28th september ,2015 daily global regional local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

All About Rice News

Daily Global Rice E-Newsletter

1

For Blog & News Letter Advertisment contact to write : Mujahid Ali [email protected]

www.ricepluss.com & www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

Aug ,2015

Vol 5,Issue XIII

September 28,2015

Vol 5,Issue XIV


All About Rice News


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News Headlines...

IMF likely to approve $502 mln loan tranche for Pakistan

Paddy procurement faces rough weather

APEDA Commodity News

New Rice Variety May Boost Self-Sufficiency, But More Research Needed: Jokoi

THE ORIGIN AND SPREAD OF ‗EMPEROR‘S RICE‘

Rice exporters blame state, Centre for basmati growers' plight

El Niño-resilient rice varieties identified

Rice exports face difficulties

Crossbreeding: New Study Sheds Light On History Of Black Rice

News Detail...

IMF likely to approve $502 mln loan tranche for Pakistan September 27, 2015

By: Zamir Laghari

Published in Economy

WASHINGTON: The Executive Board of the International

Monetary Fund (IMF) is due to meet on Monday to discuss the eighth

review under the Extended Fund Facility arrangement with Pakistan

and is expected to approve the release of $502 million loan

tranche.Pakistan achieved the staff-level agreement with the IMF

officials in August after the successful completion of the 8th review

of the loan.In a statement issued after the meeting, IMF officials had

noted that Pakistan‘s economy continues to improve, appreciating the

commitment and progress in implementing the economic program to

improve economic resilience, promote growth and private sector job

creation in the country.Speaking to reporters last week, IMF Director

Communications, Gerry Rice, said that the executive board will meet

on September 28 to discuss the eight review and after approval will release about $502 million to

Pakistan.

Responding to a question on Pakistan‘s decision to cut the interest rate recently, Rice said that

that the easing of monetary policy in Pakistan has become possible in an environment of

improving stability and low inflation.―We do expect a moderate pick-up in inflation in the

coming months as international energy prices stabilize. That said, real interest rates remain

positive and we expect inflation expectations to remain well anchored,‖ he said.The government

http://www.samaa.tv/economy/

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of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has stabilized the country‘s economy which was facing a serious

crisis when he took over after winning elections in June, 2013. The improvement in the economy

has boosted investors‘ confidence.This week Pakistan successfully issued a new bond of $500

million after a series of roadshows that were held in Los Angeles, Boston, New York, and one in

England. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was in New York to launch the bond.

Despite tight and weak global market conditions and jittery investors‘ sentiments, the issue was

twice over subscribed but the government decided to restrict the issue to the intended level of

$500 million in order to cover the forthcoming maturity in March 2016 of a bond issue in

2006.Moody‘s Investors Services on September 18 had assigned a provisional rating of B3 to the

government‘s announcement of global bond offering, saying that the outlook is stable.The IMF‘s

Board meeting comes as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is in New York to attend the UN General

Assembly. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister‘s Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs

and National Security Sartaj Aziz are accompanying the Prime Minister.

Speaking to media here, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ruled out devaluing rupee against the

dollar. – APP

Paddy procurement faces rough weather September 28, 2015 05:51 IST

R. RAMABHADRAN PILLAI

If not harvested at the earliest, there is the danger of germination of paddy.he paddy

procurement scheme, launched by the State government through Supplyco, is facing rough

weather. Over 10,000 hectares of paddy fields spread over Kuttanad, Ambalappuzha, and other

areas are facing uncertainty over the procurement of the second crop.Though Supplyco is

http://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/r.-ramabhadran-pillai/

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expected to commence procurement on October 1, non-cooperation of millers is bound to create

serious problems. In many areas, paddy shoots have fallen down, posing damage to the crop. If

not harvested at the earliest, there is the danger of germination of paddy.

Even those who have harvested the crop are unable to remove paddy from the fields as the

procurement is done at the fields. In the past, farmers were given procurement advice by the

officials concerned well in advance so that the harvested paddy could be directly transported

from the spot to the assigned millers.This time, the millers have decided to desist from the

procurement drive, demanding a hike in handling charges. As the dispute drags on, the farmers

could be the worst hit. If Supplyco fails to take a decision at the earliest, it could sound the death

knell of the procurement process, leading to an alarming situation in the paddy farming sector.

