Quite a lot to share this time round, so without any due, let's see what IRRI (Dec. 18) has come up with:
'After rigorous biosafety assessment, Golden Rice “has been found to be as safe as conventional rice" by the Philippine Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry. The biosafety permit, addressed to the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), details the approval of GR2E Golden Rice for direct use as food and feed, or for processing (FFP).
Reading the full press announcement, one notices that the Filipino procedure was just a formality it seems, If countries such as Australia, Canada, US and NZ have already verified the product, why should the Philippines lag?
Because the prior mentioned countries will probably never ever consume the product, so their verification was easy. as suspected their approval opens the door for more approvals without carrying out significant checks. Just another step in failing to openly discuss the strategy of giving GMO rice approval.
Because the prior mentioned countries will probably never ever consume the product, so their verification was easy. as suspected their approval opens the door for more approvals without carrying out significant checks. Just another step in failing to openly discuss the strategy of giving GMO rice approval.
Range
Onwards.
'Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday appealed to rice millers and paddy buyers not to lower prices and to secure better rates for farmers facing difficulties in the early harvest season.It doesn't seem to have helped. VOA (Dec. 20) entirely objectively notes this:
The Cambodian Rice Federation (CRF) said the low prices were due to an influx of poor quality paddy in some areas'.
'The Cambodian Agriculture Ministry rejected criticism circulating on social media about farmers getting low prices for their rice in the paddy-producing provinces of Battambang, Pursat and Banteay Meanchey.
The ministry released a statement on Tuesday claiming that farmers receiving low rice prices were selling poor quality rice and that prices were still within an acceptable range. Ministry officials were also working with rice mills to procure as much rice as possible from farmers.
...
However, Yaing Saing Koma, an agricultural expert, said that rice prices were low mainly because rice export to European Union is declining.
The rice export to the EU has dropped from around 170,000 tons in 2018 to 120,000 tons in 2019 for the first eight months, according to representatives of rice millers. The rice sector was also hit with tariffs for exports to the European Union earlier this year, after Italy triggered safeguard mechanisms.
“The rice exports to the EU are dropping badly so it affects the profit of the rice milling companies. They are afraid to stock a lot of rice for export,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Cambodia Rice Federation said it needed $200 million in working capital to buy rice from the farmers on account of shrinking loans available in the financial sector, with government allocating only $50 million of the required capital'.
As above, the purchasers have said it's not their fault. The Khmer Times (Dec. 20):
'The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) has fought back against claims that the current price of paddy is too low to sustain farmers’ livelihoods.A bit strange, this blame game. Surely if prices are lower, then this also spells better times for poorer citizens? A double edged sword?
“Despite what people are saying on social media, the price of paddy has not decreased below market price. The current price is acceptable for farmers,” said CRF president Song Saran.
CRF comments follow viral posts on social media platforms claiming the current price level is insufficient to make a living.
...
He also suggested that the drop in the price of paddy may be the result of farmers planting lower quality varieties. He called on farmers to focus on “purer” rice types'.
Fortified
More then on the above mentioned loan scheme. The Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 8):
'The state-owned Rural Development Bank (RDB) has announced that it will distribute $50 million in loans to private rice millers to sustain the paddy market for farmers.
The Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) said the funds will be used to purchase nearly 300,000 tonnes of paddy during the post-monsoon harvest season, which ends at the beginning of next year.
The additional loans come after the CRF asked the government to provide $200 million in loans to rice millers late last month.
...
RDB CEO Kao Thach told The Post last week that capital shortage in the rice sector is between $200 million and $250 million. To help remedy the issue, he has called on commercial banks to lend more to the sector'.
Then some news on lesser rice related news from Khmer kingdom. The Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 9) looks at the evolving Chinese market:
'China has granted an additional 18 Cambodian rice millers approval to export rice into the country, bringing the total to 44, the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh said on Friday.
The additional rice exporters will help the Kingdom achieve its 400,000 tonne quota of rice to China starting next year, it said.
Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) vice-president Chan Sokheang said China’s decision comes after a CRF proposal to increase the Kingdom’s rice production capacity to supply the Chinese market.
...
According to an official report, in the first 11 months of this year, international rice exports totalled 514,149 tonnes. This was a 3.4 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, at 497,240 tonnes.
