrease by about 2.4 per cent in 2023-25 and 3.6 per cent in 2026-30.

Between 2023 and 2025, the proportion of low- and medium-grade white rice will not exceed 15 per cent; high-grade white rice will account for about 20 per cent; fragrant rice, japonica rice and specialty rice 40 per cent; sticky rice 20 per cent; rice products with high added value such as nutritious rice, parboiled rice, organic rice, rice flour, rice-processed products, rice bran and some other rice by-products 5 per cent; and rice with brand names 20 per cent.

The respective figures for 2026-30 are 10, 15, 45, 20, 10 and 40 per cent.

About 25 per cent of exported rice is expected to bear the brand name of Vietnam rice by 2030.

By 2025, the Asian market will account for about 60 per cent of the country’s total rice export turnover, Africa 22 per cent, the Middle East 4 per cent, Europe 3 per cent, America per cent, and the Oceania 4 per cent.

The respective figures for 2030 are 55, 23, 5, 5, 8, and 4 per cent. — VNS

Vietnam aims to cut its rice exports to four million tonnes a year by 2030, the government said in a document detailing its rice export strategy, down from 7.1 million tonnes last year.

Vietnam is the world's third-largest rice exporter, after India and Thailand.

The move is aimed at 'boosting the exports of high-quality rice, ensuring domestic food security, protecting the environment and adapting to climate change,' according to the government document, dated 26 May and reviewed by Reuters.

Rice export revenue will fall to $2.62 billion (€2.4 billion) a year by 2030, down from $3.45 billion (€3.2 billion) in 2022, the document said.

"Although Vietnam's rice farming area is shrinking due to climate change and some farmers are switching to growing other crops and raising shrimp, the strategy appears to be too aggressive," a rice trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said on Saturday.

The trader said some rice farmers in the Mekong Delta are turning parts of their fields to fruit farms, growing mangoes, grapefruit, jackfruit and durian, but the vast majority remain dependant on rice.

The trend toward cultivating shrimp has been taking place in the area for years as rising seawater triggered by climate change brings significantly increased salinisation in the Mekong Delta region.

Rice Export

Vietnam will diversify its rice export markets to reduce its reliance on any country, the government document said. The Philippines has long been Vietnam's biggest rice buyer, accounting for 45% of its shipments last year.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos Jr at a regional meeting in Indonesia this month that Vietnam was willing to supply rice to the Philippines for the long term at reasonable prices.

By 2025, 60% of Vietnamese rice exports will be shipped to Asian markets, 22% to Africa, 7% to American markets, 4% to the Middle East and 3% to Europe, the document said. By 2030, Asian markets will account for 55% and Europe 5%.

'Vietnam will seek to boost rice shipments to markets that have high demand for quality grains and markets that Vietnam has signed free trade agreements with,' the document said.

Pesticides

The document said Vietnam will also seek to cut residues of plant protection products including pesticides in its rice.

The Vietnam Food Association, which represents rice processors and exporters, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The government said Vietnam will focus on the production of high-quality, fragrant and glutinous rice, while reducing the production of low-quality grains to 15% of total output by 2025 and to 10% by 2030.

"I doubt the strategy will materialise, as rice production depends on supply and demand, not on a government decision," another rice trader in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang said.

Rice exports from Vietnam in the first four months of this year rose 40.7% from a year earlier to 2.9 million tonnes, according to government customs data.

Over 234,000 hectares of agricultural land could be affected by Typhoon Betty (international name: Mawar), the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center said.

According to the DA-DRRM in a statement, the areas at risk include 159,116 hectares of rice and 75,029 hectares of corn, primarily in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Ilocos Region, the Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon.

The DA said its regional field offices (RFOs) have already prepositioned seeds, fertilizer, drugs, and biologics in safe storage facilities, and it is closely coordinating with the state weather bureau and other DRRM-related offices.

The department currently has some 681,205 bags of rice seeds; 21,192 bags of corn seeds, and 20,454 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds for possible intervention once Typhoon Betty exits the country.

It also said affected stakeholders can tap the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) for up to P25,000 in loans payable in three years at zero interest.

Typhoon Betty entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early Saturday morning, and has since decelerated to have maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour near the center. Eleven areas are currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 1. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA Integrated News

Lucknow. Chief secretary DS Mishra held a meeting with country director of the World Food Programme, Elisabeth Faure on Thursday. The two reportedly held discussions on three major issues, which included fortified rice, grain dispensing Annapurti and take home ration (THR) units.

Mishra informed Faure that the state had managed to scale up rice fortification and a community awareness drive on the importance and availability of the rice was being carried out. The information being given out through these drives includes details of the nutritional value and quality of fortified rice.

Meanwhile, Faure said three Annapurti solution facilities have been set up and WFP would be supporting installation of five more as per the request of the food and civil supplies department. It was discussed during the meeting that UP would increase the Annapurti centres, which work like food dispensing ATMs, to 100 locations across the state.

She further informed the chief secretary that during her field visits, she had learnt about new blended fortified THR being well accepted by the community and was also providing employment opportunities to women. There are 134 operational THR units covering 320 blocks of the state and the plan is to bring the entire state within their reach Faure said WFP would soon be piloting a solar power installation in one of the THR units.

Agricultural Ministry said the country will achieve foodgrain production of 3305.34 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) in the current agricultural year

The Centre is estimating record production of rice, wheat, maize, soybean, rapeseed and mustard, and sugarcane, according to the “third advance estimates of production of major crops” released by the Union Agriculture Ministry here on May 25.

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar, releasing the estimates, said the country will achieve foodgrain production of 3305.34 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) in the current agricultural year. He credited farmers, the ability of researchers and the farmer-friendly policies of the Centre for Growth. The assessment of production of different crops is done based on the feedback from States.

Among foodgrains, the Centre expects cultivation of 1355.42 LMT of rice, 1127.43 LMT of wheat, 111.66 LMT of bajra, 547.48 LMT of coarse cereals and 359.13 LMT of Maize. In 2021-22, the production of rice was 1294.71 LMT and the production of wheat was 1077.42 LMT. The total foodgrain production is likely to be higher by 149.18 LMT as compared to 2021-22. The increase in rice could be 60.71 LMT and in wheat, it will be 50.01 LMT.

The Centre expects the production of 275.04 LMT of pulses. The production of Moong is estimated at 37.40 LMT which is higher by 5.74 LMT when compared to the previous year’s production. “The production of soybean and rapeseed and mustard is estimated at 149.76 LMT and 124.94 LMT respectively, which is higher by 19.89 LMT and 5.31 LMT respectively than the production in 2021-22. Total oil seeds production in the country during 2022-23 is estimated at a record 409.96 LMT which is higher by 30.33 LMT than the previous year’s oilseeds production,” the Union Agriculture Ministry said in a release.

Total production of Sugarcane in the country is also likely to hit record levels of 4942.28 LMT. “The production of sugarcane during 2022-23 is higher by 548.03 LMT than the previous year’s production,” the Centre said. The Production of Cotton is estimated at 343.47 lakhbales (of 170 kg each) and production of Jute & Mesta is estimated at 94.94 lakhbales (of 180 kg each).

MUMBAI/ HANOI/BANGKOK/DHAKA: Rice prices exported from Vietnam climbed their highest level since late April this week, aided by low supplies, while rates for the staple grain were flat in other major hubs on lacklustre overseas demand.

Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $490-$495 per tonne, compared with a range of $485-$495 a week ago. “Supplies are low and exporters are focusing on fulfilling the contracts signed with Indonesian buyers,” a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said. Preliminary shipping data showed 213,000 tonnes of rice were to be loaded at Ho Chi Minh City port during the May 1-29 period, with most of the rice heading to the Philippines, Indonesia and Africa.

Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices were quoted at $495-$500 per tonne, slightly lower from last week’s $500, their highest since January. Demand has been subdued, said a Bangkok-based trader, adding, the markets are awaiting harvest of the next crop for additional supplies.

In top exporter India, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, an arm of the trade ministry, said that the South Asian nation could consider supplying broken rice to other countries only through diplomatic channels.

India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was unchanged from last week’s $374-$378 per tonne, with rates pressured in part by a depreciation in the rupee, which increased traders’ margin from overseas sales. Additionaly, “demand is weak for the past few weeks. Buyers are delaying purchases,” a Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh-based trader said.

Neighbouring Bangla-desh’s procurement drive of the newly harvested rice is in full swing, agriculture ministry officials said.

The government has a target to buy 1.2 million tonnes of rice from local farmers from May 7 to Aug. 31. The government buys rice from local farmers to ensure a support price, build stocks for state welfare programmes and meet emergency needs.

Minister G. Kamalakar says broken rice percentage in Rabi CMR to be finalised soon

Rice millers of Telangana, who are part of the exercise of custom milling of paddy to supply rice to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), have requested the Centre to allow supply of boiled rice this Rabi season keeping in view the welfare of farmers.

At a meeting with Minister for Civil Supplies G. Kamalakar and authorities of the State Civil Supplies Corporation here on Thursday, representatives of the rice millers expressed concern over the Centre’s decision not to accept parboiled rice in Rabi and it was causing loss to them with forced supply of raw rice. They said they were not hopeful of giving even half the quantity of raw rice target given for Rabi.

The Minister, on the other hand, asked the millers to cooperate with the State Government and supply custom milled rice before the deadline. He assured them that the State Government would take a mutually agreeable decision on the broken rice percentage in the Rabi CMR.

Asking the millers not to cause problems to farmers under any circumstances and made it clear that the government would not allow reduction of paddy weight having fair average quality and also unload paddy brought to mills without any delay. He stated that broken rice percentage in the Rabi CMR would be finalised after taking the interim report of an expert committee on it based on paddy varieties to the Chief Minister’s notice.

Representatives of millers appealed to the Centre to rethink over its decision against accepting parboiled rice in Rabi as the milling industry was facing serious problems due to it. They explained that paddy grain would be broken during its formation stage itself in the Rabi season due to high temperatures and the Centre had taken the decision against parboiled rice without considering the fact.

They also expressed concern over their portrayal as enemies of farmers although they were playing a key role in taking the paddy produced by farmers as finished product to consumers. They said they were not reducing weight of paddy with fair average quality and noted that repeated untimely rains this season was making paddy discoloured and out-turn as raw rice would not be even 50%.

Commissioner of Civil Supplies V. Anil Kumar, General Manager of TSCS Srinivas Rao, president of the rice millers association Gampa Nagender, general secretary A. Sudhakar Rao, working preisdent B. Prabhakar Rao, treasurer Chandrapal and district president of the association participated in the meeting.

Earlier this month, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) released the 10-month goods trade report card, laying bare the abysmal state of rice exports over the now concluding fiscal year 2022-23. Although many commentators have been quick to attribute blame for poor export performance to the devastating floods, there may be more to the story.

Regular readers may recall that forecast for national production during marketing year 2022-23 was lowered by 40 percent during last quarter of CY22 in the aftermath of devastating floods that affected cultivation of the crop in southern region of the country, but mainly in the Sindh province. Recall that crop production in Sindh is now responsible for nearly 30 percent of national output, of which over 90 percent are coarse rice varieties primarily geared towards the export markets.

Export of coarse rice varieties such as IRRI-6, IRRI-9, and hybrid rice contribute up to 75 percent of annual rice export revenue. In turn, coarse rice varieties constitute up to 85 percent of rice exports by volume, with the remainder contributed by export of the higher value basmati rice which contributes significantly lower volume. Thus, destruction of coarse rice crop in Sindh had put a major dampener in rice exports at the very onset of the rice marketing year, which begins in earnest upon harvest between Oct – Nov.

However, coarse rice varieties were never going to be the export play for calendar year 2023. After the resolution of short-lived frenzy from India surrounding rice export bans/duties upon delayed upward revision in the rice exporting giant’s domestic output, the pressure in the global trade markets had already eased to a major extent (especially in the H2-CY22). Remember, India alone contributes up to 40 percent of global rice exports (compared to 8 percent for Pakistan) and improved supplies there means more calm for rest of the world market. In fact, USDA estimates now suggest that world trade volumes have remained largely unchanged during MY22 and MY23, despite the price pressure and volatility witnessed for much of CY22.

Instead, for Pakistan – the bulk of export revenue were to stem from the export of significantly higher value basmati rice. Recall that basmati rice belt is predominantly situated in the north-eastern districts of Punjab province in the doab regions of Indus and its tributaries. As such, no widespread losses to basmati rice production were reported from northern and central Punjab districts in the aftermath of the 2022 monsoon floods.

Meanwhile, a significant upward swing in basmati prices in the western export destinations resulted in prices increasing by at least 50 percent during the ongoing marketing year (over the preceding 12-month period), that too in dollar terms. This rise at first followed an upward in demand post resumption of global commercial activity in 2021, and then due to tightened supplies from the only other exporting region – the Indian Punjab and Haryana states belt. However, basmati export quantum during the 10MFY23 from Pakistan has witnessed a seemingly inexplicable slump of 25 percent, declining 0.65 million metric tonnes (MMT) last year to barely 0.47 MMT during current fiscal year to date.

This slump especially comes as a surprise as it has been not been accompanied by any significant decline in local production. Meanwhile, basmati rice – which is the predominantly consumed variety in the local market –has witnessed prices in the domestic market already double over the last 12 months. This suggests that prices in the local market are fast adjusting to the rise recorded in the global market, but the absence of exportable surplus suggests that demand failed to weaken.

Of course, seemingly plausible explanations such as rising smuggling pressure from Afghanistan, Central Asian ‘stan states, and even Iran are presented to explain away the poor performance of official exports despite significant profit margin on offer upon exporting from official channel, given both higher prices fetched in western and Gulf destinations, the arbitrage offered by currency depreciation, and concessionary financing advanced by SBP on export of basmati variety only.

So, where in lies the truth? It is hard to know. One answer may be found in the oft repeated hypothesis that Pakistan’s actual basmati rice production is significantly lower than officially reported, which could explain why the astonishing rise in local prices amid record breaking inflation did not weaken domestic consumption. Another hypothesis offered by way of explanation is that smuggling from border regions may not necessarily offer higher profitability, but allows export of Pakistan’s (generally perceived) low quality basmati, which has higher aflatoxin and other contaminant levels – which would otherwise face high non-tariff barriers in the more sophisticated western markets.

It is hard to know where the truth lies. However, given the over 50 percent rise in basmati prices over last year, lower export market volume will indeed be remembered as a golden opportunity missed.

Rice prices exported from Vietnam climbed their highest level since late April this week, aided by low supplies, while rates for the staple grain were flat in other major hubs on lacklustre overseas demand.

Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $490-$495 per tonne, compared with a range of $485-$495 a week ago.

“Supplies are low and exporters are focusing on fulfilling the contracts signed with Indonesian buyers,” a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said.

Preliminary shipping data showed 213,000 tonnes of rice were to be loaded at Ho Chi Minh City port during the May 1-29 period, with most of the rice heading to the Philippines, Indonesia and Africa.

Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices were quoted at $495-$500 per tonne, slightly lower from last week’s $500, their highest since January.

Demand has been subdued, said a Bangkok-based trader, adding, the markets are awaiting harvest of the next crop for additional supplies.

In top exporter India, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, an arm of the trade ministry, said that the South Asian nation could consider supplying broken rice to other countries only through diplomatic channels.

Asia rice: Thai prices hold near 4-month high, traders flag climate-led risks

India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was unchanged from last week’s $374-$378 per tonne, with rates pressured in part by a depreciation in the rupee, which increased traders’ margin from overseas sales.

Additionaly, “demand is weak for the past few weeks. Buyers are delaying purchases,” a Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh-based trader said.

Neighbouring Bangladesh’s procurement drive of the newly harvested rice is in full swing, agriculture ministry officials said.

The government has a target to buy 1.2 million tonnes of rice from local farmers from May 7 to Aug. 31.

The government buys rice from local farmers to ensure a support price, build stocks for state welfare programmes and meet emergency needs.

This variant’s productivity is higher than other conventional varieties. Moreover, it ripens early and resists wind due to stronger stems, and skirts drought.

NEW DELHI:  A new paddy variety that developed from two Philippines varieties will transform the crop production in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha. The rice productivity in these states has reached stagnated. Indian agricultural scientists at Benaras Hindu University (BHU), in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Philippines, developed a new rice variety Malviya Manila Sinchit Dhan-1. 

This variant’s productivity is higher than other conventional varieties. Moreover, it ripens early and resists wind due to stronger stems, and skirts drought. “According to Indian Council of Agriculture Research assessments this variety’s productivity is around 55-64 quintal per hectare, which is twice the average productivity in India,” says Dr Sarvan Kumar Singh, lead scientist at the BHU who developed the variety, told this newspaper.

India’s average production of rice is around 29 quintals per hectare. The other scientists associated with the effort are Dr Jaya Sudha, Dr Dhirendra Kumar Singh, Dr Akansha Singh from BHU, and Dr Arvind Kumar and Vikas Kumar from IRRI. Scientists used two IR-series rice varieties, indigenous to the Philippines, to develop Malviya Manila Sinchit Dhan-1 (MMSD). One of the varieties of the IR-series was IR-8, which was considered ‘miracle rice’ in the 1970s and helped increase global food production to counter hunger.

“The MMSD variety will revolutionise the Indian rice field, at least in eastern Indian states like Bihar, UP and Odisha,” says Dr Sarvan. According to ICAR assessment, MMSD has an encouraging response in Bihar, UP and Odisha. The production of grains was higher than 10% in these states compared to other states. This variety takes 115 days to ripen, and grain quality is better than the existing variety, which would help fetch higher prices to growers.

“During the de-husking, hulling, and milling process, the head rice (whole rice) recovery percentage is 63.5%, whereas conventional rice gets broken more and reduces the market value,” says Sarvan Kumar. 

Better ripening, more yield

A team of scientists from BHU and IRRI develops an early ripening variety of rice from the Philippines’ variety

Two Philippines’ varieties of IR-series used to develop Malviya Manila Sinchit Dhan-1

The new variety takes 115-118 days, produces 55-64 quintal per hectare, whereas existing varieties takes 135-160 days with less production.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 25) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it is confident that rice supply in the country will be enough even during the lean months of July to September.

“If we are going into the lean months and we have a good buffer of about 60 days plus the production during that period and then import arrivals so I think we are confident that we will have a good supply for the lean months,” DA Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian told CNN Philippines’ The Source.

Earlier, agricultural groups warned of a looming rice crisis due to the El Niño phenomenon this year, which is projected to emerge beginning June.

Sebastian said the DA has so far recorded 1.48 million metric tons (MT) of imported rice and a carryover stock from last year of around 1.8 million MT. The agency also expects 5.7 million MT in total local harvest from January to June.

“Malaki 'yung ating projected na (We have a big projected) supply for the first six months, and we are expecting we will have at least remaining stock by end of June that will be good for about two months,” he pointed out.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is also agriculture secretary, said in April that he sees no rice crisis in the country, but the option to import should always remain open.

One of the chief executive’s campaign promises was to bring down the per kilo price of rice to ₱20. Marcos said in March that the government hopes to achieve this “as soon as possible” despite hurdles, like the weather. 

Past and present government officials have said it may be difficult to achieve this immediately due to funding issues and situation in the market.

According to Sebastian, lowering the price of rice is possible, but it should be market driven.

“We are not going to dictate it, but what we can do is we can help our farmers reduce their costs, improve the value chain… para makita natin (so we can see) if our cost of production and the cost of the value chain will be lower baka pwede nating mapababa yung presyo, but ₱20 maybe mahirapan tayo doon (maybe we can lower the price, but ₱20 may be difficult),” he explained.

Latest government data showed the price of local commercial rice in Metro Manila markets ranges from ₱34 per kilo to ₱60 per kilo depending on the variant of local rice, and ₱40 to ₱58 for imported rice.

NEW DELHI, May 24 (Reuters) - India could consider supplying broken rice to other countries only through diplomatic channels, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, an arm of the trade ministry, said in an order on Wednesday.

India banned overseas shipments of broken rice and imposed a 20% duty on exports of various other grades in September 2022 amid concern over production because of below-average monsoon rainfall in key growing states.

China was the biggest buyer of India's broken rice, with purchases of 1.1 million tonnes in 2021. Beijing used to import that variety mainly for feed purposes.

Though India might consider requests for supplies of broken rice to some countries case by case, New Delhi does not plan to lift the ban on broken rice exports, a government source said.

A 90% likelihood of an El Nino weather pattern developing during this year's June-September monsoon season has raised the possibility of less than normal rain in 2023.

The prosperity of farmers became one of the keys in improving food productivityJakarta (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) established cooperation with seed producers to develop a high-yielding rice variety Witagen that is resistant to pests.

Head of BRIN's Genetic Engineering Center, Ratih Asmana Ningrum, noted in a statement, Thursday, that the cooperation is expected to help in increasing the number of options for high-quality rice seeds.

This can support national food security in addition to helping the agriculture sector to better handle the impacts of climate change.

"We expect that this seed (variety) will be beneficial for farmers in the provision of superior seeds and will certainly be beneficial in strengthening domestic food security," she noted.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation was inked by BRIN, PT Wilmar Padi Indonesia (WPI), and Syngenta on April 12, 2023.

Under the scope of the MoU, activities that will be conducted include selecting superior seed varieties that can adapt to the environment in Indonesia.

Also being conducted are research and development in genetics, rice seed testing and evaluation, field test as well as production and distribution of superior rice seeds produced through cooperation with farmers.

According to PT WPI's Rice Business Head Saronto, the use of superior and quality seeds is one of the factors supporting success in rice farming.

The development of new varieties is expected to contribute in improving farmers' prosperity and strengthening national food security.

"The prosperity of farmers became one of the keys in improving food productivity," he noted.

Development of the Witagen variety is a food cultivation strategy amid the challenges of climate change.

The phenomenon poses a major challenge to rice farmers, such as in the form of the emergence of attack patterns from disease pests that are hard to predict and erratic rainfall.

This causes a decline in productivity due to rice varieties that are vulnerable to attacks from disease pests and plants dying due to extreme weather.

"Farmers should be assisted based on their needs, so that their productivity improves," Saronto noted.

Echoing this statement, Syngenta Indonesia's Seed Business Head Fauzi Tubat stated that the use of quality seeds is one of the keys to success in plant cultivation.

"Through this cooperation, we are committed to providing quality rice seeds for farmers to improve rice productivity in Indonesia," Tubat noted.

Feature: Legacy of Chinese "Father of Hybrid Rice" continues amid food security concerns

by Xinhua writers Liu Kai, Yan Jie

MANILA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Amid rising concerns about global food security, the legacy of Chinese agronomist Yuan Longping, also known as the Father of Hybrid Rice, continues at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines.

Yuan's hybrid rice was first introduced on the international stage at IRRI, which is located at the foot of the hills and inactive volcano in Laguna province, about 60 kilometers south of the Philippine capital Manila, even before his invention revolutionized global hunger, lifting billions of people out of poverty.

Jauhar Ali, a hybrid rice breeder at IRRI, is one of the rice scientists inspired by the Chinese agronomist who died on May 22, 2021.

One of Ali's photos on Facebook shows him smiling brightly in the middle of a rice field, celebrating Yuan's birthday in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, when he was invited as an IRRI expert to an international conference on rice research held in Changsha.

"That's a memorable, touching moment," said Ali, who had known Yuan since the late 1980s when the Chinese scientist went to India, Ali's birth country, to support local rice research.

Indeed, Yuan's story with IRRI, a leading research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science, dates back to the 1970s.

Yuan's pioneering research on hybrid rice began in 1964. After nine years of painstaking research and intensive testing, his team successfully cultivated the world's first high-yield hybrid rice strain in 1973.

In 1979, he attended an international rice research conference held by IRRI in the Philippines, where he debuted his research on hybrid rice to the world.

Three years later, when participating in another meeting of IRRI, Yuan was reputed as the "Father of Hybrid Rice" by his peers worldwide.

Ali treasures a digital archive of selected papers from that conference in 1979, among which Yuan's co-authored paper "Hybrid Rice Breeding in China" is well presented.

"So Professor Yuan Longping came and presented this to the world. Eventually, everyone started. This spark ignited a fire across the entire world and people all started working on hybrid rice," Ali told Xinhua in an interview.

Over four decades, hybrid rice technology has been promoted in more than 60 countries and regions, with millions of hectares of farmland growing hybrid rice, feeding billions of people on the planet.

"With the hybrid rice, you can see at least not only the production of more food, but at the same time, you save on the input cost side," said Hans Raj Bhardwaj, research director and head of the rice breeding innovations platform at IRRI.

According to IRRI, rice is the world's most important staple food for some 4 billion people. Rice farming is deeply associated with poverty, with about 900 million of the world's poor depending on rice as producers or consumers.

However, rice farming is now threatened by climate change, including higher temperatures, more frequent droughts, flooding, and rising sea levels. IRRI warns that reduced global rice production may endanger food security and hamper low-income consumers and producers emerging out of poverty.

"One way to mitigate that challenge is to develop varieties of the plants, which can tolerate the stress, but can still produce adequate yields," said Bhardwaj, adding much of the research today is "focused on some of those stressed rates, whether it could be droughts, heat, or floods."

The headquarters of IRRI, founded in 1960, is part of a 190-hectare property consisting of experimental rice fields, laboratories, screen houses, glass houses, and phytotron, among others.

Ali, who started working at IRRI in the early 2000s, is head of a program developing extreme-weather-tolerated rice varieties. He attributed his career motivation to the inspiration of Yuan, whom he described as "a down-to-earth person" and a "very kind-hearted, true gentleman."

"Yuan is not only the 'Father of Hybrid Rice', but also the father or grandfather of all rice researchers," said Ali.

"All credit goes to Dr. Yuan Longping. And we must all feel so grateful for his invention, his drive, and the efforts he put behind promoting and developing this technology," said Bhardwaj.

"It certainly helped with food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition. So this is one of the most significant or important technologies which has a large impact on food production and food security," he added. 

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government says the recently commissioned large-scale Integrated Rice Mill will expand domestic rice production as well as achieve self-sufficiency in the country.

The event, which took place at Sheda, Kwali Area Council, Abuja recently, was in line with the federal government’s mandate to achieve food sufficiency, security and income generation.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, revealed that for the past eight years, the government has intensively promoted and supported agricultural development in the country through the Anchor Borrower’s Programme, the Grain Aggregation Centers amongst others.

He noted that these programmes demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructural projects and in keeping with the ideals of the Change Agenda, which is geared towards economic diversification from oil and gas to agricultural sectors.

President Buhari pointed out that “we have witnessed the rapid increase in domestic rice production from the incentives given to farmers and processors over the period as a resolution of leveraging our potentials, producing what we consume and patronising locally made products”.

Speaking further, he emphasized that the country’s paddy yield per hectare has significantly increased to the extent of being adequate for raw material production.

He, therefore, encouraged Nigerian farmers to invest in any aspect of agricultural value chains by using the available incentives, and undertake agribusiness to aid food production in the country.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Mustapha Baba Shehuri, emphasized that the plant mill commissioned was one of the 10 Integrated Rice Mills that President Buhari approved under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model based on the “build, operate and own”.

The Minister commended Messr. Ocean Glory (Development partner) for their full support to ensure the successful delivery of the mill, adding that the successful execution had acted as a catalyst for the speedy delivery of the remaining mills located in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Niger and Ogun States.

He expressed optimism that the remaining nine Rice Mills would be commissioned soon.

In his goodwill message, the representative of the FCT Minister, the Secretary for Agric and Rural Development, Mr Abubakar Ibrahim, pointed out that the occasion marked a momentous step towards achieving the goal of self-sufficiency in rice production and transforming the Agricultural land scale for a great nation.

Govt concerned about elevated domestic prices.

To safeguard consumers from any spike in domestic prices in the coming months, the government is understood to have decided against lifting the ban on exports of wheat and wheat products such as atta this year.

It is not considering lifting the prohibition on shipment of broken rice either. The export tax of 20% on white rice imposed in September 2022 will also likely stay through this fiscal.

Retail inflation in wheat and rice stood at 15.46% and 11.37% respectively in April.

“We are keeping the option of imposing stock-holding limits to improve supplies,” an official told FE. “We are still competitive globally despite export taxes on certain varieties of rice,” the official said, negating the chances of any relaxation on export restrictions.

India’s rice exports rose by more than 15% on year to a record $11.1 billion in FY23 and 22 million tonne (MT) in terms of volume despite imposition of restriction on rice shipments.

The ban on shipment of wheat in May 2022 except on shipments under government-to-government arrangements for food security — was necessitated by a drop in the production of the cereal in the 2021-22 crop year (July-June) and procurement by government agencies dropping 56.6% to only 18.8 MT against 43.3 MT purchased from the farmers in the 2021-22 season (April-June).

In September, India, the world’s biggest rice exporter with 40% share in global trade, had imposed ban on broken rice exports and put 20% export tariffs on the non-basmati and non-parboiled rice, a measure that was aimed at improving domestic supplies amid expectation of a decline in production in 2022-23 crop season (July-June).

However, in February this year, the agriculture ministry estimated rice production for the 2022-23 crop year at a record 130.83 MT.

A high-level inter-ministerial committee has been monitoring prices of essential commodities on a regular interval.

Currently, the mandi prices of wheat are ruling around the minimum support price (MSP) of `2,125/quintal for 2023-24 season.

Sources said that with the government buying more than 26 MT from farmers under the MSP operations in 2023-24 season so far, up 39% on year, there would be sufficient grain available to carry out open market sale of the commodity for bulk purchasers if prices rise.

The government is also likely to initiate open market sale of wheat from July if there is a spike in prices in the coming months. As per earlier policy, the Food Corporation of India has been selling surplus wheat to bulk buyers such as flour millers and food companies during the lean season (January-March).

The procurement of rice in the 2022-23 season (October-September) by FCI and state agencies has crossed 51.56 MT so far against total purchase during previous year’s 57.58 MT.

As on May 18, FCI has wheat and rice stock of 31.95 MT and 27.14 MT respectively. Buffer for July 1 is 27.58 MT (wheat) and 13.54 MT (rice).

For implementation of the national food security act, the government needs 36 MT of rice and 18.4 MT wheat annually. Current grain stock of 59 MT includes 15.3 MT of rice yet to be received from millers.

PBHF creates awareness to enhance the output of basmati rice in Pakistan with quality seeds and pesticides

Pakistan Basmati Heritage Foundation (PBHF), a consortium of Basmati rice exporters, arranged seminars to create awareness amongst the growers and other stakeholders of the rice value chain for improving productivity and food safety through the usage of certified seeds and judicious application of pesticides.

The seminars held at Narowal and Mandi Bahauddin were attended by the farmers, exporters, and representatives of Ebro Foods (an international grain company) and Eurofins providing testing, certification and other facilities to exporters.
Juan Parious Soto Commercial Director of Ebro Foods speaking on this occasion said that better crop productivity for higher volumes through certified seeds & monitoring of pesticides residue was very important since Import Tolerances (IT) were being revised periodically by the European Union (EU), USA & Gulf countries.
He said that our products are going to the high-end market and we have to keep the pesticide residue below the IT standards.

Antonio Hernandez Chairman of Ebro Foods (Ebro, Herba & Tilda) told the audience that being the world’s largest importer of basmati rice he was ambitious to double the Basmati rice import. Tariq Mahmood Focal Person of Ebro Foods &CEO of GRS added that Compliant Exportable Basmati rice means purity, quality, traceability & food safety.
Dr Alexander Zahm MD Eurofins Germany along with Dr Werner Nadder Former MD Eurofins shared the comparison of export dynamics of Basmati rice between India & Pakistan including rapid alerts generated for pesticides & aflatoxin.
Sh. Adnan Aslam Co-convener of PBHF and Executive Director of MAP Rice welcomed the foreign guests for visiting Pakistan & shared a snapshot of the rice sector, particularly basmati rice. He apprised the participants regarding the potential of exports by boosting rice productivity while keep ensuring food safety.
Imran Sheikh & Raja Arslan Khan National Coordinators of PBHF moderated both seminars & explained the context of the visit of international buyers. He underlined the usage of certified seed & responsible use of pesticides to meet import tolerance standards.
REAP Senior Vice Chairman Haseeb Khan and MC member Ali Narang shared their insights for increasing the share of basmati rice exports in the global market through new seeds and pesticide stewardship.
Samee Ullah Naeem Former Chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan threw light on the importance of agriculture and advised the policymakers to devise farmer-centric policies for transforming the agriculture sector. He said that we need to focus on producing more food including rice per unit of land. Address the water & agrochemicals in the challenging scenario of the scarcity of above with added climate change & multiple risk factors, he emphasized.
Dr. Anjum Ali Buttar DG Agri. Ext. briefed about the insights & outcomes of the PM Emergency Rice Productivity project for promoting mechanization, & certified seeds.
Dr Ihsan ul Haq, Dr Amir Mumtaz & Dr Farrrukh Mehboob Program Leaders of IPM, Post-Harvest & Ecotoxicology respectively from the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) sensitized the participants on the safe & responsible use of agrochemicals in rice production for ensuring food safety & quality.
Shahid Tarer Convener (PBHF) & MD Galaxy Rice explained about the vision of PBHF in bringing together all supply chain actors for better integration of forward & backward basmati rice value chain through solution-oriented strategies to address underlying challenges of the rice sector. He briefed the participants about the role of PBHF in establishing the National Chapter of SRP in Pakistan.
Javed Iqbal & Dr. Irfanullah Warraich Divisional Directors Agri. Ext Gujranwala & Gujrat addressed farmers on good agriculture practices for obtaining better yields & income. He appreciated the PBHF for implanting SRP standards & digitization of traceability from farm to fork.
Rana Faqir Ahmed DG of Pest Warning & Quality Control sensitizes farmers on the importance of the right application timing based on pest ETL (Economic threshold level) & PHI (Pre-harvest interval) to keep rice grains free from pesticide residues. Dr. Hiz Jamali from Asian Development Bank & Dr. Kashif Salik from Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) also participated.

PR 126 was the most popular rice variety last year, occupying 22% of the total cultivation area.

Rice experts of Ludhiana’s Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have advised farmers to transplant 25-30-day-old nursery of the PR 126 variety between June 25 and July 10 and 30-35-day-old nursery of other rice varieties after June 20.

PR 126 was the most popular rice variety last year, occupying 22 per cent of the total cultivation area followed by PR 121, which occupied 14 per cent of the area, according to the university.

Dr G S Mangat, additional director, research (crop improvement), and senior rice breeder Dr Buta Singh Dhillon said that PR 131 was highly sought after in Tarn Taran and Ferozepur, whereas PR 128 gained momentum in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Patiala districts.

Besides, PR 126 has also been the choice of farmers in all districts. Next in popularity is PR 131, the seed of which is in great demand in Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Bathinda districts and is replacing PR 114, said Dr Mangat.

In addition, farmers of Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Pathankot, SAS Nagar and SBS Nagar prefer the PR 130 variety, which has been developed by crossing two varieties, namely PR 121 and HKR 47, according to Dr Dhillon.

“Taking 105 days to mature after transplanting, it possesses long, slender, clear and translucent grains with high total and head rice recoveries. The variety resists the attack of all the 10 presently prevalent pathotypes of bacterial blight pathogen in the Punjab state and its average paddy yield is 30.0 quintals per acre,” he added.

Dr Mangat said that about a dozen rice varieties recommended by the university yielded more during late sowing. These varieties were cultivated on about 70 per cent of the paddy area in the state, he added.

“As per the survey conducted by PAU, PR varieties’ yield was high when sowed near June 25, whereas PR 126 performed better when sowed in July. Their early transplanting resulted in lower yield due to the high temperature and more attacks of insect-pests such as false smut and sheath blight. Basmati, when attacked by stem borers and planthoppers, resulted in crop loss to farmers due to the delay in the adoption of control measures,” Dr Dhillon said.

MUMBAI/HANOI/BANGKOK/DHAKA: Prices of rice from Thailand held near a four-month high this week helped by domestic buying, while traders across Asian hubs flagged concerns over a potential hit to output from the emergence of the El Nino weather pattern this year.

Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices rose to about $500 per tonne from $498-$500 last week, its highest since January. “Prices have gone up due to more internal demand,” a Bangkok-based trader said. Prices should stay strong for some time, amid a strong baht, because the new harvest is taking some time to be released, another trader said, adding there could be less output from other countries due to climate-related risks.

Triggering concerns about crop production globally was the possible onset of El Nino, when ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean rise above normal.

Traders in Vietnam also warned of the adverse impacts on global rice production this year. Vietnam’s 5% broken rice were offered at $485-$495 per tonne on Thursday, unchanged from last week. “Domestic supplies are running low, while demand remains high,” a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said, adding “output from other rice producing countries, including Myanmar and Pakistan, are lower this year.”

Meanwhile, farmers in some Mekong Delta provinces have started sowing for the summer-autumn crop, a trader said. The El Nino phenomenon could also impact the crucial monsoon season in top exporter India.

This aerial photo taken on May 18, 2023 shows farmers preparing to transplant seedlings of rice in fields of Chahe Town in Fengnan District of Tangshan city, north China's Hebei Province. Fengnan District is expected to sow 130,000 mu (8666.7 hectares) of rice this year. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This photo taken on May 18, 2023 shows farmers driving an agricultural vehicle to transplant seedlings of rice in fields of Chahe Town in Fengnan District of Tangshan city, north China's Hebei Province. Fengnan District is expected to sow 130,000 mu (8666.7 hectares) of rice this year. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This aerial photo taken on May 18, 2023 shows rice fields of Chahe Town in Fengnan District of Tangshan city, north China's Hebei Province. Fengnan District is expected to sow 130,000 mu (8666.7 hectares) of rice this year. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This aerial photo taken on May 18, 2023 shows farmers driving an agricultural vehicle to transplant seedlings of rice in fields of Chahe Town in Fengnan District of Tangshan city, north China's Hebei Province. Fengnan District is expected to sow 130,000 mu (8666.7 hectares) of rice this year. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This aerial photo taken on May 18, 2023 shows farmers driving an agricultural vehicle to transplant seedlings of rice in fields of Chahe Town in Fengnan District of Tangshan city, north China's Hebei Province. Fengnan District is expected to sow 130,000 mu (8666.7 hectares) of rice this year. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This aerial photo taken on May 18, 2023 shows farmers driving an agricultural vehicle to transplant seedlings of rice in fields of Chahe Town in Fengnan District of Tangshan city, north China's Hebei Province. Fengnan District is expected to sow 130,000 mu (8666.7 hectares) of rice this year. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This aerial photo taken on May 18, 2023 shows farmers driving an agricultural vehicle to transplant seedlings of rice in fields of Chahe Town in Fengnan District of Tangshan city, north China's Hebei Province. Fengnan District is expected to sow 130,000 mu (8666.7 hectares) of rice this year. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This photo taken on May 18, 2023 shows farmers driving an agricultural vehicle to transplant seedlings of rice in fields of Chahe Town in Fengnan District of Tangshan city, north China's Hebei Province. Fengnan District is expected to sow 130,000 mu (8666.7 hectares) of rice this year. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

May 18, 2023 (MLN): Rice prices in Asia, one of the most consequential metrics in global commodity markets – have the potential to climb to multiyear highs, as Bloomberg reported.

Supplies may be challenged this year as weather risks build, mainly hotter-than-normal temperatures already seen, and, as 2023 unfolds, the possibility of a crop-scorching El Nino event, it added.

Rice is the region's key staple and an important component of local Consumer Price Index (CPI) baskets.

It further added that Thailand, an exporting powerhouse has reportedly asked growers to harvest a single crop this season, instead of the usual two.

That stands to reduce output just as external demand climbs if harvests elsewhere miss expectations, especially in Indonesia or the Philippines, it said.

The price of one the Thailand's benchmark grades advanced to $515 per ton this week, on course for a third monthly gain, it noted.

Should it top January's peak of $523 per ton, that would be the most in more than two years, and a further climb above $579 per ton would be a decade high.

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s rice inventory remained on a downward trend, declining by 14 percent in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

Latest data from the PSA showed that total rice inventory stood at 1.41 million metric tons as of March, 13.7 percent lower than the previous year’s level of 1.63 million MT.

Similarly, this is 7.5 percent below the previous month’s stock of 1.52 million MT.

Households had more than half of the total inventories at 57.6 percent, while commercial warehouses held about 35.1 percent. Supplies from the National Food Authority depositories comprised 7.3 percent of the total.

On a monthly basis, rice stocks inventory in households, commercial warehouses and NFA depositories all declined – by 7.5 percent, 8.7 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture forecast supply deficits of rice, corn, raw and refined sugar, pork and fish this year.

For rice, 10.4 percent of the demand equivalent to 42 days is the projected deficit. The government plans to import some three million metric tons of rice to fill the gap.

A deficit of 2.8 million MT is also seen in yellow corn, 73,546 MT for refined sugar, 309,100 MT for pork and 648,300 MT for fish.

The government’s Interagency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook has recommended timely and data-supported importations to fill the supply gap.

It also called for the strategic prepositioning of rice buffer stocks in time for the El Niño, improvement and expansion of the Kadiwa program and fast-tracking the distribution of targeted subsidies to fishers and farmers in the short term.

Balochistan Agriculture Secretary Umaid Ali Khokhar said that the supply of free rice seeds to the farmers in four districts of Balochistan has been commenced and 60 thousand farmers will be provided with the best rice seeds till May 31. “Farmers should also increase production by adopting modern methods of agriculture,” he said while addressing a ceremony to provide free rice seeds to farmers with the help of Asian Development Bank and FAO in Naseerabad Division on Tuesday.

DG Agriculture Irfan Ali Bakhtiari, FAO Balochistan Chief Waleed Mehdi, Asian Development Bank Pakistan Banaras Khan, Deputy Commissioner Naseerabad Ayesha Zehri, FAO Project Officer Waheed Anwar, Spokesman Agriculture Department Abdul Karim Jafar were also present. Secretary Agriculture Umaid Ali Khokhar thanked the officers of FAO, the Asian Development Bank, the District Administration, and the agriculture department who worked hard day and night to bring this effort to the final stages of successful completion in this project.

He said that after last year’s floods, the Balochistan government distributed the best wheat seeds worth 2.2 billion rupees to the entire province for free. “By the grace of Allah, it was found that for the first time in history, Balochistan has produced about one lakh metric tons of wheat more than its requirement as Balochistan requires 15 lakh metric tons of wheat. He further said that after achieving self-sufficiency in wheat, the Department of Agriculture is starting a project for the entire Balochistan with the support of the Asian Development Bank to provide solar tube wells and solar panels through the on-farm water management department.

ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items have witnessed a mix trend during this week past against the previous week, revealed a survey carried out by Business Recorder, here on Saturday.

The wholesalers and retailers at different markets said that prices of some of the items remained on the high side; however, prices of some kitchen items also witnessed a decline during the last week past.

The survey noted that prices of tomatoes, wheat flour bag 20 kg, potatoes, cooked daal, eggs, rice, masoor, maash, milk fresh, sugar, and curd increased during the week past as compared to the precious week while a decline was observed in the prices of average onions, chicken, LPG, garlic, pulse gram, and mustard oil.

Chicken price went down from Rs 16,500 per 40kg in the wholesale market to Rs 16,000, which in retail is being sold at Rs415 against Rs425 per kg, while chicken meat is being sold at Rs650 per kg against Rs680 per kg, egg price went up from Rs 7,300 per carton to Rs 7,350, while in retail, eggs are being sold in the range of Rs275-285 per dozen.

Sugar price has went up slightly from Rs5,700 per 50kg bag to Rs5,750 in wholesale market which in retail is being sold at Rs132-135 per kg.

Wheat flour price witnessed an upward trend as its price went up from Rs 2,690 per 20kg bag to Rs 2,700 per bag. Normal quality wheat flour bag is being sold at Rs 2,140 per 15kg bag against Rs 2,130 in the wholesale market, which in retail is being sold at Rs 2,156 per bag.

Rice prices witnessed an increase as best quality basmati rice is available at Rs 12,720 per 40kg bag against Rs 12,700 per 40kg bag, while the retailers are selling at Rs350-360 per kg, normal quality Basmati price went up from Rs 10,600 per 40kg bag to Rs 10,610, which in retail is being sold at Rs290-300 per kg against Rs290-295 per kg.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023

KARACHI: Rice exporters have strongly opposed a ban on rice cultivation in the various districts of Sindh province. Chela Ram Kewlani Chairman, Haseeb Ali Khan Senior Vice Chairman, Habibur Rehaman, Vice Chairman and Managing Committee Members of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) in an urgent meeting held on Wednesday strongly opposed the decision of Sindh Government regarding ban on rice cultivation in various districts of Sindh Province.

Chela Ram said that nowadays, the country was facing a severe economic crisis and direly needed foreign exchange to avoid the default and support the country’s economy. However, on the other side the government policies are discouraging exports.

He said that rice was the second largest export commodity and earner of over $2.5 billion valuable foreign exchange annually for the country. Further, rice was a surplus crop for export purposes, as it was not the mass staple diet, he added. “We are already facing crop shortage this year and due to this ban, it is very difficult to achieve our export target of over $2 billion,” he mentioned.

Chela Ram has appealed President of Pakistan Arif Alvi, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Ministers for Commerce Naveed Qamar and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah to review this decision, so as to get maximum rice crop for export purpose and fetch the much-needed foreign exchange for the country. He has requested the Sindh Government that Shaheed Benazirabad, Tando Muhammad Khan and Sukkur were mainly rice growing areas and there was no justification to ban rice cultivation in those areas.

SINGAPORE — Asia's rice output is set to climb this year as higher prices spur farmers to expand acreage and use more fertilizer, easing supply concerns after production suffered its first decline in seven years last year.

Production from recently harvested off-season rice crops in India and Thailand, the world's top two exporters, has exceeded last year's levels, and farmers are gearing up for main crops to be planted in coming months, with prices hovering near two-year highs.

Major northern hemisphere producers, including India, Pakistan and Thailand, will start planting their main crops this month and next, said Shirley Mustafa, an economist at the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization.

Higher production

A greater area will be planted with rice "in response to increase in rice prices, and greater access to fertilizers could sustain an output expansion from these crops", Mustafa said.

Production from winter-sown rice in India rose to 22.8 million metric tons from 18.5 million tons a year ago as above-average rainfall in September-October allowed farmers to expand the cultivation land.

In Thailand, output from this year's off-season crop is expected to rise to 5.1 million tons, up 24 percent from a year ago, the FAO said.

Globally, the area under rice cultivation is forecast to climb to 165.70 million hectares in 2023-24, from 163.74 million hectares, the International Grains Council said. World production is projected to climb to 521.49 million tons, up from 509.30 million tons.

"Prices are higher, and we are expecting that to encourage plantings for the 2023-24 crop, particularly in the major exporters," said Peter Clubb, a market analyst at the IGC.

Rice producers, encouraged by higher grain prices and lower costs of crop nutrients, are also expected to use more fertilizer to boost yields.

Prices of fertilizers fell in the January-to-March quarter as supply from Belarus, the third-largest potash exporter, resumed and costs of key inputs, including nitrogen, fell from 2022 highs.

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 8 – The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is working with researchers and industry players to tame rising cases of fake basmati rice.

KEBS managing director Bernard Njiraini says the agency is working with farmers, suppliers, researchers, and government bodies to protect the local basmati rice industry.

