RICE VARIETIES IN PAKISTAN

 
[A+ Grade] SUPER KERNEL BASMATI RICE (CROP 2008) EXTRA LONG GRAIN

[STANDARD Grade]  SUPER KERNEL BASMATI RICE (CROP 2008)


[BLENDED Grade]  SUPER KERNEL BASMATI RICE (CROP 2008) 

 
PARBOILED 1121 BASMATI RICE Extra Long Grain (CROP 2009) 



[A+ GRADE] PARBOILED SUPER KERNAL BASMATI SELLA (OLD CROP)  

 

PAKISTANI LONG WHITE RICE 386 RICE (OLD CROP) 


 
PAKISTANI LONG GRAIN PARBOILED 386 

   
BASMATI RICE PK 198(D98) 


[A+ GRADE] PAKISTANI LONG GRAIN IRRI‐6 WHITE RICE (CROP 2009)


PAKISTANI LONG GRAIN IRRI‐6 WHITE RICE (CROP 2009) 


[A+ GRADE] PAKISTANI LONG GRAIN IRRI‐6 WHITE RICE (CROP 2009) 

India may get Chinese nod for basmati rice export soon: APEDA

China is expected, in the next 2-3 months, to allow Indian basmati rice imports as the two countries have recently reached a political consensus, a top official of agri-export promotion body APEDA has said.

"A political consensus on basmati rice trade was arrived at the recently held Eighth Joint Commission Meeting in China," Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Chairman Asit Tripathy told PTI.
"Considering the progress made in the last 6-7 months, I think in 2-3 months time, we should be able to get a formal approval," he said, adding that China, a rice-eating country, is a potential market for India.

Tripathy, who was in the meeting as part of the delegation led by the Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, said that India would be able to export at least 20,000 tonnes of basmati rice if the market opens.

"In a recent meeting, we have briefed the Chinese ministers about opening the market access for our basmati rice. We have also shared with them the pest risk analysis of the grain," he said.

India, which has exported 10.6 lakh tonnes in the first six months of the 2009-10 fiscal, has been attempting for several years to resolve the trade barrier with China, though basmati rice has been exported to the neighbouring country through informal channels, he added.

Ban Rice Import

Government has been asked to ban the importation of rice into the country and encourage the production and consumption of the foodstuff locally.

Mohammed Adam Nashiru, President of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, a civil society organisation, who made the call, suggested to the authorities to increase tariff on imported rice, to create market for locally produced rice to increase the income of farmers to support the economy.

The leader of the Association was speaking at a meeting of rice farmers from the Tamale area, on Tuesday. Mr Nashiru said the Upper West, Upper East and Northern regions last year produced 500,00 metric tonnes of rice and could meet the local demand for the staple. He expressed worry that lack of interest and political will by successive governments to support rice production had led to low production of the crop in the country.

Mr Nashiru called on government to take positive steps to support farmers to increase yield to reduce the country’s high import bill on rice. Roy Ayariga National Programme Coordinator of the Northern Rural Growth Programme, advised rice and maize farmers in the three northern regions to increase output since local and external demand for rice and maize was high.

He encouraged farmers in the Northern Region to engage in dry season farming to increase production. The Single Mothers, operators of a restaurant in Bolgatanga, served local rice as lunch for the participants to promote the consumption of the food in the country.

IRRI and rice research : 50 years on the road

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was established in 1960 and is among the largest non-profit agricultural research centers in Asia with headquarters in the Philippines and offices in 14 nations including Nepal. It is supported by donors and partners around the globe and known as the home of the Green Revolution in Asia. IRRI helps to feed almost half the world’s population. Its mission is to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure that rice production is environmentally sustainable.

Rice is a staple food in most of Asia. The world’s biggest continent has a per capita rice consumption of 85 kilograms and also accounts for about 90 percent of the over 600 million tons of paddy rice produced worldwide. Other parts of Africa and south Americas are also heavy rice consumers and major rice producers. Rice remains a most important and staple food for most people in the world and the crop with the longest history of cultivation. More than 3 billion of our poorest people depend on it for their daily food requirement, but for Asia, rice means even more. Rice is cultivated in 113 countries. Rice is a great source of national pride. Most important of all, rice is the one thing that ties Asia together. However, climate change, which is now causing erratic weather patterns, also threatens rice production, and is a matter of serious concern

IRRI, the largest and oldest international agricultural research institute in Asia, marks its 50th anniversary in 2010. In half a century of service for a cause, IRRI’s high-yielding rice varieties have helped significantly increase world rice production, especially in Asia, saving millions from famine while protecting the environment and training thousands of researchers. IRRI’s Golden Jubilee comes as Asian and world food security face unprecedented challenges, but it also comes at a revolutionary time for rice research. The Green Revolution in Asia, which began in the 1960s with the introduction of modern, high-yielding rice varieties led to a rapid rise in both rice yields and overall production. IRRI will celebrate 2010 as a milestone with its partners on its 50th anniversary. Celebrations started in November 2009 with the launch of the 50th anniversary and the 6th Rice Genetics Symposium and will continue through 2010 with other events in the Philippines, including an IRRI alumni homecoming in Los Baños in April 2010 when the Board of Trustees will also meet.

