13th August,2014 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine (Unedited Verison)

8/11/2019 13th August,2014 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine (Unedited Verison)

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13 th August,2014Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter

Unedited Version

Speakers: Biofortified rice is needed to fight hiddenhungerTribune Online Report Speakers have emphasised on the availability of the newly invented biofortified rice crops in order to fighthidden hunger of the country.

They also said the government should make the rice crops available to people.

They mentioned this at a workshop on Improving Nutrition Through Biofortified Crops: A Cost Effectiveand Sustainable Approach or ganised by HarvestPlus, a part of the CGIAR Research Program onAgriculture for Nutrition and Health, held in the capital on Tuesday.

The speakers also remarked that the collaboration and integration of donor agencies, NGOs, privatesector and media can facilitate initiatives of HarvestPlus for curbing hidden hunger.

Recently, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has developed BRRI dhan 62 rice variety which isenriched with high zinc and high protein with long collaboration of HarvestPlus.

Howarth E Bouis, the Director of HarvestPlus said: HarvestPlus is working to provide more nutritiousstaple food crops and new rice varieties with even higher levels of zinc and protein, which has beendeveloped aiming to reach millions of people of Bangladesh.

The director was speaking as the key presenter of the workshop chaired by HarvestPlus Global AdvisoryCommittee Member Dr Mahabub Hossain.

About 60 Government officials, Donor agencies, National and International NGOs, representatives fromprivate sector took part in the workshop.

Dr Khairul Bashar, Country Manager, HarvestPlus, Dr Alamgir Hossain, PDF HarvestPlus and CSO

BRRI, Dr Paul Fox, IRRI Representative for Bangladesh made valuable remarks as the key speakers ofthe workshop.
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Biofortified crops can help tackle malnutrition Experts tell workshop Staff Correspondent

Participants at a workshop on "Improving Nutrition through Biofortified Crops: A Cost Effective and Sustainable Approach" at The Daily Star Centre in the capital yesterday. HarvestPlus, Bangladesh, an NGO which develops

nutrient-rich seeds, organised the programme. Photo: Star

The government should consider integrating biofortified crops into the food distribution

system to make the nutrient-enriched cereals reach targeted people suffering fromchronic malnutrition and hidden hunger, said experts yesterday.

Specialists from home and abroad made the suggestion at a workshop on biofortifiedcrops yesterday.

HarvestPlus, a Washington-based global programme facilitating the development andpromotion of biofortified crops, organised the workshop at The Daily Star Centre in thecapital. Director of HarvestPlus Dr Howarth E Bouis presented the keynote speech.Member of HarvestPlus' Global Program Advisory Committee and Brac Advisor Dr

Mahabub Hossain chaired the session.

The HarvestPlus programme is coordinated by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

Biofortification is a process where food crops rich in bioavailable micronutrients, suchas vitamin A and zinc, are bred. Crop varieties developed through this process are


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termed biofortified crops. These varieties provide essential micronutrients and helpreduce anemia, cognitive impairment, and other malnutrition-related healthproblems.

People suffering from a lack of essential vitamins and minerals in their diet are oftenreferred to as victims of hidden hunger. The signs of this form of malnutrition areoften hidden. One out of three people in developing countries suffers from hiddenhunger.

Last year, Bangladeshi rice breeders, with support from HarvestPlus, developed the world's first biofortified rice enriched in zinc. The main breeder behind the zinc-richrice, Brri Dhan-62, Dr Alamgir Hossain was also present at the workshop.

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The workshop informed that seeds of the rice have been widely disseminated amongfarmers in the current Aman season. Deficiency of zinc, iron and vitamin A hamperschildren's natural growth and decrease their disease prevention capacity. In Bangladesh,over 40 percent of children under five are stunted, while an estimated 44 percent of thesame age group are at risk of zinc deficiency.

Other biofortified crops in other countries include iron enriched beans and pear millets,and vitamin A enriched cassava, maize and sweet potato.

Dr Howarth E Bouis said 27 countries including Bangladesh have so far grown biofortified crops and more countries will join the bandwagon.

Dr Akhter Ahmed, chief of party of IFPRI's Policy Research and Strategy SupportProgram in Dhaka, recommended giving growers premium price for zinc-rice anddistribute the food among the poor through various safety-net programmes.

Dr Mahabub Hossain noted that although people's income level had risen, poverty wasstill there and there were people who required the valuable micronutrients. So, targetingthe beneficiaries of biofortified crops is very important.

Former finance minister M Sayeduzzaman emphasised the need for giving specialattention to food safety.

He along with many other participants stressed removing the misconception that biofortified crops are genetically engineered.
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Experts informed the workshop that biofortified crops are bred through conventional breeding process and there is no question of genetic modification in the process.

Dr Md Abdur Razzaque, project director of the National Agricultural Technology Project(NATP), cautioned against banking on one crop for micronutrients.

In response, the organisers said they had never considered biofortified crops a silver bullet rathe r it was just one of the many approaches to fight hidden hunger.

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Representative in Bangladesh Dr Paul Fox,ICDDR, B scientist Dr Munirul Islam, and a wide range of stakeholders -- fromacademics to agronomists, from public sector officials to private seed companyrepresentatives -- participated in the workshop.

Published: 12:00 am Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Last modified: 3:42 am Wednesday, August 13, 2014

27th National Rice R&DWe invite you to the 27th National Rice R&D Conference to be held on September 3-4, 2014 at the PhilRice CentralExperiment Station, Maligaya, Science City of Muoz, Nueva Ecija.

This years conference with its theme, Enhancing R&D for a globalized rice industry will highlight theaccomplishments of ongoing and completed projects geared toward the development of clean and green rice-basedfarming technologies for a competitive, sustainable and resilient rice industry. Network members are encouraged tosubmit abstracts of scientific papers for possible presentation in the plenary and concurrent sessions, as well as forposter presentation.

Participants will shoulder a conference fee of Php 2,000 each, travel and accommodation expenses. Please send two(2) representatives from your office and send their Registration Form through our direct line (044) 456-5388 or email:[email protected] on or before August 13, 2014.

By: Ad minis trator (Augu st 12, 2014) More Events

Wheat and rice exports may fall 15% this yearGlobal oversupply, steep rise in import duty in Iran likely to affect shipments Dilip Kumar Jha | Mumbai


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August 12, 2014 Last Updated at 22:35 IST

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Read more on: Rice | Wheat | Quality | Iran | India | Foodgrains | Fao | Import Duty

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Wheat and rice export from India a re likely to fall about 15 per cent this year due to lower prices inglobal markets, experts say. It is expected the export will also be affected by a steep rise in importduty by Iran, which accounts for the highest grain export from India.

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the United Nations agriculture body, has said globalfood grain prices slumped to a six- month low in July. Production prospects, especially of foodgrains, have improved, especially in major producing regions, including the US, the European Unionand India, which is likely to keep global prices under pressure during much of this year, said

an FAO s tudy.

On July 1, Iran, which accounts for 37.5 per cent of Indian rice export (both basmati and non-basmati), had doubled import duty from 22.5 per cent to 45 per cent. Consequently, rice export tothat country are expected to fall. And, because of global oversupply, the loss in export t oIran isntexpected to be made good by any other country.