Intervention sought

―The government should intervene in the matter urgently,‖ says Kuttanad Vikasana Samithy

executive director Fr. Thomas Peelianikkal. The information that procurement would start only

on October 1 has been passed on to the farmers late. There is lack of coordination between the

Civil Supplies and Agriculture Ministries, he says.―The issue needs urgent attention from the

government,‖ says P.T. Scaria, district president, Karsha Congress. Farmers‘ problems should be

resolved on a priority basis, he says.Rice millers used to collect paddy from the fields, process it,

and send it to wholesalers.

The Kerala State Rice Mill Owners Association contends that it has been incurring increased

expenditure, rendering the job unprofitable.The moisture content in the paddy being collected

from the fields has exceeded stipulated limits, according to association president K.K. Karnan. It

results in reduced output of rice, but the millers are bound to meet the quantity requirements as

per contract, causing loss. Over 30 mills, among the 100 plus rice mills in the State, have been

closed down unable to bear the loss in the past few years, the owners say.

If not harvested at the earliest, there is the danger of germination of paddy.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/paddy-procurement-faces-rough-

weather/article7696776.ece

APEDA Commodity News

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International Benchmark Price

Price on: 25-09-2015

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Rice

1 CZCE Early Rice Futures (USD/t) 321

2 Pakistani 100%, FOB Karachi (USD/t) 318

3 Pakistani 25% Broken (USD/t) 383

Wheat

1 CZCE Wheat Futures (USD/t) 350

2 Black Sea, FOB Brazil (USD/t) 169

3 NYSE Liffe Feed Wheat Futures (USD/t) 177

White Sugar

1 CZCE White Sugar Futures (USD/t) 831

2 Kenya Mumias white sugar, EXW (USD/t) 691

3 Thai VHP, FOB Thailand (USD/t) 415

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch

Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 26-09-2015

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Rice

1 Alappuzha (Kerala) Other 3150 3275

2 Junagarh (Orissa) Other 2100 2200

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3 Melaghar (Tripura) Fine 2900 3100

Wheat

1 Dehgam (Gujarat) Other 1580 1675

2 Bangalore (Karnataka) Local 2600 3200


Mousambi


2 Balachaur (Punjab) Other 2500 2800

3 Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh) Other 2100 2200

Cucumbar

1 Koraput (Orissa) Other 1000 1100

2 Nagpur (Maharashtra) Other 1500 1500

3 Solan(Himachal Pradesh) Other 1000 1700

Source:agmarknet.nic.in For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 26-09-2015

Product Market Center Price

1 Pune 310

2 Chittoor 303

3 Nagapur 292

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 25-09-2015

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

http://agmarknet.nic.in/

http://e2necc.com/

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Onions Dry Package: 50 lb sacks

1 Atlanta Mexico Yellow 23 24

2 Baltimore California Yellow 16 16

3 Detroit Nevada Yellow 17 18

Carrots Package: 20 1-lb film bags

1 Atlanta California Baby Peeled 19 20.75

2 Chicago California Baby Peeled 17 17.50

3 Dallas Arizona Baby Peeled 16.75 17

Apples Package: cartons tray pack

1 Atlanta Washington Red Delicious 26 26.50

2 Chicago Washington Red Delicious 24.50 24.50

3 Detroit Washington Red Delicious 27 27.50

Source:USDA

New Rice Variety May Boost Self-Sufficiency, But More

Research Needed: Jokoi

Jakarta. President Joko Widodo has called for more research and development in the

agricultural sector, saying it is key to the nation's bid for self-sufficiency in food production.

Joko made the comments during a harvesting ceremony for a new locally developed type of rice,

on Sunday.The rice, labeled IPB 3s and developed by the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) in

cooperation with the Agriculture Ministry and the West Java government, was planted at

Cikarang village in Karawang district, West Java.Joko said the newly developed rice can double

Indonesia's production of the commodity. The new variety has been tested on a 500 hectare field

and this harvest season the variety has already produced a yield of 13.4 tons per hectare, more

than double the 6.1 tons per hectare average estimated by the Indonesian Statistics Agency (BPS)

in July.

―This kind of intensification is exactly what [Indonesia] needs. We want a massive increase in

production,‖ he said.―We need to boost our research and development. The IPB has done it and

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now we can start seeing results.‖The president also instructed state procurement agency Bulog to

monitor rice distribution, a key component in steadying food prices affecting both producers and

consumers.

―Bulog must maintain a steady supply of rice so that prices are not manipulated by speculators,‖

he said.Bulog president director Djarot Kusumayakti said the agency currently has enough rice in

stock — 1.7 million tons — to dampen effects of the extended drought, due to the El Nino

weather phenomenon.The Bulog director is confident that Indonesia could soon be self-sufficient

in rice with the introduction of the new rice variety."If the yields increase, let's pray together that

we'll soon enter the era of self-sufficiency," Djarot said.

