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Summer grain output tops last year's PDIC to bid out comm’l, residential lots DA 12 eyes 4.2 million MT rice production by 2016 Rice prices increase not benefit farmers Rice and wheat maps of India: Rajasthan doesn't eat rice, rotis a rarity in Manipur Why FCI needs professionals to sell its foodgrains Basmati exports set to spread fragrance in US Pakistan. July-May of fiscal year 2014: non-Basmati rice export records 15.64 percent growth Olam Sets Up Africa’s Largest Rice Mill In Nigeria Arkansas Rice Producer Dow Brantley Elected Chairman of the USA Rice Federation Govt set to impose temporary ban on rice bran export to India How Pinay created beauty, spa products from rice bran India's Rice Exports to U.S. Expected to Jump
News Detail.. Summer grain output tops last year's 2014-07-15 14:35China DailyWeb Editor: Qin Dexing
Summer grain output hit a record high of 136.60 million metric tons in China this year, up 3.6 percent from last year, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday.The total planting area for summer grain crops expanded 0.1 percent from the previous year to 27.6 million hectares, the NBS data showed.China's summer grain crops, mainly wheat and early-season rice, usually account for about 20 percent of its annual grain output. Autumn grain crops, which include corn and middle- and late-season rice, account for 80 percent.
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NBS senior analyst Huang Jiacai said that climate conditions had been extremely favorable to wheat production this year, resulting in a higher per-unit yield of wheat.The latest bumper harvest of summer grain may help ease concerns about China's ability to feed its 1.3 billion people amid soaring cereal imports in recent years.Although cereal imports rose to more than 14 million tons in 2013, that accounted for less than 2.6 percent of the country's cereal output, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2013, the country's grain selfsufficiency rate stood at above 97 percent.
PDIC to bid out comm’l, residential lots (The Philippine Star) | Updated June 24, 2014 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) is set to sell via public bidding on an ―as-is, where-is‖ basis a total of 186 commercial and residential lots owned by various closed banks and the PDIC with an aggregate minimum disposal value of about P319.35 million on July 1, 2014. The public bidding, the second for the year, will be held at the PDIC Training Room, 9th Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Ave. corner V.A. Rufino St., Makati City, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.The list of property descriptions is available through the PDIC‘s Property Finder at its website,www.pdic.gov.ph. The properties up for bidding are located in the cities of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Pasay, Parañaque and Baguio; and in the provinces of Aklan, Albay, Batangas, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Cebu, Ilocos Norte, Iloilo, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sorsogon and Tarlac.Before submitting their bids, prospective buyers are advised to physically inspect the properties they are interested to buy. Bidders are enjoined to present a valid identification (ID) card with photo to be allowed entry into the bidding area. Sealed bids will be accepted from direct buyers only. The deadline for submission of bids is 2 p.m. and participating bidders are advised to come at least one hour earlier to register.Each bid must be accompanied by a bond or deposit equivalent to at least 10 percent of the submitted bid. This should be in the form of cash or manager‘s or cashier‘s check (or a combination thereof) issued by a universal or a reputable commercial bank.Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The winning bidder is required to pay the balance of the bid price not later than July 10, 2014. Checks should be cleared, otherwise the awarding of the property Is automatically cancelled.Bidding documents, conditions of bid, and acceptable formats for the special power of attorney and secretary‘s certificate may be downloaded for free from the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. Public biddings aim to expeditiously dispose of non-financial assets, one of the strategic directions outlined in the PDIC‘s Roadmap to 2016. As Liquidator of closed banks, the PDIC bids out assets acquired from closed banks and the proceeds from the sale are used to enhance the recovery of uninsured depositors and creditors. Meanwhile, proceeds from the sale of PDIC‘s corporate assets are added into the Deposit Insurance Fund, the Corporation‘s main fund source for payout of deposit insurance claims.For more information, interested bidders may call Josette Sonia H. Marcilla or Polo L. Pantaleon Jr. at telephone numbers (02) 841-4750, 841-4754, 841-4665 or 841-4671, or email at ropa@pdic.gov.ph.
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DA 12 eyes 4.2 million MT rice production by 2016 BY: DANILO E. DOGUILES Tuesday 15th of July 2014
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 15 (PIA) -- SOCCSKSARGEN Region should be able to harvest 4.2 million metric tons (MT) in the next three years, an official of the Department of Agriculture said.Amalia JayagDatukan, regional executive director of DA 12, told Philippine Information Agency that in accordance with the national government‘s pledge to attain rice self-sufficiency, SOCCSKSARGEN Region is aiming at achieving a total rice yield of 4,266,619 MT from 2014 to 2016.SOCCSKSARGEN is comprised of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan, and Cotabato.
