6th October, 2016

Daily Global,Regional and Local Rice E-Newsletter

By Riceplus Magazine

Sindh need lag behind in industrialization

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) held a meeting on 5th October 2016 with Sindh
Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) and Small Medium Industrial Leasing Estates Pvt Ltd (SMILE) to
encourage, support ,facilitate and motivate the shy SME agro based industries to obtain subsidized finance for
their units in Sindh.
The meeting aimed at stimulating the entrepreneurs to modernize their units and expand their lines of trade and
to this effect it ended in a firm resolution to revive all closed rice and commodities units in Sindh in the shortest
possible time with the help and support of SEDF, SMILE and UNISAME.
The SMILE Pvt Ltd is a facilitating company with the aim and objective to facilitate the SME farmers, shellers,
processors and exporters of rice, spices and commodities and enjoys the institutional support of SMEDA and
SEDF and the farmers associations.
Mehboob ul Haq the CEO of SEDF said that Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) has been created by
the Government of Sindh to encourage investment in the Agro sector both for On-Farm and Off-Farm activities
with a view to facilitate efficient production, processing and marketing for wider economic gains. It has the aim
and objective to promote agro based industries in Sindh.
Khush Junejo co-ordinator projects SEDF said the fund provides technical and financial support to SMEs in the
rural economy by providing opportunities for value addition in the agriculture sector for multiple economic
benefits on intermediary services and productivity on fast track basis
Zulfikar Thaver president UNISAME and chairman Capacity Building Group , Technical Committee National
Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) said the fund would provide markup (KIBOR Portion) subsidy to such
enterprises which intends to upgrade their basic industry by introducing technology or setup new projects in the
agro sectors by introducing value addition on the basis of modern trends and techniques. It would also provide
the balancing, modernization and replacement
( BMR) finance to rice mills.
He and other participants urged the CEO SEDF to simplify the documentations and ensure prompt
disbursements.
There is need to accommodate new entrants and guide them to do business profitably and SMILE Pvt Ltd
offered to help the new entrants and carry out the incubation for their training.

Procurement pangs for paddy farmers at Sec 39 grain market

Posted at: Oct 5, 2016, 1:50 AM; last updated: Oct 5, 2016, 1:50 AM (IST)

More than 8,000 quintal produce has arrived over the past four days

Labourers clean paddy at the grain market in Sector 39, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. Tribune Photo: Pradeep
Tewari
Ramkrishan Upadhyay
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 4
While nearly 8,140 quintal of paddy has arrived at the new grain market in Sector 39 over the past four days, the
slow pace of procurement has irked farmers who have come to sell their produce from the nearby areas of the
city.The UT State Agricultural Marketing Board had started paddy procurement at the new grain market on
Saturday. Besides the Food Corporation of India (FCI), owners of rice shellers are also purchasing paddy at the
rate of approximately Rs 1,510 per quintal. Jasbir Singh, a farmer, said the process of procurement was slow.
And in case the FCI rejected paddy due to some reason like moisture content, they had to wait for private parties
to buy it, which took a lot of time. He demanded more facilities at the mandi.
Jaswant Singh, another farmer, said in absence of toilets they were forced to use the open space in the vicinity.
He said though toilets had been constructed, these were not made functional.On the other hand, Rajinder Kumar,
secretary of the Market Committee, said proper arrangement had been made for the procurement process. He
said tents had been pitched and water arrangements had been made at the mandi for the convenience of farmers.
He said the Market Committee had written to the Municipal Corporation for providing mobile toilets. Besides,
the committee would also arrange mobile toilets soon.

The Market Committee official said the new grain market was being construction by the UT State Agricultural
Marketing Board and after completion of the construction work, farmers would get all facilities. He said Market
Committee staff had also been deputed there to help farmers

Thailand rice shipments arrive in Zamboanga

Wednesday, October 05, 2016
AN OFFICIAL of the National Food Authority (NFA) announced that 344,000 bags of Thailand rice of 50
kilograms each are arriving this month in Zamboanga City.NFA Provincial Manager Nieves Toca said 164,000
of the 344,000 bags of rice already arrived in two shipments.
Toca said that 44,000 of the 164,000 bags of rice arrived on Saturday, October 1, and the 120,000 on Tuesday,
October 4.
The shipment of the remaining 180,000 bags is expected to arrive between the periods from October 15 to 20.
Toca said the rice shipments are intended for Zamboanga Peninsula, including Zamboanga City, as well as for
the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
He said they have at present a total of 55,000 bags of rice stored at the NFA warehouse in the village of San
Roque, Zamboanga City.
They have two kinds of rice variety. The first one is the 15 percent broken sold at P32 per kilogram and second,
the 25 percent broken variety sold at P27 per kilogram. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2016/10/05/thailand-rice-shipments-arrive-zamboanga501831

DA Eastern Visayas reports slight increase in 1st half rice yield

Wednesday, October 05, 2016
THE total rice output for the first six months of the year in Eastern Visayas registered a 3.3 percent increase, the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in its July round survey noted.
From 149,867 hectares in the same period last year, the total area harvested climbed to 154,805 hectares or a
total of 3.29 percent increase. From a total production level of 528,247 metric tons (MT) in 2015, it grew up to
545,696 MT this year.
"A positive growth in the rice production is somehow compensating to the Department of Agriculture. It means
that there is a positive production performance in rice, but we have to take note that what we really want is rice
sufficiency," said Rodel Macapaas, rice program report officer.

The region is targeting a total area harvested of 290,356 hectares and one million metric tons in terms of total
production for the entire year.
Before the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the total production level was at 994,972 MT, but because
of the typhoon and other calamities that affected the region, it declined to 955,709 MT in 2015.
"Among the factors that contributed to the regions positive growth in rice production are favorable weather
conditions and interventions provided to the famers, such as seeds and fertilizers," he added.
However, a decline in terms of area harvested and the overall productivity for the provinces of Southern Leyte
and Northern Samar was noted. Accordingly, this was caused by the onslaught of dry spell that happened
sometime in the end of 2015 and lasted up to April this year.
Despite this, there is a possibility that for the entire year, the region will achieve a positive growth level of 0.57
percent in terms of area harvested, meaning from 154,805 hectares, it could reach up to 269,853 hectares; an
increase in total production output of 0.73 percent or from 955,709 MT to 962,712 MT; and increase in yield
level increment of 0.16 percent or 3.56 MT to 3.57 MT.
Eastern Visayas is primarily an agricultural region where its population of more than four million population
largely depend on rice as staple food.
Out of the region's 723,048 hectares agricultural land area, 22 percent is devoted to rice cultivation or 157,632
hectares. This, coupled with some other factors affecting production thus, makes rice account for the largest
contribution at 21.86 percent to the regions total agricultural output, according to DA. (PNA)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/tacloban/business/2016/10/05/da-eastern-visayas-reports-slight-increase-1st-halfrice-yield-501747

