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COA, IRRI ink rice research pact in Philippines
Publication Date01/27/2015
of his ministry is disbursement of N122million grant to 27 Nagropreneurs across the six geopolitical zones as a measure of boosting agricultural production and also promoting its newly
established project, the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP).
Noting that Nigerias greater future for inclusive
growth lies in agriculture, he said food production
had risen massively and as a nation, Nigeria has
produced additional 21 metric tons of food within the
last three years.Adesina also listed other milestones
of the ministry under him to include the
establishment of Marketing Corporation, nationwide
census of farmers and supply of subsidised fertilisers
to 14million farmers.He further explained that the
elaborate event is aimed at creating a distinct
platform that will further boost the countrys agriculture, and added that it will also keep
Nigerians abreast of the latest evolution in technologies and food production.
President Goodluck Jonathan commended the minister at the
event, saying agriculture is now the lifeline for
Nigeria.Jonathan said: As crude oil prices decline, we must
create new wealth from the richness of our soils, the vastness
of our rivers and the abundance of our cheap labour. We will
produce more, and we will industrialise the agricultural
sector.When I appointed Dr Akinwumi Adesina as the
minister of agriculture, I charged him to turn agriculture
around. My vision was clear turn agriculture away from
being a sector for managing poverty to one for creating wealth. We now see agriculture as a
business, not as a development programme. Noting that the rice revolution is taking place across
the country, the president said while high quality Nigerian rice is now competing favourably
with imported rice in the markets, rice importers cannot hold the country hostage.He added:
Nigeria, our dear country will not be held hostage by rice importers.
There will be no sacred cows under my watch. All those owing Nigeria on rice import duties
must pay.Rice farmers across the country have a new lease of life, due to the transformation
taking place in the sector. Over 6 million rice farmers have received improved rice seed varieties,
boosting domestic rice production by an additional 7 million metric tons.Our rice millers have
taken advantage of these new opportunities, and the number of integrated rice mills has
expanded from 1 (one) at the beginning of this administration, to 24 today. And they are all here
today. I celebrate you all. I eat Nigerian rice and can tell you it is better than imported rice.
Source with thanks:http://www.informationng.com/2015/01/agriculture-%D1%81an-overtake-oil.html
Pia Ranada
Published 6:02 PM, Jan 27, 2015
Updated 6:02 PM, Jan 27, 2015
NEW FACILITY. The Lloyd T Evans Plant Growth Facility will feature the latest technology to help scientists
make rice ready for the worst of climate change. Pia Ranada/Rappler
accurate picture of how rice plants would be affected by wide-ranging environments, even the
extreme environments that may become the norm in a world with a rapidly changing climate.
BREAKING NEW GROUND. Scientists and government officials lead the ground-breaking
ceremony of a new rice research facility that will be operational by end of 2015. Pia
Ranada/Rappler
Rice is a particularly important crop to safeguard against the destructive effect of global
warming. The crop is a staple food for 3.5 billion people around half of the world's population.
In Asia, rice contributes up to 70% of the calorie intake of the impoverished who number around
600 million, according to IRRI.During the ground-breaking ceremony, Senator Cynthia Villar,
chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture, said that the research center will directly
benefit Filipino farmers."This is very good for us because we are the number one at risk due to
climate change. They will produce plants that will be adaptable to every climate.
"Global warming is seen to cause more intense droughts and more destructive typhoons. It may
bring about a world with a lot of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and where salty ocean water
may reach crop fields thus affecting their productivity.Some general trends already being felt are
increases in temperature, longer dry seasons, colder night time temperatures and more exposure
to destructive typhoons all of which have grave consequences on food crops.
More collaboration
Scientists all over the world have conceded that climate change is a major threat to food
security all over the world.Australian funding for the facility is partly due to effects already
being felt, said Morell."Being one of the driest continents on the Earth, it has first-hand
experience of climate change. It has a rice industry that has been affected by recent droughts.