China was the Kingdom’s leading export market in the first 11 months of this year, with 195,242 tonnes. The EU imported 174,397 tonnes and the Asean region 69,239 tonnes. The remainder was exported to Africa and other destinations'.
Other markets. Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 3) on South Africa:
'Milled rice exporter Mekong Oryza Trading Co Ltd signed an export memorandum of understanding (MoU) with companies from Hong Kong and South Africa in Phnom Penh on Tuesday'.Then concerning Nigeria, the Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 16):
'A Nigerian investor is looking to directly export rice from Pursat province to the west African country, citing the quality of Cambodia’s milled rice.
The investor’s representative, Mustapha Sammy Yaacob, the chief operating officer of SNZ Engineering Sdn Bhd, raised the subject at a meeting with Pursat provincial governor Mao Thonin on Sunday'.
Other snippets. Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 8) looks at contracts:
'Contract farming between community producers and rice millers or buyers brings growers great benefits, with an expanded market and more favourable prices, industry insiders have said.Finally, the last bit on Cambodia's rice, the Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 19):
Contract farming refers to an agreement between a company and an agricultural community regarding prices, quantities and standards of quality.
Signatures of Asia Co Ltd chairman and CEO Chan Sokheang told The Post on Thursday that contract farming in the paddy production sector would bring better prices for farmers than the market and ease concerns about market shortages and price fluctuations.
...
Signatures of Asia currently has contracts with 30 communities – consisting of nearly 4,000 families – in Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Stung Treng, Kampong Speu and Mondulkiri provinces, Sokheang said.
He said the high-quality phka malis paddy cost his company between 1,030 and 1,080 riel ($0.25 and $0.27) per kilogramme when bought from one such community on Thursday, while organic paddy goes for between 1,450 and 1,700 riel, which is slightly down on last year'.
'The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) announced its collaboration on Thursday with a Cambodian company to provide rural students with micronutrient-enriched school meals.Odd, this, as me thinks that this renders Golden Rice obsolete?
The partnership will see the WFP and Green Trade Company blend fortified rice kernels with Cambodian white rice to support the school meals programmes organised by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport'.
State
'Failing to win the prize as the world's best fragrant rice for two consecutive years has come as a wake-up call for Thailand to overhaul its research and development into Hom Mali rice varieties to catch up with the changing global demand for fragrant rice.Overall rice production is down. Bangkok Post (Nov. 28):
After winning the contest for five consecutive years, Thailand's Hom Mali (jasmine) rice was beaten last year by Cambodia's fragrant rice and this year by Vietnam's ST25 variety.
"It's about time that both the government and the private sector joined hands in a more serious effort to improve the quality of Thai rice to meet the global market's expectations," said Charoen Laothamatas, president of Thai Rice Exporters Association'.
'Thailand's annual paddy production for both the main and second crops is forecast at 27-28 million tonnes in the 2019-20 season, weighed down by a drop in production for the second crop because of flooding and drought.
Whichai Phochanakij, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, who on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the subcommittee handling reference prices for rice price guarantees, said paddy output from the second crop is estimated at just 3.5 million tonnes, down 54% from 7.75 million tonnes the previous season, due to drought and inadequate water supply from dams'.
The Nation (Nov. 28) notes how the government is sugar coating their rural policies:
'Speaking after a meeting with the rice price guarantee committee, the Department of Internal Trade’s director-general Wichai Phochanakit revealed on Wednesday (November 27) that 90 per cent of the rice grown in crop year 2019/2020 had been harvested, but the volume had decreased drastically due to drought and floods'.More or less what the Bangkok Post (Nov. 25) previously reported on:
'The government has set aside 70 billion baht to shore up paddy prices, as the annual harvest is scheduled to flood the market this month.
Whichai Phochanakij, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said the latest meeting of the subcommittee handling national rice policy and management chaired by Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit last week approved the schemes worth a combined 70 billion baht'.
Back on the prices subjects. Neighbour to the north (Laos) is also concerned, but to the opposite: rising prices. Phakhaolao reports (Nov. 14):
'The total yield is expected to be about 3.5 million tonnes – a downward slide from the original target of 4.4 million tonnes. Rising prices, shortages and storage issues, including difficulties in procuring rice, are worrisome for both the people and the state'.Laos works outside world market (or nòt) thanks to their love of sticky rice.