This is a very challenging time for Indias wheat and rice export. We clocked $10.5 billion of riceexport last year. This year, we werent able to achieve this as Iran has turned surplus from domesticproduction, said Ajay Sahai, director -general and chief executive of the Federation of Indian ExportOrganisations.

Indias wheat export to Iran also faces quality concerns. In July last year, Iranian authorities toldtheir Indian counterparts the wheat imported from India contained fungus. Iran has not importedwheat from India since 1996 due to quality concerns. But of late, it has evinced interest in resuming
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import, due to restricted export from Russia. Iran has been importing large quantity of soyamealfrom India.

Between April and May this year,basmati rice export declined 16 percent to 622,259 tonnes from737,987 tonnes in thecorresponding period last year.During the same period, non-basmati rice export fell 5.5 per centto 820,991 tonnes from 868,643

tonnes in the year-ago period. Total wheat export plunged 23.5 per cent from 1.7 million tonnes(mt) to 1.30 mt.

For 2014-15, FAO estimates global rice supply at 685.2 mt, against the required 502.3 mt. Thismeans the global rice market will have a surplus amount of 183 mt. Wheat supply is estimated at881 mt, compared with the required 699 mt surplus of 182 mt. Irans above -average grain harvestthis year is attributed to favourable weather and moisture conditions. In Iran, the second-biggestwheat producer in the region after Turkey, production is anticipated to remain unchanged from thefive-year average of 13.5 mt.

Nigeria: FG, Dangote Group MOU On Rice ProductionWe urge the Federal Government to key into this project by providing infrastructure that willfacilitate prompt evacuation of the harvested rice to the processing areas and to themarkets.

The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministryof Agriculture and Rural Development and Dangote Group on rice production in Edo,Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States by the Dangote Group is quite commendable andhopefully would soon make the country a net exporter if the agreement is properlyimplemented. The MoU includes $1billion investment, which will cover 150,000 hectares ofland in the five states chosen for the project. It will also ensure that smallholder farmers arefinancially empowered.

There is no gain saying that Nigeria has been a major consumer and importer of rice in Africa, spending over N356 billion yearly on importation of rice, that is about N1 billion perday. Indeed, the industry has of late been a shadow of itself allegedly due to the activities ofsome corrupt Nigerians who connived with some international businessmen to milk awaythe resources that would have been used to develop and boost rice production in thecountry. Sadly over time smallholders' farmers have been hamstrung by challenges such ashigh input costs, which include costs of credit, imported equipment and agrochemicals dueto taxes, tariffs and duties. The problem of policy instability has also made decision-making


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and planning highly uncertain and put investments in the sector at great risk. Otherchallenges which the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesinalamented recently in a media interview include low mechanization base, decayinginfrastructure, high interest rates, poorly-funded research institutes, public extensionsystem, seeds certification, and a corruption-ridden fertilizer distribution system coupledwith low public sector investments in agriculture.

That is why this project needs to be given adequate support and encouragement by thefederal government. It is people oriented and has a capacity to create jobs for thousands ofNigerians. The fact that the farmers will have a ready market in Dangote Group is equallyan assurance that all the harvested rice will be evacuated and the farmers' sweat will not goto waste. We anticipate a situation where Dangote Group would also supply farmers withquality seeds and implements that will ensure that the projected yield will put smiles on thefaces of involved farmers specifically and Nigerians in general.

We urge the Federal Government to key into this project by providing infrastructure that willfacilitate prompt evacuation of the harvested rice to the processing areas and to themarkets as a means of helping to reduce the cost of production and this will ultimately makerice affordable to Nigerians.

Kudos should be given to Dangote Group as a Nigerian owned company for picking up thegauntlet as this project will definitely challenge the activities of foreigners who abuse andnegatively exploit the trading rights and privileges given them by the Nigerian government.We urge other capable Nigerians to emulate what Dangote Group has set out to do by thisrobust and people friendly initiative because it is only when the poor are fed that the richcan really have a sense of security.

Besides, projects like this will help to restore dignity to the rural populace and assist to pullcity dwellers back to the rural communities to seek paid employment thereby decongestingthe cities and reducing indolence that causes people to be lured into criminal activities.

However, we expect the sanctity of the MoU to be maintained by both parties to prevent theunnecessary complications that accompany shifting goal posts and thus guarantee that theeffort is lasting and sustainable.

Amazing Mabo Rice Bowl Takes Top Prize in USA Rice Chef Contest in Japan

TOKYO, JAPAN -- Last week, the USA Rice Federation conducted thefinal hands-on cooking competition of the second U.S. Medium Grain MenuChef Contest at the Chubo Shiodome, a kitchen facility for foodservicecompanies and chefs here.

The contest drew a great deal of excitement with 137 recipe entries in the professional chef category, and 379 recipes in the new student chef category.

In the final head-to-head competition, eight professional chef finalists prepared their menus and presented them to

Award winning cu is ine


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six judges for evaluation. The judges included Chris Crutchfield and Michael Rue representing the USA RiceFederation.

Mr. Akira Kawakubo of the Nakamura Culinary School won the top prize in the professional category for his"Amazing Mabo Rice Bowl" that Crutchfield described as "a fantastic fusion of Chinese and Italian cuisine -- bothof which are very popular in Japan. The dish also showcased the versatility of Calrose rice which has been a focus of

our promotion campaign in Japan." Three student recipes were also recognized for excellence.

USA Rice's Bill Farmer joined Crutchfield and Rue handing out awards before a crowd that included 40 traders and media representatives. Theceremony was followed by a reception featuring four menus utilizing U.S.-grown medium grain rice.

"Contests like these are valuable because they help introduce delicious and versatile U.S. medium grain rice to theJapanese foodservice industry," said Rue. "I always enjoy seeing the creative recipes the chefs come up with for ourrice. The dishes this year were especially exciting."

Contact: Bill Farmer (832) 302-6710

Chris Crutchfield (l) congratulates

Top Chef Akira Kawakubo

Arkansas Rice Industry Hosts Official from Niger

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Earlier this week, the Arkansas Rice Federationhosted Mr. Abdou Kasso, advisor to the President of Niger and HighCommissioner for 3N (Nigeriens Nourish Nigeriens), to discuss the possibleresumption of U.S. rice sales into Niger.

Niger, a landlocked West African country of 17.5 million people, is aboutthe size of California and Louisiana combined. They had been a modestU.S. rice customer in the past, but have not purchased any U.S. rice for thelast two years, with most of their demand being met by Asia.

Mr. Kasso was attending last week's White House Africa Summit with his president and decided to extend his stayto learn more about the U.S. rice industry and look into resuming long grain purchases for his country.

While here, Mr. Kasso met with Arkansas Rice Executive Director Ben Noble, and toured Riceland Foods and theUniversity of Arkansas Rice Research Center in Stuttgart.

"We were pleased to host Mr. Kasso and learn more about the needs of the Government of Niger," said Riceland'sSenior Vice President Carl Brothers after the meetings. "Africa has been an important trading partner for U.S. ricein the past and we hope to build on that relationship moving forward."

Noble said Mr. Kasso was also interested in learning about U.S. agronomic practices in the hopes of improving hisnation's food security - one of the main purposes of the 3N organization.

"With Niger's anticipated population growth and the climate challenges they face, I suspect they will always need toimport rice from somewhere," Noble said. "Sharing information and improving our relationship can only be

beneficial to us in the long run."

Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458

From lef t : Chuck Wilson ,Abdo u Kasso, Carl Brothers

and Ben Noble

Weekly Rice Sales, Exports Reported

WASHINGTON, DC -- Net rice sales of 124,400 MT for 2014/2015 were reported for Mexico (87,500 MT), Haiti(14,100 MT), Saudi Arabia (9,200 MT), El Salvador (3,500 MT), and Venezuela (2,700 MT), according totoday's Export Sales Highlights report.

Exports of 72,000 MT were reported to Venezuela (32,700 MT), Haiti (23,000 MT), Saudi Arabia (7,800 MT),
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001kXO4L_lw1otHpgXbo2Kjh-gwWntpQl4qeZ7O9XOCjniWWHUtxZjlAjAU2sSoyvPkyn1jrxK-1TqUFwV8oJ1xmjPp99Ii4XS_7JP3mirTHwpvDdOpO6xRqQBaY-8R1C1SCmfkskedOHLBMLoWJOIcK_EAN1aa8N29Lnf5jbdPJxv6NJzmWp5IhelJQOSmyNGxizWpNrCs-9C7WOYbdzxvFl8s88w6xHTa8zKReBfnE4wU4CME7wAHpF9z-JFKpGRwTmrOujteYUVFa44eOXzmMaDDckqqM7iJktP1ynCKCYlG6HkaQFR0s9SPlF-1-HPnxZAod9ZejjOhorAy_TjJxFPnCL1dEPQHHMIGi4WOQAcCFzqYGsB0Gxxn1Pa3bEdeccoTS8j33Wme5Y1AiAhh3w==&c=0JbwZrogcfgrXm5uirmd0lI5M8uGB0mm60d7k_aEA27AaV7-rvtgkA==&ch=k4tFS3Zh1Wx0rxPBqOWwYyHRDaogrRilhB38SVGx4VXEoSY6yAY6nQ==http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001kXO4L_lw1otHpgXbo2Kjh-gwWntpQl4qeZ7O9XOCjniWWHUtxZjlAjAU2sSoyvPkyn1jrxK-1TqUFwV8oJ1xmjPp99Ii4XS_7JP3mirTHwpvDdOpO6xRqQBaY-8R1C1SCmfkskedOHLBMLoWJOIcK_EAN1aa8N29Lnf5jbdPJxv6NJzmWp5IhelJQOSmyNGxizWpNrCs-9C7WOYbdzxvFl8s88w6xHTa8zKReBfnE4wU4CME7wAHpF9z-JFKpGRwTmrOujteYUVFa44eOXzmMaDDckqqM7iJktP1ynCKCYlG6HkaQFR0s9SPlF-1-HPnxZAod9ZejjOhorAy_TjJxFPnCL1dEPQHHMIGi4WOQAcCFzqYGsB0Gxxn1Pa3bEdeccoTS8j33Wme5Y1AiAhh3w==&c=0JbwZrogcfgrXm5uirmd0lI5M8uGB0mm60d7k_aEA27AaV7-rvtgkA==&ch=k4tFS3Zh1Wx0rxPBqOWwYyHRDaogrRilhB38SVGx4VXEoSY6yAY6nQ==http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001kXO4L_lw1otHpgXbo2Kjh-gwWntpQl4qeZ7O9XOCjniWWHUtxZjlAjAU2sSoyvPkyn1jrxK-1TqUFwV8oJ1xmjPp99Ii4XS_7JP3mirTHwpvDdOpO6xRqQBaY-8R1C1SCmfkskedOHLBMLoWJOIcK_EAN1aa8N29Lnf5jbdPJxv6NJzmWp5IhelJQOSmyNGxizWpNrCs-9C7WOYbdzxvFl8s88w6xHTa8zKReBfnE4wU4CME7wAHpF9z-JFKpGRwTmrOujteYUVFa44eOXzmMaDDckqqM7iJktP1ynCKCYlG6HkaQFR0s9SPlF-1-HPnxZAod9ZejjOhorAy_TjJxFPnCL1dEPQHHMIGi4WOQAcCFzqYGsB0Gxxn1Pa3bEdeccoTS8j33Wme5Y1AiAhh3w==&c=0JbwZrogcfgrXm5uirmd0lI5M8uGB0mm60d7k_aEA27AaV7-rvtgkA==&ch=k4tFS3Zh1Wx0rxPBqOWwYyHRDaogrRilhB38SVGx4VXEoSY6yAY6nQ==http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001kXO4L_lw1otHpgXbo2Kjh-gwWntpQl4qeZ7O9XOCjniWWHUtxZjlAjAU2sSoyvPkyn1jrxK-1TqUFwV8oJ1xmjPp99Ii4XS_7JP3mirTHwpvDdOpO6xRqQBaY-8R1C1SCmfkskedOHLBMLoWJOIcK_EAN1aa8N29Lnf5jbdPJxv6NJzmWp5IhelJQOSmyNGxizWpNrCs-9C7WOYbdzxvFl8s88w6xHTa8zKReBfnE4wU4CME7wAHpF9z-JFKpGRwTmrOujteYUVFa44eOXzmMaDDckqqM7iJktP1ynCKCYlG6HkaQFR0s9SPlF-1-HPnxZAod9ZejjOhorAy_TjJxFPnCL1dEPQHHMIGi4WOQAcCFzqYGsB0Gxxn1Pa3bEdeccoTS8j33Wme5Y1AiAhh3w==&c=0JbwZrogcfgrXm5uirmd0lI5M8uGB0mm60d7k_aEA27AaV7-rvtgkA==&ch=k4tFS3Zh1Wx0rxPBqOWwYyHRDaogrRilhB38SVGx4VXEoSY6yAY6nQ==mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Colombia (2,400 MT), and Canada (2,200 MT).

This summary is based on reports from exporters from the period August 1-7.

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Preliminary): Closing Rough Rice Futures for August 14

Month Price Net Change

September 2014 $12.855 + $0.200

November 2014 $12.815 + $0.125

January 2015 $13.010 + $0.120

March 2015 $13.185 + $0.115

May 2015 $13.330 + $0.115

July 2015 $13.510 + $0.115

September 2015 $13.335 + $0.115

USA Rice Urges 100 Percent Inspection of Rice Shipments from Pakistan

ARLINGTON, VA - The full leadership of the USA Rice Federation has sent aletter to USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) askingthe agency to conduct mandatory inspections on all shipments of rice fromPakistan, following the discovery last week of Khapra beetle larvae in a rice shipment from the country.

"Your discovery of Khapra beetle in a rice shipment from Pakistan to the port of Baltimore on August 6, 2014 hasraised concerns across the U.S. rice industry due to the threat it poses not only to our $34 billion industry but alsoto U.S. agriculture in general," reads the letter. "This beetle is one of the world's most destructive pests of grainproducts and seeds. Without your diligence, the Khapra beetle could have entered the United States and causedmajor damage to U.S. agricultural industries."

I nsecta non grata
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The Khapra beetle is a native of India, but has spread to other countries in the area, Europe, and North Africa.Because of its ranking as one of the 100 worst invasive species in the world, many countries ban the import ofagricultural products from countries with known infestations.

"Our top rice export market, Mexico, bans imports from countries with known Khapra infestations," said DowBrantley, USA Rice Federation Chairman and one of the letter's signers. "It would be devastating if Khapra beetlecould establish itself here, which is why we were so pleased APHIS caught it and turned those shipments aroundlast week. We hope they'll keep the inspections up."

