Namibia – Floods swanp kalimbeza rice project
Source: All Africa05/03/2013 – The Kalimbeza rice project has been submerged following the recent escalation in heavy flooding in the Caprivi Region, which has also left many villagers displaced.
Myanmar – Occupy rice paddy
Source: International Herald Tribune05/03/2013 – “Nostalgia” is one way to translate the name of this small farming village 25 kilometers south of Yangon. Nostalgia is also one way to describe the way the farmers who live here feel about their land and the time, many years ago, when they were sure it was theirs.
USA – Demand climbs for organic rice and its growers
Source: appealdemocrat.com02/03/2013 – The already-strong market for California rice has added more muscle with Los Angeles-based Sage V Foods looking for growers here to convert land to grow organic rice for prices double those paid for conventional rice.
Cameroon – Invetigations begin on toxic rice importation
Source: All Africa26/02/2013 – Some importers and warehouse staff have come in the spotlight of security investigations following a recent discovery of 7,000 metric tons of toxic rice. The rice of the brand, Soleil which is said to have left the Yangon Sea Port in Singapore on December 3, 2012 on board Sky Star ship,…
USA – Texas water supplier set to cut off rice farmers
Source: Bloomberg Businessweek01/03/2013 – It appears the ongoing drought in Texas will keep most rice farmers in three counties from getting irrigation water to flood their fields for an unprecedented second consecutive year.
Thailand – Farmers vow mass protest if rice price cut
Source: Bangkok Post01/03/2013 – The Commerce Ministry’s proposal to slash the rice pledging price has infuriated paddy farmers, who are threatening to hold a mass rally if it goes ahead.
Thailand – MInistry seeks to trim rice price
Source: The Nation28/02/2013 – With rice exports moving sluggishly, the Commerce Ministry will tomorrow propose that the National Rice Policy Committee revise down its pledged price from Bt15,000 a tonne to Bt13,000 or Bt14,000 a tonne for white paddy rice in April’s second-crop harvest season.
Philippines – NFA pushed to become sole PH rice importer
Source: Rappler26/02/2013 – Farmers groups and the government are pushing for the National Food Authority (NFA) to become the sole importer of ordinary rice in the Philippines to combat smuggling.
Singapore – Global rice prices expected to drop
Source: The Wall Street Journal26/02/2013 – Rice prices may keep falling, unlike that of wheat and soybeans. Rice stocks held by the world’s top exporters could rise to record highs this year due to bountiful harvests, shrinking import demand in the main markets and a costly government policy, according to a report released this week…
Philippines – PH plans exportation of high-quality rice
Source: Business Inquirer25/02/2013 – The Philippines, which is known as the world’s top rice importer, plans to pursue more aggressively its goal of going into rice exportation.