However, Indonesia is still reliant on the importation of other food products, mainly beef, as the

country struggles to boost production to meet demands.Indonesia is set to import up to 10,000

tons of beef from New Zealand next month, according to Coordinating Economic Minister

Darmin Nasution. The supply should be enough to meet Indonesia's consumption demand for a

month, but the government is prepared to import more if needed, Darmin said.The government is

also expecting 200,000 head cattle from Australia for domestic consumption in the fourth quarter

of this year.Australia is currently Indonesia's only source of imported beef. Brazil and Uruguay

have been named as potential trade partners and the government of Colombia has also expressed

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interest in providing beef to the archipelago.Indonesia imported 97,610 head of cattle in the first

three months of this year and 201,640 in the second quarter, according to data from the Trade

Ministry.http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/new-rice-variety-may-boost-self-sufficiency-

research-needed-joko/

THE ORIGIN AND SPREAD OF ‗EMPEROR‘S RICE‘

BLACK RICE HAS A RICH CULTURAL HISTORY; CALLED ―FORBIDDEN‖ OR

―EMPEROR‘S‖ RICE, IT WAS RESERVED FOR THE EMPEROR IN ANCIENT CHINA

AND USED AS A TRIBUTE FOOD.

In the time since, it remained popular in certain regions of China and recently has become prized

worldwide for its high levels of antioxidants. Despite its long history, the origins of black rice

have not been clear. Black rice cultivars are found in locations scattered throughout

Asia.However, most cultivated rice (species Oryza sativa) produces white grains, and the wild

relative Oryza rufipogon has red grains. The color of rice grains is determined by which colored

pigments they accumulate (or fail to accumulate, in the case of white rice).For instance, the pro-

anthocyanidins that give wild rice grains their characteristic red color are not produced in white

http://www.heritagedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/black1.jpg

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rice due to a mutation in a gene controlling pro-anthocyanidin biosynthesis. The color in black

rice is known to be due to anthocyanin pigments, but how these came to be made in the grains

was not known.

A paper to be published this week in The Plant Cell reveals the answer to the long-standing

question of how black rice became black and, moreover, traces the history of the trait from its

molecular origin to its spread into modern-day varieties of rice. Researchers from two

institutions in Japan collaborated to meticulously examine the genetic basis for the black color in

rice grains.They discovered that the trait arose due to a rearrangement in a gene called Kala4,

which activates the production of anthocyanins. They concluded that this rearrangement must

have originally occurred in the tropical japonica subspecies of rice and that the black rice trait

was then transferred into other varieties (including those found today) by crossbreeding.

According the study‘s lead scientist, Dr. Takeshi Izawa, ―The birth and spread of novel

agronomical traits during crop domestication are complex events in plant evolution.‖ This new

work on black rice helps explain the history of domestication of rice by ancient humans, during

which they selected for desirable traits including grain color.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLANT BIOLOGISTS

http://www.heritagedaily.com/2015/09/the-origin-and-spread-of-emperors-rice/108409

Rice exporters blame state, Centre for basmati growers'

plight

PTI,Chandigarh, | 27 September, 2015

With growers in Punjab lamenting

lower prices of PUSA basmati 1509

variety, rice exporters on Sunday

blamed the Punjab government and the

Centre for the "plight" of growers,

saying they were not discouraged from

plantation of the crop despite poor

response from buyers.With PUSA

1509 variety arriving in mandis of

Punjab and Haryana, its prices are

hovering around Rs.1,200-1,300 per

quintal which is even lesser than the

Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs.1,450 per quintal for Grade-A variety, traders said.In Uttar

http://www.aspb.org/

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Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the variety is fetching price in the range of Rs.800-1,000 a quintal,

they further said."It is the failure of the governments both Punjab and Centre for not

discouraging growers from sowing PUSA basmati 1509 variety in the state despite warning them

numerous times that this variety was not acceptable to buyers," Punjab Rice Millers and

Exporters Association, Director, Ashok Sethi told PTI today.

Sethi claimed that farmers in Punjab brought uncertified and unrecommended seed of short-

duration 1509 variety and planted it without considering its results.Exporters pointed out that rice

millers had witnessed high broken content in 1509 variety during processing last year. Besides

grain turning weak, rice of this variety became blackish, which was not acceptable to overseas

buyers, they said adding that exporters and millers were unnecessarily being accused of not

paying higher rates for this crop.They claimed that PUSA 1509 variety was not suitable for

plantation in Punjab and Haryana."We had spent Rs.8-10 lakh on advertisements just to

discourage farmers not to plant 1509 variety.