Other signers of the letter were John Owen, Chairman of the USA Rice Producers' Group; Chris Crutchfield,Chairman of the USA Rice Millers' Association; Dick Ottis, Chairman of the USA Rice Merchants' Association; andBetsy Ward, President and CEO of the USA Rice Federation.

"APHIS should be commended for their vigilance in stopping these contaminated shipments," said Ward. "We thinkthe value of agriculture to our economy, and the seriousness of the threat make a strong case for mandatory 100percent inspections of rice coming from any country with known Khapra infestations, particularly India andPakistan."

Twenty-six countries have been designated by USDA as having endemic Khapra beetle infestations including India,Pakistan, Egypt, and Bangladesh.

Contact: Michael Klein , (703) 236-1458(703) 236-1458

ype of coverage is determined by the underlying policy - yield or revenue protection.

The RMA website includes a fact sheet on SCO, the standards handbook and endorsement policy, as well as a CropInsurance Decision Tool that allows a producer to input farm data and see the various options for coverage levelsunder SCO and the underlying policy.

The actual producer premium estimates are not included yet for rice, but will be made available later this year. USA

Rice is working with RMA to ensure SCO availability covers all the core rice producing areas for 2015 and anyoutlying areas are expected to have coverage by 2016. RMA will provide a map showing coverage areas later thisyear. The website also includes a presentation prepared by RMA that offers a detailed explanation and examples ofSCO.

USA Rice will continue to work with RMA on implementation of SCO and other crop insurance enhancements forthe 2015 crop year and will keep producers apprised of these developments as more information is made available.

Contact: Reece Langley (703) 236-1471(703) 236-1471
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014ENJGuRHmqpLo0Nx_FX9Y6lJkL6WMg5tcKnnq7vstusc3gzGBq46YBimejmdoE-U0O7Rbq-GwCsPRs5oVK9yN45uUCLEd67TW6-4ayx-hh6PvzG5mqU9IWy-gG9fdXNE1Wrtvr_XJaH8vyUZqu6Zc8F3rgRbOXYGETJHlbwnI-gW8Tap5lWZPIl1z-JXBRYcxlnUNd5bLOMisVnqDuHDPeUm3BFeNjyDotPiwAqFBO-0cknk1e4bM73nKR1zIMoLE8S8ex-VwvTfC5HCNWMb4MlM-OLn3RB0Xjm89pYN14bhG3LoFJ3CpSzxKpG2z5_qR9TA5_q6Vz49vk4_UmoPr3CRxLsdTUgBSqxiM8HySc_QMNca8k7qAGCUO987OxpXubCJ23xXHBLjcblU_uSwHw==&c=QtfLegKX9oELegStpWdmeZT5u9dvnAvCL5yarJpuBS4VM9pE3SnkUg==&ch=clPtmfXmDfLEx-rP7J6oguXFgZ27mmbElcljXmQHX_7KpcLTEXHBwg==http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014ENJGuRHmqpLo0Nx_FX9Y6lJkL6WMg5tcKnnq7vstusc3gzGBq46YBimejmdoE-U0O7Rbq-GwCsPRs5oVK9yN45uUCLEd67TW6-4ayx-hh6PvzG5mqU9IWy-gG9fdXNE1Wrtvr_XJaH8vyUZqu6Zc8F3rgRbOXYGETJHlbwnI-gW8Tap5lWZPIl1z-JXBRYcxlnUNd5bLOMisVnqDuHDPeUm3BFeNjyDotPiwAqFBO-0cknk1e4bM73nKR1zIMoLE8S8ex-VwvTfC5HCNWMb4MlM-OLn3RB0Xjm89pYN14bhG3LoFJ3CpSzxKpG2z5_qR9TA5_q6Vz49vk4_UmoPr3CRxLsdTUgBSqxiM8HySc_QMNca8k7qAGCUO987OxpXubCJ23xXHBLjcblU_uSwHw==&c=QtfLegKX9oELegStpWdmeZT5u9dvnAvCL5yarJpuBS4VM9pE3SnkUg==&ch=clPtmfXmDfLEx-rP7J6oguXFgZ27mmbElcljXmQHX_7KpcLTEXHBwg==http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014ENJGuRHmqpLo0Nx_FX9Y6lJkL6WMg5tcKnnq7vstusc3gzGBq46YBimejmdoE-U0O7Rbq-GwCsPRs5oVK9yN45uUCLEd67TW6-4ayx-hh6PvzG5mqU9IWy-gG9fdXNE1Wrtvr_XJaH8vyUZqu6Zc8F3rgRbOXYGETJHlbwnI-gW8Tap5lWZPIl1z-JXBRYcxlnUNd5bLOMisVnqDuHDPeUm3BFeNjyDotPiwAqFBO-0cknk1e4bM73nKR1zIMoLE8S8ex-VwvTfC5HCNWMb4MlM-OLn3RB0Xjm89pYN14bhG3LoFJ3CpSzxKpG2z5_qR9TA5_q6Vz49vk4_UmoPr3CRxLsdTUgBSqxiM8HySc_QMNca8k7qAGCUO987OxpXubCJ23xXHBLjcblU_uSwHw==&c=QtfLegKX9oELegStpWdmeZT5u9dvnAvCL5yarJpuBS4VM9pE3SnkUg==&ch=clPtmfXmDfLEx-rP7J6oguXFgZ27mmbElcljXmQHX_7KpcLTEXHBwg==mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014ENJGuRHmqpLo0Nx_FX9Y6lJkL6WMg5tcKnnq7vstusc3gzGBq46YBimejmdoE-U0O7Rbq-GwCsPRs5oVK9yN45uUCLEd67TW6-4ayx-hh6PvzG5mqU9IWy-gG9fdXNE1Wrtvr_XJaH8vyUZqu6Zc8F3rgRbOXYGETJHlbwnI-gW8Tap5lWZPIl1z-JXBRYcxlnUNd5bLOMisVnqDuHDPeUm3BFeNjyDotPiwAqFBO-0cknk1e4bM73nKR1zIMoLE8S8ex-VwvTfC5HCNWMb4MlM-OLn3RB0Xjm89pYN14bhG3LoFJ3CpSzxKpG2z5_qR9TA5_q6Vz49vk4_UmoPr3CRxLsdTUgBSqxiM8HySc_QMNca8k7qAGCUO987OxpXubCJ23xXHBLjcblU_uSwHw==&c=QtfLegKX9oELegStpWdmeZT5u9dvnAvCL5yarJpuBS4VM9pE3SnkUg==&ch=clPtmfXmDfLEx-rP7J6oguXFgZ27mmbElcljXmQHX_7KpcLTEXHBwg==mailto:[email protected]


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CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Preliminary): Closing Rough Rice Futures for August 13

Month Price Net Change

September 2014 $12.655 + $0.005

November 2014 $12.690 - $0.035

January 2015 $12.890 - $0.030

March 2015 $13.070 - $0.030

May 2015 $13.215 - $0.030

July 2015 $13.395 - $0.030

September 2015 $13.220 - $0.030

Statistical model predicts performance of hybrid rice

UC Riverside-led research could revolutionize hybridbreeding in agriculture
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. Genomic prediction, a new field ofquantitative genetics, is a statistical approach to predicting thevalue of an economically important trait in a plant, such as yieldor disease resistance. The method works if the trait is heritable,as many traits tend to be, and can be performed early in the lifecycle of the plant, helping reduce costs.