―The region aspires to increase rice production in the next three years, starting off at 1,393,137 MT in 2014; 1,415,282 MT in 2015; and 1,458,200 MT in 2016,‖ Director Datukan specifically cited.To achieve these targets, she said, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has already mandated DA 12 to expand the area devoted to rice and to increase the yield per hectare. ―We will also maximize the provision of pre- and post-harvest facilities to farmer groups for them to hasten their farming activities and later achieve higher rice production because postharvest losses are lessened,‖ she said.Based on the data released by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, rice production of SOCCSKSARGEN Region for the first quarter of 2014 was 399,120 MT harvested from more than 103,000 hectares or an average yield of 3.84MT per hectare. In 2013, SOCCSKSARGEN posted 1.3 million MT production, which translates to a 129 percent rice self-sufficiency. Earlier this month, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and National Rice Program Director Edilberto de Luna announced that the national government is aiming at production 60 million metric tons of rice from 2014 to 2016. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from LMSalvo-DA 12)
Rice prices increase not benefit farmers JULY 15, 2014 BY SAIGON-GPDAILY LEAVE A COMMENT
Rice prices have suddenly increased in the Mekong Delta over the last few days and profited traders but farmers.
Traders paid VND4,500 a kilogram of fresh rice, up VND200 over the last two week, said farmer Pham Van Nua from Hong Ngu District, Dong Thap Province.However, the prices have not gone up in remote areas in the delta.―I heard the prices have hiked for the last few days but it still remains unchanged in Phung Hiep District in Hau Giang Province,‖ said Nguyen The Tu, head of the district‘sAgriculture and Rural Development Department.According to Sai Gon Giai Phong reporter, the prices
have been up VND200-300 per kilogram in places adjacent urban areas and with convenient traffic systems.The
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Vietnam Food Association reports dry rice price swings VND5,450-5,550 a kilogram, up 200-250 compared to early June. Long grain variety increases VND110 per kilogram to fetch VND5,650-5,750.Husked rice price has gradually moved up. Businesses paid as high as VND7,000 per kilogram of normal rice, up VND300 over early June.Export businesses say that the rice volume left from last year has almost run out and rice demand for export contracts to the Philippines, Malaysia, Africa and China has surged.Thai exports are inconsiderable, Pakistani rice costs high while Indian output has fallen 25-30 percent due to drought.The Mekong Delta farms about 3.8-4 million hectares per year yielding 25 million tons in output. Of these, 70 percent is for export.Up to 90 percent of rice in the market goes through the hands of traders. Farmers selling rice one or two weeks ago could not enjoy the price hike. The main cause for the above condition is due to lack of connectivity between export companies and farmers and unfair competitiveness among businesses, according to Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, head of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development.The Government‘s rice stockpiling program just has indirect impacts on farmers and been untimely launched to assist farmers.Experts propose production and distribution should be linked, value chains should be clear and fair, and there should have a national trade name for rice to ensure rice growers‘ lives. Photo: Farmers harvest summer autumn rice in the Mekong Delta (Photo: SGGP)
Rice and wheat maps of India: Rajasthan doesn't eat rice, rotis a rarity in Manipur Rice consumption has been falling in India, while the consumption of wheat continues to rise.It‘s one of those things that sets apart one kind of Indian from another: do you prefer rice or roti? Both? Rice first or roti first? The questioner will often judge you depending on your answer.The 68th National Sample Survey, conducted in 2011-12 and released last month, shows that rural Indians eat more rice than urban Indians.On average, a rural Indian eats 6 kg of rice every month, as compared to around 4.3 kgs wheat. An urban Indian consumes 4.5 kgs of rice per month, as compared to 4 kgs of wheat.The bad news for rice champions – and there are some good reasons why rice should be championed – is that the consumption of rice has fallen marginally in a seven year period, and the consumption of wheat has risen similarly. As the maps below show, the two extreme states are Rajasthan in the west and Manipur in the east. Rice is negligible in Rajasthan, but Manipur lives solely on rice. The state that really loves both is Bihar, which consumes rice and wheat in equal quantity, though rural Bihar eats a little more rice.
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The most remarkable urban-rural contrast is in rice consumption in Uttar Pradesh: rural Uttar Pradesh eats twice the amount of rice (4 kg per person per month) as urban (2 kg), though a close to equal amount of wheat (around 7 kg).When the NSSO data is projected onto maps, it is clear that the south, east and north-east loves rice, whereas the Hindi heartland, the north and the west, prefer wheat. The regional divide is so clear you could draw a line, except that the hill states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir aren't as clearly with Punjab or Rajasthan. Jammu & Kashmir eats around 3.3 kgs of wheat per month, as compared to 8 kgs rice. Kashmiris eat a lot more rice than the people of the Jammu region. In Uttarakhand they eat more wheat than rice, in Himachal Pradesh it's the other way round, but both states eat both in substantial measure.