Local universities and international researchers will also be roped in to develop innovative solutions, including advanced sensor technologies and blockchain-based traceability systems that will detect fake grains.

The above cutting-edge approaches, it said, will empower consumers to verify the authenticity and quality of the basmati rice they purchase, fostering trust and driving demand for genuine, unadulterated products.

Evans Nyaboga, senior lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Nairobi, highlighted the crucial role of advanced scientific techniques in tackling rice adulteration and counterfeiting.

He explained that utilizing nucleic acid drives is key to ensuring rice varietal authenticity and integrity.

“Rice is the most important grain for human nutrition and caloric intake worldwide, as well as a major staple food in Kenya. In order to prevent adulteration, it’s essential to accurately and quickly determine the rice variety,” Nyaboga said.

“This statement emphasizes the importance of applying cutting-edge scientific methods to safeguard the quality of rice in Kenya and beyond,” added Nyaboga.

Additionally, KEBS is implementing educational campaigns to raise awareness among farmers and suppliers about the long-term consequences of Basmati rice adulteration.

The initiatives will provide practical guidelines on best practices for harvesting, processing, and marketing Basmati rice, ensuring that Kenyan farmers and suppliers can thrive in a competitive global market.

Sheila Kemboi, a laboratory analyst, highlighted the advanced methods developed to detect and quantify Basmati rice adulteration.

Whereas a DNA-based method offers a high throughput solution for rice sector professionals and government agencies, a bio-chemical method allows standards bodies like KEBS to determine exact blending percentages as per East African and Kenyan Standard KS2086-2009 and KS2087-2009 ratios.

“By harnessing the power of science and technology, we can safeguard the genetic diversity of Basmati rice genotypes commonly grown in Kenya, paving the way for the development of high-yielding, high-quality, and aromatic varieties that will elevate the economic well-being of our farmers and strengthen our nation’s food security,” Kemboi asserted.

A study led by researchers at Peking University in China suggests that extreme rainfall will significantly threaten global food production due to climate change and the accompanying extreme weather events.

The paper, "Extreme rainfall reduces one-twelfth of China's rice yield over the last two decades," published in the journal Nature Food, used long-term weather observations and multi-level rainfall manipulative experiments to explore the magnitude and mechanisms of extreme rainfall impacts on rice yield.

The study found reductions due to extreme rainfall were comparable to those induced by extreme heat over the last two decades, projecting up to 8.1% in lost yield by the year 2100. Jonathan Proctor has published a News & Views article in the same journal issue discussing the study.

Researchers designed a comprehensive series of conditional rainfall experiments to isolate the mechanisms related to extreme rainfall impacts. In the experiments, four rainfall levels of intensity and event frequency were used to observe the impacts on three different growth phases; vegetative, reproductive, and ripening.

Under various conditions of rain intensity, water volume, plant exposure and nitrogen manipulation, with multiple controls, the researchers could differentiate biophysical and biochemical mechanisms operating on distinct growth phases.

Extreme rainfall with high intensity damaged plant tissues directly in some instances. In other scenarios, high-volume rain limited nutrient uptake by washing out or waterlogging soil. There was also a clear sign that during the reproductive phase extreme rainfall was preventing successful pollination.

Rainfall simulations across China showed that physical disturbance induced by extreme rainfall was the most critical yield determinant across 47% to 95% of rice sowing areas, accounting for approximately an 8% reduction in yield already, separate from the projected 8.1% reduction by the end of the century. The authors suggest that future farmers of China could choose areas to sow that will be less affected by increases in extreme weather events.

A substantial percentage of humans live in China, with more than 18% of all humans calling it home. Conditions that affect the food supply of China have wide-ranging impacts on economies, agriculture and water usage around the world.

China currently imports rice from Vietnam, Pakistan, India, Burma, Thailand and is Asia's largest buyer of California rice. Each of these regions will have their own issues with crop yield due to a changing climate, so understanding the mechanisms behind these impacts helps all producers better prepare for an agricultural future that is changing along with the climate.

Prices of rice exported from top hub India fell for a third straight week on sluggish demand, while Vietnamese rates eased off two-year highs in quiet trading after a long holiday.

India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $376-$380 per tonne on Thursday, compared with $378-$382 last week.

“Buyers are postponing purchases as prices are coming down. They want to see how much prices could fall further,” said an exporter based at Kakinada in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $485-$495 per tonne, down from $495-$500 a week ago - a level last seen in April 2021.

“Trading activity has not picked up following a long holiday that ended on Wednesday,” a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said. Vietnam’s April exports nearly doubled year-on-year to 1.1 million tonnes, according to the government’s General Statistics Office, with shipments in the first four months of 2023 rising 43.6% from a year earlier, valued at $1.56 billion.

Bangladesh’s rice output from the summer crop was likely to exceed the target and hit 22 million tonnes, as farmers raised acreage to cash in on higher prices, agriculture ministry officials said.

Retail prices of coarse rice ranged from 65 to 70 taka ($0.6107-$0.6576) per kilogram this week.

The summer-sown crop, or ‘Boro’, usually makes up more than half of Bangladesh’s typical annual output of around 35 million tonnes.

Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices slipped to about $485 per tonne.

Prices had jumped to a more then two-month high of $490-$495 per tonne last week, driven by demand from Indonesia and due to depleting local supplies with the harvest season coming to an end.

Exporters were still fulfilling shipments to Indonesia after an increase in orders since last week.

“Prices should remain at this level for a while as supply slows near the end of harvesting period,” said a Bangkok-based rice trader.

Heavy rain triggered by climate change is forecast to reduce rice production in China by 8 per cent by the end of the century

Extreme rainfall made more intense and more frequent by climate change poses a major risk to China’s food security, according to a new study which forecasts an 8 per cent fall in rice yields by the end of the century.

China is the world’s largest rice grower, producing around 214 million tonnes a year. It is a staple foodstuff for the majority of the country’s 1.4 billion people.

Studies have warned that increasingly severe droughts – driven by climate change – will cause a decline in yields over the coming decades, but little research has been done on the potential impact of extreme rainfall on the crop.

Jin Fu at Peking University, China, and her colleagues used data from nationwide observations and field experiments to model the impact of extreme rainfall on current and future rice yields across the country.

They found that extreme rainfall has already reduced rice yields by 8 per cent compared with a world without human-made warming, a reduction comparable in magnitude to the impact of extreme heat.

In the coming decades, yields are expected to fall a further 8 per cent under climate scenarios in which average temperatures rise by 2 to 3°C by the end of the century.

“Extreme rainfall is normally an overlooked disaster for food security,” says Fu. But she says it “could really cause a big disaster” for food production in China and beyond.

Heavy rain affects rice crops in two main ways. Firstly, excess water in paddy fields dilutes nitrogen levels in soils, leading to slower growth and lower yields. Meanwhile, torrential rain can damage the delicate flowers, disrupting the plant’s grain production.

Fu says the study’s findings are conservative assessments because the modelling didn’t account for the additional impacts on yields of stronger winds, lower levels of sunshine and colder temperatures that can accompany rainy weather.

The findings suggest other countries in South-East Asia that also grow a lot of rice could see even larger declines in yield, because climate models suggest they will suffer even more intense rainfall than China.

Fu says research is now needed to establish whether farmers can mitigate some of the negative impacts of extreme rainfall, by shifting the location of paddy fields to part of China less likely to be affected, co-planting rice with upland crops that could do well when rice fails, such as maize, or applying more nitrogen fertiliser to fields to compensate for the additional rainfall.

Allison Thomson at the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, a non-profit organisation based in the US, says: “I think this type of research is important not just to quantify the impact on food security, but also to help us better understand what adaptations are needed – so knowing what the impacts might be, how can farmers better prepare to minimise the impact of these extreme rainfall events in the future?”

Arkansas Rice Farmer Discusses Needs for Farm Bill Safety Net Improvements before Senate Ag Panel

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rich Hillman, an Arkansas rice farmer and member of the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors, testified before the Senate Agriculture Commodities, Credit, and Trade Subcommittee during a hearing Tuesday on Farm Bill commodity programs.

The hearing, which was split into two panels, featured leaders from two general farm organizations as well as 10 commodity organizations. One theme became evident from the hearing – U.S. farmers need an improved safety net.

Hillman focused his testimony on the need to increase and index the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program rice reference prices to ensure rice farmers have a reliable safety net – USA Rice’s number one priority for the 2023 Farm Bill.

He reviewed the rice financial situation over the past several years and the extraordinarily dire situation rice farmers faced in 2022.

“Rice was not as fortunate as many other commodities that saw large run ups in market prices in 2020 and 2021 all while contending with an unprecedented increase in costs of production,” said Hillman. “A Texas A&M University study in 2022 predicted two-thirds of rice farms would have negative net cash farm income for the 2022 crop year. USDA also reports a more than 30 percent increase in operating costs for 2022. On our farm that was even higher.

“Thank you all, and particularly Senator Boozman, for providing vital assistance to rice farmers for the 2022 crop year in the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. It was truly critical for rice farmers.”

Hillman then spoke to the inadequacies of the current rice reference prices.

“Current cost of production is nowhere near 2012 levels – when the current PLC reference price was calculated, and established in the 2014 Farm Bill, rendering the program unworkable for rice presently,” Hillman told the Subcommittee members. “The importance of economies of scale has only become more evident. To keep pace with capital and other costs, we must farm more land and take on more risk.”

He expanded on why a strong farm safety net is important for rice farmers.

“As a high-cost input crop subject to severe global market distortions due to predatory trade practices of foreign countries, U.S. rice farmers are more vulnerable to the impacts of inflation and global events that have caused cost increases to fuel, fertilizer, labor, as well as the highest interest rates many farmers today have ever experienced.”

Hillman also noted that rice is one of the most government-manipulated commodities in the world, and the egregious actions of countries like India that put U.S. rice farmers at a disadvantage.

“The PLC program has traditionally been our true safety net. It’s allowed us to better compete on a lopsided global playing field impacted by foreign subsidies, tariffs, and non-tariff trade barriers. India subsidizes its rice producers by upwards of 90% and injected billions to offset escalating input costs.”

Hillman’s underlying message to the Subcommittee was simple: “USA Rice strongly believes reference prices under PLC need to be meaningfully increased and indexed to provide a safety net that remains relevant over the long haul to ensure the long-term viability of the U.S. rice industry.”

In response to a question from the Subcommittee’s ranking member, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), on the need to increase the rice PLC reference prices Hillman explained that costs to produce a crop of rice are “out of control” and that U.S. rice farmers can compete against any other farmer around the world, but U.S. rice farmers cannot compete against foreign governments that step in and over-subsidize their rice producers-one of the leading factors to why U.S. rice farmers need a functioning farm safety net.

In FY23, India exported 17.79 million tonnes (MT) of non-basmati rice as compared with 17.3 MT in FY22, while broken rice exports were 23% lower on year at 3 MT because of a ban on shipments imposed to keep domestic prices down.

New Delhi: India’s rice exports are expected to decline in this financial year as the impact of export curbs starts showing. This may cause India to lose its position in the global trade market, exporters said.

India’s non-basmati rice exports hit a record high in FY23.

But exports are seen declining in FY24 as the impact of a 20% export duty on non-basmati varieties is expected to start reflecting from April onwards, said Vinod Kaul, executive director of All India Rice Exporters Association.

In FY23, India exported 17.79 million tonnes (MT) of non-basmati rice as compared with 17.3 MT in FY22, while broken rice exports were 23% lower on year at 3 MT because of a ban on shipments imposed to keep domestic prices down.

In value terms, non-basmati rice exports were 4% higher on year at $6.36 billion, as per the official data.

“Execution of an export order takes a few months, and coming months will define the course of exports for the ongoing financial year started April," said Kaul.

Despite the ban, the Centre allowed 400,000 tonnes of shipments on requests from traders and embassies. Broken rice exports will decline to zero this year unless there is a change in the duty structure, Kaul said. For semi and wholly milled rice exports, a 15-20% drop is expected.

“The loss of around 5 MT is expected to shake India’s position in the global market, providing an opportunity to competitors such as Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan," Kaul said.

“Regaining that market for India will be next to impossible Therefore, it has a long-term impact as far as the trade is concerned."

India, the largest rice exporter, accounts for about 40% in the global trade.

Queries sent to the ministries of food, commerce and agriculture remained unanswered at press time.

Its rice prices in the global market are more attractive for than those of Vietnam and Thailand, which shields weaker economies in Africa like Nigeria, Benin and Cameroon.

India’s 25% broken rice is quoted at $442 per tonne, while 5% broken rice of Thailand and Vietnam at $487 per tonne and $480 a tonne, a Delhi-based dealer with a global trading firm said, requesting anonymity.

“The decision of imposing a ban on broken rice is justified to an extent that the share of broken rice in ethanol production is only 11% as compared to 65% from molasses, a by-product of sugar. The target of 20% ethanol blending by 2025 cannot be met by sugarcane alone. As a result, the government is also exploring the potential of other food grains like maize to meet the target" said a Bengaluru-based expert associated with a global trading firm.

To meet domestic requirements under Ethanol Blending Programme, India had allowed grain-based ethanol and in 2020-21 (December-November), Food Corporation of India has also been allowed to sell rice to ethanol plants for fuel ethanol production.

In a laboratory at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) in northern Beijing, researchers are busy tagging and editing genes in rice, a key component of the complex breeding process of green super rice (GSR).

As its name suggests, this variety of rice boasts high yields while remaining environmentally friendly.

"We apply the method of genetic screening to put the quality or the traits that we need in the rice," said Xu Jianlong, a professor at the Laboratory for Molecular Rice Breeding under the Institute of Crop Sciences, CAAS.

Since 2008, under the support of Chinese government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the laboratory began to develop GSR varieties to boost the agricultural development in resource-poor areas in Africa and Asia.

"We have been breeding different GSR varieties that are able to adapt to different ecological environments in different countries. In Africa, for example, we breed varieties that are more resilient to drought and high temperature, while in Southeast Asia where typhoons are common, we produce rice that is resilient to collapse and diseases such as bacterial blight," Xu explained.

According to the expert, when super typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013, all crops of local rice varieties at the island of Leyte were wiped out. "However, the GSR8 variety we trialed planting there showed better tolerance to flooding, drought and salt damage, with a harvest of 1.2 tons per hectare."

The Philippine government then decided to promote the use of GSR8 seeds, resulting in the rapid expansion of GSR variety to cover 430,000 hectares in 2014. As of 2018, the GSR varieties have been promoted in the Philippines for a total of 1.09 million hectares, accounting for 22.64 percent of the country's rice acreage. By 2021, the cumulative area of GSR varieties reached 10.8 million hectares in the Philippines.

Successful stories were also found in other Asian countries. The NIBGE-GSR1, which was promoted in Pakistan, has an average yield of about 9.5 tons per hectare, compared to 7 tons for the local variety. Currently, six GSR varieties, including NIBGE-GSR1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and NIAB GSR39, have been certified by the Pakistani authorities, according to CAAS.

For the CAAS experts, the roll-out of the GSR in Africa has been quite challenging, since the agricultural infrastructure there is relatively poor.

With the technical support of CAAS, Green Agriculture West Africa Ltd., attached to Chinese construction company CGCOC Group, has developed the GSR variety GAWAL R1 to help increase rice production. Validated in Nigeria in 2017, GAWAL R1 yielded about 30 percent more than the local variety Faro 44. With its popularization, the average rice yield across Nigeria rose from 1.98 tons per hectare in 2019 to 2.5 tons per hectare in 2022.

"We will make more efforts to help West African countries establish rice seed industry systems and ease their tight food demand," Xu said.

According to CAAS, over the past decade, 78 GSR varieties developed by the GSR project group have been tested, certified, and promoted in 18 countries and regions in Africa and Asia, with a cumulative planting area of over 6 million hectares, benefiting over 1.6 million farmers.

China's experience in rice cultivation and production has made a significant contribution to the food security of Asian and African countries along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which launched nearly 10 years ago, Xu said.

As for their future plans, the expert believes that it is very important to "teach them how to breed rice" instead of just "giving them rice."

Currently, 58 postgraduate students from 15 countries are pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in Chinese research institutes.

"Also, we have provided advanced training in GSR breeding techniques to nearly 943 scientists and technicians from 15 countries, and there will be more training in the days to come," Xu said.

The expert believes that using Chinese technology to ensure food security in developing countries is of great importance to the BRI construction and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

"Our ultimate goal is to help farmers in those countries become self-sufficient in rice production," Xu added.

Exports hits a new high in FY23 despite levy of 20% duty and reduced offtake by Asian majors

Indian non-basmati rice exporters hope to sustain the record-high shipments this fiscal as witnessed in the 2022–23 fiscal. In 2022-23 fiscal, shipments touched a new peak in volumes and value on the robust demand for the cereal.

Indian non-basmati rice exports, despite a levy of 20 per cent duty, a ban on broken rice and a decline in purchases by Asian buyers such as Bangladesh and China, touched a record 17.78 million tonnes valued at over $6.35 billion in 2022–23. In the previous year, non-basmati shipments were at 17.26 million tonnes valued at $6.12 billion. Overall, Indian rice exports in FY23 stood at over 22.28 million tonnes valued at over $11.13 billion.

African demand

The higher demand for Indian non-basmati rice from traditional buyers from African countries such as Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, and Senegal helped offset the decline in off-take from Asian customers such as Bangladesh, China, Nepal, and Vietnam.

Benin, with purchases exceeding 1.55 million tonnes, was the largest buyer of non-basmati rice , compared with 1.52 million tonnes a year ago. Cote d’Ivoire at 1.21 million tonnes (0.93 mt a year ago), Senegal at 1.33 mt (1.09 mt), and Togo at 0.94 million tonnes (0.67 mt) were among the large African buyers. China reduced its rice purchases to 1.5 mt (1.63 mt), while Bangladesh almost halved it to 0.84 mt (1.62 mt) whereas Nepal also reduced the offtake sharply at 0.76 mt (1.38 mt) and Vietnam at 0.64 mt (0.70 mt) during the year. India gained market share from Pakistan, which had a bad crop last year.

“We expect to maintain the same figures both in value and volumes this year as there is strong demand for Indian rice,” said BV Krishna Rao, President, The Rice Exporters Association, commenting on the export outlook. There is no other country that can replace India as a rice supplier, he said. India accounts for about 45 per cent of the global rice trade.

Despite the levy of a 20 per cent duty last year, the demand for Indian rice is intact. “With shipments of 22 million tonnes in 2021–22, we clocked $10 billion, and last year we clocked over $11 billion with almost the same volumes. The higher value is because of the duty,” Rao said.

On potential concerns about El Nino in the upcoming kharif season, Rao said it is unlikely to have any impact on the supplies. Even last year, weak rains in eastern India, mainly in Bihar and parts of West Bengal, did influence output, but higher supplies from other States, including Telangana, offset the impact, he said.

The first colonizers of the Red Planet might be living on rice grown in the Martian soil, suggests a new study.

Although Matt Damon, who played Mark Watney in the hit film "The Martian," starts growing potatoes, researchers think gene-edited rice will be a better bet.

One of the biggest challenges to growing food on Mars is the presence of perchlorate salts, which have been detected in the planet’s soil, or regolith and are generally considered to be toxic for plants.

Peter James Gann, a doctoral student in cell and molecular biology, said that the project began when he met Dr. Abhilash Ramachandran for coffee in the student union of the University of Arkansas.

They formed a team that began looking into the problem and experimented with different types of rice.

They used 'Martian' soil, a basaltic-rich soil mined from the Mojave Desert, called the Mojave Mars Simulant, or MMS, which was developed by scientists from NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

They grew one wild-type and two gene-edited lines of rice with genetic mutations that better enable them to respond to stress, such as drought, sugar starvation or salinity.

These varieties were grown in the MMS, as well as a regular potted mix and a hybrid of the two.

While plants were able to grow in the Martian simulant, they were not as developed as those grown in the potting soil and hybrid mix.

Replacing just a quarter of the Martian simulant with potting soil resulted in improved development.

The team also experimented with the amount of perchlorate in the soil, finding that 3 grams per kilo were the threshold beyond which nothing would grow, while mutant strains could still root in 1 gram per kilo.

Their findings, presented at the 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference,

suggest that there might be a way forward for different genetically modified rice to be grown in Martian soil.

And even if the idea never reached the red planet, Dr. Ramachandran said he had met with Australian scientists looking to find ways to overcome high salinity in their soil.

He said: “We could use Earth as a terrestrial analog before the seeds ever get sent to Mars.”

Talking of their first meeting, Mr Gann, a doctoral student said: “He was new here at the university, and we shared the things we were doing in our respective laboratories.

"Since he works on planetary science, and I specialize in cell and molecular biology, we decided to try out plants.”

Next they plan to experiment with a newer Martian soil simulant called the Mars Global Simulant, as well as other rice strains that have increased tolerance for higher salt concentrations.

An important part of the research will be determining to what degree perchlorate may be leeching into the plant from the soil.

Farther down the road, the researchers would like to introduce rice into a closed habitat chamber and place it in a Mars simulation chamber that replicates the temperature and atmosphere of the planet.

Mr Gann is pleased with how his initial conversation with Dr Ramachandran has turned out.

He added: "Relevant and interesting research can emanate from talking to strangers over a cup of coffee or a glass of beer."

* Initiative is part of cooperation project between department of agriculture and rural affairs of central China's Hunan province and Dominican Agriculture Ministry's department of international cooperation

A team of Chinese experts is imparting China’s rice-growing technology in the Dominican Republic to help the country improve the yield and quality of rice.

Since October, the three-member team has been experimenting on 1.3 hectares of land provided by the Dominican National Rice Training Center in Banao, a town some 80 km northeast of the capital Santo Domingo.

The initiative is part of a cooperation project between the department of agriculture and rural affairs of central China’s Hunan province and the Dominican Agriculture Ministry’s department of international cooperation.

“We have selected five local varieties of rice for field cultivation, and those varieties have entered the binding and uprooting stage,” Chinese agricultural expert Yu Yunxiang told Xinhua.

The resulting crop, said Yu, will be studied to analyze the state of rice output and growth in a tropical country with abundant rainfall, heat, flat terrain and fertile soil, which are favorable natural conditions for rice-growing with great production potential. Meanwhile, high temperatures and humidity make crops prone to pests and diseases, so more observation and research into potential solutions are needed, he added.

“Starting in June, we are going to select from 18 Chinese hybrid rice varieties, five high-yield, high-quality and stress-resistant ones that will be used for demonstration in two paddy fields of about 6.6 hectares,” said Yu.

The seeds to be planted in these fields were specially brought from Hunan, the cradle of Chinese hybrid rice and one of the first Chinese provinces to develop cooperation projects with the Dominican Republic after diplomatic relations were established on May 1, 2018.

Agricultural machinery and equipment from China will also be used, along with planting technology that should help the country improve its level of mechanized production, and prevent and control diseases and pests that harm agricultural production.

“We expect the average yield of demo varieties to increase by 25 percent compared to local varieties,” Yu said.

Agricultural cooperation is expected to go beyond rice to include premium Chinese vegetables to be planted in other parts f the Dominican Republic.

The goal is to promote cultivation techniques for these high-yield vegetables in greenhouses to raise local production levels and help the Caribbean country earn more foreign revenue by exporting agricultural goods.

“We are optimistic about cooperation because the prospects are very good,” Yu said. Julio Cesar Lopez, an experienced agronomist at the Dominican Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Research, said China has outstanding experience in growing rice and the Dominican Republic aims to absorb as much of this knowledge as possible “so that our producers make progress.”

“We want to combine the efforts of a culture like China, which has been consuming and producing rice for thousands of years, with what we have to get the best out of it,” Lopez said.

The Caribbean country is just taking its first steps in cultivating hybrid rice because producing seeds is hard work, he said. This initiative also hopes to reduce production costs as much as possible so Dominican producers can expand their profit margins delivering better rice to the market, he added. The Dominican Republic is self-sufficient in rice production, with an average annual output of approximately 600,000 tons roduced by some 300,000 farmers.

Perfect for the region’s cold climate, Mushkbudij, an aromatic rice variety of Kashmir, is all set to hit foreign markets as the agriculture department is expanding the cultivation area in the valley due to its huge demand.

Mushkbudji, an aromatic variety of rice grown only in the valley has already gained GI tag while conservation of the rice variety has been appreciated at state and centre level by awarding a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh as “Genome Saviour Community Award”.

Around 30 years back, Mushkbudji rice variety of Kashmir was grown on a large scale. However, its cultivation took a back seat when exotic varieties, which were giving more returns to farmers, were introduced in the valley.

The revival programme started way back in 2007 with the survey of niche areas where these strains could be traced out through different sources.

Under the revival programme, village Sagam in Kokarnag belt and adjoining villages were identified for demonstration on purified Mushk Budji. In the process of popularizing variety among farmers in mid belts of district Anantnag an excellent example of coordination between SKUAST-Kashmir, department of agriculture and the farming community could be seen.

According to the figures there was around five thousand quintal production of Mushkbudij rice in the last three years in Kashmir valley.

“Mushkbudij rice production in Anantnag, Ganderbal and Baramulla district in 2020 was 14.54 quintals, in the year 2021 it was 17.45 quintals while in 2022 it was 17.38 quintals,” figures revealed.

Figures state that Anantnag district in south Kashmir alone produces 44.86 quantals. “Besides Anantnag, Baramulla and Ganderbal, the cultivation of Muskbudji rice will be expanded to Kulgam and Kupwara districts also,” the date shows

It shows 244 hectares of land under cultivation of Muskbudji rice in 2020, 248 hectares in 2021 and 280 hectares in 2022. “For next five years the proposed plan for expansion of Muskbudji rice in Kashmir valley is 999 hectares of land,” the data states.

Dr. Tasneem Mubarak, Chief Scientist Agronomy MRCFC—SKUAST-K said that Mushkbudji was a traditional crop in Kashmir but due to blast disease and new varieties with high yield and disease resistance, people abandoned it.

Leaf blast affected the production following which SKUAST-K started a programme for its revival and all strains were collected, and screened.

He said that all such areas are being identified where the environment is favourable for it so that it can be cultivated. “University developed a blast resistant version of Mushk Budji that can be tried in plain areas but it is still under testing. Demand for it is growing with each passing day,” Tasneem said.

Director Agriculture Kashmir Chowdhary Muhammad IIqbal said that Muskbudji rice has got GI tagging and more and more areas are being brought under cultivation. “There is a demand for the same in the international market,” he said. Iqbal said that there were 120 hectares under it and we have taken it to 500 hectares and efforts are on to increase it to 1000 hectares, he said. He said that it costs around Rs 15,000 to 20,000 per quintal. (KNO)

Recent climatic conditions in parts of Pakistan and China have led to sudden rise in the price of rice. Will this bring an opportunity for rice exporting companies of India and also the retail investors ?

Prices of select agricultural products like rice and sugar are trading at close to the 10 to 15 years high. Neither it first, nor the last time that this trend has been visible. More important is whether this trend is sustainable, if yes, than what it means for companies which are part of the whole chain, either as consumer or supplier. Another important issue is whether retail investors should look at these stocks as tactical plays or as long term investment. To understand whether the up trend would be sustained or not, we have to look at the reasons for why prices are moving upward.

First, is the Ukraine war, which led to logistic issues at some important ports. Second, countries are becoming more protectionist. Third,sudden changes in climatic conditions lead to a drop in production of rice.

War will get settled, hopefully sooner than mater, but if the prices stay at elevated levels, protectionist policy will get further push as no government would want food inflation to stay at higher levels, especially for locally produced agricultural products. As far as climatic changes are concerned, they keep happening in different parts of the world and impact different crops. The only thing which may happen is that the frequency of these disturbances may get higher.

The current wave of rising prices brings in a mixture of head and tailwinds. Companies which are exporting rice and that too branded are likely to gain. Companies where 

agro products like sugar and rice go as inputs are likely to face some pressure on margins.

When we looked at companies in the sector, of the four companies, only two had ratings from analysts. Given the fact that most of these companies are in small cap space they don't get much attention from institutional investors. But if one looks at the price performance of these stocks in the last month it is clear that the street is smelling the aroma of basmati rice.

The data used in screening down these stocks has been gathered from Refinitiv’s Stock Report Plus. The data used in screening the following 5 stocks has been gathered from the latest Refinitiv’s Stock Reports Plus report dated April 30, 2023.

About Companies
KRBL Limited is a basmati rice processing company. The Company is engaged in seed development, contract farming, procurement of paddy, storage, processing, packaging, branding and marketing of basmati rice. It operates in Domestic Agri-division, which includes agricultural commodities, such as rice, Furfural, seed, bran and bran oil, and others; and Power division, which includes power generation from wind turbine, husk-based power plant and solar power plant. The Company's geographical segments include Sales within India and Sales outside India, including the Middle East and Other than the Middle East. The Company offers its rice under a range of brands, including India Gate, Nur Jahan, Telephone, Train, Unity, Lotus, Lion, Doon, Aarati, Shubh Mangal, Al Wisam, Al Bustan, Alhussam, Blue Bird, City Palace, Necklace, Southern Girl, Taj Mahal Tilla, Bemisal and Indian Farm, among others. It exports its products to Saudi Arab, Iran, Iraq, Yemen Republic, Kuwait, and others.

LT Foods Limited is a consumer food company. The Company operates through the manufacture and storage of rice segment. It operates in three principal geographical areas of the world: India, America, Europe and other countries (Rest of the world). The Company is primarily in the business of milling, processing and marketing branded and non-branded basmati rice and manufacturing of rice food products in the domestic and overseas market. Its operations include procurement, storage, processing, packaging and distribution. The Company is also engaged in research and development to add value to rice and rice food products. The Company's rice product portfolio comprises brown rice, white rice, steamed rice, parboiled rice, organic rice, quick-cooking rice, value-added rice and flavored rice in the ready-to-cook segment. Its brands include Daawat, Heritage, Devaaya, Chef Secretz and Rozana, which cater to a diverse customer portfolio.

Chaman Lal Setia Exports Limited is a company which is engaged in the business of milling and processing of basmati rice. The Company exports to approximately 80 countries around the world, which included European, Middle eastern, American, Asian and many other markets. The Company has a manufacturing unit located in Karnal, Haryana, which has an installed capacity of approximately 12 metric tons per hour, this facility is a state of art and automated rice processing unit. The Company also has grading and sorting facilities in Amritsar, Punjab, and Kandla, Gujarat. The Company processes rice in-house and uses a parboiled, raw, steam process. The Company's brands include Maharani, Mithas and Begum basmati brands. It is also involved in selling non-basmati rice under its brand Green World A romatic Rice. The Company also sells other products, such as Maharani Diabetics Rice and Basmati Rice Plus, and organic products, such as Maharani - Brown Basmati Rice.

Kohinoor Foods Limited is a company that is engaged in the business of manufacturing, trading, and marketing food products. The Company's assortment of food products includes Basmati Rice, Wheat Flour, Ready to Eat Curries and Meals, Simmer Sauces, Cooking Pastes to Spices, Seasonings and Frozen Food. It also offers Pure Ghee, Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese), Ready Mixes, Namkeens and Sweets. Its Basmati Rice includes Premium Basmati, Organic Basmati, Brown Basmati, Special Rice and Sela (Parboil) Basmati. Its packaged food includes dairy, biscuits and cookies, pickles, dry fruits and rice brain oil. The Company offers its products under the Kohinoor brand name. The Company's offerings are preferred by connoisseurs across the globe ranging from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to the Middle East and southeast Asian countries.

Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, is a comprehensive research report that undertakes an in-depth quantitative analysis to generate standardized scores for each of the five key components. A simple average of these scores is then normally distributed to reach an average score. Each stock is ranked on a scale of 1 to 10. A score of 8 to 10 is considered positive, 4 to 7 is neutral and 1 to 3 is given a negative outlook.

In addition to these scores, the report also contains trend analysis, peer analysis and mean analysts’ recommendations to help an investor make better & informed investment decisions.

Disclaimer: The views, scores, research and investment tips expressed herein are not that of Economic Times (“ET”) or its management and have been gathered from various third-party sources. ET does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. The content provided herein including any output of tools/analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon or construed as an investment advice. ET advises users to check with a certified professional before making any investment decision

The group says the propagation of Golden Rice and Bt eggplant must be stopped to protect rice diversity against the threat of gene contamination

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG), a network of farmer-scientists, has called on local governments to take the lead in preventing the commercial release of genetically modified crops Golden Rice and Bacillus thuringiensis eggplant, citing potential dangers. 

The call came even as the Supreme Court en banc issued a Writ of Kalikasan against the release of the genetically modified crops on April 18. 

MASIPAG-Mindanao coordinator Leo Fuentes said, “The government should promote safe, healthy, and sustainable food production by supporting genuine pro-farmer agriculture and a pro-people food system.” 

Fuentes warned of the irreversible damage the genetically modified crops bring to the environment, rice and eggplant biodiversity, and human health. 

Instead, the group has been promoting the consumption of thousands of traditional varieties of crops developed and cultivated by small-scale farmers and indigenous peoples. 

In the writ, the High Tribunal required the secretaries of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health (DOH), and heads of the Bureau of Plant Industry under the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Rice Research Institute, and the University of the Philippines–Los Baños to file a verified return within 10 days from service. 

MASIPAG national coordinator Alfie Pulumbarit hailed the SC decision. “We welcome this move by the Supreme Court in issuing the Writ of Kalikasan on Golden Rice and Bt eggplant and its recognition that these genetically modified crops pose a grave danger to our environment and health,” he said. 

The group had sought a temporary environmental protection order (TEPO) against the DA to stop the commercial cultivation of Golden Rice and Bt eggplant until proof of safety, and compliance with legal requirements is shown.

Pulumbarit said. “It is urgent that the propagation of Golden Rice and Bt eggplant be stopped as our local rice diversity and associated biodiversity are at stake with the threat of gene contamination from these genetically modified crops.”

MASIPAG had also sought the declaration of all biosafety permits for Golden Rice and Bt eggplant to be declared null and void and prodded the DA to conduct independent risk and impact assessments on the products, and obtain prior and informed consent from farmers and indigenous peoples.

In its October 12, 2022 petition, MASIPAG asserted that Golden Rice and Bt eggplant were genetically modified organisms that pose risks to the environment and the health of consumers. 

The group alleged that Golden Rice was modified by inserting a gene from maize and a gene from bacteria extracted from soil. 

Golden Rice was developed by Ingo Potrykus in Zurich and Peter Beyer in Germany from 1991 to 2000. It was bought and patented by the transnational agrochemical corporation Syngenta. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation supported its food testing for US$10 million.

The rice has been promoted by the DA and IRRI as a new type of rice that contains beta carotene, a source of vitamin A that could help address malnutrition.

MASIPAG has also claimed that Bt eggplant was harmful since the genetically modified crop produces its own toxin to kill insects that usually consume and damage regular eggplants. – Rappler.com

The Federal Government has revised Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) for Implementation of ECOW CET (2022-2026), raising tariffs on importation of rice as well as wheat. The 2023 revised document, raised tariff on rice packing of more than 5kg or in bulk and in packing of 5kg or less to 60 per cent from 50 per cent.

Similarly, importation of wheat or meslin flour now attracts 70 percent tariffs as against 50 in 2022-2026 ECOWAS CET. This was stated in a document by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed.

The document titled ‘Revised Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) for Implementation of ECOW CET (2022-2026), 2023 fiscal policy measures, according to reported by BusinessDay.

The document read “This is to confirm that his excellency Mr President has approved for the implementation of the 2023 fiscal measures made up Supplementary Protection Measures (SPMs) for the implementation of ECOWAS Common External Tariff 2022-2026 and revised excise duty rate on alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and tobacco products as well as introduction of excise duty on Single Use Plastics (SUPs)”, she said.

Last year, the Minister of Finance ha issued a Circular communicating that President Buhari has approved the implementation of the 2022 Fiscal Policy Measures which comprise Supplementary Protection Measures (SPM) for the enforcement of the Economic Community of West Africa States Common External Tariff (ECOWAS CET) 2022 – 2026, and excise duties on goods such as non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and tobacco products, and telecommunication services with effect from 1 April 2022.

CET is the application of the same customs duties, import quotas and preferences by a group of countries in a customs union. The said import duties, quotas and preferences are applicable to good entering the region of the customs union irrespective of the country of first entry of the goods. The Common External Tariff is one of the principal instruments for harmonising ECOWAS Member States and strengthening its Common Market.

Pakistan’s basmati rice exports surged strongly in March 2023, if reports from PBS are to be believed. Dollar earnings against monthly basmati exports were up 17.2 percent against same period last year, and 39.3 percent against Feb 2023, suggesting some reprieve for country’s exports amid an across-the-board decline or stagnation elsewhere. But will it be enough?

Don’t let the headline numbers fool you. Basmati rice exports make up a little over one-fourth of total earnings from rice exports each year, bulk of which are contributed by export of other rice varieties such as IRRI, and hybrid rice. In absolute terms, basmati rice exports average under $0.7 billion per annum, against annual rice export revenue of $2.25 billion over the last several years.

Meanwhile, coarse rice exports were down in Mar 2023, declining 9 percent compared to same month last year, and 21.4 percent against Feb 2023. Even though prices are on the rise, the country recorded its worst March for coarse rice exports, barring the Covid years.

No doubt, the price impact has been strong during the ongoing fiscal. For the 9MFY23 period ending Mar 2023, average unit price for the 2.8 million metric tons of total rice exported stood at $570 per ton, which is the highest in well over a decade. Average unit price for all rice exports during 9MFY22 stood at just $500 per ton last year, The rise in unit price is broad based, with basmati unit prices rising by 21 percent over same period last year (9MFY22) and coarse rice average export unit price rising by 12 percent.

But the rising tide of higher prices will most certainly won’t lift the full year export revenue higher than last year. In volume terms, Pakistan’s coarse rice exports are at their weakest in a decade, standing under 2.5 million metric tons against 3.1 million metric tons against during the 9MFY23 last tear. Overall export earnings may very well shy away from the $2 billion dollar mark, far cry from $2.5 billion breached during FY22.

Export prices of rice from Thailand jumped to their highest in more than two months this week on growing orders and depleting supplies as the harvest season nears end, while rates in top exporter India fell for a second week to mid-January lows.

Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices were quoted at $490-$495 per tonne, their highest since the week to Feb. 3. Last week, they were quoted at $480 per tonne.

Traders attributed the rise in Thai rates to exchange rate fluctuations, an increase in orders from Indonesia, and dwindling supplies.

Indonesia bought some 500,000 tonnes of rice, supporting prices, a Bangkok-based trader said.

Thailand’s rice exports in the first quarter of 2023 were at 2.06 million tonnes, up 18.48% from a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said on Monday.

Top exporter India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $378-$382 per tonne this week, down from last week’s $382-$388 range, and hitting their lowest since Jan. 13.

Demand is sluggish and prices are coming down, said Himanshu Agarwal, executive director at Satyam Balajee, a leading rice exporter in India.

Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $495-$500 per tonne on Thursday, unchanged from a week ago, when they matched levels last seen in April 2021.

“Supplies are getting thinner as the main harvest of the year has ended,” a trader based in the Mekong Delta An Giang province said, adding that the next harvest would arrive at the end of May or early June.

Traders, however, increased purchases from farmers in anticipation of higher demand from foreign markets.

Vietnam exported 2.37 million tonnes of rice this year, as of April 15, up 33.7% from a year earlier, according to the country’s Food Association.

Mishtann Foods is a homegrown agro-food product company with a primary focus on various types of Basmati rice, wheat and pulses segment.

Shares of Mishtann Foods were in the focus on Thursday after the company announced that it has incorporated a new subsidiary in the United Arab of Emirates (UAE) to import Thai rice and Jasmine rice from Thailand. Shares of the company nudged higher during the session, before giving up gains.

BSE-listed Mishtann Foods has incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary company named 'Grow and Grub Nutrients FZ – LLC' in UAE to focus on international trade with increased exposure in various untapped markets in its growth journey across geographical boundaries, the company said in an exchange filing.

According to a report from Fitch Solutions, Rice production for 2023 is set to log its largest shortfall in two decades. The war crisis in Ukraine, coupled with weather woes in rice-producing economies like China and Pakistan is likely to contain the supply for paddy-crop. Mishtann Foods will import Thai rice and Jasmine rice from Thailand through its subsidiary.

This expansion is a significant milestone for our company as it will enable us to expand our area of operations and reach out to a new customer base by providing them with wider options and serving our customers better, said Hitesh Patel, Managing Director, Mishtann Foods.
"The new subsidiary will allow us to tap into new markets and leverage the existing relationships that we have built with our customers across geographical borders. It will enable us to strengthen our position as a leading agro-products company in India and abroad," he said.

Shares of Misthann Foods rose about 2 per cent to Rs 7.94 on Thursday, before it saw profit booking and dropped to Rs 7.52 levels by falling 3.71 per cent. The company was commanding a market capitalization of little more than Rs 750 crore during the session.

Mishtann Foods is a homegrown agro-food product company with a primary focus on various types of Basmati rice. The company also has a sizable presence in the wheat and pulses segment. The company's rice processing facility is located near Ahmedabad, Gujarat which has an annual capacity of 1 lakh metric tonnes.

In RMS 2022-23, the procurement was 188 LMT. However, till 26 April 2023, wheat procurement during RMS 2023-24 is 195 LMT.

The procurement of wheat during the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2023-24 has already surpassed the total procurement of RMS 2022-23.

In RMS 2022-23, the procurement was 188 LMT.  However, till 26 April 2023, wheat procurement during RMS 2023-24 is 195 LMT.  This has largely benefitted the farmers. The MSP outflow of about Rs 41,148 crore has already been made to about 14.96 lakh farmers during the ongoing wheat procurement operations.

Notably, a major contribution in the procurement comes from three wheat procuring states of Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh with procurement of 89.79 LMT, 54.26 LMT and 49.47 LMT respectively.

One of the major factors contributing to the progressive procurement this year is the grant of relaxation by the government of India in quality specifications of wheat being procured, in view of untimely rains leading to luster loss. This will reduce the hardship of farmers and check any distressed sale.

The Centre has also allowed all the states to open procurement centres at the village/panchayat level and to carry out the procurement through Cooperative Societies/Gram Panchayats/ Arhatias etc. in addition to already existing designated procurement centres, for better outreach.

In addition, rice procurement is also progressing smoothly. The combined stock position of wheat and rice in the Central Pool has surpassed 510 LMT which puts the country in a comfortable position to meet its requirements of food grains. With the ongoing procurement of wheat and rice, the food grains stock levels are on the rise in government granaries.

LAHORE: Pakistan’s food trade balance was a deficit of $3.6 billion in the Financial Year 2022. Compulsion to import food commodities along with Pakistan’s perilous shortage of foreign reserves in the wake of global commodity price levels and transport congestion leads to apprehension of great food insecurity in the years to come — tougher for the poor.

This has been claimed in a report ‘State of Pakistan’s Agriculture’ launched by the Pakistan Business Council (PBC).

It states that the massive rise in global commodity prices since 2022 has brought a wave of inflation to Pakistan turbo-charged with sharp depreciation in the value of the rupee.

“As a result, food inflation has persisted at historic highs and rendered food less accessible to the poor. This comes in the context of two factors that have been eating away Pakistan’s food security over the years: (i) rising population means a rising food requirement, while (ii) yields have stagnated in many crops,” stated the report.

The report mentions that Pakistan cannot tackle the issues of the 2020s with the institutional and commercial mechanisms of the 1960s.

“No crop typifies agriculture’s issues better than wheat. Wheat is the only crop that the government actually purchases in Pakistan. The government announces a support price at which it will purchase wheat ‘from farmers’ every season. But this purchase process is captured by middlemen so most farmers do not get the full support price.”

“The government borrows hundreds of billions of rupees to purchase this wheat—the original circular debt—and stores it in government godowns. This wheat is later sold to flour millers in the name of cheap flour for the poor,” reasoned the report.

But enforcement is weak, so the government ends up attempting to subsidise flour at its utility stores as well.

“This institutional mechanism was put in place in the 1960s to help Pakistan achieve self-sufficiency in wheat. Pakistan achieved this self-sufficiency in the 1980s and, since then, this mechanism has become a source of economic stagnation for Pakistan’s agriculture sector,” stated the report.

The report further states that the capture by middlemen is so strong that efforts to transition this rigid system to a more market-based wheat value chain have all floundered and the most unfortunate outcome is that the system neither rewards wheat quality nor greater yield.

“So, wheat yields have stagnated close to 3 tons per hectare (30 maunds per acre) when progressive farmers within Pakistan are achieving 4.5 tons per hectare and other countries are achieving even more,” reveals the report, adding that as a result, despite so much government involvement in the crop, no serious investment in wheat seed development, mechanization, storage, and processing stands on the ground.

“In fact, wheat imports have become common. A sharp contrast is seen in the maize and rice crops which have hardly any government intervention: maize yields have tripled over the past two decades completely on the steam of the private sector.”

“In rice, exporters have brought high-yielding hybrid seed to farmers and invested in mechanization. The scale of business opportunities in agriculture is enormous. Just three crops—wheat, rice paddy, and maize—have a farm-gate value of about $12 billion of which nearly $1 billion is lost in quality and quantity due to traditional drying practices, sub-optimal warehousing, unfair market practices, and traditional logistics,” stated the report.

The report suggests that for such business opportunities to be realized agriculture’s business model has to change from government-driven to private sector-driven, from rigid to entrepreneurial, from traditional to technology-based, and from patronage to global competition.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023

Chairman Pakistan Hi Tech Hybrid Rice Association (PHHSA) Shahzad Ali Malik Tuesday said that despite climatic damage to major crops such as cotton and wheat, most of the rice crop has remained unhurt by flood devastation.

Talking to a delegation of progressive farmers led by Momin Ali here today he said It is really a blessing that the cash crop of rice has survived the onslaught of floods and can fetch a substantial amount in export earnings, while most of the other summer crops were destroyed. Despite the floods and various other challenges being faced by the economy, exporters are gearing up for rice shipments as much as possible.” About flood damage, he said Punjab’s rice belt remained nearly unscathed. He said Sindh too had a similar rich crop but unfortunately it was partly wiped off.He brushed aside the rumours on social media that Pakistan should ban rice exports as the crop had been totally damaged. “No iota of truth in such baseless news. The varieties we export are not consumed locally, as those are used in feed mills only. Therefore, the ban is not required at all,” he emphasised. PHHSA Chief Shahzad Ali Malik pointed out that there was a surplus stock of Basmati and non-Basmati varietiesas well as maize.

He said rice of production has increased due to use of quality seeds as farmers are using hybrid seeds that produce good quality rice and increase output. He said the Governor Punjab Eng Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman has felicitated the Guard Agricultural Research and Services for evolving two new more best quality varieties of rice in private sector for help boosting cash crop production in the country besides earning direly needed foreign exchange.

He said Punjab Seed Council after successful completion of thorough process approved ” Open Pollinated” extra long grain rice varieties Guard 101 and Guard 102 that ensures 20-25 percent higher per acre yield with maturity within 90 days of sowing.He said new varieties are beneficial for the country due to high exports potential and attractive for farmers due to the low cost and higher per acre yield.

Shahzad Ali Malik said “we have been engaged in rice seed research since 1989 in collaboration with Chinese in private sector without any government support” and contributing lots for the country. He said we have already successfully developed 5-Hi tech Hybrid rice seeds varieties which suit to our climate and giving better production. He said we along with rice, are also conducting research and development on cotton and wheat Hybrid seeds in collaboration with Chinese academic institutes and hoped to make a breakthrough.

First, Let’s Talk About Rice and its Production in Nigeria

By Abdulsalam Mahmud

It is what most citizens, especially little children, of our beloved nation savour. They often relish to have it on their menu. Either at home or outdoors. At social events, ceremonies, in eateries and during all kinds of cultural and religious festivals.

Rice is what many will instantly order for. Because it is what they will love to eat. In Nigeria, many farmers cultivate rice. While some do it on a subsistence level, others go commercial.

Commercial rice farmers cultivate the staple food on large acres. Those who engage in subsistence rice farming need not have a plot of land, that is so massive.

Nigeria is among world nations that tremendously cultivates rice. Though the agricultural commodity is imported into the country, on a gargantuan scale.

There are however, many unknown things and interesting facts about the popular foodstuff. They may be a common knowledge to a few, but a majority will eagerly wish to know.

Okay, here they are. Rice is the seed of the grass species Oryza sativa (Asian rice) or less commonly Oryza glaberrima (African rice). As a cereal grain, domesticated rice is the most widely consumed staple food for over half of the world’s human population, particularly in Asia and Africa.

It is the agricultural commodity with the third-highest worldwide production, after sugarcane and maize. Since sizable portions of sugarcane and maize crops are used for purposes other than human consumption, rice is the most important food crop with regard to human nutrition and caloric intake, providing more than one-fifth of the calories consumed worldwide by humans.

There are many varieties of rice and culinary preferences tend to vary regionally. Unfortunately, the production and consumption of rice is estimated to have been responsible for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2010.

There are factors that affect the growth and production of rice. They include environment, soil properties, biotic conditions, and cultural practices.

Environmental factors include rainfall and water, temperature, photoperiod, solar radiation and, in some instances, tropical storms. Soil factors refer to soil type and their position in uplands or lowlands. Biotic factors deal with weeds, insects, diseases, and crop varieties.

Rice contains carbohydrates, which gives energy, but it can also raise blood sugar. Again, rice is one of the oldest cereal grains in the world, and people have grown it for at least 5,000 years.

It is a staple food for more than half of the world’s population, and 90% of the world’s rice comes from Asia.

White rice is the most common type, though brown rice offers more health benefits. Brown rice comes in a variety of shades, including reddish, purplish, or black.

Rice requires warm, moist conditions for growth and is grown world-wide in tropical and warm temperate habitats. Rice has a typical grass structure with a series of leaves that form a false stem through which emerges the main stem when the plant flowers and fruits.

Rice reproduces sexually, producing bisexual flowers that develop into fruits (cereal grains) after pollination and fertilization. Aside from being an essential source of food, rice also plays a significant role in the economies of many countries.

Rice farming is a vital industry worldwide, with an estimated 150,000 varieties of rice cultivated globally. Rice farming originated in Asia more than 5000 years ago.

According to historians, rice was first domesticated in the Yangtze River valley in China. From China, rice cultivation spread to other parts of Asia, such as India, Southeast Asia, and Korea. Rice farming also spread to other parts of the world through trade routes, such as Africa and Europe.

Nigeria is the largest producer of rice in Africa, producing about 8,435,000 tonnes annually, followed by Egypt, Madagascar, Tanzania and Mali, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

Ironically, Nigeria is the 3rd highest importer of milled rice in the world, importing about 2 million metric tonnes of rice into the country.

Rice farming is one of the most lucrative types of farming in Nigeria. The staple food crop is also one of the most consumed staple foods and important cereal in Nigeria. It is estimated that almost 7 million tonnes of rice are consumed per year, in the country.

In July 2015, when the Federal Government announced plans to place a ban on the importation of rice into the country, Nigeria’s local rice production started experiencing growth.

The demand for locally-produced rice (then) also increased. At the time, the ban placed on the importation of rice caused the price of foreign rice to soar, turning the attention of Nigerians to locally produced rice.

Suddenly, an opportunity for interested individuals, farmers, organisations and even some state governments to go into rice production, was created.

Rice mills like Abakali rice, Lake (Lagos and Kebbi State) rice, Anambra rice, Labana rice, as well as the production of Babban Gona’s rice and many others, are among the producers of rice in Nigeria. There are abundant opportunities in the rice farming sector, for intending rice farmers.

In Nigeria, rice farming is common in the north. But the major rice-producing States are Kano, Gombe, Niger, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Anambra, Nasarawa, and Ogun.

The Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) are the two popular bodies that coordinate the essential activities happening in the country’s rice industry.

RIPAN, in particular, has remained unwavering in its commitment to boosting the local production and processing of rice. It has, among other things, advocated administrative policies and programmes that will enhance rice farming and processing in the country.

In summary, RIPAN is one association that has contributed a lot to the growth and development of Nigeria’s rice industry. Already, few of the rice processors’ feats have been highlighted in this piece. It cannot be exhausted.

But again, there is always another time to talk about issues of vital discourse in the country’s rice industry, together with the activities of its key stakeholders, like RIPAN. I am sure the opportunity will come. Very soon!

PHNOM PENH, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia exported 176,581 tons of milled rice in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023, up 3.5 percent from 170,539 tons in the same period last year, the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) said in a report released on Tuesday

The Southeast Asian country made 126 million U.S. dollars in revenue from export of the commodity during the January-March period this year, the report said.

Exported milled rice varieties included premium aromatic rice, fragrant rice, long grain white rice, parboiled rice, and organic rice, it said.

China remained the top buyer of Cambodia's milled rice, purchasing 84,773 tons or 48 percent of Cambodia's total milled rice export in the first quarter, the report said, adding that Cambodian rice had been shipped to 41 countries and regions.

CRF President Chan Sokheang has set the full-year milled rice export target for the country at 750,000 tons in 2023, and 1 million tons in 2025, saying that China is a large market.

"The federation will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Commerce to ensure that annual milled-rice sales to China top 400,000 tons each year," he said recently. Enditem

By Steve Linscombe with additional reporting from Josh Hankins and Kane Webb

RICE COUNTRY, USA – Rice planting along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana is mostly done, and the crop is rapidly progressing.  In Texas, conventional rice planting is mainly completed, with the majority of organic fields still to be planted.  Overall, the crop looks fairly good, with many fields approaching permanent flood.  East of Houston, which normally plants a little later, is about 70 percent planted with recent showers slowing down progress.

In southwest Louisiana, the crop is basically planted although some crawfish ponds are being drained to be planted to late rice.  There have been challenges in several fields, with some stand issues due to chinch bugs and seedling disease.  Weather conditions in the region have  been less than ideal recently, slowing the crop and delaying some herbicide and fertilizer applications.  There have been isolated instances of herbicide injury with newer technologies.  In north Louisiana, the crop is approximately 20-30 percent planted but a large part of the remainder will likely be planted this week.  Many north Louisiana growers are having to replant corn acres after the recent freeze event.

Rice specialists in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri report “normal” planting progress in those states.  Dr. Jarrod Hardke, with the University of Arkansas, estimates the state is 40 percent planted, noting that southeast Arkansas has had a few more weather-related challenges, while a few rice farmers in other regions are finished planting.  Mississippi is about 25 percent in the ground, according to Dr. Hunter Bowman with Mississippi State University, but he estimates the state will be 50 percent complete by the end of this week.  In Missouri, planting is between 40-50 percent complete, with the southern Bootheel pushing 70 percent, according to Dr. Justin Chlapecka with the University of Missouri.  All three specialists say up to now, the early crop looks fairly good for the most part.

Florida is about 50 percent planted to date.  Early dry conditions have recently changed to excessive rainfall and rice there is currently being water-seeded.

Field work is just getting underway in California.  While the excessive rainfall and snowpack this winter has allowed for increased acres compared to last year, recent rains have delayed field preparation.

Most states will see an increase in rice acreage this year compared to last.  The exception is west of Houston in Texas, where acreage will decrease due to a shortage of water available from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

KARACHI: Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has asked the federal government to devise a long-term strategy with consultation of all stakeholders to achieve $5 billion rice export target.

Chairman REAP Chela Ram Kewlani said that the rice sector has potential to export $5 billion rice annually, but there is a need to devise a long-term policy to gradually increase the rice exports.

While talking to media, he informed that despite multiple challenges rice exporters are earning over $2 billion annually precious foreign exchange for the country and still there are many opportunities to increase the rice exports.

However, quality seeds, subsidies, agricultural input and aggressive marketing are required to enhance rice exports, he said.

As per Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan’s rice exports grew 23 percent to reach $2.511 billion in FY21 compared with $2.041 billion in FY20. Pakistan exported 4.877 million tonnes of rice in FY22 against 3.684 million tonnes in FY21, recording a growth of 32.35 percent.

Chela Ram said that in the current economic conditions, exporters are facing a number of challenges and need government’s support to further enhance the exports. Pakistani farmers are still using outdated seeds, due to which Pakistan’s per acre production is very low compared to other countries, he mentioned.

There are a number of agricultural research centres and institutes in the country; however, no new variety of rice has been introduced during the last many years. There is a need to import new rice varieties from the Philippines and other countries to enhance the per acre yield, he suggested.

He further said that Pakistan’s rice sector is facing multiple challenges including seeds development, storage and higher cost of production. The federal government must take farmer friendly measures to support the rice exports by enhancing cultivation area and providing quality seeds to farmers for an improved and higher crop yield, he added.

Development and introduction of new rice varieties is the most important thing to increase the crop production and earn more foreign exchange for the country, which is already facing a cash crisis and needs higher inflows to avoid default.

The REAP has planned to increase rice exports up to $5 billion in the next few years, but it needs serious efforts from the government’s side to achieve this goal, Chela Ram said.

He said that Pakistan has very stiff competition in the world market and despite that African countries, China and EU Countries are leading buyers of Pakistani rice as quality of our rice is better than the rice of other competitors.

He also urged the government to support the rice exporters to explore new markets for the rice exports. Iran is also a good market for Pakistani Basmati rice, but due to the non-availability of the banking channel, Pakistan exporters are unable to export rice to neighbouring country Iran”, he mentioned.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023

KOTA: The popular Basmati rice of Bundi is aiming for the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag with the joint support of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Consortium for Industry Development and Awareness (CIDA) which held a one-day workshop for rice millers and other stakeholders to discuss the registration of the produce in Bundi on Friday.
CIDA and NABARD have jointly decided to file an application for the GI tag of the Basmati variety. At the workshop, a presentation was made on the history of the Bundi rice, evidence and documentation required for the GI tage to millers, district industry officials and other stockholders, said CIDA secretary Prasun Jain.
'No efforts made earlier by millers to apply for GI tag'
Due to the absence of the geographical marker, local millers were unable to export the product directly and had to depend on exporters from Haryana and Delhi, reducing the brand value. However, no efforts were made earlier by local millers to apply for the GI tag and CIDA initiated the process, he said.
The rice is produced in over 67,000 hectares in Bundi and is exported to Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia as well as big businesses in India and abroad, CIDA president Dr Rohit Jain said. The rice recorded a business of Rs 1,800 crore in 2022, including Rs 1,400 crore through exports. Over 6,000 people were directly or indirectly employed in rice production in the district, he said. Famed as 'Dhan Ka Katora', production has increased from 52 lakh quintals last year to 80 lakh quintals in the current district, Jain said. The rice bears similar characteristics and quality of popular Basmati variants available in the country, he said. Neeraj Goyal, who presides over a Bundi rice business association, said that there were 26 millers currently operating in Bundi.

LAHORE: Basmati exp­o­rts staged a strong rebo­und surging by 45 per cent to 64,274 tonnes in March from 44,137 tonnes in February despite 25pc damage to the last crop due to floods and heavy rains.

In dollar terms, rice exports jumped by 39pc to $69,475 in March from $49,875 in February.

Non-basmati export, how­e­ver, registered a dec­line of 35.5pc to 328,344 tonnes in March against 509,271 tonnes in Febr­uary. The fall in exports in dollar terms was around 21.3pc.

Total rice exports during March stood at 382,618 tonnes valuing $243,632, while Pakistan exported a total 2,907,322 tonnes of rice to earn $1,598,261 during the period July-March 2022-23.

Of them basmati variety was 428,404 tonnes worth $456,361 and non-basmati 2,478,918 tonnes valuing $1,141,900.

Rice trade expert Ha­mid Malik says with the current export trend Pak­istan will be able to cross the $2bn export target.

An official of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) said export figures in terms of quantity may be down but the way the crop has been affected, the foreign sales are comparatively satisfactory as exporters are getting fair prices.

“Ever high export prices and demand are there in the foreign markets. Tho­ugh the crop is less in quantity but in terms of the value we are set to cross the $2bn mark.”

Last year Pakistan exported rice worth $2.5bn, historically the highest figure.

There is a very encouraging situation on the export front but local businesses are severely hit as scarcity of foreign exch­ange is preventing the import of machinery and material meant for value-addition.

“Machinery imports are stuck up. Things that are ultimately meant for exports are blocked. Letters of credit for planters, harvesters, and rice processing machines are not being opened. The companies working on sustainable production agriculture are being disallowed to import solar panels,” the official says requesting not to be named.

However, Momin Malik, Director of Seeds at Guard Agricultural Research and Services Ltd, says as basmati rice are getting a good price, particularly in the international markets, there is a growing trend of plating basmati this year instead of non-basmati varieties, which had been claiming the basmati acreage for the last few years.

Also due to delays in wheat harvesting because of late sowing as well as low temperatures in March slowing down the crop’s maturing process, the sale of rice seeds of coarse varieties has declined by over 10pc. For, he explains, the window for reaping a third crop of hybrid rice, between wheat and basmati rice, has narrowed down because of delay in wheat harvesting.

Rice export prices from Vietnam jumped to two-year highs this week, fuelling worries about demand from top buyers as supplies draw down, while Bangladesh advised farmers to harvest paddy sooner in the northeastern region on flash floods threats.

Vietnam’s 5% broken rice prices were offered at $495-$500 per tonne, matching levels last seen in April 2021, and up from a range of $465-$470 a week ago.

Traders said that the country’s winter-spring harvest – the largest of the year, has ended.

“Demand for Vietnamese rice remains strong, while domestic supplies are running low,” a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said.

“With prices staying this high, we think buyers including the Philippines might slow their purchases.”

The Philippines is Vietnam’s largest rice buyer.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh advised to harvest paddy quickly in wetland areas in the northeastern part of the country on chances of flash floods due to the heavy rains predicted in neighbouring India’s Meghalaya state, agriculture ministry officials said.

Top exporter India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $382 to $388 per tonne, down from the last week’s $385 to $392, with declines this week mainly attributable to a depreciation in the rupee.

“Export demand is quite stable. Asian buyers were active in the past few days,” said an exporter based at Kakinada in southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices were quoted at $480 per tonne, down slightly from last’s weeks range of $485 to $490.

Markets have been muted after the Songkran holiday to mark the Thai new year.

The country’s rice exports in the first two months of 2023 were up 38% on the year to 1.4 million tonnes, a government spokesperson said this week.

In FY22, India, which has an around 45% share in global rice trade, exported more than 21 MT of rice valued at $9.6 billion.

India’s rice exports have crossed a record $11 billion in 2022-23, an increase of 16% from FY22. The volume of shipment, however, remained around the same level as last year at 21 million tonne (MT).

Officials attribute the spike in rice exports to factors such as robust global demand, especially from West Asian countries, Africa and Europe, and flood that hit a large chunk of paddy crop in Pakistan, a major grain exporter.

In FY22, India, which has an around 45% share in global rice trade, exported more than 21 MT of rice valued at $9.6 billion.

The increased realisation in rice exports has been achieved despite India last year banning broken rice shipment and the imposition of exports tax of 20% on white rice.

According to preliminary estimates, India has shipped $11.14 billion of rice, which includes basmati ($5 billion) and non-basmati ($6.14 billion) during FY23.

In terms of volume, the country has exported 4.9 MT of aromatic and long grain basmati and 16.1 MT of non-basmati rice.

India annually exports 4.5-5 MT of basmati rice and has an 80% share in the global trade of aromatic rice.

“Demand for rice has been robust because of resumption of shipment to Iran and spike in demand in Gulf countries especially from Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE and others for the ongoing Ramadan months,” K Kaul, senior executive director, All India Rice Exporters’ Association, told FE.

India has been the world’s largest exporter of rice since 2012. Currently, India exports more rice than the combined shipments of the next three largest exporters – Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan.

The United States department of agriculture (USDA), in its April 2023 crop outlook, has stated, “India’s prices are the most competitive among global suppliers and its total supply of rice is near-record high.” It has also stated that India’s price quotes for 5% broken-kernel rice were reported at $434 this month and are virtually unchanged since late January.

“Competitive pricing have ensured a surge in rice exports in the last fiscal and adherence to quality parameters has resulted in a significant demand for Indian rice with the grain being shipped to more than 75 countries,” M Angamuthu, chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development Authority, said.

In September, India had imposed a ban on broken rice exports and put a 20% export tariff on the non-basmati and non-parboiled rice, a measure aimed at improving domestic supplies due to the expectation of a decline in production in the 2022-23 crop season (July-June).

However, the fear of loss of production was allayed with the agriculture ministry estimating a record rice output of 130.83 MT in the 2022-23 crop year.

In terms of volume, Bangladesh, China, Benin, Nepal and Iran are five major export destinations for rice. Geographical Indication (GI) tagged basmati rice is a premium variety cultivated in the Himalayan foothills, mostly in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

BEIJING: A Pakistani entrepreneur has displayed some products imported from Pakistan for potential local and foreign buyers at Haikou Fullsing Internet Industrial Park in the capital city of China’s Hainan Province.

“We are importing Basmati rice, pine nuts and pure honey from Pakistan and sell them to the local as well as foreign buyers,” Waheed Yaseen, operational director, Hainan Raman Technology, told APP on Monday.

Haikou Fullsing Internet Industrial Park, one of the 13 key parks in Hainan Free Trade Port, is positioned to build the Hainan Digital Free Trade Port pilot zone, digital economy headquarters gathering zone and international offshore innovation demonstration zone, with a digital economy industry.

A number of local and foreign companies in wake of the advantages of incentives and facilities offered by the local government have set up their offices and display centers in the park.

Yaseen informed that along with other partners, he had established his company in the park to introduce Pakistani products among the local buyers.

He said the demand for pinenuts and pure honey was very high among Chinese buyers while his company targets foreign customers in Hainan and other areas of China for the sale of Basmati rice.

According to a local government official, Haikou Fullsing Internet Industrial Park focuses on the development of digital trade, smart Internet of things, financial technology, international innovation and headquarters economy, and human resources of the 4+2 industrial ecological chain.

The park has been recognised as a national science and technology business incubator, a national offshore innovation and entrepreneurship base for overseas talents, and a national cultural export base.

FAISALABAD     -       International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Philippines is promoting regional cooperation to increase rice production and germplasm exchange in South Asia to meet nutritional needs of rapidly growing population.

These views were expressed by IRRI Director for Asia, Dr Jongsoo Shin during an online meeting with Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and other stakeholders on Monday. He said that IRRI’s efforts to increase rice production at global level had resulted in meeting nutritional needs of 56% of world’s population. He said that 25 percent of world’s population was cultivating rice and arranging their employment from it. Therefore, the countries should work together to bring food stability at their level.

He said that 13 percent of world’s crops were produced in the form of rice, which had worth of 206 billion dollars. He said that rice was cultivated on 10 percent cultivable areas of the world and 35% of total water resources were used for it. Therefore, it was dire need of the hour that new rice varieties should be introduced to meet future challenges. He said that in Pakistan, tall rice varieties with the help of crisper case and genome editing could be adapted by making them shorter in duration. He said that Pakistan was producing world’s best fragrant rice. However, its production could be increased to manifolds by using genetic diversity, he added. UAF Vice Chancellor Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan said that with the help of IRRI, Pakistan could make advancements in rice production.

He said that Pakistan was producing valuable rice with excellent taste and aroma. However, he urged the scientists and experts to work together for value chain system equipped with new innovations. Syed Faisal Ali, a progressive rice farmer, said that IRRI office should be reopened in Pakistan with the support of Asian Development Bank (ADB) as it was need of the hour to increase rice production for catering to increasing food requirements of burgeoning population. Director Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku Syed Sultan Ali Shah, Deputy Head Rice Breeding Innovation Dr. Varendor Kumar and Deputy Platform Leader Dr. Uma Shankar Singh spoke on the occasion while Dr. Muhammad Sarwar, Dr. Muhammad Jalal Arif, Dr. Nadeem Akbar, Dr. Abdul Ghafoor, Dr. Asif Kamran, Dr. Muhammad Sagheer, Dr. Muhammad Waseem and Dr. Amir Maqsood Gill and others participated in the meeting.

UAF VC urges scientists to work together to bring about innovations

FAISALABAD: The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) of the Philippines is promoting regional cooperation to increase rice production and germplasm exchange in South Asia to meet nutritional needs of the rapidly growing population.

These views were expressed by the IRRI Director for Asia, Dr. Jongsoo Shin, during an online meeting with Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, vice chancellor of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), and other stakeholders on Monday.

He said that IRRI's efforts to increase rice production at global level had resulted in meeting nutritional needs of 56% of world's population. He said that 25 percent of world's population was cultivating rice and arranging their employment from it.

Therefore, the countries should work together to bring food stability at their level.

He said that 13 percent of world's crops were produced in the form of rice, which had worth of $206 billion. Jongsoo Shin said that rice was cultivated on 10 percent cultivable areas of the world, and 35% of total water resources were used for it. Therefore, it was dire need of the hour that new rice varieties should be introduced to meet future challenges.

The IRRI official said that in Pakistan, tall rice varieties with the help of crisper case and genome editing could be adapted by making them shorter in duration.

He said that Pakistan has been producing world's best fragrant rice. However, its production could be increased manifolds by using genetic diversity, he added.

UAF Vice Chancellor Dr. Iqrar Ahmed Khan said that with the help of IRRI, Pakistan could make advancements in rice production. He said that Pakistan was producing valuable rice with excellent taste and aroma.

However, he urged the scientists and experts to work together for value chain system equipped with new innovations.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2023.

Rice is Pakistan’s second-biggest crop after Wheat in terms of cultivated area. Besides being the second staple crop and contributing 2 million tons to our food requirement, it also acts as a cash crop.

In FY 2022, Pakistan exported $2.5 billion worth of rice, making it the 4th largest exporter. It’s also a major contributor to employment and income for rural households, but at what cost?

Rice is the water-thirstiest crop in the world, as it’s grown in standing water to control weeds. According to studies, it takes 3000–5000 liters of water to produce a single kilogram of Rice in Pakistan. Climate Change is hitting the South Asian Country in the worst ways possible with floods in monsoons and droughts at the start of the Kharif Season.

Water Shortage and Challenges So Far

Irrigation water availability has been increasingly declining for the past few years, especially during the Kharif season. Indus River System Authority (IRSA) estimated a 19 percent shortage for 2021 and 27 percent for the last year while its meeting convened last week forecasted a 37 percent water scarcity for the upcoming Kharif season. Our per capita water availability has plummeted from 5,650 cubic meters in 1951 to 908 cubic meters in 2022. Even if the Government magically reaches a consensus and builds new dams before the situation worsens, we might still be unable to afford such extravagant use in agriculture with increased demand in urban population centers.

It’s critical to seek and disseminate effective conservation practices so we can ensure rice productivity and food security. The traditional transplanting and continuously flooded system is a significant contributor to overall rice production and is highly effective in controlling weeds, ensuring optimum plant stand, and achieving higher yields.

But it’s enormously inefficient in terms of irrigation and requires a large amount of water to keep the field flooded. Scientists are working on tons of water-conserving alternatives but few of these technologies have been found uniquely successful and have been largely adopted. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Alternate Wetting and Drying are two.

Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) was developed by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the 1970s. It involved alternate flooding and drying throughout the cropping season depending on the soil water threshold level, the physical appearance of the soil, or after fixed non-flooded days. It can essentially reduce the water inputs from 25 percent to 70 percent given the soil type and climatic conditions.

“AWD is the only plausible sustainable and eco-friendly rice cultivation method,” stated Basit Mustafa, Agronomist at Ricult which is a US-based Agritech solution provider operating in Pakistan and Thailand. Ricult utilizes AI & Data to provide insights along with affordable credit and other fintech solutions.

“We have achieved up to 30 percent more water savings in Pakistan with AWD and there is also room for improvement depending on soil & climate,”  added Basit.

The technique is under large-scale dissemination and adoption in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, China, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, and Brazil. In field studies, AWD has been found to increase the profits by 38-42 percent in tube well irrigation with yield increase.

Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) technology entails sowing rice in either moist or dry soil (immediately irrigated). Since no transplanting is needed in this practice, it results in up to 75 percent labor savings. Mechanization of Rice is still in the early stages and labor has been hard to arrange in rural areas in recent years due to the youth moving to cities. Irrigation and herbicides are carefully managed in this method to ensure that the crop does not suffer from either the weed or the moisture stress. It can also result in up to 30 percent water savings.

The major challenge of cultivating rice without flooded conditions is controlling weeds. Some new weeds like Red Rice have also emerged in the fields which are strongly resistant to conventional herbicides and are hard to manage without flooding.

“DSR can be widely adopted in arid regions if we can come up with ways to control weeds without flooding the fields. There are herbicides available internationally for Red Rice by the MNCs but they have deliberately avoided introducing them in the Pakistani market,” added Basit.

Way Forward

There is the need to train farmers on modern lines to conserve water and the government’s continuous incompetence in doing so. It’s one thing when we lack solutions and need capital and time to put in R&D to come up with them, but we already have solutions.

Our universities and research institutes give a lot of effort into dozens of studies to establish the efficacy of these techniques in our local soil and climate but in the end, we either fail to ensure the widespread adoption or the concerned department never put their total weight behind it in the first place. You go into the field, meet farmers, and realize that for whatever reason, even the most basic practices introduced by the agriculture department decades ago haven’t made their way into their field.

There is a need be a consensus between research institutes and agricultural departments and the farm advisory services need to be overhauled to ensure that the farming community gets the motivation or incentive to follow the best practices available out there.

In FY22, India, which has an around 45% share in global rice trade, exported more than 21 MT of rice valued at $9.6 billion.

India’s rice exports have crossed a record $11 billion in 2022-23, an increase of 16% from FY22. The volume of shipment, however, remained around the same level as last year at 21 million tonne (MT).

Officials attribute the spike in rice exports to factors such as robust global demand, especially from West Asian countries, Africa and Europe, and flood that hit a large chunk of paddy crop in Pakistan, a major grain exporter.

In FY22, India, which has an around 45% share in global rice trade, exported more than 21 MT of rice valued at $9.6 billion.

The increased realisation in rice exports has been achieved despite India last year banning broken rice shipment and the imposition of exports tax of 20% on white rice.

According to preliminary estimates, India has shipped $11.14 billion of rice, which includes basmati ($5 billion) and non-basmati ($6.14 billion) during FY23.

In terms of volume, the country has exported 4.9 MT of aromatic and long grain basmati and 16.1 MT of non-basmati rice.

India annually exports 4.5-5 MT of basmati rice and has an 80% share in the global trade of aromatic rice.

“Demand for rice has been robust because of resumption of shipment to Iran and spike in demand in Gulf countries especially from Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE and others for the ongoing Ramadan months,” K Kaul, senior executive director, All India Rice Exporters’ Association, told FE.

India has been the world’s largest exporter of rice since 2012. Currently, India exports more rice than the combined shipments of the next three largest exporters – Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan.

The United States department of agriculture (USDA), in its April 2023 crop outlook, has stated, “India’s prices are the most competitive among global suppliers and its total supply of rice is near-record high.” It has also stated that India’s price quotes for 5% broken-kernel rice were reported at $434 this month and are virtually unchanged since late January.

“Competitive pricing have ensured a surge in rice exports in the last fiscal and adherence to quality parameters has resulted in a significant demand for Indian rice with the grain being shipped to more than 75 countries,” M Angamuthu, chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development Authority, said.

In September, India had imposed a ban on broken rice exports and put a 20% export tariff on the non-basmati and non-parboiled rice, a measure aimed at improving domestic supplies due to the expectation of a decline in production in the 2022-23 crop season (July-June).

However, the fear of loss of production was allayed with the agriculture ministry estimating a record rice output of 130.83 MT in the 2022-23 crop year.

In terms of volume, Bangladesh, China, Benin, Nepal and Iran are five major export destinations for rice. Geographical Indication (GI) tagged basmati rice is a premium variety cultivated in the Himalayan foothills, mostly in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

Vietnam’s rice export prices grew 9.2% year on year to 532 USD per tonne in the first quarter of 2023, raising the export value of 1.79 million tonnes during the period by 30.2% to 952 million USD, said the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s rice export prices grew 9.2% year on year to 532 USD per tonne in the first quarter of 2023, raising the export value of 1.79 million tonnes during the period by 30.2% to 952 million USD, said the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

The price increase was attributed to a surge in the proportion of high-quality rice such as fragrant, glutinous, and specialty rice.

High-quality rice is accounting for 50% of the total export volume and sold at 600 - 1,000 USD per tonne at present.

Experts predicted that favourable conditions will remain for rice export and prices will stay good in the short term as the share of high-quality rice is increasing and global economic and political uncertainties are boosting food stockpiling demand./.

BEIJING, Apr 17 (APP):At Haikou Fullsing Internet Industrial Park in the capital city of China’s Hainan Province, a young Pakistani entrepreneur has displayed some products imported from Pakistan for potential local and foreign buyers.

“We are importing Basmati rice, pinenuts and pure honey from Pakistan and sell them to the local as well as foreign buyers,” Waheed Yaseen, Operational Director, Hainan Raman Technology told APP on Monday.

Haikou Fullsing Internet Industrial Park, one of the 13 key parks in Hainan Free Trade Port, is positioned to build the Hainan Digital Free Trade Port pilot zone, digital economy headquarters gathering zone and international offshore innovation demonstration zone, with a digital economy industry.

A number of local and foreign companies in wake of the advantages of incentives and facilities offered by the local government have set up their offices and display centers in the park.

Waheed Yaseen informed that along with other partners, he had established his company in the park to introduce Pakistani products among the local buyers.

He said that the demand for pinenuts and pure honey was very high among Chinese buyers while his company targets foreign customers in Hainan and other areas of China for the sale of Basmati rice.

According to a local government official, Haikou Fullsing Internet Industrial Park focuses on the development of digital trade, smart Internet of things, financial technology, international innovation and headquarters economy, and human resources of the 4+2 industrial ecological chain.

The park has been recognized as a national science and technology business incubator, a national offshore innovation and entrepreneurship base for overseas talents, and a national cultural export base.

It has also been listed as China Hainan Human Resources Service Industry and China (Haikou) Entrepreneurship Park for returned overseas students.

At present, the park gathers Alibaba, ByteDance, Xiaomi Group, Schneider, Tesla and other Fortune 500 enterprises.
In 2021, the park’s revenue was placed among the ‘100 billion Yuan Club’, ranking second in the 2021 Hainan Free Trade Port’s 11 key parks assessment.

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Governor Baligh ur-Rehman has congratulated the CEO of Guard Agricultural Research and Services, Shahzad Ali Malik, on the development of two new high-quality varieties of rice in the private sector.

The governor emphasized that the government will fully support and encourage the private sector to develop new varieties of seeds for all crops, as agriculture is the backbone of the national economy.

He also said that to achieve food self-sufficiency, a high provincial seed committee has been formed to help evolve new best-quality seeds for bumper crops, under the explicit direction of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Malik expressed his gratitude to the governor for congratulating him, and informed that the Punjab Seed Council has approved two new varieties of rice, Guard 101 and Guard 102, after the successful completion of the thorough process. These “Open Pollinated” extra long grain rice varieties ensure a 20-25 percent higher per-acre yield with maturity within 90 days of sowing.

He also highlighted that the new varieties have high export potential and are attractive for farmers due to the low cost and higher per-acre yield.

Malik also mentioned that they have been engaged in rice seed research since 1989 in collaboration with China in the private sector without any government support. They have already successfully developed 5 hi-tech hybrid rice seed varieties that suit the country’s climate and give better production.

They are also conducting research and development on cotton and wheat hybrid seeds in collaboration with Chinese academic institutes and hope to make a breakthrough in the near future.

QUETTA: Balochistan will start the distribution of free rice seeds and other equipment among farmers in four districts after Eidul Fitr.

Talking to reporters on Saturday, agriculture department Secretary Umaid Ali Khokhar said that with the help of a $5m grant from the Asian Development Bank, the government will provide free rice seeds and other agricultural machinery to the farmers in Sohbatpur, Jafarabad, Nasirabad and Jhal Magsi.

He said the agriculture department was using all available resources for the development of the agriculture sector and to facilitate the farmers.

Mr Khokhar said the monsoon rains in Balochistan in 2022 caused a damage of over Rs300 billion to the agriculture sector.

The agriculture department launched a campaign for free supply of wheat seeds in September and October last year to provide relief to the farmers and to help them get them back on their feet.

The secretary said that despite severe financial difficulties, the provincial government made the arrangements for free supply of wheat seeds and a committee, headed by the district commissioner in each district, overlooked the transparent distribution and access to wheat seeds.

“Over 381,500 sacks of best wheat seeds worth 2.2 billion were procured from Punjab and distributed free of cost among farmers in 34 districts of the province,” Mr Khokhar noted. He claimed that due to this initiative, there has been a record production of wheat in Balochistan this year.

The secretary said the wheat requirement of Balochistan was 1.5m tonnes while 1.6m tonnes of wheat has been produced.In response to a question, he added that after the 2022 floods, the Asian Development Bank announced a loan of $15m for the province.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2023

Peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) denounced the National Food Authority’s (NFA) proposal to import at least 330,000 metric tons of rice in hopes of addressing the projected shortage in local rice production.

For KMP, the national government’s solution heading towards this projected deficit should not be to import but to support local farmers instead.

“The first order of the Department of Agriculture and NFA should be to help farmers increase their productivity to achieve targeted rice production and augment the rice buffer stock,” said KMP Chairman Emeritus Rafael Mariano in a press statement on Friday, April 14.

To provide context, Malacañang on Thursday, April 13, said NFA is proposing this scheme to “cover an expected deficit in the country’s buffer stock for the relief operations of various agencies in the event of calamities this year.”

Farmers sun-drying palay (Photo courtesy of KMP)

“The NFA pushing for rice importation is a great disservice to farmers and Filipinos,” Mariano said, adding that this proposal opposes the administration’s declaration that the domestic rice supply is sufficient.

In order to boost the Philippine rice industry and help alleviate the suffering of small-scale Filipino farmers, KMP urged the administration to increase local palay procurement to at least 20 percent.

“The NFA must regain the upper hand in buying and selling of rice to influence rice retail prices that are now heavily manipulated by rice traders and importers,” Mariano furthered.

MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority (NFA) is pushing for the importation of 330,000 metric tons of rice in anticipation of a deficit in the country’s buffer stock this year, Malacañang said yesterday.

A Palace statement quoted agriculture officials as saying that the proposed buffer stock of rice is equivalent to nine days of national consumption from July 2023 onwards.

The proposal would also ensure enough volume for calamity and relief requirements from July to December this year, the statement added.

“The NFA is proposing the importation of 330,000 MT of rice to cover an expected deficit in the country’s buffer stock for the relief operations of various agencies in the event of calamities this year,” the Presidential Communications Office statement said.

“Given the NFA’s budgetary constraints, the agency expects its buffer stocks will decrease to less than 500,000 sacks by July 2023, which is equivalent to less than a day of public consumption,” it added.

Under the NFA’s proposed rice importation strategy, rice importation arrangement can be undertaken through government-to-government transactions, either through the Office of the President or its designated agency.

Republic Act 1203 or the Rice Tariffication Law has scrapped the regulatory and import licensing issuance functions of the NFA and reduced its mandate to emergency buffer stocking of rice purchased solely from local farmers, and allowed the private sector to freely import rice subject to a tariff.

At Malacañang where he met with agriculture officials, Marcos, who chairs the NFA Council, said, “It seems that our situation is good. We will not lack rice. We are looking at ways to control the prices of rice so it won’t increase that much.”

KARACHI: Agro and Food Division of TDAP organized an interactive session with the exporters of rice regarding registration of authorized users for Basmati GI on 13th April 2023.

The session was attended by more than 50 rice exporters including Chairman and Senior Vice Chairman REAP.

During the session the exporters were briefed about the procedure to get the registration of Basmati Rice as authorized user. In this regard, GSP section of TDAP has been assigned the task to receive the applications from Rice exporters /Growers and issue consent for onward submission to Registrar IPO.GSP section of TDAP will start receiving of application from 14th April 2023.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023

Top rice exporters saw rates for the staple grain advance this week on increased orders, while Bangladesh raised the price it will offer farmers for the upcoming season’s crop in an effort to keep domestic prices stable.

Bangladesh, which buys rice from local farmers to ensure a support price, build stocks for state welfare programmes and meet emergency needs, will raise prices to 44 taka ($0.41) a kilogram, up from 40 taka ($0.38) a year ago, the food minister said on Thursday.

The government will buy 1.2 million tonnes of rice from local farmers starting from May 7 to Aug. 31.

Top exporter India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $385-$392 per tonne this week, up from last week’s $383-$389 range, helped by an appreciation in the rupee.

“Demand is rising. Buyers are giving preference to India since prices are lower than Thailand and Vietnam,” said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $465-$470 per tonne, up from $460 per a week ago.

“Demand for Vietnamese rice remains strong while the country’s exports in the first quarter rose strongly,” a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said.

Government data released earlier this week showed Vietnam exported 1.85 million tonnes of rice in the January-March period, up 23.4% from a year earlier. The Philippines and China remained Vietnam’s largest rice buyers in the first quarter, according to the data.

Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices rose to $485-$490 a tonne from $480-$482 in the previous week.

“Exporters are rushing to buy rice to satisfy orders coming from places like Indonesia,” said a Bangkok-based trader.

Domestic supply is also tightening because it was the end of the season and more supply would come in by June and July, he added.

MANILA: The Philippines’ National Food Authority (NFA) has proposed importing 330,000 tonnes of rice to cover an expected deficit in its buffer stock, as the government seeks to curb the cost of the staple grain and limit upward pressure on inflation.

The state grains agency needs to beef up its buffer stocks for emergency relief operations, but ramping up its purchases from local farmers could push domestic prices higher, the presidential palace said in a statement on Friday.

Domestic rice prices have crept higher, with the cheapest variety now selling at 36-44 pesos ($0.65-$0.80) per kilogramme, up from 35-38 pesos at the start of the year, government data showed.

Inflation eased in March to 7.6%, but was still well outside the official 2%-4% target.

The government is now looking at non-monetary measures to address price pressures, while the central bank has signalled a pause in interest rate hikes.

The Philippines’ year-end rice inventory is estimated at 1.69 million tonnes, equivalent to a 45-day buffer stock, just half of the ideal 90-day stock needed to stabilise prices, the statement said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who is also the agriculture secretary, said he was looking at “all measures” to curb rice prices.

“We will plan if there’s a need to import, to extend and increase the NFA’s buffer stock, which is already too low,” he said. The NFA is seeking a government-to-government arrangement for the rice importation.

At present, only private traders are allowed to import rice, while the NFA’s function has been limited to stocking of the emergency buffer.

Under the law, however, the presidential office or its designated agency can decide to bring in rice for NFA’s stockpiling.

The Philippines is one of the world’s biggest rice buyers, usually importing most of its requirements from Vietnam. It also buys some volumes from Thailand, India and other producers in Asia.

MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released to the National Food Authority (NFA) a total of PHP1,182,905,000 for the grant of a one-time rice assistance to all qualified employees and workers of national government agencies.

DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman approved the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and corresponding Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) on April 12.

"As directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we shall ensure the welfare of our government workers by giving them assistance for their household needs and, at the same time, boosting the production of our rice farmers," Pangandaman said in a news release on Thursday.

The rice assistance will benefit 1,892,648 government workers, including Job Order (JO) and Contract of Service (COS) personnel.

Administrative Order No. 2, signed by President Marcos, authorizes the grant of one-time assistance at a uniform quantity of 25 kilograms of rice to all qualified government workers/employees.

The rice assistance shall be granted to beneficiaries who are still in the government service and/or engaged by government agencies as of Nov. 30, 2022. (PNA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Prospective Plantings report released last month indicates cotton acreage planting intentions in Arkansas fell significantly and intentions for rice and corn acreage grew.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's annual Prospective Plantings report published March 31 indicates planned upland cotton acreage in Arkansas fell by 25% to 480,000 acres and planned rice acreage increased by 18% to 1.3 million acres compared to the 1.11 million acres that were planted last year.

Planned corn acreage is up 810,000 acres or by 14% compared to last year; planned peanut acreage is up 6% and planned winter wheat acreage is up 5%.

Planned soybean acreage is down 4% from last year and planned oat acreage decreased by 2o%.

Farmers signaled that they intend to plant more than 7 million acres of major commodity crops like rice, soybeans and cotton, as well as other major crops in Arkansas this year.

Farmers of the district were convinced to adopt the direct-seeded rice (DSR) technique for the sowing of rice during the district-level agri-awareness camp organised under the supervision of Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Dr Narinder Benipal at the grain market of Sahnewal today.

Sahnewal MLA Hardeep Mundian said the state government was concerned about the receding water table.

“Farmers should be wise enough to adopt new techniques which are available on their doorstep today. Saving the environment should be a joint effort by the government, administration and the general public, especially farmers,” the MLA added.

Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik exhorted farmers to initiate a crusade against the insensitive use of water. She also congratulated all farmers whose wise decision of not burning stubble had enabled Ludhiana to reduce the menace by 50 per cent as compared to past years.

She urged growers to adopt such techniques of sowing by which could more and more water.

Joint Director, Department of Farmers Welfare and Agriculture, Dr Raj Kumar tried to persuade farmers to drift from traditional paddy sowing methods and adopt the scant water technology.

“Lowering of water table and deteriorating soil health should force us to rethink and adopt the technique of direct sowing which has far better results than the traditional methods,” he said.

Dr Benipal said the primary objective of the Agriculture Department was to provide seeds, fertilizers and pesticides of premium quality in a quick manner to farmers.

“Camps will be held at both village and block levels in the coming days to convince farmers to abandon the traditional methods of showing rice and adopt the latest DSR technology,” the CAO said.

He asked farmers to benefit themselves from various crop diversification schemes.

With a budgetary outlay of Rs 19.37 crore, this project is being jointly led by PAU, Ludhiana, and IRRI, Philippines.

A two-member delegation comprising Dr Van Schepler-Luu and Dr Jeanie from International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines, visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) on Wednesday to deliberate on emerging research areas for rice cultivation in Punjab and other parts of the world.

This visit was a follow-up of the mega project launch of a DBT-funded project entitled “Tackling emerging diseases and insect pest problem in rice through innovative genomic approaches” at IRRI South Asia Hub held in Hyderabad on April 8. With a budgetary outlay of Rs 19.37 crore, this project is being jointly led by PAU, Ludhiana, and IRRI, Philippines.

Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, highlighted the long association of PAU with IRRI for developing rice varieties, production and protection technologies. Gosal impressed upon forming an international working group on emerging rice diseases, especially Southern Rice Black Streak Dwarf Virus, a new viral disease of rice reported by PAU for the first time in India in 2022. Dr Gosal advised the PAU and IRRI scientists to organise an international brainstorming session on this disease to frame disease management strategies during the upcoming rice season 2023.

The principal investigator of the project, Dr Jagjeet Singh Lore, who is also the principal rice pathologist, shared the project details to map rice pathogen population across the sub-continent.

A team of PAU scientists, namely Dr Dharminder Bhatia, Dr Preetinder Sarao, Dr Rupinder Kaur and Dr Mandeep Hunjan, working on rice crop will co-lead the project. This five-year project will also help to identify new sources of resistance against major rice diseases.

The scientists from IRRI appreciated the research accomplishments and legacy of PAU in the agriculture and food sector at the national and international level. They visited the research laboratories and held fruitful deliberations with Dr Ranvir Singh Gill, in-charge rice section, PAU, and other scientists working on the rice crop.

Srinagar, Apr 11: Director Extension SKUAST-K, Prof. Mohammad Makhdoomi on Tuesday said that the university has revived the traditional rice variety Mushq budij at Anantnag in South Kashmir and Keran in Kupwara.

As the paddy sowing season would be started soon, he said that the agriculture university has developed many varieties of seeds but not all of them had the desired outcome.

Over a period of time, a number of rice varieties suitable for high as well as low altitude situation, resistant to lodging, diseases and pests have been developed and the full potential of these varieties can be exploited when recommended packages of practices are adopted.

“We have also created a rice variety Shalimar rice-4, which has a productivity level of 10 tons per hectare as it is three times more productive than any national variety. We also introduced Kashmir’s Basmati rice called Shalimar Sugand,” he said.

Makhdoomi said SKUAST-K has been working for the revival of old and forgotten varieties like Mushq budij which was extinct and has worked hard for its preservation.

“We have introduced it and preserved the gene of Mushq Budij. We have revived in Anantnag and Keran sector. The farmers have also received an award of Rs 10 lakh for its promotion,” he said.

Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Muhammad Iqbal said the government has initiated key reforms in the agriculture sector as a matter of policy to elevate socio-economic conditions of farmers and is attempting to make them entrepreneurs par excellence.

“The cultivation of age-old traditional varieties of paddy like K-39, Chinese 1039, 1007, etc. has been successfully replaced with the high yielding varieties like SR-2, SR-3, SR-4 and SR-5 which has substantially increased the yield of paddy to the extent of 80 quintals per hectare and has maximized the farmer income,” the director said.

Global market gets attuned to 20% duty on shipments of non-basmati whites

Non-basmati rice exports during the April-February period of the 2022-23 fiscal were up nearly three per cent at 16.09 million tonnes (mt), but the shipments were lower in February by nearly six per cent.

But the underlying fact is that the Indian government stands to gain good revenue to the tune of a billion dollars in view of the export duty on the shipments as the global market has accepted the duty, besides India’s market share remaining intact.

According to data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), exports in the first 11 months of the 2022–23 fiscal were up compared with the 15.64 mt shipped out in the same period of 2021–22. In terms of value, exports fetched $5.72 billion, against $5.56 billion in the year-ago period.

Two factors to consider

However, there are two factors to consider in the data, exporters and traders say. One, shipments seemed to have been dragged a tad since September 2022 due to the Centre announcing export curbs, including imposing a 20 per cent duty on non-basmati consignments and banning fully broken rice shipments.

For example, exports in February were 1.53 lakh tonnes (lt) compared with 1.63 lt in the year-ago period. But earnings were higher at $563.88 million against $552.02 million. 

The second factor is that India holds on to its leadership in the market, with importers absorbing the duty hike.

“India will get an additional billion dollar revenue from the exports by imposing duty. With the country enjoying 45 per cent market share,  the global rice market has absorbed the impact of the Indian duty,” said BV Krishna Rao, President, The Rice Exporters Association (TREA).

In terms of rupee, rice exports should now be able to fetch the Indian government ₹8,000 crore, he said. 