Derailed
Continuing on the same theme (what's happening with the neighbours), there's the never ending story of cleaning up your act. In this case is it acceptable to use what are increasingly believed to be harmful substances while maintaining you product is pure nature itself?
Concrete, use of paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos are to be axed in Thailand. Or not? Because this is after all Thailand, where anything goes.
Bangkok Post (Nov. 24) starts off:
'Opposition to the state's ban on three harmful herbicides looks set to escalate as farmers gear up to defy an order to hand over the chemicals to authorities amid plans for a rally on Tuesday.It works. The Nation (Nov. 27):
The prohibition against the trade, use and possession of paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos -- announced late last month by the National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC) -- will take effect from Dec 1 but opponents are challenging its enforcement and have refused to follow orders as the deadline draws near'.
'Yielding to pressure from farmers and distributors, a government-established committee has recommended a six-month delay in the planned ban on hazardous agrichemicals paraquat and chlorpyrifos and limited continued use of a third, glyphosate.Then the confusion. The Bangkok Post (Nov. 28):
Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said on Wednesday (November 27) the Hazardous Substance Committee he chairs voted unanimously to postpone the ban on two chemicals and allow continued use of the third. 24 committee members casted their votes while 5 were absent.
The committee had on October 22 recommended that all three be banned.
The Department of Agriculture announced in the government gazette on November 18 that the bans would take effect on December 1.
But Suriya declared on Wednesday the ban on paraquat and chlorpyrifos would be postponed to June 1 and “the use of glyphosate will follow the commitee's guideline annouced back on May 23, 2018”'.
'Public health authorities insisted on Thursday that the National Committee on Hazardous Substances neither lifted nor eased a ban on three toxic farm chemicals, as Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit had said.Permanent secretary Sukhum Karnchanapimai and other senior health officials held a press conference at the ministry in Nonthaburi province on Thursday to refute Mr Suriya's announcement.On Wednesday Mr Suriya told journalists at the Industry Ministry that the new National Committee on Hazardous Substances had decided unanimously that day to lift the scheduled ban on the herbicide glyphosate and delay the ban on the herbicide paraquat and pesticide chlorpyrifos for six months from Dec 1'.So despite no decision having been taken, a decision has been taken. Huh? Bangkok Post (Nov. 29) notes what's happening:
'BioThai, an anti-farm chemical pressure group, has alleged that "four major forces'' were behind the decision to scrap the ban on the herbicide glyphosate and delay the prohibitions against the herbicide paraquat and pesticide chlorpyrifos.
BioThai (Biodiversity & Food Sovereignty Action Thailand), which campaigned to have the chemicals banned, published an article titled "Analysis: 36 Days to derail the ban on glyphosate'' on its website on Thursday.
The group claimed the decision to derail the ban was the result of a joint effort by a Thai animal-feed producer, a group of herbicide producers, and two political parties in collusion with US entities'.
The Nation has more on this briefing.
Bangkok Post (Dec. 4):
'The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry still has no idea how it will handle three controversial toxic farm chemicals pending an official direction from the National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC).
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on said on Wednesday that NHSC had not sent its official resolution from its Nov 27 meeting that reviewed a proposed ban on the herbicides paraquat and glyphosate and the pesticide chlorpyrifos.
When reporters asked Mr Chalermchai what his ministry was doing with the three toxic chemicals, he said he could not relay any instructions to any organisation under his supervision pending the official conclusion from the national committee'.
Green
Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 10) has a message on an overall trade issue:
'Two more provinces have been allowed to issue the certificate of origin (CO) Form D which makes it easier for exporters to apply from their locations. In future commerce departments in each province will carry out this function.Then to the fruits. The Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 1):
...
With provincial departments of commerce now being able to issue the form, the application process for a CO will take just 16 hours compared to 10 days to two weeks if applied at the ministry in Phnom Penh'.
'Official mango exports from Cambodia to China could begin as soon as the beginning of next year after visiting experts concluded that the fruit grown in the Kingdom is of good quality.The Khmer Times (Dec. 20) chimes in:
Officials from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) visited the Kingdom on November 24 to inspect Cambodian mango cultivation and determine whether to approve exports.
...
Vann Rithy, general manager of Angkor Mango, a mango buyer and exporter, on Sunday said that China is a large, high-demand and high-value market, and that official exports would greatly contribute to the growth of Cambodia’s economy.
The Kingdom’s mangoes are currently exported to China informally through Vietnam and Thailand.