Now a research team led by plant geneticists at the University ofCalifornia, Riverside and Huazhong Agricultural University,China, has used the method to predict the performance of hybridrice (for example, the yield, growth-rate and disease resistance).The new technology could potentially revolutionize hybridbreeding in agriculture.

The study , published online this week in the Proceedings of theNational Academy of Sciences , is a pilot research project on rice.The technology can be easily extended, however, to other cropssuch as maize.

"Rice and maize are two main crops that depend on hybrid

breeding," said Shizhong Xu , a professor of genetics in the UCRiverside Department of Botany and Plant Sciences , who co-ledthe research project. "If we can identify many high-performancehybrids in these crops and use these hybrids, we cansubstantially increase grain production to achieve global foodsecurity."

Genomic prediction uses genome-wide markers to predict future individuals or species. These markersare genes or DNA sequences with known locations on a chromosome. Genomic prediction differs fromtraditional predictions in that it skips the marker-detection step. The method simply uses all markersof the entire genome to predict a trait.

"Classical marker-assisted selection only uses markers that have large effects on the trait," Xu

explained. "It ignores all markers with small effects. But many economically important traits arecontrolled by a large number of genes with small effects. Because the genomic prediction modelcaptures all these small-effect genes, predictability is vastly improved."

Without genomic prediction, breeders must grow all possible crosses in the field to select the bestcross (hybrid). For example, for 1000 inbred parents, the total number of crosses would be 499500.

"It is impossible to grow these many crosses in the field," Xu said. "However, with the genomicprediction technology, we can grow only, say, 500 crosses, then predict all the 499500 potentialcrosses, and select the best crosses based on the predicted values of these hybrids."

Xu noted that genomic prediction is particularly useful for predicting hybrids because hybrid DNAsequences are determined by their inbred parents.

"More cost-saving can be achieved because we do not need to measure the DNA sequences of thehybrids," he said. "Knowing the genotypes of the parents makes it possible to immediately know thegenotype of the hybrid. Indeed, there is no need to measure the genotype of the hybrid. It is fullypredicted by the model."

When the researchers incorporated "dominance" and "epistasis" into their prediction model, theyfound that predictability was improved. In genetics, dominance describes the joint action of twodifferent alleles (copies) of a gene. For example, if one copy of a gene has a value of 1 and the othercopy has a value of 2, the joint effect of the two alleles may be 4, indicating that the two alleles are

IMAGE: Shizhong Xu is aprofessor of genetics at UC Riverside.

Click here for more information.
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/08/07/1413750111.abstracthttp://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/08/07/1413750111.abstracthttp://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/08/07/1413750111.abstracthttp://plantbiology.ucr.edu/people/faculty/xu.htmlhttp://plantbiology.ucr.edu/people/faculty/xu.htmlhttp://plantbiology.ucr.edu/people/faculty/xu.htmlhttp://plantbiology.ucr.edu/http://plantbiology.ucr.edu/http://plantbiology.ucr.edu/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genotypehttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genotypehttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genotypehttp://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/pub/77724.php?from=274719http://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/pub/77724.php?from=274719http://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/pub/77724.php?from=274719http://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/pub/77724.php?from=274719http://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/pub/77724.php?from=274719http://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/pub/77724.php?from=274719http://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/pub/77724.php?from=274719http://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/pub/77724.php?from=274719http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genotypehttp://plantbiology.ucr.edu/http://plantbiology.ucr.edu/people/faculty/xu.htmlhttp://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/08/07/1413750111.abstract


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not additive. In this case, dominance has occurred. Epistasis refers to any type of gene-geneinteraction.

"By incorporating dominance and epistasis, we took into account all available information forprediction," Xu said. "It led to a more accurate prediction of a trait value."

Genomic prediction can be used to predict heritable human diseases. For example, many cancers areheritable and genome prediction can be performed to predict disease risk for a person.

Xu was joined in the research by Qifa Zhang and his student Dan Zhu at Huazhong AgriculturalUniversity, China.

Next the research team, led by Xu and Zhang, will design a field experiment to perform hybridprediction in rice.

###

The research was funded by a grant to Xu from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of theU.S. Department of Agriculture and a grant to Zhang from the National Natural Science Foundation of

China.

The University of California, Riverside is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory forgroundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communitiesaround the world. Reflecting California's diverse culture, UCR's enrollment has exceeded 21,000students. The campus opened a medical school in 2013 and has reached the heart of the CoachellaValley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Center. The campus has an annual statewide economic impactof more than $1 billion. A broadcast studio with fiber cable to the AT&T Hollywood hub is available forlive or taped interviews. UCR also has ISDN for radio interviews. To learn more, call (951) UCR-NEWS.

Ambassador TalksTPP ProgressPOSTED 3:10 PM, AUGUST 13, 2014, BY STAFF WRITER

American agriculture stands to gain significantly from the ongoingmulti-lateral Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal. Twelve

Pacific Rim nations, which together represent a third of global trade,

are attempting to eliminate tariffs between their countries. Just last
http://www.ucr.edu/http://www.ucr.edu/http://whotv.com/author/whostaffwriter/http://whotv.com/author/whostaffwriter/http://whotv.com/author/whostaffwriter/http://whotv.com/author/whostaffwriter/http://www.ucr.edu/


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year, 41 percent of a record $141 billion in American ag exports were

bound for the Asia-Pacific region.

But theres one major holdup before a deal can be finalized: Japanbelieves some of its ag products, like beef and pork, are sensitive to

competition with foreign exports, and should be exempt from the talks.

In Japan, the average ag tariff is about 40 percent while U.S. ag tariffs

average around 12 percent.

At a stop at the Iowa State Fair to discuss the role of exports inPresident Obamas trade agenda, U.S. Trade Representative Michael

Froman says progress on the issue wont happen overnight.

He says, Well, theyve started, we are engaged in negotiations, the

President visited there the end of April and that led to the beginning ofreal negotiations over agriculture. Weve reached agreement that all

product areas will be covered. Therell be no exclusions. And thats animportant step. And now were going literally product by pr oduct, line

by line to figure out how we can achieve meaningful market access for

all of our products.

Before Japan joined the talks early last year, Japanese Prime Minister

Shinzo Abe confirmed with President Obama that an agreement to

eliminate all tariffs on all products was not a precondition for a seat thenegotiating table.

Last Saturday Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley was also discussingtrade deals at the Iowa State Fair, and says he believes that Japans


15/33

insistence that some products be considered sensitive runs counter to

the goals of the TPP.

He says, For a long period of time there were five sensitive products[that] would not be on the table and so I was very resentful. Of

listen[ing] to the plea of Japan to come into the agreement, and then

not k eeping their word. Now theres been some movement in that area

I cant quantify the movement thats been, and lets hope out of that

comes progress.

The final hurdle for the deal will be whether or not Congress grants thePresident Trade Promotion Authority or TPA, which allows the

Executive Branch to broker trade deals which the Legislative Branch

can pass or reject, but not amend. TPA gives trading partners

confidence that an agreed- upon deal wont be changed at the

eleventh hour, though some, such as Grassley, believe the mid-term

elections will postpone any TPA decisions from Capitol Hill until afterNovember.