This will be a facility that Australia should benefit from just as much as other rice-producing
countries."Morell hopes that such a laboratory can encourage more scientific work on
rice.Hundreds of scientists are expected to make use of the equipment. Such a high-tech
laboratory may also serve as a "magnet" to attract more collaborators from different research
institutes all over the world. Rappler.com
Source with thanks:http://www.rappler.com/science-nature/82103-lloyd-evans-facility-irri-climate-change
With record low prices for rice and a massive stockpile to be disposed on the market, rice futures
are expected to remain depressed, January 27, 2015. File pic
defends the subsidies, saying they raised wages for the millions of farmers who voted for her
party in the 2011 elections and boosted economic growth.
Every election
Junta leader Prayuth Chan-Ocha is seeking to clear the warehouses without torpedoing the
market, saying on January 26 the government wants to accelerate sales to reduce inventory costs
while ensuring prices are acceptable. Since government buying began, Thai 5 per cent broken
rice, an Asia benchmark, tumbled 35 per cent from a three-year high of US$647 a ton in 2011 to
US$420 on January 21. On the Chicago Board of Trade, futures reached US$10.81 per 100
pounds on January 26, the lowest since 2010, and traded at US$11.045 today.
The government may get unexpected help from a dry spell thats reducing output. In the central
basin north of Bangkok, irrigation officials shut the taps after reservoir levels fell to a 15-year
low. Farmers are growing the smaller of two annual harvests that normally accounts for a quarter
of production. The lack of water may cut output 31 percent to 6.7 million tons, the lowest in a
decade, government data show.
Welcome development
The reduction in production this season would be a welcome development for the Thai
government, whose priority is now to get rid of the surpluses, said Concepcion Calpe, a senior
economist at the Rome-based FAO.Kwanchai Mahachuenjai, a 54-year-old farmer in Ayutthaya,
said he cut planting almost in half to 120 rai (47.4 acres) because hes getting less water. Yields
will drop to 300 to 400 kilograms per rai from 700 to 800 kilograms, he said.
A decline in the quality of the stockpiles also may limit the impact of sales on prices, which
reflect food-grade grain. An audit in 2014 found about 80 per cent was substandard and almost 4
per cent was poor quality, destined for non-food uses.
Most is still food-grade quality and can be sold as long as its kept dry and fumigated, said
Somkiat Makcayathorn, secretary-general of the Thai Rice Exporters Association.While the
government doesnt want to buy rice, it plans other support. About 40 billion baht (RM4.3
billion) has been earmarked for payments to the poorest farmers, and officials are encouraging
the growing of other crops, including sugar.For now, the government is focused on unloading 10
million tons this year and 7.8 million tons in 2016. T
his weeks auction will be the biggest amount since 2004, said Duangporn Rodphaya, directorgeneral at Department of Foreign Trade.Its good timing to sell because of low supply ahead of
second-crop harvests, Somkiat said. Prices will stay under pressure until the government clears
the huge inventories. Bloomberg
source with thanks:http://www.themalaymailonline.com/money/article/thailand-to-dump-a-mountain-of-riceas-market-suffers-glut#sthash.rS90qcXu.dpuf
thanks:http://www.asianewsnet.net/Thailand-gives-priority-to-new-rice-markets-hunt-
The official, who is not authorized to speak to the media about the plan, said the NFA might go
for a government-to-government deal, similar to its transactions last year with Vietnam and
Thailand.Local rice traders, however, are hoping the NFA will give them import permits for the
planned purchases, which are tariff-free, a Manila-based trader told Reuters.Fresh demand from
the Philippines could give a boost to falling rice prices in top producers and sellers Thailand and
Vietnam, the Philippines key suppliers. The Philippines usually buys rice early in the year to
prepare for the lean harvest season that begins in July.
Private traders have been allowed to import up to 187,000 tons of rice this year, with tariffs as
high as 35%, under the governments Minimum Access Volume-Omnibus Rice Importation
program.Despite record-high domestic harvests in recent years, including last years output, the
Philippines remains one of the worlds biggest rice buyers. The Philippines bought more than 1.8
million tons from Vietnam and Thailand after typhoon Haiyan destroyed crops in November
2013, prompting the government to release supplies from state stockpiles for relief operations
and to arrest the sharp increase in local retail prices.