Why FCI needs professionals to sell its foodgrains July 15, 2014:
The primary mandate of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) acting under directions of Food Ministry is to service requirements of the public distribution system (PDS) in association with State Government Agencies (SGAs).But over the years, FCI has also been called upon to intervene in managing market prices, albeit with little success. FCI efficiently procures wheat, paddy/milled rice but faces odds while selling surplus grains in the market.Similarly, it lacks expertise in export marketing, which is outsourced for contracting and shipping operations to trading PSUs. In less than three months from the time of harvest, an inventory of some 28 million tonnes (mt) of wheat and 31 mt of rice are built up by FCI and SGAs. No eyebrows are raised when these agencies incur thousands of crores as expenditure in a short span.Efficient purchasing operations are attributed to MSP (Minimum Support Price) decreed by the Government on the recommendation of an expert body such as CACP (Commission for Agricultural Cost & Prices). MSP is premised on rational criteria and national priorities, while political considerations are generally minimal.However, for disposal of surplus grains generated through excessive procurement in last 4-5 years there is a lack of professionalism. For example, the Government on June 17 decided to offload five mt of rice to cool food inflation. Surprisingly, a week thereafter, policymakers simply allocated this tonnage to families below and above poverty line (APL/BPL) at a price of ₹6-8/kg.The right way forward was to sell the extra rice in marketing outlets to suppress inflationary pressures. But the predicament is how to discover market price and how to sell? Discovering ―right‖ price cannot be a convenience of financial and accounting adjustments but demands professionalism to target matrix of supply and demand.At current economic cost of rice of about ₹28/kg, additional releases to APL/BPL entail a loss of about ₹20/kg or ₹10,000 crore.However, if these very 5 mt is released in the market, where the Government can fetch around ₹18-20 a kg, direct debit will be ₹10/kg or about ₹5,000 crore or 50 per cent of what is actually foreseen under APL/BPL. Incredible indeed it is that higher implied loss figure is acceptable to the Ministry than lower ones. Notifying additional allocation to APL/BPL families is just an eye wash, wherein, the Government is projecting a mirage of marketing devoid of real objective of inflation control. On the contrary, this incentivizes round tripping and pilferage that will generate black economy of ₹5,000-6,000 crore and higher inflation while it is the black money and black economy that this Government is fighting for. Media reports indicate that Food Ministry has initiated consultation within the Government for injecting 10 mt of wheat in open market from September 2014 onwards for price stabilisation.
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Authorities need to take a realistic call by not repeating additional allocations/releases to BPL/APL families at ₹4-5/kg. Disposal prices in market could be based upon MSP of ₹13.50 or 14/kg plus freight rather than ₹15-15.50 plus freight. Savings in freight can be done, through logistical optimisation to the extent possible, for southern States, by transporting wheat from MP/Bihar or other central States rather than from Punjab/Haryana.Considering inherent complexity and volatility in grain markets, selling price has to be responsive especially when objective is to restrain higher prices.Surely there is a need for complimenting the system of discovering the selling price in open market through expertise of an agency such as CACP or a formal committee of reputed agricultural economists, FCI and traders, who like MSP, assess real time dynamics of domestic and overseas markets and decide the modalities of intervention – including exports strategies whenever deemed necessary.Even the differential pricing for old/new/damaged crop can also be recommended for intervention or exports. The Cabinet/CCEA can endorse such recommendations for implementation by Food Ministry.This will not only tame the inflation but also reduce overall inventory and make available additional storage space. It is a win-win situation for all. The writer is a trade analyst (This article was published on July 15, 2014)
Basmati exports set to spread fragrance in US VISHWANATH KULKARNI BANGALORE JULY 14:
Basmati exports to the US are poised for a jump this year with the controversy over the pesticide residue coming to an end. After detecting traces of tricyclazole – a fungicide, the US had rejected consignments of Indian basmati since 2011.The US Environmental Protection Agency has recently fixed the import tolerance for tricyclazole in Indian rice at 3 parts per million (ppm). This is much above the levels detected in Indian basmati consignments (0.12 ppm) in August 2011 by the US authorities.Tricyclazole is a systemic fungicide used by all major rice growing countries including India to control ‗blast‘, a disease that results in heavy yield loss. The safety profile of Tricyclazole, registered in 23 countries, is well documented. While the European Union has a maximum residue limit (MRL) of 1 ppm, Japan has allowed MRL of 3 ppm for the fungicide. The US has fixed the MRL based on the review of the data generated and filed by Dow AgroSciences LLC, the owner of the molecule.―We now expect basmati volumes to increase as more players will start exporting to the US,‖ said Rajen Sundaresan, Secretary of the All India Rice Exporters Association.Tricyclazole traces detected in basmati were clearly well within the maximum and safety limits prescribed by other OECD nations such as Japan and the European Union. Yet, the US rejected shipments as the fungicide – meant to be used for rice in
