Daily Rice Newsletter

1. The quality of Nigerian home-grown rice is poor:
Here's why
by Omobolaji Olubukunmi Obisesan, The Conversation
A rice farm in Nigeria. Credit: Shutterstock
Processing agricultural products—adding value by transforming them from basic commodities—
increases their worth, appeal and market value. In the case of rice, processing is an important and
distinct feature in its production. It involves changing harvested paddy into edible rice.
Nigeria's rice processing techniques are inefficient. This has resulted in processed rice that's too
expensive and of a lower quality than rice from other countries like China, Vietnam and India.
Rice, one of the major staple foods in Nigeria, is consumed across all Nigerian socioeconomic
classes. Still, only about 57% of the 6.7 million metric tons of rice consumed in Nigeria annually
is locally produced. This leads to a supply deficit of about 3 million metric tons, which is
imported.
Over 80% of locally produced rice comes from small scale processors with a processing capacity
of less than 100 tons. And these small scale processors are faced with financial challenges that
inform their choice of equipment. Large scale processors, on the other hand, constitute less than
20% of processors. They face the challenge of inconsistency in grain quality and insufficient
paddy. Both small scale or cottage rice processors and large scale processors depend on paddy
from farm lands or purchase from neighboring villages or towns.

2. The processing procedure entails parboiling raw rice to soften the husk, drying and milling it
before selling to distributors or retailers. After milling, small stones must be removed using a de-
stoner. De-stoning rice makes locally processed rice more appealing. But the majority of the
small scale processors cannot afford this equipment unless they form themselves into co-
operatives to purchase one.
We conducted research to establish why Nigeria's processed rice was of low quality. We wanted
to establish what drove the decisions of Nigerian rice processors, specifically their choice of the
techniques for the processing of rice.
We found out that, in many instances, Nigerian rice processors, especially the small scale or
cottage processors, do not have adequate processing capacity. We discovered that the choice of
techniques and equipment used during processing was a major determinant of output and quality.
The choices rice processors made were driven by a host of factors. These included budgetary
constraints, social and economic factors as well as processing constraints.
Factors affecting processing decisions
In a bid to identify the factors affecting rice processors' decisions, we administered structured
questionnaires to 410 rice processors selected from four states—Ebonyi, Ekiti, Ogun and
Nasarawa—from three geo-political zones in Nigeria—Southeast, Southwest and North-Central.
We asked them about processing. We wanted to know about their experiences, where they
sourced their raw rice, their processing activities and techniques, if they had available credit to
enhance their processing activities and the distance covered from farm to processing center and
from processing center to the market.
The responses to the questions showed that choices were dependent on each processor's finances
and a number of social and processing characteristics. These included the age (youth or elderly),
sex, education, marital status and household size of processors. Economic factors also played a
role, including access to a loan to buy modern equipment, and the size of the processing
operation. Even if they could afford new equipment, most didn't have the capacity to service it.
Consequently, there were instances where processors formed themselves into co-operatives in a
bid to access loans and other financial aid from the government with the aim of purchasing
processing equipment. But the time lag for loan applications delayed productive activities. The
outcome was many processors became discouraged, and abandoned trying to use new processing
techniques and equipment. There were also instances where processors couldn't get spare parts
and de-stoning machines required to sift raw rice.
Organized markets in the country present obstacles too. They opted for parboiled imported rice
from countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, China and India instead of locally processed rice. This is
because to process a 50 kilogram bag of rice locally is more expensive and not economical.
Rice processors also encountered challenges with getting consistent quality and quantity of rice
from local farmers all year round. They had to deal with fragmentation of the processing

3. enterprise that makes it difficult to create quality brands and standards due to exorbitant cost of
processing equipment.
What needs to be done
In 2019 the Nigerian government restricted the importation of rice into the country. But the
directive failed to address the fact that locally processed rice is too expensive. In the case of low
priced rice, the quality is poor.
There is therefore a need for the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to
focus on how to get modern rice processing techniques to more processors. This would enable
processors to take advantage of the openings and opportunities made available by the federal
government.
This should include providing machines and equipment to rice processors in a bid to ensure
Nigeria can produce high quality rice.
In addition, rice processors' associations should be supported with input supply and credit.
Female processors should be empowered with input supply, access to credit and proper
monitoring. The research has shown that they are more likely to use traditional techniques than
their male counterparts.
Finally, stakeholders such as the federal and state agriculture ministries, local governments and
the private sector, should invest in modern rice processing equipment. This equipment should be
situated close to rice processors with good access roads. This will ensure that processors aren't
burdened by the extra cost of transport and rice processing fees which most rice processors are
not willing to pay.
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-quality-nigerian-home-grown-rice-poor.html
Liberia: Ministry of Agriculture Empowers Local Agri-
Entrepreneurs to Boost Rice and Cassava Production
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh Last updated Sep 1, 2020

4. At the signing ceremony on Friday, the Minister of Agriculture, Madam Jeanine Milly
Cooper said the STAR-P, through its COVID-19 emergency proposal attracted
US$10.5 million from the World Bank under the contingency emergency response
component to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on agriculture and food security for
Liberians.
Monrovia – In a bid to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the agriculture sector, the
Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) with funding from the World Bank has awarded contracts
to 10 smallholder farmers and food processors for rice and cassava production.
The contracts are being implemented under the MOA Smallholder Agriculture
Transformation Agribusinesses Revitalization Project (STAR-P).
At the signing ceremony on Friday, the Minister of Agriculture, Madam Jeanine Milly
Cooper said the STAR-P, through its COVID-19 emergency proposal attracted US$10.5
million from the World Bank under the contingency emergency response component to
mitigate the impact of the pandemic on agriculture and food security for Liberians.
Of the amount, she noted that US$5 million was given to the World Food Program
(WFP) for food distribution, while the remaining fund was given to the MOA for the

5. empowerment of Liberian-owned agribusinesses to boost locally grown food production
including rice and cassava for onward distribution to vulnerable citizens and institutions.
Entities that benefitted include the Bravo Sisters (contracted to produce 18 metric tons of
fufu flour, 17 metric tons of cassava flour (de-pot) and 70 metric tons of gari); FALAMA
Inc.(70 metric tons of cassava flour, 27 metric tons of fufu flour and 100 metric tons of
gari); Global Agro (50 metric tons of gari, 50 metric tons of fufu flour and 50 metric tons
of cassava flour) and Destiny Women (105 metric tons of cassava flour, 29 metric tons of
fufu flour and 70 metric tons of gari).
Other entities that signed on Friday include the Liberian Business Incubator (70 metric
tons of gari, 105 metric tons of fufu flour and 34 metric tons of cassava flour); Logan and
Logan INC (70 metric tons of fufu flour, 60 metric tons of gari and 27 metric tons of
cassava flour and 125 metric tons of locally grown rice), Selma Development Agriculture
Corporation (175 metric tons of locally grown rice); Agriculture Infrastructures
Investment Company (250 metric tons of locally grown rice) and FABRAR Incorporated
(200 metric tons of locally grown rice).
Minister Cooper, who before her appointment founded and managed FABRAR Liberia,
the largest rice processor and producer in Liberia has vowed to empower Liberian-owned
agri-businesses and farmers.
But barely two months into her appointment, Liberia was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic
which continues to adversely impact every sector of the economy.
However, Minister Cooper and her team continue to identify potential and qualified
agribusinesses to access contracts that could boost their capacities to produce various
food products to supply the GOL for distribution to vulnerable citizens.
―We noticed that there would be a severe impact on our agriculture sector and food
security if certain measures were not taken. We then developed a proposal to seek
funding from donors to support agriculture,‖ she said.

6. ―This has been a long journey since we started but the interactions and procurement
processes have been very tedious to allow us come thus far.‖
Speaking further, She noted the program was also part of President George Weah‘s
commitment to empowering local businesses, adding, ―Since my ascendency to this
position, the President has always told me to make sure that agribusinesses are
empowered.‖
Also speaking at the signing ceremony, the beneficiaries through their representative,
Joseph S. Harris, thanked Minister Cooper and her team for the exemplary leadership
exhibited within a short period of her appointment and pledged to live up to their
commitments.
Harris said the impact of the program will have a trigger-down effect as many farmers
and families will benefit. He also called on the government to invest more into the
agriculture so that the country can become food secure.
https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-ministry-of-agriculture-empowers-local-agri-
entrepreneurs-to-boost-rice-and-cassava-production/
How Kenya can meet local demand for rice

7. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 2:45
Rice farmers. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Rice is the third most consumed staple in the country, yet we are not self-sufficient to meet our
demand. With a growing population and increase in per capita rice consumption, the government
and other policymakers have been left with only a few options to meet future demand for rice;
through increased imports and increased productivity.
Our national rice consumption is estimated at 500,000 metric tonnes a year. Despite this being a
clear indication of Kenyans uptake of rice as a principal food, our annual production of 100,000
metric tonnes pales in comparison.
According to the National Rice Development Strategy-2, 2019-2030, the annual consumption of
rice in Kenya is increasing at a rate of over 12 percent owing to the progressive change in eating
habits of Kenyans, especially in urban areas.

8. This, together with a annual projected population growth rate of 2.7 percent, will mean that the
estimated annual national need for rice is expected to reach up to 1,290,000 tonnes by 2030.
Given that Food Security and Nutrition is one of the pillars of the Big Four Agenda which our
President is steadfast to implement, increasing the productivity of rice shall form an important
component in this pillar. In addition to enhancing food security, it should also alleviate poverty
by raising farmer incomes and increase the prospects of creating new jobs in the whole value
chain from farm to fork. Investment in the rice sector should therefore become a key priority in
the agriculture sector.
KARUGA: Revamping Kenya‘s rail lines to grow local talent
The largest rice irrigation scheme in the country is the Mwea Rice Scheme which was started in
1956 during the colonial times when a seed variety from India called the Basmati was planted in
the scheme and hence the birth of what is famously known as the Kenya Pishori rice.

9. Over the years, the scheme has expanded to 30,000 acres. The other rice schemes across the
country are the West Kano and Ahero (in Nyanza) and Bunyala. The much anticipated rice
scheme in the Tana river under Tarda was a failure from its onset.
So the key question is what has been ailing this sector to scale up production?
The rice sector has always been overseen by the National Irrigation Board (NIB) which falls
under the Ministry of Water. This is because of the provision of water under irrigation.
However, in essence the mandate of seed production, varietal development, good farming
practice and market linkage should technically be the oversight of the Ministry of Agriculture.
This could possibly be one of the primary reasons why we lost focus on prioritising rice as a
strategic food crop. The constant squabbles between the farmers and NIB in the late 1990s due to
the political interference of rice marketing in the scheme also created a lethargy in the
development of the sector.
To revive this sector, we need to take a multipronged approach which revolves around agronomy
and infrastructure development, farmer financing and market linkages. Let us explore each one
separately.
Research into new seed development shall remain crucial to ensure farmers get optimal
productivity and quality.
The choice of variety is based on its agronomical performance and not economic reasons since
varieties like the Pishori when grown in the West Kano and Ahero have proven to be failures due
to its microclimate.

10. In addition, to ensure efficiency, farmers should work in co-operatives and find ways of
aggregating their smaller pieces of land to farm commercially as large tracts which can enable
mechanisation.
Provision of farm extension services to educate farmers on best farming practices including the
appropriate use of farm inputs such as fertiliser and pesticides shall also play a crucial role in
productivity.
Finally, there should be a security of source of water for this irrigated crop to perform well. This
means that there should be adequate water source from dams and one should not rely on just the
river source which frequently get affected by rainfall patterns.
A case in point is how the delay in building the Thiba dam which would serve the Mwea Rice
Scheme has greatly affected the growth of this scheme.
Provision of affordable finance is very crucial for the security of the farmer income. Due to the
lack of access to this finance, farmers have the tendency of borrowing from shylocks whose
exorbitant finance costs makes it prohibitive for farmers to earn anything for their hard work.
Abject poverty
Many farmers also find it more attractive to lease out their pieces of land rather than farm for the
same low income expectation.
In addition to finance, well-structured crop insurance can also protect the farmer from the
vagaries of weather and disease leading to crop failures which wipes out the farmer‘s income and
sets them back into abject poverty.

11. There‘s need to work in co-operatives which will also improve the bargaining of farmers to
purchase farm inputs as well as obtaining finance from banks.
The adoption of the warehouse receipting programme also ensures farmers obtain finance for
their produce once harvested in a formalised structure and have the flexibility of trading in their
produce at their free will when the timing and pricing is right.
The third component is market linkages. Without a market for their produce at the right price, it
is an exercise in futility for the farmer.
Except for a portion of the crop which the farmer can keep for their subsistence use, there has to
be a surety of market for the remainder of their produce.
https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/analysis/ideas/How-Kenya-can-meet-local-demand-for-
rice/4259414-5617126-nn2ur2/index.html
Rice Prices
as on : 02-09-2020 11:44:49 AM
Arrivals in tonnes;prices in Rs/quintal in domestic market.
Arrivals Price
Current %
change
Season
cumulative
Modal Prev.
Modal
Prev.Yr
%change
Rice
Balrampur(UP) 25.00 38.89 1329.00 2400 2400 4.35

12. Soharatgarh(UP) 17.50 16.67 1745.20 2510 2530 2.87
Fatehpur(UP) 7.70 -10.47 2421.00 2500 2480 6.38
Unnao(UP) 5.20 -20 317.00 2450 2450 -1.01
Badayoun(UP) 5.00 -54.55 1183.50 2600 2600 3.17
Achalda(UP) 4.00 33.33 411.90 2450 2450 10.86
Charra(UP) 2.00 NC 142.20 2560 2550 0.39
Alibagh(Mah) 1.00 NC 109.00 2200 2200 NC
Murud(Mah) 1.00 NC 107.00 2200 2200 NC
Achnera(UP) 0.60 NC 45.80 2620 2640 2.75
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https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/rice-prices/article32502091.ece
Cambodia’s rice exports drop drastically in August
Sok Chan / Khmer Times
Rice milling in Kampong Speu province. KT/ Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia‘s rice exports rose 31.05 percent, reaching 448,203 tonnes in the first eight
months of the year, according to the National Phytosanitary database of the Ministry
of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The report said that Cambodia‘s rice exports was 448,203 tonnes thus far this year,
compared with 342,045 tonnes during the same period in 2019.

13. However, in August alone, the export of Cambodian rice percent was 22, 130 tonnes
compared with 34, 032 tonnes in August 2019.
Among the total rice exports, 352, 802 tonnes was fragrant rice, white rice, 89, 699
tonnes, parboiled rice 5,679 tonnes and the rest was 23 tonnes.
China is still the top market for Cambodian rice exports. Cambodia exported around
159,253 tonnes in the first eight months, followed by France 56,964 tonnes. However,
In Asean countries, Malaysia imported about 23, 201 tonnes from Cambodia, Vietnam
12,836 tonnes, Brunei 10,500 tonnes.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50759273/cambodias-rice-exports-drop-drastically-in-august/
Conservation of traditional rice varieties takes a new path
E.M.Manoj
KALPETTA, SEPTEMBER 01, 2020 19:20 IST
Project to address drawbacks such as low yield and lodging character
Though the traditional rice varieties in Wayanad district have advantages such
as its ability to withstand harsh climatic conditions, drawbacks like low yield
and lodging character have forced farmers to go for high-yielding new
varieties.
(Lodging is the bending over of the stem of grain crops, which makes them
difficult to harvest.)
Now, the Community Agrobiodiversity Centre (CABC) of the M.S.
Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) here has started a farmer
participatory project to address the issues concerning traditional varieties.
The MSSRF and the farming community have been working together to find
a solution for the low yield in 10 traditional varieties such as Adukkan,

14. Veliyan, Chenellu, Chomala, Chenthadi, Thondi, Gandhakasala, Jeerakasala,
Mullankaima and Kalladiaryan varieties under the project, says Shely Mary
Koshy, agriculture scientist, MSSRF.
Organic inputs such as farmyard manure, vermicompost, azospirillum,
phospho solubilizing bacteria, potassium mobilising bacteria, and groundnut
cake have been used for yield enhancement at a trial plot, Dr. Shely said.
A randomised block design is used for the experiment in 60 cents at
Kallanchira in the district. System of rice intensification (SRI) method of
planting is adopted for the trial (seedlings that are 10 to 12 days‘ old are
transplanted with just one seedling instead of a clump at a distance of 25 cm
between each plant and row), she said.
―The trial is planned for three years and the second year trial is under progress
now,‖ P. Vipindas, Development Associate, MSRF, said.
Throughout the different stages of the trial, active participation of farmers
was ensured to make the programme a success, Mr. Vipindas said.
―Based on the results of the trial and the cost of cultivation, the most suitable
practices for the traditional variety cultivation will be popularised among
farmers,‖ he said.
―We are curious about the results of the project and many traditional farmers
have been visiting the plot for knowledge exchange and to learn more about
traditional rice cultivation,‖ K.R. Anilkumar, a farmer at Kallanchira, said.
The MSSRF, with financial support of the Department of Science and
Technology, Seed Division, has been involved in the conservation of
traditional rice varieties under the Medicinal and Aromatic Rice Initiative
(MAARI) project in the district for the past eight years.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/conservation-of-traditional-rice-varieties-take-a-new-
path/article32497152.ece

15. Japan rice prices may fall for first time in six years
Sep 1, 2020
Wholesale prices of rice to be harvested this year are likely to fall for the first time in six years,
helping consumers while giving farmers a headache.
The drop reflects lower demand for dining out because of the novel coronavirus epidemic, on top
of a population decline and a continued shift in consumer preference away from the traditional
staple food.
The wholesale prices mean the prices of rice changing hands between shippers, including
agricultural cooperatives, and wholesalers.
Rice demand over the year through June stood at 7.13 million tons on a preliminary basis, down
220,000 tons from the preceding year, the agriculture ministry said.
The pace of decline accelerated from some 100,000 tons a year in the past years, prompted by
the COVID-19 crisis and consumer frugality following the consumption tax hike in October last
year although the tax rate for rice and other food was kept unchanged at 8 percent.
As a result, end-June inventories this year rose 120,000 tons to 2.01 million tons, topping the 2-
million-ton line above which rice prices tend to fall.
Inventories may build up further as consumers are still staying away from restaurants.
Japan terminated its traditional gentan rice production adjustment in the 2018 harvest year,
allowing farmers to plant rice as much as they like. If they plant rice excessively, however,
prices can collapse.
Planted rice acreage in June this year was unchanged from the previous year in 25 of Japan‘s 47
prefectures, including production centers in the country‘s northeast.
―Farmers think that if they grow rice it will fetch good prices. They are stuck in such a mindset,‖
a ministry official said.
On Friday, the ministry said that of the 19 prefectures where rice is harvested early, the crop
prospects were ―slightly good‖ or ―the same as normal years‖ in Hokkaido and 12 other
prefectures as of Aug. 15.
Retail prices for the popular Koshihikari variety grown in Miyazaki Prefecture, put on sale ahead
of rice from other prefectures, are slightly lower than last year.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/09/01/business/japan-rice-prices-may-fall-first-time-six-years/

16. Cameron farmers and ranchers hit hard by Hurricane
Laura
By: KATC NEWS
Posted at 12:35 PM, Aug 31, 2020
and last updated 10:35 PM, Aug 31, 2020
In Cameron Parish, agriculture really took it on the chin from Hurricane Laura.
Most of the agriculture in that parish is cattle and rice. Parish Farm Bureau
President "Bozo" Cox was able to get his cattle up to high ground, and since the
storm surge wasn't as bad as Rita, they stayed safe.
Rice farmers were mostly able to get their rice harvested before the storm hit,
and stored in bins. Unfortunately, the storm ripped the tops off the bins - leaving
them open to rain, which could ruin the rice.
Many farmers' homes also were affected, adding stress to an already stressful
situation.
https://www.katc.com/news/calcasieu-parish/cameron-farmers-and-ranchers-hit-hard-by-hurricane-laura
Grant increases hunting land acreage
by Arkansas Game and Fish | September 1, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

17. Alan Bland eyes a foggy sky for incoming mallards on Dec. 28 2019 during a duck
hunt on Beaver Lake. High water and cold weather are the best conditions for
waterfowl hunting at the reservoir. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff) (Flip
Putthoff)
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will offer an additional 3,828 acres of
prime waterfowl hunting opportunity during the 2020-21 waterfowl season, thanks to
the expansion of the Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Easement Program.
The program allows rice producers to enroll fields to increase waterfowl habitat near
popular public waterfowl-hunting areas and to offer limited public hunting
opportunities on private rice fields through an online drawing.
The increase is possible through a $2.1 million grant from the National Resources
Conservation Service‘s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program to be
spread out during the next three years.
The expanded acreage will enable the Game and Fish to increase its rice conservation
easement fields available for public draw from 10 to 42 for the 2020-21 waterfowl
season. Each field will be available only on weekends, which will help reduce
disturbance in an effort to keep birds using the areas and limit access only to hunters
who draw.
The program serves two goals: to increase the amount of waterfowl habitat on
agricultural fields during migration and to increase publicly available hunting
opportunities on private land.
―We started the program with a focus on paying landowners incentives to keep rice
stubble on the ground for migrating waterfowl instead of tilling it under to get a head

18. start on next year‘s crop,‖ said Luke Naylor, waterfowl program coordinator for Game
and Fish. ―But that contact led to us being able to test the waters for public hunting
opportunities on these agricultural fields.‖
Each successful permit holder will be allowed up to three companions during their
hunt. Some locations have blinds or pits in place from previous leases or hunting
efforts, but those structures won‘t be maintained.
―If a person wants to go out with some blind material to brush up a blind, they‘re
welcome to do so, and we‘ll have a description of where such facilities lie on the
property,‖ Naylor said. ―Just remember to pack out what you pack in.‖
Applications for each field will be available at agfc.com the weekend preceding each
hunt date. Drawings will be conducted and successful applicants will be notified the
following Monday with the hunt area‘s exact location and instructions for their hunt.
All applications require a $5 processing fee.
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/sep/01/grant-increases-hunting-land-acreage/?sports
Climate change could increase rice yields
by Rachel Schutte, American Society of Agronomy

19. Many people around the globe rely on rice as a source of nutrition. Credit: Rachel Schutte
Rice is the most consumed staple food in the world. It is especially common in Asia, where
hunger concerns are prevalent.
Rice is classified as an annual plant, which means it completes its life cycle within one growing
season then dies. However, in some tropical areas, rice can continue to grow year after year
when taken care of properly.
Just as grass grows back in a lawn after it is mowed, rice can be cut after it is harvested, and the
plant will regrow. The farming practice of cutting the rice above ground and allowing it to
regrow is called ratooning.
Although Rice ratooning allows farmers to harvest more rice from the same fields, it requires a
longer growing season compared to traditional single-harvest rice farming.
In many areas of the world where rice is grown, a long growing season isn't a problem due to the
tropical climates. But in Japan, cooler weather means rice ratooning has been a rare farming
practice.
Hiroshi Nakano and a research team set out to learn more about the potential of ratooning to help
Japanese rice farmers. Nakano is a researcher at the National Agriculture and Food Research
Organization.
Average temperatures in Japan have been higher in recent years. As climate change continues to
affect the region, rice farmers may have a longer window for growing rice. "Rice seedlings will

20. be able to be transplanted earlier in the spring, and farmers can harvest rice later into the year,"
explains Nakano.
Rice seeds are arranged on the plant in groups, called spikelets. This field of rice is ready for harvest.
Credit: Hiroshi Nakano
"The goal of our research is to determine the effects of harvest time and cutting height of the first
harvest on the yield of the first and second rice crops," says Nakano. "Ultimately, we want to
propose new farming strategies to increase yield as farmers in southwestern Japan adjust to
climate change."
During the study on rice ratooning, researchers compared two harvest times and two cutting
heights of the first crop. After the first harvest, they collected the seeds from the cut off portions
of the rice plants. Researchers measured the yield by counting and weighing the seeds. The
second harvest of rice was done by hand and the yield was determined in the same way.
The total grain yield and the yields from the first and second crops were different depending on
the harvest times and cutting heights. This wasn't too surprising, since the team already knew
harvest time and height affected yield.
Rice plants harvested at the normal time for the first crop yielded more seed than the rice plants
harvested earlier. "That's because the plants had more time to fill their spikelets with seed,"
explains Nakano.

21. Comparison of the two cut heights of rice five days after harvesting the first crop. Credit: Chiemi
Nagamatsu
"At both harvest times, rice harvested at the high cutting height had a higher yield than the low
cutting height," says Nakano. That's because the plants cut at a higher height had access to more
energy and nutrients stored in their leaves and stems.
"Our results suggest that combining the normal harvest time with the high cutting height is
important for increasing yield in rice ratooning in southwestern Japan and similar climate
regions," says Nakano. "This technology will likely increase rice grain yield in new
environments that arise through global climate change."
https://phys.org/news/2020-08-climate-rice-yields.html
Kebbi rice farmers lost N1bn to flood —
Official ON AUGUST 31, 20203:21
Kebbi State Government says it has lost about N1 billion worth of rice and other farms produce
to ravaging flood recorded in different parts of the state. The government also urged the Federal
Government to construct a dam to address perennial flooding in the state. Attahiru Maccido, the

22. state‘s Commissioner for Agriculture made the disclosure on Sunday during an inspection visit
to flood affected areas in Bagudo and Argungu Local Government Areas of the state. Macciddo
said that flood submerged thousands of hectares of farmlands and houses destroying farm
produce and personnel belongings in the affected communities. READ ALSO: Flood: NEMA
urges Ekiti residents to obey environmental laws He said that: ―In Bagudo LGA, we visited
about 19 villages affected by the flood, and in Argungu many communities were affected. ―We
call on the Federal Government to construct a reservoir. I think among the states that are into
farming, Kebbi is the only state that does not have a dam of its own. ―We need large reservoirs to
reserve the rainwater so that it can be used for other activities. ―Preliminary assessment showed
that damage to rice plantations and other products due to the flood could be over billions of
Naira.‖ ―Compensation is a solution in a way, but we are looking for more durable solutions to
the devastating flood. ―The visit is to assess the damage and how we can get immediate remedy
for those who lost their livelihoods.‖ Macciddo said that construction of a dam would control
flooding and encourage effective utilisation of water and agricultural resources in the state. He
noted that the dam project would also mobilise participation in agriculture as well as encourage
rain fed and dry season activities. According to him, the Kebbi StateEmergency Management
Agency (SEMA) will distribute food and other relief items to the affected farmers and
households to mitigate their sufferings. Maccido called on wealthy individuals, agricultural firms
operating in the state and key players in rice value chain to assist the affected farmers. ―This is a
time they should come forward and donate to cushion the effect of the affected farmers. ―We are
not out of COVID-19 pandemic and the flood disaster compounded the problem,‖ he said. In a
remark, Muhammadu Kaura, Chairman, Bagudo Local Government Council, said the flood
washed away sorghum, millet, maize and rice plantations in the area. Kaura lamented that
settlements in prone areas refused to relocate to safer areas in spite of warnings by the
authorities, adding that the council would emphasise on sensitisation activities to create
awareness on the dangers of the flood. While urging the Federal and State Governments to assist
the victims, Kaura called on the people in flood prone zones to relocate to areas with high
altitude.
Also speaking, Abubakar Muhammad, the Ward Head of Tuga, one of the affected communities,
said that flood submerged many communities and farmlands in his domain. Muhammad
lamented that the damage caused by the flood would negatively affect rice production in the
state. Some of the affected farmers, Abubakar Maikifi and Hakimi Maitambari, expressed shock
over the disaster. Maikifi said the disaster had exposed them to losses as it destroyed their only
source of livelihoods. ―We lost our farm produce and animals to the flood. READ ALSO: Kano
plants two million seedlings to help combat flood, desertification ―A number farmers here
cultivated bewteen 50 and 100 hectres of rice plantations producing hundreds bags of paddy
every rainy season. ―We never experienced this kind of disaster in the past. We call for
assistance from government and development organisations,‖ he said. The News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) reports that the affected areas include Tungar-Baushe; Illela, Buda, Rimi, Kurgu,
Tungar-Sha, Shanbam, Bargawa, Garin-Wanzam, Tungar-Wanzam, Sabon-Gari and Tungar-
Nabayi. Others are Tungar-Burtu; Tungar-Akoda, Tilleji, Kala-Kala, Tungar-Arabi, Tungar
Ayuba as well as Gefen Farfajiya and Gandun Sarki in Bagudo and Argungu Local Government
Areas, respectively.

23. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/kebbi-rice-farmers-lost-n1bn-to-flood-
official/
Cambodian rice farmers turn guardians of the forest
AUGUST 30, 2020
By the end of October each year, the trucks would begin rolling into Tmatboey in the remote
northern plains of Cambodia, marking the final sprint among Nhem Siphan and hundreds of rice
farmers harvesting their annual cash crop. Buyers would stand over farmers, manipulate scales,
understate the quality of crops, or renegotiate after coming to terms, knowing they held all the
power in the transaction.
Desperate for cash, some would sell early at basement prices, while those who held out risked
missing their one big pay day of the year, Siphan said.
―How many tonnes of rice could I carry by ox-cart? How far is the market? Who do I talk to?‖
Siphan, 70, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. ―It‘s impossible. We had no option but to

24. sell.‖ For years, farmers supplemented their income by turning trees into ox carts for sale,
expanding their rice fields, or hunting endangered animals, all inside the Kulen Promtep Wildlife
Sanctuary.
But now rice fields are becoming forest again and species thought lost are returning, under the
protection of the same farmers, who have partnered with a social enterprise that pays a premium
for their crops.
―My life has never been easier,‖ said Siphan, sitting under his tidy, stilted home. ―All I have to
worry about is the weather.‖ Siphan is one of about 1,500 farmers partnered with ethically-driven
Ibis Rice, which guarantees above-market prices to ―wildlife friendly‖ farmers who patrol the
forest for poachers and loggers while nurturing chemical-free paddy fields.
The project was established inside three protected areas in northern Preah Vihear province, and
is now expanding into illegal logging hotspots in one of the world‘s most heavily deforested
countries.
―Obviously, we want to work in the places most important for conservation … on the frontiers of
deforestation,‖ said Ibis Rice Chief Executive Nicholas Spencer. ―It can be very complicated but
in some ways it‘s the only answer.‖
Cambodia has been beset by disputes over land ownership and forest encroachment since the
Maoist Khmer Rouge regime destroyed all property records in the 1970s.
Rice cultivation remains a staple of rural life but with poor market access, farmers have largely
missed out despite growing some of the world‘s most sought after varieties. After initially
struggling to get a foothold in the market, Ibis Rice – which was set up by the Wildlife
Conservation Society in 2009 – is set to turn a profit in 2020.
―We are starting to find our niche – with the health conscious, well travelled, international
consumer,‖ said Spencer, outlining plans to double the 1,200 tonnes of rice it bought last year
and also move into cashews and cassava. ―The problem now is not market, it‘s production –
training enough farmers to produce enough quality, be certified and follow the rules,‖ he said.
Sopheak Phearun, an agronomist with environmental charity Sansom Mlup Prey, monitors the
health of crops and investigates reports of farmers breaching agreements with Ibis Rice. ―It‘s
tricky. If (farmers) are removed from the programme, we no longer have any way to influence
their behaviour,‖ he said while inspecting a crop reported as diseased.
About 22 farmers were cut loose in 2019, he said, but most returned to the programme in 2020,
pledging compliance again.

25. ―If they want to return, they just have to rescind the land they cleared, or stop using the
chemicals,‖ he said.
Srey Ul, a community leader in Tmatboey, said the project had completely changed lives in the
village and the environment.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/661003/cambodian-rice-farmers-turn-guardians-of-the-forest/
Record rice output likely on better monsoon rains
Our Bureau New Delhi | Updated on August 28, 2020 Published on August 28, 2020
Total acreage up by 7% at 1,082 lakh ha
Bountiful and well-spread-out monsoon rains this year are expected to push up area under rice to
a record level. With the country, as a whole, receiving 8 per cent more rains than normal, there
has been a 10 per cent increase in rice planting as compared to area covered in the corresponding
week last year.
According to kharif sowing data released by the Agriculture Ministry on Friday, the total area
under kharif crops till this week was 1,082 lakh hectares (lha), over 7 per cent more than 1,010
lha planted in the same period in the previous kahrif season.

26. Paddy transplantation has been carried out over 390 lha — about 35 lha more than that in the
corresponding week last year. Telangana, which planted rice over an additional 10 lha, Madhya
Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand which increased rice area by 5 lha each and West Bengal with an
extra 4 lha rice area accounted for much of this increase.
Pulses, oilseeds gain
Oilseeds are another kharif crop that have done exceedingly well this time with a 13 per cent
increase in acreage. With the area under soyabean and groundnut exceeding well beyond the
normal planting area, the total oilseeds acreage has gone up to 193 lha (171 lha).
With all three major pulses crops — arhar, urad and moong — reporting higher acreage as
compared to the same week last year, the total area under pulses touched almost 135 lha, about
4.6 per cent more than last year.

27. There is a marginal 2.5 to 3 peer cent increase in area under coarse cereals and cotton, too. While
bajra and maize reported higher area as compared to same week last season, coverage of coarse
cereals stands at 177 lha till date. Similarly, the area under cotton increased to 128.4 lha, with
Telangana where cotton is planted over an extra 6 lha more than compensating for the shortfall in
acreage in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Storage levels
According to the India Meteorological Department, total rainfall received across the country was
737.5 millimetres as compared to the normal of 682 mm.
The water storage in 123 reservoirs in the country this week was 131 billion cubic metre (BCM),
about 2 per cent more than 129 BCM in the corresponding week last year.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/record-rice-output-likely-on-better-
monsoon-rains/article32468249.ece
Kharif Crop acreage up further; Oilseed area jumps
by 13%, Rice sowing up 10%
Abhijeet Banerjee 29 August, 2020 11:25 AM IST
Planting operations continues in the country and latest Government report shows further
progress in the net cropped area. The area planted as on August 28 has gone up by nearly
7.15% over last year‘s corresponding period. So far, the planted area has reached
nearly 1 thousand 82 Lakh hectares. There has been an increase of nearly 10% in

28. cultivation of Rice. On the other hand, Oilseeds‘ planted area has registered a jump of
roughly 13 per cent.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, as on 28.08.2020, the total Kharif crops sown
is 1082.22 Lakh ha area against 1009.98 Lakh ha area during the corresponding period of
last year. Given below is the sowing area coverage under Kharif crops and till now
farmers have grown:
Rice: Total area cropped has gone to 389.81 Lakh ha as compared with 354.41 Lakh
ha during the corresponding period of last year – an increment of 35.40 Lakh ha
therefore.
Pulses: Pulses acreage has risen by roughly 5.91 Lakh hectares and till date the sown
area has reached 134.57 Lakh ha area versus 128.65 Lakh ha during last year‘s
corresponding period.
Coarse Cereals: Coarse cereal acreage is about 176.89 Lakh ha till date – a rise of
4.40 Lakh ha more area compared to last year‘s corresponding period
of 172.49 Lakh ha.
Oilseeds: Area under Oilseeds has gone up to 193.29 Lakh ha versus 170.99 Lakh
ha during the corresponding period of last year. Therefore year on year increase
is 22.30 lakh ha (for the corresponding period).
Sugarcane: Sugarcane area is reported at 2.29 Lakh ha area and during last years‘
corresponding period the cropped area was 51.68 Lakh ha. Over previous year, sugarcane
cultivation has shown an increase of 0.61 Lakh ha.
Jute & Mesta: Jute & Mesta is sown in around 6.97 Lakh ha area coverage versus
6.86 Lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year. Thus 0.11 Lakh ha more
area is being recorded versus last year.
Cotton: Planted area in cotton has risen by nearly 3.50 Lakh ha compared to last year‘s
corresponding year. About 128.41 Lakh ha area coverage under cotton as compared to
124.90 Lakh ha during last year.
Roughly three weeks back, the Central Water Commission (CWC) had reported the live
water storage in 123 reservoirs in different parts of the country, to be 88% of the

29. corresponding period of the last year. In the current week the Commission has
reported an improvement i.e. 102 per cent storage of water across 123 reservoirs in
different parts of the country compared to last year corresponding period. This
information has raised
https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/kharif-crop-acreage-up-further-oilseed-area-jumps-by-13-rice-
sowing-up-10/#:~:text=Agriculture%20World-
,Kharif%20Crop%20acreage%20up%20further%3B%20Oilseed%20area%20jumps%20by,%25%2C%20
Rice%20sowing%20up%2010%25&text=Rice%3A%20Total%20area%20cropped%20has,of%2035.40%
20Lakh%20ha%20therefore.
Cambodia ensures food security and rice exports
Khmer Times
Rice milling in Kampong Speu province. KT/Chor Sokunthea
The beginning of this season‘s rice harvest has been slower than in 2019.
Tis has been brought about by drought causing slower seed-planting, resulting in
some farmers having to replant and harvest has now been extended into December.
Kao Thach, director-general of the Rural Development and Agriculture Bank
(RDAB), said that although the drought had impacted harvests, the government still
ensures food security and that rice exports will go ahead in 2020.
After attending the meeting to monitor rain-fed rice cultivation, early-season rice
harvests, and rice exports in 2020, Thach confirmed that as of August, the rice grown
in the rainy season of the farmers has been faster in comparison to in 2019, despite the
harvest being slower. The rice harvested at the beginning of this season yields an
average of 4 tonnes per hectare.
―The river levels this year are lower than in 2019, and the water has not yet reached
the floodplain areas, so farmers have switched from cultivating wet rice to cultivating
rainy season rice, which extends the growing season‖ he added.

30. As a result of this cultivation, Cambodia can ensure adequate food security, and rice
exports as planned, despite the rain falling early in the season, and the drought that
affected some rice fields.
Dr Chou Vichit, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, said that
rice exports in the past seven months reached 426,073 tons, an increase of 118,060
tons (38.33 percent) compared to the same period in 2019.
―According to the results, the Cambodian Rice Federation has concluded that
Cambodia‘s rice exports by 2020 could reach 800,000 tons,‖ he said.
To achieve the target of exporting 800,000 tons of rice, the Cambodian Rice
Federation has requested an additional $30 million in credit support under the
government‘s special program through the Rural Development and Agriculture Bank,
and to apply for loans from this program for 12 months.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50758818/cambodia-ensures-food-security-and-rice-exports/
Madhya Pradesh withholds rice stocks after Centre
finds substandard samples
Sidharth Yadav
BHOPAL:, AUGUST 31, 2020 19:33 IST

31. File photo for representational purpose. | Photo Credit: Singam Venkataramana
Stocks instead suitable for livestock, cattle and poultry, says Centre.
The Madhya Pradesh government is inspecting rice stocked across its depots after the
Centre requested it to withhold them until further investigation and re-categorisation
after it found samples from two districts ―unfit for human consumption‖ and
recommended action against those responsible.
The State Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection was now
inspecting stocks State-wide along with teams of Food Corporation of India, the
department‘s Principal Secretary Faiz Ahmed Kidwai told The Hindu.
―Nearly 75% of the stocks had been inspected and we will get a report within a day or
two. The inspection is being undertaken across all depots and stocks have been
withheld,‖ he said, at a time when thousands are increasingly dependent on fair price
shops for nutrition in view of the lockdown-induced joblessness.

32. When asked if the government had acted against officials responsible in Balaghat and
Mandla districts, where 32 samples were found to be substandard, Mr. Kidwai said it
would be decided after the report came in.
―It has been six-seven days since the stocks were withheld,‖ said Tarun Kumar Pithode,
the department‘s Director. ―It is being inspected whether storing the paddy in the open
caused the situation, the miller supplied substandard stocks, and so on.‖
Deputy Commissioner (Storage and Research Division), Union Ministry of Consumer
Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Vishwajeet Haldar on August 21 had written to
Mr. Kidwai pointing out the analysis reports of all the 32 samples were found to be not
just beyond the below rejection limit as per the uniform specifications issued by the
Ministry but also beyond the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA), 1954
standards as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. He sought an action
taken report at the earliest.
―The stocks are found to be unfit for human consumption and in the categories of Feed-
1 which is meant to be suitable for livestock feed (such as goat, horse, sheep); Feed-II
which is suitable for cattle feed and Feed-III, which is suitable for poultry feed as per
the guidelines for the issuance/disposal of the stocks,‖ Mr. Haldar noted.
Stating the analysis results pointed to grave and serious shortcomings in the rice
quality, he further contended, ―There have been grave lapses by district officers,
officials and authorities involved in the entire channel from procurement to
distribution.‖
He recommended officials concerned needed to be identified and proceedings be
initiated against them under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, or the Food
Safety and Standards Act, 2006. ―Besides, the rice millers associated in delivery of
such ‗human unfit‘ stocks should be black listed with immediate effect,‖ he said.
During the inspection of four depots and one ration shop from July 30 to August 2,
samples were collected and sent to the Central Grain Analysis Laboratory, New Delhi.
As per the records of the godowns, wrote Mr. Haldar, the receipt of the stocks from
where samples were drawn were procured in May-July, while the condition of the stock

33. represented a ―different picture altogether‖. ―The stocks are 100% recycled old stocks
and the gunnies used for storage are also at least two-three years old,‖ he noted.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/madhya-pradesh-withholds-rice-stocks-after-centre-
finds-substandard-samples/article32489024.ece
Price of Non-Basmati Parboiled Rice Increases in
India on Account of Huge Export Demand
August 30, 2020
Gayathri Arvind
Price of Non-Basmati Parboiled Rice Increases in India on Account of Huge Export Demand
The surging coronavirus cases and the dreadful floods led to a shortage of supply and in turn,
increase the export demand for rice. Thus, the current scenario rises the price of Non- basmati
parboiled rice in India.
The pandemic outbreak and floods hindered supply and transportation in the country. Ensuring that
Indian rice export prices increased. Accordingly, the prices for 5% broken Indian parboiled rice
increased to $383-$389 per tonne from $382-$387 last week. On the other hand, prices for Vietnam‘s
5% broken rice remained unchanged while Thailand saw an increase in prices for the same.
Indian Exports Hindered
The Kakinada district in Andhra Pradesh is the largest rice shipping port in India. Following the
recent events, they are facing labour issues as well as the limited availability of containers. The
President of the Rice Exporters‘ Association, B.V Krishna Rao worries that the vessel loading rate
went done by 30% in Kakinada. Despite the problematic situation, the demand for Indian rice
remains high. However, the exports are getting affected due to surging cases and floods in Andhra
Pradesh, according to Nitin Gupta, VP of Olam India‘s rice business.
Andhra Pradesh alone is not facing the problem. Ashwin Shah, an exporter based in Nagaland, also
conveys that they faced similar logistical issues. Nevertheless, as the demand for Indian rice is good
due to prices, the industry is optimistic that things will look up again shortly.
Bangladesh Floods Affect Export Flow
India isn‘t the only country facing export issues in these challenging times. The neighbouring country
of Bangladesh was also affected by heavy floods. Due to this, 50,000 hectares of paddy fields
submerged reports Bangaladesh agricultural ministry. Further, the value of the damaged rice crops
came up to $4.29 billion on around 100,000 hectares, said Abdur Razzaque, the agricultural minister.
Thus, Bangladesh is facing the same plight in export.

34. Jump in Exports of Non-Basmati Rice
India‘s exports of non-basmati rice varieties increased massively. In the first two months of the
FY21, the exports were 11.3 lakh tonnes- 52.5% more than the previous year.
Africa is the major importer of this variety and, now Bangladesh is looking to import the same from
India as well. Mr BV Krishna Rao also said that Africa depends on India for its rice demand as prices
for the Thai variety have shot up. Further, he also believes that the exports will touch FY18 levels
which were around 8.64 million tonnes. Bangladesh is looking to import rice because of sluggish
procurement rates and the surge in demand for rice.
In conclusion, there is a good chance for India to export a good quantity of non-basmati varieties this
year. But, we‘ll have to wait for the Bangladesh government‘s official announcement that is expected
to arrive shortly.
Tags: Agricultural ministry, Andra Pradesh, bangladesh, Containers, coronavirus, coronavirus india, damaged
rice crops, demand, export, floods, FY21, india, Nagaland, non basmati rice, non parboiled basmati rice, olam
india rice, paddy fields, procurement, shipping port, supply, thailand, Transportation, vietnam
https://www.grainmart.in/news/price-of-non-basmati-parboiled-rice-increases-in-india-on-account-of-
huge-export-demand/
Mekong Delta to release floodwaters into rice fields to
fertilise soil, destroy pests
Chia sẻ | FaceBookTwitter Email Copy Link
31/08/2020 14:29 GMT+7
Farmers in Dong Thap Province‘s Hong Ngu District will not grow the autumn-winter rice crop,
the year‘s third, on more than 9,000ha and will instead release floodwaters into their fields to
fertilise the soil and destroy pathogens and pests.

35. Floodwaters released into rice fields in Dong Thap Province’s Hong Ngu District during the
flood season last year.
The upstream district is the first locality in the Mekong Delta province to be flooded by the
Mekong River during the rainy season.
The delta is set to enter the flooding season which brings sediments to rice fields and aquatic
species to upstream localities.
Pham Van But, who owns a 2ha rice field in Hamlet 3 in Hong Ngu‘s Thuong Phuoc 1
Commune, said he and other farmers would not grow the autumn-winter rice and have opened
the sluices to let floodwaters enter their fields.
He now regularly visits the fields to watch the water level and hopes the floodwaters would rise
rapidly and enter the fields, he said.
According to farmers, if three crops are grown the soil becomes unfertile, resulting in high
production costs and poor crops.
Many farmers in the district have ploughed their rice fields to absorb the flood sediments.
The delta‘s flood season, which occurs between August and November annually, is expected to
be late and poor this year, according to experts.

36. Nguyen Hoang Nhung, head of the district‘s Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development, said
this year the district decided to plant 2,600ha of autumn-winter crop in Thuong Phuoc 2
Commune and Thuong Thoi Tien Town, and release floodwaters into more than 9,000ha of
unplanted rice fields in other areas.
In the latter areas, the district has opened all sluices to be ready to receive the floodwaters, he
said.
Farmers there have finished harvesting the summer-autumn rice, he said.
The bureau has carried out regular inspections to ensure farmers do not plant their fields.
To increase rice production, the province has built dykes in flood-prone areas to enable farmers
to grow autumn-winter rice during the flood season.
But authorities have decided to stop this practice in many upstream localities during the flooding
season to fertilise rice fields in recent years.
The flood season offers many different livelihoods like catching fish and other aquatic species
brought by the floodwaters, breeding them in flooded rice fields and making tools for catching
them.
Craft villages making the tools have become busy. VNS
https://vietnamnet.vn/en/sci-tech-environment/mekong-district-to-release-floodwaters-into-rice-fields-to-
fertilise-soil-destroy-pests-670542.html
WV PALAY PRODUCTION UP 12.15% FOR 1ST
SEMESTER
By Panay News
Monday, August 31, 2020

37. Department of Agriculture 6 says that palay production in Western Visayas increased by
12.15 percent in the first six months of 2020 amid the resiliency of rice farmers in the
region. JAMES EARL OGATIS
PALAY production in Western Visayas has posted a 12.15 percent increase for the first
semester of 2020 compared to the same period of last year with 753,832.24 metric tons
(MT) and 672,152.53 MT production for 2020 and 2019 respectively, according to the
Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA).
Department of Agriculture 6 (DA-6) director Remelyn R. Recoter said that despite the
threats of COVID-19 pandemic, the resiliency of rice farmers in the region continues and
manifested their dedication and commitment to provide sufficient, affordable, and safe
food for everybody.
―Our farmers are situated in the rural areas wherein during ECQ period, movement and
transportation were restricted but they still found enough time to monitor, supervise, and
manage their rice lands,‖ Recoter added.

38. Across all ecosystem (irrigated, rainfed and upland), the province of Iloilo has the highest
production of 352,416.38 MT followed by Capiz – 179, 345.01 MT; Negros Occidental –
107,821 MT; Aklan – 52,223.85 MT; Antique – 46,890 MT; and Guimaras – 15,136 MT
for 2020, whereas, in the 2019 production the province of Iloilo still ranks number 1 with
298,376.53 MT; then Capiz – 125,287 MT; Negros Occidental – 112, 069.00 MT;
Antique – 80,425.00 MT; Aklan – 45,137.00 MT; and Guimaras – 10,858.00 MT.
It must be noted that the average yield also increased from three metric tons per hectare
in 2019 to 3.27 MT/ha this year in the same period (January to June).
The province of Antique recorded the highest yield with 3.60 MT/ha followed by Negros
Occidental – 3.56 MT/ha; Iloilo – 3.28 MT/ha; Capiz – 3.22 MT/ha; Aklan – 2.85
MT/ha; and Guimaras – 2.56 MT/ha.
An additional 6,327 hectares were harvested this first semester of 2020 from 224,161 ha
in 2019 wherein the province of Iloilo has 107, 287 ha harvested followed by Capiz –
55,655 ha; Negros Occidental – 30,270 ha; Aklan – 18,332 ha; Antique – 13,042 ha; and
Guimaras – 5,902.
Recoter is optimistic that with the in-place interventions given to rice farmers under the
Rice Resiliency Program (RRP), Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), and
Regular Rice Program particularly on the distribution of seeds and fertilizer this wet
season, the region could play a big role in ensuring the rice sufficiency of the country this
year.
Recoter stressed that Western Visayas has contributed 2.077 MMT or 11.04 percent of
the 18.814 MMT National Rice Production in 2019. The region is one of the three

39. regions (Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley) with major contributions to the
national palay production.
―I am happy that more rice farmers have planted hybrid, certified, and good seeds this
season. I am also optimistic that they have applied appropriate fertilization with the free
Urea fertilizer we have given them, which could be translated to a bountiful harvest this
year,‖ added Recoter.
The percentage increase in production, yield, and area harvested this first semester of
2020 shows that the DA is doing its part and on the right track in confronting challenges
brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. (RAFIS 6)
http://www.panaynews.net/wv-palay-production-up-12-15-for-1st-semester/
Vietnam’s Jan-Aug coffee exports drop 1.3%,
rice down 1.7%
in Freight News 31/08/2020
Vietnam‘s coffee exports in the first eight months of the year probably fell
1.3% from a year earlier, to 1.16 million tonnes, while rice exports are likely
to have dropped 1.7%, government data released on Saturday showed.
COFFEE
Coffee exports from Vietnam are expected to drop an estimated 1.3% in the
first eight months on the year to 1.16 million tonnes, or 19.3 million 60-kg
bags, the General Statistics Office (GSO) said.
Coffee export revenue for Vietnam, the world‘s biggest producer of the robusta bean, will
probably be down 0.2% at $1.98 billion in the eight-month period.
Its August coffee shipments are estimated at 110,000 tonnes, valued at $197 million.
RICE
Rice exports in the period from January to August are forecast to drop 1.7% from a year earlier,
to 4.5 million tonnes.
Revenue from rice exports in the period is expected to increase 10.4% to $2.2 billion.
August rice exports from Vietnam, the world‘s third-largest shipper of the grain, probably
totalled 500,000 tonnes, worth $251 million.

40. ENERGY
Vietnam‘s January-August crude oil exports were seen rising 22.4% on the year, to an estimated
3.35 million tonnes.
Crude oil export revenue in the period is expected to dive 21.2% from a year earlier to $1.1
billion.
Oil product imports in the eight months were estimated at 8.1 million tonnes, up 46.9% over the
corresponding period last year, while the value of such imports rose 0.6% to $2.64 billion.
The GSO trade data is subject to revision next month.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/vietnams-jan-aug-coffee-exports-drop-1-3-rice-down-1-7/
Japan rice prices may fall for first time in six years
Wholesale prices of rice to be harvested this year are likely to fall for the first time in six years,
helping consumers while giving farmers a headache. The drop reflects lower demand for dining
out because of the novel coronavirus epidemic, on top of a population decline and a continued
shift in consumer preference away from the traditional staple food.
The wholesale prices mean the prices of rice changing hands between shippers, including
agricultural cooperatives, and wholesalers.
Rice demand over the year through June stood at 7.13 million tons on a preliminary basis, down
220,000 tons from the preceding year, the agriculture ministry said. The pace of decline
accelerated from some 100,000 tons a year in the past years, prompted by the COVID-19 crisis
and consumer frugality following the consumption tax hike in October last year although the tax
rate for rice and other food was kept unchanged at 8 percent. As a result, end-June inventories
this year rose 120,000 tons to 2.01 million tons, topping the 2-million-ton line above which rice
prices tend to fall. Inventories may build up further as consumers are still staying away from
restaurants. Japan terminated its traditional gentan rice production adjustment in the 2018
harvest year, allowing farmers to plant rice as much as they like. If they plant rice excessively,
however, prices can collapse. Planted rice acreage in June this year was unchanged from the
previous year in 25 of Japan‘s 47 prefectures, including production centers in the country‘s
northeast. ―Farmers think that if they grow rice it will fetch good prices. They are stuck in such a
mindset,‖ a ministry official said. On Friday, the ministry said that of the 19 prefectures where
rice is harvested early, the crop prospects were ―slightly good‖ or ―the same as normal years‖ in
Hokkaido and 12 other prefectures as of Aug. 15. Retail prices for the popular Koshihikari
variety grown in Miyazaki Prefecture, put on sale ahead of rice from other prefectures, are
slightly lower than last year.
Author Name: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/09/01/business/japan-rice-prices-may-fall-first-time-
six-years/

41. The quality of Nigerian home-grown rice is poor:
here’s why
Processing agricultural products – adding value by transforming them from basic commodities –
increases their worth, appeal and market value. In the case of rice, processing is an important and
distinct feature in its production. It involves changing harvested paddy into edible rice. Nigeria‘s
rice processing techniques are inefficient. This has resulted in processed rice that‘s too expensive
and of a lower quality than rice from other countries like China, Vietnam and India. Rice, one of
the major staple foods in Nigeria, is consumed across all Nigerian socioeconomic classes. Still,
only about 57% of the 6.7 million metric tonnes of rice consumed in Nigeria annually is locally
produced. This leads to a supply deficit of about 3 million metric tonnes, which is imported.
Over 80% of locally produced rice comes from small scale processors with a processing capacity
of less than 100 tonnes. And these small scale processors are faced with financial challenges that
inform their choice of equipment. Large scale processors, on the other hand, constitute less than
20% of processors. They face the challenge of inconsistency in grain quality and insufficient
paddy. Both small scale or cottage rice processors and large scale processors depend on paddy
from farm lands or purchase from neighbouring villages or towns. The processing procedure
entails parboiling raw rice to soften the husk, drying and milling it before selling to distributors
or retailers. After milling, small stones must be removed using a de-stoner. De-stoning rice
makes locally processed rice more appealing. But the majority of the small scale processors
cannot afford this equipment unless they form themselves into co-operatives to purchase one. We
conducted research to establish why Nigeria‘s processed rice was of low quality. We wanted to
establish what drove the decisions of Nigerian rice processors, specifically their choice of the
techniques for the processing of rice. We found out that, in many instances, Nigerian rice
processors, especially the small scale or cottage processors, do not have adequate processing
capacity. We discovered that the choice of techniques and equipment used during processing was
a major determinant of output and quality. The choices rice processors made were driven by a
host of factors. These included budgetary constraints, social and economic factors as well as
processing constraints.
Factors affecting processing decisions
In a bid to identify the factors affecting rice processors‘ decisions, we administered structured
questionnaires to 410 rice processors selected from four states – Ebonyi, Ekiti, Ogun and
Nasarawa – from three geo-political zones in Nigeria – Southeast, Southwest and North-Central.
We asked them about processing. We wanted to know about their experiences, where they
sourced their raw rice, their processing activities and techniques, if they had available credit to
enhance their processing activities and the distance covered from farm to processing centre and
from processing centre to the market. The responses to the questions showed that choices were

42. dependent on each processor‘s finances and a number of social and processing characteristics.
These included the age (youth or elderly), sex, education, marital status and household size of
processors. Economic factors also played a role, including access to a loan to buy modern
equipment, and the size of the processing operation. Even if they could afford new equipment,
most didn‘t have the capacity to service it. Consequently, there were instances where processors
formed themselves into co-operatives in a bid to access loans and other financial aid from the
government with the aim of purchasing processing equipment. But the time lag for loan
applications delayed productive activities. The outcome was many processors became
discouraged, and abandoned trying to use new processing techniques and equipment. There were
also instances where processors couldn‘t get spare parts and de-stoning machines required to sift
raw rice. Organised markets in the country present obstacles too. They opted for parboiled
imported rice from countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, China and India instead of locally
processed rice. This is because to process a 50 kilogram bag of rice locally is more expensive
and not economical. Rice processors also encountered challenges with getting consistent quality
and quantity of rice from local farmers all year round. They had to deal with fragmentation of the
processing enterprise that makes it difficult to create quality brands and standards due to
exorbitant cost of processing equipment.
What needs to be done
In 2019 the Nigerian government restricted the importation of rice into the country. But the
directive failed to address the fact that locally processed rice is too expensive. In the case of low
priced rice, the quality is poor. There is therefore a need for the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Development to focus on how to get modern rice processing techniques to more
processors. This would enable processors to take advantage of the openings and opportunities
made available by the federal government. This should include providing machines and
equipment to rice processors in a bid to ensure Nigeria can produce high quality rice. In addition,
rice processors‘ associations should be supported with input supply and credit. Female
processors should be empowered with input supply, access to credit and proper monitoring. The
research has shown that they are more likely to use traditional techniques than their male
counterparts. Finally, stakeholders such as the federal and state agriculture ministries, local
governments and the private sector, should invest in modern rice processing equipment. This
equipment should be situated close to rice processors with good access roads. This will ensure
that processors aren‘t burdened by the extra cost of transport and rice processing fees which most
rice processors are not willing to pay.
https://theconversation.com/the-quality-of-nigerian-home-grown-rice-is-poor-heres-why-144104

43. Around 1m small farmers to adopt climate-smart, sustainable
Around 1m small farmers to adopt climate-smart, sustainable agri practices by
2023
LAHORE-Around one million small holder farmers will adopt climate-smart and sustainable agricultural
practices by the year 2023, said Dr Wyn Ellis, Executive Director Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP), while
speaking at a webinar organized by the Pakistan Basmati Heritage Foundation (PBHF). Federal Minister for
National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R) Syed Fakhar Imam was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr
Wyne Ellis also threw light on the impact and adoption rate of the sustainable rice production standards. The
webinar was attended by all the major stakeholders of rice crop. Syed Fakhar Imam, while speaking on this
occasion, emphasized on the private sector to come forward for providing quality agricultural inputs and
promoting mechanization through service provider‘s model. ―We need to focus on both in human resources,
capital & quality of equipment,‖ he added. ―Yield is our biggest challenge and we need to enhance yield per
unit area to monitor, evaluate, examine & access how our research institutions are working at national,
provincial, district & field level. We want to build our inherent seed system & technological advancements
through digitally integrated mechanized farming. Efforts are being made to ensure quality seed supply
especially of hybrid through Chinese collaboration like Green Super Rice (GSR)‖, he said. He also underlined
the importance of organic farming and its trend in global markets. He assured for capacity building of seed
regulating bodies (FSC&RD) and Plant Breeder Rights registry for strengthening of seed sector, the minister
concluded.
Dr Abid Qaiyum Sulehri, Executive Director Sustainable Development Institute, highlighted the working of
stakeholders in silos & crop per drop. He focused on agro-climatic zoning, allocation of Special Economic
Zone for Agri. in CPEC & digitization. Dr. M. Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC, shared that although the yield
of rice increased 30% in last 40 years but still yield gap is more than 50 % between potential and actual. He
underlined the productivity enhancement project under the PM Emergency Scheme worth PKR 15.8 billion.

44. Shahid Tarer, Convener Pakistan Basmati Heritage Foundation (PBHF) & Director Galaxy Rice, shared about
the goal of PBHF to promote sustainable rice production and preserve Basmati Heritage through bringing
major stakeholders. He explained about ―Why SRP standard is ideal for Pakistan‖ and said that greater
collaboration with government is needed.
https://nation.com.pk/02-Sep-2020/around-1m-small-farmers-to-adopt-climate-smart-sustainable-agri-
practices-by-2023
REAP seeks zero-rated status for rice exports
Minister for food security urges private sector to provide quality agricultural
inputs

46. LAHORE: Around one million small-scale farmers will adopt climate-smart sustainable
agricultural practices across the globe by the year 2023, said Sustainable Rice Platform
Executive Director Wyn Ellis. Speaking at a webinar organised by the Pakistan Basmati Heritage
Foundation, Ellis highlighted the impact and gave details of the adoption rate of sustainable rice
production standards. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Fakhar Imam,
who was present on the occasion, called upon the private sector to come forward to provide
quality agricultural inputs and promote mechanisation through the service provider model. ―We
need to focus on human resources, capital and the quality of equipment,‖ he emphasised.
According to the minister, crop yield was the biggest challenge being faced by Pakistan and the
country needed to enhance productivity as well as evaluate and assess how its research
institutions were working at national, provincial, district and field levels. He called for building
an inherent seed system and adopting technological advancements through digitally integrated
mechanised farming. The minister informed the webinar participants that efforts were under way
to ensure the supply of quality seeds, especially hybrid seeds in collaboration with China. Citing
an example of the impact of collaboration, he pointed to the production of green super rice. He
also underlined the importance of organic farming and its trends in global markets. Imam assured
the participants of capacity building of the seed regulating bodies and the plant breeder rights
registry for strengthening the seed sector. Sustainable Development Policy Institute Executive
Director Abid Qaiyum Suleri highlighted the work of stakeholders related to warehouses. His
arguments focused on agro-climatic zoning, allocation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor‘s
Special Economic Zones for agriculture and digitisation. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council
(PARC) Chairman Dr Azeem Khan revealed that although rice yield had increased 30% in the
past 40 years, still the gap between actual and potential yield was more than 50%. Khan shared
details of the productivity enhancement project introduced under the prime minister‘s emergency
scheme worth Rs15.8 billion. Pakistan Basmati Heritage Foundation Convener Shahid Tarer
talked about the goal of his organisation to promote sustainable rice production and preserve
Basmati heritage by taking major stakeholders onboard. Former PARC chairman Dr Yousaf
Zafar called for strengthening the indigenous research and development work on rice and better
utilisation of the Export Development Fund (EDF). ―We need to strengthen domestic research
and development of rice (Basmati, non-aromatic long grain and non-basmati) for fundamental
and primary contribution to progress,‖ he added. Zafar underlined the need for producing more
food including rice, water and agrochemicals in the midst of a challenging scenario where
resources were scarce along with climate change and other risk factors. Agri Extension and
Adaptive Research Director-General Dr Anjum Ali Buttar gave details of the National
Programme for Enhancing Profitability through Increasing Productivity of Rice, which was
being undertaken in 15 rice-producing districts of Punjab. He stressed the need for providing
subsidy on fertiliser, rice transplanters, certified seeds and specialised rice harvesters along with
interest-free loans. Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Chairman Shahjahan Malik

47. requested the government to grant rice exporters the zero-rated status in a bid to help them
achieve the export target of $5 billion by 2025.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2262093/reap-seeks-zero-rated-status-for-rice-exports
Inflation drops to 8.2pc in August
By
Ghulam Abbas
-
September 1, 2020
ISLAMABAD: Headline inflation in Pakistan fell from 9.3pc in July 2020 to 8.2pc in August,
mainly due to a slight decrease in prices of essential food items, according to data provided by
the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Tuesday.
The decline in inflation during August was attributed to stable prices of food and perishable
items. A decline of 9.8pc was recorded in the prices of perishable food items in August if the
same is compared with the prices of July 2020.
The PBS data showed that chicken price dipped by 36.45pc in August from the previous month,
while that of tomatoes lowered by 31.83pc, eggs 1.33pc, and fresh fruits 23.15pc, respectively.
All varieties of pulses also posted a decline in retail price during the month under review.
But contrary to these, wheat prices surged by 11.95pc during the period under review; wheat
flour rose 5.44pc and wheat products 6.85pc. Similarly, an increase of 13.53pc was noted in the
retail price of sugar across the country.
The government has allowed import of wheat and sugar to arrest the shortfall in the domestic
market.
As per the PBS data, there was a 2.9pc jump in the cost of transportation as economic activities
increased in August after easing of lockdown in the country.
In urban areas, food items that saw an increase in prices during August included sugar
(+13.53pc), wheat (+11.95pc), onions (+10.4pc), bakery and confectionary (+6.65pc), potatoes
(+5.85pc), wheat flour (+5.44pc), beans (+5.01pc), fresh milk (+4.79pc), spices (+2.81pc), and
rice (+0.31pc).
The items whose prices declined in urban areas included chicken (-36.45pc), tomatoes (-
31.83pc), fresh fruits (-23.15pc), pulse moong (-6.5pc), vegetables (-2.78pc), pulse mash (-
2.28pc), fish (-1.87pc), whole gram (-1.78pc), eggs (-1.33pc), pulse gram (-1.29pc), besan (-
1.21pc), pulse masoor (-0.98pc), vegetable ghee (-0.86pc) and cooking oil (-0.59pc).

48. Similarly, in rural areas, price increase was seen in sugar (+13.31pc), wheat (+7.89pc),
wheat flour (+4.36pc), potatoes (+3.73pc), sweetmeat (+2.63pc), fresh milk (+1.79pc), rice
(+1.76pc), eggs (+1.43pc), cooked food (+0.91pc) and meat (+0.74pc).
On the other hand, drag in price levels came from tomatoes (-33.94pc), chicken (-31.9pc), fresh
fruits (-25.42pc), pulse moong (-9.66pc), vegetables (-8.66pc), pulse mash (-4.55pc), spices (-
3.51pc), pulse gram (-3.41pc), whole gram (-2.47pc), besan (-1.94pc), pulse masoor (-1.57pc)
and onions (-0.4pc).
Meanwhile, non-food inflation in urban centres was recorded at 4.8pc year-on-year and 1.5pc
month-on-month, whereas in rural areas, it rose by 6.8pc and 1.5pc, respectively. The increase in
non-food inflation was mainly driven by a rise in oil prices in August.
The urban consumer price index covers 35 cities and 356 items, while the rural one tracks 27
centres and 244 products. The former grew by 7.1pc year-on-year in August whereas the latter
jumped by 9.9pc.
Core inflation in urban areas was 5.6pc in August as against 5.3pc the previous month. In rural
areas, the corresponding increase was 7.6pc.
Average inflation measured by the sensitive price index eased to 11.7pc during August from
13.7pc during the previous month, while the wholesale price index slightly up to 3.3pc during the
month under review from 3.2pc in the previous month.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) determines the key policy rate currently at 7pc — based on the
core inflation rate. The SBP has reduced the rate by a cumulative 625 basis points since March
17 to combat uncertainty amid growing coronavirus outbreak.
Japan eager to import famous Pakistani exports like
mangoes, rice, and textiles
Japanese Ambassador has indicated a growth in trade between Pakistan and
Japan, the two countries share a long history of economic ties
News Desk
-
September 2, 2020

49. Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Kuninori Matsuda, has said that Japan is willing to import
mangoes, rice, fish and textile products from Pakistan and requested that arrangements be made
at ports that could facilitate agri-product exports.
A Pakistani newspaper on Wednesday reported that the envoy voiced hope that with regional
peace and stability, regional trade would flourish, offering better opportunities to Pakistan.
He stated this in a meeting with Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul
Hafeez Shaikh, which was held to discuss the strengthening of bilateral trade ties.

50. Japan a time-tested friend of Pakistan
During the meeting, Shaikh said Japan was a time-tested friend of Pakistan and had always
supported the country. He expressed confidence that Pakistan‘s relationship with Japan would
continue to become stronger with each passing day.
The adviser spoke about the state of economy during the past year and the steps taken by the
government to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read more: Japan all praise for Pakistan Army for success in fighting coronavirus
Shaikh stated that before Covid-19, Pakistan‘s economy had started moving in the right
direction. ―We had been successful in increasing our tax revenues, controlling current account
deficit, generated primary surplus, controlled expenditures, put a ban on borrowing from the
central bank and were successful in creating an environment conducive for exports,‖ he added.
Pakistan exports to Japan
He said he was very hopeful that Pakistan would regain stability as the number of active Covid-
19 cases was declining.

51. The envoy expressed hope that with regional peace and stable political situation, the regional
trade would flourish, offering better opportunities to Pakistan.
He told the adviser that Japan would extend support to Pakistan for debt relief and after
preliminary work on the initiative, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would be formally
signed with Pakistan. He assured the government of Pakistan of complete assistance from Tokyo.
Long history of economic co-operation between the two countries
Pakistan and Japan started with similar hardships. The Japanese economy was torn out by the
World War.
Pakistan got independence and faced a very poor economy, particularly, having
a negligible industrial base. Pakistan did have raw material and good agricultural
resources. Pakistan neglected human resource development and kept on changing
economic policies without achieving their goals.
As a result, Pakistan remained underdeveloped. However, Japan converted the novel nation to a
very successful industrial labour and entrepreneurs. The cooperation between bureaucracy, banks
and businessmen (The INK) converted the economy of
Japan, which is now an integral part of world trade.
Pakistan‘s trade account was always in deficit with Japan. However, Japan continued to provide
aid to meet this deficit. It helped to strengthen Pakistan-Japan trade and economic relations. Over
time, Pakistan‘s trade with ASEAN increased while it did not flourish much, at a rapid rate, with
Japan.
Japanese investment in Pakistan remained limited and, therefore, its economic relations were
stalling with Pakistan. China and ASEAN are gaining trade shares in Pakistan. Japan needs to
change its investment and trade policies to strengthen its economic relations with Pakistan. With
the advent of bettering relations between China and Japan, Pakistan is also now regaining an age-
old ally.
Japan may increase investment beyond just financing the trade deficit. Its investors are still eager
to invest in Pakistan, and, it has lion‘s share in the autos market in Pakistan. There are ample
opportunities for Japan to invest in Pakistan. Japan can invest in the areas of agriculture,
electronics, textile and industries pertaining to food processing and energy etc.
Japanese surplus capital and management may explore cheap labour, raw material and energy in
Pakistan. It can manufacture cheaply in Pakistan and export to other countries. It will be difficult
for Japan to increase trade with Pakistan, once other countries gained market share.

52. https://www.globalvillagespace.com/pakistan-japan/