Neda assures stable price of rice despite higher inflation in September

Wednesday, October 05, 2016
THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) assured Wednesday stable price of rice despite the
increase in inflation in September.
Citing the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Neda Officer-in-Charge Rosemarie Edillon said
inflation last month rose to 2.3 percent from 1.8 percent in August.
"The increase in inflation can be attributed to the decline in production since August and the low base effect for
non-food items," she said.
Food inflation accelerated to 3.1 percent in September from 2.5 percent in the previous month. This is due to the
adverse effects brought about by the series of tropical cyclones that devastated the country.
But Edillon said, "rice prices will remain stable since the 250,000 MT (metric ton) of rice imported from
Thailand and Vietnam is expected to arrive by the end of October."

However, the risk of La Nia developing during the fourth quarter of 2016 is still looming over the country at 41
percent in September to November and 40 percent in October to December, according to the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Full-year inflation for 2016 is expected to be slightly lower than the government's inflation target of 2 to 4
percent, Edillon said.
But international and domestic risks however, are tilted to the upside from a possible rally in oil prices,
depreciation of the peso against the US dollar, and pending petitions for electricity rate increases, she said.
(SDR/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2016/10/05/neda-assures-stable-price-rice-despite-higherinflation-september

Govt revises moisture content formula for paddy,

with riders

Heaps of paddy at the grain market in Rohtak. File photo

Deepender Deswal
Tribune News Service

Hisar, October 4
In a major relief to farmers, the moisture content in paddy has been increased from 17 per cent to a maximum
limit of 22 per cent with imposing a value cut as per the percentage of the moisture.Sources said that the state
government had taken a decision in this regard in a meeting yesterday. The meeting was chaired by Chief
Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and attended by Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar and Food and
Supplies Minister Karan Dev Kamboj.
Arhtiyas were not purchasing the crop which had moisture content above 17 per cent, said the sources. Citing
the moisture content, the arhtiyas were also imposing cuts in an arbitrary manner, forcing the farmers to dispose
of their produce at distress prices.The Union government has fixed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy
at Rs1,470 per quintal for the common variety and Rs1,510 per quintal for the grade A variety. The
procurement started from October 1 with the onset of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) this year.
As per the revised formula of the moisture content in paddy, there would be 1 per cent cut in the value above 17
per cent moisture which is a cut of Rs15.10 per quintal. In this way, there would be a cut of 1 per cent additional
on every percentage of moisture content upto 22 per cent.
Confirming changes in the paddy procurement formula, Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar said that the
government had also decided to set up Kisan Sahayata Kendras in the mandis to facilitate farmers in selling their
produce.
He said that the state government had also allocated 13 paddy-producing districts to the Administrative
Secretaries of different departments for the inspection of mandis. In case farmers face any problem during the
procurement process, they can directly contact these officers on their phones, he said.
BKU finds excess paddy in bags
Kaithal: BKU activists visited the local anaj mandi on Tuesday and found that 500 gm to 1.3 kg of excess paddy
was being packed in 50-kg bags. BKU leader Jia Lal along with other activists found that 500 gm of excess
paddy was being packed in bags at a shop. On Jia Lal's complaint, market committee assistant secretary Chander
Singh reached the spot and got the bag reweighed and found the BKU allegation correct. At another shop when a
packed bag was weighed, 1.300 kg of excess paddy was found in it. The BKU activists alleged that farmers were
being cheated of Rs 15 to Rs 20 per quintal. Sanjeev Sachdeva, Secretary of the market committee, said a shownotice would be issued to the erring commission agents and action taken, including the cancellation of their
licences."

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/govt-revises-moisture-content-formula-for-paddy-withriders/304937.html

MARD requires controls for rice exports to US

Update: October, 05/2016 - 10:39
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has ordered Viet Nam's rice exporters to closely
control the quality of rice exported to the US, after some exports were rejected. Photo danviet.vnH NI
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has required Vit Nams rice exporters to closely
control the quality of rice exported to the US, after some exports were rejected.

The ministry has warned that enterprises having rice exported to the US should inspect and carefully assess
residues of pesticide in rice shipped to that market to avoid future problems, reported vneconomy.vn.
According to the ministry, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier inspected Vit Nams rice
exports to the US market and found Vietnamese rice had eight active chemical elements that exceeded allowable
limits.
However, all eight elements were pesticides permitted for use in Vit Nam. Since then, the ministry has sent a
delegation to the US to solve problems related to Vietnamese rice lots being rejected. This incident has created
an urgent demand to coordinate lists of pesticides permitted for use in Vit Nam, and also the US, to avoid
future rejections.
Meanwhile, the Vit Nam Food Association reported, according to the FDA, that in the first four months of this
year 95 containers of Vietnamese rice, or 1,700 tonnes, were returned from the US, including jasmine fragrant
rice, jasmine broken rice, brown rice and high-quality white rice.
The US is a potential rice market for Vit Nam, but this market has presented high demands in quality, as well as
many technical barriers.
The FDA reported that from 2012 to August 2016 some 412 containers of exported Vietnamese rice, or 10,000
tonnes of rice sent from 16 enterprises, were rejected for hygiene or safety reasons.
Further, Vit Nams General Department of Customs said that in the first eight months of this year,
Vit Nam exported 3.37 million tonnes of rice, earning US$1.51 billion. Also during this period, rice exports fell
by 16.6 per cent in volume and 13 per cent in value, year-on-year.
The main export markets for Vietnamese rice in the first eight months included China, with 1.18 million
tonnes, Ghana, with 343,000 tonnes, Indonesia, with 359,000 tonnes, and Cuba, with 294,000 tonnes.
The US accounted for a small volume of the total national volume of exported rice, with 22,084 tonnes worth
$12.2 million in the first eight months of this year. Rice exports had a strong drop against a volume of 33,000
tonnes, and a value of $18.7 million in the same period last year. VNS

http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/343921/mard-requires-controls-for-rice-exports-tous.html#sfh0xmfpGBrCU2a8.99