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tropical countries – was not registered in that country and there was no minimum level(despite a US company owning the molecule).Since the US did not have any maximum limit, it followed the Indian cap of 0.02 ppm which was set at a default value many years ago, to screen Indian basmati consignments into the US. But when the issue arose in 2011, the presence of tricyclazole residues in basmati grain was above this limit of 0.02 ppm.Detection of tricyclazole traces resulted in losses for the Indian rice industry. Indian rice exporters took up the issue with the US authorities jointly with Dow.On September 19, 2012, Dow submitted to EPA an Import Tolerance Petition comprising of over 12,000 pages of scientific and technical evidence supporting a tolerance level of 3.0 ppm of tricyclazole in rice. This data drew upon Japan‘s experience with this fungicide. ―Residue data from Japan was chosen because it has the most conservative good agricultural practices (GAP). By using the residue data from the most conservative GAP, Dow‘s proposed tolerance supported the worst-case scenario for residues, and all other uses, as the expected residues will be well below the proposed tolerance,‖ said Suresh Ramachandran, Country Manager, Dow AgroSciences India Pvt Ltd. Back in India, fresh data were generated in India by Dow, based on which the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) revised the MRL from 0.02 to 3 ppm in 2013.Ramachandran said Dow's support to Indian rice industry was voluntary. Dow had previously volunteered and supported the registrations of Dicofol, an acaricide of choice for the tea planters as well, he said.―Fixing MRL would encourage rice exporters to ship more basmati even as consumption is seen moving from the ethnic to mainline markets in the US,‖ said Jai Oberoi, Associate Director at LT Foods Ltd.The US authorities had also detected traces of other fungicides such as isoprothiolane, buprofezin and carbendazium in the Indian shipments, though tricyclazole was the most visible of all. ―We are looking forward to work with other chemical makers like Nichino and BASF in resolving the issue,‖ he said. (This article was published on July 14, 2014)
Pakistan. July-May of fiscal year 2014: non-Basmati rice export records 15.64 percent growth 15.07.2014
Although the rate of Pakistan's non-Basmati rice has increased up to around $400 per ton in international market as compared to India, Thailand and Vietnam, the country's rice export witnessed a growth of 15.64 percent during July-May of fiscal year 2013-14.According to a report of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country exported non-Basmati rice worth $1.338 billion during July-May of FY14, up by $181.103 million ie 15.64 percent. In terms of volume, the country's export of non-Basmati rice went up by 0.3 million metric tons ie 11.54 percent in the last 11 months. An official of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) said: "Due to high quality of the country's non-Basmati rice, international buyers are ready to pay extra premium of $30 to $40." The monthly export of non-Basmati rice has shown a decline of 9.56 percent to $101.091 million from $111.772 million, due to what reports suggest growing incidents of stealing of rice from containers on way to
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port from factories. Lack of timely shipments due to excessive loadshedding and inconsistency in dollar rate also affected the rice export. In terms of volume, the rice export declined from 198,758 metric tons to 185, 331 metric tons ie 6.76 percent.The country's overall rice industry has shown a handsome gain of 14.50 percent to $2.013 billion in the 11 months FY14. In terms of quantity, the rice export increased from 3,154,258 metric tons to 3,457,488 metric tons. The official said: "A four percent loss in rice export was witnessed in May due to power shortages." A rice exporter said that demand for Pakistani rice was growing regardless of the surge in its prices in the global market. "The international price of non-Basmati rice ranges between $380 to $430 per metric ton, while the price of Basmati rice ranges between $800 to $1,500 per metric ton, depending on its quality," he added. On the contrary, some exporters claimed that due to increase in its rates, the international buyers were not in favour of buying rice from Pakistan. However, the export of basmati has increased by 12.29 percent to $674.626 million. In terms of volume, it has increased to 623,897 metric tons in FY14 as compared 613,857 metric tons in FY13. While the export of Basmati rice decreased by 13.67 percent in May 2014 to 69,250 metric tons from 70,980 metric tons in April 2014. Senior Vice-Chairman of REAP, Chela Ram Kewlani, said that India had captured the international market of Basmati rice due to improved quality of its rice.