IRRI is doing a whole host of research that is helping the world to increase rice production. Global farmers eagerly adopt new technologies and varieties that have resulted in a steady increase in rice yields over the last 50 years since IRRI was established. Research that IRRI is involved in that is helping farmers increase their rice yields includes: developing new high-yielding rice varieties with built-in resistance to pests, diseases, and other stresses such as heat hit; developing rice crop management strategies that improve nutrient-use efficiency to get the most value out of inputs and reduce wastage; developing climate change mitigation plus adaptation strategies and technologies; training the next generation of rice scientists and building the capacity of rice practitioners to ensure the sustainable development of the rice industry. Among its achievements, IRRI has identified “Sub 1” gene that can survive more than two weeks under water, and can now be planted by farmers to improve rice yields on flood-prone land throughout the world. New, higher-yielding rice plant along with package of practices could ease threat of hunger for the poor.

Fifty years ago, a turning point in agricultural research that helped launch a revolution in food production occurred - the formation of the IRRI. “Rice science has helped to more than double rice yields in the last fifty years.” The vision of IRRI’s founders to invest in rice research to improve food security is the sort of long-term thinking we need now as we look to find solutions to address the challenges, including climate change, which threaten rice production. Partnership was at the heart of the original agreement to form IRRI and IRRI has forged many important private and public sector partnerships across the world to support efforts to reduce poverty and make sure rice production is sustainable.

Rice is one of the most important cereal crops in Nepal. As per the preliminary estimate of Fiscal Year 2009/2010, the rice crop was grown in 14,81,289 hectares with the production of 40,23,823 metric tons and the productivity was 2.716 t/ha. Because of the present global food crisis plus increased food prices, a high level national food security mission should be formed, involving field-hardened experts with proven track-record. India has banned the export of wheat and coarse rice or non-basmati rice. If Nepal is not self-reliant in food grains, the situation would be so severe that many would have to go hungry as the demand would outstrip the production level. Aware of this, Nepal has signed a MoU with IRRI for enhancing rice productivity.

Agricultural exports rise by 16% in January

HA NOI — Viet Nam earned US$1.16 billion from agro-forestry and seafood exports in January, a rise of 16 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Increased earnings have been attributed to a rise in global prices.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry, the total export value included $636 million from farming product, $235 million from fisheries products and another $235 million from forestry products.

Rice exports brought in $161 million, the ministry said.

The Viet Nam Food Association predicts that the rice-export price will continue to rise due to increased demand on the world market.

In addition, the Philippines’ decision to open up bidding for rice contracts to outside countries would boost Vietnamese exports.

Meanwhile, exports of coffee, cashew nuts and rubber were worth $193 million, $88 million and $75 million, respectively.

This year, the ministry hopes the export value of agro-forestry and seafood products will reach $16 billion, an increase of 15.4 per cent over 2009.

In the first month of the year, the country imported fertiliser worth $43 million; milk products worth $6 million, and vegetables and fruits worth $25 million.

The ministry said the value of agricultural, forestry and aquatic exports exceeded the yearly target last year. The export value in 2009 reached $15.3 billion – $1.3 billion above the yearly target but lower than the $16.52 billion export value in 2008. — VNS

Vietnamese rice needs an int’l brand name

VietNamNet Bridge - Although Vietnam is one of the three largest rice exporters in the world, its rice prices are lower than Thailand’s. Experts say Vietnamese rice has no brand name and its quality is inconsistent.

In the domestic market, branded rice on supermarket shelves is 20 percent more expensive than that offered at street kiosks. To increase rice prices, experts say Vietnam needs to build a brand name for its rice in line with international standards. 

Richard Moore, a well-known brand expert, says producers need to pour more investment into marketing, packaging and trading services if they want to increase their rice prices. He cites Thailand as a role model in building a brand name for its rice. It tops the list of global rice exporters and its prices are higher than Vietnam’s.

Hermawan Kartajaya, president of the World Marketing Association, says Vietnam has not yet found out any distinctive characteristics of its rice to make it identifiable to consumers and help them distinguish between Vietnamese rice and the rice of Thailand or China. Once consumers prefer a branded product, the price is no longer a matter of concern, he says.

The bottom line is to create close links between exporters and farmers, increase product quality, build a brand name and expand export markets.

According to the Vietnam Food Association, rice exports will face many challenges in 2010, requiring close links between producers and traders. To increase the quality and build a brand name, businesses have no choice but to work closely with farmers to develop commercial farming areas.

The Mekong delta province of An Giang, which has the largest rice output, is taking the lead in developing a brand name for its rice. Many of its businesses have teamed up with farmers to build a brand name. The An Giang Import-Export Company (Agimex) established a joint venture with a Japanese company in 1990 to grow and purchase rice. Agimex-Kitoku has increased its cultivated area from an initial 40ha to 1,870ha at present. Over the past five years, the joint venture has made a profit and its brand - Agimex-Kitoku - has become known to consumers.

Bac Lieu - another Mekong delta province - has succeeded in promoting the brand Mot Bui Do Hong Dan for its rice. Currently, it is cultivating this rice variety on 18,722ha in Hong Dan and Phuoc Long districts.

Last year, Mot Bui Do Hong Dan rice was granted an geographical indication (GI) by the Intellectual Property Agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The certificate is expected to open up opportunities for Bac Lieu to export this kind of rice. Recently, the province signed a contract worth VND375 billion to ship 25,000 tonnes of its rice to the European market.

Meanwhile, the Mekong delta province of Soc Trang has succeeded in crossbreeding special varieties such as ST3, ST5 and ST10 which are a favourite with domestic and foreign consumers. These varieties are offered at between VND15,000-17,000/kg – a higher price than the normal varieties command.

The province has zoned commercial farming areas for these hybrid varieties in Nga Nam, My Tu, Thanh Tri and Ke Sach districts, intending to increase the existing area of 30,000ha to 50,000ha by the end of this year and 100,000ha in the next 10 years.

Farmers in the Mekong River Delta – the country’s largest rice granary – hope that these zoning and development plans will help increase Vietnamese rice’s competitive edge in the world market.

Export from Pakistan

Australia reduces customs duty

KARACHI: The Australian government has reduced the customs duty on the import of a number of products from Pakistan.

According to information communicated to the government of Pakistan on Saturday, the Australian government took the initiative recently, which would help in exporting various products from Pakistan to Australia.

The new customs duty slab has come into affect on the import of goods from Pakistan. “A further duty reduction to 5 percent would be effective from January 1, 2015,” a notification mentioned.

The details of customs duty reduction showed that duty has been reduced to 10 percent on the export of bedwear, towel, readymade garments, textile made-ups, knitwear and leather clothing.

In the case of cotton fabric, soccer ball, art silk, cotton yarn, tanned leather, footwear, the customs duty has been slashed to 5 percent.

Customs duty on rice, carpet, surgical instruments, guar gum and cotton bags or sacks has been brought down to zero.

Customs duty on leather gloves would vary between 5-10 percent and on cutlery, it would be applied between 0-5 percent.

The export of fresh vegetables and seafood from Pakistan to Australia is banned due to certain health and quarantine constraints.

However, this issue has been raised by the Pakistan trade mission in Australia and is also included in the agenda of Joint Trade Commission (JTC) and would be taken up in its meeting scheduled to be held on February 15-16, 2010 in Islamabad.

Officials commenting on the development said that it would definitely help the local export sector to boost their exports to Australia, however there are certain areas to be looked into for having quantum jumps in exports.

Though, the duty has been reduced on Pakistani exports to Australia, however it has never been so high in the past, officials pointed out and added that actual problem lies with the non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that block the export from Pakistan to Australia.

The protective measures enjoyed by the agriculture sector in Australia in the form of subsidies and other hidden incentives make the export from other countries almost redundant to have competition in Australian market.

For instance, customs duty on rice import in Australia has never been high, however Pakistan was not able to export huge quantities to it because of NTBs, officials added.

Pakistan exports to Australia average $150 million worth of goods annually and it ranks among the top 40 countries, which consume major chunk of the export from Pakistan.

The details of customs duty reduction showed that duty has been reduced to 10 percent on the export of bedwear, towel, readymade garments, textile made-ups, knitwear and leather clothing. tanveer ahmed

Oman- Tenders worth RO46.79m awarded

(MENAFN)The Tender Board yesterday held its second meeting of the year and awarded tenders worth of RO46,790,601.

The approved tenders included the following projects: Medications and medical supplies made through unified purchase for the GCC countries in 2009 (RO11,594,744); improving the current track of Berkat Al Mooz Saiq road in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar RO11,461,403); supply of rice (RO3,095,770); providing consultancy services for the technical and economic feasibility study and preparing the designs and supervision for implementation, management and operation studies of Shinas Port development (RO.2,434,750); and catering service for Sultan Qaboos University (RO.2,376,099)

Tenders were also awarded for providing consultancy services for supervision and management of new sanitary drainage plant at Darsait in the Muscat governorate (RO2,310,000); additional works to provide security services for the Justice Ministry buildings (RO1,371,600); development of the water surfaces and construction of car parks (the main building for Oman Waste Water Services Company at Al Ansab in the Muscat governorate (RO1,296,398) and manufacture and supply of scaffoldings for Oman Dry Dock Company (RO1,227,360).

Other tenders include preparing guides for the auditing guide for the State Audit Institutions, auditing guide for the internal audit office at the ministries and service units (RO995,000); provision of consultancy services to expand external telephone networks, design, supervision transfer of knowledge to Oman Telecommunications Company (RO.871,620); additional works for preparing comprehensive layout to construct ports, marinas and facilities for the ferry boats at the Sultanate's coasts (RO731,849); and supply cables (33 kv, 3x300 mm2) (RO.676,500).