Demand still strong

According to available data, rice exports region-wise in the April-February period of 2022–23 were mixed. Shipments to Bangladesh, Nepal, and South-East Asia dropped. But exports to Africa, the European Union, the Americas, and Gulf countries increased. 

According to the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) New Delhi Post of the US Department of Agriculture, despite Indian imposing curbs on exports, demand for Indian rice in the global market remains strong. “Global rice prices have risen to absorb the export tax,” it said. 

The USDA’s FAS Post said Indian domestic supplies are forecast to be ample and the government is unlikely to impose additional export restrictions in the near term. 

No problem till kharif

At the same time, the Government will be reluctant to relax existing restrictions out of fears of food inflation. “While India’s export restrictions have not dampened export demand, they have generated an additional source of tax revenue for the government,” it said. 

Rao said rice exports should have no problem until November-December this year, before the new crop from competing nations such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan enter the market. 

“Pakistan might not face the problems it faced last year due to its worst flood in 61 years. Our kharif could be arriving by then. The Centre can review its export curbs based on market conditions then,” he said.

Though the Centre has banned exports of fully broken rice, it is permitting its shipments on a case-by-case basis. Recently, it permitted 3.5 lakh tonnes of consignments to Gambia and Senegal based on the Ministry of External Affairs’ recommendations. 

Improving competitiveness

“We have to see if there is a shift to white rice in a small way or other alternative before reviewing the decision on duty. But we are still improving our hold on the market despite the duty,” Rao said. 

The USDA’s FAS Post sees the export duty on Indian rice exports continuing in the near future. 

Meanwhile, India’s competitiveness in the global market has improved again over Vietnam, Thailand, and Pakistan. From being competitive by around $10 a tonne a month ago, it has improved by over $25 now. The competitiveness has improved as Indian prices have been lowered, while countries such as Vietnam and Thailand have raised their offer rates. (See table)

Rice exports are likely to be boosted by projections of a record high production of 130.83 mt this crop year, despite kharif output being affected due to a deficient monsoon in eastern parts of the country.

The central government has scrapped export duty of 20% on rice of seed quality in the husk (paddy or rough).

Officials said the duty was scrapped after review of rice stocks. The exemption will be effective from April 11.

The centre in September, 2022 had imposed an export duty of 20% on Rice in Husk (Paddy or Rough), Husked (Brown Rice) and Semi-milled or Wholly milled Rice.

This was done to lower prices of rice and to make stocks available for the domestic market.

The measures did not affect export of basmati or parboiled rice.

Finance Ministry had said that changes in India’s rice-export rules have helped keep a check on domestic prices without reducing the availability for exports.

The Centre also assured the state to approve the changes proposed by the state in the Legal Metrology rules, said Anil.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil has said that the Union government has given an assurance to the state on giving the right to choose the category of rice for distribution through ration shops.

“The central food secretary said the state will be given the option to choose from “common” or “grade A” categories of rice distributed by the Food Corporation of India,” Anil said in a statement issued after his Delhi visit.

The Centre has said that a favourable decision will be taken on the state’s request to sanction more non-subsidy kerosene. It asked the state to replace kerosene with LPG for inboard engines used in fishing boats. 

The Union government accepted the demand to sanction kerosene allocation to the state once in six months. It also accepted the state’s demand to extend the deadline to provide fortified rice through PDS to June 30. 

The Centre also assured the state to approve the changes proposed by the state in the Legal Metrology rules, said Anil.

Anticipating that rice yield and output are nearly hitting the ceiling, Vietnam is preparing for a revolution in rice farming, striving for 1 million hectares of high-quality rice.

In mid-February, a consignment of organic rice of Quang Tri Agro Product Company (QTOrganic) was exported to Germany at $1,800 per ton, a rarely seen high price.

Pham Thi Diem Le, president of QTOrganic, revealed that a partner has placed one container of 23 tons of rice for the French market.

“They want four containers of organic rice a month for the European market, but we can provide only 1-2 containers, because the rice farming area remains small,” she said.

Several days ago, ‘Com Viet Nam’ (Vietnam’s rice) hit the shelves of 4,000 supermarkets in France. The fried rice uses ST25 rice variety, which is recognized as the best rice variety in the world, and was used for a special lunch at the Japanese cabinet office.

“Vietnam’s ST25 rice is exported to Japan for $1,200 per ton. Distributors want to order 1,000 tons of rice a year to increase the retail at supermarkets,” said Nguyen Chanh Trung, deputy CEO of Tan Long Group, which spent a year making every effort to bring ST25 to the Japanese market.

This shows that Vietnam’s high-quality rice has been step by step penetrating choosy markets. However, the proportion of Vietnam’s rice entering high-end markets such as the EU, US, Japan and South Korea remains modest compared with Vietnam’s total rice export turnover.

The director of a company said that export prices to high-end markets could reach $1,000-2,000 per ton, which is much higher than the average export price of $531 per ton in the first three months of 2023. 

However, Vietnam’s rice is mostly exported to easy markets and targets low-cost market segments, so the value is not high.

In 2022, Vietnam exported 7.17 million tons worth $3.49 billion, an increase of 6.2 percent in value over 2021. 

Of this, rice exports to the Philippines in 2022 brought turnover of $1.49 billion, accounting for 42.6 percent of Vietnam’s total rice export turnover. The country has remained the biggest client of Vietnam over the last decade.

China is the second biggest consumer of Vietnam rice which bought $432.3 million in 2022, followed by the Ivory Coast ($294.6 million), Ghana ($203 million) and Malaysia ($198.9 million)

In the first three months of the year, Vietnam’s rice exports brought total revenue of $952 million.

Over the last three decades of export, rice has become a multi-billion USD export item and Vietnam has become one of the three biggest rice exporters in the world. 

However, after hitting a record high of $3.65 billion in 2011, export turnover began falling and has been flat since then.

Vietnam has to compete with a number of rivals. In the low-cost market segment, Vietnam competes with India. In the high-end market segment, Thailand and Cambodia have advantages in brands.

According to Le Thanh Tung from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the rice yield in Mekong Delta is 6.2 tons per hectare, the highest level in the world, but yield and output are close to hitting the ceiling.

Making rice more valuable

Rice is compared to a Vietnamese gem. Rice production not only aims to satisfy domestic demand and ensure food security, but also brings billions of dollars a year from exports. However, the income of rice farmers remains low.

In 2016-2022, total rice consumed was 20-25 million per annum and rice exported was 5-7 million per annum. Experts say that the time for Vietnam to strive to put out as much as possible is over, and now is the time to improve quality to increase farmers’ income, i.e. it is necessary to improve the quality of Vietnam’s rice.

MARD, institutions, enterprises and localities are discussing a plan to develop 1 million hectares of high-quality rice in association with green growth in the Mekong Delta.

The Mekong Delta is the rice granary of the country. The rice output of the area has been stable in recent years, 24-25 million tons, making up 90 percent of the country’s total rice output, bringing income to 1.5 million agriculture production households. 

However, production efficiency and farmers’ income remain low, and so is competitiveness. The plan, if implemented, is hoped to solve the problem.

MARD estimates that VND40 trillion is needed to implement the project. 

Farmers would be provided with 30 percent of the cost to buy the rice variety for the first four consecutive crops, and would be allowed to access unsecured loans of up to VND 20 million per crop (6 months).

It is expected that from now to 2025, the Mekong Delta would have 500,000 hectares of high-quality rice and farmers’ average profit would be over 35 percent. The figures would be 1 million hectares and 40 percent, respectively, by 2030.

The United States and five other ag-exporting nations have accused India of “vastly” underreporting the amount of subsidies that it provides for wheat and rice producers, fueling calls for the Biden administration to take the next step of filing a formal World Trade Organization case, our Doug Palmer writes for MA.

India is required under World Trade Organization rules to cap its agricultural subsidies at 10 percent of the total value of crop production. That’s double the 5 percent cap that developed countries such as the United States face.

In a “counter-notification” filed last week at the WTO, the United States, Australia, Canada, Paraguay, Thailand and Ukraine said India appears to have regularly provided rice subsidies that exceeded 78 percent of the value of production and wheat subsidies that exceed 65 percent of the value of production.

“It appears that India provides market price support for rice and wheat vastly in excess of what it has reported to the WTO,” the countries said.

Both the U.S. wheat and rice industry have long complained about the trade-distorting effect of India’s public stockholding programs.

“We urge USTR to take all necessary steps to ensure India brings these subsidies into compliance with their WTO commitments,” U.S. Wheat Associates President Vince Peterson said in a statement welcoming the latest counter-notification, the second such notification since 2018.

Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, echoed that call, while also praising U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai for highlighting India’s actions.

“This is further evidence that we need to pursue a formal case against India’s blatant violations with the WTO,” Boozman said.

India being one of the major players in the world rice markets can't remain untouched with the weather and other challenges that the crop faces every year

Recently, The Economist had a piece on the crisis engulfing rice production worldwide including in India, where it is one of the main staple food items consumed by a sizable chunk of the population.

The crisis at least for India, according to the article, is mainly due to erratic monsoon, falling water tables in main growing regions, excessive exploitation of soil, etc. Add to this the rising demand mainly as a feedstock for grain-based distillation, volatile prices, etc.

All these are combined together to give rice production a sense of uncertainty and risk usually not associated with the crop.

And India being one of the major players in the world rice markets can’t remain untouched with the weather and other challenges that the crop faces every year.

In India, rice is usually cultivated in around 44-45 million hectares of land both in the kharif and rabi seasons (the bulk in the kharif season) and occupies around 22-23 per cent of the gross cropped area per year.

The crop is grown in almost all parts of the country and the annual average production varies between 110-120 million tonnes per year.

It is also exported majorly and in FY23 despite a ban on exports, India might end up exporting around 17 million tonnes of non-basmati rice added to the 4.5 million tonnes of basmati rice.

“The exports growth has slowed due to the ban and import duty levied few months back,” said Vinod Kaul, executive director of All India Rice Exporters Association.

Being a crop that is heavily dependent on the southwest monsoon mostly in eastern and southern parts of the country, rice every year faces multiple challenges.

Any setback to the southwest monsoon has a very negative impact on the crop’s production mainly in those zones where irrigation facilities are limited and scant.

Poor rainfall pushes the cost of production of paddy up for the farmers and has a direct impact on per hectare income.

Though a sizable chunk of the paddy is procured by state agencies for distribution through public distribution programmes, the process of purchase is skewed in favour of a few states and regions.

However, off-late there has been a significant rise in the number of states from where Central government agencies procure rice for the central pool and states like Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Jharkhand have become the new rice bowls of India leaving Punjab and Haryana behind.

The challenge that the crop faces from uneven weather patterns and increasing impact of climate change can be addressed to some extent through modern farming techniques such as direct-seeded rice (DSR).

Rice and GHGs

Paddy farming has long been established as one of the major contributors to Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs).

Among the various techniques propagated by scientists to check the emission of GHGs from paddy, DSR is among the most common.

In DSR, rice seedlings are directly planted into the soil either manually or through machines, thus doing away with the requirement of first growing the plant in nurseries and then transplanting them into the fields both of which have to be done in fully watered conditions.

However, despite being in vogue for several years, DSR hasn’t really picked up in major growing regions of India and one complaint of many farmers is rice grown through DSR technique is that yields are sometimes lower than the traditional process of transplanting and also the crop is more prone to pests and insects as compared to usual method.”

“DSR is a good way forward as it requires less water, the soil quality is retained, saves irrigation but the downside is that it makes the plant vulnerable to pest and weed attacks and increases the cost of plant chemicals for the farmers. Also, though DSR has been in practice for several years across India, its adaptation among farmers is very low. In the last few years, area under DSR rice could have gone up due to COVID and impending labour shortage but then I suppose it has gone back,” Avinash Kishore a senior Research Fellow in the New Delhi Office of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) told Business Standard.

In Punjab, which is one of the premier rice-growing states, around 0.6 million hectares has been brought under DSR rice in the kharif season a few years back, which was among the highest so far, but just a fraction of the around 2.8 million hectares where paddy was grown in the state.

Similarly, in neighboring Haryana, the state government has been giving an incentive to farmers to shift from traditional puddling methods to DSR, but the progress has been slow.

According to a news report by the Press Trust of India (PTI) a few years back, studies have shown that rice farming across the world could be responsible for up to twice the level of climate impact relative to what was previously estimated.

The study which was conducted in India and published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that intermittently flooded rice farms can emit 45 times more nitrous oxide as compared to the maximum from continuously flooded farms that predominantly emit methane, the PTI report said.

PNAS is the official journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and is an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans the biological, physical, and social sciences.

The researchers investigated greenhouse gas emissions from rice farms across southern India. They found that nitrous oxide emissions from rice can contribute up to 99 per cent of the total climate impact of rice cultivation at a variety of intermittently flooded farms.

“These emissions contributed substantially to global warming pollution — far more than the estimate of 10 per cent previously suggested by multiple global rice research organisations,” the report said, quoting researchers who have worked on the study.

Studies show that growing rice is also resource-intensive. Rice cultivation covers 11 per cent of the Earth’s arable land and consumes one-third of irrigation water.

DSR Rice and Research

It is here that the role of research bodies, companies, and scientific institutions becomes crucial: to develop DSR rice varieties that do not lead to excessive use of plant chemicals while at the same retain the beneficial qualities of normal rice and consume less water.

For the last few years, scientists at the Manila-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) are working on a cross-country project in India to develop and commercialise DSR rice varieties, which not only give higher yields as compared to the traditional puddling method but are also resistant to pests’ attacks.

The varieties being tested in various agro-climatic zones across Asia not only germinate quickly in extremely dry conditions but also give a yield of around 4-5.5 tonnes per hectare.

And, if the same variety is grown through puddling, the yield level goes up even further to almost 7 tonnes per hectare, the researchers claim.

The cross-country trials are being conducted across 29 sites in Asia and Africa including India. In India, the first trials are currently close to harvest in states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha.

Global agriculture companies like Bayer are also developing DSR seeds that carry all the goodness of normal rice and are not overtly susceptible to pests.

The geographical indication (GI) tag is about recognising a country's unique crop and origin of the genome of the crop giving a brand identity as well as identity to the country of origin. From this point of view, it is extremely important to safeguard the brand identity of the country of origin. Granting a GI tag is not meant for politically balancing the claims and cross claims.

India is the largest rice producer after China, i.e., it is ranked second in the list of top 10 producers while Pakistan is at eighth position.

India's total rice production is estimated at about 130 million tonne as against about 112 million tonne of wheat, making it the leading foodgrain producer in the world. As far as Basmati rice is concerned, India and Pakistan are the two largest producers, followed by Nepal, Iran, and the United States. But the fact But the fact should never be forgotten that India accounts for over 70 per cent of the Basmati rice production.

The top three exporters of Basmati rice are India with 783,151 shipments followed by Pakistan with 28,884 and China at the third spot with 5,278 shipments. Thus, on the principle of primacy the GI tag is well-deserved by India.

India is ahead of all other Basmati rice producing countries in terms of varieties and quality. So far India has 34 identified varieties of Basmati rice including Basmati 217, Basmati 370, Type 3 (Dehraduni Basmati), Punjab Basmati, Kasturi, Mahi Sugandha, Pusa Basmati, etc.

These varieties are evidence of the agro-climatic suitability of northern and western India for the Basmati crop. We could say that Basmati is God-gifted to India and probably this is the reason that in almost all religious and cultural ceremonies, Basmati rice is one of the major presences in rituals as well as menu, right from birth, marriage celebrations of life and death.

Politics with GI tag erodes the credibility of global institutions which decide about it. The way the issue of Basmati rice is being politicised in Europe and Oceania is not desirable. India is the natural choice for the award of GI for Basmati rice. (ANI)

ISLAMABAD:

Parliamentary Secretary for National Food Security and Research Ahmad Raza Maneka on Friday said the rice crop production was in surplus despite flood devastation.

Responding to a query of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) MNA, Ghous Bux Khan Maher during the Question Hour of the 51st session of the National Assembly, he said the wheat stocks were properly stored and preserved from damages during the 2022 floods.

However, the rice production was 5.4 million metric tonnes (MMT) against the local consumption of 3.8MMT last year, he added.

Maher posed the question that what measures the government had taken to enhance rice crop yield as the production had declined to one-third?

MNA Wajiha Qamar of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also queried that what measures were being taken to ensure climate-resistant crops adaptable to shifting weather patterns amid prevailing growing environmental degradation and climate change?

Maneka responded that innovative methods of farming, hybrid seeds and farmers' training could only ensure increase in crop yield. He said the latest methods and techniques of crop cultivation were the only remedy that was being imparted to the farmers.

MNA Salahuddin demanded of the housing ministry to provide details related to plots allotted to 16 employees of Grade-16 and above of the ministry. He added that the ministry should also clarify that either any of these officials were awarded more than one plot.

Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Works Syed Mehmood Shah said the 16 employees of the ministry were not yet allotted plots but rather it was announced, whereas none of them availed dual plots in this case and the possession of these plots would be given after June.

Navi Mumbai: A 21-year-old youth employed with a rice mill in Mangaon, Raigad district has been booked by the Mangaon police for cooking up a story that three men in a car had intercepted his Activa scooter and robbed him of cash worth Rs 5.57 lakh that he had collected as payment from a trader, and was taking it to the rice mill. The cops have recovered the entire cash from the youth.
Rajendra Patil, senior inspector of Mangaon police station said, "The arrested accused Pratham Parawe, resides in Chinchavali Wadi in Goregaon area of Mangaon taluka. On March 31, Parawe's employer had sent him to a customer in the Mhasala area to collect a payment of Rs 5.57 lakh. Parawe went there on his scooter and later lodged a complaint at Mangaon police station that while returning with the cash as he reached Morba ghat on the Pune-Dighi port road, three men following him in a white coloured Maruti Swift waylaid his scooter and threatening to harm him. They forcibly snatched his back-pack containing the cash and sped away. Accordingly, we registered a robbery case under IPC section 392 against the three unidentified men. After visiting the crime spot and scanning CCTV footage along the Morba ghat, and the entire Pune-Dighi port road, we did not find any white Maruti Swift following Parawe's scooter. That’s when we suspected foul play. Thereafter, Parawe was summoned to the police station and questioned as to why he had switched off his cellphone while returning with the cash, to which he gave an evasive reply. When grilled, Parawe confessed that he had cooked up a robbery story and had himself stolen his employer's cash as he wanted to buy a new car."
Inspector Patil added, "The accused has been booked under IPC section 408 for criminal breach of trust. Since the offence attracts a punishment of less than seven years, Parawe has not been arrested but served a notice under the provisions of criminal procedure code directing him to cooperate in the investigation. We have also have recovered the Rs 5.57 lakh that was misappropriated by Parawe, hence his police custody was not sought."

Farmer indebtedness rises further

Farmers and farming are under pressure due to soaring cultivation and living costs amid a fear of heavy rains and floods that usually occur in summer and damage crops.

Many cultivators, burdened with high-interest loans due to years of low prices and disastrous weather events, fell into further indebtedness for taking high-interest loans to cope with the economic crisis not seen in years.

Farmers and farming are under pressure due to soaring cultivation and living costs amid a fear of heavy rains and floods that usually occur in summer and damage crops.

Many cultivators, burdened with high-interest loans due to years of low prices and disastrous weather events, fell into further indebtedness for taking high-interest loans to cope with the economic crisis not seen in years.

‘I will need to irrigate and fertilise my rice fields another round before the harvest,’ said Arman, who could not clear his debt from the past year from another lender.     

In the six months until February, according to a recent study, the average household expenditure increased by 13 per cent, making the job of growing crops all the more difficult for millions of poverty-stricken farmers, said agricultural economists and agriculturists.

About 90 per cent of Bangladesh’s nearly two crore farmers are smallholders, many of them owning no land at all, representing the section of people who are overwhelmingly depending — three in every four — on loans to cope with the rising inflation.

The cost of every agricultural input — seed, fertiliser, pesticide, labour and irrigation – went up substantially, said government agricultural officers, research bodies and farmers, raising the fear of driving farmers to non-rice crop cultivation requiring less inputs.

‘The strange thing about Bangladesh’s farmers is that they never fail to cultivate. But there is a limit to farmers’ ability,’ Saiful Islam, agricultural economist, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, told New Age on Monday.

Despite a dramatic rise in all expenses, the boro cultivation target — which was about 50 lakh hectares — was achieved, he said.

‘But farmers must take home their full harvest. A natural disaster or any other disruptions could be unbearable for many farmers,’ said Saiful.

The weather this year has so far acted far better than expected, but frequent power cuts affected irrigation intervening in the cultivation. 

Farming, particularly rice farming, is labelled a losing business for growers, who consistently adopt innovative ways such as migrating to cities during the lean season to work as rickshaw pullers for additional income for subsidising their farming.

But farming became further challenging after the electricity price was increased three times and the gas price once since January.

The cultivation of boro, accounting for about 60 per cent of the country’s some 4-crore-tonne rice production, relies heavily on irrigation with water lifted by electric pumps and urea fertiliser produced using natural gas.

According to the Rangpur division agricultural extension office, boro cultivation cost saw an average increase of Tk 5,000 per bigha in the eight northern districts under the division.

‘The government provided 25,000 farmers with free seeds and fertiliser to help them cope with cost shocks,’ said Mahtab Uddin, additional director, DAE, Rangpur, home to more than 26 lakhs farmers, on Saturday.

For growing boro in each bigha of land, a farmer in the region spent Tk 13,600 this year, following an increase of about Tk 5,000 in the cultivation cost, compared to the past year.

The cost of irrigating one bigha of land climbed to Tk 1,500 this year from Tk 1,200 spent in the past year. The Rangpur division agricultural extension office estimated that farmers in the north would have to spend Tk 17 crore extra for irrigation.

The cost of a kilogram of seed, on the other hand, rose to Tk 350 from Tk 200, according to the Rangpur divisional office of the Agricultural Extension Department.

Compared to the past year, fertiliser cost per bigha increased by Tk 1,500 while pesticide cost went up by Tk 400, among others expenses, including those for labour and mechanised grinding and harvesting.

The production cost of a kilogram of boro paddy increased by nearly 10 per cent, according to an estimate of the BRRI, to Tk 30.70 from Tk 28.11 a year ago.

‘The prices of rice and its byproducts such as broken rice and rice hulls will increase as well, increasing cattle-rearing cost,’ said Saiful Islam.

The Department of Agricultural Marketing, however, estimated the production cost of a kilogram of boro paddy to be Tk 28.40, up from Tk 26.52 in the past year.

The DAM estimated the price of a kilogram of rice to be Tk 41.82 this year, up from the past year’s price of Tk 39.03.

The price of a kilogram of wheat has been estimated to go up by 9 per cent to Tk 30.93 this year from the past year’s Tk 28.33.

The Department of Agricultural Extension, which has its estimate of the production cost of rice, did not share the estimate.

‘The increase in expense is normal, particularly when the country is undergoing rapid development,’ said Badal Chandra Biswas, director general, DAE, on Sunday.

Agriculturists predicted that high expenses could encourage rice storage. Farmers generally store 40 per cent of their output for their consumption.

‘Farming cost just doubled but it is not reflected in the official account,’ said Ainal Haque, a farmer at Bara Bari, Sadar upazila, Rangpur.

Farmers in the north-eastern haor region, where a fifth of the country’s boro paddy is grown, are worriedly waiting to start reaping their paddy in days, before flash floods strike.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department warned about a brief flood in the northeast at the end of this month. Boro harvest in the haor region could take a month to complete. 

Agriculture, providing employment for 55 per cent of the country’s workforce and accounting for 12 per cent of the GDP, is crucial in holding Bangladesh’s economy together and it played a vital role in tackling the Covid pandemic.

‘All subsidies should be diverted to agriculture,’ said Abdul Bayes, who taught economics at Jahangirnagar University, on Tuesday.

Adding that inflation could be as high as 20 per cent in places, Bayes advised the government to increase rice procurement from farmers and ensure legitimate prices.

‘Agriculture has to be saved,’ he said.

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce told a Senate panel on Friday that the European Union has not given any preferential access to Indian basmati rice.

Replying to lawmakers’ questions during a meeting of the Senate Committee for Commerce, the ministry’s secretary said that at present, Pakistan was exporting more basmati rice to European markets than India.

Basmati rice is a shared production of India and Pakistan. In the recent past, it became a source of a contentious trade battle between the two nations after India applied for an exclusive trademark that would grant it sole ownership of the basmati title in the European Union.

The secretary, Sualeh Ahmed Farooqui, said the EU had yet to make any progress

on the request while Australia has also rejected a similar request from India. Legal proceedings are still ongoing in the United States, he added.

The meeting of the parliamentary committee also criticised the persistent absence of Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar from meetings.

At the outset of the meeting, Senator Danesh Kumar said the minister was asked to appear for questions from senators. He later walked out of the meeting to register his protest.

The committee’s chairman, Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, said ministers should give importance to parliamentary committees and ensure their participation. Otherwise, the issue will be raised with the Senate chairman.

Senator Faisal Javed raised the issue of royalties to artists. He said Pakistani artists had the right to get a royalty for their art aired on government and private electronic media.

He complained that even the state-run PTV was not providing royalties to artists for streaming their old dramas and music.

The chairman of the Intellectual Property Organisation, an attached department of the commerce ministry, told the committee that a law was being drafted for the protection of artists’ rights.

He added that feedback has been sought from stakeholders on the draft which will be shared soon with the standing committee.

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Chief Executive Officer Zubair Motiwala briefed the committee on export diversification efforts and increasing exports to Africa.

He said TDAP wanted to promote the export of dates, pink salt, and mangoes which have now been registered under Geographical Indication (GI) tags.

Efforts are being made to increase the export of seafood as well, he added.

Briefing on the efforts to boost trade, the commerce secretary told the meeting that a grand exhibition was organised in Dubai while the private sector was being supported by the commerce ministry to participate in an exhibition held in Germany.

The committee was informed that 197 international trade fairs and 10 local trade fairs were organised during the last four years to promote exports.

Bushra Rehman of the Canada-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce infor­med the committee that Pakistan’s single-country exhibition would being held in North America in August. A total of 57 Pakistani companies will participate in this exhibition. The exhibition needed more support from the ministry and TDAP, she added.

The commerce secretary told the meeting that the production of dates has been greatly affected due to last year’s floods.

He said 300,000 tons of dates were exported annually, but this year only 5pc of them will be exported. The committee’s chairman said that the export capacity of the country should be prepared and provided to the committee in the next meeting by preparing a report on our current situation and comparison with different countries.

The weekly inflation, measured by Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), witnessed an increase of 0.92pc to jump to 44.49pc on a year-on-year basis for the week ended on April 6, according to a report issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The combined index was at 252.06 compared to 249.75 on March 30, 2023, while the index was recorded at 174.45 a year ago, on April 07, 2022.

Out of the 51 monitored items, the average price of 27 items increased, 7 items decreased whereas 17 items registered no change during the week.

During the week under review, the items whose prices increased the most compared to the previous year were Chicken (15.87%), Sugar (13.48%), Potatoes (5.11%), Bananas (4.95%).

PBS data noted decrease in prices of Tomatoes (14.96%), Onions (12.66%), LPG (3.73%), Pulse Gram (1.20%), Vegetable Ghee 2.5 Kg (0.71%), Garlic (0.16%) and Mustard Oil (0.03%).

The items whose prices increased the most over the same week a year ago were Cigarettes (165.88%), Wheat Flour (131.72%), Gas Charges for Q1 (108.38%), Diesel (102.84%), Eggs (98.34%), Tea Lipton (97.63%), Rice Basmati Broken (84.92%), Bananas (82.23%), Petrol (81.17%), Rice Irri-6/9 (80.61%), Pulse Moong (68.14%), Potatoes (65.95%), Pulse Mash (56.70%) and Onions (55.75%), while decrease is observed in the prices of Tomatoes (50.39%) and Chillies Powdered (6.48%)

The fall in rice prices is likely the result of an order by the North Korean authorities to expand the volume of imported rice to alleviate severe food shortages

The price of rice in North Korean markets has continued to fall for two straight months. This trends appears to be due to an order by the North Korean authorities to expand rice imports from China.

According to Daily NK’s regular survey of market prices in North Korea, a kilogram of rice in one market in Hyesan, Yanggang Province, cost KPW 5,800 as of Monday. Compared to the last survey two weeks ago on Mar. 19, when it cost KPW 6,000, the price had fallen 3.3%, marking the first time in two months that the price of rice in Hyesan had fallen into the KPW 5,000-6,000 range since early February.

In Sinuiju, too, a kilogram of rice cost KWP 5,480 on Monday, 2.3% down from the Mar. 19 survey.

The price of rice fell in Pyongyang as well, but the drop was less than it was in Hyesan or Sinuiju.

The fall in North Korea’s rice prices for two straight months is likely the result of an order by the North Korean authorities to expand the volume of imported rice.

In fact, according to a Daily NK reporting partner in China, North Korean authorities have greatly increased rice imports since last month. Freight trains going to North Korea from the Chinese city of Dandong, Liaoning Province, are more than 90% full of rice, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. 

Most North Korean trade delegations in China have received an order from the authorities to put nothing but rice on the freight trains, the reporting partner added. This suggests that trade delegations must prioritize imports of rice unless the government requests the import of a particular item.

The order was likely handed down to alleviate the country’s dire food shortages. These shortages are so serious, in fact, that military rice stores for soldiers and wartime rice supplies have hit rock bottom.

“State-run grain shops are unable to sell grain to people even once a month,” a reporting partner in North Korea said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “So the authorities ordered them to import any type of rice.” 

Since February, North Korean trading companies have also been demanding that Chinese factories employing North Korean workers contribute money or rice to the North Korean government.

MOST COMMON RICE IMPORT? LONG-GRAIN RICE

Meanwhile, long-grain rice from Southeast Asia is the most common type of rice being imported into North Korea by train. This type of rice is cheaper than the Chinese-produced variety.

A kilogram of Chinese rice goes for about RMB 8-10 (around USD 1.16 to 1.45), but long-grain rice from Southeast Asia costs about half of that, or RMB 4-5 (around USD 0.58 – 0.73). North Korea is thus importing large amounts of Southeast Asian rice, which it can buy in bulk at low prices. 

According to Daily NK’s reporting partner in North Korea, the authorities recently sold imported long-grain rice to people through state-run grain shops. The rice sold through the shops cost 20% less than North Korean-produced rice available at local markets; however, many North Koreans complained that the authorities had resold the long-grain rice at a price higher than the original import price. 

Daily NK also understands that North Korea began providing gifts of grain, fish, meat and other items to government cadres from Apr. 3. North Korea celebrates the birthday of late leader Kim Il Sung on Apr. 15. 

Market grain prices look set to continue falling for the time being given that the country plans to conduct nationwide sales of food to commemorate the Apr. 15 holiday.

New Delhi: A total of 269 districts in 27 states have started distributing fortified rice under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), achieving a 100% target set for phase II by March 2023 in Rice Fortification Programme, food secretary Sanjeev Chopra said on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference, he said that about 105 lakh tonnes of fortified rice was lifted in the second phase, which focussed on 27 states for PDS rice distribution.

In addition to this, about 29 lakh tonnes was lifted by states, as well as for the integrated child development service (ICDS) and PM POSHAN programme in the second phase, taking the total quantity of fortified rice lifted in 2022-23 to 134 lakh tonnes, he said.

Now, under the third phase, the department is geared up to complete the coverage of all remaining districts excluding wheat-consuming ones before the targeted date of March 2024, Chopra said.

In addition to this, about 29 lakh tonnes was lifted by states, as well as for the integrated child development service (ICDS) and PM POSHAN programme in the second phase, taking the total quantity of fortified rice lifted in 2022-23 to 134 lakh tonnes, he said.

Now, under the third phase, the department is geared up to complete the coverage of all remaining districts excluding wheat-consuming ones before the targeted date of March 2024, Chopra said.

The cumulative annual fortified rice kernel manufacturing capacity has increased more than 18 folds from 0.9 lakh tonne in August 2021to 17 lakh tonne.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – This week, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) filed its second “counter notification” on India’s rice and wheat subsidies to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Committee on Agriculture.

itp-map-of-india-230406 image
Called out

The counter notification details the flaws in India’s notification methodology, which obscures the true level of subsidies it provides. The submission was co-sponsored by Australia, Canada, Paraguay, Thailand, and Ukraine, demonstrating the global impact of India’s trade-distorting subsidies.

The measure estimates that if India correctly calculated the level of support they provide to their rice farmers through domestic subsidies that they would be at 78.6 percent of the market value in 2014/15, and up to 93.9 percent in 2020/21, compared to the 10 percent limit India agreed to when it joined the WTO.

USA Rice has long called on the Biden Administration, and preceding administrations, to file a dispute settlement case against India’s domestic support for rice because of the trade distorting impacts on the U.S. and the rest of the world’s markets.

Due to India’s actions to stimulate rice production, U.S. rice farmers, and rice farmers throughout the world, are forced to sell their crop at a lower cost, bringing back less assistance to their own rural communities. The artificially low-priced Indian rice impacts every continent, and India is projected to break their own export record again this year.

The U.S. filed the WTO Committee on Agriculture’s first ever counter notification in 2018 (see USA Rice Daily, May 10, 2018), also against India’s rice and wheat subsidies, leading to India’s more regular notification of support for rice in each year since. The 2018 counter notification was submitted just by the United States.

“We commend USTR on filing this counter-notification and moving us closer toward a dispute settlement case against India,” said Bobby Hanks, Louisiana rice miller and chair of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee. “It is important to note that other key governments – including developing countries – are also clearly alarmed by the growing economic damage caused by India’s behavior.”

This strategic move by the United States comes on the heels of India’s 2022 notification where they admitted to providing $7.55 billion to their rice farmers last year, a figure equivalent to 15.2 percent of its overall value of production. Once again, India used the cloak of food security to justify their over-subsidization.

MUMBAI/ HANOI/ BANGKOK/DHAKA: Indian export prices of rice edged up this week on an improvement in demand and an appreciation in rupee, while Vietnam rates are expected to remain higher on economic and political concerns.

Top exporter India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $383 to $389 per tonne this week, up from the last week’s $380 to $385. “There was (a) broader recovery in prices of all agricultural commodities in the past few days.

It has also been helping rice prices to move higher,” said an exporter based at Kakinada in southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Vietnam’s 5% broken rice were offered at $460 per tonne on Thursday, unchanged from a week ago.

State media cited Nguyen Ngoc Nam, chairman of Vietnam Food Association, saying rice prices will stay at high levels for the short term as global economic and political uncertainty has prompted countries to raise their food reserves.

Vietnam’s central bank had said earlier this week that it is under pressure to support economic growth while keeping the banking system and the foreign exchange market stable.

Traders said Vietnam’s rice shipments are estimated at 6.5-6.7 million tonnes this year, down from 7.1 million tonnes last year.

Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices were quoted at $480 to $482 per tonne, from last week’s $475 to $482. “Domestic prices are high as we approach the end of the harvesting season and there’s lower supply,” a Bangkok-based trader said.

Meanwhile, the World Bank in its latest report noted “the price for coarse rice remains volatile, but Bangladesh had a favourable Boro harvest, and public granaries are being restocked.”

HANOI (Xinhua): Vietnam's rice exports surged 30.2 per cent to US$952 million in the first quarter, its highest level in the past 12 years, due mainly to significant gains in prices and expanded demand, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Vietnam recorded a 19.3 percent year-on-year increase in its rice shipments in the January-March period to 1.8 million tons, the General Statistics Office reported.

The average export price in the January-March period is estimated at $531 per tonne, up 9.2 per cent from a year before, said the Ministry of Industry and Trade, surpassing Thai prices by $15-27 and Indian ones by $40-50.

Data compiled by the Vietnam Food Association showed Vietnamese rice export prices have been on a rising trend since late last year.

Prices of Vietnam's 5-per cent broken rice quoted at $468-472 per tone as of the end of March, up 5.6 per cent from February, while premium-grade jasmine rice rose about two per cent to $548-552 per tonne.

As buyers from the Philippines, China and Africa continue building up their inventories, Vietnam's rice exports are expected to grow further this year.

“Takes no account of current plight of rice farmers in Rakhine State”

The Minister of Commerce, U Aung Naing Oo, announced that the exportation of rice grown in Rakhine State to Bangladesh will be allowed to be increased.

According to Military Council-controlled newspapers on April 4th, the Minister confirmed that a shipment of 200,000 tons of rice in total, including 2,500 tons grown in Rakhine State, has already been exported to Bangladesh.

Additionally, the Minister expressed plans for more rice exports from Rakhine State to Bangladesh in the future.

On April 3rd, during a meeting of the Working Committee on Social Economic Development in the Rakhine Region, the Minister delivered that statement at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Commerce in Naypyidaw. However the Minister did not elaborate on how many more tons of rice will be allowed to be exported.

U Khin Maung Gyi, Vice President of Rakhine Economic Initiative Public Co., Ltd (REIC), commented that granting the permission to export rice produced in Rakhine State via Sittwe will prove to be beneficial for the local farmers and millers.

“Currently the majority of rice produced in Rakhine State is stuck within the domestic market, with most of it being exported to Yangon and regions bordering China. After subtracting general and travel expenses, the profit for Rakhine rice traders is often lower than expected. However, if the rice grown in Rakhine is permitted to be exported to Bangladesh or India, which are closer, stronger business opportunities will emerge, ultimately benefiting Rakhine State. That’s my opinion”, he told Narinjara.

U Khin Maung Gyi cautioned, “On the other hand due to the low inventory of rice held by farmers, these opportunities may result in greater benefits for rice entrepreneurs than for the farmers themselves.”

According to the Arakan Farmers’ Union, the last rice planting season in Rakhine State saw a decrease in rice yield of approximately 40 percent, as only 800,000 acres of land were able to be planted, due to the increased cost of importing fuel and other raw materials.

A Pauktaw farmer provided a good insight into the real situation on the ground commenting , “The rice that we are able to grow and produce was barely sufficient for our own consumption,

leaving us with no surplus to sell. After factoring in the expenses of labor hire, fuel, and fertilizer, there is almost no profit remaining. The remaining rice is solely meant for subsistence.”

Bangladesh and Myanmar governments were able to sign a memorandum of understanding to facilitate rice trading between the neighboring countries, on September 7th, 2017.Following the signing of the memorandum of understanding, Myanmar exported a total of 200,000 tons of rice, which included 2500 tons produced by Rakhine State, to Bangladesh.

For higher production, farmers have turned to a few high-yielding varieties, despite having around 1,000 indigenous varieties that have better adaptive quality amid changing climatic patterns

Salinity intrusion triggered by different factors, including sea-level rise, commercial shrimp cultivation and a decrease in water flow from transboundary rivers upstream, has directly affected agriculture in the southern coastal districts of Bangladesh — some of which are also major producers of rice, the national staple.

Government agencies have been desperately trying to invent and promote high-salinity-tolerant paddy varieties, with some degree of success. However, there are no evident shifts in agricultural patterns, as traditional paddy growers generally switch to other saline-friendly crops, or different professions, when faced with difficulties in growing rice.

Yet one man — who surprisingly lives in one of the worst salinity-hit areas in Bangladesh — stands out as a stark exception.

As traditional paddy farmers in his area are switching to other crops, Sirajul Islam, a middle-aged farmer from Shyamnagar Upazila in Satkhira, has been collecting and preserving seeds of indigenous salinity-tolerant paddy breeds. So far, he has collected a staggering 218 different varieties of paddy. He does not just collect the seeds; he also encourages fellow farmers to cultivate them.

“Once, I had to travel 100 kilometers [60 miles] to collect a particular kind of seed. I took the trouble because I heard it could significantly resist salinity,” Sirajul said.

Many of these paddy varieties were nearly out of use, as farmers in recent decades leaned heavily toward high-yielding varieties. That makes Sirajul’s seed bank even more important.

Usually, after collecting a particular kind of seed, he cultivates it on a small piece of land. If the results are good, he recommends it to his fellow farmers.

“I have cultivated some varieties on shrimp beds to check their ability to withstand salinity. The salinity level in shrimp beds is often as high as 20 dS/m [deciSiemens per meter, the measurement for salinity],” he said.

To promote indigenous paddy varieties, Sirajul formed a voluntary organization called Sheba Songothon. The organization now has 197 members, all farmers from the Haibatout and Nakipur villages in the Shyamnagar Upazila.

The rise of Sirajul Islam and many others across the country is the result of the Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK)’s farmer-led rice breeding initiative, which is empowering farmers through capacity building, to revive confidence in solving seed-related problems on their own and break the monopoly of scientists over science.

Since 2005, BARCIK, a nongovernmental development organization, has collected 653 (as of 2020) rice landraces from farmers, from different parts of the country, which are regrown during different seasons to keep them alive. These are also used for farmer-led rice breeding as well.

As a result of hybridization through breeding undertaken by these farmers, 88 breeding lines are under the selection process for distribution to the farmers at four agroecological zones in Bangladesh.

“We are treating this approach as a nonformal, problem-solving, on-farm research, which is designed, executed, managed and led by farmers to explore location-specific adaptive indigenous crop varieties (landraces) for minimizing production cost (agrochemicals), as well as ensuring diversity,” said Pavel Partha, director of BARCIK.

Bihar's famous 'Marcha Rice' which is known for its aroma and palatability was awarded the Geographical Indication tag, according to the GI registry. Marcha is a short indigenous cultivar of rice found in West Champaran district of Bihar. By its size and shape, its grain appears like black pepper so it is known as 'Mircha' (pepper in Hindi) or 'Marcha Rice'.

The Journal of GI Registry said it has accepted the application seeking the GI tag for the rice.

A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

"It (the rice) is also known as Mircha, Marchaiya, Marichaetc locally. Plants, grains and flakes have a unique aroma that makes it different," said the journal.

Expressing happiness over the development, Bihar agriculture minister told PTI: "This will further boost the production of Marcha Rice. It will also help farmers, engaged in the cultivation of Marcha rice, get a decent price for their produce".

The major growing areas of Marcha rice include Mainatand, Gaunaha, Narkatiyaganj, Ramnagar and Chanpatiya blocks of West Champaran district.

Rice prices expected to rise by up to P5 on reduced imports 

THE RETAIL price of rice is expected to rise by up to P5 this year due to lower import volume, according to a Department of Agriculture (DA) official. 

“For now, we are seeing a maximum (increase) of P5 per kilo. But (thanks to government action) maybe it won’t go that high,” DA Deputy Spokesperson Rex C. Estoperez said in a briefing Tuesday. 

As of March 30, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) estimated that the volume of imported rice landed in the country fell 16.20% year-on-year to 360,196.175 metric tons (MT). 

Under Republic Act No. 111203 or the Rice Tariffication Law, private parties may import rice without restriction, though incoming shipments of Southeast Asian grain must pay a 35% tariff. 

Mr. Estoperez said the DA is seeking to unravel why rice inventories fell despite substantial imports last year. 

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the national rice inventory as of Jan. 1 declined 5.1% year-on-year to 1.77 million MT. 

“Nagtataka rin kami (We have been wondering why) because we had imports of 3.8 million metric tons last year. What happened to those stocks?on.” 

He said prices could be kept in check if imports of rice are fast-tracked. 

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) Executive Director Jayson H. Cainglet that the projected increase reflects higher global rice prices.  

“Precisely because of the reliance on imports, especially in the last three years, hindi natugunan yung pagtulong sa rice farmers (aid to rice farmers was not addressed), in terms of reducing their cost of producing palay (unmilled rice),” he said in a Viber message. 

According to Mr. Cainglet, the average farmgate price of palay is currently between P19 and P20 per kilogram. 

“Time and again, we have said that imports will not ‘tame high prices,’ across commodities. It is also happening in pork, chicken, sugar, fish products, and onions,” he said. 

Mr. Cainglet reiterated that the agriculture department must instead help farmers boost productivity. 

“Unless producers are encouraged to farm or raise animals; retail prices will never go down, and stocks will continue to dwindle,” he said. 

As of Tuesday, domestically-produced regular milled rice is being sold in Metro Manila at between P34 and P40 per kilo, according to DA price monitoring reports. Imported regular-milled rice prics were sellng for between P37 and P44 per kilo. 

RICE BUFFER STOCK
Rice import liberalization program has relegated the National Food Authority (NFA) to maintaining an emergency rice buffer stock, sourced from domestic farmers. 

“For now, I don’t have the figure (for rice buffer socks) pero mababa siya (but it’s low). Maybe in the next few days we will know if there’s a recommendation that the National Food Authority should import (to add to the) buffer stock,” he told reporters in response to a query about the NFA’s holdings. 

“NFA is not allowed to import under the Rice Tariffication Law, but if the buffer stock went down, (we need to find out because) we are talking about buffer stock,” he added. 

The law also allows the NFA to regularly replenish the inventory and sell to avert spoilage if it does not distribute rice in the absence of calamites.

Mr. Estoperez said that the current procurement price of rice has increased to P22 – P23 per kilo from P19 per kilo, with increaed procurement meaning increased subsidy.

“Mukhang mahirap bawiin ‘yan pag tinaas mo na (It’s hard to bring down the subsidized price if it is raised), so we’d rather suggest that the procurement price serves as an incentive because prices fluctuate every season.” – Sheldeen Joy Talavera 

After nearly a decade of research and development, Cambodia and Australia on April 5 jointly announced the official launch of a new fragrance rice variety named Champei Sar 70 (CPS 70) to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

CPS 70 was born of close collaboration between the Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Australian government, following nine years of studies and 80 on-farm trials in both dry and rainy seasons. The cultivar was developed from the award-winning “Phka Rumduol with CNi9024”, according to an April 5 joint press release by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Australian embassy in Phnom Penh.

Agriculture minister Dith Tina and Australian ambassador Justin Whyatt jointly harvested CPS 70 during the April 5 ceremonial launch at the CARDI headquarters on the outskirts of the capital.

Tina noted that CPS 70 was named by Prime Minister Hun Sen to celebrate the two nations’ diplomatic relations, which have now turned 70.

“This new variety will significantly contribute to the diversification of fragrant rice production and the export of fragrant rice to international markets, leading to the improvement of farmers' livelihoods,” Tina was quoted as saying in the release.

Whyatt said his government takes pride in providing support for the development of CPS 70.

“I hope that farmers across Cambodia will grow CPS 70 to supply local and international markets, including Australia,” Whyatt was cited as saying in the release.

According to CARDI director Lor Bunna, CPS 70 is a non-seasonal crop that matures after three months. It is resistant to floods and drought, thereby enabling farmers to grow it two to three times per year.

“This rice variety is very beneficial for both farmers and traders. It could help farmers cut down on their expenses and efforts to take care of their rice fields. Since it is non-seasonal, traders can buy the paddy all year round,” he said.

HANOI: Rice traders have been told to keep a close watch on international markets and develop an appropriate plan that takes advantage of the opportunities presented by the Indonesian government’s plan to import two million tonnes of rice this year.

The Import Export Department under the Industry and Trade Ministry said that as Indonesia is among the major importers of Vietnamese rice, any policies, moves or market developments in that country could partly affect the exports from Vietnam.

The ministry said that Indonesia’s rice import plan provides a significant opportunity for Vietnam’s rice exporters, especially those who have previously had dealings with them.

The ministry urged domestic rice companies to increase promotions to take advantage of Indonesia’s import plan and boost exports to that market.