Cambodia Rice Sector Crisis Patched, But Not Fixed

By Vat Vin on October 5, 2016No Comment

Cambodia Minister of Agriculture Veng Sakhon has delivered a stinging broadside to the countrys agriculture
and business sectors in the wake of what can only be described as the worlds shortest crisis. Just over a week
ago the Cambodia rice sector was said to be in crisis. The tumbling price of rice in Battambang saw farmers
take to the streets as prices tumbled from about $250 per ton in mid-August to $192 in early September.
With just 10 per cent of the rainy season crop harvested and millers saying they did not have the funds to buy
rice, the future for the economically vital Cambodia rice sector was looking bleak. This despite the Cambodian
Rice Federation (CRF) announcing in June that the government had agreed to disperse up to $30 million in
emergency loans for the purchase of paddy rice from farmers this season.
However, with the harvest already underway and the funds still nowhere to be seen, CRF finance manager, Horn
Theara, told The Phnom Penh Post, millers do not have enough working capital to purchase rice paddy
stock.
Hun Sen the Crisis Buster
With photos of Battambang protesters dumping their harvest over the roadway being posted on social media,
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen called on officials to immediately begin dispersing $27 million dollars in
funds, at the same time calling on wealthy business owners and government officials who could afford it to
purchase paddy from farmers.
The government also asked China to fulfill its promise to purchase 300,000 tons of milled rice annually, with
deputy prime minister Hor Namhong proclaiming, the Cambodian people are facing a crisis of rice prices
which fell rapidly. I asked the Chinese ambassador to report this to the Chinese government so they would hurry
up and buy rice as they had promised.Ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) cadr, government ministers,
and the countrys largest business owners leapt into action to save the Cambodia rice sector, many buying ten
tons or more. Within the days the Cambodia rice crisis was declared over, amply demonstrating the power that
Mr Hun has in Cambodia.
Making no attempt to hide the involvement of the CPP, spokesman Sok Eysan told The Cambodia Daily All of
those who bought rice are members of the CPP. It is the partys principle for all of its members to be linked to
farmers and to be generous in supporting their standard of living.Acknowledging that the expectation is that

the farmers will return the favor at next years commune elections due to the prevailing Buddhist culture of
gratitude, Mr Sok added, It is also the policy of the government to increase the popularity of the CPP to
attract support in response to the upcoming election.
According to Kao Thach, CEO of the Rural Development Bank (RDB) some 2,700 tons of rice had been
purchased in the days following the Prime Ministers call, while 7,000 tons of paddy had been purchased by
mills using the low-cost loan funds.For many millers though the government stimulus loan remains unappealing.
Originally offered at an annual interest rate of 8 per cent, only marginally below commercial rates, the money
also came with a condition that millers must pay a minimum of $210 per ton.
With paddy selling for just $150 per ton in the lead up to last weeks four-day Phchum Ben holiday, millers are
unlikely to see a profit for some time even at the reduced rate of 7 per cent per annum. In July the UN Food and
Agriculture Organisation (UN-FAO) forecast the total worldwide trade of rice for 2016 as 43.9 million tons, the
second successive year of contraction due to oversupply.Much of the projected fall would reflect import
reductions in the Far East, where key buyers such as Bangladesh, China (Mainland), the Philippines and Sri
Lanka may lower their purchases amid ample availability on store and/or increased border protection, the
agency said.

Cambodia Rice Sector Gets Band-Aid Solution

The stimulus package and good Samaritan purchases are little more than a band-aid solution. The Cambodia
rice sector is noncompetitive and fails to take advantage of other options and is in urgent need of modernisation.
A recent farm economics study by the World Bank and Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (Lift) showed
yield by Cambodia rice farmers a distant third to counterparts in Vietnam and Thailand. According to the study
one day of work generates only 62kg (136lb) of monsoon season paddy in Cambodia, leading Myanmar at 23kg
(51lb), but far behind the 429kg (946lb) in Vietnam and 547kg (1,206lb) in Thailand (See: Unlocking
Myanmars Agriculture Sector potential).
Even with the world awash in cheap rice, many exporting countries are planning to increase production.
Myanmar is looking to triple rice exports in the coming three years, while Cambodia is still pining for its elusive
one-million-tonnes a year export goal about double what the country shipped last year.
Cambodia Rice Sector 'Crisis' Patched, But Not Fixed http://aecnewstoday.com/2016/cambodia-rice-sectorcrisis-patched-but-not-fixed/#ixzz4MIUSC15k

Chinese import restrictions drive rice prices down

Submitted by Eleven on Wed, 10/05/2016 - 15:00

A field in Wakema. (Photo-EMG)

Ayeyawady Region, Oct 4
Myanmars rice industry is facing losses from falling rice prices, industry sources say.The rice market, which is
heavily dependent on Chinese buyers, has been hit hard since China banned imports. Farmers, rice millers and
merchants have all suffered losses.China has yet to permit rice trading with Myanmar.
Since China stopped buying, last years rice remains in warehouses in Myanmar. When the new harvest hit the
shelves, prices began falling due to the growing supply.A merchant in Myaungmya, Ayeyawady Region, said:
We have stockpiles in warehouses, but there are no buyers. The Chinese are seizing rice from our side. The
merchants sold brokers rice on credit. When the brokers got arrested in China, merchants lost both their goods
and money. The old rice is priced at Ks 400,000 (US$320) per 100 baskets (2.05 tonnes). The new rice is around
Ks 350,000 for the same volume. These prices are below production costs.
However, the price of rice in local markets is not as low as in the export market.
Pakokku, a rice trading hubs in central Myanmar, is facing the same situation as the delta region.
Khin Zaw, a Pakokku-based merchant, said: Its unfortunate that the market is highly dependent on Chinese
buyers. Even if official trading contracts are signed [between Myanmar and China], we wont make much profit
if the tax is heavy. There should be another market besides China.
Many farmers worry they may go into debt if the situation continues.
http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/6134

Gov't, ruling party mull purchasing surplus rice for price stability

2016/10/05 10:51
SEOUL, Oct. 5 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government and the ruling Saenuri Party have agreed to consider
purchasing surplus rice produced in the country in bulk to ensure price stability amid concerns of falling prices
caused by a better-than-expected harvest.
"We urged the government to purchase the surplus production in bulk within this year to separate them from the
market," said Rep. Kim Gwang-lim, the policy official of Saenuri, after the meeting, adding the government also
said it will make efforts to reflect such a move.
The two sides also agreed to find ways to promote exports of locally produced rice in order to maintain the price
while improving distribution networks.
Saenuri said it is necessary for the government to buy up the surplus in bulk, since small separate purchases will
benefit retailers rather than smaller farms.
They also agreed to reorganize the country's agriculture-only zones, inducing more farmers to utilize their land
for other purposes.
Rice prices in the country have been falling throughout this year on the back of favorable weather coupled with
rising stockpiles.
A record 4.32 million tons of rice was harvested last year, and it is expected to be similarly robust this year. The
strong numbers come as good weather conditions and an absence of typhoons hitting the country helped grain
production, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said last month.