Last years rice purchases were the biggest in four years. This years imports may hit 1.6 million
tons, based on a United States Agriculture department forecast. The government official said,
however, that 2015 imports may be less than 1 million tons as local retail prices have eased from
the record highs seen at mid-2014. Reuters
Geneva. Thailand still has huge stocks available, compared with world trade. Anything more
than 10 million tons will take time to clear. Prices will stay weak.Global reserves are 30 percent
above a 10-year average, UN Food & Agriculture Organization data show. Production for 20142015 in the U.S., the fifth-largest exporter, is seen rising by the most in a decade, expanding
global grain inventories already at all-time highs following record global harvests of wheat, corn
and soy.
Buying Spree
The Thai buying spree from November 2011 to February 2014 filled more than 1,000
warehouses and left inventories equal to about 42 percent of what the worlds importers bought
in 2014. Exports from the country will surge 9.7 percent to a record 11.3 million tons this year,
USDA data show.Protest groups that opposed Yinglucks government say the rice-buying
program was part of a pattern of corruption by politicians allied with her brother, Thaksin
Shinawatra, who was deposed as prime minister in a 2006 coup. Since Thaksins ouster, the
country has been divided between supporters of the Shinawatra family, mostly farmers in the
north and northeast, and opponents who are mostly urban and middle-class.
Yingluck was impeached on Jan. 23 for failing to heed warnings about the spiraling cost of rice
subsidies, which the FAO said were unsustainable. She also faces criminal prosecution. Yingluck
denies the corruption charges and defends the subsidies, saying they raised wages for the
millions of farmers who voted for her party in the 2011 elections and boosted economic growth.
Every Election
Junta leader Prayuth Chan-Ocha is seeking to clear the warehouses without torpedoing the
market, saying on Jan. 26 the government wants to accelerate sales to reduce inventory costs
while ensuring prices are acceptable. Since government buying began, Thai 5 percent broken
rice, an Asia benchmark, tumbled 35 percent from a three-year high of $647 a ton in 2011 to
$420 on Jan. 21. On the Chicago Board of Trade, futures reached $10.81 per 100 pounds on Jan.
26, the lowest since 2010, and traded at $11.035 on Tuesday.The government may get
unexpected help from a dry spell thats reducing output. In the central basin north of Bangkok,
irrigation officials shut the taps after reservoir levels fell to a 15-year low. Farmers are growing
the smaller of two annual harvests that normally accounts for a quarter of production. The lack of
water may cut output 31 percent to 6.7 million tons, the lowest in a decade, government data
show.
Welcome Development
The reduction in production this season would be a welcome development for the Thai
government, whose priority is now to get rid of the surpluses, said Concepcion Calpe, a senior
economist at the Rome-based FAO.Kwanchai Mahachuenjai, a 54-year-old farmer in Ayutthaya,
said he cut planting almost in half to 120 rai (47.4 acres) because hes getting less water. Yields
will drop to 300 to 400 kilograms per rai from 700 to 800 kilograms, he said.
A decline in the quality of the stockpiles also may limit the impact of sales on prices, which
reflect food-grade grain. An audit in 2014 found about 80 percent was substandard and almost 4
percent was poor quality, destined for non-food uses.Most is still food-grade quality and can be
sold as long as its kept dry and fumigated, said Somkiat Makcayathorn, secretary-general of the
Thai Rice Exporters Association.While the government doesnt want to buy rice, it plans other
support.
About 40 billion baht ($1.2 billion) has been earmarked for payments to the poorest farmers, and
officials are encouraging the growing of other crops, including sugar.For now, the government is
focused on unloading 10 million tons this year and 7.8 million tons in 2016. This weeks auction
will be the biggest amount since 2004, said Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general at
Department of Foreign Trade.Its good timing to sell because of low supply ahead of secondcrop harvests, Somkiat said. Prices will stay under pressure until the government clears the
huge inventories.
source with thanks:http://www.blackseagrain.net/novosti/thai-junta-unloading-mountain-of-rice-amidworld-surplus
Classroompamphlet are available for USA Rice members to use in their own student outreach as
well.