But despite that fact this year 2 crore bags of this variety was expected to arrive in mandis in

Punjab alone," he said.A vigorous campaign was also launched this season in paddy growing

areas of Punjab and Haryana, asking growers not to sow PUSA Basmati 1509 before July 15

after basmati exporters complained of high incident of broken content because of pre-mature

plantation.Exporters said farmers planted crop before July 15 despite being told not do

so.Developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), PUSA Basmati 1509 variety has

seen its acceptability among growers both in Punjab and Haryana in a big way because of its

high yield and short duration (90 days).Its yield is about 25 quintals per acre, more than the other

aromatic variety of PUSA 1121 whose yield is 20 quintals per acre.After basmati 1509 variety

fetched higher returns in 2013 when this came for the first time, farmers, who planted it early,

fetched Rs.4,000 per quintal for paddy, industry insiders said.

http://www.thestatesman.com/news/business/rice-exporters-blame-state-centre-for-basmati-growers-

plight/93079.html

El Niño-resilient rice varieties identified September 25, 2015 10:16 pm

by JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ, REPORTER

Amid the threat of a prolonged drought due to the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of

Agriculture‘s Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has identified two climate change-

resilient rice varieties suitable for irrigated lowlands in the Visayas and Mindanao.Researchers

said the development of location-specific, high-yielding and climate change-resilient varieties

are among the cost-effective strategies to increase rice yields.

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A PhilRice study identified NSIC Rc308 (Tubigan 26) and NSIC Rc358 (Tubigan 30) as climate

change-resilient varieties with superior performance in irrigated lowland ecosystems. Thelma

Padolina, lead researcher, said that varieties with superior performance in specific locations and

improved resistance to lodging and biotic stresses must be bred and recommended to help the

farmers adapt to climate change.

―The two recommended varieties have relatively high yield advantage over their check varieties.

The NSIC Rc308 has a yield advantage of 5.5 percent in the Visayas and 4 percent in Mindanao

in contrast with PSB Rc82. NSIC Rc358 outyielded PSB Rc18 by 12 percent,‖ Padolina

said.NSIC Rc308 and the NSIC Rc358 are 2013 PhilRice-bred varieties.Under favorable

irrigated lowland ecosystems, NSIC Rc308 has a maximum average yield of 10.9 tons per

hectare (t/ha) and matures in 11 days if transplanted. When direct-seeded, it matures in 105 days

and has a maximum yield of 8.0 t/ha.Under the same farming condition, NSIC Rc358 can also

attain a maximum average yield of 5.4 t/ha to 9.1 t/ha if transplanted.

Both varieties are early maturing so they may escape stress conditions. NSIC Rc308 showed

superior performance in Zamboanga del Sur, Davao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Eastern Samar, and

Aklan.According to Padolina, the variety has intermediate reaction to pests such as stem borer,

brown planthopper, and bacterial leaf blight.NSIC Rc358 is considered as an all-season variety

for Visayas. Padolina said that it is suitable for the transplanting culture in the provinces of

Samar, Aklan, and Bohol.Rice scientists and experts encouraged R&D institutions to foster

stronger partnerships as the country prepares to address the effects of trade liberalization and

climate change.

Govt should invest more in R&D

During the 28th National Rice R&D Conference at PhilRice, experts discussed industry trends to

address current issues and emerging problems besetting rice R&D.Dr. Madonna Casimero of

IRRI stressed that there is a need to rethink and step up R&D strategies in order to help the

national government craft policies and develop the right technologies for the farmers.Casimero

also highlighted the message of IRRI‘s deputy director general for research Dr. Matthew Morell

that ―not one institution can provide the solutions to all the issues confronting agriculture.‖

Hence, cooperation among R&D institutions is needed, she said.―We need to strengthen

ourselves and harness the skills of our partners,‖ she said.Economics professor Dr. Cesar Quicoy

of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) emphasized that the national government

must invest more in R&D as it plays a major role in making farmers competitive.―Literature will

always point out that the reason why we‘re always behind in agriculture is because our R&D is

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very minimal in terms of our GDP,‖ he said.Studies have shown that R&D contributes about 25

percent yield growth in rice.