Officials from the government and the ruling Saenuri Party hold a meeting at the Seoul-based National
Assembly headquarters to discuss ways to stabilize local rice prices on Oct. 5, 2016. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2016/10/05/55/0200000000AEN20161005003500315F.html

Govt expects rice sufficiency by 2020

posted October 05, 2016 at 11:10 pm by Anna Leah E. Gonzales
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piol said the government expects to achieve rice sufficiency by 2020, instead
of 2019.Piol said the rice sufficiency status would not be achieved by 2019 because the funds for the Rice
Productivity Enhancement or Ripe program was not approved.The Agriculture Department is seeking a total
budget of P71 billion for 2017 to achieve higher rice production.
The budget includes the first tranche of the three-year Ripe program which aims to achieve rice sufficiency by
2019.The Ripe program calls for a review of the water management and irrigation policies.Piol said the rice
program would cost the government P64 billion over the next three years. The first tranche of the budget covers
P31 billion.
Under the rice program, the government aims to achieve rice sufficiency by 2019.It set the rice production target
at 18.517 million metric tons for 2017, 20.342 million MT for 2018 and 21.626 million MT for 2019.
The Ripe was not approved. With the implementation of this program, I am positive that by 2020, we can
achieve rice sufficiency, Piol said.

Piol said instead of Ripe, the government would implement the corporate farming system which aimed to
establish an assured market for rice farmers.Under the corporate farming system, 20 kilograms of rice for the
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries will be supplied by the Filipino farmers.
Piol said the DSWD would contract rice farmers to produce the rice requirements for the 4Ps families.
LandBank will provide financing while DA would provide equipment and post-harvest facilities.
http://thestandard.com.ph/business/218044/govt-expects-rice-sufficiency-by-2020.html

Lifting rice ban unfortunate Importers

Rice importers have described as unfortunate governments
decision to lift the ban placed on inland importation of rice.
They are now urging inspection agencies to be extra-vigilant to
ensure that all rice imported into the country conformed to
standards.The Vice President, Ghana-Vietnam Chamber of
Commerce, Mr Michael Ntim-Addo and Mr John Owusu told
the GRAPHIC BUSINESS on the sidelines of the GhanaVietnam business forum in Accra. The forum was held as part of
a trade and investment visit by a Vietnamese delegation to
explore opportunities in rice farming, processing, storage,
marketing and distribution.
The trip was organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with
the Ghana-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Treat ban with caution
Mr Ntim-Addo said inspection agencies must treat the lifting of the ban with caution to prevent unscrupulous
importers from importing substandard rice onto the Ghanaian market.
The ban was put in place basically to check the quality of rice that comes into the system because of smuggling,
so if the ban is lifted, then the Food and Drugs Authority, the Ghana Standard Authority and other agencies must
collaborate to ensure rice imported conformed to standard, he said.
The vice president indicated that on average, Ghana imported about 400,000 metric tonnes of rice yearly which
is equivalent of US$300 million.
He said government policy was to increase local production of rice and reduce importation so as to improve the
countrys balance of trade.
Mr Ntim-Addo said the Ghana-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce would continue to work as the referee for
businesses that would want to come together to move the rice trade and investment forward and create more
jobs.
Disappointment

For his part, Mr Owusu also expressed disappointment in the Ministry of Trade and Industry for lifting the ban
on the inland importation of rice into the country.
He said the decision by government was very surprising since persons who did inland importation did so
illegally.
According to him, those into the inland importation of rice usually used the Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta
borders and as such did not pay tax unlike those who used the ports and paid taxes to the government.
He said the Food and Drugs Authority would not be able to check whether the rice was of good quality and
healthy for consumption since they had no personnel at the borders to do the inspection.
The importer explained further that the move would also escalate smuggling into the country since the Ivorian
taxes were lower than taxes collected in Ghana.
He said although some importers preferred bringing in goods through the Tema and Takoradi ports, such moves
would influence such importers to use the borders.
Lifting of ban
The disagreement follows the lifting of a ban placed on inland importation of rice by the Ministry of Trade and
Industry and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism that importers of rice into
Ghana can now do so through the land borders from August this year.
The ban, which has been in force for about three years now, prevented the importation of rice into the country
through the Elubo, Sampa and Nkrankwanta borders in the Wesrwen.
The move was to curb the numerous unfair trade practices such as evasion of import duties and other taxes,
under-invoicing, infringement of trademarks and smuggling.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Lifting-rice-ban-unfortunate-Importers-474840

Benoni Urey Attempts to Expose Liberian Rice Importers

Monrovia - Liberian politician, Benoni Urey, has reacted to comments from his political rivals and critics who
condemned him for his advocacy on the reduction on the price of rice which he said was profitable for few
importers.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah - willie.tokpah@frontpageafricaonline.com
Insult was rained on me because I said when I am elected President, I will make sure that the price of
rice is reduced in order to ease the suffering of our people. I stand by my statement!
It doesnt take a magician to lower the price of rice. It only takes a government that cares about the
livelihood of its people. Presidential aspirant Benoni Urey
Rice is Liberias staple food but the price of the commodity continues to increase, something Urey said was
burdensome to the citizens.Recently, outgoing Deputy Information Minister Isaac Jackson, who has been named
as Liberias Representative to the International Maritime Organization, criticized Urey for making a comment
about the reduction in the price of rice. Jackson further stated that Liberians were not suffering anymore and
that they could afford to buy food to eat.
But Urey, who has a background in agriculture, resounded that it was not magical to reduce the price of rice,
especially when government cares about the livelihood of its citizens.Insult was rained on me because I said
when I am elected President; I will make sure that the price of rice is reduced, in order to ease the suffering of
our people. I stand by my statement! It doesnt take a magician to lower the price of rice.""It only takes a
government that cares about the livelihood of its people, said Urey.