Rice exporters concerned over raise in shipping charges

August 13, 2014

RECORDER REPORT

Rice exporters have expressed their serious concern over sudden increase in shipping companies' charges. Shipping

lines have increased its charges by manifolds that have put traders into the state of discontent. Rice contractors havealready made contracts with buyers and this sudden change have put rice traders into the state of discontent.

Exporters are expressing serious distress over rapid increase in charges by shipping lines. An official of RiceExporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) said: "As there is no fixed shipping charges in the country, Pakistan's riceexporters always get reluctant while making any contracts with buyers, as compared to other leading rice exportingnations which have relatively less cargo charges than Pakistan's rice exporters." He said that they have already madeagreements with different buyers of rice but sudden increase in charges have put rice exporters into frustration as


16/33

these exporters have to pay handsome amount of money from their pockets to shipping companies and due to thisreason export might distress in coming peak seasons.

China and Mombassa are the biggest buyers of Pakistani rice, as more than 50,000 tons of rice is to be exported toChina and Mombassa, during peak seasons in Pakistan ie started from September. He accused shipping lines as

they are charging higher exchange rate of the US dollar against export shipment payments. They usually chargeextra Re 1 to Rs 2 from interbank exchange rates therefore, they are unable to understand under which law they arecharging higher rates from rice exporters.

He said that shipping companies must inform all rice traders before sufficient time to make their future contracts,adding that shipping companies must take rice exporters on board while increasing their cargo fares. He urged thegovernment to look into the matter and to take some steps to prevent these malpractices by shipping lines to smooththe trading.

Exporters are not receiving new contracts due to high prices, energy crises and high cost of the management;furthermore the price of non-basmati rice has increased to $425 per metric ton as compare to Indian rice ie $360 permetric ton. The international markets are now moving toward India for parboiled rice therefore, Pakistan's riceindustries are at the edge of collapse.

Chela Ram, Senior Vice Chairman of REAP suggested that the government should introduce a fixed shippingcharges system in the country for the period of three months, he added that if the shipment fees remain unchangedfor specific period than export activities could be done smoothly without any disturbance.

Scientists To Review Wild Rice-Sulfate ResearchAugust 13, 2014 9:05 AM

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(credit: Jupiter Images)Related Tags:

Mining , Minnesota , Minnesota Pollution Control Agency , MPCA , Scientific Peer Review , St. Paul ,Sulfates , WildRice

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Receive News, Politics, and Entertainment Headlines Each Morning.

Sign Up Today's Most Popular Video1. Good Question: Do Social Media Fundraisers Really Work? 2. Goin' To The Lake: Jamie & Jason Visit Cass Co. Historical Ctr. 3. Comcast Customer Service Call Goes Viral 4. 4 Things To Know For 8/15 5. Police: Pedestrian Seriously Injured In Uptown Hit-And-Run ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is holding a two-day meeting toreview research on the effects of sulfates on wild rice.The St. Paul meeting Wednesday and Thursday is meant to provide scientific peer review for studiesthe MPCA commissioned as it prepares to decide whether the states sul fate standard for watersthat produce wild rice should stay the same or be changed.Its a politically sensitive issue. Mining supporters say the current standard of 10 milligrams per literis obsolete. But American Indians fear any weakening could imperil a food source they considersacred and central to their culture. After two years of study, the MPCA decided in March that moreanalysis was necessary.Paula Maccabee, an attorney for WaterLegacy, says the studies support keeping the existingstandard year-round.
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( Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published,broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

PH to import 1.3 M tons of rice this yearBy DJ Yap |Philippine Daily Inquirer

5:20 pm | Wednesday, August 13th, 2014

INQUIRER FILE PHOTOMANILAThe math doesnt add up. Rice self-sufficiency is projected to reach 98 percent this year, better than last year, but government ispoised to import 800,000 more million metric tons of rice than last year, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told lawmakers on Wednesday.This prompted Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares to comment that the math doesnt add up. In 2013, at a rice self-sufficiency accomplishment of 96 percent, the government imported only 500,000metric tons of rice to fill the four percent gap.So why are we importing 1.3 million metric tons when rice self -sufficiency will improve to 98 percent thisyear? asked Colmenares, the senior deputy minority leader. To which Alcala replied: This is the reality. Were not looking at 1:1. 100 percent is 100 percent, but the

NFA (National Food Authority) needs to have a buffer. We may have good production, but we have moreexpensive rice. Our consumers will get angry, he added, explaining that the average price of rice would shoot up unlessthe NFA had enough buffer stocks to help keep prices stable.For 2014, Alcala said, demand was projected at 12.9 million tons, while total production of palay (unmilledrice) was projected at 19.06 million tons, which would yield 12.38 million tons of rice.We will reach between 96 and 98 percent rice self -sufficiency, he said. On Wednesday, Alcala presented to the appropriations committee of the House of Representatives theDepartment of Agricultures proposed P88 billion budget for 2015.
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"Upon investigation, the NBI discovered a scheme whereby certain rice traders/importers were ableto corner the National Food Authority's rice import allocations through the use of farmers'organizations/cooperatives and single proprietorships as dummies in the NFA bidding for rice Import

Allocation under the Private Sector-Financed importation thru the NFA Tax Expenditure Subsidy,"

said the NBI in its complaint.

The NBI said the rice traders and importers pooled the bidders into groups and financed theirindividual bids for NFA rice allocations. In exchange, the bidders were given a small percentageshare of a certain amount per sack of rice they were allowed to import.

"This scheme, in turn, allowed these rice traders/importers to corner the rice import allocations thatwere put up for bidding by the NFA, even if they were not licensed by the NFA to engage in riceimportation or bidding," the NBI said.

Charged along with Bangayan were Judilyne Lim, Elizabeth Faustino, Eleanor Rodriguez, and LeahEcheveria, who were the owners of the single proprietorships and representatives and officers of thefarmers' cooperatives and organizations. NB, GMA News

Thailand looking to produce ethanolfrom rotten rice stocks - officialsBY APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT

BANGKOK Wed Aug 13, 2014 9:12am BST0 COMMENTS

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A soldier checks sacks of rice at a warehouse in Ayutthaya province, north of Bangkok July 3, 2014.CREDIT: REUTERS/CHAIWAT SUBPRASOMRELATED TOPICS

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PTT PCL

PTT.BK

335.00

+3.00+0.90%

08/15/2014

(Reuters) - Thailand's military government is studying a plan to use rotten rice from statestocks to produce ethanol, hoping to make use of grains that have gone bad and help reducelosses from a costly rice-buying scheme, a senior government official said.

The government is estimated to have lost as much as 400 billion baht (7.4 billion) in buying and storing 18 million tonnes of rice from farmers at higher-than-market rates in thescheme that started in October 2011 and ran through February this year.

After nearly completing a nationwide warehouse inspection, the government has found thatabout 20 percent of the stocks were missing or rotten, said Rangsan Sriworasart, permanentsecretary for the Ministry of Finance and a member of the rice inspection committee.
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Ethanol producers, however, were not sure the plan to use the rotten rice to make biofuel would be commercially viable, saying it could need government support.

"We just launched the idea to ethanol producers and we need to talk to them later to see

what we could do to encourage them to produce ethanol from the rice," Rangsan said.

He said ethanol demand was expected to rise substantially over the next few years, andusing rice could help diversify raw materials for the biofuels sector in the future.