“When official mango exports to China receive the green light, Cambodia will see a lot of benefits, particularly in regard to prices.
The previous need to export through neighbouring countries led to lower mango prices,” Rithy said.
He said the Kingdom would not be able to produce enough mangoes to meet the increased demand, but that yields are set to increase significantly as the approval of exports would encourage farmers in most provinces to plant more mango trees.
Chhay [Ngin Chhay, director-general of the General Directorate of Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries] said there are currently around 60,000 to 70,000ha of mango plantations in the Kingdom'.
'Mangoes could be one of the main agricultural products from Cambodia to be exported to foreign markets, providing high hopes for their current untapped farming potential, the government says, adding the sector is ready for new investment.
There is big scope because there are more than 100,000 hectares of land planted with the sweet, juicy fruit, which translates to at least 1 million tonnes harvested each season.
However, only a small percentage is currently exported because of poor facilities and technical knowhow for planting the trees.
...
Currently, mango fruits from Cambodia are exported to France, Spain, and Russia, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam.
Last year, Cambodia exported about 50,000 tonnes of fresh mangoes to foreign markets, most of them shipped to Thailand and Vietnam.
South Korea will become a new market for mangoes by early next year, while the exporting company is working to progress the business as fast as it can'.
Phnom Penh Post (Nov. 20) on banana's:
'Yellow banana exports to China have grown since April when the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that the fruit can be exported directly without relying on Vietnam as an intermediary, Longmate Agriculture Co Ltd director Hun Lak said on Wednesday.The Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 19) on coconut, a very overlooked crop. China seems interested:
He told The Post that besides expanding its exports to China, his company is seeking to export to Japan, South Korea and the Middle East.
“In Cambodia, the climate is favourable [for yellow bananas]. It is hot and humid, and the soil is fertile and well suited to the cultivation of bananas.
...
He said Cambodia exports an average of 60 containers of bananas a month to China at a median price of between $550 and $600 per tonne.
“We have officially received approved exporter status because Chinese customs authorities and companies recognise our banana standards,” he said.
So far this year, the Kingdom had exported 127,459 tonnes of yellow bananas to China since official direct exports to the Chinese market were authorised, a report from the ministry’s General Department of Agriculture said on Friday.
According to data from the General Department of Agriculture, from the third quarter of last year, three major yellow banana farms existed in Cambodia. They are located in Ratanakkiri, Kratie and Kampot provinces and have a total area of 4,996ha – all for export'.
'Coconut Palm Group Co Ltd is planning to invest in coconut plantations and set up a factory in Cambodia to produce fruit juice, said its general manager Zhao Bo at a recent meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon.
The company is the biggest natural plant protein soft drink producer in China and specialises in processing tropical fruits such as coconuts.
...
The ministry said in 2016, coconut was cultivated on a total of 16,935ha in Cambodia, mainly in Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Speu and Kampot provinces.
...
Zhao said the Coconut Palm Group, located in Hainan, has annual revenues of $400 million and uses 600,000 coconuts a day in its production. The company also employs 6,000 workers and exports its juices to 38 countries.
The company, he said, was established 31 years ago, and in 2016, it paid 603 million yuan ($86.2 million) in taxes – 201 times more than it did in 1985. “Our company’s development has helped to promote the tropical fruits planting industry in Hainan,” Zhao said'.
Drop
Last chapter, ag issues in the wider region. Just a pair.
Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 15) reports on Vietnam's fruit trade:
Last chapter, ag issues in the wider region. Just a pair.
Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 15) reports on Vietnam's fruit trade:
'Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports dropped 0.6 per cent year-on-year to $3.5 billion in the first 11 months this year, data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) shows.
The drop was attributed to falling earnings from dragon fruit, which accounted for 31 per cent of total fruit exports, (down nine per cent), durian (down 17.4 per cent), coconut (down 35 per cent), longan (down 56 per cent) and watermelon (down 26.4 per cent)'.
Phakhaolao (Nov. 14) sees problems with the Lao coffee production:
'Champassak is suffering the effects of a 28 percent decrease in the price of coffee exports compared to last year, with the price now standing at 1,800 kip per kilogram compared to 2,500 kip. The province's Industry and Commerce Department said that in the first nine months of this year 17,993 tonnes of coffee was exported, a drop of 28 per cent compared to last year'.