The ministry said Vietnam’s rice exporters, especially those supplying rice to Indonesia, should actively work with Perum Bulog, the state logistics agency in charge of basic foodstuffs, including rice.

Indonesia’s decision to import two million tonnes of rice in 2023, to double its reserve from 1.2 million tonnes, is an effort to stabilise rice prices and ensure food security, with 500,000 tonnes to be delivered “as soon as possible”.

This is the largest import during President Joko Widodo’s 10-year tenure after a decision in 2017 that brought in 1.8 million tonnes of rice.

The decision was taken after the national rice reserve of Indonesia fell from one million tonnes in early 2022 to 230,000 tonnes in March, much below the safe threshold required at 1.5 million tonnes.

Indonesia plans to purchase 70% of the reserve of 2.4 million tonnes of the major harvest crop from February until April.

The paddy output of Indonesia in the major crop is estimated at 23.82 million tonnes, or 13.79 million tonnes of rice, 0.56% higher than last year.

The country plans to produce 54.5 million tonnes of paddy, or 32.07 million tonnes of rice, in 2023. However, the Indonesia Ministry of Agriculture forecast that El Nino might cause a drought from May to July, which could affect the harvest in July and August.

According to Indonesia’s state logistics agency, although it is the harvest season, purchasing rice for reserves in the domestic market has faced difficulties. In this harvest season, only around 60,000 tonnes have been bought in the domestic market for reserves.

The Vietnam Industry and Trade Ministry, in a notice published on its website, said that Indonesia faced difficulty in buying rice for the national reserve due to the scarcity of domestic supply caused by lower-than-expected rice harvest output, the lack of accurate statistics on plantations, and an inappropriate purchasing mechanism with the price set by the state.

The current purchasing price set by the state is lower than the purchasing price of the private sector, and the retail price on the market is higher than the highest retail price set by the state.

In addition, the retail price of rice has been increasing since March.

The Import and Export Department said: “There are opportunities for Vietnam’s rice exporters.

“They should analyse opportunities and risks, and develop appropriate strategies that will benefit both enterprises and farmers in the sector”. — Viet Nam News/ANN

Korea’s Yoon vetoes legislation for government to buy surplus rice from farmers

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday vetoed a contentious bill requiring the government to purchase surplus rice, the first such move in about seven years, on grounds that it would undermine the country’s agricultural industry.

Yoon rejected the bill to revise the Grain Management Act during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, marking his first veto of a bill since he took office. It has been about seven years since former President Park Geun-hye exercised her right to veto a revision to the National Assembly Act in 2016.

The revision is aimed at requiring the government to purchase surplus rice if the production of the staple surpasses estimated demand by more than 3 percent to 5 percent or if rice prices decline by more than 5 percent to 8 percent from a year earlier. The bill was passed unilaterally by the main opposition Democratic Party on March 23.

“I find it very regrettable that the National Assembly passed the bill unilaterally without a proper debate,” Yoon said. “This revision is a typical populist bill that goes against the government’s goal of boosting farming productivity and raising the incomes of farming households and is of no help to farmers or the development of farming villages.”

Yoon also labeled the Grain Management Act a coercion that forces the government to spend taxpayers’ money to purchase overproduced rice and will ultimately lower the market price of rice and make farming household income more unstable.

Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Chung Hwang-keun told reporters after the Cabinet meeting that the bill will only increase the rice inventory and jack up the government’s expenditure for rice purchases every year to 1.4 trillion won ($1.06 billion) by 2030. “The government’s request for reconsideration of unjust bills is the authority of the executive branch in line with the separation of powers granted by the Constitution,” he stressed.

In response, the main opposition party held a press conference in front of the presidential office and criticized Yoon for “rejecting the bill aimed at normalizing rice prices and ignoring the public’s will.”

If a bill is sent back to the National Assembly, more than two-third of the lawmakers present must vote in favor in order to be passed again. The ruling People Power Party holds 115 seats, more than a third of the seats in the 299-seat National Assembly, making it unlikely the bill will pass again.

FCI’s wheat stock has depleted to 8.5 MT on April 1 against a buffer norm of 7.4MT. This wheat stock is lowest since 2016.

Six months since the commencement of paddy procurement by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state government agencies for the 2022-23 season (October-September), the total purchase till Sunday crossed 73 million tonne (MT) which is equivalent to 49 MT of rice.

Though the total paddy purchase so far is marginally lower than the purchases a year ago, it has given a boost to FCI’s rice stocks which are currently at a comfortable stage.

The FCI has 25.18 MT of rice along with 19 MT to be received from millers which is far more than the buffer requirement of 13.58 MT for April 1.

While kharif procurement has concluded in most of the states, it will continue till the end of May in West Bengal and till June-end in Assam.

Official estimates indicate that around 8 MT of rabi rice is expected to be procured in the next couple of months which is expected to boost rice procurement this season to around 58 MT.

In the 2020-21 season, rice procurement was at a record 60.2 MT while in the previous year, the grain procurement was marginally lower at 59.2 MT.

The government had earlier increased the minimum support price (MSP) of the common variety of paddy by more than 5% to `2,040/quintal for the 2022-23 season, from Rs 1,940/quintal a year ago.

The corporation needs 40 MT of rice annually for distribution to beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Paddy-to-rice conversion ratio is 67%. After paddy is procured from the farmers by the FCI and state agencies, it is handed over to millers for conversion into rice.

FCI supplied rice for distribution to more than 800 million beneficiaries under the NFSA and other welfare schemes. The rice procured from grain-surplus states is also used for keeping a buffer stock with the FCI.

According to an agriculture ministry’s second advance estimate, rice production is expected to rise marginally to a record 130.83 MT in the 2022-23 crop year (July-June) from 129.47 MT in the 2021-22 crop year.

Meanwhile, FCI’s wheat stock has depleted to 8.5 MT on April 1 against a buffer norm of 7.4MT. This wheat stock is lowest since 2016.

The government is aiming to purchase 34.15 MT of wheat in the April-June marketing season, 2023 while procurement has been delayed by two weeks because of unseasonal rains in the last few weeks in key growing states.

A senior agriculture ministry official on Monday said that about 10% of wheat crops is estimated to have been damaged in the areas that were impacted by recent rains and hailstorms in key producing states. The official said that the extent of damage is insignificant compared to wheat sown areas of 34 million hectare this year.

Amid changing climate, Bangladesh farming groups conserve indigenous rice seeds

• Bangladesh, the fourth biggest rice-producing country in the world, produces around 39 million tons of rice annually to feed its 170 million people, with 130 lab-developed high-yielding varieties.
• For higher production, farmers have turned to a few high-yielding varieties, despite having around 1,000 indigenous varieties that have better adaptive quality amid changing climatic patterns; the trend has forced many traditional varieties to go extinct.
• By cultivating indigenous rice varieties, some farmers are fighting back against monoculture, and a few nongovernmental conservation organizations, as well as individuals, are creating awareness about protecting local varieties.
• Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK) alone is conserving more than 600 local rice varieties and engaging with farmers across the country.

Salinity intrusion triggered by different factors, including sea-level rise, commercial shrimp cultivation and a decrease in water flow from transboundary rivers upstream, has directly affected agriculture in the southern coastal districts of Bangladesh — some of which are also major producers of rice, the national staple.

Government agencies have been desperately trying to invent and promote high-salinity-tolerant paddy varieties, with some degree of success. However, there are no evident shifts in agricultural patterns, as traditional paddy growers generally switch to other saline-friendly crops, or different professions, when faced with difficulties in growing rice.

Yet one man — who surprisingly lives in one of the worst salinity-hit areas in Bangladesh — stands out as a stark exception.

As traditional paddy farmers in his area are switching to other crops, Sirajul Islam, a middle-aged farmer from Shyamnagar Upazila in Satkhira, has been collecting and preserving seeds of indigenous salinity-tolerant paddy breeds. So far, he has collected a staggering 218 different varieties of paddy. He does not just collect the seeds; he also encourages fellow farmers to cultivate them.

“Once, I had to travel 100 kilometers [60 miles] to collect a particular kind of seed. I took the trouble because I heard it could significantly resist salinity,” Sirajul said.

Many of these paddy varieties were nearly out of use, as farmers in recent decades leaned heavily toward high-yielding varieties. That makes Sirajul’s seed bank even more important.

Usually, after collecting a particular kind of seed, he cultivates it on a small piece of land. If the results are good, he recommends it to his fellow farmers.

“I have cultivated some varieties on shrimp beds to check their ability to withstand salinity. The salinity level in shrimp beds is often as high as 20 dS/m [deciSiemens per meter, the measurement for salinity],” he said.

To promote indigenous paddy varieties, Sirajul formed a voluntary organization called Sheba Songothon. The organization now has 197 members, all farmers from the Haibatout and Nakipur villages in the Shyamnagar Upazila.

The rise of Sirajul Islam and many others across the country is the result of the Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK)’s farmer-led rice breeding initiative, which is empowering farmers through capacity building, to revive confidence in solving seed-related problems on their own and break the monopoly of scientists over science.

Since 2005, BARCIK, a nongovernmental development organization, has collected 653 (as of 2020) rice landraces from farmers, from different parts of the country, which are regrown during different seasons to keep them alive. These are also used for farmer-led rice breeding as well.

As a result of hybridization through breeding undertaken by these farmers, 88 breeding lines are under the selection process for distribution to the farmers at four agroecological zones in Bangladesh.

“We are treating this approach as a nonformal, problem-solving, on-farm research, which is designed, executed, managed and led by farmers to explore location-specific adaptive indigenous crop varieties (landraces) for minimizing production cost (agrochemicals), as well as ensuring diversity,” said Pavel Partha, director of BARCIK.

Rice production and increasing monocrop culture in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, the fourth-biggest rice-producing country in the world, produces around 39 million tons of rice annually to feed its 170 million people, with mostly 130 laboratory-developed  high-yielding varieties.

The country has been leaning heavily on high-yielding rice cultivation for higher production, despite having around 1,000 indigenous varieties that have better adaptive quality in changing climatic patterns.

Farmers are cultivating some of these indigenous varieties in less suitable areas such as coastal regions, lands with no irrigation systems as well as in deep-water conditions for their wide adaptability, superior grain quality and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses, as noted in a study on rice cultivation in Bangladesh.

According to the Global Sustainable Development Report 2015, 75% of the genetic variety of agricultural crops has been lost over the last two decades, a loss that has increased 100- 1,000 times over time. This pattern has degraded the performance of other ecosystem functions as well as the ecosystem’s capacity to produce food for people sustainably.

Due to the success of crop breeding and the widespread adoption of intensive farming techniques, many traditional crop types have been replaced by a few enhanced, high-yielding varieties with the advent of modern agriculture.

Research has suggested that widespread cultivation of high-yielding, pest-resistant crop varieties developed scientifically has made a significant contribution to the world’s food production. However, this practice has also resulted in serious “genetic erosion” — the disappearance of traditional varieties from agroecosystems — which impedes efforts to further improve crop varieties.

“Reliance on a narrow spectrum of cultivars grown in monoculture has also been linked to increased pest problems and to vulnerable agroecosystems,” the study reads.

Farmers, as well as the researchers, believe the secured return on investment is a major reason for the shift to monoculture. Higher cost of production and lack of fair price together have forced farmers to turn to popular and reliable varieties.

Ahsan Uddin Ahmed, a researcher on environment and climate change issues, blamed government policy for monoculture, and said it has failed to address the farmers’ interests.

“If farmers cannot get a fair price for their produce, they will definitely go for those that will give them the best yield,” he said, adding that the problem can only be solved if farmers have enough options within a profit range.

“The government should introduce a mechanism so farmers will get fair prices. Otherwise, they will choose the variety that will ensure their profit,” said Jiban Krishna Biswas, a former director-general of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI).

“For instance, for the last 30 years, farmers have been extensively cultivating BRRI 28 and BRRI 29 out of 130 lab-developed varieties, as only these two paddy varieties can give them a comparatively better return on their investment. Eventually, this tendency leads to monocrop culture, which will cause ecological damage in the long run,” he added.

A look at trade polarities, insecure trade routes, world price factors, production and transport costs, national priorities (weapons versus food), water, and U.S. advantages.

Commodity markets function in a complex atmosphere that includes the economic principles of supply and demand but also murkier layers of geopolitics.

The current situation for rice includes those issues along with a miasma of questionable reports, global turmoil, and violence.

Milo Hamilton, president and co-founder of Firstgrain, Inc., cut through some of the fog at the recent Mid-South Farm and Gin Show in Memphis.

Hamilton noted seven factors affecting the rice market—trade polarities, insecure trade routes, world price factors, production and transport costs, national priorities (weapons versus food), water, and U.S. advantages.

Breaking them down.

1. Trade polarization

“The world is split into trade polarities,” Hamilton said. “Globalization is done for a period. And we don’t have a supply problem or demand problem. We've gone from a world order where everything is interconnected to a group of trading partners. A nation can be part of a trading group, exporting food to certain people and perhaps not allowing partners to export to others. You must have a friend to export food to. Otherwise, you'll be left out in the cold as a nation.”

2. No trade routes secure

Hamilton said for some countries, piracy or state-sponsored disruptions threaten shipments of food and materials necessary for production. “Russia is trying to reduce the amount of wheat in the world by killing people. You have to have a friend to export food to; otherwise, you'll be left out in the cold as a nation.”

3. The world price narrative

“Every indication is that we have not finished this bull market,” Hamilton said.

India and China account for 51% of that market. The U.S. and the rest of the work account for the other 49%.

“China and India provide the floor underneath the market. But the rest of the world still matters because of the 49%.

India is about six times bigger than the whole Western Hemisphere.

Hamilton said new crop rice will trade at a discount, “from $2 to 95 cents this week (early March). What happens in the old crop will affect the new crop. Based on the discount on the old crop, the new crop should be lower probably by October or November.“Asia sets the floor in the market and western hemisphere trades on our own. The Indian price has gone up. I don't think the increase over.”

Hamilton said China’s stocks reports are at best questionable. “China remains the biggest food importer in the world despite reporting all adequate stocks. This year, China was the driest since record-keeping began in 1961, especially in the south where a lot of the long-grain rice is produced along the Yangtze Valley.

“China holds most of the world stocks of rice, wheat, soybeans, and corn. China's reserves and grain every year hit historic highs. What puzzles me about China is that it claims to have had bumper harvests for 19 years in a row. Do you know any agricultural area that has had bumper harvest for 19 years in a row? I know of none. You can lie for 19 years in a row, but you don't necessarily have what you say you have.”

Hamilton said U.S. domestic stocks are tight.

“Argentina's got a drought; we don't know how bad it is yet. Brazil will produce less rice and will carry over nothing this year; stocks are tight in South America.

“This market has not made its final move,” Hamilton said. “When it makes a move, it could be significant because the specs are super short.”

Movement could be as near as April but could be May, possibly as far out as August, he said.

4. Higher costs

“Your grain is more expensive because of fertilizer, fuel and shipping costs,” Hamilton said. “The good news for U.S. farmers is that urea and fertilizer costs are dropping, but that doesn't mean the market will continue to drop as demand comes back. This thing can reverse itself.

“We suggest rice farmers cover inputs as we move into spring.”

He said natural gas supply is at a very low level, and the price of Asian and European gas is still very high. “They can only store so much gas and this fall it could get very short.”

He said China needs to import nutrients and cost and availability will be factors. The cost of potash, phosphates, and urea could be related to problems in any one supply chain, including Russia, Ukraine and Canada. “It's not a demand problem, it's a supply problem,” he said. “The U.S., Brazil, and China need potash and the suppliers are Russia, Ukraine, and Canada.”

He said the U.S. has an advantage. “We have Canada nearby.”

Hamilton said poor soils in China, Russia and Brazil put a premium on the ability to source nutrients. “It takes four to five times as much fertilizer to get the job done in China as it does in the central U.S., the Grain Belt.”

He also noted that a recent outbreak of swine flu in China means they have one less commodity available to feed their people. “China will be very much interested in keeping as much phosphate as they can in their country. Without phosphate, they don't get the yields from the poor soils.”

5. War economy

“It’s not price but war and pandemics that have made buyers nervous,” Hamilton said. “The pandemic created unreliable supplies. And now the war in Ukraine is a significant threat. Russia will probably go after Ukrainian ag production as soon as they can get their tanks rolling. They will go after farmers; they will go after infrastructure, and I think they'll go after ports too, like Odessa. China might object to that.”

He said Russia wants to reduce global wheat stocks, push wheat price up so they can buy more soldiers and get more weapons.“We are watching China and Taiwan closely. Other countries will have to start defending their own borders and their own food supplies. Their budgets will shrink and financing farmers will not be a priority.”

6. U.S. Advantage

Hamilton said he is bullish for U.S. rice in the longer term, “all the way into 2024. Your grain could get more expensive.

“The U.S. will win big.,” he said. “It’s a dark forecast, overall, but it's a bright forecast for U.S. farmers. The U.S. has the currency reserve, so we can put the currency where we want to.

“Also, 60% of all navigable rivers in the world are located in the U.S., and river navigability cost is one-fifth to one-tenth of what it is for trucks or rail. This river right next door (The Mississippi) is one of the major benefactors for the U.S.

“So, 93% of our potash is imported, but it comes from — guess where, Canada. That's not very far away. For everything else, we're more or less self-sufficient.”

He said the advantages of fertile soils, close proximity to Canadian potash, and the workings of a mostly functional democracy bode well for U.S. agriculture, including rice.

7. Water

Hamilton said one other factor will be increasingly important in the mid-to longer-term — water.

“Within the next 25 years, it will become apparent to politicians that we can't export water. And grains are virtually water. We have about five times as much water as China, India and Pakistan. Those three should not be exporting water.

“Over the last 25 years, renewable supplies of water in all of these countries have gone down by anywhere from 14% to 25%. Assuming that continues over the next 25 years, by 2050 available global water supply will be down by 50%. Sometime between now and 2050, we will have water problems everywhere and politicians can't deal with it very well because taking a position on water means losing votes. That's not a good way to operate.”

In spite of world turmoil, Hamilton remains optimistic about the U.S, U.S. agriculture, and rice.

“I think the U.S. will do really well. We have an advantage with food and energy. I also believe the Western Hemisphere, currently with just 5% of the world’s rice production, will double or triple that number in the next ten years.”

HYDERABAD: If rice is what you prefer but want millet on your plate too, then here is something to cheer soon, you may be able to get millet-based rice.

Researchers at the city-based indian institute of millets research are working on a Millet based rice which can be eaten by a simply boiling the millet grains from the packet.

While millet dosa and idly are already popular, a millet-based rice could go a,long way in making it part of the diet in states where rice rules The united nations has already designated 2023 as the international year of millets in a bid to help the nutritionally rich grain once a staple in traditional indian cooking get its due.

"This will give people more choice without having to change without having to change their habit of eating rice. an offical said.

Some food enthusiasts have been using different types of millets, primarily kodo, to make rice through traditional cooking method which takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

"All millets are now being tested to see if they can be made into rice, " said an IIMR official Packaging is also a challenge that IIMR is looking at. Testing on millet-based product's shelf life, which is approximately six monthes, is currently underway. Officials said that ready-to-cook variety would require a long shelf life.

Eight task force have been formed at the national level to work on a larger action plan to reintroduce millet in Indian households as well as promote it around the world. One task force will be primarily documenting the health benefits, millet recipes from across the world and develop millet-based food.

Farmers adopting the shrimp-rice model in the Mekong Delta should seek to adapt to climate change by using advanced techniques and linking up with processing companies to develop value chains, experts have said.

Bac Lieu (VNS/VNA) - Farmers adopting the shrimp-rice model in the Mekong Delta should seek to adapt to climate change by using advanced techniques and linking up with processing companies to develop value chains, experts have said.

The delta, the country’s largest producer of rice and seafood, has been using the model for decades since it is suitable for application in coastal areas, which are normally affected by saltwater intrusion in the dry season.

Farmers grow rice in the wet season and breed shrimp in the dry season on the same fields.

There were nearly 190,000ha under shrimp-rice farming last year, mostly in Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang provinces, according to the Directorate of Fisheries.

The coastal areas have optimal conditions for the model and farmers earn 60 – 70 million VND (2,600-3,000 USD) per hectare from it annually.

Both the shrimp and rice harvested under the model are clean and preferred by consumers because farmers use few chemicals.

Speaking at a seminar held in Bac Lieu last week, Nguyen Trung Hieu, deputy director of the province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the positive results notwithstanding there were lingering difficulties such as the impacts of climate change, small scale of production and lack of infrastructure.

Linkages had been created between stakeholders in the model but the process is tardy, he said.

Participants told the seminar about other problems like the lack of irrigation works, advanced farming techniques, brand names, and reliable markets.

The delta did not have a sufficient supply of shrimp seeds for the model and had to be bought from outside, they said.

Speaking about the expansion of the model, they said it depended on the Government’s plans, investment by local provinces and the participation of companies in developing value chains for it.

The delta, which comprises 12 provinces and Can Tho city, plans to have 300,000ha under the model by 2030.

Tran Cong Khoi, deputy head of the directorate’s fisheries department, said to achieve the target, besides having quality seeds, farmers should also use quality farming techniques and have effective linkages with other stakeholders.

The provinces should build sufficient irrigation works to meet the requirements of the model, he added.

The new code has triggered a controversy with experts questioning changes on varieties, growing areas

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) will hold detailed discussions with the All-India Rice Exporters’ Association, major exporters, experts and other stakeholders on the new code of practice (CoP) document the United Kingdom has come out with on basmati rice. 

APEDA will discuss the CoP documents and its provisions to analyse the short and long-term impacts on India’s basmati exports, if any. 

Responding to businessline’s report on UK’s new CoP for basmati triggering a controversy, APEDA said it was brought out by the British Retail Consortium and The Rice Association, UK, the representative organisation for the UK rice sector. 

Not regulatory document

“Its main aim is to promote the interests of members in all matters pertaining to the import, preparation, processing, packaging and marketing of rice. This has also been discussed with the Federation of European Rice Millers (FERM), AIREA and Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP),” the authority said. 

Stating that CoP was not a regulatory document, it said rather the associations had agreed with regard to basmati rice trade in the UK. AIREA, India’s major association engaged in basmati export, was involved in bringing out the CoP.

The scope of the CoP was limited to labelling of basmati rice sold in the UK and the code is voluntary. “...those choosing not to follow its provisions are required to meet the similar minimum legal requirements to ensure that their basmati rice is authentic,” APEDA said.

The authority said the CoP lists varieties that are currently approved by Indian and Pakistani authorities. It covers most of the popular basmati varieties notified under the Indian Seeds Act, 1966, provisions. The new CoP has included certain newly-notified basmati varieties.  

Deletion of 5 varieties

On the CoP deleting five varieties grown in India, APEDA said four varieties — Malviya Basmati Dhan, Pant Basmati 1, Vallabh Basmati 21 and Vallabh Basmati 24 — were not being cultivated. Thus, exports will not be affected. 

However, the deletion of Punjab basmati in the list seemed to be an error as India had no such notified variety. “All the notified varieties having Punjab Basmati as prefix have some numeral as suffix in the varietal name like Punjab Basmati 1, 2, 3 etc and hence does not have an impact on Indian basmati exports,” it said. 

On dilution of the growing area, particularly the Indo-Gangetic Plains, APEDA said, “The document has also referred to the February 2003 publication by the Food Standards Agency as the basis for the Code with the emphasis on ‘specific areas of Indo Gangetic Plains’”.  

On basmati Geographical Indication (GI) tag expert S Chandrasekaran questioning on APEDA not being consulted over the new CoP, the authority said “it would have been prudent on the part of the UK Association to discuss the CoP document with APEDA as owner of the basmati GI tag which is also registered in UK.”

A geopolitical issue

APEDA has registered Basmati name and logo as Certification Trade Mark (CTM) in the UK, it pointed out. On DNA fingerprint, the authority said the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has framed  the requirement of purity and it will be implemented soon.  

APEDA concurred with AIREA views that the new CoP will strengthen India’s hold in the UK basmati market. 

When contacted, Chandrasekaran said basmati GI is a geopolitical subject involving the country’s boundary and sovereignty. Though the CoP said the code is voluntary, it says those not following it must “meet the same minimum legal requirements” for the rice to be authentic.  “The voluntary nature is being indirectly made   mandatory,” he said. 

The new CoP has strategic implications on the ownership of the fragrant rice.  “If a precedent is created by modifying the label of basmati (by any other organisation or foreign organisation), it encourages similar actions in the future if it suits a particular interest,” Chandrasekaran said.

Nepal opposed India

On the deletion of varieties, he wondered what if in the future the CoP deleted an active commercial variety, though it has now done away with only a non-commercial one. “It will have serious ramifications in North-West India. Also, by accepting the DNA testing protocol today, India will lose the right to question the delisting of varieties in the future,” the expert said.  

On the dilution of the Indo-Gangetic Plain description, Chandrasekaran said Nepal has opposed India’s application for a Basmati GI tag in the European Commission.

“There must be some reasons for the change of position in the area.  For example, the Code of Practice of Basmati Rice (CoP), United Kingdom, issued in June 2017 did not consider Himachal Pradesh and Delhi as growing areas,” he said.

APEDA’s application with the GI Registrar included Himachal Pradesh and Delhi from the start. “Why did CoP 2017 drop these areas? Dropping of the varieties and the growing areas is creating a precedent where in the future, other countries could do the same,” he said.  

Also, the DNA testing protocol developed by the University of Bangor, Wales, is funded by DEFRA.  “It is imperative to challenge the protocol.

SANYA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- China has launched a big data platform for the entire rice industry chain, which is expected to promote the digitalization and informationization of the country's rice industry.

The China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) led the establishment of this platform that focuses on data generation, collection, storage, processing, analysis and services concerning the rice industry, and covers the whole industrial chain involving rice production, storage, market, trade, consumption and science and technology, according to the 2023 China Seed Congress and Nanfan Agricultural Silicon Valley Forum, currently underway in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province.

"The platform will regularly publish authoritative rice-related index reports to improve the overall industrial service level and capability. It can accurately link terminal users, and provide services such as intelligent identification of rice seed production, insect pests and diseases, remote guidance and data retrieval and analysis," said Xu Chunchun, deputy director of the science and technology information center of the CNRRI.

"In the future, the platform will be upgraded from a data platform to a service platform to create a digital ecosystem of the rice industry with full coverage of digital production and docking of service networks," Xu added. Enditem

Planting intentions have been released for major Arkansas row crops.

Arkansas corn producers intend to plant 810,000 acres, up 14 percent from the 710,000 acres planted in 2022.

Upland cotton acreage intentions are at 480,000 acres, down 25 percent from the 640,000 acres planted last year.

All hay acres expected to be harvested in Arkansas are estimated at 1.13 million acres, up 37,000 acres from 2022.

Oat producers intend to plant 8,000 acres in 2023, down 20 percent from last year.

Arkansas peanut producers intend to plant 35,000 acres in 2023, up 6 percent from last year.

All rice intended planted acres for 2023 are estimated at 1.30 million acres, up 18 percent from the 1.11 million acres planted in 2022.

Long grain rice acres are up 140,000 acres from last year, and medium grain acres are up 55,000 acres from a year ago.

Soybean producers intend to plant 3.05 million acres in 2023, down 4 percent from last year.

Winter wheat acreage in Arkansas is up 5 percent from last year to an estimated 230,000 acres planted for all purposes in 2023.

Fiji imports an average of 40,000 metric tonnes of rice annually.

While contributing to the debate in the Parliament on the Review Report of the Fiji Rice 2013-2017 Annual Report on Wednesday, Minister for Agriculture Vatimi Rayalu said Fiji mostly import rice from Asian countries with a self-sufficiency level of 17 per cent.

“Rice has progressively become a staple diet,” he said.

“It is now consumed by every household in Fiji. It has become an essential commodity that requires special attention in terms of production and development in the country.

“The Ministry of Agriculture produces close to 50 tonnes of seeds annually for distribution to farmers, which is 20 per cent of the total seed requirement for production.”

He said the Fiji Rice Ltd is working with the Ministry of Agriculture to boost the production.

“With regard to the recommendations, we are grateful that Fiji Rice Ltd now works with the Ministry of Agriculture in terms of the Ministry of Agriculture, providing agriculture statistics, which the company now uses as relevant data for their future plans and reports.

“The company must be commended for pushing for the production of brown rice, which has become a delicacy for the people of Fiji.

“I have been told that Fiji Rice Ltd is working with the Ministry of Health in terms of using brown rice as an alternative food, especially in the fight against NCDs.”

Though the procurement, for the first time this season dipped, the government may be in a comfortable position to meet any extra demand outside the normal requirement

Rice procurement from kharif-grown crop during October-March has reached 492.2 lakh tonnes (lt), which is 0.7 per cent lower than 495.7 lt reported in the year-ago period. Though the procurement for the first time this season dipped, the government may be in a comfortable position to meet any extra demand outside the normal requirement under the food security law since it has been able to achieve 96 per cent of target amid purchases in West Bengal and Assam slated to continue for some more time.

The target was 514.72 lt of rice from 2022-23 kharif crop and considering that last year, there was 7 lt additional added in the procurement of kharif-grown paddy after March, there is still hope for some more quantity to be added this year as well, a Food Ministry official said, though it may not reach near what has been estimated.

While kharif season’s procurement has been concluded in all States for rice, it will continue until end of May in West Bengal and till June 30 in Assam. This year, the harvesting started early in West Bengal because of which the procurement is so far up by 38 per cent to 20.66 lt and some experts said that there might not be any significant improvement in the State.

As the government targets to procure 106.18 lt rice from rabi-grown crop, there is still scope of overall procurement reaching near last year’s 575.88 lt.

According to official data, rice procurement was 114.34 lt in October, 104.39 lt in November, 137.2 lt in December, 81.4 lt in January, 41 lt in February and 13.9 lt in March during 2022-23 season starting October.

Food security

“If common rice segment is considered, as government buys only this variety rice, the kharif procurement is nearly half of the 990.75 lt rice produced. The government will have to administrate food security rice supply and private supply in such a way so that physical market availability remains robust when core inflation is a concern,” said S Chandrasekaran, a trade policy analyst. The government requires about 380 lt rice per year for distribution under National Food Security Act and other welfare schemes and it leaves scope for additional distribution of the grain under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, he added.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) had 210.54 lt of rice and 371.80 lt of paddy (nearly 250 lt in terms of rice) as on March 1 in the Central Pool stock. According to APEDA’s crop survey, the country had 90 lt of Basmati rice production during 2022-23 and Agriculture Ministry pegged total rice output (both Basmati and non-Basmati) at 1308.37 lt.

Parliamentary secretary says production stands at 5.4MMT against 3.8MMT consumption

ISLAMABAD:

Parliamentary Secretary for National Food Security and Research Ahmad Raza Maneka on Friday said the rice crop production was in surplus despite flood devastation.

Responding to a query of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) MNA, Ghous Bux Khan Maher during the Question Hour of the 51st session of the National Assembly, he said the wheat stocks were properly stored and preserved from damages during the 2022 floods.

However, the rice production was 5.4 million metric tonnes (MMT) against the local consumption of 3.8MMT last year, he added.

Maher posed the question that what measures the government had taken to enhance rice crop yield as the production had declined to one-third?

MNA Wajiha Qamar of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also queried that what measures were being taken to ensure climate-resistant crops adaptable to shifting weather patterns amid prevailing growing environmental degradation and climate change?

Maneka responded that innovative methods of farming, hybrid seeds and farmers' training could only ensure increase in crop yield. He said the latest methods and techniques of crop cultivation were the only remedy that was being imparted to the farmers.

MNA Salahuddin demanded of the housing ministry to provide details related to plots allotted to 16 employees of Grade-16 and above of the ministry. He added that the ministry should also clarify that either any of these officials were awarded more than one plot.

Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Works Syed Mehmood Shah said the 16 employees of the ministry were not yet allotted plots but rather it was announced, whereas none of them availed dual plots in this case and the possession of these plots would be given after June.

THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released on Thursday the price situationer of selected commodities for the second phase of March 2023.

Increases were observed in six trading centers for the retail prices of well-milled rice per kilogram, ranging from P0.19 to P2.13 during the said period.

The average retail price decreased by P0.77 in Kidapawan City, P1.50 in Tacloban City and P1.88 in Legazpi City.

Nine trading centers also noted hikes in retail prices of pork kasim by P4.73 to P12.50, while its average retail price went down by P5 in Baguio City.

For the average retail price of bangus (milkfish) per kilogram, six trading centers reported a decrease by P0.35 to P10, lower compared to the first half of March of the same year.

However, there was an increase by P7.50 in Iloilo City and P15 in Kidapawan City.

Many trading centers still reported lower average retail prices of vegetables.

Retail prices of red onion per kilogram decreased by P10 to P135 as reported by 14 trading centers.

For the retail prices of calamansi per kilogram, six trading centers observed an increase by P2.50 to P37.50, while it dropped by P2.50 in Pagadian City.

Retail prices of brown sugar per kilogram varied. It plummeted by P2 to P3 in four trading centers, while its average retail prices increased by P7 in Metro Manila, P1.38 in Baguio City and P3.38 in Cebu City.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said rice prices increased due to higher world prices but it could be offset by some imports.

"Better weather conditions toward the dry or summer season led to more planting and supply of vegetables and other agricultural products, such as onions, thereby leading to lower prices," he said.

Ricafort also stated that pork prices are higher due to African swine fever (ASF) in other areas in the country.

He also mentioned that the limited imports of sugar could lead to some easing in sugar prices.

"However, this is offset by higher rice as well as higher pork prices due to ASF cases in more areas in the country that could reduce local pork supply and higher pork prices; but could be addressed by increased importation and the one-year extension of lower tariffs for rice and pork," Ricafort added.

Export prices of rice from India steadied this week after four weeks of declines helped by a slight pickup in orders from buyers in Africa, while hopes of fresh deals from Indonesia drove Vietnamese rates higher.

Top exporter India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $380 to $385 per tonne this week - unchanged from last week and similar to levels seen mid January.

“Demand has improved slightly from African countries, but order book is still not full for April shipments,” said an exporter based at Kakinada in southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Vietnam’s 5% broken rice were offered at $460 per tonne on Thursday, up from $450 a week ago.

“Prices rose after Indonesia’s food procurement agency said it would buy two million tonnes of rice this year,” a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said.

“Domestic supplies are also tight despite an ongoing harvest in the Mekong Delta provinces, as 5% broken rice account for only 15%-20% of the output,” the trader added.

Vietnam’s rice exports in the first quarter are estimated to have risen 19.3% from a year earlier to 1.79 million tonnes, according to government data.

Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices ticked up to $475 to $482 per tonne from $465 last week.

Two traders attributed the rise to a stronger baht versus the dollar.

While fresh supply had started arriving in the market, it was not in large quantities, a Bangkok-based trader said.

UK decision to delete seed varieties under Indian Seed Act, change definition of growing areas under scrutiny

An amendment made by the UK to the code of practice (CoP) for basmati rice, which assures its quality for consumers there, has triggered a controversy. 

The All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) says the change could benefit India, but experts have questioned it charging the UK with diluting the area of cultivation and questioning the credibility of the Seed Act, 1966.

Why the CoP

The CoP was introduced in 2005 by the UK Rice Association (UKRA) along with British Rice Millers Association and British Retail Consortium to “safeguard the reputation of basmati rice marketed in the UK”. 

The code was evolved as imported basmati was alleged to be 50 per cent impure several decades ago. The UKRA came up with the COP, which was followed across the European Union specifying that basmati “could be no more than 7 per cent impure”. It also listed 15 permitted varieties — nine of them traditional and six that were modern cultivars.

The CoP was implemented through DNA fingerprinting developed by Bangor University, Wales. “The system worked well until 2017, when the code was updated to add 25 new modern cultivars. This followed an explosion in new breeding in the 2000s and 2010s,” said Katherine Steele, senior lecturer in sustainable crop protection at Bangor University, in an internal newsletter.

Alternative DNA markers

Steele said the university had developed alternative DNA markers for fingerprinting that showed six of the new varieties — five from India and one from Pakistan — were not properly bred for fragrance. As a result, these six have now been de-notified or taken off the list of basmati varieties.

But experts such as S Chandrasekaran, author of “Basmati Rice: The Natural History Geographical Indication”, contend that the DNA marking is a new invention by the British and its efficiency is yet to be proved.

“What samples were drawn? How? What were the parameters? Who authenticated the findings?’ wondered Chandrasekaran.

Striking feature

A striking feature of the amended code is that the British Rice Millers Association is no more part of the code. “The amended code says it will ‘strive to uphold the reputation’ from ‘concerned to safeguard the reputation. The change in the word from ‘concern’ to ‘strive’ indicates more action might follow,” he said. 

The code says the All-India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) was consulted. “The amended code has a list of 35 varieties of basmati. The six varieties deleted are no longer being used. The new code will strengthen our hold in the basmati market. We had been taking this up with them,” said AIREA executive director Vinod Kaul.

Chandrasekaran said there are a few issues that pertain to India’s credibility in the new code. “How can the UK arbitrarily delist seed varieties that figure in the Seed Act, 1966? This means the credibility of the Indian authority is being questioned,” he said. 

Basmati boundary

Second, the code has diluted the boundary of basmati which was referred to as Indo-Gangetic plains. “The code issued in 2017 mentions basmati-rice growing States in the region. It has now been amended as ‘on both sides of the Indian and Pakistani borders’,” he said.

In particular it has dropped “which currently includes Punjab (on both sides of the Indian and Pakistani border), Jammu, Haryana, Uttaranchal and western Uttar Pradesh in India”, the expert said. 

Kaul said there was no change in the Indo-Gangetic plain. “The area remains the same,” he said. 

Chandrasekaran said there were two other issues with the amended code. “One, APEDA is India’s nodal agency for geographical indication (GI) tag. Why was it not consulted on this issue? 

Bias towards Pakistan?

“Two, the amended code is in contravention and a dilution to the notification the Agriculture Ministry issued on September 18, 2017, on basmati rice-growing areas and refers to the GI certificate issued on February 15, 2016,” he said. 

No comment was received from official sources who businessline approached for comment until this report was published. 

An analyst said the UK and European Union seem to have “a bias in favour of Pakistan”. Pakistan has not notified any standard or anything related to basmati. 

“Eurofin labs is conducting tests in Pakistan on the quality of basmati in the absence of Islamabad not specifying standards for the fragrant rice. Is the amended code serving the interests of Pakistan?” the analyst, who spoke on condition of anonymity, asked.

Factual errors

Chandrasekaran said the new code had factual errors. While specifying the removal of five Indian varieties, mentions Punjab basmati. “India has notified five Punjab basmati varieties and there is no ‘Punjab basmati’ notified by India. The 2017 code twice mentions Punjab basmati 2. Maybe, it is a clerical error,” he said. 

The analyst objected to UK Department and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs funding the research team of Bangor University along with the Rice Association as it meant “indirect support”. 

On other hand, Steele said she has been arguing for allowing not more than one per cent of impurity in basmati rice, the rule that applies for many products including non-genetically modified foods.  

“There’s no real reason for the basmati exception, and it is also arguably easier to enforce a 1 per cent rule because of the way that DNA testing works,” she said. 

MIDDLE EAST REGION – This year, the Holy Month of Ramadan lasts until April 20, or from one sighting of the crescent moon during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar until the next. Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. The common practice is to fast from dawn to sunset, when families and friends gather to break the fast with the Iftar meal featuring several traditional dishes where rice is a major ingredient.

“Not surprisingly, rice consumption increases in the few weeks before and during Ramadan, providing a great opportunity to boost awareness and sales of U.S.-grown rice in several Middle Eastern countries,” said Eszter Somogyi, USA Rice director of Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

In Saudi Arabia, promotions conducted in cooperation with a local U.S. rice brand launched earlier this month and incorporate digital advertising on “Shahid,” the largest online video streaming app for Arabic content. That is in addition to a four-week sponsorship of “Hayyakom,” a show broadcast on MBC FM, the most popular Saudi radio channel, and nearly a hundred billboards in five different cities including Mecca, Jizan, Najran, Abha, and Khamis Msheit. Messaging on the USA Rice social media platforms here are posting recipes, tips, and quizzes to maintain digital communication with faithful followers.

In Jordan, USA Rice teamed up with a local U.S. rice importer for an extensive outdoor media campaign that includes 147 billboards and 29 LED screens in Amman, the country’s capital, as well as the major cities of Zarqa, Jarash, and Irbid. This campaign also is well-supported by social media posts on the USA Rice Jordan-specific Facebook and Instagram accounts, boosted by Ramadan recipes shared by local influencer Chef Noura.

In the West Bank, USA Rice is working with three U.S. importers supporting their local U.S. rice brands with billboard and radio advertising in major cities, and in-store promotions that feature giveaway items like prayer calendars and cooking spoons.

“U.S.-origin rice is appreciated by Middle East consumers for its excellent quality and suitability for favorite dishes such as kabsah in Saudi Arabia or mansaff in Jordan and the West Bank,” said Somogyi. “Iftar is the meal eaten after sunset and is an important social happening so home cooks want to offer their families and guests special dishes prepared using the best ingredients. Our campaigns and promotions with local U.S. rice brands in this region help put U.S. rice in the center of the Iftar table.”

SEOUL, March 30 (Korea Bizwire) — Rice production costs in South Korea rose 9.3 percent on-year in 2022 due mainly to soaring prices of fertilizers, causing net profit from rice farming to sink nearly 40 percent, data showed Thursday.

Farmers spent 31,631 won (US$24.24) to produce 20 kilograms of rice last year, up 2,689 won from a year earlier, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.

The cost of cultivating rice on a 1,000-square-meter paddy also jumped 7.9 percent on-year to 854,461 won last year.

The growth in costs came as fertilizer prices needed per 1,000-square-meter paddy spiked 71.4 percent on-year to 89,083 won on soaring global raw material prices last year, while rice output inched down over unfavorable weather conditions, according to the statistics agency.

Accordingly, net income of rice farmers reached 317,000 won per 1,000-square-meter paddy in 2022, down 36.8 percent from the previous year. Last year’s figure is the lowest since 2017, when net profit stood at 283,000 won.

Rice is a key staple food for Koreans, but its consumption has been on a steady decline in recent decades due mainly to changes in diet and eating habits.

As a special consideration, the government has permitted the sale of 3.5 lakh tonnes (lt) of broken rice to Gambia and Senegal, while shipments of this variety were banned on September 8, 2022.

The Commerce Ministry has cleared the shipping of 1 lakh tonnes of broken rice to Gambia and 2.5 lakh tonnes to Senegal, according to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry to Customs Commissioners in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Vizag, Nagpur, and Mumbai.

Also, the Ministry has authorized the shipping of 9,990 tonnes of broken rice to Djibouti, Ethiopia. Ruby Overseas, based in Chennai, will handle the shipment. In the case of Gambia, the Centre has authorised requests to export broken rice from Royal Mirage Consultancy (5,000 tonnes), Sarala Food Pvt Ltd (12,500 tonnes), and Laxmi Group of Industries Pvt Ltd (12,500 tonnes) (2,000 tonnes).

Senegal has received 1,12,500 tonnes of the total 2.5 lakh tonnes cleared by the Ministry, with Sarala Foods, Sri Chitra Exports, Manasa Quality Enterprises Ltd, Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt Ltd, and CLRK Industries Pvt Ltd each receiving 22,500 tonnes. A portion of the trade is irritated by the authorisation for broken rice exports, wondering why the Centre authorised shipments to some countries but not to others.

"The shipments are being approved for strategic reasons and because the External Affairs Ministry is involved," claimed the unnamed analyst. The expert stated that India is clear that it will cover the food needs of "weak countries," citing the Centre's notifications prohibiting wheat exports and limiting rice shipments.

"The Foreign Affairs Ministry would have considered a variety of factors before approaching the Commerce Minister," he explained. Because the kharif paddy output was hampered by a lack of rain in important rice-growing districts in the east, the Centre banned the export of broken rice and placed a 20% levy on shipments of white and brown rice.

Rice production in the kharif season is expected to be 108.07 million tonnes (mt) in 2022, down from 111 mt in 2021. Nonetheless, rabi output has made up for the loss, with the Ministry of Agriculture projecting 22.76 mt compared to 18.47 mt the previous year. The Ministry of Agriculture has forecast rice output for the current crop year to June at a record 130.84 million tonnes, up from 129.47 million tonnes the previous crop year.

HANOI, March 29 (Reuters) - Vietnam's rice exports in the January-March period are estimated to have risen about 19.3% from a year earlier to 1.79 million tonnes, government data showed on Wednesday.

Revenue from rice exports in the period is seen up 30.2% at $952 million.

March rice exports from Vietnam, one of the world's leading shippers of the grain, likely totalled 900,000 tonnes, worth $480 million. (Reporting by Phuong Nguyen Editing by Ed Davies)

The rice, containing iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, is being distributed under a Central scheme to combat anaemia and micro-nutrient deficiencies

Erode Collector H. Krishnanunni has said that fortified rice that has more nutrients, will be available at all ration shops from April 1.

The Collector distributed awareness materials on fortified rice at the Collectorate on Wednesday, and also inspected the rice kept on display. He said that the rice contains three nutrients: iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, that will address anaemia and micro-nutrient deficiencies among the people. 

To reduce the high prevalence of anaemia and under-nutrition among the poorest of poor, the Central government had, in 2020, included staple food fortification under the National Nutrition Mission as a complementary scheme. Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), fortified rice will be distributed at all the ration shops in the district, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on the 75 ^th Independence Day on August 15, 2021, had announced the fortification of rice so as to provide nutrition to every poor person of the country to overcome malnutrition and to combat lack of essential nutrients in women, children and lactating mothers as this can pose major obstacles to their development.

District Revenue Officer S. Santhoshini Chandra, District Supply Officer (in-charge) Sivakumaran, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation Regional Manager Banumathi and other officials were present 

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – A downward trend in the rice exports has been observed, the rice imports plunged by 20.59% in the first eight months of the current fiscal year on year-to-year basis. The export reduction can be problematic for dollar-strapped economy of Pakistan.

According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the exports from July to February earned $ 1.321bn for the country. The revenue generated by rice exports is 20.59% less than the reciprocating tenure last year.

The exports in February has been recorded at $ 146.66m, whereas in January it was $168.88m as compared to the $ 258.49m in last February, the fiscal year 2022 earned $ 2.760bn for the country

According to the statistics, Basmati rice exports generated $ 379.47m in the first eight months of the current fiscal year. The generated revenue is 27.33% less than the reciprocal tenure last year, the basmati rice exports earned $ 428.81m forex reserve in the preceding year.

Moreover, the non-basmati rice exports was recorded at $ 941.88m which is 17.91% less than the last year. The same tenure in previous year earned $ 1.110bn for nom-basmati rice exports.

Rice -- Asia's principal staple -- is to blame for around 10 percent of global emissions of methane, a gas that over two decades traps about 80 times as much heat as carbon dioxide

As a child, Dong Van Canh watched while the rice fields of Vietnam's Mekong Delta were set alight to make way for the next crop, blackening the sky and flooding the air with potent greenhouse gases.

Rice -- Asia's principal staple -- is to blame for around 10 percent of global emissions of methane, a gas that over two decades traps about 80 times as much heat as carbon dioxide.

Usually associated with cows burping, high levels of methane are also generated by bacteria that grow in flooded rice paddies and thrive if leftover straw rots in the fields after harvest.

The message from scientists is: rice cannot be ignored in the battle to cut emissions.

In the Mekong Delta, Canh, now a 39-year-old rice farmer, does not leave straw out to decay on the paddies -- nor does he burn it, as his parents did before him.

Motivated by the memory of being forced inside his home on days the smoke was thick -- sometimes so acrid it made him choke or faint -- he joined an initiative that removes straw from the fields and turns it into mushrooms and organic fertiliser, earning a small income on the side.

"If we can collect the straw and make money, all of us benefit," he told AFP, running his fingers through a large, soft mound of straw, cow dung and rice husks that will soon become nutritious food for Mekong crops.

- Shrinking emissions -

The programme -- organised by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) -- is one of a handful across Vietnam and the region trying to steadily shrink methane emissions from rice production.

Many of the initiatives are not new but have been spotlighted since around 100 countries signed the Global Methane Pledge two years ago, agreeing to reduce emissions by 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030.

Several of the world's biggest rice producers, including Indonesia, Bangladesh and Vietnam, are on board -- although the two largest, China and India, failed to sign.

In Vietnam, as the harvesting season draws to a close, farmers push carts overflowing with straw bales that will later be soaked and laid out to grow straw mushrooms.

Once the fungi are ready they will be sold before the farmers take back the straw and funnel it into a composting machine. Two months later it will be ready -- and can be sold for around 15 cents a kilogram (2.2 pounds).

"In the past a few farmers did this manually but it took too much manpower and the cost was high. Now we've cut costs by half and we will expand to meet the demands of the market," said Le Dinh Du, a rice farmer who also heads the local district's plant protection department.

"The rice goes on a nice journey. We don't waste anything."

- Methane-producing bacteria -

Vietnam's environment ministry says irrigated rice accounted for almost half of methane emissions in 2019.

Climate-friendly straw management has been introduced and spread "widely to farmers and local agricultural officials" throughout the country, according to CGIAR, an international agricultural research centre.

How many practise what they have learned is unclear. Last year the World Bank said that more than 80 percent of rice straw in the Mekong Delta is still burned in the fields after harvest.

The need to find solutions is pressing.

Unlike other crops, rice paddies have a layer of standing water, so there is no exchange of air between the soil and the atmosphere, explained Bjoern Ole Sander, a senior scientist at the IRRI in Hanoi.

These conditions mean different bacteria are active in rice, compared to wheat or maize fields.

"And these bacteria eat organic matter and produce methane," he said.

As well as straw management, IRRI says another scheme called Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), which involves breaking up standing water to replenish oxygen and reduce methane-producing bacteria, could also help cut emissions.

Practised on more than 200,000 hectares (494,210 acres) of rice-growing land in the Mekong delta's An Giang province, CGIAR says it has made a significant difference.

For Mekong farmers that have taken the leap, there is pride in contributing to more sustainable farming while getting the most out of their crops.

"We lived hard lives," said Canh. "But once we realised how to take advantage of the straw, things have gotten easier."

Indian exporters have been allowed to resume exports of a limited volume of broken rice with immediate effect, according to an official notification by the Indian government's Ministry of Finance shared with S&P Global Commodity Insights March 27.

The change in policy, a partial relaxation of a ban on broken rice exports imposed in September, comes as the government said it was giving Gambia and Senegal what they call "special consideration" for their broken rice consumption requirements. According to reports, Gambia will be able to receive up to 1 lakh ton (100,000 mt), while Senegal will be able to receive up to 2.5 lakh tons (250,000 mt).

For Senegal, the ministry has awarded 112,500 mt of the total 250,000 mt quota to Sarala Foods Pvt Ltd, Sri Chitra Exports, Manasa Quality Enterprises Ltd, Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt Ltd and CLRK Industries Pvt Ltd, with all companies allowed to export 22,500 mt each.

For Gambia, the ministry approved Sarala Foods Pvt Ltd for 12,500 mt, Royal Mirage Consultants for 5,000 mt and Laxmi Group of Industries Pvt Ltd for 2,000 mt.

Additionally, a 9,990 mt shipment of broken rice to Ethiopia via the Port of Djibouti has been granted as part of the considerations. The shipment is expected to be fulfilled by Ruby Overseas.

India accounts for 40% of the global rice trade, with sales of 100% broken white rice previously accounting for a significant portion of exports.

The quotas mark what are thought to be the first exports of broken rice from India under new Letter of Credits since the ban was imposed on Sept. 9. The moratorium came amid accelerating inflation in food prices and a smaller kharif crop cultivation area compared with the previous year due to insufficient rainfall. The ban was announced a day after India imposed a 20% export duty on several varieties of rice, which is still in force.

While some sources welcomed the news as "helpful" to the Indian rice export industry, one exporter said it would only benefit a few exporters.

In terms of further volumes being allocated to Indian exporters, one exporter said they are "likely to be distributed among all the broken rice exporters...on pro-rata basis," based on last year's export data. However, not all agreed, with another exporter saying they would be unable to allocate tonnage in that fashion "as it'll be too complicated."

Platts Indian 100% broken white rice assessment remains suspended.

The move has sparked a backlash from small farm holders who fear that the import will bring down farmgate prices and hurt local farmers.

JAKARTA – The government has decided to import 2 million tonnes of rice in 2023 to replenish diminishing government rice reserves (CBP) needed to stabilize prices at the consumer level, with 500,000 tonnes to be delivered “as soon as possible”.

The move has sparked a backlash from smallholders in producing regions, fearing the import would bring down farmgate prices and hurt local farmers.

The amount marks the largest CBP import during President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s 10-year tenure after a 2017 decision that brought in 1.8 million tonnes of rice.

The National Food Agency (NFA) tasked the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) to carry out the import so it could replenish its stock.

The decision was taken after the CBP depleted from 1 million tonnes in early 2022 to 230,000 tonnes in March, below the safe threshold required by law at 1.5 million tonnes.

The NFA further added that the supply was needed to disburse as social aid, amounting to 640,000 tonnes for more than 21,000 households, which could not be covered with the current stock level.

“Bulog’s CBP is only 220,000 tonnes. We do not want the stock to be unavailable while we need to carry out such a program,” NFA chief Arief Prasetyo Adi told reporters on Monday, as quoted from Tempo.co.

“So, it’s not that we are pro imports,” he said separately.

He assured that rice imports would be conducted by considering the domestic producers and that Bulog would remain focused on optimizing domestic rice absorption.

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan told reporters on Monday that the decision had been made during a meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and that the ministry would support the move.

Rice makes the highest contribution to inflation compared with other commodities, according to Statistics Indonesia data, meaning that stabilizing its price is a top priority for the government, especially during a political year in the lead-up to the election.

Indonesian Political Economy Association (AEPI) agriculture expert Khudori said on Monday that Bulog’s CBP was “incredibly low” and likely to remain that way, as the agency was not expected to be able to absorb enough rice from farmers effectively.

Bulog is tasked to restore rice stock to 2.4 million tonnes throughout 2023 with 70 percent of the amount needed to be secured during the harvest season this year, but as of March 24, the agency had absorbed around 48,513 tonnes of rice, Khudori said.

“Looking at the trend, Bulog will likely miss the absorption target,” Khudori said in a statement.

Khudori explained that the farmgate price was higher than the government’s purchasing price (HPP), including after the recent government adjustment to accommodate higher prices, which would further constrain Bulog to absorb rice from farmers.

“This is a bitter and difficult decision,” Khudori said.

The 2-million-tonne import plan is opposed by local farmers, especially from Central Java and East Java, the country’s two largest rice-producing regions.

Mujab, who represents smallholders under Paguyuban Petani Qaryah Thayyibah in Central Java, told the Post on Monday that the import would lead traders to hunt for cheaper rice in the market. It would force the price at the farmgate to go down, which could hurt farmers already struggling with high production costs, he said.

Smallholders in East Java told the Post on Monday that the farmgate price has only recently been better, at between Rp 5,600 (37 US cents) and Rp 6,600 per kilogram from previously Rp 5,000 or lower.

Nur Kholis from smallholder group Makmur in Ponorogo Regency said the price had allowed them to match the high input costs such as from fertilizer, but he expected this would be short-lived due to the impending imports.

“If the import did happen, farmgate prices would plummet. I cannot imagine what would happen to us,” Nur Kholis said.

Tri Wahyudi from smallholder group Turi Putih in Banyuwangi, East Java, said the move would weigh down farmers, as the import was occurring near the harvest period, which often resulted in lower farmgate prices as local production reaches its highest volume.

Dwi Andreas Santosa, who chairs the Indonesian Farmers Seed Bank and Technology Association, told Kontan on Monday that he urged the government to refrain from executing the import plan, adding it was best to wait until August to get a clearer picture of the state of production this year.

He suggested the government opt to revise the HPP to allow Bulog purchases at higher farmgate prices. Alternatively, Bulog could consider increasing rice absorption outside Java Island, where there are many farmgate producers selling much closer to the government’s purchasing price, he said.

Dwi’s concern is reasonable, as the government’s major import decision in 2017 resulted in hundreds of thousands of tonnes left unused more than four months later, with some of the stock exceeding its year shelf-life, prompting Bulog to dispose of it.

Bulog president director Budi Waseso on Monday explained to reporters that the mandate did not necessarily mean that the government would import 2 million tonnes of rice straightaway.

“This is just a full-year allocation. That means we don’t have to import all 2 million tonnes,” Budi said after a meeting with House of Representatives Commission IV, which oversees agriculture.

He said the agency would study the situation closely, and review whether it needed to import to secure the rice reserves. He emphasized that the import would be done only if needed and currently the agency had yet to secure any import permits from the government despite the task.

Summary

• CPB told reporters recently that they are planning to buy and process 20,000 tonnes next season, which will generate the amount after selling in domestic and foreign market

Dar es Salaam. The Cereal and Other Produce Board of Tanzania (CPB) in the Lake Zone will earn at least Sh26 billion from the sale of rice in 2023/24.

CPB told reporters recently that they are planning to buy and process 20,000 tonnes next season, which will generate the amount after selling in domestic and foreign markets.

The produce processed by CPB is exported to neighbouring countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan.

Starting tomorrow, March 27th, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera has announced that the government will begin distributing free rice to 2.9 million families.

The rice being distributed comes from the paddy purchased from farmers during this year’s Maha season, which has been converted into rice.

In addition, the government has decided to give each family 10 kilograms of rice per month for a period of 2 months. The distribution will take place in several districts, including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Ratnapura, Galle, and Matara, as requested. The Minister of Agriculture emphasized the importance of this program in supporting the local farmers and ensuring food security for families in need.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi on Sunday announced that the government’s rice food aid is currently being packaged and is set to be distributed to 21.353 low-income families. 

This means each person with the right to access the aid will receive 10 kilograms of rice for the next three months. 

"We will immediately disburse this food assistance for the next three months with a target of 21.353 million beneficiary families, which is based on the Ministry of Social Affairs database. Perum Bulog (state logistics agency) has received an assignment from the government to distribute it to all of these beneficiaries," Arief stated on March 26.X

Such government social assistance was initially ordered by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo who intends to maintain the country’s food stability and suppress spikes in inflation.

In terms of distribution, he said it will be Bulog’s authority up to the last stage of the distribution, Antaranews reported. 

Arief acknowledged that fluctuations in the price of rice at the moment are indeed putting pressure on consumers, especially low-income people. He hopes this government assistance can act as a social cushion and help people obtain affordable rice of good quality.

ANTARA

Broken rice shipments, banned since September 8, 2022, have been permitted on ‘special considerations’

The Government has approved the export of 3.5 lakh tonnes (lt) of broken rice to Gambia and Senegal as a special consideration as shipments of this variety were banned on September 8, 2022.

According to a communication sent by the Finance Ministry (seen by businessline) to Chief Commissioners of Customs in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Vizag, Nagpur, and Mumbai, the Commerce Ministry has allowed export of 1 lakh tonnes of broken rice to Gambia and 2.5 lakh tonnes to Senegal.

In addition, the Ministry has allowed shipments of 9,990 tonnes of broken rice to Djibouti, Ethiopia. The shipment will be done by Chennai-based Ruby Overseas.

In the case of Gambia, of the total quantity approved for exports, the Centre has cleared requests to export broken rice from Royal Mirage Consultant (5,000 tonnes), Sarala Food Pvt Ltd (12,500 tonnes), and Laxmi Group of Industries Pvt Ltd (2,000 tonnes).

Trade irked

For Senegal, the Ministry has cleared 1,12,500 tonnes of the total 2.5 lakh tonnes with Sarala Foods, Sri Chitra Exports, Manasa Quality Enterprises Ltd, Pattabhi Agro Foods Pvt Ltd, and CLRK Industries Pvt Ltd getting to ship out 22,500 tonnes each. 

A section of the trade is irked over the permission for exports of broken rice, wondering why the Centre was permitting the shipments to these countries when it is not allowed to other destinations. 

“What is the obligation the Government has towards the countries? Why relax a blanket ban imposed on food security grounds?” a Delhi-based trader asked.

However, a trade analyst said exports to Gambia, Senegal, and Djibouti have been approved by the Commerce Ministry following a request from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Permits for strategic reasons

“The exports are being allowed for strategic reasons and since the External Affairs Ministry is involved,” the analyst, who did not wish to be identified, said.

Pointing out to the Centre’s notifications while banning wheat exports and curbing rice shipments, the analyst said India is clear that it will meet the food needs of “vulnerable countries”. 

“The External Affairs Ministry would have taken various reasons into consideration before approaching the Commerce Ministry,” he said. 

The Centre banned exports of broken rice and imposed 20 per cent duty on shipments of white and brown rice after the kharif paddy production was affected by deficient monsoon in key rice-growing regions in the eastern parts. 

In the kharif season, rice production was estimated lower at 108.07 million tonnes (mt) in 2022 compared with 111 mt in 2021. But rabi output has made up for the loss with the Ministry of Agriculture estimating it at 22.76 mt against 18.47 mt a year ago.

For the current crop year to June, the Ministry of Agriculture has estimated rice production at a record 130.84 million tonnes against 129.47 million tonnes in the last crop year.

SS Chahal

INCENTIVISING direct seeding of rice (DSR) in the coming kharif season has been prioritised in the Punjab Government’s 2023-24 Budget. Primarily a labour-saving technology, its adoption as a water-saving technique is vital for a state which is on the brink of desertification due to overuse of groundwater for rice cultivation. So far, substantial results have not been achieved from crop diversification through plans to divert area from the water-guzzling paddy crop. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for the financial year ending March 31, 2019 (published in 2022) has revealed that despite an ambitious Rs 274-crore crop diversification programme, the area under paddy rather increased by 7.8 per cent between 2014 and 2019 and the area under other crops decreased by 13.49 per cent. Resultantly, there was an increase in the overexploited blocks from 76 per cent to 79 per cent in the state in 2014-17. Of the 138 blocks in total, 109 have already been categorised as overexploited.

The water-saving DSR technique is vital for a state which is on the brink of desertification due to the overuse of groundwater for rice cultivation. So far, substantial results have not been achieved from crop diversification through efforts to reduce area under the water-guzzling paddy. According to a CAG report, despite an ambitious Rs 274-crore crop diversification programme, the area under paddy rather increased by 7.8 per cent between 2014 and 2019 and the area under other crops decreased

Aimed at water conservation, Punjab’s flagship programme to promote dry DSR last year included an incentive of Rs 1,500 per acre for the farmers opting for this technique. Direct seeding of rice in more than 5 lakh hectares (ha) during 2020 and 2021 presumably led to fixing of the target of bringing at least 12 lakh ha under this technique. However, even by incentivising over 30,000 farmers, only about 7 per cent of the target could be achieved. The late announcement of the incentive left little time for decision-making by the farmers as well as for a statewide campaign by the Agriculture Department. Extending the deadline for registration by a month, from May 31 to June 30, also proved of little help as the most appropriate time for DSR was already over. Non-availability of adequate canal water due to breaches in certain areas and insufficient electricity to run tubewells for necessary pre-tilling irrigation were the other discouraging factors. The extreme heatwave was a major deterrent, along with the prospect of aggravation of the weed menace. Haryana, however, got a good response to its target of 1 lakh acres last year as 22,685 farmers registered their 1.08 lakh acres across different rice-growing districts under DSR; an incentive of Rs 4,000 per acre was offered (reduced by Rs 1,000 from the previous year) and 500 DSR machines were provided to farmers with Rs 40,000 subsidy per machine.

MUMBAI/HANOI/ BANGKOK: Indian rice export prices extended losses this week after sluggish demand as buyers, anticipating further price falls, postponed purchases, while Vietnamese traders hoped their competitive pricing and growing supplies would lure more orders from big buyers.

Top exporter India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $380-$385 per tonne - the lowest since mid-January - down from $382-$387 a week ago.

One exporter based at Kakinada in southern state of Andhra Pradesh, who asked not to be named, said prices had corrected by around $20 per tonne in a month, and all farm commodities had dropped in the last few days.

“Buyers are waiting to see whether rice prices could fall further,” the exporter said. In Vietnam, the 5% broken rice prices were unchanged at $450 per tonne this week. “Trading activities will definitely pick up in the next coming months on rising supplies from current harvest and demands from traditional buyers including China and the Philippines,” said a trader based in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, adding the winter-spring harvest would conclude by the end of March.

Another trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said rates for Vietnamese rice were still lower than Thai grain, so some traders overseas were turning to Vietnam to maximise profit. Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices rose to $465 per tonne, from last week’s $455 per tonne.

One Bangkok-based trader said prices had changed slightly because the baht rose. The trader expected, however, prices would be range-bound as demand was “quiet” and supplies were gradually rising.

A stronger domestic currency makes exports from the country expensive in dollar terms. Prices may come down if supplies increase, another trader said.

JAKARTA, March 27 (Reuters) - Indonesia's food procurement agency (Bulog) will import 2 million tonnes of rice until December this year, a Bulog official said.

Awaluddin Iqbal, Bulog's corporate secretary said the first phase will see the import of 500,000 tonnes.

The policy is aimed at stabilising rice supplies.

(Reporting by Ananda Teresia and Bernadette Christina)

Move comes after last year’s floods destroyed crops

QUETTA:

Balochistan Minister for Agriculture Mir Asadullah Baloch on Friday said that free of charge rice seeds would be distributed among farmers from April 15 in five districts of Naseerabad Division.

“The Balochistan Agriculture Department distributed free wheat seeds throughout the province last year. Now, the supply of free seeds for rice, the main crop of autumn, will be ensured,” the minister said while addressing a meeting on Friday. The meeting was attended by Agriculture Secretary Umaid Ali Khokhar and other officials.

The minister observed that due to the monsoon rains in Balochistan last year, the agriculture and livestock sectors suffered a lot of damage to gardens, crops, vegetables and agricultural lands, which was estimated to be around Rs300 billion.

The Balochistan Agriculture Department has launched a campaign for free supply of wheat seeds in September and October to provide relief to the farmers and to get them back on their feet after the devastating flash floods.

The minister said that despite severe financial difficulties, the provincial government made arrangements for the free supply of wheat seeds, the most important crop in the entire province for the revival of agriculture.

“Committees have been formed in each district under the leadership of the deputy commissioners (DCs) to ensure the distribution of wheat seeds in a transparent manner,” he added.

He shared that with the support of Asian Development Bank (ADB), a plan has been devised for free supply of rice seeds in five districts of Naseerabad Division.

The survey has been completed and the rice seeds will be distributed free of cost from April 15, he added.

Agriculture Secretary Khokhar informed the participants that with the efforts of the Agriculture Minister Asadullah and the provincial government, all available resources were being utilised for the development of agriculture.

Vietnam is outlining a plan to cultivate one million hectares of low-carbon, high-quality rice in the Mekong River Delta to meet its net zero emission targets

The plan, being prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), is expected to be submitted to the Government for approval in March and be under implementation in 2024. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The plan, being prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), is expected to be submitted to the Government for approval in March and be under implementation in 2024. 12 out of 13 provinces in the region have signed up for the plan, having committed to reaching 200,000 ha next year, 719,000 ha in 2025, and more than one million hectares in 2030.

An Giang Province took the lead with a commitment to grow 150,000 ha in 2025 and 200,000 ha in 2030, undertaking a large share of the target.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Trần Thanh Nam, said most Vietnamese firms do not develop rice paddies to cater to their exports. The firms rely only on traders to maintain their trade activities, resulting in a volatile rice market. As such, the involvement of firms in the plan would hold the key to its successful implementation.

He also said several Japanese firms were making a request for their participation in the plan. If the ministry accepts their request, they would undertake 200,000 ha of the target and use the rice to produce biofuel.

Lê Thanh Tùng, deputy director of the Department of Crop Production, MARD, stated that the target for 2024 would be within reach because 184,000 ha of land under vnSAT projects (Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation) could be easily transformed into low-carbon paddies.

Nguyễn Thanh Truyền, director of Long An Province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, revealed that his province would contribute 60,000 ha to the common efforts in 2025, and 120,000 ha in 2030.

The World Bank's agriculture economist, Animesh Shrivastava, underlined two challenges for the plan which centre around farmers' incomes and the market. He said rice is an agricultural staple of the country but it has not provided farmers with a decent income. Food security would always be at risk unless the country could improve farmers' livelihoods. The expert urged Vietnam to invest further in market research and brand promotion to help its rice gain ground globally.

Nguyễn Văn Thành, chairman of the Phước Thành IV Trading - Production Company Ltd., said the ministry must offer firms some kind of incentive if it wants firms to actively take part in the plan. Such incentives could include preferential loans to help firms take hold of machinery, equipment, and warehouses more easily.

STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, US — Four universities are participating in an effort through the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve the sustainability and profitability of rice farming as the staple grain grapples with extreme weather and climate challenges.

Scientists at Louisiana State University (LSU), the University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University (MSU) and Texas A&M University are part of a team awarded a four-year $10 million grant by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The grant is part of an overall $70 million investment from the USDA to establish robust, resilient and climate-smart food and agricultural systems.

According to the LSU AgCenter, the specific project objectives are to assess the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of current crop management practices, identify barriers to adopting novel technologies and practices, develop novel genotypes with enhanced tolerance to biological and environmental stressors, develop and optimize environmentally friendly crop management practices and implement a robust extension program to disseminate the concepts and benefits of sustainable farming techniques.

“Because of our interdisciplinary expertise and MSU’s facilities, we are developing genetic mapping tools to identify the genes associated with stress tolerance, including projected changes in climate,” said Raja Reddy, an agronomist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES). “Being able to identify these genes will help rice breeders develop climate-resilient cultivars, or plant varieties.” 

Reddy, a research professor in MSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, is working with assistant research professors Raju Bheemanahalli Rangappa and Hunter Bowman, also MAFES agronomists, on MSU’s part of the project, which is funded by a $970,000 grant.

Ranking sixth in the nation, Mississippi rice production is a $97 million industry, with over 115,000 farmed acres. In recent years, increasing extremes and unpredictability in weather patterns have begun to threaten the stability of this agricultural commodity.

“Like much of the US mid-South, Mississippi is seeing greater extremes in our high and low temperatures and greater intensities of drought during the early season,” Reddy said. “These conditions and higher temperatures during flowering are significant impediments to rice yield and grain quality.”Reddy said the researchers, who collectively have many years of experience studying rice cultivation and breeding, also are planning extension activities to help growers optimize their resources, particularly water and nutrients, to get the best growth and yield from newly developed cultivars. 

BANGKOK, THAILAND — Rice production in Thailand in the 2023-24 marketing year is forecast to reach its highest level in five years due to abundant rainfall and attractive farm-gate prices, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The USDA projected output at 20.4 million tonnes, up 1% from the previous year’s total of 20.2 million.

It noted that “well above normal precipitation and reservoir levels during the rainy season in 2022 improved conditions for rice planting.”

With farm-gate prices of white and fragrant rice up 18% and 16%, respectively, an increase in planted hectares is anticipated, the USDA said.

With higher anticipated larger exportable rice supplies, the USDA said Thai rice exports in 2023-24 are forecast to increase by 2.5%, to 8 million tonnes.

In the same report, it noted that Thailand’s 2023-24 wheat imports are projected to increase to 2.7 million tonnes.

Growing wheat-based food consumption and feed wheat consumption will push wheat imports 17% higher than in 2022-23, the USDA said, adding that it also “expects 2023-24 milling wheat imports to be 1.3 million tonnes, up 18% from 2022-23.”

“Flour mills are actively importing wheat despite facing high import prices,” the USDA said.

Feed wheat imports are expected to increase by 40% year-on-year to 1.4 million tonnes due to an anticipated recovery in swine production and growing exports demand for poultry meat and products, the USDA said.

KARACHI: Acting President of FPCCI Suleman Chawla has proposed that Pakistani exporters should tap the potential to export to Lithuania in the Baltic Region.

He also expressed admiration that Lithuanian economy has grown by over 500 percent since 1990 and that, he said, points to the direction where the Lithuanian economy is headed.

Chawla appreciated the fact that Ricardas Degutis, ambassador of Lithuania to Pakistan, visited the FPCCI Head Office within days of assuming his office. That shows his seriousness to promote trade and economic relations between the two countries.

Acting FPCCI chief highlighted the fact that Pakistan has always considered Lithuania as one of the important countries for trade and strategic affairs given its geographical location at the Baltic Sea; and, sharing land borders with Russia, Poland and Belarus.

Chawla extended his full support from the platform of FPCCI to help organise trade visits and B2B engagements of Lithuanian importers and investors to explore Pakistani world-class textiles, leather products, IT & ITeS, sports goods, surgical instruments, mineral and natural resources, rice, fruits and vegetables and hospitality and tourism.

Suleman Chawla apprised the session that Pakistan has made tangible gains with Lithuanian neighbors Russia and Belarus in the recent months vis-a-vis trade relations.

Ricardas Degutis, Ambassador of Lithuania to Pakistan, informed the prominent business personalities at FPCCI Head Office that he is willing to play his role, as country’s top diplomat for Pakistan, to connect FPCCI to Chamber of Lithuania as people-to-people and business-to-business linkages must be fostered to strengthen economic relations.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023

Thailand advises Hom Mali rice buyers to check certification branding after fake production coming from China

The Ministry of Commerce has advised customers looking to purchase genuine Hom Mali rice from Thailand to look for certification branding on the package. This recommendation came in response to a report on fake Hom Mali rice coming from China.

The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) has advised consumers to look for certification branding on the packages for quality assurance. Recent reports have warned of Chinese imitations of Hom Mali rice, whereby manufacturers sell rice of other origins processed with flavor enhancers.

DFT Director General Ronnarong Phoolpipat said three manufacturers have already been found producing imitated Hom Mali rice, after which they were shut down by Chinese authorities.
Ronnarong said the damage to the reputation of Thai rice from these imitation products has yet to be determined.

Thailand’s trade promotion offices in China will conduct more frequent inspections against imitated products, as well as work to raise awareness among Chinese customers on the quality assurance branding for items originating from Thailand. (NNT)

FILIPINO households do not consume all the food on their dining tables, and the resulting wastage has grown into a problem that requires serious attention.

This finding is highlighted in the 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Department of Science and Technology's Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).

According to the study, rice, vegetables and meat are the three most wasted foods in Filipino households. The bigger the household, the higher the waste. And rural households squander more food than their urban counterparts.

In terms of income class, households in the highest one-fifth or quintile had a bigger wastage than the poorest quintile.

"This implies that households incur more wastes when higher quantities are purchased, which most probably are not consumed and end up being thrown away due to spoilage." the FNRI noted.

The study reflects a glaring disconnect: millions of Filipinos go hungry every year, but the average Filipino wastes 86 kilograms of food annually. The vast amounts of food that go uneaten and thrown away would have been enough to feed hungry stomachs.

Food waste is a global malaise. By one estimate, as much as 40 percent of food, or 2.5 billion tons, around the world is wasted every year. The wastage is enough to feed 3 billion people.

Food waste impacts the environment as well, and is already recognized as one of the drivers of climate change. Estimates suggest that 8 to 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed.

"The increasing and persistent global demand for food is also driving fertile land useless while contributing to more land degradation and deforestation, which as a result, destroys our precious natural habitats and biodiversity, limiting the services that they provide and disrupting entire ecosystems," according to one study.

The Philippines is struggling with its own food security woes. We ranked 69th among the 119 countries in the Global Hunger Index of 2018, indicating a "serious level of hunger incidence."

Fifteen percent of the population experience "severe food anxiety," the highest rate among five Southeast Asian countries.

Based on monitoring by the World Food Program last year, one out of 10 Philippine households is food insecure. The problem is most acute in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Eastern Visayas and Soccsksargen, three of the country's poorest regions.

Addressing food waste must be a multisectoral effort if it is to be effective. The United Nations has made curbing food waste a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target. SDG 12.3 aims to cut by half per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels, and reduce food losses along production and supply chains by 2030.

In its 2022 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) suggested increasing efforts "to measure food and inedible parts wasted at retail and consumer level and track food waste generation in kilograms per capita at country level."

The World Food Program noted that Filipino households with heads who only had a primary or elementary education "are more likely to be food insecure." That could be a cue for the government to include food security in school curriculums to raise family awareness on managing food needs.

Food manufacturers and dining establishments can do their share by donating surplus food to charitable and social work institutions instead of throwing it out as garbage.

FNRI Director Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa stressed the need for new strategies to focus on reducing plate waste, which is beneficial from a nutritional, economic and environmental point of view.

Training people to prepare and choose less food in terms of portion and meal size reduction and formulating policies on waste reduction could be an effective strategy in preventing additional food waste, Angeles-Agdeppa said.

The FAO is urging governments to rethink how to reallocate their budgets "to make them more cost-effective and efficient in reducing the cost of nutritious foods and increasing the availability and affordability of healthy diets, sustainably and leaving no one behind."

It will be in the Philippines' best interest to heed FAO's suggestion.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Food prices continued to rise high since February 2022 for the 11th consecutive month (except for a decline by 0.1% in Dec-2022), with CPI food inflation in January 2023 increasing by 42.94% over January 2022. National and international drivers (fuel price hikes, energy costs, devaluation of rupee against dollar increasing prices of food/Non-food imported items, Russia-Ukraine war, etc) suggest that prices will remain high for the coming months.

• Headline inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is now 27.55%, the highest in 48 years (since 1975), representing an increase of 27.55% in January 2023 over January 2022. It should be noted that inflation rates in neighbouring countries stand at 5.2% (Afghanistan), 6.5% (India), and 8.6% (Bangladesh).

• In January 2023, prices increased for staple cereals wheat (+27.1%), wheat flour (subsidized) (+17.0%), wheat flour (Fine) (+8.2%), rice Basmati (+16.3%) and rice Irri-6 (+14.6%) compared to December 2022, representing an increase of 90% in wheat, 78% in both wheat flour (subsidized) and wheat flour (Fine), 61% in rice Irri-6 and 53% in rice Basmati from the same time a year ago.

• Among non-cereal food commodities, prices increased for chicken (+21.0%), pulses (Moong (+5.2%), Gram (+2.7%), Mash (+2.6%), Masoor (+2.0%)) and eggs (+2.0%) from the previous month, representing an increase in chicken (+99%), eggs (+60%), Moong (+56%), Gram (+48%), Mash (+40%) and Masoor (+21%) from the same time a year ago. On the other hand, prices decreased for ghee (-2.1%) and sugar (-1.1%) from December 2022.

• A comparison of pre-flood (June 2022) and post-flood (January 2023), some food commodities indicated huge increase in prices; for instance, price of onions increased up to 220%, wheat flour 74%, rice Irri 68%, pulse moong 65%, rice Basmati 45%, and milk 39%.

• Average Terms of Trade (ToT) for January 2023, measuring the amount of wheat flour that can be purchased with one-day of casual unskilled labor wage worsened by 14.0% from the previous month. The retail prices of automotive fuels increased in January 2023 compared to the previous month i.e., Super Petrol (+16.0%) and High-Speed Diesel (+15.0%).

Just the fact that you're reading this article means you probably reside in some type of urban setting. This also means that on many days, you find yourself torn, choosing to stick to the staple rice or treating yourself to something slightly more extravagant for the next meal.

Unfortunately, this is hardly the case for the impoverished in India, many of who resort to meals like plain namak-bhat (cooked rice with plain salt) to pull them out of starvation. India's Public Distribution System helps provide them with grains for the month, but even that falls short oftentimes.

With millions of Indians devastatingly reliant on rice as their staple food, it is imperative that we maintain our crop yields to ensure adequate supply to every sect of society. However, a new report has shown that excessive atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could affect rice yields significantly in low- and middle-income countries, including India and China.

A study published in the journal Nature Geoscience has shown that high atmospheric CO2 levels can reduce phosphorus availability in soils by more than 20% in rice fields. Since phosphorus is an essential fertiliser for the crop, this could substantially affect final yields.

How substantially? By as much as 55%, it turns out. The research has pinpointed that over half of large rice paddy fields in India and China could experience an increased risk of yield reduction due to this phosphorus deficiency.

This isn't the worst of it either; other low-income countries in Southeast Asia, Central America, Africa and the Middle East could see even riskier percentages, going up as high as 70% in some places.

Atmospheric CO2 is actually an excellent source of carbon for crops, which helps increase them photosynthesise more, improving plant growth, biomass and yield. However, the study revealed that this was actually a double-edged sword, since its long-term presence impoverishes the soil of phosphorous.

Furthermore, phosphorus as a chemical fertiliser is unevenly distributed worldwide, making its import exceedingly valuable to countries without the resource. India is a prime example, with the country 90% dependent on rock phosphate as the key raw material in DAP and NPK fertilisers. In the past, phosphorus import prices have skyrocketed during food crises, which can severely exacerbate the food security of countries with inadequate purchasing powers.

MUMBAI/HANOI/ BANGKOK: Vietnam’s rice export prices extended gains this week as it shipped more of the staple grain to China, while rates in top exporters India and Thailand were weighed down by a weakening in their domestic currencies.

Vietnam’s 5% broken rice prices were offered at $450 per tonne on Thursday, up from $440-$445 range a week ago. “Prices edged up as shipments to China are recovering, while Indonesia is said to be buying more to improve its national reserves,” a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said.

The central bank’s move to cut its policy rates on Wednesday would give a boost to export activities, including rice shipments, the trader said. Top exporter India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $382 to $387 per tonne, down from last week’s $385 to $390 range.

“Rupee’s fall is allowing us to reduce export prices.

Demand from African countries is also weak,” said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices were quoted at $455 per tonne, down slightly from last week’s $460. Prices were impacted by changes in the exchange rate, said a Bangkok-based trader. “Supply and demand have been quiet,” the trader said. A weakening currency makes exports from the country cheaper in dollar terms.

Rising rice prices reflect increased fertilizer costs, farmers’ group says

RICE PRICES are rising even during the dry season harvest, reflecting the higher cost of fertilizer, according to a farmers’ organization.

In a Viber message, Raul Q. Montemayor, chairman of Federation of Free Farmers, said high fertilizer prices raised the cost of production for palay (unmilled rice).

In Metro Manila markets, the price of domestically-produced rice between March 1 and March 15 rose P2 per kilogram compared with February levels, while the price of imported rice rose around P4, according to government price monitoring reports.

According to Mr. Montemayor, the dry season crop accounts for about 44% of annual rice production. The harvest for this crop is currently ongoing.

Mr. Montemayor also attributed higher prices to the rising cost of rice in Vietnam, one of the Philippines’ top suppliers of the staple grain.

He said that the “overall increase in import prices allowed local prices to inch up.”

“We expected this to happen in late 2022, but large imports during the year may have resulted in some delayed reaction which we are seeing now,” Mr. Montemayor said.

Citing data from the Bureau of Customs, Mr. Montemayor said that the Philippines imported 3.85 million metric tons of rice in 2022 which was the highest total since the rice tariffication law took effect in 2019.

He said imports do not seem to have kept prices from increasing.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Rex C. Estoperez said that prices usually increase during the dry season, but agreed that fertilizer costs were a factor.

Mr. Estoperez said that the Philippines has been heavily dependent on chemical fertilizer.

“It might be better to source locally. Either organic or chemical fertilizer, it is better to have (domestic production) so that we are not dependent on imports,” he said.

“We still cannot say that the (rice prices) have normalized as the harvest has not peaked yet. We are still dependent on the remaining supply we are importing,” Mr. Estoperez told reporters. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

The eligible agencies which have undertaken the initiatives for the promotion of Geographical Indications (GIs) products shall be provided financial assistance by the government.

Operational guidelines have been issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for the financial assistance for undertaking the initiatives for the promotion of GIs.

Financial Assistance to Agencies to Promote Geographical Indications (GIs) Products

Dealing with the investments and intellectual property rights (IPRs), DPIIT is an arm of the commerce and industry ministry whereas the Geographical Indications (GIs) products are primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicraft and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.

Essentially attributable to the place of its origin, typically this name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness.

Some of these famous goods that carry GI tag include Basmati rice, Darjeeling Tea, Chanderi Fabric, Mysore Silk, Kullu Shawl, Kangra Tea, Thanjavur Paintings, Allahabad Surkha, Farrukhabad Prints, Lucknow Zardozi and Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving.

In a note DPIIT said that “In accordance with the objectives of national IPR policy, Government of India will provide financial assistance to eligible agencies for undertaking initiatives for Promotion of GIs, which aims to create awareness about significance of GIs and its uniqueness, promoting registered Indian GIs, identify potential GIs and encourage stakeholders towards registration”.

The objective as per DPIIT is to be provide varied platforms to GI stakeholders thereby giving them ample opportunities for business development and income generation.

Extra Information Related to GI goods producers shall be added

It said that the initiatives would also include capturing socio- economic status of GI goods producers, their livelihood conditions and other related information, which would assist in devising suitable policy interventions.

It said that the “financial assistance will be extended to eligible agencies as 100 per cent grants in aid for undertaking initiatives for promotion of GIs.”

As mentioned in the operational guidelines, the disbursement of the assistance will be subject to actual expenditure or head-wise maximum permissible amount whichever is less for grants-in-aid.

It also said, while throwing light on eligible agencies, that the department may on its own undertake initiatives for the promotion of GIs within the country as well as abroad with Indian diplomatic missions or its agency or jointly with India’s apex industry chambers and their overseas counterparts.

After a product gets a GI tag, any person or company cannot sell a similar item under that name. This tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.

The other benefits of GI registration include legal protection for the item, prevention against unauthorised use by others, and promotion of exports.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — The government cannot unilaterally cancel any contract to import rice into the country because it needs to consider the social obligations which Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) has agreed to implement, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin said as the country’s main rice importer, Bernas needed to fulfil 10 social obligations without getting any grants from the government.

The obligations include managing the country’s rice buffer stock, maintaining its role as the last padi purchaser at a minimum price, and managing padi price subsidy payments as well as the scheme for millers, Bumiputera wholesalers and farmers’ cooperatives.

Apart from this, Bernas also has to allocate funds for supply of machinery and padi mechanisation, development of large-scale padi farms and providing allocations for several programmes, including development of padi seed buffer stock, padi cultivation disaster fund aid and an information system on padi and rice.

“The cost that Bernas needs to bear to continue with the implementation of all these obligations, whether directly or indirectly, is RM3.22 billion, and of this figure, RM1.85 billion involves farmers and RM1.37 billion is for industries and consumers.

“Furthermore, Bernas now also gives a cash contribution of RM60 million and shares 30 per cent of its net profit from rice imports with farmers this year,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2023 at the committee stage on behalf of the ministry.

Earlier, several parties had questioned the extension of Bernas’ concession period as the country’s sole rice importer but the government stressed that it was necessary to ensure the commodity remains stable and under control.

The RM3.7 billion allocation for the ministry under Budget 2023 was approved at the committee stage by a majority voice vote after being debated by 21 government and opposition MPs. — Bernama

NEW DELHI, INDIA – Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported in the March World Agriculture Supply and Demand Report that India will continue to dominate the world rice trade in the 2022/23 marketing year, projecting that they will break their own world record with 22.5 million metric tons (MT) of rice exports on tap.

In May 2022, the U.S. government along with nine other governments initiated technical consultations with India regarding their egregious trade distorting rice subsidies that feed into their public stockholding program and violate the terms of the Bali Peace Clause. However, to date, the U.S. government has not taken formal action to address India’s explicit World Trade Organization (WTO) violations.

The rise in exports shown above is not coincidental but corresponds with significant increases in production which corresponds with the Indian government’s significant increases in the price they pay farmers to buy their paddy rice for government stocks. According to USDA figures, in 2010/11, that price roughly translated to $120 per MT of paddy rice whereas the 2022/23 price is roughly translated to $259 per MT of paddy rice.

A government-guaranteed price of $259 per MT of long grain paddy rice converts to about $13.16 per hundredweight coupled with a series of input subsidies that cover as much as 85 percent of the total cost of production. USDA estimates that the Indian government will purchase as much as 59 million MT of paddy rice from Indian farmers this year, which equates to $15.28 billion in just procurement costs alone at the government rate of $248 per MT.

“Just six months ago, the Indian government had imposed export restrictions on rice because of alleged food shortages, but within weeks they had put themselves on track for another record crop year and another record year of rice exports, continuing to penetrate markets across the globe, including the United States, with their artificially low-priced rice,” said Bobby Hanks, Louisiana rice miller and chair of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee.

Despite India’s claims around their domestic food security last year, they continued to export a record amount of rice and crowd out other, more reliable exporters, worsening uncertainty for needy rice importers. At the same time, India was making deals with Russia to funnel fuel and fertilizer into their country while most of the world stood in solidarity with Ukraine.

“India’s policies not only violate their WTO commitments, but also impact the livelihoods of those that produce or consume rice across five other continents,” Hanks added. “It is long overdue for countries that are concerned about the future of the multilateral trading system and the livelihoods of their producers to address India’s protectionist policies through formal dispute settlement. We encourage the U.S. Trade Representative to initiate a dispute settlement action to help American farmers and our counterparts compete on a level playing field and prevent further industry consolidation.”

LAHORE: The sub-committee on ‘rice seed’, which met here on Tuesday with Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur-Rehman in the chair, discussed various proposals aimed at boosting rice production for fetching precious forex through the export of commodity.

Suggestions were also presented in the meeting regarding the improvement of rice seed.

Speaking on this occasion, the Governor said that rice is important cash crop that fetches billions of foreign exchange besides meeting the country’s nutritional requirements.

“All the stakeholders would have to give special attention on research on rice seed to increase rice production substantially and explore new markets to increase export of rice,” he said. “Modern research is needed to improve the quality of seed to increase the export of rice so that the production of high quality rice in the country and its export can be boosted through joint efforts.”

He said he will play his role in conveying the recommendations of the Rice Seed Committee to the provincial and federal governments to support the rice seed producers and rice exporters in the country.

Convener of the sub-committee on rice, Shahzad Ali Malik, put forward the recommendations and said that private seed companies producing hybrid seeds of modern technology in the country should be allotted government land on easy terms for the cultivation of seeds.

He also demanded to simplify the rules and regulations related to breeding at the local level and also to provide interest-free loans for research and development of the institutions that produce seeds of modern technology at the local level. He emphasized on providing the facility of conducting tests from, at least three accredited laboratories.

Members of the Rice Seed Committee, Dr. Khalid Hameed, Muhammad Asim, Tahir Saleemi, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Haider and Dr. Abid Mehmood, besides representatives of Agriculture University Faisalabad, MNS Agriculture University Multan were present.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman presided over a meeting of Sub-Committee on Rice Seed at Governor’s House here Tuesday. In the meeting, various suggestions were presented regarding the improvement of rice seed.

Speaking on this occasion, governor said that rice is important cash crop that earns country billions of foreign exchange besides meeting the country's nutritional requirements. He said that all the stakeholders had to give special attention to the search on rice seed to increase rice production substantially and explore new markets to increase export of rice.

Punjab Governor said that modern research was needed to improve the quality of the seed to increase the rice export so that the production of high quality rice in the country and its export can be boosted through joint efforts. He said that he would play his role in conveying the recommendations of the Rice Seed Committee to the provincial and federal governments to support the rice seed producers and rice exporters in the country. On this occasion, Convener, sub-committee on rice, Shehzad Ali Malik, put forward the recommendations and said that private seed companies producing hybrid seeds of modern technology in the country should be allotted government land on easy terms for the cultivation of seeds. He demanded the government simplify the rules and regulations related to breeding at the local level and provide interest-free loans for research and development of the institutions that produce seeds of modern technology at the local level. He emphasised on providing the facility of conducting tests from, at least three accredited laboratories.

Meanwhile, Governor in his message on Punjab Culture Day, said that Punjab is the custodian of regional customs and cultural traditions. He said the Punjab government deserves congratulations for celebrating March 14 (Punjab Culture Dihar) with zeal.

Health Consortium: The Vice-Chancellors of different medical universities suggested promoting academic research and modern trends in the field of medicine. They floated these suggestions during a meeting of the Consortium on Health chaired by Punjab Governor Balighur Rahman on Tuesday.

The trends in health education was the topic of the Consortium meeting which was attended vice chancellors of various medical universities. Convener of Health Consortium Committee, Vice Chancellor of FJMU Prof Khalid Masood Gondal briefed the governor about the suggestions and recommendations of the consortium.

VC University of Health Sciences Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore, VC Children's University Prof Masood Sadiq, VC Faisalabad Medical University Prof Zafar Ali Ch, VC Nishtar Medical University Prof Rana Altaf Ahmed, VC Rawalpindi Medical University Prof M Umar and Pro VC King Edward Medical University Prof Ijaz Hussain also participated in the meeting.

Meeting was held at the Governor’s House

LAHORE:

Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman presided over a meeting of the Sub-Committee on Rice Seed to review suggestions regarding improvement of the rice seed.

The meeting was held at the Governor’s House on Tuesday.

The governor said that rice was an important cash crop that earned the country billions in foreign exchange besides meeting the country’s nutritional requirements.

He said that all the stakeholders had to give special attention to the research on rice seed to increase rice production substantially and explore new markets to increase export of rice.

The governor said that modern research was needed to improve the quality of the seed to increase the export of rice so that the production of high quality rice in the country and its export could be boosted through joint efforts.

Raipur: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Monday organised an export outreach programme in Atal Nagar Nava, Raipur, with the exporters and investors from the state to increase the exports from the Chhattisgarh.
Exporters from Chhattisgarh have demanded that the 5% tax exemption of mandi fee on rice export — set to expire after two months — should be continued.
They also demanded a concession on the export units for goods transport and modernisation of processing plants, as Chhattisgarh is a landlocked state.
Raipur district collector Dr Sarveshwar Bhure said that pro-industry policies of the state have led to increase of more than 22% in the exports in the last five years. He said that special efforts are being made to promote the export of rice, construction machinery, and materials and processed spices from Chhattisgarh.
Raipur and Durg district are among 75 districts of the country that have been identified as potential districts for export promotion by the government of India.
Raipur district collector Bhure also emphasised on the possibilities of export of wire, rods, bars, coils, TMT bars, steel as well as forest produce tamarind, mahua, lac and small grain millets, Kodo, Kutki and Ragi.
Representatives of the Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority, Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council, Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited attended the programme.

Convener of Rice Exports Committee of Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), former Chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REP) Rafiq Sulaiman said that due to flood in Sindh.

40% of the rice crop has been affected due to which non-basmati rice exports have decreased by 15% and overall rice exports have decreased due to the prevailing conditions, Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rice Exports Give suggestions to the government to improve those who are currently suffering so that the rice export targets can be achieved. He expressed these views while addressing the third meeting of the Rice Exports Committee of FPCCI yesterday.

FPCCI vice presidents Shabbir Mansha, Shaukat Ali Sulaiman, Haji Muhammad Yaqoob, former senior vice president FPCCI Abdul Rahim Janu, REP chairman Chela Ram Kiwalani and prominent exporters of rice were also present in the meeting. Rafiq Sulaiman said that in the 8th month of this year, the export of basmati rice has decreased by 25% while the export of non-basmati has decreased by 29%.

Pakistani rice is exported to 116 countries around the world, the current situation in which electricity, due to non-availability of gas, increasing price of petrol exporters are suffering a lot and they are loosening their market, I strongly appeal to the government of Pakistan to pay special attention to the export industry so that Exporters can export more.

Rafiq Sulaiman added that there is a great demand for 386 Pakistani rice in Somalia, soon a trade delegation of rice exporters will also go to Somalia to increase the export of Pakistani rice.

Abdul Rahim Janu said that if the current situation continues, there is a possibility of a huge decrease in exports and there will be a significant decrease in domestic foreign exchange.

He said that after Eid-ul-Fitr, FPCCI and Rice Exporters Association will organize a biryani festival with mutual cooperation in which ambassadors, commercial attachés, government officials of all countries will be invited.

To highlight the importance, in this biryani festival, dishes prepared from different types of rice will be made.

Shabir Mansha said that Kazakhstan has emerged as a new market and direct flights are starting here from the month of April.

Due to which the export of Pakistani rice can be increased in this market.

Chela Ram Kevalani said that due to the rise and fall of the dollar, both imports and exports have been badly affected, the government has increased the interest rate and the business community is facing a lot of difficulties.—NNI

Ban on broken rice exports is likely to have an adverse impact on farmers and millers, especially in Telangana, where a huge quantity of broken rice is expected during the Yasangi (Rabi) crop season

Hyderabad: The Centre’s decision to levy 20 percent duty on raw rice exports and ban export of broken rice has put paddy farmers and millers from Telangana in a tricky position. Though the Centre is claiming that the decision was taken to discourage rice exports and ensure availability of adequate stocks domestically, it is likely to have an adverse impact on farmers and millers, especially in Telangana, where a huge quantity of broken rice is expected during the Yasangi (Rabi) crop season.

Paddy is being cultivated in a record 55 lakh acres in Telangana during this Yasangi season, which expected to result in an yield of 1.5 crore tonnes. While the State government is planning to procure nearly 90 lakh tonnes, the Centre had agreed to purchase the rice but with a rider that the State would supply only raw rice. It is now well-known that the Yasangi crop would result in huge quantity of broken rice if the paddy is milled into raw rice.

India banned overseas shipments of broken rice and imposed a 20 percent duty on exports of various other grades in September 2022 amid concerns over production due to below-average monsoon rainfall in key paddy growing States. Though the Centre anticipated a shortfall of rice stocks in the country, the situation appears to be different.

The Union government has recently informed the Parliament that India’s rice exports recorded 22.26 million tonnes in 2022, an increase of 3.5 percent, making it the largest exporter of rice globally. Further, officials said India has ample stocks of rice domestically and would ensure that the restrictions have not deprived the world of rice.

The Centre’s decision not to lift the ban on broken rice exports is expected to affect buyers, particularly in China, who use broken rice as raw material for making ethanol or cattle feed. China was the largest buyer of India’s broken rice, with purchases of 1.1 million tonnes in 2021. Thus, this would affect Telangana farmers and millers adversely as well with the State turning into largest producer of broken rice due to the Centre’s mandate to supply only raw rice to the Food Corporation of India.

Meanwhile, a large quantity of parboiled rice which is used to make idli and dosa batter has been reportedly held up at some ports in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, after the Customs authorities assuming it to be normal raw rice due to presence of chalky white grains in rice. The parboiled rice is largely exported to countries like Dubai, Japan, Singapore and Canada. The officials are asking the exporters to pay 20 percent duty to export it, treating it as raw rice. Except exports from Kerala, where idli rice is double parboiled, parboiled rice exports are affected in all other States.

NEW DELHI: India’s rice export prices extended their decline this week as demand from key importing countries faltered, while supplies in Vietnam boomed due to peaking winter-spring harvest in the Mekong Delta.

India’s 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $385-$390 per tonne this week from last week’s $390-$395. Prices have been sliding from around $400 reached in the week of Feb. 23, their highest since March 2021.

The recent upside in export prices and an increase in freight rates for break bulk vessels were affecting demand, said Himanshu Agarwal, executive director at Satyam Balajee, India’s leading rice exporter.

India does not plan to lift a ban on broken rice exports and cut a 20% tax on overseas shipments of white rice, as the world’s biggest exporter of the grain tries to keep a lid on domestic prices, two government sources said last month.

In Vietnam, the 5% broken rice was offered at $440-$445 per tonne, unchanged from a week ago.

Traders said the winter-spring harvest is peaking in the Mekong Delta provinces, giving a boost to domestic supplies, which hasn’t impacted prices as demand is expected to be strong.

The country exported 534,607 tonnes of rice in February, according to government customs data released on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices was quoted at $460 per tonne, little changed from $450 to $460 seen last week.

“Prices are still standing at this level because (changes to) supply and demand have been quiet,” said a Bangkok-based trader. “We have to wait for the new harvest.” Meanwhile, domestic rice prices in Bangladesh stayed elevated, despite efforts to cool rates of the staple grain.

The government has allowed private traders to import rice while it’s also buying from the key exporting countries such as Vietnam, India and Myanmar.

Unlike the case in EU, Pakistan did not contest India's application in Australia

ISLAMABAD: The Australian government has rejected India’s application for exclusive rights of Basmati rice on the grounds that it is not grown only in India.

The development comes while the European Union (EU) remains undecided on a conflict between India and Pakistan over basmati’s Geographical Indication (GI) tag.   

According to officials, the development in Australia will support Pakistan’s case in the EU wherein Islamabad has opposed the Indian application on the grounds that the rice variety is grown in both South Asian countries. 

A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and ensures good qualities or a reputation in the region. A protected geographical indication does not entitle the holder to prevent someone from making a product using the same techniques that are used in the standards for that indication.

Sources informed Profit that unlike the case in EU, Pakistan did not contest the India’s application in Australia. In fact, Canberra itself rejected New Delhi’s application knowing that the rice is grown in both the neighboring countries. However, India has reportedly moved the federal court of Australia in appeal against the decision.

The trade dispute started back in 2019 when India filed the application for basmati’s name and logo. Sources informed Profit that India has applied for the exclusive trade rights of basmati in over 20 countries where the best quality of rice is marketed. 

“After the case in EU, Pakistan has also applied for exclusive GI Tag for Basmati in a number of countries like USA, Thailand, UK and others,” they claimed, adding that the applications may face opposition from India in the same way Pakistan did in EU.

Pakistan registered Basmati as GI product after approval of the GI Law of the country. It had registered its GI for basmati rice in 2020 after India had falsely claimed its produce of basmati rice to be original in an attempt to hinder Pakistan’s trade in the EU. The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) was given the task of registering all the merchant profiles and trade routes and with the Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO). 

In September 2020, India had applied for an exclusive GI tag for Basmati rice in the EU. The EU had applauded India’s application in its official journal, showing basmati rice as an Indian origin product asking if there was any opposition to the application within 90 days.

To support its claim of exclusivity, India in return referred to various reports and dictionaries to show that the basmati rice is of Indian origin and conveniently left out the part that the same rice is widely produced in Pakistan.

Subsequently Pakistan, the second-largest exporter of basmati, filed opposition against India’s claim. The main grounds for opposition were that both Pakistan and India produce basmati, and therefore, it was a joint product of both the countries.

Rice industry facing series of challenges amid global headwinds

KARACHI:

Unquestionably hybrid rice is a model of China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation in Sindh, remarked Zhou Xusheng, Director of Pakistan Business Department, Wuhan Qingfa Hesheng Seed Co Ltd, a Chinese developer and provider of hybrid seeds.

Amidst global headwinds, Pakistani rice is facing a series of challenges.

Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) President Chela Ram Kewlani indicated that during the first seven months of FY 2022-23, exports of Pakistani rice decreased by 15.82% year-on-year to $1.08 billion.

The decrease came mainly due to flood damage to paddy fields in Sindh, where rice production decreased by 40%, he added.

Qingfa Hesheng has been providing hybrid seeds of rice, canola and vegetables to Pakistan for nearly 20 years as well as training more than 300 local agriculturalists. It registered the first hybrid rice variety, QY0413, in the history of Pakistan.

“It may take three years for rice export, which is an important means to earn foreign exchange, to recover,” Zhou noted. “However, we have made preparation for such a situation.”

First, the stress resistance of crop varieties should be improved. Second, seed production can be carried out separately in Pakistan and China, spreading risk in the face of extreme weather. Currently, test fields are located in Lahore, Chiniot, Shikarpur and Golarchi.

Annual average temperature here is much higher than that in China’s main rice climate zone. Therefore, in the selection of rice varieties, it is imperative to guarantee the seed setting rate and quality under high temperature.

“It is precisely because of the hot and dry climate in Pakistan that hybrid rice diseases are much less than those in China, such as bacterial blight, but far less hazardous.”

Exports of Basmati rice fell 22.95% to 316,055 tonnes in the first seven months of current fiscal year from 410,207 tonnes in the same period of last year. Similarly, exports of non-basmati rice fell 25% to 1.62 million tonnes, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data.

THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON THE CHINA ECONOMIC NET

KARACHI, March 10 (China Economic Net)– "Unquestionably hybrid rice is a model of China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation in Sindh Province," Mr. Zhou Xusheng, Director of Pakistan Business Department, Wuhan Qingfa Hesheng Seed Co., Ltd. a Chinese developer and provider of hybrid seeds, told the reporter of China Economic Net (CEN).

Amidst global headwinds, Pakistani rice is facing a series of challenges. Chela Ram Kewlani, President of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), indicated that during the first seven months of the FY 2022/23, the export value of Pakistani rice decreased by 15.82% year-on-year to USD 1.08 billion, mainly due to flood damage to paddy fields in Sindh, where the local rice production has been reduced by 40%. 

Qingfa Hesheng has been providing hybrid seeds of rice, canola and vegetables to Pakistan for nearly twenty years, as well as training more than 300 local agricultural personnel. In particular, it registered the first hybrid rice variety -QY0413 in the history of Pakistan. 

“It may take three years for the rice export, which is an important means for Pakistan to earn foreign exchange, to recover,” Zhou noted, “however, we have preparation for such situations. First, the stress resistance of crop varieties should be improved. Second, seed production can be carried out separately in Pakistan and China, spreading risk in the face of extreme weather. Currently, our test fields are located in Lahore, Chiniot, Shikarpur, Golarchi.”

“Except for floods, extreme high temperatures brought about by climate change are also difficulties that must be overcome in the upgrading of Pakistan’s rice industry. The annual average temperature here is much higher than that in China’s main rice climate zone. Therefore, in our selection of rice varieties, it is imperative to guarantee the seed setting rate and quality under high temperature. Nevertheless, a coin has two sides. It is precisely because of the hot and dry climate in Pakistan that hybrid rice diseases are much less than those in China, such as bacterial blight, but far less hazardous.”

Data from PBS showed that exports of basmati rice fell 22.95% to 316,055 tonnes in the first seven months of this year from 410,207 tonnes in the same period last year, while exports of non-basmati rice fell 25% to 1.62 million tons. Despite a sharp drop in exports, rice prices have seen unprecedented increases in the domestic market due to inflation and rising international rice prices. In this regard, Zhou put forward his viewpoint.

“Affected by currency depreciation and inflation, the cancellation of natural gas subsidies means that fertilizer prices have risen, and even supply shortages. Various expenses have pushed up the purchase price of basmati rice. On the other hand, the main purpose of non-basmati rice is to export foreign exchange, and the three leading rice enterprises account for more than 50% of non-basmati exports. Rising costs have led to a decline in the competitiveness of non-basmati rice in the international market, so orders have dropped significantly.”

Soaring price of rice has greatly stimulated the enthusiasm of local farmers to plant hybrid rice, but expensive fertilizers and gasoline and diesel has pushed up the cost simultaneously. “For us, in order to make the hybrid rice business go further in Pakistan, ensure local food security, and further increase Pakistan’s foreign exchange, help the local establish relevant downstream industrial chains, lower the cost to improve the competitiveness and added value of its agricultural products, and further expand employment is is our top priority.”

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is about to complete a draft of the project to develop 1 million ha of low-emission high-quality rice in Vietnam, according to Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam.

Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is about to complete a draft of the project to develop 1 million ha of low-emission high-quality rice in Vietnam, according to Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam.

Speaking in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Nam said that the ministry will submit the draft to the Government next month.

About 700,000 ha of rice nationwide has been registered to join the project once it’s approved, Nam said.

The project is part of the activities to implement Vietnam’s Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

Among the strategy’s goals is to develop areas of qualified raw materials.

Meanwhile, the project on 1 million hectare hi-quality rice will be among Vietnam’s efforts in realising the country’s commitment at COP 26 for net zero emissions by 2050.

The project will be critically important to the Mekong Delta region – Vietnam’s largest rice bowl - as current statistics show that rice production emission accounts for 40% of the total agricultural production’s emission.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam. (Photo: VNA)

It also aims to reorganise rice production in which cooperatives connect and support farmers to reduce production costs, and increase values for products and incomes for farmers, Nam said.

Currently, low-emission production models are applied on about 180,000 ha across Vietnam, Nam said, adding that those models will be consolidated and scaled up.

Results from the Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project (VnSAT) - a successful model that helps boost sustainable agriculture in the country - will be also expanded with higher requirements.

Nam said that enterprises are called on to join the low-emission high-quality rice production project as they need high-quality raw material areas./.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is scheduled to monitor the harvest activities and inaugurate shrimp ponds in Central Java Province on Thursday, March 9.

The President and First Lady Iriana boarded the Indonesia-1 presidential aircraft to leave for the Yogyakarta International Airport in Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta, from the Air Force Base Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta on Thursday morning.

Accompanying the state head on the flight include Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Military Secretary of President Rear Admiral Hersan, Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres) Commander Maj. Gen. Rafael Granada Baay, and Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of President Bey Machmudin.X

Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and his wife, Commander of IV/Diponegoro Military Command Major General Widi Prasetijono and his wife, Regional Police Chief Inspector General Suwondo Nainggolan and his wife, and Adi Sutjipto Air Force Base Commander First Marshal Dedy Susanto and his wife welcomed the President's entourage upon arrival at Yogyakarta International Airport. 

Then the President went straight to the location of the rice harvest in Lajer Village, Ambal District, Kebumen Regency, Central Java Province. After that, the entourage moved to the shrimp cultivation pond located in Plesung Village, Karangrejo, Petanahan District, Kebumen Regency, to inaugurate it.

President Jokowi is also scheduled to visit Petanahan Market to hand over a number of social assistance to traders and then will return to Yogyakarta International Airport and depart for the Adi Soemarmo Air Force Base in Boyolali Regency for the next agenda. 

Rise comes despite 20% export duty on white rice, ban on fully brokens

India’s non-basmati rice exports surged 4 per cent to 14.56 million tonnes (mt) during the April-January period of the current fiscal from 14.01 mt a year ago. This is despite the Government imposing a 20 per cent export duty on white (raw) rice and banning shipments of fully broken rice.. However, with an upward trend in freight cost, the realisation by exporters may get hit if importing countries do not absorb any increase.

The non-basmati rice segment registered a 3 per cent growth in value at $5.17 billion (₹41,273 crore) from $5.01 billion in the year-ago period, according to the latest data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). In the entire 2021-22, non-basmati rice export was 17.26 mt worth $6.12 billion (₹45,652.35 crore).

Freight uptrend

Exporters said when the government imposed the duty in September last year, the freight cost was about $100-$120/tonne and it was declining. While it dropped to about $50/tonne in February, it began to show an uptrend in the first week.

“Importing countries did not feel the impact of export duty as in the same period there was a fall in the freight cost. One thing is established the world now knows India as a credible destination for non-basmati rice,” said BV Krishna Rao, President of The Rice Exporters Association (TREA). There is no concern for now and exporters are ready to wait for the next kharif crop’s arrival in October to see if any policy change will be required, Rao said.

He said the increase in non-basmati rice has to be seen amid the crop failure in Pakistan and also the quantitative restriction in Myanmar. However, he said: “The world needs Indian rice. We will seek a change in policy if at all there is a drop in export.”

Fair assessment in Sept

Rao further said even after the imposition of export duty, neither there is a substantial improvement in procurement, nor a decline in export. He said a fair assessment could be made by September about how the kharif paddy crop would be and a decision could help exporters to enter into new contracts for shipments from October-November.

“As no fresh crop from any other origin to come before September, we are fairly covered till then. A policy review at that time will be definitely of help,” Rao said.

Meanwhile, basmati rice increased 41 per cent to $3.82 billion (₹30,514 crore) in the 10 months to January and there was an 18 per cent surge in volume to 3.66 mt. Total exports of rice (both non-basmati and basmati) increased 16 per cent to $8.98 billion (₹71,787 crore).

HANOI, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese rice export prices increased to 528.5 U.S. dollars per ton, up 9.8 percent in the first two months this year from a year earlier, the Vietnam News reported on Wednesday.

The Ukraine crisis has prompted buyers to import more rice and build up their inventories on fears that the disruption in the supply chain of food grains would make a comeback, the newspaper quoted Nguyen Quoc Toan, head of the Center for Digital Transformation and Agricultural Statistics under the Agriculture Ministry, as saying.

Prices of Vietnam's 5-percent broken rice prices in February rose to 457 U.S. dollars per ton from 449 U.S. dollars in January, Toan added.

Vietnam exported 789,000 tons of grain in January and February, earning 417.2 million U.S. dollars, down 18.8 percent in volume and 10.8 percent in value compared to the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office.

The Philippines was the biggest import market in January with over 129,000 tons worth 64.55 million U.S. dollars, accounting for 34.6 percent of Vietnam's total export.

Supply remains a concern as the drought in some countries affected production and the situation in Ukraine raised concerns over shortages, traders said.

Besides, India's ban on broken rice exports and a 20-percent tax levy on white rice varieties have added to the supply difficulties given the fact that the South Asian country is one of the largest rice exporters in the world. Enditem

The European Union suggests raising the maximum residue level (MRL) for tricyclazole in rice from 0.01 mg/kg to 0.09 mg/kg after determining that the increased level poses no risk to consumers.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has proposed raising the level of tricyclazole in rice after concerns about permitting a higher limit were addressed sufficiently.

The European Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health is now expected to ratify the proposal in May. The decision should encourage Indian rice exporters, as the presence of fungicide residue has been a source of concern for shipments to the EU. However, India has requested that the MRL for the chemical be reduced to 1 mg/kg.

Tricyclazole is a fungicide used to treat blast disease in rice. Japanese scientists conducted tests on mice that resulted in decreased body weight gain as well as increased organ weight and others in the rodent's liver.

Corteva Agriscience had applied to Italy's competent national authority, which is the rapporteur Member State (RMS) of the EU, to set an import tolerance for the active substance tricyclazole in rice, according to EFSA. According to trade experts, Italy is one of the EU members who is dissatisfied with the EFSA regulations because it is a major producer of rice.

In accordance with EU regulations, the RMS created an evaluation report. On April 26, 2018, it was submitted to the European Commission and forwarded to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). "The RMS proposed setting the MRL for rice imported from Brazil at 0.09 mg/kg," it said.

As a result, the EFSA identified the evaluation gaps, and the RMS submitted a revised evaluation report on October 7, 2022. "Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short-term and long-term consumption of residues resulting from the reported agricultural practise of tricyclazole is unlikely to pose a risk to consumer health," the authority stated.

Tricyclazole "is stable," according to hydrolysis studies conducted to investigate the effect of processing on its nature. "Because the proposed use of tricyclazole is on imported crops, residue investigations in rotational crops are not required," EFSA stated.

Rice bran, a byproduct of (husked) rice, may be used for feed purposes, and a potential carry-over into animal food was assessed. For all relevant animal species, the measured livestock dietary burden did not exceed the trigger value of 0.1 mg/kg dry matter (DM).

"Because the relative contribution of tricyclazole residues from rice hulls to total livestock exposure was insignificant, animal commodities were not further considered in this application," according to EFSA. The EFSA concluded that "the recommended use of tricyclazole on rice will not lead in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values so it is unlikely to pose a risk to consumers' health".

Talking on the phone from his tractor in Colorado County, Texas, Craig Gutman said he was not surprised to hear water would not be available for rice farmers like him this year.

"I was pretty much expecting it. We've been watching the lake levels," he said, referring to the Highland Lakes.

The lakes sit well over 100 miles away from his farm, upstream on the Colorado River. These are the reservoirs that supply water not only to Austin, but also to agriculture and industry downstream.

Ever since drought took serious hold last summer, the reservoirs have been depleted enough to trigger an automatic cutoff for farmers who hold “interruptible” water contracts with the Lower Colorado River Authority, the agency that manages the reservoirs.

Those cutoffs began last July, and the LCRA announced Thursday they would continue this year.

“LCRA’s state-approved Water Management Plan requires it to cut off Highland Lakes water to agricultural customers ... based on the intensity and duration of the drought,” the agency said in a press statement.

That water management plan was adopted after the drought of 2011, which remains the worst single-year drought in Texas history.

All About Rice Farming In Texas

Early in that drought, water sent downstream for agriculture reduced the reservoir storage in the Highland Lakes considerably. It was so low some worried it put reserves for cities like Austin, with firm water contracts, at risk.

“During hot, dry times like these, the plan requires the curtailment of water to interruptible customers so LCRA can continue meeting the needs of cities, businesses and industries," John Hofmann, LCRA executive vice president of water, said in the statement.

Gutman says that some farmers in his area will use groundwater to keep growing rice, but tens of thousands of acres will now go uncultivated this year. Exacerbating the problem is the fact that a new reservoir which was constructedafter the 2011 drought to help farmers is still not up and running.

"When they were filling itup, the water was ... running straight back into the river," he said. “They're trying to seal it and line it ... to where that thing will hold water and do what it is supposed to do.”

He says crop insurance should soften the blow for the owners of approximately 250 rice farms that cultivate roughly 160,000 acres of cropland near the Texas Gulf Coast. But the rest of his community doesn’t have insurance to fall back on.

"The support industries are the ones that are really going to suffer,” he said. “It's our flight services, our chemical companies, our seed companies, our rice driers, and just the local economy is going to take a major, major hit.”

“It all starts with rice,” he said. “And rice has to have water.”

Rice farming is extremely water intensive – so much so that many have wondered whether the industry will survive in Texas, as water scarcity continues and water demand grows.

"To be really honest with you," Gutman said, "it is a major concern in this area."

As water supplies dry up, farmers look to drought-friendly alternatives if rice becomes unsustainable.

George Tibbitts, a third-generation farmer in Arbuckle, CA, has been growing rice on his 1,200-acre farm for three decades. His Sacramento Valley irrigation district, one of the oldest in the state, has long benefitted from senior water rights, which date back to 1914. The rights allow farmers such as Tibbitts to keep their fields flush with water, even in arid conditions.

But last year, with much of the state in extreme drought, he faced a career first: His district slashed water allocations by an unprecedented 90 percent, leaving him with little choice but to fallow all of his rice fields. 

Fortunately, the tenth of normal supply he received was still enough to plant sunflower, wheat and tomatoes in four of his nine fields. “If I were only growing rice,” says Tibbitts, “I would’ve been in a big world of hurt.”

Because farming is a profession fraught with uncertainty, there are obvious advantages to having options. Yet, when it comes to rotating fields in a region steeped in a long tradition of growing rice, Tibbitts goes against the grain. In fact, only about 10 percent of the Sacramento Valley’s 500,000 acres of riceland is rotated, with heavy clay soils favoring flooded paddies over other field crops. As such, there’s little information or much of a history to support the practice of crop rotation or substitution.

To bridge the knowledge gap, University of California researchers have developed the Rice Rotation Calculator, an online tool that helps growers explore the economic impacts of switching from rice to one of several alternative crops. Like an insurance estimator, it takes the guesswork out of field rotation: Farmers input a host of variables for cultivating rice—everything from seed and input costs to equipment, labor and irrigation—to get instant, dollar-per-acre revenue comparisons for beans, safflower, sunflower and tomatoes.

Crop rotation can help mitigate the economic and agronomic risks of mono-cropping, such as loss of soil fertility, increased reliance on pesticides and vulnerability to price fluctuations, says Whitney Brim-DeForest, a UC Cooperative Extension rice advisor, who developed the calculator with Sara Rosenberg, a UC Davis doctoral student in horticulture and agronomy.

However, because the practice is relatively rare in California’s rice country, the unknowns can make it a daunting proposition. “We don’t want to advise [growers] to crop-rotate if they [don’t] have an idea of what it looks like economically,” says Brim-DeForest. “This tool is designed to help them make informed decisions and, hopefully, reduce the barrier to entry.”

There’s also an enormous effort required to take a field out of rice, including removing levees, bedding up fields and installing irrigation. Rosenberg says that’s just one factor that contributes to “a whole system that’s been created to make rice so feasible.” Yes, there’s the clay soil, flat landscape and senior water rights. But that has created a unique regional economy and industry—one that seeds fields with planes instead of drill seeders, harvests with giant combines rather than tractors and requires far less labor than row crops.

It’s no wonder, then, that there’s very little data to support the practice of rotating rice fields, adds Brim-DeForest, and a lot of uncertainty around adopting such a major transition. “In this region, rice is a cultural crop,” she says—one engrained throughout generations of families and entire communities. The ubiquity often means that information and resources needed to make a switch are harder to come by, as are the social networks that aid in sharing equipment and tapping different markets.

The Rice Rotation Calculator is designed to demystify one of the biggest unknowns of rotating out of rice: the bottom line. Curious growers simply input their current farming costs as well as opportunity costs—the learning curve, in hours, for a new cropping system multiplied by hourly wage—to get a comparative overview of switching to one of four options: dry beans, safflower (both lower in value than rice, with a low barrier to entry), sunflower or tomatoes (both higher in value, with a more complicated transition).

Data pulled from the UC Integrated Pest Management Program, which developed the backend, factors in a comprehensive range of cost considerations. Along with seed, input and equipment costs, the calculator accounts for labor, field reconstruction and even rent for tenant farmers. Users get instant rice-versus-selected-crop comparisons, displayed via a graph and itemized summary for first- and average-year costs and net revenue.

Rosenberg emphasizes that the calculator shows only short-term cost implications, and it doesn’t account for bumps in rice yields, savings in inputs and weed control and additional benefits touted by Tibbitts and other advocates. She hopes that in supporting the wider adoption of crop rotation, data and research will follow and that future upgrades will incorporate that knowledge into forecasting long-term returns on a seemingly promising investment.

In the meantime, the calculator allows growers to weigh sound options for squeezing the most out of a limited water allocation or selecting a robust crop mix for weathering a cool rice market. Given all the uncertainties inherent in farming,“it’s another tool in the toolbox,” says Rosenberg, for growers to build resilience.

In a normal year, the Sacramento Valley produces 97 percent of California’s rice, but with reservoirs drained after three years of continuous drought, production plummeted by half in 2022, to 250,000 acres. Although heavy winter storms have brightened the outlook for this year, “we’re not out of the woods yet,” says Tibbitts. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation recently signaled a potential increase in allocations—all the while noting that conditions are still subject to change. At this point, he notes that he’d be happy to get half of his annual water supply.

Regardless of outcome, a diverse planting helps Tibbitts roll with the punches. While four fields are slated for a May seeding of rice, he’ll plant a couple with sunflowers in early spring and lease the remainder to a tomato grower. In addition to stretching water allocation—sunflowers grow solely on residual soil moisture, while drip-irrigated tomatoes require 60 percent less water than rice—crop rotation improves soil health, reduces pesticide resistance and weeds and helps stagger his harvest.

“And when I put a field back into rice after growing tomatoes,” adds Tibbitts, “I always get the best yields.”

The export prices of Vietnamese rice in the first two months of 2023 rose by 9.8% year-on-year to 528.5 USD/tonne, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Hanoi (VNA) - The export prices of Vietnamese rice in the first two months of 2023 rose by 9.8% year-on-year to 528.5 USD/tonne, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Vietnam exported 789,000 tonnes of the grain in the reviewed period, earning 417 million USD, down 18.8% in volume and 10.8% in value compared to the same period last year.

The Philippines is the largest importer of the food from Vietnam in January with over 129,000 tonnes worth 64.55 million USD, accounting for 34.6% of Vietnam’s total export.

Vietnam recorded the highest increase price for rice exported to Taiwan (China) in January, with a surge of 54.6% year-on-year.

It is forecast to have favourable conditions for rice exports in 2023 as many countries such as the US and China, and those in Europe, are being affected by climate change and drought, which cause a shortage of rice supply.

Moreover, India - one of the largest rice exporters in the world, imposes a ban on broken rice exports and a 20-percent tax rate on white rice varieties.

Vietnam aims to export between 6.5 – 7 million tonnes of rice in 2023.

Its export is predicted to increase again as the demand in traditional markets such as Indonesia and Bangladesh has risen, and China – one of the largest importers of Vietnamese farm produce, has opened the market after the COVID-19 pandemic./.

After touching the peak of 4.9 million metric tons during the last fiscal, Pakistan’s rice exports are well on their way to explore a fresh bottom. Seven-month fiscal report from Pakistan Bureau of Statistics indicates that the country would be lucky to manage 3.2 million metric tons in exports during 2022-23, lowest quantum in past 15 years. Per PBS, rice exports are already down 25 percent during 7MFY23, easily making rice one of the worst performers among major exporting segments.

January 2023 turned out to be one of the worst performing months, as coarse rice - which constitutes up to 85 percent of exports by quantity – saw volume exported decline by 56 percent year on year to just 0.18 million metric tons. If last year isn’t fair comparison given record exports, consider that January 2023 underperformed Covid year exports (Jan’21) by 30 percent, and were 51 percent lower than average exports for the month over the last decade.

Export revenue performance from coarse rice offers little cause for hope either, falling 40 percent over last year. It was also one-third lower than the 10-year average, despite 40 percent higher unit prices fetched. At this rate, coarse rice exports would be lucky to breach the 2.8MMT mark in the full fiscal, having managed at least 3MMT every year since at least FY14. Coarse rice export revenue may rake in $1.3 billion, a six-year low. However, it may not the worst year for the exporting firms, who have fetched the highest per unit prices for coarse exports in well over a decade.

Meanwhile, export performance of the higher value basmati rice hasn’t been too different either. Although per unit basmati prices fetched in the export market during the 7MFY23 – nearly $1,100 per metric ton - have climbed up to their highest level in the last 10 years, basmati export volume remained lowest in five years, barely breaching 0.3MMT in the seven-month period. In fact, this may be the first time in five years when annual basmati exports from Pakistan once again fall under half a million metric tons, putting Pakistan’s share in the global market well below 10 percent, barely putting a dent in the market share of neighboring India, which commands the remainder 90 percent market share.

Here too, however, higher prices once again come to the rescue. Basmati unit prices are at least 25 percent higher compared to last fiscal year, raising the average earnings for the exporters. If prices remain elevated for the remainder fiscal year, revenue from basmati exports will only be 18 percent lower than last year, compared to one-third lower had prices remained at the same level as year – when they averaged around $900 per metric ton during the full fiscal. Revenue from basmati exports is expected to remain under $600 million, lowest in five years.

Although higher prices amid low volumes will make 2022-23 a mixed season for exporters, it is surprising that basmati exports did not pick up during the current marketing year. According to provisional crop statistics from provincial authorities, basmati crop had performed better during the kharif 2022 season, unlike coarse rice varieties such as IRRI and hybrid, which had become victim to the devastating floods in southern parts of the country. If export volumes do pick up during the remaining fiscal, it may lend credence to the theory that keeping the currency artificially appreciated during the first half caused irreparable damage to revenue from exports. Keep a close eye!

MANILA, Philippines  -SL Agritech Corp., the country’s largest hybrid rice producer, is asking President Marcos to provide additional and long-term funding for farmers and devote a bigger land area for hybrid rice to achieve the government’s rice self-sufficiency goal.

“We need P7 billion to P8 billion for at least 10 years for us to produce enough seeds. That is what we asked from the government,” SL Agritech chair and CEO Henry Lim Bon Liong told the Inquirer.

He said the company was spending about P1 billion per hectare to produce seeds for hybrid rice, a type of rice bred from two different parents as defined by Laguna-based International Rice Research Institute.

“How can you fund a long-term investment [with] a short-term loan?” he said. “If we want to be self-sufficient in rice, we should also be self-sufficient in seeds. If we are sufficient in rice but we don’t have enough seeds and we only rely on importation, [then] what will happen if there will be a shortage of seeds worldwide?”

SL Agritech technical and promotion support consultant Frisco Malabanan said farmers should also gain easier access to loans with zero or low interest rates.

The issues were raised during a recent meeting with Mr. Marcos, who concurrently heads the Department of Agriculture.

“The problem for farmers is that the government’s credit program is not that accessible. Farmers do not want to go back and forth to the bank to comply with the requirements and secure financing because they are too busy cultivating their lands. That’s why they patronize the informal credit conduits,” said Malabanan.

In a study published in Cell Reports, Prof. SONG Xianjun’s group from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has uncovered a gene network underlying the regulation of seed size.

The researchers found that a genetically defined cascade-OsTIR1-OsIAA10-OsARF4-plays an important role in controlling rice grain size, and Thousand-grain weight on chromosome 3 (TGW3) phosphorylation of OsIAA10 regulates the trait by altering the corresponding auxin signaling.

Cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important crop, feeding more than half the world’s population. In rice, grain size is an important agronomic trait that significantly affects grain yield and quality. However, few genetically defined pathways for grain size control have been reported so far.

Together with other groups, the researchers reported in 2018 a large QTL for grain size and yield, called TGW3, whose target gene encodes a GSK3-like protein kinase. They then identified the canonical auxin/indole-3-acetic acid protein OsIAA10 as a novel interacting partner of TGW3. As expected, TGW3 has the ability to phosphorylate OsIAA10.

Interestingly, in this study, the researchers identified three serine sites-Ser68, Ser75, and Ser97-of OsIAA10 as the major amino acids that are phosphorylated by TGW3 and found that the phosphorylation of OsIAA10 is involved in grain size regulation.

In addition, they showed that TGW3 phosphorylation of OsIAA10 promotes ubiquitylation and proteolysis of the substrate. Mechanistically, phosphorylation of OsIAA10 favors its interaction with OsTIR1 but hinders its association with OsARF4.

Furthermore, genetic evidence indicated that a viable OsTIR1-OsIAA10-OsARF4 auxin signaling axis regulates rice grain size.

“TGW3 may mediate the brassinosteroid (BR) response and the physiological effect may be transmitted through the regulatory pathway,” said Dr. MA Ming, first author of the study.

Overall, these findings uncover a phosphorylation-driven auxin signaling pathway for seed size regulation in rice, providing useful information for the improvement of the agronomic trait in crops.

Wheat yields will definitely be decreased by the heatwaves but the government's food management plan will cover the nation's food security needs.

The central government has doubled down on paddy purchases to tide over any shortages and has advised the millet-growing states to draw up intricate networks to buy the hardy crops in case of scarcity.

According to procurement strategies put in place, the central government will get by with enough stock of rice and millet to cover the country's food security demands since it is aware of the high likelihood of heatwaves over food-bowl states and their potential impact on the wheat harvest.

The government aims to procure 34.1 million tonnes of wheat at federally determined prices. Even if rising temperatures do have an impact on wheat production, as they did last year, estimates of the yield loss are available, an official stated while requesting anonymity.

According to the official data, the government has bought 71.3 million tonnes of paddy, paying farmers ₹1.4 lakh crore in support prices until 1st March 2023.

The government intends to buy 76.6 million tonnes of summer-sown paddy (equivalent to 51.4 million tonnes of rice). They intend to purchase 15.8 million tonnes of winter-sown paddy (equivalent to 10.6 million tonnes of rice). According to official estimates, the government's paddy stockpile will total 90 million tonnes.

Wheat yields will definitely be decreased by the heatwaves but according to the official, the government's food management plan depends on the precise distribution of rice, wheat, and even millets to meet the nation's food security needs, which include providing free grains to 800 million people.

The state purchases of wheat were abnormally low at 18 million tonnes last year, down nearly 58% from the previous year after a disastrous spell of heatwave cut output by 2.5% to 106 million tonnes.

The government intends to buy 76.6 million tonnes of summer-sown paddy (equivalent to 51.4 million tonnes of rice). They intend to purchase 15.8 million tonnes of winter-sown paddy (equivalent to 10.6 million tonnes of rice). According to official estimates, the government's paddy stockpile will total 90 million tonnes.

Wheat yields will definitely be decreased by the heatwaves but according to the official, the government's food management plan depends on the precise distribution of rice, wheat, and even millets to meet the nation's food security needs, which include providing free grains to 800 million people.

The state purchases of wheat were abnormally low at 18 million tonnes last year, down nearly 58% from the previous year after a disastrous spell of heatwave cut output by 2.5% to 106 million tonnes.

EFSA moots raising maximum residue level on tricyclazole to 0.09 mg/kg

The European Union proposes to raise the maximum residue level (MRL) for tricyclazole in rice to 0.09 mg per kg from 0.01 mg/kg after finding that the raised level is unlikely to cause any risk for consumers.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has proposed the hike in the level of tricyclazole in rice after concerns over allowing the higher limit had been sufficiently addressed. 

The proposal is now expected to be ratified by the European Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health in May. 

India’s demand

The decision should encourage Indian rice exporters as the fungicide residue’s presence has been a concern for shipments to the EU. However, India has been seeking an MRL of 1 mg/kg for the chemical. 

Tricyclazole is a fungicide that is used to control the blast disease in rice. Tests carried out by Japanese scientists on mice are reported to have led to decreased body weight gain and increased organ weight and others in the rodent’s liver. 

EFSA said Corteva Agriscience had submitted an application to  Italy’s competent national authority, which is the rapporteur Member State (RMS) of the EU, to set an import tolerance for the active substance tricyclazole in rice. 

According to trade experts, Italy is one of the EU members who has been unhappy with the EFSA regulations since it is a significant producer of rice. 

Evaluation resubmitted

The RMS drafted an evaluation report in accordance with the EU regulations. It was submitted to the European Commission and forwarded to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on April 26, 2018. 

“The RMS proposed to establish MRL for rice imported from Brazil at the level of 0.09 mg/kg,” it said.

In turn, the EFSA identified the gaps in the evaluation and the RMS submitted a revised evaluation report on October 7, 2022. 

“Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short-term and long-term intake of residues resulting from the use of tricyclazole according to the reported agricultural practice is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health,” the authority said.

Hydrolysis studies conducted to investigate the effect of processing on the nature of tricyclazole demonstrated that tricyclazole “is stable”. “As the proposed use of tricyclazole is on imported crops, investigations of residues in rotational crops are not required,” EFSA said.

Impact on feed

As by-products from (husked) rice, rice bran may be used for feed purposes, a potential carry-over into the food of animal origin was assessed. The calculated livestock dietary burden did not exceed the trigger value of 0.1 mg/kg dry matter (DM) for all relevant animal species. 

“The relative contribution of tricyclazole residues from rice hulls to the total livestock exposure was insignificant, and therefore, animal commodities were not further considered in this application,” EFSA said.

The EFSA concluded that “the proposed use of tricyclazole on rice will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore is unlikely to pose a risk to consumers’ health”.

Geographical indication. Australia rejects India’s application for GI tag to Basmati rice

We have appealed before Federal court of Australia, says APEDA Chairman

Australia has rejected India’s application to grant a geographical indication (GI) tag for basmati rice on the grounds that it is not grown only in India.

Indian had filed the application in February 2019 for Basmati name and logo.

“Australia has rejected our application for GI,” said M Angamuthu, Chairman, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

“We have already filed an appeal. (An) Appeal has been filed before the Federal Court of Australia on February 1, 2023, against Basamti name,” he said.

“Australia contends that rice growers outside of India have an equally valid claim to use the term, Basmati. The interpretation of reputation of GI products by Australian authorities is the think of the new world,” said S Chandrasekaran, an expert in GI andauthor of “Basmati Rice: The Natural History Geographical Indiction”.

Ongoing process

APEDA is the authority that promotes exports and takes care of GI registration for Indian products abroad. 

“It is (GI registration) an ongoing process and we will appeal again. This will not have any impact on our trade as such,” the APEDA Chairman said.

“I think India has not explained its point correctly. It is a product that is grown only in North India and Pakistan. It will be corrected,” said Vijay Setia, former president of All India Rice Exporters Association and Director, Chaman Lal Setia Exports Ltd.

Australia imports about 50,000 tonnes of basmati annually with shipments of 35,112 tonnes valued at ₹351.78 crore during the April-December period of the current fiscal. 

YANGON, Mar 3 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Mar, 2023 ) :Burmese layer ducks farm owners face loss due to the rocketing feed price.

Layer ducks farm owner Ko Naing from Yangon Region put his ducks up for sale at 5,000 kyats (about 2.38 U.S. Dollars) per head for an outright sale.

"The feed cost is exorbitantly high. The price of broken rice as animal feed went up 33 per cent. Besides, the production rate has declined," he said.

"The quality of the feed is changed to an inferior state. Although the layer ducks fed well, the egg production plunged compared to the previous record," added another duck farmer Ko Kyaw Swar.

Meanwhile, the price of duck eggs is headed for a decrease.

The fishery sector is also facing burdens of high feed costs. Entrepreneurs have requested government efforts on the price stability of raw materials.

However, U Khin Hlaing, vice chair of the Myanmar Livestock Federation, said layer poultry farms are financially doing well, and the federation has a plan to conduct awareness courses to boost production for the livestock breeders.

BRRI dhan 105 is diabetic- friendly while BRRI dhan 106 is a submergence -tolerant variety

The government on Thursday released two new varieties of rice aiming to boost production of the main staple in a changing climatic condition.

The National Seed Board (NSB) at a meeting gave the go-ahead to the rice varieties- BRRI dhan 105 and 106-, developed by the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI).

With the development, the number of BRRI developed rice varieties is now 113.

Beneficial for diabetic patients upon being on a low glycemic index (GI) of 55, BRRI dhan 105 has been developed for Boro season, says a BRRI press release.

BRRI dhan 106 which is a submergence-tolerant Aus variety has been developed for the non-saline tidal areas of Barishal division, it was revealed at the NSB meeting presided over by Agriculture Secretary Wahida Akter.

Director General of BRRI Dr Shahjahan Kabir said average production of BRRI dhan 105 is 7.6 tonnes per hectare (paddy form) and it would take 148 days to harvest.

He added BRRI dhan 106 would take only 117 days to grow while its production is 4.79 tonnes per hectare which is nearly 17.4 per cent higher than that of its traditional alternative BRRI dhan 27.

Both the varieties are medium slender grains.

However, despite development of 113 varieties by the BRRI, only a few are dominating farmlands in the country, creating a market imbalance, said experts.

BRRI dhan 28 and 29, developed in 1993, dominate above 50 per cent land in Boro season and BRRI dhan 11, 22, 49 and trans-boundary variety Swarna capture above 80 per cent land in Aman season.

The government has highly been emphasising popularising the new varieties for a changing climate as well as to boost production of the staple grain.

WASHINGTON, DC – More than 50 farmer members of USA Rice fanned out on Capitol Hill and around Washington this week for more than 60 meetings with lawmakers, key Congressional staff, and Administration officials to share industry priorities as the 2023 Farm Bill gets underway and make their case for why they should be considered.

“We were unified with our messaging that the Farm Bill is hugely important for us and we have significant concerns that are likely unique to rice,” said Curtis Berry, a Mississippi rice farmer and chair of the USA Rice Farm Policy Task Force. “The Price Loss Coverage program is our true safety net, but the reference price is based on cost of production data that is more than 10 years old. In today’s environment, cost of production data from 10 months ago is out of date.”

Berry said his group talked about runaway input costs and stagnant prices as a result of global market manipulation by India as adding to the rice industry’s woes.

“U.S. rice acres in 2022 were the lowest in 40 years,” Berry said. “The impact of the decline is significant: the average U.S. rice farm contributes $1 million to its local economy, and the industry provides more than 125,000 jobs and $3.5 billion in critical wildlife wetland habitat in the off-season.”

Berry added that rice farmers are 100 percent committed to conservation and sustainability, but that government conservation programs should focus on working lands, avoid inflexible climate-related sideboards, and be locally-led, voluntary, and incentive-based.

“We want to do the right thing, but if we can’t remain viable as a business, we won’t be able to pursue any of these conservation goals,” Arkansas rice farmer Mark Isbell said to the minority staff of the House Agriculture Committee during a meeting yesterday.

The message appears to be resonating.

“Let me put it this way,” said House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) in a meeting with rice representatives on Wednesday morning, “the Farm Bill is not going to be a Climate Bill.”

“I want to thank everyone who left their farms this week to join us in Washington to advocate on behalf of the entire industry,” said Mississippi rice farmer and USA Rice Chair Kirk Satterfield. “We really appreciate the many Members of Congress, the Senators, and their staffs who joined us, and it was wonderful to hear directly from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Tuesday who shared some positive news about assistance heading to our beleaguered industry in the near future.”

The 2018 Farm Bill is set to expire on September 30, 2023.

RPT-ASIA RICE-INDIAN EXPORT RATES EASE, BANGLADESH AIMS TO COMBAT HOARDING

India's 5% broken parboiled variety quoted at $390-$395 a tonne

*

Supplies building amid winter-spring harvest in Vietnam

By Arundhati Sarkar

March 3 (Reuters) - Prices of rice shipped from top hub India eased this week on a slowdown in demand from buyers in Africa, while Bangladesh looked to clamp down on hoarding to tame soaring local rates for the staple.

Rates for India's 5% broken parboiled variety <RI-INBKN5-P1> fell to $390-$395 per tonne from $397-$404, which was the highest in about two years, were also hurt by a depreciation in the rupee.

Buying from African countries has slowed a bit due to the recent rally in prices, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trade house.

India does not plan to lift a ban on broken rice exports and cut a 20% tax on overseas shipments of white rice as the top exporter tries to keep a lid on domestic prices, two government sources said last month.

In Bangladesh, domestic prices stayed elevated despite good crops and reserves, which officials blamed on hoarding by middlemen.

The government has warned of legal action against those involved.

"Surveillance has been increased. New laws are being enacted," Bangladesh Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said.

Thailand's 5% broken rice prices <RI-THBKN5-P1> were quoted at $450 $460 per tonne, a slight dip from the $460 range last week.

"Supply and demand have been muted because it's early in the month, (so) we have to wait for the new harvest," said a Bangkok-based trader.

In Vietnam, 5% broken rice <RI-VNBKN5-P1> was offered at $440-$445 per tonne, down from $457 per tonne a week ago.

"Prices edged lower as supplies are building up amid the winter-spring harvest," a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said.