Olam Sets Up Africa‘s Largest Rice Mill In Nigeria July 15, 2014 Niyi Aderibigbe AgriBusiness, Business
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VENTURES AFRICA – Leading Agri-business firm, Olam Nigeria Limited has set up a multi-million dollar integrated rice mill in Nasarawa State, North-central Nigeria, fitted with the capacity to produce 36,000 metric tonnes of milled rice per annum.Olam‘s Managing Director for Africa and Middle East, Venkataramani Srivathsan, who welcomed Nigeria‘s President Goodluck Jonathan for the commissioning of the facility, said 3,000 hectares of land is already under cultivation on the 6,000 hectares of mechanised paddy farm where the rice mill is located. Srivathsan said Olam plans to increase acreage in Nasarawa to 10,000 hectares. ―This will bring Olam‘s total investment in the integrated farm and milling facility to over N18 billion ($111 million),‖ he said.Jonathan in his address said rice production was scaling up in the country as evident in the increase in the number of integrated rice mills from one to 18 in the past three years.―I look forward to the day when Nigeria rice will go beyond our shores and traded internationally,‖ the president said, adding that with the growth achieved thus far,
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it is a possible feat for the country to achieve.The president noted therefore that the country‘s dream of becoming a net exporter of rice will be fast-tracked by encouraging large commercial farms as a way of complementing small-scale farmers. Jonathan promised to always support public-private partnership aimed at developing the country‘s agricultural sector as part of effort to help the country achieve its developmental goals.Olam Nigeria Country Head, Mukul Mathur expressed the company‘s pride to have been part of Nigeria‘s development of its export chains, noting that the Singapore-headquartered firm was the first to export sesame from Nigeria.―…we hope that the success of our rice model will kick-start domestic production in a similar manner, unlocking the opportunity for businesses and smallholders alike, and reducing Nigeria‘s need to import 1.9 million tonnes of rice each year,‖ said Mathur. A statement by Olam described the company as being the largest non-oil exporter in the country for the last 10 years, a feat that has won it several awards both locally and internationally.Srivathsan also noted that the mill demonstrates how large-scale commercial farms can work hand in hand with smallholders to help advance Nigeria‘s Agricultural Transformation Agenda, generating rural prosperity through local processing.The company which started in Nigeria 25 years ago employs more than 2,500 direct workers and over 6,000 workers on contract.
Arkansas Rice Producer Dow Brantley Elected Chairman of the USA Rice Federation DALLAS, TX -- The Board of Directors of the USA Rice Federation elected a new chairman during annual meetings here yesterday.Arkansas rice producer Dow Brantley will assume the twoyear post on August 1, taking over for Mark Denman, a Texas rice miller who has been chairman of the group since 2012."Dow is going to make a great chairman," Denman said. "He is an important producer in the number one rice producing state in the country, and has already begun to make his mark on the industry as the chairman of the Arkansas Rice Federation and the Arkansas Rice Farmers and through his service on several USA Rice committees and task groups.""Mark Denman guided our industry through some trying times -- the farm bill, trade and marketing challenges, and other critical issues," said Brantley.
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"He was also at the helm during our recent strategic planning that resulted in a solid viability plan for the industry and the organization. He served all segments of the industry with distinction, and I'm looking forward to keeping us moving in that right direction."Brantley operates a large family farm in England, Arkansas and reports about 35 percent of his acreage is in rice. In addition to serving on several USA and Arkansas Rice committees, Brantley is a graduate of the Rice Leadership Development Program, and is the chairman of the Lonoke County Farm Bureau."This is an exciting time for the American rice industry with many challenges and opportunities ahead," said Betsy Ward, president and CEO of USA Rice. "Chairman Denman was an outstanding leader who turns over a more focused and stronger Federation than he inherited. We're pleased to continue working with Chairman-elect Brantley as we continue to enhance our organization and take on existing and new challenges on behalf of the entire U.S. industry."
Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458
Govt set to impose temporary ban on rice bran export to India Rezaul Karim 15 Jul, 2014 The government is going to temporally ban export of rice bran to India to help local entrepreneurs boost edible oil production from it, an official said."We're now collecting information about the domestic production of rice bran and imports of non-oil rice bran annually. If we get a clear picture, we'll enforce the ban as soon as we can," the official at the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) said. He said the EPB sent letters to a range of government agencies, including the Food Department, to know how many factories have been established in the country to produce oil from rice bran. The bureau also wrote a letter to the ministry of commerce to discourage rice millers to export rice bran to the neighbouring country."A series of meetings were held between the EPB and commerce ministry to find ways of imposing the ban. But rice millers opposed to the move," a source said.In a recent meeting, the millers argued that export of rice bran helps keep rice price stable across the country, saying they adjust production cost to the proceeds from bran export.By contrast, owners of fish and poultry feed were opposed to exports, arguing the amount of rice bran produced daily by the millers is the same as its requirement. A poultry owner, however, said "There is no reason to import non-oily rice bran from India against export of our rice bran.""It is possible to produce quality edible oil from our rice bran that will meet a large segment of our daily demand and also we can export to the international market," an industry insider said.While edible oil from rice bran is being produced by a number of local factories, imports are believed to be fairly large.The daily production capacity of each factory is 200 tonnes edible oil, requiring 1,000 tonnes of rice bran by each factory a day, they added.
