Nigeria – Lagos rice farmers record high yields
Source: Business Day21/08/2013 – Ise village, largest rice growing community in Lagos State, this month commenced harvest of rice with remarkable improvement in yields compared with previous years.
Thailand – Thai government’s tough job: Selling rice
Source: The Wall Street Journal21/08/2013 – The Thai government’s push to sell its stockpiled rice has been met with tepid sales, highlighting the challenge it faces in reducing its stored rice to help pay for a costly subsidy program.
USA – Rice farmers value international markets
Source: Delta Farm Press19/08/2013 – The Asian market for U.S. rice is strong, but “we’ve been hit hard in Mexico and Central America”, says Betsy Ward, president and CEO of the USA Rice Federation.
Philippines – High rice prices to linger until peak season in Oct.
Source: Sun Star20/08/2013 – Commercial rice prices in South Cotabato province will remain expensive until bulk palay harvests come in by October, agriculture officials said on Tuesday.
Ghana – Ashaiman rice farmers diversify into vegetable cultivation
Source: Ghana Web19/08/2013 – Local rice farmers at the Ashaiman Irrigation Dam site of the Irrigation Development Authority (IDA) have diversified into the cultivation of vegetables, instead of growing rice on large scale, because of lack of machinery and credit.
Nepal – Rice imports hurt domestic mills
Source: eKantipur.com19/08/2013 – Anjani Rice Mill’s sales of rice have plunged from 2,500 kg daily to barely 400 kg due to competition from Indian rice. According to Sandeep Agrawal, operator of Anjani Rice Mill, other rice mills in the region are having the same problem.
Vietnam – Rice exporters worried about the new rules
Source: VietNam Net Bridge19/08/2013 – The Decree No. 109 on the conditions for businessmen to export rice sets up the strict requirements on the minimum rice husking output, capital and storehouse. When it was promulgated two years ago, the legal document faced the strong opposition from rice exporters, who complained that the requirements are too high…
USA – ‘Cheap rice’ era is over, but rising farm wages could reduce Asian poverty: Think-tank
Source: Vancouver Sun15/08/2013 – The decades-long era of “cheap rice” when technological advances drove down prices of Asia’s staple food may be over, but that could be good news for farm labourers, a British development think-tank says.
Japan – Rice wine hits a new high
Source: The Gazette16/08/2013 – There’s a difference between premium sake and the harsh, additive-heavy rotgut served mostly piping hot at some sushi joints.
USA – Cooler weather slowing Arkansas rice development
Source: Arkansas Business14/08/2013 – A year ago, Arkansas rice farmers were bringing in a record harvest after planting early and then weathering a costly drought. This year, growers got a late start and temperatures have been so cool that rice plants are taking longer to mature.