In a FrontPage Africa conversation Wednesday in Careysburg at the climax of vacation job for youth, the All
Liberian Party (ALP) political leader said the increase in the price of rice on the Liberian market was due to
huge profits importers intend to gain.
He said opening the rice market to all importers would create competition that would lead to the reduction in the
price of rice.Today in Liberia, rice is not expensive because the importers are buying it at a high price from
international rice suppliers, Urey said.It is expensive because these importers are making millions in profit
every month by selling rice at a high price to our people."
"This is something that our government is doing nothing about! Secondly, the government has refused to open
the rice market to anyone who wishes to import rice into the country to sell at a cheaper price, he added.
Urey said it is unfair for importers of rice to continuously benefit huge profit at the expense of Liberians.
According to him, the current price of rice on the Liberian market is exorbitant thus making the countrys stable
food a luxury.Why must rice be a business that a few people get rich on, considering the dire state that the
country is in?
Consider the fact that on each bag of rice, these importers make up to $3.00USD profit ($285.00LD). Don't you
think that this is too much?
The ALP Political leaders cautioned his critics, especially those in government, to begon crafting policies that
would improve the lives of citizens.At the same time, Urey noted that condemnations and insults from the public
could in no way deter him from pointing to odds in the Liberian society, thus stressing the need for job creation,
improved education and healthcare among others to be prioritized for Liberians.Rice has an infamous history in
Liberia, as on April 14, 1979, violence over the price of rice jolted the Liberian capital, marking a new political
beginning in the countrys history.
http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/business/2206-benoni-urey-attempts-to-expose-liberian-riceimporters

Egypt to import 500,000 tonnes rice, 400,000 tonnes sugar to boost

reserves

05 October, 2016

Workers carry sacks of rice in the Nile Delta town of Mansoura city
Reuters/Nasser Nuri
CAIRO/ABU DHABI Oct 5 (Reuters) - Egypt will look to import 500,0000 tonnes of rice and 400,000 tonnes of
sugar in order to boost strategic stocks and keep prices down, the prime minister said.
The government buys commodities and sells them at subsidised prices to the country's poorest citizens. But
prices of sugar and rice have been climbing on Egypt's local market in the past few weeks partly due to
shortages, traders have told Reuters.
The additional imports are part of an "urgent plan to guarantee the stability of strategic stocks of essential food
items and ensure there is at least six months in stock at all times," a cabinet statement said.
ADVERTISING
Egypt said in August it would buy 450,000-550,000 tonnes of sugar in local and foreign markets to cover needs
until the end of February, when the local harvest begins.
It has since purchased 170,000 tonnes in tenders held by its state grain buyer GASC and is set to hold a tender

for an additional 100,000 tonnes on October 8.

It was unclear if the 400,000 tonnes of sugar announced by the prime minister Sherif Ismail would be in addition
to what has already been purchased and no time frame for the imports was given.
Egypt is traditionally a rice exporter, with its local crop exceeding annual consumption, but local producers
hoarding stocks have pushed up domestic prices and created shortages, traders said.
(Reporting by Eric Knecht and Maha El Dahan. Editing by Jane Merriman) ((eric.knecht@thomsonreuters.com;
+20 2 2394 8102; Reuters Messaging: eric.knecht.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/story/Egypt_to_import_rice_sugar-TR20161005nL5N1CB1IZX2/

REGISTRATION OF FARMER RICE MILLS' NOW

COMPULSORY FOR MILLING
Thursday, 06 October 2016 | Staff Reporter | Naya Raipur | in Raipur

The State Government has issued detailed guidelines in the context of custom milling policy of paddy procured
at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) in Kharif Marketing Year 2016-17, officials said.
The State Food Civil Supply and Consumer Protection Department has issued circular in this context to all the
District Collectors on October 4 from the Mantralaya here.
As per the circular issued, paddy procurement at support price will commence from November 15 of Kharif
Marketing Year 2016-17. This year, paddy procurement of nearly 65 lakh metric tonnes has been estimated.
Nearly 21 lakh metric tonnes of rice is the annual requirement of State for public distribution system, concerned
schemes of Government of India and Chhattisgarh Food and Security Scheme.
For meeting this requirement, nearly 31.50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been stored by MarkFed for custom
milling. Remaining paddy will be converted into rice and transferred to Food Corporation of India in Central
pool.
After custom milling, rice will be delivered to State Civil Supply Corporation and Food Corporation from
November 15 to June 30, 2017.
As per the circular, entire stock of paddy procured in Korba district and districts of Bastar and Surguja Division
will be transported for custom milling on March 15, 2017.
Likewise, paddy procured in districts of Raipur, Durg and Bilaspur Divisions (except Korba district) will be
transported for custom milling on April 30, 2017.
Entire stock of paddy from all paddy procurement centres of the State will be loaded for transportation by
February 20, 2017 compulsorily. Under Custom milling policy, farmer rice mills operated by MarkFed will be
provided paddy for custom milling in Kharif year 2016-17. For this, registration of farmer mill is mandatory,
officials stated.
Miller will have to collect paddy within 10 days from the day District Marketing Officer releases delivery order.
In case of delay, there is a provision of penalty in the contract.

In the circular, District Collectors have been directed to call a meeting for discussion over immediate custom
milling of paddy procured from rice mill associations of respective districts. Before the commencement of paddy
procurement, applications for milling should be received by November 10 and permission should be given in
advance, and accordingly contract should be prepared. In the meeting, millers should be encouraged to collect
paddy in maximum quantity directly from societies.
The State Seed Corporation should arrange for warehouses for State Civil Supply Corporation and Food
Corporation of India for storage of rice as per the requirement. State Seed Corporation will make arrangements
for scientific storage of rice collected.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/registration-of-farmer-rice-mills-now-compulsory-for-milling.html

Rice prices shoot up due to syndicate in Kushtia

Kudrote Khoda Sobuj, Kushtia
Published at 01:10 AM October 06, 2016

The wholesale and retail markets of rice in Kushtia have witnessed a sharp rise in prices due to an alleged
manipulation of wholesalers and rice millers
In last one and a half month, prices of different varieties of rice have risen by Tk6 to Tk9 per kilogram in
Khajanagar of Kushtia, one of the large wholesale markets of rice in the country, affecting the retail markets.
Miniket was sold at Tk46 per kg, Kajol Lata at TK43 and Atash at Tk40 at Millgate in Khajanagar on September
30, while the price of Miniket was Tk40, Kajal Lata Tk34 and Atash Tk34 per kg on August 10, said the
members of the districts mills owners association.
The rice are being sold at higher prices at retail markets in Kushtia town, eight kilometre away from Khajanagar,
than the Milgate, reports our correspondent after visiting the markets.Housewife Romana Akter and van puller
Abbas Mia, who came to Kushtia municipal market to purchase rice, told the Dhaka Tribune that prices of rice
rose by Tk4 to Tk5 per kg once again.They had to buy rice at high prices before Eid-ul Azha.They urged the
government to take necessary measures in this regard.
There are around 364 government registered rice mills in Khajanagar. Among them, 31 are automatic rice mills,
according to the districts mills owners association.Around 150 trucks with 15 tons of rice each go to different
parts of the country, including Dhaka and Chittagong, from Khajanagar every day.Muktarul Islam Mukti,
general secretary to Bangladesh Krishak Shangram Samity (an association that works for farmers rights),
Kushtia unit, said there was no rice in farmers houses. The farmers were now buying rice from markets, he
added.
The wholesalers and millers stocked paddy after buying from the farmers at Tk500 per maund four months ago
and now, they were selling rice at Tk1000 per maund, said Mukti.They have paddy and rice in their stocks, as
they possess sufficient numbers of storehouses, according to some small mills owners in the region.Nishan Ali,
a retailer in the town, said the rice market was unstable right now due to a syndicate of wholesalers.Joynal
Abedin Shadhu, general secretary to Bangladesh Auto Major and Husking Mills Owners Association, Kushtia
unit, and the owner of Dada Rice Mill, said all of the allegations that had been raised against the mills owners
were not true.
The mills owners are purchasing paddy at higher prices from small traders, who stocked the paddy after
buying from farmers, earlier, said Joynal.Their storehouses had a capacity of stocking paddy for three months,
he added.Seeking anonymity, an official of Food Department said the prices of rice should not rise now, as there
were sufficient stocks of rice in the country.
Besides, the government was selling rice at TK10 per kg to ultra poor people, he added.Omar Faruk, owner of a
big rice mill named Fresh Agro Food Product in Khajanagar, said the prices of rice might not fall till a new
harvest.Jahir Raihan, deputy commissioner of Kushtia, said a discussion would be held with the mills owners in
this regard.If proper evidence of manipulating the prices was found against anybody, strict measures would be
taken, he added.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/10/06/rice-prices-shoot-due-syndicate-kushtia/

Pinoy farmers not ready for lifting of WTO rice import limits: Agri Chief

Posted On Wednesday, October 5, 2016

By : BMI Online Editor
Comment: Off
COCONUT WEEK. Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Food, tours
the exhibits during the 29th National Coconut Week and 2nd International Coconut Festival & Trade Fair at the
Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The senator was the guest speaker in the said event
organized by the Philippine Coconut Authority. In her keynote address, Villar undercores the importance of
supporting the coconut industry especially the micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMES), to be more
competitive. She also cites the need to help our farmers who belong to the countrys poorest sector. (MNS
photo)
MANILA, Oct 4 (Mabuhay) The Philippines is not ready to have the rice importation quota lifted, considering
that Filipino farmers must be prepared for such an eventuality, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piol said
Tuesday.I disagree with the view that will lift the QR (quantitative restriction) at this point in time, because the
Filipino farmer is not prepared, Piol told a Senate hearing on the departments proposed budget for 2017.
The government plans to lift the QR on rice importation, which is supposedly good for the economy. The QR
has been in place since the country joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, capping the amount of
Philippine rice imports.
The country has a minimum access volume (MAV) of 805,000 metric tons (MT). The MAV is the volume of a
specific agricultural product that is allowed to be imported with a lower tariff as committed by the Philippines to
the WTO under the Uruguay Round Final Act.Of the total volume, 755,000MT is country-specific with Vietnam
and Thailand accounting for the bulk while 50,000 MT is omnibus volume which may be imported from other
sources.The MAV carries a 40 percent tax, while imported rice exceeding the quote is taxed at 50 percent.
These were the conditions approved by the WTO in 2014, when the Philippines able to extend its QR to July
2017.
Removing the QR at this point would have a negative impact on the livelihood of rice farmers, Piol noted.
Ang problema, pag nasaktaan ang mga Filipino farmers at umayaw sa farming, there will come a time when the
country will be vulnerable to the manipulations of top rice-importing countries.The Cabinet official said he
need to prepare the rice farmers until 2019. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali pero bigyan niyo naman ako ng
dalawang taon. Give me two years before you lift the QR.For her part, Senate Committee on Agriculture and
Food Chair Cynthia Villar said Piol must renegotiate the terms with the WTO, considering that the QR is set to
expire July next year. (MNS)

http://www.balita.com/pinoy-farmers-not-ready-for-lifting-of-wto-rice-import-limits-agri-chief/

Rice Prices
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
Arrivals
Price
%
Season
Prev. Prev.Yr
Current
Modal
change cumulative
Modal %change
Rice
Bangalore(Kar)
1947.00 -6.57 154867.00 3900 3900
-9.30
Bazpur(Utr)
1249.00 -64.82 61081.86 1897 1831
-1.20
Dhing(ASM)
120.00
NC
3180.20 2000 2000
5.26
Cachar(ASM)
80.00 33.33
2830.00 2200 2200
-18.52
Gauripur(ASM)
53.00
6
2311.00 4500 4500
NC
Beldanga(WB)
45.00
-10
3014.00 2450 2450
5.38
Lanka(ASM)
40.00
NC
2780.00 2000 1900
12.68
Garbeta(Medinipur)(WB)
28.00
12
190.00 2500 2500
North Lakhimpur(ASM)
18.00 205.08
1775.90 1900 1900
NC
Kolhapur(Laxmipuri)(Mah)
10.00 11.11
2122.00 3200 3200
Cherthalai(Ker)
8.00 -5.88
377.00 2200 2350
-12.00
Sheoraphuly(WB)
8.00 -11.11
389.15 2850 2850
14.00
Dibrugarh(ASM)
7.80 -30.36
1542.40 2450 2450
Mirzapur(UP)
7.50 15.38
1542.10 2180 2175
9.82
Chandoli(UP)
6.00
-20
65.50 2180 2190
15.34
Pakur(Jha)
4.12 -19.22
46.95 3300 3143
5.03
Jeypore(Kotpad)(Ori)
3.50 -12.5
196.70 4100 4100
-3.53
Jeypore(Ori)
3.20
6.67
194.50 4100 4100
26.15
Darjeeling(WB)
3.00
20
109.30 2950 2950
9.26
Kalyanpur(Tri)
2.80
12
8.10 2900 2700
16.00
Lakhimpur(UP)
2.00 -4.76
179.35 2250 2260
3.21
Ernakulam(Ker)
0.56
NC
8.06 3500 3500
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/article9192619.ece