Nearly 3 million tonnes of rice in the state warehouses are rotten, said a Ministry of Financeofficial who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to talk to media.

HIGH COSTS

Based on higher-than-market-prices the government paid farmers at 15,000 baht a tonne,the cost of ethanol from rotten rice would be about 48 baht per litre, according to SiriwutSiempakdi, former president of the Thai Ethanol Manufacturing Association.

That is about twice the price of ethanol made from cassava and molasses.

"If rice-made ethanol is every expensive, no one will use it and the plan will be useless,"Siriwut said.

He said if the government wants to go ahead with the plan to produce ethanol from rottenrice, ethanol producers would need support from the government to help offset the costs.

Siriwut said ethanol factories that process cassava could switch to rice but that it would costthem to adjust their machines to the new raw material.

Factories that produce ethanol from molasses use machines that cannot process rice, hesaid.

Surong Bulakul, chief operating officer for infrastructure at Thailand's PTT Plc. (PTT.BK ),Thailands top energy firm and also the biggest ethanol consumer said the plan was in afeasibility study stage and would need to be finalised later.

"It's a plan to try to make use of the rotten rice in some way rather than dump it. We havenot started producing ethanol from rice yet," Surong said.
http://uk.reuters.com/business/quotes/overview?symbol=PTT.BKhttp://uk.reuters.com/business/quotes/overview?symbol=PTT.BKhttp://uk.reuters.com/business/quotes/overview?symbol=PTT.BKhttp://uk.reuters.com/business/quotes/overview?symbol=PTT.BK


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Thailand has 20 ethanol factories, of which 14 use molasses as a raw material and 6 usecassava, according to the Thai Ethanol Manufacturing Association.

Overall ethanol production is at 3.9 million litres per day, while domestic consumption

stood at 3.2 million litres per day, according to the association.

(Editing by Tom Hogue)

FAA drone ruling said to be setback for farmers, research Aug 10, 201 4Paul Hollis | Southeast Farm Press

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What is in this article?

FAA drone ruling said to be setback for farmers, research

Many farm uses for technology

A recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ruling that governs the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) orso-called drones in commercial agriculture is a setback for farmers and those whose research directly benefitsfarmers, says an Auburn University Extension specialist.

A RECENT FAA ruling governing the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in commercial agriculture could be asetback for farmers and agricultural research.RELATED MEDIA
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ASA 2014: Drones, data, GMOs and trans fats

Drones may help detect crop problems at early stage Drones have tremendous potential for farmers, service providers

A recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ruling that governs the use of unmannedaircraft systems (UAS) or so-called drones in commercial agriculture is a setback forfarmers and those whose research directly benefits farmers, says an Auburn UniversityExtension specialist.

At this time, farmers are unable to fly over crop fields or pastureland to capture pictures or video of anything they plan to sell commercially, says John Fulton, Auburn UniversityExtension precision agriculture specialist.

For a majority of use on the farm and research, this means development andunderstanding of this technology must cease until the FAA provides updated guidelines.However, one is still able to fly as a hobbyist over their property. They can also take picturesof non- commercial items, says Fulton.

The ruling, issued on July 3 by the FAA, states, Farmers, ranchers and all commercialoperators are prohibited from using UASs until the FAA institutes regulations for the safeintegration of UASs into National Airspace. The FAA was given a deadline by Congress toallow commercial drone flights by September 2015. The Office of Inspector General releasedan audit this week that doubts the FAA will meet this deadline.

Overall, the ruling sets U.S. agriculture back and will put us behind on usi ng this typetechnology to enhance the production of food and fiber, says Fulton. For AuburnUniversity, we will be unable to develop the needed sensor systems and processingalgorithms to better manage crops and inputs for our Alabama farmers. Essentially, we aregrounded from crop research with UASs until they allow COAs to be established atuniversities for crop research. Again, this represents a setback to us and the education wecan provide farmers and the ag industry on the beneficial uses of UASs in agriculture.
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A UAS demonstration that had been scheduled in a central Alabama farmers field on July 8 was cancelled shortly after the FAA ruling.

At this time, it is difficult to know when researchers and the agriculture industry might be

able to again fly over commercial crops and further develop the needed systems to supportagriculture, says Fulton.

The announcement, he says, was a surprise since the wording provided in the releasediffered from original interpretations that the agriculture industry had understood over thepast couple of years.

The agriculture industry needs these types of new technologies to fine -tune themanagement of crops, pastures and animals. The public expects farmers to manage in asustainable manner while being environmental stewards, and these types of technologiesprovide the capability to support that expectation, says the Extension specialist.

The ruling is limiting the advancement of Alabama farmers, Fulton says. It is a detrimentto the entire ag sector. I respect the FAA and its responsibility, but agriculture is trying touse this technology in a beneficial way; not misuse it. The FAA needs to quickly provideguidelines or a new ruling. It is interesting that one has the inability to capture valuableinformati on, at low altitudes, on private farmland.

Thailand looking to produce ethanolfrom rotten rice stocks - officialsWed Aug 13, 2014 9:08am BST0 COMMENTS

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+3.00+0.90%

08/15/2014

* Govt looking for way to make use of rotten rice

* Costs of rice-made ethanol may be too high -association

* Ethanol would need govt support to offset costs -association

By Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat

BANGKOK, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Thailand's military government is studying a plan to userotten rice from state stocks to produce ethanol, hoping to make use of grains that havegone bad and help reduce losses from a costly rice-buying scheme, a senior government

official said.

The government is estimated to have lost as much as 400 billion baht ($12.5 billion) in buying and storing 18 million tonnes of rice from farmers at higher-than-market rates in thescheme that started in October 2011 and ran through February this year.

After nearly completing a nationwide warehouse inspection, the government has found thatabout 20 percent of the stocks were missing or rotten, said Rangsan Sriworasart, permanentsecretary for the Ministry of Finance and a member of the rice inspection committee.

Ethanol producers, however, were not sure the plan to use the rotten rice to make biofuel would be commercially viable, saying it could need government support.

"We just launched the idea to ethanol producers and we need to talk to them later to see what we could do to encourage them to produce ethanol from the rice," Rangsan said.

He said ethanol demand was expected to rise substantially over the next few years, andusing rice could help diversify raw materials for the biofuels sector in the future.

Nearly 3 million tonnes of rice in the state warehouses are rotten, said a Ministry of Financeofficial who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to talk to media.

HIGH COSTS


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Based on higher-than-market-prices the government paid farmers at 15,000 baht ($470) atonne, the cost of ethanol from rotten rice would be about 48 baht per litre, according toSiriwut Siempakdi, former president of the Thai Ethanol Manufacturing Association.

That is about twice the price of ethanol made from cassava and molasses.

"If rice-made ethanol is every expensive, no one will use it and the plan will be useless,"Siriwut said.

He said if the government wants to go ahead with the plan to produce ethanol from rottenrice, ethanol producers would need support from the government to help offset the costs.

Siriwut said ethanol factories that process cassava could switch to rice but that it would costthem to adjust their machines to the new raw material.

Factories that produce ethanol from molasses use machines that cannot process rice, hesaid.

Surong Bulakul, chief operating officer for infrastructure at Thailand's PTT Plc., Thailand'stop energy firm and also the biggest ethanol consumer said the plan was in a feasibilitystudy stage and would need to be finalised later.