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How Pinay created beauty, spa products from rice bran by Cathy Rose A. Garcia, ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 07/14/2014 3:34 PM | Updated as of 07/15/2014 5:34 PM
Oryspa's kiosk at SM Megamall. Photo by Jonathan Cellona for ABS-CBNnews.com MANILA - Rice bran, a by-product of rice milling more popularly known as "darak," is an ingredient not often associated with beauty and personal care products. But a Laguna native has found a way to infuse rice bran oil's vitamins, nutrients and antioxdiants into shampoos, soaps, lotions, body scrubs and pain relief products under the Oryspa brand."Rice bran, which is the flagship of Oryspa, is rich in Vitamin E and A. Vitamin A is for skin renewal... Rice bran also has oryzanol, a nutrient that is an anti-oxidant, it's antiaging," Oryspa founder Sherill Quintana told ABSCBNnews.com in an interview.Thanks to word-ofmouth, Oryspa's products, which contain rice bran oil, such as the meditation balm, chili oil, relaxing foot mist and body scrubs are selling well at malls."Oryspa was coined because of 'oryza sativa', the scientific name of rice, and it's for the spa. Kasi we were supplying to spa before... My idea is like 'food for the soul,' 'rice for the spa' kaya Oryspa," she explained. PASSION FOR AROMATHERAPY Oryspa was launched in 2010, but it is backed by a decade of experience and research.Quintana never thought she would become an entrepreneur. A sociology graduate from UP, she worked in community development and projects with US Agency for International Development (USAID) and World Wife Fund for Nature (WWF).Her passion was aromatherapy. "I studied essential oils and their uses.
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Mga candles, alam ko anong purpose to evoke certain emotions... May pagka-witch ako, gusto ko nagcoconcoct ng solutions," she joked. Sherill Quintana talks to ABS-CBNnews.com about how she started Oryspa. Photo by Jonathan Cellona for ABS-CBNnews.com In 2000, she became pregnant with her first child. "Nagkaroon ako ng problem with the pregnancy so I had to stay home and not work... So nabigyan ko ng focus ang aromatherapy passion ko... Export orders started. That was the start of it, we became wholesale, export, toll manufacturing business," she said.She started Kutitap Aromatherapy Crafts, which manufactured and supplied spa essentials for various clients abroad.After she gave birth, Quintana decided to continue the business. There were several challenges along the way, like when their foreign customers started shifting orders to China where costs were cheaper, and the global financial crisis."Talagang parang we had to close shop na, kasi walang export orders. Wala kaming local business... So I made some efforts to set up a local store sa mall. So lahat ng extra export orders, doon i-shoot. Pero parang chop suey, walang concept," she related. Kutitap also started supplying local spas with products using imported essential oils. In 2007, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) invited the company to join the California gift show but Quintana decided not to participate since their products used mostly imported ingredients."Eh ang product na i-showcase namin eh galing din sa kanila. Imported, ginagawa dito tapos binalik din. Parang mali. It didn't make sense," she said.Quintana and her husband, who is an agriculturist, decided to do some research on what local ingredients they can use in their products. "At that time, I was sitting as president of the tourism council in Laguna sa Los Banos. We were promoting rice research, then I thought baka may something sa rice... I asked my husband if we can get something from rice. He said yes, let's look into it... That's when Oryspa came out in 2008. Pero nailabas, 2010 pa, kasi [it takes] more than two years of getting patents," she said.Oryspa initially came up with a handful of rice bran oilinfused products - meditation balm, solid perfume, massage oil, chili oil and soap, which were all-natural and paraben-free.Her first customers were cancer survivors. "They were looking for alternative shampoos, conditioners, soaps na walang chemicals. Dinadayo pa nila kami sa Laguna. Word of mouth lang," she said.
Some of Oryspa's bestsellers - chili oil, meditation balm and curry balm. Photo by Jonathan Cellona for ABSCBNnews.com One of Oryspa's customers worked for SM and urged Quintana to apply for a kiosk at SM Calamba, which was opening in November 2010. SM's leasing department gave Oryspa "national approval," which meant it can open in any SM store in the country.Quintana initially had some reservations opening a retail store for Oryspa,
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thinking of the risks involved. "Pero sabi sa SM leasing, 'kunin niyo na kasi bihira kami magbigay ng national approval sa mga bagong brands. And kalaban mo, mga foreign brands.... Sabi pa daw nila sa management na this brand has a potential to grow," she said.Oryspa's first stall in SM Calamba proved to be a success. "After six months, we hit ROI (return on investment). Nabawi na agad namin ang investments namin," she said.Customers loved the products, and some were already inquiring about franchising the brand. Quintana decided to work with Francorp to develop the franchise. From one brand in 2010, Oryspa now has 15 stores, including 2 in Cebu and 1 in Singapore."We opened in Singapore last year... Ang first namin clients is Pinoy pero now, marami na SIngaporeans. We tied up mga bloggers doon, locals to raise awareness," she said. 'PROUDLY MADE IN LAGUNA' Since many customers think Oryspa is a "spa", the company has decided to start offering "spa parties" at its building in Calamba, Laguna. Oryspa Experience will provide pampering services using their products, although it is only by appointment."We will have a 'spa party place' for groups of friends. Calamba kasi is resort capital... Usually naglulublob lang sa pool at kainan. I said, why don't we offer something else na we can get people, 6-8 people, offer pampering for them. We are targeting opening by August," she said.Right now, Quintana is busy attending trade fairs abroad to get exposure for Oryspa products. Her goal is to have her products sold in other Asian countries, including Japan.But she believes that it is important to keep the brand proudly Pinoy. When you take a closer look at Oryspa's products, you'll notice the label states: "Proudly Made in Laguna, Philippines.""When I do trade shows abroad, they ask me where on earth is Laguna," Quintana laughed. "Oryspa is not just a wellness product. We also want to make our rituals, our cultural dimensions as Filipinos known."With ASEAN integration looming, she believes Oryspa will stand a good chance of competing with other Asian brands."Napansin ko if your product, gusto mo makilala as Filipino brand, you have bigger chances of surviving with Asean integration," she said.
India's Rice Exports to U.S. Expected to Jump U.S. Permits Shipments With Traces of Pesticide By BIMAN MUKHERJI July 15, 2014 7:40 a.m. ET
NEW DELHI—India's rice exports to the U.S. are expected to increase after the U.S. decided to permit shipments containing small levels of a chemical residue, senior Indian rice industry official said Tuesday.The U.S. had rejected the majority of rice shipments from India, the world's top rice exporter, since 2011 because of the presence of the chemical tricyclazole, a widely used pesticide in India that isn't legal for use in the U.S.However, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in late June fixed the import tolerance for tricyclazole in Indian rice at 3 parts per million, a level Indian rice exporters are confident they can meet.
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"Many Indian exporters had stopped shipments to the U.S., but now they are coming back," said Rajan Sundaresan, executive director of All India Rice Exporters Association.Following the U.S. move, exports of Indian basmati rice to US will easily rise by more than 50% in the near term, said Vijay Setia, a prominent rice exporter and a member of All India Rice Exporters Association.In the financial year that ended in March, Indian rice exports to the U.S. totaled 103,000 metric tons, according to the state-run Agricultural and Export Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. Indian rice exporters had lobbied the U.S government to accept Indian rice with traces of tricyclazole, noting that Japan and the European Union both did so."The main issue that was blocking our exports to the U.S. was the level of tricyclazole, so business is now coming back on track," said Vijay Setia, a prominent Indian rice exporter.India mainly exports premier grades of basmati rice to the U.S. Out of India's total rice exports of 10.9 million metric tons in the financial year through March, exports of basmati grades totaled 3.75 million tons, according to state-run Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. Write to Biman Mukherji at biman.mukherji@wsj.com
Jonathan Inaugurates 105,000 Metric Tonnes Integrated Rice Mill in Nasarawa 15 Jul 2014
From left Managing Director Olam Rice Nigeria Mr Srivatsan Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-makura President Goodluck Jonathan and Agric Minister Dr Akinwumi Adesina at the Commissioning of Olam Rice Farm Nigeria at Rukubi Nasarawa State on Monday
Jaiyeola Andrews President Goodluck Jonathan monday inaugurated Olam Nigeria's 105,000 metric tonnes integrated rice processing mill in Nasarawa State.He however disclosed that his administration's commitment was to continue to reduce the food importation bill to the barest minimum.To demonstrate this commitment according to Jonathan, from a total food import bill of N1.1trillion as at 2009, the food import bill has been reduced to N684.7bn as at December 2013."Nigeria‘s position today, as the largest economy in Africa, in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is important, but not enough on its own. We must continue working towards becoming the largest producer, and exporter of food. It is my firm belief that with our vast land, water and labour resources, Nigeria has no business being a net food importing country. We shall continue to work very hard to meet our goal of unlocking all our agricultural potential."When I launched the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) in 2011, our goal was
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to add an extra 20 million metric tonnes of food to our domestic food supply by 2015. Our progress in this direction has been remarkable."The innovative electronic wallet system has empowered 10 million farmers with access to subsidised high quality seeds and fertilisers. We were the first country in Africa to launch this system that has now assured greater transparency and better productivity in the sector. "Over the past three years, our farmers have produced over 17 million metric tonnes of food. Steadily on this path, we expect to surpass our 2015 target of 20 million metric tonnes of food, by the end of this year. Now, with better policy articulation and enhanced technology, our farmers, small and large, are all being touched by the new drive for food production across the country."We cannot justify the huge amount of rice we import each year, when we have the potential to produce rice locally. If we like to eat rice, then we must have to produce more. That is why we have placed total self-sufficiency in rice production as a priority for our country."In this regard, our rice production programme has continued to receive very focussed attention. I launched the national dry season farming policy last year, so that we can grow two or three cycles in the year, instead of only once each year. It is encouraging that our national paddy rice production has grown by an additional 7 million metric tonnes within three years. This is remarkable but we have to work harder still," Jonathan said.He added that the private sector was key to his administration's transformation agenda, saying agriculture and rice production could not be an exception.The president said he was pleased at the strong private sector response to the rice policy."Recently, the number of integrated rice mills has grown from just one functional plant, three years ago, to eighteen, today."These mills are producing high quality local rice that meets international standards, and competes well with imported rice. And don‘t forget, Nigerian rice is tastier and healthier than imported rice, because our local rice is fresh from the farm. Let me add that I am also speaking as a proud consumer of our Nigerian rice."Our goal of making Nigeria a net exporter of rice will be achieved faster by encouraging large commercial farms that will complement our small-scale farmers. Large mechanised rice farms like Olam‘s 6,000-hectare farm will not only boost food production, but also provide significant opportunities for jobs in rural areas. Our youths will be supported to go into mechanised farming, and to pursue agriculture as a business. "I am very pleased to see that Olam‘s rice farm is inclusive of the rural communities, especially women and youths. As we encourage large commercial farms, we will ensure that their development empowers subject communities and protects their land rights, while boosting their shared participation in wealth creation, within their communities."We must not just stop at farming, but progressively add value to all our agricultural produce, building agricultural value chains, from the farm to the table. The current and planned investment of over $100 million by Olam, is a very good example of how to build integrated rice value chains, combining commercial rice farms, out-grower schemes of small farmers, and modern rice mills. More of such rice business investments will be promoted with the various incentives under the new rice policy."As we make progress, I expect that Nigeria will become a net exporter of high quality finished rice within the next five years. I look forward to the day when Nigerian rice will go beyond our shores, and be traded and enjoyed internationally. With the pace and rapid results being achieved under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, I believe this goal is well within our reach.
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"A strong collaboration between the federal government and state governments in national development and in the implementation of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda is very important and will continue to be strengthened. States will need to provide secure land for farmers and agribusinesses and I commend the Governor and people of Nassarawa State for facilitating a conducive environment for Olam‘s business to thrive, with benefit to the people," the president averred. He stressed that the federal government had launched the Staple Crop Processing Zones, to address the infrastructure constraints faced by agri-businesses and to encourage them to go deeper into rural areas, to process and add value to agricultural produce.He noted that "these zones will be upgraded with improved infrastructure, especially roads, power, water and gas supply, to reduce the cost of doing agribusiness in these rural areas."The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is working actively with state governments, private sector and development finance institutions, to mobilise resources to establish these Staple Crop Processing Zones. "I am pleased to announce here today, that to buttress the huge investment and the locational development already in place here, the Olam farm area is hereby designated a Staple Crop Processing Zone.I direct that the Ministries of Agriculture, Works, Power and Water Resources to work jointly and assiduously to facilitate infrastructure support systems around this zone and, indeed all other Staple Crop Processing Zones, as part of our National Infrastructure Master plan," Jonathan said.He congratulated the Minister of Agriculture and his team, and all the staff of Olam for a very encouraging demonstration of what strong public-private sector partnerships could achieve. The president assured that his administration would continue to promote public-private sector partnerships to drive Nigeria‘s holistic transformation "and our agriculture, to greater heights, until we fully unlock our potential as a nation, and achieve our dream of becoming an agricultural power house." Tags: Business, Featured, Nigeria, Rice Mill
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