During the conference, experts also urged PhilRice, as the country‘s lead institute in rice R&D,

to look at the issues in agriculture as an opportunity to prove the relevance of the institute.The

National Rice Research and Development Conference is annually hosted by PhilRice and gathers

around 500 researchers, academicians, students, farmers, and extension workers from all over the

country.

http://www.manilatimes.net/el-nino-resilient-rice-varieties-identified/220649/

Rice exports face difficulties

Vietnam is encountering difficulties in exporting rice in the face of fierce competition from

Thailand, India and Myanmar.

Rice for exports (Photo:VNA)

The statement was made by Vo

Hung Dung, Director of the

Vietnam Chamber of Commerce

and Industry – Can Tho branch,

at a workshop in the Mekong

Delta city on September 25 to

seek solutions for rice producers

and exporters.Statistics from the

Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development showed that

in the first eight months of 2015,

Vietnam shipped 4.1 million

tonnes of rice abroad and earned

US$ 1.76 billion, down 8.6 percent in volume and over 13 percent in value compared to the same

period last year.

Notably, China, which remains Vietnam‘s largest rice importer with 32 percent of the country‘s

total market shares, is decreasing its imports from Vietnam. In 2012-2013, around 65 percent of

China‘s imported rice came from Vietnam but the figure reduced to 53 percent in 2014 and 47

percent in the first four months of this year.In addition, Vietnam‘s two other major importers, the

Philippines and Indonesia, which account for 12 and 5 percent of the market shares, respectively,

are striving to boost production towards self-sufficiency.

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At the workshop, Chairman of the Vietnam Food Association Huynh The Nang introduced

several measures to help businesses improve their competitiveness.According to Nang, the long-

term solution to effectively stabilising production and exports is to provide loans for export

businesses‘ rice stockpiles.He also suggested reducing risks in harvesting, stocking and

distributing rice while striving to building trademarks for the Vietnamese product.The Ho Chi

Minh City Development Bank (HDBank) also took the occasion to introduce its programme to

support rice exporters.

http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/Economy/2015/9/115561/

Crossbreeding: New Study Sheds Light On History Of Black Rice

By Samantha Mathewson

Sep 28, 2015 01:36 AM EDT

A new study explains how black rice, also known as forbidden rice, got its dark color. (Photo :

Wikimedia Commons )

When we think of rice, we usually think of white or brown grains. However, black rice is prized

throughout China for its antioxidants. But how did the rice get its color? Researchers took a

closer look at the grain's rich history to find out. Black rice was historically reserved for China's

Emperor and regarded as "forbidden." Today, black rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars are found

throughout Asia. The color of rice grains is determined by which colored pigments they

accumulate, or in terms of white rice, the pigments they fail to attain (in addition to not having

because the outer hull has been removed).

The color in black rice is a result of anthocyanin pigments, according to a news release.

Anthocyanins absorb blue-green light, and reflect red wavelengths. So, for example, pro-

anthocyanidins that give wild rice grains their red color are not produced in white rice due to a

gene mutation. Scientists have long questioned how these pigments evolved in

grains.Researchers from Japan recently traced the history of anthocyanin pigments, from their

molecular origin to their spread in modern-day varieties of rice. After examining the genetic

basis for the black color in rice grains, the researcher found the pigments resulted from the

rearrangement of a gene know as Kala4.

http://www.natureworldnews.com/reporters/samantha-mathewson

http://www.lotusfoods.com/index.php/products/whole-grain-products/forbidden-rice/

http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/leaves/pigment

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-09/asop-toa092515.php

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This gene activates the production of anthocyanins, the release noted. From this, the researchers

concluded that this mutation originally occurred in the tropical japonica subspecies of rice and

eventually evolved among other varieties through processes of crossbreeding."The birth and

spread of novel agronomical traits during crop domestication are complex events in plant

evolution," Dr. Takeshi Izawa, the study's lead author, said in a statement.Their findings help

better explain the domestication of rice by ancient humans, who would have crossbred rice with

preferable traits, such as grain color. Their study was recently published in the journal Plant

Cell. For more great nature science stories and general news, please visit our sister site,

Headlines and Global News (HNGN).

http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/17054/20150928/crossbreeding-new-study-sheds-light-history-

black-rice.htm

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/my.aspb.org/resource/group/6d461cb9-5b79-4571-a164-924fa40395a5/PressReleases/250915_PressRel_Oikawa.pdf

http://www.plantcell.org/content/early/2015/09/11/tpc.15.00310.abstract

http://www.plantcell.org/content/early/2015/09/11/tpc.15.00310.abstract

http://www.hngn.com/

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28th september ,2015 daily global regional local rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine