USA – USDA: Rice & cotton yields approach state records
Source: Chron.com13/09/2011 – Louisiana’s rice harvest may have a record yield, and cotton farmers will have a near-record, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Thailand – Thailand may cede No.1 rice ranking to raise rural incomes
Source: Bloomberg Businessweek12/09/2011 – Thailand is willing to relinquish its role as the world’s biggest rice exporter as the government prepares to buy grain directly from farmers to boost prices and rural incomes, Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said.
Kenya – Rice production set to double in Kenya
Source: Africa News13/09/2011 – As Kenya’s government grapple with the problem of feeding its citizens there is a sleeping giant in the Mwea irrigation scheme that has the capacity of feeding thousands of Kenyans but it has hardly been exploited. The scheme was introduced before independence but nothing has been improved to make it match…
USA – WASDE: Rice production up 2.8 million from last month
Source: AG Web12/09/2011 – U.S. rice production in 2011/12 is forecast at 190.9 million cwt, up 2.8 million from last month due entirely to an increase in yield. Harvested area is estimated at 2.62 million acres, down 20,000 acres. The average yield is estimated at a record 7,273 pounds per acre, up 159 pounds per acre…
Australia – Mineral-rich rice to ease world’s nutrtional disorder
Source: News One12/09/2011 – White rice is unable to meet daily nutritional requirements because it has lower levels of iron, zinc and pro-vitamin A. Scientists have now engineered iron-rich rice to overcome this deficit.
Thailand – Thai rice subsidy scheme to push up world prices
Source: The Examiner09/09/2011 – Thailand’s plan to pay its rice growers far above market rates is expected to push up prices for the staple that feeds almost half the world’s people as rice importing nations look to other countries for tightened supplies.