10/05/2016 Farm Bureau Market Report

Rice

High Low
Long Grain Cash Bids - - - - - Long Grain New Crop - - - - - -

Futures:

ROUGH RICE
High Low

Last Change

Nov '16 1009.0 997.5 1004.0 -5.5

Jan '17 1032.5 1023.0 1027.5 -6.0
Mar '17 1047.5 1047.5 1051.5 -5.5
1072.0 -5.0
May '17
1090.5 -5.0
Jul '17
1095.5 -5.0
Sep '17
1095.5 -5.0
Nov '17

Rice Comment
Rice futures were a bit lower today, but the trade continued to be confined to a relatively narrow range
within Mondays huge range. 82% of the crop has been harvested nation-wide, well ahead of the 5 year average
of 69%. In Arkansas, 91% of the crop was in the bins as of Sunday, compared with a 5 year average of 74%.
Export sales were 46,800 tons for the week. November closed back below $10, which could signal a test of the
short term trendline currently at $9.72.

APEDA AgriExchange Newsletter - Volume 1571

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 30-09-2016
Domestic Prices

Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product

Market Center

Variety

Min Price

Max Price

Aroor (Kerala)

Other

3100

3300

Dhekiajuli (Assam)

Common

2100

2300

Khatra (West Bengal)

Other

2450

2550

Dehgam (Gujarat)

Other

1690

1750

Satna (Madhya Pradesh)

Other

1550

1680

Sangli (Maharashtra)

Other

2000

2800

Jagraon (Punjab)

Other

2100

2500

Jalore (Rajasthan)

Other

1500

2000

Jajpur (Orissa)

Other

800

1000

Chala (Kerala)

Other

2200

2254

Panposh (Orissa)

Other

1200

1600

Rice

Wheat

Papaya

Cabbage

Taura (Haryana)

Other

1000

1300

Source:agmarknet.nic.in

Following Pesticide Violations, Rice Imports from Viet Nam

Down
By Michael Klein

ARLINGTON, VA -- Viet Nam, one of the largest producers and exporters of rice in the world, and one that
comes under frequent suspicion of violating World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations, is under new
scrutiny for violating U.S. food safety regulations. Between January and August of this year, the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) rejected 95 shipping containers of jasmine rice and rice products from Viet Nam
citing illegal pesticide residue in all but one of the cases.

"Having a safe and abundant food supply is something Americans expect, but can also take for granted, so hats
off to the FDA for testing these imports and rejecting this adulterated rice," said USA Rice President & CEO
Betsy Ward. "The good news for U.S. consumers is twofold. First, this dangerous rice has been turned away,
and second, U.S. rice farmers sustainably grow jasmine rice right here."
For the three marketing years from 2013-2015, rice imports from Viet Nam have averaged more than 63,500
metric tons with annual value of more than $33 million. Rice imports from Viet Nam for the 2016 marketing
year, which concluded in July and include this most recent period of rice shipment rejections, were just over
35,600 metric tons with a value of almost $21 million.

"We are, frankly, happy with the disruption," Ward said. "There is no need to import jasmine rice from more
than 11,000 miles away when we grow it in the United States. Especially if the imported rice is not up to U.S.
safety standards."

Crop Progress: 2016 Crop 82 Percent Harvested

WASHINGTON, DC -- Eighty-two percent of the nation's 2016 rice acreage is harvested,
according to yesterday's U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report.
Rice Harvested, Selected States
Week Ending
State

Oct
2, 2015

Sept 25,
2016

Oct 25,
2016

2011-2015
average

Percent
Arkansas

81

84

91

74

California

39

18

38

26

Louisiana

99

95

98

99

Mississippi

84

72

82

76

Missouri

61

72

83

60

Texas

99

100

100

99

Six States

75

73

82

69

How the TPP Would Affect Agriculture

OCTOBER 5, 2016 09:28 AM

By Tyne Morgan
US Farm Report

As the two Presidential hopefuls went head to head in their first debate, trade was caught in the middle,
specifically, the controversial Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) yet to be approved by Congress.The facts are I
did say I hoped it would be a good deal, but when it was negotiated, which I was not responsible for, I concluded
it wasn't, Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said in the first 2016 Presidential debate.
Is it president Obamas fault? Because he's pushing it. pressed GOP Nominee Donald Trump.
Although views differ on the campaign trail, to many in agriculture, trade is a main lifeline for agricultural
goods.
About 20% of the volume of all products grown in the United States are exported; about 30% by value, says
Veronica Nigh, Economist for American Farm Bureau Federation.
As more products are shipped, American Farm Bureau says it's having a direct impact on the U.S. economy,
with USDAs calculations pointing to 7,500 jobs created for every $1 billion in trade. Trade may be a buzzword
for some, but for corn growers, it's something they see as essential and would like to see grow.
If you look at the world, there are hundreds of trade agreements, and the U.S. is in about 20, and so we have
very few trade agreements, says Wesley Spurlock, Vice President of National Corn Growers Association
(NCGA) and farmer in Stratford, Tex.
A pending trade deal for which many ag groups are rooting is the TPP. Farm groups are hopeful Congress will
take up the issue in the lame-duck session, trying to beat the calendar before a new President is elected.
However, booth chambers have nearly written off that idea, saying it wont happen in 2016. Thats not stopping
grower leaders from pushing the major trade deal.

