6th february,2014 daily global rice e newsletter by riceplus magazine

6th February, 2014

TOP Contents - Tailored for YOU
Latest News Headlines…
 Upland farmer technicians in Lanao Sur train on rice
technology
 Farmers warned on fake PhilRice seeds
 Thailand's flagship rice subsidy program turns sour for
embattled government
 BOT says will not interfere with banks' decision to lend to rice
subsidy scheme
 Rice Mills asked to pay part of pledged value to farmers
 Gov’t sets rice import quota
 TREA: Rice export this year could reach 7.5 million tons
 NFA says private traders can import 163,000T rice in 2014
 Fresh enquiries boost rice
 Rice basmati rises on increased demand
 Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Feb 06
 KTB ATMs confirm it won't fund rice
 Record foodgrain output likely in 2013-14
 Vietnam sells more rice mainly to China
 Rice millers asked to help pay farmers
 Yingluck promises help for rice farmers

NEWS DETAILS:
Upland farmer technicians in Lanao Sur train on rice technology
BY: APIPA P. BAGUMBARAN

Daily Rice E-Newsletter by Rice Plus Magazine www.ricepluss.com
News and R&D Section mujajhid.riceplus@gmail.com
Cell # 92 321 369 2874

Thursday 6th of February 2014
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Feb. 6 (PIA) --- Thirty-five (35) local farmer technicians (LFTs) in the
province have undergone a specialized training course on rice production in upland areas on February 4-6, this
year. The training was conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Provincial Office with the support of
Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Department of
Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAF-ARMM).It aimed to enhance
the knowledge and skills of LFTs regarding technology in upland areas, said Lumna Macabangon, Training
Specialist III of ATI.
The three-day training included lectures on Agri-Pinoy program, upland rice technology and organic technology
by experts from PhilRice and DAF-ARMM.Macabangon said the participants came from the municipalities of
Pualas, Poona Piagapo, Balindong, Pagayawan, Picong, Ganassi, Calanogas, Marantao, Sultan Dumalondong,
Saguiaran, Lumbayanague, Lumbaca-Unayan, Lumbatan, Tubaran, Madamba, and this city. (APB/PIA-10)

Farmers warned on fake PhilRice seeds
By: Philippines News Agency
February 6, 2014 11:31 AM
PhilRice's Golden Rice. PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. ANTONIO ALFONSO
InterAksyon.com
SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija -- The
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has advised
farmers to be more careful in buying seeds after the
agency found a rampant unauthorized use of its sacks in
the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Isabela.PhilRice has
asked farmers when transacting with seed dealers to first
contact the Farmers‘ Text Center at 0920-9111398 to
verify prices, rice varieties being sold, and quality of the
seeds.Investigations by a fact-finding committee showed
that hybrid rice seeds claimed to be from PhilRice were
mixed with other varieties and sold at P6,000 per 20
kilogram (kg).PhilRice-produced hybrid rice seeds cost
only P195 a kilo.―We sell registered seeds to growers and they in turn produce certified seeds, which are widely
sold to farmers. It could be that sacks with PhilRice ‗brand‘ and certification tags are bogus. Rest assured that
we are after entities who claim that they are selling PhilRice-produced seeds, although these are not really

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

PhilRice-produced and may not even be PhilRice varieties,‖ said Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr., PhilRice executive
director.
Recently, the country`s lead agency in rice research and development found that Javan Agri Trading Company
used PhilRice sacks in distributing Mestiso 24, a hybrid rice variety to a cooperative in Cabiao town, this
province.Analysis of the sample seeds showed that seeds were actually PSB Rc240, an inbred variety.The
cooperative members said that they were encouraged to buy the seeds despite of the high price because they
were delivered ―right at their doorsteps,‖ reducing their traveling cost.―We have asked the authorities to
investigate this. For the meantime, our farmers can contact our Text Center or check PhilRice-produced
available seeds in our website http://www.philrice.gov.ph,‖ Rasco said.To ensure purity and cleanliness, Rasco
said that PhilRice-produced seeds undergo a month-analysis conducted by National Seed Quality Control
Services, a division under the Bureau of Plant Industry that oversees seed and planting material production,
processing, storage, and distribution.―We assure our farmers that our seeds have a minimum germination rate of
85 percent.
High quality seeds can contribute to a 5-10 percent increase in grain yield, so this is why, we maintain our
standards on seeds,‖ he said.Other than agriculture establishments and seed centers, farmers can also buy seeds
at PhilRice stations in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Batac, Ilocos Norte; San Mateo, Isabela; Los
Baños, Laguna; Murcia, Negros Occidental; RTRomualdez, Agusan del Norte; Midsayap, North Cotabato; and
Ligao City, Albay.

Thailand's flagship rice subsidy program turns sour for embattled
government
A Thai farmer raises his arm during a rally
to demand the government to speed up the
payment for the price of their crops outside
the Commerce Ministry in Bangkok
Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014. An ambitious rice
buying program that Thailand's ruling party
hoped would uplift millions of its poor rural
supporters may end up helping to bring
down
the
increasingly
cornered
government.
(AP
Photo/Apichart
Weerawong)
BANGKOK (AP) — An ambitious rice buying program that Thailand's ruling party hoped would aid millions
of its poor rural supporters may instead help bring down the increasingly cornered government.Hundreds of
farmers from more than 10 provinces converged Thursday on the capital to demand rice payments that are
several months overdue after the policy caused ruinous losses.

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

Some have blocked three main highways in the north and the west, while a few hundred in the ruling party's
northeastern heartland protested at a provincial government hall.With the help of populist policies such as the
rice pledging scheme, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's party won a landslide election victory in 2011. But
it suffered a self-inflicted and crushing setback late last year by attempting to amnesty Yingluck's elder brother,
Thaksin Shinwawatra, so he could return to the kingdom without serving prison time for a corruption
conviction.Ousted as prime minister in a 2006 coup, Thaksin is a highly polarizing figure, beloved in the
countryside and loathed in the capital, Bangkok, where military, palace and old money cliques have
traditionally held sway over the nation.
The rice crisis could not have come at a worse time for the government, which is reduced to a caretaker
administration after street protests sparked by the amnesty bill forced new elections. Official results of the Feb.
2 vote may not be announced for months after protesters in Bangkok prevented some polling places from
functioning, requiring by-elections. The government is also assailed by numerous court cases and investigations
that could result in it being deposed judicially.Now the ruling party faces the risk that the bedrock of its support,
farmers, will turn against it."We are going on the streets because we're facing a dead end," said Sombat Roekanan, a farmer from Ayutthaya province, a stronghold of the ruling Pheu Thai party. "The farmers used to be
100 percent behind the government before the rice scheme, but now it's 50-50."
Rice is Thailand's staple grain and one of its main exports. In hopes of boosting rice prices and increasing rural
incomes, the government bought harvests from farmers at about twice the price prevailing in global markets.
The program backfired when the Commerce Ministry had difficulties selling the grain overseas as rival
exporters such as Vietnam undercut it.Losses from rice pledging have swelled to $4.46 billion since the policy
was started in 2011, and in a blow to national pride, Thailand lost its spot as the world's top rice exporter in
2012, surpassed by India and Vietnam. The policy also underlined a deep division in Thai society, with
Bangkok's white collar classes resenting the largesse directed at the rural poor.Subsidizing rice has caused
"tremendous losses" to the Thai economy, said Somkiat Tangkitvanich, president of Thailand Development
Research Institute, a Bangkok think tank. "Most importantly, this scheme cannot help the farmers in a
sustainable way."Critics also say the scheme lacks transparency, has been dogged by corrupt middlemen and
smugglers, and benefited farmers with large land holdings rather than poor smallholders. The International
Monetary Fund last year called on Thailand to drop the subsidies.
The government's caretaker status restricts its options for raising funds and it is struggling to find 130 billion
baht ($3.9 billion) to pay farmers for the current crop year. It is not selling enough of the grain overseas and
Thai banks have refused to lend to the Finance Ministry, which oversees the Commerce Ministry's funding for
rice purchases.Hundreds of employees at Krung Thai Bank protested earlier this week, urging executives to
veto loans to the government.

BOT says will not interfere with banks' decision to lend to rice
subsidy scheme
Cell # 92 321 369 2874

Date : 6

2557

BANGKOK, 6 February 2014 (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has asserted it will not interfere with
commercial bank's judgement regarding provision of loans to the government in order for the latter to pay to
farmers under the rice mortgage scheme. According to BOT assistant governor for Supervision Group Salinee
Wangtal, the Wednesday's meeting between the BOT and commercial banks did not involve a discussion on
banks lending funds to the government to finance the rice subsidy project. The decision whether or not to lend
money for rice mortgage rested on the banks, and the BOT would not interfere. She also noted that there had
been no reports of money withdrawals made at banks due to fears over any decision by the banks to lend money
to finance rice subsidy.
Lak Watchananawat, head of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, said on Wednesday that
the bank was extending debt repayment period for indebted farmers who had not yet been paid under the rice
mortgage scheme. The farmers would also be entitled to a higher loan ceiling, if they wishes to borrow more
money to invest in the new planting season. He said this would alleviate farmers' troubles and reduce the
problem of underground lending.

Rice Mills asked to pay part of pledged value to farmers
Date : 6

2557

BANGKOK, 7 February 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Commerce asked rice mill owners yesterday, to provide
50-60% of the pledged value owed to rice growers, until the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural
Cooperatives (BAAC) could pay the rice growers in full. The Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong
Phuangrach, confirmed that the Thai Rice Mills Association had been asked to help provide the money to
farmers. The amount would then be paid back to them by the farmers after the BAAC first becomes able to pay
the farmers in full.
The government will seek approval from the Election Commission to allocate 1.2 billion baht from the central
budget to provide interest payments to the rice mills and farmers. If the rice mill owners agree to the proposal,
the scheme is expected to be initiated within the month. Manat Kitprasoet, president of the Thai Rice Mills
Association, reportedly said the association does not object to the proposal, as it would help alleviate the plight
of farmers. However, such a novel approach requires detailed deliberation and its implementation depended on
the consent of each rice mill owner. However, the Thai Rice Farmers Association President Prasit Bunchoei,
has expressed a belief that the measure cannot be implemented. He reasoned that the caretaker government did
not have the authority to make guarantees to the rice mills, regarding the money the mills would supply to rice
farmers.

Gov’t sets rice import quota

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

THE PHILIPPINES has allowed private rice traders to import as much as 163,000 tons of the grain this year,
nearly two-thirds of which can come from Thailand.
It remains unclear, however, if there will be takers for the full quota, given the high import tariff that comes
with the government offer and concerns over doing business with Thailand, which is facing a prolonged
political crisis.Pre-determined quantities of rice are allowed to be imported by the private sector every year, in
line with the country‘s commitment to the World Trade Organization. The Philippines is one of the world‘s
biggest buyers of the grain.
―We are now accepting applications and private rice traders can take advantage of the cheap rice being offered
by Thailand,‖ Dennis Arpia, senior executive assistant at the National Food Authority (NFA), told
Reuters.Private traders can apply to import up to 98,000 tons of rice from Thailand this year, with a duty of
40%, Mr. Arpia said. An importer is required to buy a minimum of 2,000 tons and a maximum of 5,000
tons.The volume is a fraction of what Thailand can offer to buyers, but any demand at this time could help the
country offload some of its huge stocks bloated by a controversial state rice-buying scheme.Private rice traders
in the Philippines were keeping a close watch on Thailand‘s political situation, Mr. Arpia said.
―Some are concerned that trading with Thailand might be difficult to facilitate these days,‖ he said.Protesters
have been trying to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra since November. On Tuesday, pressure on the
Thai government mounted as the rice-buying scheme vital to its support stumbled closer to collapse following
the cancellation by China of a large rice order.Local importers can also buy up to 25,000 tons each from India
and China and up to 15,000 tons from Australia this year under the WTO‘s minimum access volume (MAV)
scheme, Mr. Arpia said.But an import duty as high as 40% may discourage traders from taking the opportunity
to bring in rice to help address a shortage of the national staple food.Last year, traders shipped in only about
4,700 tons out of the 163,000-ton maximum volume allowed under the MAV scheme, data from the NFA
showed.
In contrast, rice smuggling into the country became more rampant last year, averaging 50,000 tons each week,
according to local media reports quoting a senior customs official.―The tariff is very high at 40%,‖ said
economist Roehlano Briones of the government think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies.―The
government must do away with those unreasonably high import barriers.‖The Philippines, the world‘s biggest
rice buyer in 2010 with a record annual purchase of 2.45 million tons, may need to import as much as two
million tons of the grain to meet 2014 requirements after several calamities, including strong typhoons in the
last quarter of last year, destroyed crops and depleted stocks.In December, the NFA sealed a government-togovernment deal to buy 500,000 tons of rice from Vietnam, which offered a lower price than what Thailand
offered. Delivery of the duty-free shipment is now underway and expected to be completed by March. --Reuters

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

TREA: Rice export this year could reach 7.5 million tons
Published on February 6, 2014 by TFP · No Comments

BANGKOK, 6 Feb 2014– Exports of Thai rice could reach 7.5 million tons this year, up from 6.61 million tons
exported last year, predicted the Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA).The Commerce Ministry earlier
forecast a similar figure, saying the nation would be able to sell up to 8 million tons of rice this year; attributing
the rise to the weakening baht, the competitive prices of Thai rice, and the government‘s efforts in clearing the
stockpiled rice.Meanwhile, Charoen Laothammathat, President of the association, suggested the government
consider abandoning the rice pledging scheme in order to improve the nation‘s rice trading scene, saying that it
would be better to allow the local rice market to develop through market mechanism.
Without the presence of the rice mortgage program, the fierce global competition would determine the local
rice prices.According to the TREA president, during the past 2 years, the rice pledging scheme has forced the
government to sell rice at relatively high prices; for example, the price of white rice, which was previously 600
dollars a ton has recently dropped to 400 dollars per ton.Chareon said the cut-throat price trend would likely
continue this year. In addition, Thailand‘s large amount of stockpiled rice has sparked concerns among the
nation‘s trading partners over the quality of rice, given that it has been stored for a long period of time.
(NNT: Na-ark Rojanasuvan)

NFA says private traders can import 163,000T rice in 2014
Reuters
Posted at 02/06/2014 12:35 PM | Updated as of 02/06/2014 12:35 PM

MANILA - The Philippines' grains procurement agency said on Thursday it will allow private rice traders to import as
much as 163,000 tonnes of the grain this year, nearly two-thirds of which can come from Thailand.Rice importation by
the private sector is allowed every year in line with the country's commitment to the World Trade Organisation. The
Philippines is one of the world's biggest buyers of the grain."We are now accepting applications and private rice traders
can take advantage of the cheap rice being offered by Thailand," Dennis Arpia, senior executive assistant at the National
Food Authority (NFA), told Reuters.Private traders can apply to import up to 98,000 tonnes of rice from Thailand this
year, with a duty of 40 percent, Arpia said. An importer is required to buy a minimum of 2,000 tonnes and a maximum of
5,000 tonne

Fresh enquiries boost rice
OUR CORRESPONDENT
KARNAL, FEBRUARY 6:
Rice prices ruled firm on Thursday following fresh trade enquiries and hopes of good buying in the coming days.Prices have
been ruling firm in the rice market due to trade enquiries and steady demand, said Amit Chandna, Proprietor of Hanuman Rice

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

Trading Company. Prices may continue to rule around current levels over the next few days and then, it may witness an
uptrend, he said.
In the physical market, Pusa-1121 (steam) sold at ₹9,200
-50, while Pusa-1121 (sela) quoted at ₹8,150. Pure Basmati (Raw)
quoted at ₹12,500. Duplicate basmati (steam) sold at ₹7,000 a quintal.
Pusa-1121 (second wand) was at ₹7,050, Tibar at₹6,100 while Dubar at ₹5,000.
In the non-basmati section, Sharbati (Steam) sold at ₹5,000 while Sharbati (Sela) was quoted at ₹4,800. Permal (raw) sold at
₹2,300, Permal (sela) at ₹2,350, PR (sela) sold at ₹2,900 while PR (Raw) was at ₹2,800. PR14 (s
-11
-11
team) sold at ₹3,200
a quintal.
Paddy Arrivals
About 7,000 bags of different paddy varieties arrived at the Karnal Grain Market Terminal. About 5,000 bags of Pusa-1121
arrived and went for ₹4,250 while 2,000 bags of Sharbati went for ₹2,200 a quintal.
(This article was published on February 6, 2014)

Keywords: rice, prices,

Rice basmati rises on increased demand
Press Trust of India | New Delhi
February 6, 2014 Last Updated at 14:58 IST

Rice basmati traded higher on the wholesale grains market today on increased demand from stockists and
retailers against restricted arrivals from producing belts. Traders said increased demand from stockists and
retailers against limited arrivals from producing regions mainly led to rise in rice basmati prices. In the national
capital, rice basmati common and Pusa-1121 variety moved up to Rs 9,000-9,400 and Rs 8,300-9,000 from
previous levels of Rs 8,900-9,200 and Rs 8,300-8,800 per quintal respectively.
The following were today's quotations per quintal:
Wheat MP (deshi) 2,070-2,270, Wheat dara (for mills) 1,645-1,650, Chakki atta (delivery) 1,660-1,665 Atta
Rajdhani (10 kg) 220, Shakti bhog (10 kg) 220, Roller flour mill 885-895 (50 kg), Maida 950-970 (50 kg) and
Sooji 990-1,020 (50kg).
Basmati rice (Lal Quila) 10,400, Shri Lal Mahal 10,000, Super Basmati Rice, 9,500, Basmati common new
9,000-9,400, Rice Pusa-(1121) new 8,300-9,000, Permal raw 2,120-2,220, Permal wand 2,295-2,320, Sela
2,970-2,995 and Rice IR-8- 1,875-1,900, Bajra 1,265-1,270, Jowar yellow 1,500-1,550, white 2,400-2,600,
Maize 1,420-1,425, Barley 1,420-1,425, Rajasthan 1,080-1,090.

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- Feb 06
Thu Feb 6, 2014 3:37pm IST
Nagpur, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Gram prices in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee
APMC) firmed up again on increased demand from local millers amid tight supply from producing
regions. Notable rise in Madhya Pradesh gram prices and enquiries from South-based millers also pushed
up prices, according to sources.
FOODGRAINS & PULSES
GRAM
* Gram mill quality reported down in open market in absence of buyers amid high
moisture content arrival.
TUAR
* Tuar varieties ruled steady in open market matching the demand and supply position.
* In Akola, Tuar - 4,100-4,200, Tuar dal - 6,200-6,400, Udid at 6,000-6,300,
Udid Mogar (clean) - 7,000-6,200, Moong - 8,000-8,200, Moong Mogar
(clean) 9,400-9,600, Gram - 2,600-2,700, Gram Super best bold - 3,600-3,800
for 100 kg.
* Wheat, rice and other commodities remained steady in open market in thin trading
activity, according to sources.
Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg
FOODGRAINS
Available prices Previous close
Gram Auction
2,600-2,800
2,600-2,720
Gram Pink Auction
n.a.
2,100-2,600
Tuar Auction
n.a.
4,300-4,380
Moong Auction
n.a.
4,400-4,600
Udid Auction
n.a.
4,300-4,500
Masoor Auction
n.a.
2,600-2,800
Gram Super Best Bold
3,800-4,200
3,800-4,200
Gram Super Best
n.a.
Gram Medium Best
3,600-3,750
3,600-3,750
Gram Dal Medium
n.a.
n.a.
Gram Mill Quality
3,350-3,450
3,400-3,500
Desi gram Raw
3,100-3,200
3,100-3,200
Gram Filter Yellow
n.a.
n.a.
Gram Kabuli
7,900-10,300
7,900-10,300
Gram Pink
7,700-8,100
7,700-8,100
Tuar Fataka Best
6,400-6,600
6,400-6,600

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

Tuar Fataka Medium
6,000-6,200
6,000-6,200
Tuar Dal Best Phod
5,800-6,000
5,800-6,000
Tuar Dal Medium phod
5,300-5,600
5,300-5,600
Tuar Gavarani
4,100-4,200
4,100-4,200
Tuar Karnataka
4,200-4,300
4,200-4,300
Tuar Black
7,000-7,200
7,000-7,200
Masoor dal best
5,300-5,400
5,300-5,400
Masoor dal medium
5,000-5,200
5,000-5,200
Masoor
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Mogar bold
9,600-9,900
9,600-9,900
Moong Mogar Medium best
8,800-9,200
8,800-9,200
Moong dal super best
8,500-8,800
8,500-8,800
Moong dal Chilka
7,800-8,200
7,800-8,200
Moong Mill quality
n.a.
n.a.
Moong Chamki best
7,400-7,800
7,400-7,800
Udid Mogar Super best (100 INR/KG) 7,100-7,400
7,100-7,400
Udid Mogar Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,400-6,200
5,400-6,200
Udid Dal Black (100 INR/KG)
4,500-4,700
4,500-4,700
Batri dal (100 INR/KG)
3,850-4,650
3,800-4,600
Lakhodi dal (100 INR/kg)
3,000-3,100
3,000-3,100
Watana Dal (100 INR/KG)
3,250-3,350
3,250-3,350
Watana White (100 INR/KG)
3,200-3,300
3,100-3,200
Watana Green Best (100 INR/KG) 4,200-4,500
4,200-4,500
Wheat 308 (100 INR/KG)
1,800-1,900
1,800-1,900
Wheat Mill quality(100 INR/KG) 1,880-1,925
1,880-1,925
Wheat Filter (100 INR/KG)
1,750-1,950
1,750-1,950
Wheat Lokwan best (100 INR/KG) 2,100-2,550
2,100-2,550
Wheat Lokwan medium (100 INR/KG) 2,050-2,150
2,050-2,150
Lokwan Hath Binar (100 INR/KG) n.a.
n.a.
MP Sharbati Best (100 INR/KG) 3,100-3,600
3,100-3,600
MP Sharbati Medium (100 INR/KG) 2,500-2,900
2,500-2,900
Wheat 147 (100 INR/KG)
1,600-1,700
1,600-1,750
Wheat Best (100 INR/KG)
1,700-1,800
1,650-1,750
Rice BPT (100 INR/KG)
3,000-3,500
3,000-3,500
Rice Parmal (100 INR/KG)
1,800-1,950
1,800-1,950
Rice Swarna old (100 INR/KG)
2,600-2,900
2,600-2,900
Rice Swarna new (100 INR/KG)
2,300-2,500
2,300-2,500
Rice HMT new (100 INR/KG)
3,800-4,200
3,800-4,200
Rice HMT Shriram (100 INR/KG) 4,800-5,000
4,800-5,000
Rice Basmati best (100 INR/KG) 11,000-13,500
11,000-13,500
Rice Basmati Medium (100 INR/KG) 6,300-7,600
6,300-7,600
Rice Chinnor (100 INR/KG)
5,600-5,800
5,600-5,800

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

Rice Chinnor Medium (100 INR/KG) 5,200-5,500
5,200-5,500
Jowar Gavarani (100 INR/KG)
1,400-1,600
1,400-1,600
Jowar CH-5 (100 INR/KG)
1,700-1,800
1,700-1,800
WEATHER (NAGPUR)
Maximum temp. 32.9 degree Celsius (91.2 degree Fahrenheit), minimum temp.
15.3 degree Celsius (59.5 degree Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Highest - n.a., lowest - n.a.
Rainfall : nil
FORECAST: Mainly clear sky. Maximum and Minimum temperature likely to be around 33 and 16 degree
Celsius respectively.
Note: n.a.--not available
(For oils, transport costs are excluded from plant delivery prices, but included in market prices.)

KTB ATMs confirm it won't fund rice
State-run Krungthai Bank has posted messages that appear on its ATMs confirming that the bank will not lend the
government funds to support its bankrupt rice pledging scheme.
Published: 6/02/2014 at 02:55 PM
Newspaper section: breakingnews

The bank has faced a customer confidence crisis since the antigovernment protesters under the People‘s Democratic Reform
Committee (PDRC) said it would provide funding to finance the
controversial rice scheme.The government now owes more than
one million farmers a total of more than 100 billion baht from
crops harvested and pledged to the scheme months ago, but has no
funds to make payment.The ATM screen ad shows the image of
president Vorapak Thanyawong with the message ―Krungthai Bank
insists that it has not approved the loans for rice-pledging scheme. It
emphasises on professional management which taken into account
the benefit of all stake holders.‖
The bank on Tuesday held a press conference where it confirmed its position not approving funds while its
staff dressed in black to show their opposition to loans for the cash-strapped scheme.The caretaker government
is trying to raise 130 billion baht to meet payments to farmers, but no bank wants to become involved. KTB
is Thailand's second-largest bank by loan portfolio and has around 9,000 ATM machines across the country.

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

The image of ATM screen of Krungthai Bank. (Bangkok Post photo)

Record foodgrain output likely in 2013-14
By PTI | 6 Feb, 2014, 07.58PM IST
Record foodgrain output likely in 2013-14
ET SPECIAL:

NEW DELHI: Foodgrain production in the country is expected to touch record level this year on the back of
expected bumper crop in wheat and rice, Minister of State for Agriculture Tariq Anwar said today.
"Going by the information I have received so far, foodgrain
production in the country is expected to be all time high in
2013-14," Anwar said. He was speaking at the sidelines of
an seminar on commodity markets organised by the
Assocham. Replying to question, Anwar said,"Wheat output
is set to touch record level this year, whereas in case of rice,
I am optimistic that there will be a bumper production this
year." India has achieved a record foodgrain production of
259.29 million tonnes in 2011-12. Output fell to 255.36
million tonnes in 2012-13 due to drought in some parts of
the country.
Good monsoon in 2013 helped farmers increase area under cultivation in both kharif (summer) and rabi (winter)
seasons in the current crop year. According to the latest reports, area under wheat cultivation has risen over 6
per cent to an all-time high of 31.5 million hectares so far in the ongoing rabi season. Total area under all rabi
crops has increased to 64.28 million hectares so far this rabi season, as against 60.86 million hectares in the
year-ago period.
Commenting on the encouraging sowing figures, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had recently said the
country's total wheat output is expected to cross 100 million tonnes, setting a fresh record for this year. Pawar
had also said that overall foodgrain production in 2013-14 crop year (July-June) is likely to break the previous
record of 259.29 million tonnes achieved in 2011-12. Meanwhile, Anwar emphasised on the integration of spot
markets with future markets. "One of the major challenges faced by the ecosystem of commodity markets is
integration of spot market with futures market," Anwar said.

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

Vietnam sells more rice mainly to China
Published: 6 Feb 2014 at 19.52

Vietnamese rice got off to a good start this year as the country recorded increasing rice exports last month with
China its top customer.Rice exports reached 517,000 tonnes last month, a 16.4% rise in volume and 19.5%
jump in value from January 2013, the Vietnamese Agriculture and Development Ministry reported in the
Vietnam News on Thursday.A man sells rice at a stall in Hanoi on Jan 14, 2014. Vietnam exported 517,000
tonnes of rice last month, almost one third of it to China. (EPA photo).The country bagged US$243 million (8
billion baht) from selling the product, 31% of it going to China. But the exports to Malaysia and the Philippines
dropped, it added.Thailand once was the leading rice exporter but it was surpassed by India and Vietnam after
the government launched the rice pledging scheme which buys rice at 15,000 baht per tonne, far above the
market price.

Rice millers asked to help pay farmers
Online news: Local News
The Commerce Ministry has sought assistance from rice millers to pay half
of the rice pledging amount owed to farmers to help those suffering from the
government‘s delay payment. Farmers together with anti-government
protesters under the People's Democratic Reform Committee surround
Commerce
Ministry
on
Thursday.
(Photo
by
Pattanapong
Hirunard).Caretaker Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach said
the ministry had spoken to representatives of the Thai Rice Mills Association
to seek the cooperation of its members to accept the pledging tickets from
farmers and pay
around 50-60% of the amount owed to them. Farmers would
then repay the millers when they get the full amount from the
Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives
(BAAC).Under this proposal, farmers do not have to pay interest
to millers as the government will shoulder the cost.Mr Yanyong
said the government will seek permission from the Election
Commission to get 1.2 billion baht of central budget funds to
pay the interest for the farmers.―This proposed method will
depend on voluntary decisions by the millers. If the millers agree
with it, the project can be implemented within February,‖ he
said.The Finance Ministry has been trying to acquire funds to

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

finance the pledging scheme. The BAAC has agreed to extend a debt moratorium for farmers for six months and is also
offering low-interest loans.Manat Kitprasert, president of the Thai Rice Mills Association, said the group had no objection
to the proposal as it would be a way to assist farmers, but it has to consult with members on the pros and cons.The
decision would have to be voluntary for its 500-600 members.Farmers are not so sure about the scheme. Prasit Boonchey,
president of the Thai Farmers Association, said the proposal might not be practical because farmers are not confident that
financial institutions would approve loans for millers to free up funds. There was also uncertainty about whether the
caretaker government had the authority to spend central budget funds to absorb the interest for farmers.He said the best
way at the moment is for the government to open warehouses for stock checking and speed up rice sales by setting prices
based on quality in order to get some money.
Farmers in several western provinces travelled to the Commerce Ministry in Nonthaburi on Thursday to demand the
government pay them their due. Around 2,000 farmers from the North have signed a petition to be submitted to the Office
of HM Principal Private Secretary complaining about the overdue payment for rice pledging.Another group of farmers
from the central provinces of Chai Nat, Ang Thong, Singburi, Suphanburi and Pathum Thani are blocking the Asian
Highway in Ang Thong to pressure the caretaker government into paying them for their pledged rice.Caretaker Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra posted a message on her Facebook page saying she had directed the Finance and
Commerce ministries to secure funds quickly to pay farmers who have still not been paid for rice pledged under the
scheme last year.

Because of its caretaker position, the government has limited authority to handle the situation because the law prohibits it
from making any deal that could create a debt burden on the new administration, she said.The 21 BAAC branches in Surin
received a total of 155 million baht to pay farmers on Thursday while the bank's branches in Nakhon Ratchasima got 138
million baht.In Surin, the BAAC has already paid out on 21,005 tickets worth 1.86 billion baht. It has to pay for another
73,634 tickets costing 6.8 billion baht. The bank also expects more rice to get into the system before the end of the scheme
on Feb 28.In Nakhon Ratchasima, a total of 99,714 tickets worth 7.7 billion baht have been pledged with the bank. It has
paid out on 18,078 tickets worth 1.58 billion baht.

Yingluck promises help for rice farmers
Online news:

The caretaker government is working hard to help rice farmers suffering as a result of delayed rice-pledging
payments, caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Thursday.In a message posted on her
Facebook page, Ms Yingluck said she had directed the ministries of finance and commerce to secure funds to
quickly pay farmers who have still not been paid for rice pledged under the scheme last year.
Because of its caretaker position, the government has limited authority to handle the situation because the law
prohibits it from making any deal that could create a debt burden on the new administration, she said.The
caretaker premier insisted that her government recognised the importance of rice farmers and said the ricepledging policy was implemented with the aim of improving their income, stimulating the economy at grass-

Cell # 92 321 369 2874

roots level and reducing social inequality.Many foreign governments also have similar policies to subsidise
their countries‘ main crops and improve living standards of farmers, she said.However, the country is now in a
special situation, said Ms Yingluck, since government had to dissolve the House of Representatives due to
ongoing political turbulence.The House dissolution limits the legal authority of the caretaker government to
push ahead with its policies, including the rice scheme, she said.―Relevant state agencies have been trying hard
to resolve problems of affected rice farmers," she said.
―The Ministry of Finance is trying to acquire loans from financial institutions and the Ministry of Commerce is
in a process of releasing rice in stockpiles to generate funds to make the rice payments."Meanwhile, rice
growers from the West, Central Plains and lower part of the North are rallying in front of the Ministry of
Commerce to pressure the caretaker government to make overdue rice payments immediately, led by chairman
of the Thai Farmers Association Prasit Boonchoey.
People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters from Nonthaburi and the Network of Students and
People for Thailand's Reform (NSPTR) are also taking part in the farmers‘ rally at the ministry.Mr Prasit said
rice farmers have not yet been paid for rice pledged more than six months ago and need the payments as soon as
possible - regardless of where the money comes from.Farmers‘ co-leaders want talks with the caretaker
commerce minister and his permanent secretary to jointly find a way to resolve the problem, he said.Nonthaburi
police were deployed inside the Ministry of Commerce building compound and nearby areas to maintain law
and order.

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