"It's a plan to try to make use of the rotten rice in some way rather than dump it. We havenot started producing ethanol from rice yet," Surong said.

Thailand has 20 ethanol factories, of which 14 use molasses as a raw material and 6 usecassava, according to the Thai Ethanol Manufacturing Association.

Overall ethanol production is at 3.9 million litres per day, while domestic consumptionstood at 3.2 million litres per day, according to the association.

(1 US dollar = 32.0000 Thai baht) (Editing by Tom Hogue)

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Department of Foreign Trade to propose floor prices forfirst rice auction of the year

PICTURE

VDO

Date : 13 2557

BANGKOK, 13 August 2014 (NNT) The Director General of the Department of ForeignTrade has prepared to propose floor prices for the first rice auction of the year, to theNational Rice Policy Committee today.

Mrs.Duangporn Rodphaya, the Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade,revealed that the department has prepared proposed floor prices for the first 167,000

tonnes rice auction of the year, to the National Rice Policy Committee today in order toexpand price standards from the beginning.

Forty six traders have passed the ministry's qualification test to participate in the auctionwith their floor prices.

However, Mrs.Duangporn added that the estimated cost will depend on the quality of ricefor auction so as to be fair to every section and traders.

Talks planned with China on rice exportsWritten by Htin Lynn AungPublished i n TradeRead 674 times

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Workers unload rice on the Yangon docks, in an image taken on June 6. Photo: Lynn Bo Bo/EPA

Myanmar has begun taking steps aimed at paving the way for rice exports to China, journalists were toldat a briefing at the Yangon office of the Ministry of Commerce on August 12.

The Minister of Commerce, U Win Myint, had told trade officials at the Chinese embassy earlier that daythat Myanmar hoped to begin talks next month on a framework that would provide for legal rice exports,the journalists were told.

The first part of the process would involve finalising an agreement with China on the administration ofquality supervision, inspection and quarantine (AQSIQ), said spokespersons for the ministry and theMyanmar Rice Federation.

First we will get the AQSIQ signed and then we'll work on fixing the export quota, said MRF secretary, UYe Min Aung.

The director-general of the Department of Trade Promotion at the Ministry of Commerce, U Toe AungMyint, said that after the AQSIQ was signed and an export quota agreed, negotiations would begin on afree trade agreement.

The briefing was told that the AQSIQ would also provide for the export of other crops to China.
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A senior Trade Promotion Department official toldMizzima Business Weekly in May that some rice exportsare permitted to China under a quota system it uses to encourage crop substitution and deter opiumpoppy cultivation.

Exports that exceeded the quota were regarded as being illegal in China but show as legal border exports

for Myanmar, he said.Rice exporters concerned over raise in shipping chargesWednesday, August-13-2014

Rice exporters have expressed theirserious concern over sudden increase inshipping companies' charges.

Shipping lines have increased its chargesby manifolds that have put traders into the

state of discontent. Rice contractors havealready made contracts with buyers andthis sudden change have put rice tradersinto the state of discontent.

Exporters are expressing serious distress over rapid increase in charges by shippinglines. An official of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) said: "As there is nofixed shipping charges in the country, Pakistan's rice exporters always get reluctantwhile making any contracts with buyers, as compared to other leading rice exportingnations which have relatively less cargo charges than Pakistan's rice exporters."

He said that they have already made agreements with different buyers of rice butsudden increase in charges have put rice exporters into frustration as these exportershave to pay handsome amount of money from their pockets to shipping companies anddue to this reason export might distress in coming peak seasons.

China and Mombassa are the biggest buyers of Pakistani rice, as more than 50,000tons of rice is to be exported to China and Mombassa, during peak seasons in Pakistanie started from September.

He accused shipping lines as they are charging higher exchange rate of the US dollaragainst export shipment payments.

They usually charge extra Re 1 to Rs 2 from interbank exchange rates therefore, theyare unable to understand under which law they are charging higher rates from riceexporters.

He said that shipping companies must inform all rice traders before sufficient time tomake their future contracts, adding that shipping companies must take rice exporters onboard while increasing their cargo fares.


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In 2013, at a rice self-sufficiency accomplishment of 96 percent, the government imported only 500,000metric tons of rice to fill the four percent gap.So why are we importing 1.3 million metric tons when rice self-sufficiency will improve to 98 percent thisyear? asked Colmenares, the senior deputy minority leader. To which Alcala replied: This is the reality. Were not looking at 1:1. 100 percent is 100 percent, but theNFA (National Food Authority) needs to have a buffer. We may have good production, but we have moreexpensive rice. Our consumers will get angry, he added, explaining that the average price of rice would shoot up unlessthe NFA had enough buffer stocks to help keep prices stable.For 2014, Alcala said, demand was projected at 12.9 million tons, while total production of palay (unmilledrice) was projected at 19.06 million tons, which would yield 12.38 million tons of rice.We will reach between 96 and 98 percent rice self -sufficiency, he s aid.On Wednesday, Alcala presented to the appropriations committee of the House of Representatives theDepartment of Agricultures proposed P88 billion budget for 2015.

Alcala acknowledged Colmenares question about the apparent discrepancy between rice s elf-sufficiencyand importation.Thats the reason we have to help the farmers to produce their palay at a lower cost. Thats the reasonwere asking Congress to help farmers with post -harvest facilities, farm mechanization, technology. Alcala defended the additional importation, saying it helps to keep prices of rice at a lower price. The traders know what the NFA has. They have the supply Theres enough supply coming in, whichproves there will be buffer stock, so the price of rice may be sold at a lower price, he said. He said local rice production in 2013 reached 18.4 million tons, the highest ever yield. In 2010, rice self -sufficiency was at 82 percent. At end of last year, we reached 96 percent. We didnt hit100 percent, but from 82 percent to 92 percent, that shows were doing something right, Alcala said. He also noted that importation actually fell in the past three years compared to the period between 2008and 2010, when the Philippines, the worlds largest rice importer, imported 2.4 mi llion tons of rice.Some P147 billion was saved from rice importation alone. This shows the funds we have been investingin rice programs are being spent wisely, Alcala said.

Govt may lose B72bn on rotten rice

Published: 13 Aug 2014 at 12.20 | Viewed: 4,171 | Comments: 8 Online news: Local News

Writer: Online Reporters

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With nearly 17% of the rice in government warehouses rotting, the government may face a lossof 72 billion baht by selling it off at rock-bottom rates.
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Three million of 18 million tonnes of rice stockpiled under the former government's rice- pledging scheme have deteriorated to the point where only ethanol producers may be interestedin it, said Panadda Diskul, permanent secretary in the Prime Minister's Office. His team hasfinished checking 90% of the stock.

One source said deteriorated rice that remains edible must be sold at low prices as buyers wouldhave to improve its quality at a cost of between 2,500-3,000 baht a tonne.

Vichai Sriprasert, honorary president of Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the average costof rice pledged was between 28,000-29,000 baht a tonne. But the private sector might only offer5,000 baht a tonne to buy it now, he said.

He estimated if the government gradually sells the deteriorated stock it would lose 69-72 billion baht.

Another source said some companies, such as PTT Plc and Bangchak, were interested in buying

the spoiled rice for ethanol production, but the government likely would wait to first take legalaction against warehouse owners and government officials in order to offset losses with somecompensation.

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13th August,2014 Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine (Unedited Verison)