We're very focused on TPP, says John Weber, a farmer in Dysart, Iowa and Vice President of National Pork
Producers Council (NPPC). It would be huge for the U.S. pork industry.
We've estimated that it'll add $4.4 billion to net farm income in the United States each year, Nigh says.
TPP involves 12 countries lining the Pacific Rim, including the United States. While the U.S. already trades with
some, Nigh says the agreement would help reduce hefty tariffs currently in place.
Probably the biggest fish among those 11 is Japan, which is already our fourth largest export market, but
theres a lot of room to grow, Nigh says. Japan has a lot of high tariffs on a number of products that the U.S.
specializes in.
On that list is beef. Nigh says the U.S. currently faces a 39% tax on beef exports to Japan. Through TPP, that
would drop to 9%. Meanwhile, as wheat prices hit 10-year lows, wheat growers say TPP could help give prices
some life, opening up the door to key markets.
It would allow us to gain better access into Korea with some tariffs that are in place now that are really
stopping our ability to be a competitive exporter into that market, says David Schemm, National Association of
Wheat Growers (NAWG) Vice President and Kansas Wheat Grower.
Game changers?
But it's more than just trade with the 11 other TPP countries that are attractive to agriculture. Rice groups also
want access to more consumers hungry for U.S. rice.
We need more demand, says Johnny Sullivan of Producers Rice Mill in Stuttgart, Arkansas. We have ample
quality supply, and we don't have the demand we need. That's hurting us.
Today, Mexico and central America are the top buyers of U.S. rice. Sullivan says countries like Cuba hold
potential, and could virtually change the demand picture over night, but if China would start buying, that would
be a game changer.
China is a monster of a market, he says. The facts are based on consumption rates of rice in China, the short
version is in 14 day period, they could eat the entire U.S. crop.
It's more than just rice looking to China to pick up demand. Pork producers say Chinas shortage of pork
products isnt inhibiting them from keeping up with demand, which creates an opportunity for U.S. pork. For
soybean growers, China is a top buyer, but balancing that demand is a concern moving forward.
Twenty-five percent have to continue to be active in other markets globally to make sure that if that happens,
we can still move our soybeans into the marketplace, says Ron Moore, Vice President of American Soybean
Association (ASA) and Iowa soybean farmer.
No matter the destination, many ag groups say the U.S. must grow demand to help farmers bottom lines.
Our domestic consumption is strong but virtually flat, says Becca Nepple, Vice President of International
Marketing for the National Pork Board (NPB). Even if our consumers were to consume two more pounds of
pork product a year, that would not compensate for the amount of pork we will have on the market.
At one time, we were growing exports by 10 or 20% some years, says Steve Meyer, Vice President of Pork
Analysis for EMI Analytics. That just isn't happening anymore.

Not everyone in agriculture is a fan of trade or these major trade deals, saying it's a double-edged sword for
certain commodities, including sugarbeets.
We're not exporting any sugar, says Duane Maatz, Executive Director of Red River Sugarbeet Growers
Association. So for us, we would just assume temper all of these agreements, and if you ant to trade something
with someone else, that's fine, but you could leave us out and we'd be happy with that.
Sugarbeet growers say they aren't against current trade deals, knowing many areas of ag benefit. However, when
other countries subsidize production, undercutting the U.S. price, that's when groups like sugar and rice say
some deals are unjust.
We want to create a level playing field and anytime another country is allowed to subsidize and export, we
know that's not fair to our growers, Maatz says

Rain and rice make a muddy mix

1/5
Under a cloudy sky with rain looming, the annual rice harvest was on hold Monday. Manuel Perex, foreman on
Tennis Lance Inc. rice farm and Alfredo Gonzales use the time to put a new engine on the fuel tank along Aguas
Frias Road in Butte County.
By Heather Hacking, Chico Enterprise-Record
POSTED: 10/03/16, 6:37 PM

Under a cloudy sky with rain looming, the annual rice harvest was on hold Monday. Manuel Perex, foreman on
Tennis Lance Inc. rice farm and Alfredo Gonzales use the time to put a new engine on the fuel tank along Aguas
Frias Road in Butte County.Many farmers in the Sacramento Valley took a rain day Monday, idling their
harvesters after a quick, cold storm blew through the valley.Before the rains, rice harvest had been in full tilt
and buzzing along since mid September, said Cass Mutters, farm adviser for the University of California
Cooperative Extension.
When storms move across the land, one storm cell could dump a large amount of rain in an isolated area, but
land a mile away could be dry. Chico residents near the North Valley Plaza Mall had thumbnail-sized hail bang
onto their rooftops Sunday evening. Just a few miles away the storm brought only a drizzle.
The same hit-and-miss also applies to farmers.Lundberg Farms, based in Richvale, did not fire up the harvesters
Monday, said Mike Denny, vice president of farm operations. He stopped due to rain and is thankful his fields
did not receive hail.Chunks of ice, or even wind and rain, can cause tall rice to flop over. Farmers call this
lodging. If the rice is flat, its much more difficult to harvest. The matted straw will clog the harvesting spikes
of the machinery.
A hard hail can strip the rice from the plants, and ruin the entire year of work, Denny explained. Hes witnessed
this on field twice in the past seven or eight years, he said.

Other farmers contacted Monday said they were waiting for the gray clouds to go away.Southwest Butte County
received only a few sprinkles, said Gridley farmer Ryan Schohr, but that was enough to stop harvest for the day.
In his case, the rice was still standing tall, which means less wear and tear on the machinery than rice that
flopped over in the storm.
He considered Monday a nice break for employees. He planned to have a nice day with his young son,
Brock.Out near Nelson, the rice combines were also parked, said Anjanette Shadley, whose office building
overlooks the Gorrill Ranch.Western Canal Water District has a webcam that points out into rice land. In the
winter, viewers can watch birds frolic in the flooded fields.
Monday, the webcam was pointed at a machine that crisscrossed a field that had already been harvested. The
machine was shredding the rice stubble before the fields are flooded for the winter. The winter rains help the rice
straw decompose.
If the skies clear today, farmers will be back in their harvesters by midweek, said Gorrill Ranch office manager
Michelle Pisenti.
The Durham area received about half an hour of heavy rains, said Butte County Agricultural Commissioner
Louie Mendoza.
RAIN AND OTHER CROPS
Just south of Durham, the soil is heavy clay and suitable for rice farming. Closer to Durham, farmers grow
walnuts and almonds.Rain can help in the walnut harvest because moisture helps the outer walnut hull to split,
Mendoza explained. This allows for a better shake. Growers will harvest later-season Chandler walnuts
through the end of October, he said.A few almond orchards still remain to be harvested, he said. Rain can cause
more headaches for almond growers if the nuts are already on the ground.
Wet nuts need to dry, and farmers will turn the rows for a few days before collection.This year, the estimate for
rice planted in California is 550,000 aces, which is up about 50,000 acres from last year, Mutters said.Rice has
been grown in Butte County for more than 100 years, and about 88,000 acres were planted in the county in 2015,
for a total of $139 million on sales.
WEATHER FORECAST
As for the weather, the National Weather Servicepredicts today will be mostly sunny, with a high of 71 degrees.
More sun, mostly, is predicted for Wednesday through Saturday.
Contact reporter Heather Hacking at 8967758http://www.chicoer.com/article/NA/20161003/NEWS/161009923
Contact Mujahid Ali,0321 3692874
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
www.ricepluss.com