Contact: Katie Maher (703) 236-1453
source with thanks:USA Rice Federation
export is PMS, he said.Dangote also stated that the country cannot continue to import
consumables and things that we dont even need.He urged Nigerians to get involved in
manufacturing not only for local consumption but also for export.
source with thanks:http://leadership.ng/news/406806/cbn-cut-forex-support-rice-importation
slumped 16 percent against the dollar on the interbank market in the past six months.Emefiele
reiterated that the central bank has no plans to further devalue the currency.
His words:We continue to take all measures to defend the currency at the current exchange rate.
The Bank will continue to monitor developments and respond appropriately as the need
arises.Successful management of the current situation requires effective collaboration among all
stakeholders.Commenting, President of Dangote Group of companies Alhaji Aliko Dangote
assured that his investment in Sugar plants will ensure that CBN will receive no request for
foreign exchange for sugar importation, rather, Nigeria will be producing and exporting sugar in
the next 4 years.
source with thanks:http://www.tribune.com.ng/news/news-headlines/item/27847-no-need-topanic-emefiele-tells-nigerians-investors
three years to convince the Obama administration to include provisions in the agreement barring
the countries from currency manipulation, but Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and Froman have
repeatedly shown no interest in doing so, arguing such issues are better addressed by global
forums like the World Trade Organization.
Automakers worry that foreign governments like Japan will be able to weaken their
currency to undercut U.S. vehicle production.The administration may be dropping efforts on the
auto provision because automakers have taken a hard line in only seeking currency changes.We
can compete against anyone anywhere but we cant compete against the Bank of Japan, said
Ziad S. Ojakli, Ford Motor Co.s group vice president, government and community
relations.Asked if Ford would accept any other provisions in lieu of currency in a 12-nation free
trade deal, Ojakli said no.
We need to have strong enforceable disciplines in any thing that moves whether it is trade
promotion authority or TPP. ... All were looking for is the internationally accepted principles
(on currency).Ojakli said the agreement must put teeth in those rules that are part of other
international agreements. Lets enforce the rules that weve all agreed to worldwide. How crazy
is that? Ojakli said.A group of Democratic lawmakers from Michigan are among those strongly
opposed to a deal without currency changes.Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, is a strong opponent of a
free trade deal without currency.
He notes that Flint once had 79,000 manufacturing jobs, and now has less than
10,000.(Automakers) are going to have a difficult time signing off on an agreement that does
not include a currency provision, Kildee said in a Detroit News interview. Theyre in the same
position that a lot of us are in: trying to make a bad deal as good as we can knowing that in the
end absent a big turnaround which would be to begin to negotiate on currency its not
going to be something we can support.
Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, said Michigan had been devastated by prior trade
agreements that had sent thousands of jobs abroad. When you are in an environment like
Michigan and watch factories, watch people lose their homes, this is real and this is about jobs.
Lawrence said.Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, said a bad deal could do real damage to the
middle class. Fast-track trade legislation does not allow Congress to address countries that
manipulate their currency to gain an unfair advantage, which is the mother of all trade barriers,
she said.
This is unfair, and it puts U.S. jobs at risk.The proposed trade pact is facing strong opposition
from U.S. automakers and the United Auto Workers, which are worried a deal will be reached
that doesnt do enough to open the Japanese auto sector to American products. Japan has
historically imported very few foreign automobiles, but the number has been rising significantly
in recent years especially among European vehicles.The auto sector accounts for more than
70 percent of the U.S. trade deficit with Japan.
American automakers fear if Japan intervenes to weaken its currency, its automakers eventually
will be able to dramatically undercut them, especially when U.S. tariffs are phased out 25
percent on light trucks and 2.5 percent on cars. Automakers want the tariffs kept in place for at
least 25 years or more. And China could seek to enter the free trade agreement under the same
rules down the road.
source with thanks:http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2015/01/26/us-japanese-importrules/22363591/
Month
Price
Net Change
March 2015
$10.970
+ $0.085
May 2015
$11.225
+ $0.080
July 2015
$11.465
+ $0.075
September 2015
$11.145
+ $0.075
November 2015
$11.245
+ $0.075
January 2016
$11.335
+ $0.075
March 2016
$11.335
+ $0.075