While prices may ease further as the harvest peaks this month, strong global demand will prevent a more pronounced retreat, traders said.

(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai, Khanh Vu in Hanoi, Chayut Setboonsarg in Bangkok, Ruma Paul in Dhaka; Editing by Sonia Cheema)

Replacing rice-bag delivery with digital card vouchers helps Indonesia's poor get more food

For many years, the Indonesian government's food aid program sent bags of rice to villages, where local leaders were supposed to distribute them to poor residents every month. But starting about five years ago, Indonesia changed that. Instead of rice bags, the poor were sent debit cards to buy the equivalent amount of food at local neighborhood shops.

Going digital had a major effect: Suddenly millions of Indonesians in the program started receiving the total amount of food intended for them 81% of the time, according to a study that MIT economists helped lead. Under the old system, by contrast, people received the full intended amount of food only 24% of the time, most likely because portions of the rice were given locally to many people not officially eligible for the program. The debit cards gave the poor the ability to purchase food themselves rather than rely on the government to deliver rice to them.

"What the program effectively does, by shifting from handing out bags of food to handing out a digital debit card with your name on it, means that people get the full amount they're eligible for," says Benjamin Olken, an MIT economist and co-author of a new paper detailing the study's results. "That's the big impact of the switch, and that leads to a pretty substantial reduction in poverty."

Indeed, for the poorest 15% of households when the study began, switching to debit cards reduced the overall poverty rate by 20%. The researchers discovered this by conducting a randomized controlled study, comparing the results of the different methods while the government implemented the new program in stages.

"It turns out the effects are very large," says Abhijit Banerjee, an MIT economist and another of the paper's co-authors. "This is the advantage of doing a randomized controlled trial rather than sitting and speculating about possible outcomes."

The paper, "Electronic Food Vouchers: Evidence from an At-Scale Experiment in Indonesia," is published in the current issue of the American Economic Review.

Indonesia founded its food aid program, called Rastra, prior to the most recent change, in 1998, targeting about 15 million households. Before the switch, those households were supposed to receive one 10-kilo bag of rice per month, about 6.5% of the income needed to rise above the poverty line.

However, with the rice apparently going to relatively better-off households fairly often, in 2017, the Indonesian government decided to try the debit-card system. At neighborhood shops, people could use their cards to purchase both rice and eggs, at a value level commensurate with the 10-kilo rice bag.

During the rollout of the new program, the Indonesian government randomly selected 42 out of 105 regional districts to receive the program in 2018, a year before the other districts converted. This created a real-world experiment because the simultaneous results of the new and old systems could be compared in similar circumstances. Indonesian officials themselves recognized that this created the potential for rigorous study, and approached the scholars about it.

"They recognized that a phased rollout like this is an opportunity to build randomization into policy design," says Olken. All of the co-authors have conducted extensive field research in the field of development economics in Indonesia; Banerjee, Hanna, Olken, and Sumarto have collaborated on multiple prior studies, including 2018 and 2019 papers about government food distribution in Indonesia, and Satriawan is an expert in antipoverty programs who has studied the effects of malnutrition, among other related topics. J-PAL backs rigorous field experiments and evaluations of antipoverty programs; one benefit of the durable working relationships the scholars have established in Indonesia is precisely the government's heightened interest in leading-edge evaluations of its own work.

"It's a pretty remarkable story about how researchers and governments can work together to build rigorous evaluation into programs," Olken adds. "It reflects not just our particular interests in this project, but more broadly how J-PAL works with policymakers."

To conduct the study, the scholars also collaborated with Indonesian officials to add new questions to the national household survey the government conducts. From this, the researchers could derive answers about the actual effects of the program change, including the striking rise, from 24% to 81%, in the frequency with which households received their full allocation of food. About 97% of households also reported consuming more rice, while egg consumption rose slightly.

The program also avoided one potential pitfall—that by increasing demand for rice in rural areas, the program might also lead to price increases as a result. The scholars found only marginal price rises. The program's administrative costs also dropped, from an already-low 4% to under 2%.

The most notable outcome, however, may be that the allocation of debit cards was implemented so smoothly, without problems in program adherence.

"The rules stick," says Banerjee, who shared the 2019 Nobel Prize in economic science along with MIT's Esther Duflo.

"The technology does make it harder to change," Olken observes about the program. "If you make [preferential distribution] a little more difficult, it's not worth it. What's so stark in the paper is this snapping to full compliance, with about 80% of the people getting the full amount they're entitled to."

To be sure, questions will likely remain about where to set the program's cutoff in terms of who receives food aid. In retooling this program, some people just above the official program eligibility line, who might have been receiving rice not intended for them, might now have less food than before.

"No targeting system is perfect," Olken says. "On net we show that concentrating the benefits to the poor really does reduce poverty and helps the government's objectives, but it does mean other people are losing out. So there is this question: Can you further improve the targeting of people to minimize exclusion and make sure everyone who is most needy gets some? That may be a matter for future research."

Still, Olken notes, for now the sheer efficacy of the debit card approach has been informing discussion about the program, its goals, and its effectiveness. "I think understanding these results is shaping the policy debate," he says.

Conservative level. Rice procurement target for 2022-23 fixed at 62.1 mt, rabi-grown rice to be 10.6 mt

Rice and wheat procurement arrangements for rabi season arrived after receiving feedbacks from States

The Centre has fixed a target of 10.6 million tonnes (mt) of rice to be purchased during the rabi season starting April 1, taking the total target to 62.1 mt in 2022-23 (October-September), which is 45 mt more than the actual purchase in the previous year. Besides, 34.15 mt of wheat has been estimated for procurement in 2023-24.

During the first session of the conference of State Food Secretaries, held on March 1, to discuss the procurement arrangements for the ensuing season, both wheat and rabi-grown rice targets have arrived after the feedback received from States, the food ministry said Thursday.

Initially, the target was 51.8 mt from kharif-grown rice, which was revised to 52.1 mt after higher procurement in Haryana. However, because of lower purchases in Tamil Nadu, the target has since got reduced to 51.47 mt from kharif season, out of which 93 per cent has already procured. “If the target of 62.1 mt (which is over 47 per cent of total output) is achieved, it will be the highest ever rice purchase as the previous high was 60.25 mt in 2020-21,” said an official.

“States were advised to enhance milling capacity so that milling of one season gets completed before the commencement of the next season and recycling of rice may be avoided. It is expected that seamless procurement with direct transfer of money into farmer’s account, minimum cost of transportation, and human interference-free and quick analysis of foodgrains shall be a part of the ecosystem of Food Security Management very soon,” it said.

Apart from the auto grain analyser to be used by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), States have been advised to implement more Minimum Threshold Parameters, linking of electricity consumption of mills with the milled quantity of paddy and linking of vehicles used for transportation of foodgrain and their GPS tracking for increased efficiency and transparency by June 2023, the ministry said.

The auto grain analyser based on artificial intelligence can process results in a minute with high accuracy for paddy, rice, wheat, and coarse grain. It has been certified by ICAR-CIPHET of Ludhiana. The machine will help minimise human intervention, error and biases, and will also save time by giving digitally verifiable result of each grain.

The wheat procurement target this year assumes significance on the backdrop of 2022 experience when the government could buy only 18.79 mt against the target of 44.4 mt. The lower procurement led to a ban on wheat export, which still continues since May 2022, and also a reallocation of grains in terms of rice by cutting the wheat quota for the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Sources said that the target has been set at a conservative level as the food ministry does not want to take any chance with agriculture ministry’s production estimate. The agriculture ministry has already released its forecast of a record 112.18 mt of wheat production during 2022-23 crop year (July-June).

Addressing the state food ministers, Union Food Minister Piyush Goyal said that ‘SMART-PDS’ is a technological driven initiative and the need of hour, which should be implemented by all the States at the earliest. He emphasised on a transparent and accountable system and urged officials to reduce human intervention and promote automation in the existing processes. He said transparency should be of utmost importance for free supply chain of foodgrains under Public Distribution System (PDS).

Prices of rice shipped from top hub India eased this week on a slowdown in demand from buyers in Africa, while Bangladesh looked to clamp down on hoarding to tame soaring local rates for the staple.

Rates for India’s 5% broken parboiled variety fell to $390-$395 per tonne from $397-$404, which was the highest in about two years, were also hurt by a depreciation in the rupee.

Buying from African countries has slowed a bit due to the recent rally in prices, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trade house.

India does not plan to lift a ban on broken rice exports and cut a 20% tax on overseas shipments of white rice as the top exporter tries to keep a lid on domestic prices, two government sources said last month.

In Bangladesh, domestic prices stayed elevated despite good crops and reserves, which officials blamed on hoarding by middlemen.

The government has warned of legal action against those involved.

“Surveillance has been increased. New laws are being enacted,” Bangladesh Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said.

Thailand’s 5% broken rice prices were quoted at $450 $460 per tonne, a slight dip from the $460 range last week.

“Supply and demand have been muted because it’s early in the month, (so) we have to wait for the new harvest,” said a Bangkok-based trader.

In Vietnam, 5% broken rice was offered at $440-$445 per tonne, down from $457 per tonne a week ago.

“Prices edged lower as supplies are building up amid the winter-spring harvest,” a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said.

While prices may ease further as the harvest peaks this month, strong global demand will prevent a more pronounced retreat, traders said.

New program makes one-time payment to rice farmers based on 2022 plantings and prevented plantings 

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2023 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today previewed plans to provide up to $250 million in assistance to rice farmers and what steps they can take to be prepared to sign up when the program is released later this spring. USDA is sharing information early so producers can prepare for program signup, which will include a pre-filled application in an effort to simplify and streamline the application process.  

“USDA intends to use the streamlined approach it has utilized on other disaster programs to speed program implementation," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “By leveraging Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency data for the Emergency Relief Program, USDA saved farmers and staff significant time, and we think this approach will help us provide an initial payment more quickly with a final payment after the application period has closed. I appreciate Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman’s assistance bringing together rice farmers from across the country to provide input on how to expedite and simplify the process.” 

On Dec. 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law H.R. 2617, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided the authority and funding for USDA to make payments to rice producers based on data already on file with the USDA, including planted acres and acres prevented from being planted.

What Farmers Can Do Now 

The full details of the program and application will not be available until after a Notice of Funding Availability is published later this year in the Federal Register. But there is something farmers can do right now to be better prepared for the signup, if they qualify for a higher payment limitation.

The payment limitation for the program is set by law and is higher if the farmer’s average adjusted gross farm income (income from activities related to farming, ranching, or forestry) is more than 75% of their average adjusted gross income (AGI). Specifically, a person or legal entity with adjusted gross farm income of less than 75% of their overall AGI, cannot receive, directly or indirectly, more than $125,000 in payments. AGI is based on the three taxable years preceding the most immediately preceding complete tax year.  Farmers with 75% or more AGI from farming qualify for a $250,000 payment limit. 

Rice farmers may visit their local county office to submit the appropriate form and certification (FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs), if they qualify for and want to seek the higher payment limit and get part of the paperwork done early. Farmers will still have a chance to fill out the AGI form during signup as well. The form should be filled out for the 2022 crop year.

Planned Application Process 

After the official notice is published later this year, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) plans to mail prefilled applications to producers using information on file with USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) or FSA, as reported by rice producers through their crop insurance agents or FSA county office. This streamlined application process will reduce the burden on producers and minimize errors due to manual data entries on the application form. More information will be provided when FSA announces the signup period in the coming weeks.  

Program Payments 

As directed by the omnibus legislation, FSA will calculate Rice Production Program (RPP) payments by multiplying the payment rate, individual average actual production history (APH), as reported to RMA, or county yield and an amount of certified rice acres determined by the number of planted acres and acres that were prevented from being planted.  FSA plans to issue an initial payment to eligible farmers soon after applications are returned and a final payment after the sign-up has closed. Details on these procedures and the initial payment rate will be in the future notice. 

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

The Government yesterday said there will be no Social Security Contribution Levy imposed on purchasing of paddy, production, and sale of rice.

A proposal by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday to amend the Social Security Contribution Levy Act exempting the tax to encourage local rice producers.

Currently, 2.5% or Rs. 7-8 is being charged for a kilogram of rice produced with the aforementioned tax.

The Cabinet of Ministers also approved the purchasing of a kilogram of Nadu for Rs. 100 from farmers to be distributed to low-income families free of charge.

Vietnam’s rice export this year is expected to benefit from many favourable conditions, including high global demand, to reach 7 million tonnes, according to the Cong Thuong (Industry & Trade) newspaper.

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s rice export this year is expected to benefit from many favourable conditions, including high global demand, to reach 7 million tonnes, according to the Cong Thuong (Industry & Trade) newspaper.

The January report by the US Department of Agriculture forecast the global rice trade in 2023 will decrease about 4% from last year.

Large rice exporters are predicted to witness declines, including Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, China, the EU, India, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Russia, Senegal, Tanzania, Turkey, Uruguay, and the US. Among them, India and Pakistan may see the sharpest falls, down by some 2.1 million tonnes in total, due to lower output and domestic market stabilisation policies.

Climate change impacts and drought in the US, Europe, and China are posing a risk of supply shortages, the Foreign Trade Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade told a recent conference on rice export.

Aside from rising global demand, improved quality has also boosted importing countries’ demand for Vietnamese rice, the agency noted, expecting an export volume of 6.5 - 7 million tonnes in 2023.

Import demand in traditional markets like the Philippines and Africa will stay stable in the first half of this year as they are increasing food stockpiles, according to Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association Nguyen Ngoc Nam.

Nguyen Viet Anh, Director General of the Phuong Dong food company, said businesses are now highly optimistic, and that since 2019, the sector has no longer needed support to sell out the grain, but sometimes even run out of rice to meet demand.

Last year, Vietnam exported nearly 7.2 million tonnes of rice, gaining 3.49 billion USD./.

Shipments could hit 8m tonnes this year

Demand for Thai rice in the international market remains strong, with Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit expecting the country's exports to potentially increase to 8 million tonnes this year.

Speaking after a discussion with the Thai Rice Exporters Association, Mr Jurin said on Monday that the weak baht, increased stocks for domestic consumption in India and Vietnam, and growing demand in the Middle East are the key factors that will help boost the Thai rice export outlook this year.

The Foreign Trade Department on Monday reported that Thai rice exports rose 75.2% year-on-year in January to 805,519 tonnes, driven by year-end orders, higher demand from the Middle East, and the weakness of the baht.

The value of rice exports, meanwhile, rose by 78.7% from January last year to 14.2 billion baht.

Ronnarong Phoolpipat, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said the weakened baht, which made Thai rice prices competitive, helped accelerate year-end purchase orders, while orders from many countries such as Iraq, Indonesia and Bangladesh had significantly increased in January.

However, Mr Ronnarong said his department was sticking to the rice export target of 7.5 million tonnes this year as it wanted to monitor the baht before deciding whether to revise the target.

"The baht's prospects are vital to the country's rice exports this year. Thai rice exports will become competitive in the world market if the baht is weakened," he said.

The baht has weakened again, by 1.5% against the US dollar so far this year, making it Asia's third-worst performing currency.

Last year, Thailand shipped 7.69 million tonnes of rice, outperforming the Commerce Ministry's target of 7.5 million tonnes.

Export volumes increased by 22% from 6.3 million tonnes shipped in 2021, while the value in baht terms rose by 25.1% to 138 billion baht.

Meanwhile, the export value in dollar terms rose by 14.6% from a year before to US$3.97 billion.

Last year, Thailand was ranked the world's second-largest rice exporter after India, which exported 21.9 million tonnes.

Vietnam was third, with rice exports of 6.31 million tonnes.

Iraq was the largest importer of Thai rice, buying 1.6 million tonnes last year, up 458% from a year before. South Africa came second, importing 775,000 tonnes (down 2.26%), followed by China at 750,000 tonnes (down 2.26%), followed by China at 750,000 tonnes (up 18.8%), the US at 650,000 tonnes (up 13.2%) and Benin at 321,000 tonnes (down 15.3%).

HANOI: Decreasing input costs as Europe eases sanctions against Russia and increased fertiliser supply will benefit rice export businesses, according to Vietcombank Securities Company (VCBS).

A recent report on the rice sector from VCBS showed that the global rice output is estimated at 519.7 million tonnes at the end of the 2021/2022 crop.

China, India, and Asean are key consumption markets, while India, Vietnam and Thailand are the largest rice exporters.

Rice prices witnessed an uptrend in global markets last year as the Indian government’s ban on rice export, floods in Pakistan, and adverse weather in China and the Philippines caused reductions in rice output in these countries.

While depleted inventories in the Philippines will result in higher imports in 2023, rice production will drop due to prolonged droughts in China and India.

On the other hand, due to heavy rain in Vietnam over the past year and gradually neutral weather in the first half of 2023, the country’s rice output is forecast to be stable this year, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Therefore, Vietnam is very likely to benefit from the upward trend in rice prices which is fuelled by limited supplies and a shift away from the Indian supply, according to VCBS.

Meanwhile, input costs are also expected to go down in 2023 as Europe eases sanctions and welcomes back Russian fertiliser exporters, increases reservations, and aggressively reduces gas consumption.

The availability of fertiliser on a global scale is anticipated to rise, boosting rice industry profit margins.

According to VCBS, the business growth prospects of Loc Troi Group are positive thanks to the promotion of rice exports to the European market, starting with the French market. The merger with Loc Nhan Food also increased the company’s capacity. — Viet Nam News/ANN

BANGKOK: Thailand’s rice exports for January were at 805,519 tonnes, up 75.2% from a year earlier, helped by year-end orders, higher demand from the Middle East and a weak baht currency, the Commerce Ministry said on Monday.

The value of rice exports rose 78.76% to 14.28 billion baht ($406.72 million) in January year-on-year, Ronnarong Phoolpipat, head of the ministry’s foreign trade department, told a news conference.

“Rice exports in January increased by a shocking rate,” he said, adding the ministry’s trade promotion efforts also helped.

However, the ministry is sticking to its rice export target of 7.5 million tonnes this year as it wants to monitor the baht before deciding whether to revise the target, he said.

Earlier this year, the ministry lowered its export target for 2023 from 8 million tonnes to 7.5 million tonnes as the baht, which dropped as much as 13% against the dollar in October last year, appreciated.

The baht has weakened again, by 1.5% against the dollar so far this year, becoming Asia’s third-worst performing currency.

Thailand is the world’s third-largest rice exporter after India and Vietnam.

Thailand exported 7.69 million tonnes of rice in 2022, up 22.1% from a year earlier, beating a target of 7.5 million tonnes, with top markets being Iraq, South Africa, China and the United States.

Uttar Pradesh makes the “fastest delivery” of custom milled rice to Centre in the country after application of technology for automatic allotment of paddy to mills

Uttar Pradesh has made the fastest delivery of custom milled rice (CMR) to the Centre, saving around ₹1300 crore as interest burden and eliminating the possibilities of malpractices that millers often indulged in by delaying the delivery of processed rice to the state government, officials aware of the issue said.

Application of technology for automatic allotment of paddy to genuinely performing rice mills and elimination of discretion and human interference in the whole process is believed to be the game- changer this year.

Custom milled rice is manufactured by milling paddy that the state government procures at the minimum support price (MSP) from farmers. The government gives the procured paddy to mills, which are supposed to deliver CMR to the government by March-April. The rice received from mills is finally handed over the Centre. It is only after the final CMR delivery that the Centre reimburses money already spent by a state in purchasing paddy from farmers.

“We have already delivered 9 lakh MT of CMR to the Centre and the remaining quantity of the same will also be delivered by March 2,” principal secretary, food and civil supplies, Veena Kumari Meena said.

This, she claimed, was the fastest CMR delivery by any state in India.

“Earlier, we kept on delivering to the Centre till as late as October because of which our money remained blocked and the interest burden continued to mount,” she said.

“Use of technology in allotment of paddy to deserving mills did the trick,” she emphasised.

Commissioner, food and civil supplies, Sourabh Babu said the government made a lot of technological interventions that not only curbed various malpractices prevalent in the procurement chain but also ensured fast delivery of CMR from mills and then to the Centre.

“A new provision in the software, for example, ensured that paddy allocation to mills was done automatically on merit without any human interference and this helped. Uttar Pradesh is the first state to do this,” he explained.

Paddy allocation to manufacture CMR was made among 1800 mills.

People aware of the issue said that vested interests tried their best to throw a spanner in the government’s plan to introduce the new system of automatic selection of rice mills for paddy allotment.

Earlier, allotment was made manually by the department’s inspectors who used their discretion for the purpose.

“Often, deliberately or otherwise, paddy was allotted disproportionately to mills, many of which were not able to do the job on time due to lack of capacity,” said an official.

“Many mills also indulged in bungling and malpractices. There was always the possibility for the millers to sell the undelivered rice in the open market at higher rates, and deliver the rice of the earlier season to FCI at the current higher market price,” he said.

Arun Kumar Singh, who retired as additional commissioner (marketing) three months ago, said timely delivery of CMR to the Centre will help the government save hundreds of crores of rupees as interest that it had to pay to lending banks.

“Various government agencies have to take loan from banks to buy paddy or wheat from farmers at MSP. While the government pays farmers promptly after purchase, the Centre reimburses bills only after delivery of CMR. Delay in CMR delivery blocks the cash flow and increases interest burden,” he said.

“Quality issues also cropped up when CMR was delivered to the Centre after the rains,” he added.

Some other reforms were also made during the last one-two years to eliminate role of middlemen in the procurement system to ensure that only genuine farmers avail of MSP and they got quick payments to their account. These steps include introduction of Aadhaar-based farmer registration system, integration of land records, verification of bank accounts, biometric authenticated procurement, biometric authentication of farmers and installation of dusters at all the procurement centres.

“The impact has been huge in terms of proper identification of farmers, weeding out of middlemen, control on disproportionate procurement, proper utilization of funds, faster payment of MSP, real-time monitoring of purchase and payments and purchase of good quality stuff,” Singh said.

(Adds details, rice exports to the Middle East)

By Kitiphong Thaichareon and Satawasin Staporncharnchai

BANGKOK, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Thailand's rice exports for January were at 805,519 tonnes, up 75.2% from a year earlier, helped by year-end orders, higher demand from the Middle East and a weak baht currency, the Commerce Ministry said on Monday.

The value of rice exports rose 78.76% to 14.28 billion baht ($406.72 million) in January year-on-year, Ronnarong Phoolpipat, head of the ministry's foreign trade department, told a news conference.

"Rice exports in January increased by a shocking rate," he said, adding the ministry's trade promotion efforts also helped.

He singled out "an opportunity to export further" to the Middle East given some Arab nations' high purchasing power and low agricultural output.

The region was the only growing market for Thai rice in the last year, taking 2.02 million tonnes of rice, or 26% of total rice shipments, Ronnarong said.

In 2021, Thailand shipped out only 630,000 tonnes of rice to the region, he added.

However, the ministry is sticking to its overall rice export target of 7.5 million tonnes this year as it wants to monitor the baht before deciding whether to revise the target, he said.

Earlier this year, the ministry lowered its export target for 2023 from 8 million tonnes to 7.5 million tonnes as the baht, which dropped as much as 13% against the dollar in October last year, appreciated.

The baht has weakened again, by 1.5% against the dollar so far this year, becoming Asia's third-worst performing currency.

Thailand is the world's third-largest rice exporter after India and Vietnam.

Thailand exported 7.69 million tonnes of rice in 2022, up 22.1% from a year earlier, beating a target of 7.5 million tonnes, with top markets being Iraq, South Africa, China and the United States.

($1 = 35.1100 baht) (Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon and Satawasin Staporncharnchai Writing by Orathai Sriring Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)

Vietnam’s rice export activity has shown positive signs early this year, with 6.5-7 million tons of rice forecast to be exported in all of 2023.

The forecast was made during a trade conference held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in HCMC on February 21.

At the conference, the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that the nation shipped 7.13 million tons of the food staple last year, bringing in US$3.45 billion in revenue, up 13.8% and 5.1% year-on-year, respectively.

Vietnam was among the world’s top three rice exporters in 2022.

According to the Vietnam Food Association, rice export activity has kept its growth momentum so far this year. Vietnam’s 5% broken rice got the highest price worldwide.

On February 15, Vietnam-exported 5% broken rice sold for US$463 per ton (FOB), a 16.3% increase over the same period last year. This selling price equals that of Thailand’s rice and is US$20-30 higher than that of India’s and Pakistan’s rice.

Rice for export mainly comes from the Mekong Delta, while other regions of the country provide rice for domestic consumption, said a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

LONDON, ENGLAND – The Lunar New Year took the edge of a previously bullish rice market, slowing down sales in late January, after prices started the year with rises.  

In its Grain Market Report of Feb. 16, comparing with its previous report, which was published on Jan. 12, the International Grains Council (IGC) said “with activity curtailed by Lunar New Year celebrations, average international rice prices were little changed month-on-month amid offsetting movements across key exporters.” 

“In Thailand, export values for 5% broken retreated by $23, to $460 fob Bangkok, as early gains, linked to currency movements and the covering of previously agreed sales, were later more than reversed by weak buying interest,” the London, England-based IGC said. “In Pakistan, initial support from rising local values was likewise countered by pressure from slow international demand, while Vietnamese 5% broken firmed as traders awaited fresh supplies from the upcoming winter/spring harvest. 

“Indian 5% broken offers were $15 higher, at $433 fob Kakinada, amid steady buying interest and solid government procurement.”  

The US Rice Producers Association, in its Rice Advocate publication of Feb. 17, noted a USDA attaché report highlighting the continued drought in South America.

“With approximately 10% of the harvest complete, it is expected that farmers have been forced to abandon approximately 50,000 acres of rice on account of the drought in Corrientes and Entre Rios,” the USDA said. “Rainfall in 2022 was only half of the annual average, so producers who planted hoping for rain and surface water were sorely disappointed.

“This will ultimately result in a shorter exportable supply, with key export markets like the EU, Brazil, and Chile competing for the product. In Asia, we are seeing some price softening in Thailand, likely a result of the second crop supply about to hit the market.”  

In its Rice Price Update of Feb. 3, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that after rising for the greater part of 2022, international rice prices opened calendar 2023 on a firm note. January’s global price level was up 6.2% from December and the highest since November 2011. 

“Indica prices drove this increase, rising 6.2% over December levels,” the FAO said. “Aromatic prices also strengthened markedly (by 9.8%), sustained by demand for Lunar New Year celebrations, preparative purchases for Ramadan and a post-harvest surge in Pakistani basmati quotations. 

“Low buying interest kept gains in Japonica prices comparatively more moderate (at 0.9%), even though this January increase placed the Japonica Index at a fresh nominal peak. By contrast, glutinous prices eased by 2%, weighed by ebbing Chinese glutinous demand.”

Asian quotations of Indica rice firmed across all the major origins in January, the FAO said.  

“The most pronounced gains took place in Thailand, where the Baht strengthened to a 10-month high, adding to the sentiment boost provided by Indonesian purchases,” the FAO said. “In Pakistan, short supplies from a flood-reduced crop and persistently elevated inflationary pressure were compounded by strong local demand for rice (including brokens), as constraints in wheat flour supplies drove consumers increasingly toward rice.” 

A further factor was that rises in currency against the US dollar influenced prices in Brazil, Vietnam and India.  

“In Vietnam, tight availabilities ahead of the winter-spring harvest provided further underpinning, as did a record pace of government domestic procurement in India, despite the smaller Kharif crop harvested in 2022,” the FAO said. “In the Americas, Iraqi purchases sustained Indica quotations in the United States, Argentina, and Uruguay.” 

India maintains rice export restrictions to control domestic prices and ensure adequate stocks

India maintains its ban on broken rice exports and 20 percent tax on white rice shipments to keep a lid on domestic prices and ensure adequate stocks amid concerns over production due to below-average monsoon rainfall in key growing states.

India has decided not to lift its ban on broken rice exports or reduce the 20 percent tax on overseas shipments of white rice as it seeks to keep a lid on domestic prices, according to two government sources. The move is expected to result in higher prices for rice buyers, particularly in Asia and Africa.

The ban on exports of broken rice and the imposition of the 20 percent duty on various other grades were introduced in September 2022 amid concerns over production due to below-average monsoon rainfall in key growing states.

Despite the restrictions, India's rice exports rose 3.5 percent to a record 22.26 million tonnes in 2022, more than the combined shipments of the next four largest exporters: Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and the United States.

"We can't resume broken rice exports just because somebody in China or any other country wants it as a raw material to make ethanol or cattle feed. We'll rather prefer our domestic industry consuming it," said a senior government official who declined to be named in line with official rules.

China was the biggest buyer of India's broken rice, with purchases of 1.1 million tonnes in 2021. However, India will not be resuming exports to China or any other country at this time.

"We'd like to continue with the same arrangement," said another government source directly involved in decision-making. "Our restrictions have not deprived the world of rice, and at the same time, we've been able to maintain adequate stocks."

India's farmers plant rice, the most water-thirsty crop, in June and July when monsoon rains lash the country. Due to apprehensions that the El Nino weather phenomenon might hit this year's monsoon rains, India will extend its rice export curbs.

"We don't want to take a chance. We've limited wheat stocks but ample rice stocks, which we can use if the weather throws any big surprise," the official said.

The decision to maintain the export restrictions is expected to impact buyers, particularly in Asia and Africa, who will now have to pay more for the staple.

India's export restrictions have been in place for several months and are likely to remain so until the government is confident that monsoon rains will not have a significant impact on domestic production.

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: India does not plan to lift a ban on broken rice exports and cut a 20% tax on overseas shipments of white rice as the world’s biggest exporter of the grain tries to keep a lid on domestic prices, two government sources said on Thursday.

New Delhi’s rice export curbs will force buyers, especially in Asia and Africa, to pay more for the staple that has become expensive in the last few weeks.

India banned overseas shipments of broken rice and imposed a 20% duty on exports of various other grades in September 2022 amid concerns over production due to below-average monsoon rainfall in key growing states.

“Rice exports didn’t slow down despite the 20% export duty, and that’s why we believe that there is no reason to reduce or scrap the duty,” said a senior government official, who declined to be named in line with official rules.

India’s rice exports rose 3.5% to a record 22.26 million tonnes in 2022. That was more than the combined shipments of the next four largest exporters: Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and the United States.

“We can’t resume broken rice exports just because somebody in China or any other country wants it as a raw material to make ethanol or cattle feed. We’ll rather prefer our domestic industry consuming it,” the official said.

China was the biggest buyer of India’s broken rice, with purchases of 1.1 million tonnes in 2021.

India will also extend its rice export curbs due to apprehensions that the El Nino weather phenomenon might hit this year’s monsoon rains.

“We don’t want to take a chance. We’ve limited wheat stocks but ample rice stocks, which we can use if the weather throws any big surprise,” the official said.

Indian farmers plant rice, the most water-thirsty crop, in June and July, when monsoon rains lash the country.

“Our restrictions have not deprived the world of rice, and at the same time, we’ve been able to maintain adequate stocks,” said another government source directly involved in decision-making. “We’d like to continue with the same arrangement.”

Hanoi, Feb 23 (Prensa Latina) The High Agricultural Technology Research Institute for Mekong Delta in Vietnam unveiled the development of the new rice variety, HATRI 200, which is resistant to drought and salinity.

Researched by the institution since 2017, HATRI 200 is a species derived from Japonica (round-grain) rice, with advantages such as growth time from 95 to 100 days, strong stems, ability to bear 10 to 13 shoots per bush, and a round fruit that is 6.2 millimeters long.

The new rice variety was planted on a trial basis in Ben Tre province as part of a project led by HATRI Director Professor Nguyen Thi Lang to show good tolerance to drought and salinity.

HATRI 200 is considered one of the most salt-tolerant rice varieties in the Mekong Delta. It boasts a stable yield, averaging 6.5-7 tons per hectare, explained Thi Lang, who was quoted by VNA.

This kind of rice is suitable for cultivation under the current climate change conditions and it can help farmers grow three crops in a year, specialists stated.

India banned overseas shipments of broken rice and imposed a 20% duty on exports of various other grades in September 2022 amid concerns over production due to below-average monsoon rainfall in key growing states.

Government does not plan to lift a ban on broken rice exports and cut a 20% tax on overseas shipments of white rice as the world's biggest exporter of the grain tries to keep a lid on domestic prices, two government sources said on Thursday.

New Delhi's rice export curbs will force buyers, especially in Asia and Africa, to pay more for the staple that has become expensive in the last few weeks.

India banned overseas shipments of broken rice and imposed a 20% duty on exports of various other grades in September 2022 amid concerns over production due to below-average monsoon rainfall in key growing states.

"Rice exports didn't slow down despite the 20% export duty, and that's why we believe that there is no reason to reduce or scrap the duty," said a senior government official, who declined to be named in line with official rules.

India's rice exports rose 3.5% to a record 22.26 million tonnes in 2022. That was more than the combined shipments of the next four largest exporters: Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and the United States.

"We can't resume broken rice exports just because somebody in China or any other country wants it as a raw material to make ethanol or cattle feed. We'll rather prefer our domestic industry consuming it," the official said.

China was the biggest buyer of India's broken rice, with purchases of 1.1 million tonnes in 2021.

India will also extend its rice export curbs due to apprehensions that the El Nino weather phenomenon might hit this year's monsoon rains.

"We don't want to take a chance. We've limited wheat stocks but ample rice stocks, which we can use if the weather throws any big surprise," the official said.

Indian farmers plant rice, the most water-thirsty crop, in June and July, when monsoon rains lash the country.

"Our restrictions have not deprived the world of rice, and at the same time, we've been able to maintain adequate stocks," said another government source directly involved in decision-making. "We'd like to continue with the same arrangement."

The Cambodia Rice Federation booth at the Gulfood expo. Fresh News

The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) participated in the Gulfood expo to promote the quality of Cambodian rice and rice products.

The Cambodian delegation was led by Chan Sokheang, President of the Cambodian Rice Federation. They participated in the expo on February 20.

The Gulfood is the largest exhibition event for the Middle East, with the 2023 event being the 28th event taking place from February 20-24. More than 5,000 food companies from 125 countries are participating in the event.

The participation of the Cambodia Rice Federation in the expo is taking place while the government tries to open markets for Cambodia in the Middle East.

On February 21, Tek Reth, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce, led an inter-ministerial delegation to visit the booth of the CRF, while leading a delegation to negotiate the Cambodia-UAE free trade agreement.

Chandigarh, Feb 22 (IANS): HAFED, the apex cooperative federation of Haryana, has procured export orders of 85,000 metric tons (MT) basmati rice valuing Rs 850 crore from a Saudi Arabia importer, Managing Director A. Sreenivas said on Wednesday.

He said of this, an order of 33,000 MT has been executed and the rest is under the process of execution.

HAFED is currently participating in the world's biggest food and beverages exhibition at Dubai, aGULFOOD 2023', by putting up its exhibition stall for the first time.

Its Chairman Kailash Bhagat and Managing Director Sreenivas, along with officers, visited the exhibition and had a series of meetings with potential buyers of basmati rice for export tie-ups, an official statement said.

Sreenivas said HAFED procured export orders from the leading importer M/s Saleh A Babekar Sons Company of Riyadh.

"HAFED is also making commercial purchases of basmati paddy and has procured 2.75 lakh MT basmati paddy from farmers during the current financial year," he said.

Vietnam Food Association has just informed the price of Vietnamese 5-percent broken rice passes that of Thailand, becoming the leader in this segment, a milestone in the national target for rice export.

The winter-spring rice crop is the main one in the Mekong Delta. Thanks to favorable weather and high price, with a yield of 7.2 tonnes per hectare, farmers earn a profit of over VND30 million a hectare (US$1,260).

The Mekong Delta now has 1.5 million tonnes of rice ready for harvest. The price of Jasmine rice in Vinh Long Province and Can Tho City is at VND7,600/kg ($0.32), OM 4218 rice at VND7,400/kg ($0.31), and ST24, ST25 in Ca Mau Province at VND7,000/kg ($0.29). These are positive signals besides the stably high price of Vietnam 5-percent broken rice at $463 per tonnes ($2 higher than that of Thailand counterpart).

In this year’s winter-spring rice crop, An Giang Province is the leader in terms of rice field area under the partnership between farmers and businesses. Chairman Nguyen Thanh Giang of the Director Board of Binh Thanh Agricultural Cooperative (sited in Thoai Son District) said that his cooperative is growing rice on 1,000ha according to the order from Loc Troi Group, with a yield of 7-8 tonnes/ha thanks to proper techniques and synchronous mechanization in most steps. Loc Troi Group informed that it has made orders with farmers in the Mekong Delta for 210,000ha of rice.

Similarly, General Director Pham Thai Binh of Trung An Hi-tech Farming JSC. (sited in Can Tho City) shared that it is urgently finishing the order to sell 30,000 tonnes of rice to the markets of Singapore, Malaysia, and the Republic of Korea. The company is collaborating with farmers in the Mekong Delta to form a stable rice farming area for its export orders in 2023. At present, it is processing 9,000 tonnes of high-quality fragrant rice.

The year 2022 ended with remarkable achievements in rice export, with nearly 7.3 million tonnes sold abroad and a revenue of $3.54 billion (a volume rise of 16.3 percent and a value increase of 6.9 percent compared to 2021).

The most impressive result was that ST24 and ST25 rice types of Vietnam for the first time were sold to the markets of the EU and the Middle East at the price of more than $1,000/tonne, which is a true miracle.

Hence, in 2023, Trung An Hi-tech Farming JSC. has sighed a contract to export fragrant rice at the price of $1,250/tonne. This February, Quang Tri Organic Agro-product JSC. (QTOrganic) has sold its first 15 tonnes of organic rice to the EU market at the price of $1,800/tonne. Meanwhile, Loc Troi Group is expanding its market to the EU with orders of up to 400,000 tonnes of rice this year, at the price of €12.9/pack of 5 kilos or $2,000/tonne.

To successfully sell rice in such picky markets, both farmers and rice enterprises have to strictly follow a specific rice growing and processing procedure under a close partnership to ensure quality.

Another positive signal comes from the project ‘Sustainable Development of 1 Million Hectares of Specialized Field for High-quality Rice in Association with Green Farming’ by the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry. It is now in the finalization stage to submit to the Prime Minister for approval, in hope of creating more breakthroughs in rice export.

Accordingly, the total estimated investment for the project in the 2023-2030 period reaches over VND40 trillion ($1.68 billion). 30 percent of this amount will be distributed to farmers for seed purchasing at a rate of 80kg/ha in the first 4 crops.

An Giang Province immediately expressed the wish to join in the project with its 200,000ha. Director Nguyen Si Lam of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development stated that in order for the project to be successful, it is necessary to create favorable conditions for rice companies to access this investment, to provide sensible land policies, and to call for the collaboration of relevant partners like the State Bank of Vietnam, the Industry and Trade Ministry, the Planning and Investment Ministry, trading associations in the field.

Director Nguyen Van Thanh of Phuoc Thanh IV Manufacturing – Trading Co. Ltd. (in Vinh Long Province) commented that 2023 is a promising year for Vietnam’s rice export. The global rice resource is depleting, and its stock is exhausted. This might lead to even higher international rice prices. With such lucrative prices, a high yield in the Mekong Delta, and lower fertilizer prices, farmers are enjoying a profit increase of 10-15 percent. Therefore, most rice enterprises are now concentrating on gathering material for their export orders.

Professor of lands and water resources at Cairo University Nader Noureddine said on Tuesday that the idea of cultivating Egyptian upland rice has been applied in some areas of al-Sharqia Governorate, Nile delta.

Therfore  it is possible to allocate part of the desert land to experiment cultivating this kind of rice.

He added that there is no difference between the types of rice, but the difference is only in the methods of cultivation.

The Egyptian rice differs in its taste from other types of rice.

“The Egyptian consumer does not prefer imported rice, especially from East Asian countries,” Noureddine said during a telephone interview with the talk show “Hadith al-Qahira” (Cairo Talk) on the “al-Qahira wal Nas” (Cairo and the People) channel.

Some researchers have found a new rice known as “dry rice” (upland rice), which may be similar to Chinese rice, he said.

Noureddine stressed that Chinese rice can be called dry rice, which does not need water in the amounts of water needed by Egyptian rice.

He explained that the Egyptian crop of rice must be preserved, because it is internationally registered.

Noureddine pointed out that the cultivating Egyptian rice needs to flood the land to a large extent with water, adding: “Egyptian rice cannot be grown in the desert.”

After a lull of three months since the imposition of 20% export duty on rice, India's rice exporters are witnessing a surge in demand from the global markets and international buyers are willing to pay a price of $400 per tonne, as compared to $330 per tonne before the imposition of the export duty.

The government had imposed the duty on September 9 last year to contain the domestic price rise. Area under kharif fell 5.62% to 38.39 million hectares in last year's season due to poor rains 

rains in some states including UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal. Buyers are absorbing the export duty, despite which Indian rice is cheaper than rice from Thailand which is commanding a price of $500 per tonne in the international market.

"The upswing in global demand will help India to achieve 15.5 million tonnes of non-basmati rice exports, which are only 10% lower compared to last year even though earlier it was thought exports would come down to 12-13 mt following the imposition of export duty," said BV Krishna Rao, president, Rice Exporters Association of India.

“The government talks about developing and promoting agricultural villages, but state-run food shops are making the lives of farmers harder," one farmer complained

The incomes of North Korean farming households have fallen significantly since the country began operating state-run food shops nationwide, Daily NK has learned.

State-run food shops provide rice and other grains to ordinary consumers at prices less than what can be found in local markets.

According to a Daily NK source in South Pyongan Province on Friday, the incomes of farming households last year were 25 to 30% lower than in previous years due to poor agricultural production last year and state-run shops coercing farmers to sell them grain. 

After harvests, farmers usually sell the share of production earmarked for personal use to market grain merchants or sell it into markets themselves. Following the harvest of 2021 and 2022 — when state-run food shops were operating — officials working for the shops went around farms to coerce them to sell the crop yield that farmers had traditionally taken for themselves. 

FARMERS GET FAR LESS SELLING TO SHOPS THAN TO MARKETS

Generally speaking, farmers can sell their rice for at least KPW 5,000 a kilogram at markets, but can only get KPW 3,800 to 4,000 if they sell the rice to state-run food shops. Given the approximately 30% difference in what they can get, farmers tend to prefer to sell their rice to markets.

However, the state-run food shops have been collecting rice from farmers in a coercive way under various pretexts, telling the farmers that they can become “patriotic farmers” and “loyal to the regime” if they contribute rice. The shops also call the rice farmers contribute to the state “patriotic rice.” 

Moreover, of the rice taken from farmers, the shops add an additional KPW 500 to 700 to each kilogram of rice that is sold to ordinary consumers. 

However, last year’s poor harvest meant that there has been less rice to go around, resulting in a situation where farmers have had less rice to use or sell.

According to figures announced by South Korea’s Rural Development Administration last December, North Korea’s food production in 2022 was estimated at 4.51 million tons, a 3.8% fall from 4.69 tons in 2021.

The situation differs from region to region, but in South Pyongan Province, farmers feel that last year’s production fell far short of previous years, with some saying that 2022’s rice production was just 60 to 70% of 2021’s production.

Excess agricultural production has fallen 30 to 40% compared to the previous year, and farmers are being coerced to sell their own share of the harvest at prices 30% less than what they can get at markets. What this means is that the incomes of farming households cannot go anywhere but down, the source explained.

In fact, one farmer told Daily NK that he takes a KPW 150,000 loss when he sells 100 kilograms of rice to the state-run shops, and a loss of KPW 1.5 million when he sells a ton.

“A farming household can survive a month on KWP 150,000, and 10 months on KPW 1.5 million, so we farm for a year and then we have no money to live on the next year,” he said.

“The government talks about developing and promoting agricultural villages, but state-run food shops are making the lives of farmers harder,” the farmer complained. 

FOOD SHOPS SELL POOR QUALITY RICE

However, state-run food shops are far from strict about the quality of rice they buy from farmers, which means that some farmers are turning over low-quality rice that is damp or has impurities, such as having stones mixed in with the grains. 

In fact, the poor quality of rice has become a focus of complaints by consumers of the state-run food shops.

Specifically, consumers are saying that while the rice is cheap, “its quality is equally low, and if you pick out the edible rice, there’s little price difference with the markets.”

Meanwhile, given the fact that the state-run shops do not sell grain all the time, critics say the shops are having little effect in stabilizing the market price of rice.

Cho Chung-hee, director of Good Farmers and an expert on North Korean agriculture, said that the shops are unable to provide regular sales of grain because of the country’s insufficient agricultural production and issues in procuring the rice from farms, adding that the amount of grain available to the shops is “extremely small.” 

Cho went on to say that the shops could have a positive impact on stabilizing food prices in North Korea if they operate normally, “but if the current situation continues, it is unlikely they will have an effect on stabilizing rice prices.”

Recently, high-ranking North Korean cadres have been conducting frequent tours of state-run food shops nationwide to inspect how they are operating, which suggests that the authorities are aware of the problems suffered by the shops.

North Korean state-run media reported on Feb. 7 that Premier Kim Tok Hun visited state-run food shops in the city of Nampo to ascertain how well they are distributing food, even demanding that measures be taken to improve food distribution. 

Kim also made onsite inspections of several grain distribution centers and state-run food shops in South Pyongan and North Pyongan provinces on Jan. 28, instructing that measures be created to deal with food distribution issues. 

North Korean authorities have announced that they will discuss agricultural issues and the future goals of agricultural development during the Seventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee set to be held later this month. The results of this meeting will make clear whether the country will take new measures to resolve problems with the state-run food shops. 

Translated by David Black. Edited by Robert Lauler. 

Fiji Rice Ltd made a profit of half a million dollars last year.

Chief Executive Ashrit Pratap says this was achieved despite not meeting the annual target of 5000 tonnes of production.

He says the highest target they have met is 2,000 tonnes last year, which is still less.

Pratap says the shortage of labour remains a challenge in the rice industry.

“What has happened is that over the years, the production has gone down because farmers moved out of their farms and hardly any young farmers were associated with farming.” So if you go to Dreketi, it’s like mostly the older generation is there.”

Fiji currently imports $39 million worth of rice from India, Thailand, and Vietnam annually.

Vietnam’s rice exports to Taiwan rose by 18.5% last year as quality improved and prices were competitive.

It shipped 20,281 tons worth over US$10 million to account for more than 16% of Taiwan’s imports, the third highest market share.

In recent years Vietnam’s exports of high-grade rice to the market have been steadily increasing as its prices are lower than Thailand’s, Taiwan’s second largest source of imports at 23,042 tons.

But Thailand’s exports declined by 20% last year. Vietnam’s sticky rice exports to Taiwan exceeded those of the U.S. and Thailand.

Overall, Vietnam exported more than seven million tons of rice worth $3.5 billion to the global market last year.

It was sold in European supermarkets for the first time.

Fiji Rice Limited board chairman, Raj Sharma, said the request was compiled after recent consultation with farmers in the Northern Division.

A request have been made to the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture for consideration over re-establishment of a subsidy scheme for rice farmers.

Fiji Rice Limited board chairman, Raj Sharma, said the request was compiled after recent consultation with farmers in the Northern Division.

The pocket meetings were held for rice farmers in cluster areas such as Dreketi, Korokadi, Tabia and Lagalaga, in the Macuata province.