Scheisse

It seems to be all unravelling for Bayer on it's purchase of Monsanto. The Guardian (Sep. 4) notes:

'Germany has said it will phase out the controversial weedkiller glyphosate because it wipes out insect populations crucial for ecosystems and pollination of food crops.

The chemical, also suspected by some experts to cause cancer in humans, is to be banned by the end of 2023 when the EU’s approval period for it expires, ministers said.

Biologists have sounded the alarm over plummeting insect populations that affect species diversity and damage ecosystems by disrupting natural food chains and plant pollination'.

An unusual source, (the Common Dreams, Aug. 28) looked at the internal communications of Monsanto, which (at least in the past) seemed to have been lacking:

'Leaked emails from scientists working with agrichemical giant Monsanto feature company leaders in 2013 wishing they could "beat the shit out of" advocacy group Moms Across America. 

Moms Across America wrote an open letter asking Monsanto to discontinue the use of the pesticide glyphosate—which some research has tied to cancers—and to stop producing genetically modified seeds that was seen by company executives as a public relations disaster.

"I have been arguing for a week to beat the shit out of them and I have clearly lost," Monsanto's Dr. Daniel Goldstein wrote to University of Georgia crop scientist Wayne Parrott and University of Illinois biochemist Bruce Chassy. "We don't want to be seen as beating up on mothers."

The emails were released as part of litigation relating to the cancer-causing effects of glysophate against Monsanto's now-parent company Bayer'. 

Sought
Quite some news to share on Cambodia's rice industry.
Starting with organic production of rice. The Khmer Times (Sep. 4) notes how important organic rice exports to the EU are, in which Cambodia is a big-time player:

'Cambodia was the fifth largest exporter of organic rice to the European Union last year, with local companies confident exports will continue to rise in the coming years.

Demand for organic rice in the EU and other key markets like the United States, Australia, and China is soaring as consumers become more environmentally and health-conscious, key insiders said.

According to figures from the EU shared with the Cambodia Rice Federation, Cambodia exported 8,467 tonnes of organic rice to the bloc last year, representing 3.9 percent of all EU organic rice imports.

The US was the largest exporter of organic rice to the EU, accounting for almost 70 percent of the market. It was followed by Pakistan and India, with 10 and 9 percent, respectively.

Thailand came in at number four with 4.9 percent of the market (10,522 tonnes in exports).

Local rice exporters told Khmer Times that the amount of Cambodian organic rice shipped to the bloc has increased this year.

About 90 percent of all Cambodian exports of organic rice to the EU last year belonged to Amru Rice Cambodia.

...

Chan Pich, general manager of Signature of Asia, who last year exported 1,500 tonnes of organic rice to the EU, said demand for organic rice in the European Union grows about 15 percent every year.

“Cambodia’s organic rice is sought after in the EU because it has good quality and real traceability,” Mr Pich said.

According to Mr Pich, a tonne of organic jasmine rice fetches $1,500 while organic long-grain white rice sells for about $950 per tonne'.

Organics are  less affected by the increased tariffs on rice to the EU it appears, which are still being contended. The Khmer Times (Aug. 23):

'The Cambodian Rice Federation (CRF) yesterday asked the European Union to save the livelihoods of half a million families by halting the process to withdraw the Everything-but-arms scheme'.

But a few days later the same source (Aug. 27) notes a different strategy in regards to the increased tariffs:

'The Cambodia Rice Federation plans to meet with the European Commission to discuss the tariffs imposed on Cambodian rice earlier this year, according to a representative of the association.

However, CRF has yet to receive any response from Brussels regarding the complaint, Mr Yeng told Khmer Times.

Mr Yeng said the strategy is now to negotiate with the EU and to show European legislators that exports of Cambodian rice do not threaten the livelihoods of European farmers.

“In April, CRF filed a complaint with the EU. Now, we continue this work, but we will change our approach. We will meet with the EU and explain the issue because we believe that the EU is missing vital information that has led them to take the wrong course of action,” Mr Yeng said.

“Our rice is different from rice grown by farmers in Italy and Spain. We believe the decision to impose tariffs was based on a misunderstanding of the situation,” Mr Yeng added'.

It's questionable how much China will manage to pick up of the slackening trade with EU. The Khmer Times (Sep. 10):

'The Cambodia Rice Federation is confident the Kingdom will reach its milled rice export quota in the Chinese market, with the association emboldened by last week’s visit of China’s largest food processor, COFCO.

The Kingdom was unable to meet the quota last year, shipping just 170,000 tonnes out of the 300,000 allowed.

This year, however, things will be different, argued Lun Yeng, CRF secretary-general. Mr Yeng said that a delegation from Chinese firm COFCO arrived in Cambodia last week to “understand the situation” of rice production in Cambodia.

...

In the first half of 2019, Cambodia’s milled rice exports rose by 3.7 percent to 281,538 tonnes. Shipments to China represented 42 percent of all exports, about 118,400 tonnes'.

The overall strategy for the Cambodian rice industry (read exports) as exemplified by the Khmer Times (Aug. 15):

'The new board of the Cambodia Rice Federation yesterday vowed to grow the country’s rice exports to one million tonnes a year by 2022.

During the first meeting of the association since new leadership was elected last week, board members pledged to turn Cambodian rice into a globally recognisable brand and make the industry more sustainable, fair and transparent.

Song Saran, who is now the association’s president, said the priority will be to achieve one million tonnes in rice exports a year within the next three years.

...

Chan Sokheang, CEO of Signatures of Asia and a CRF board member, said, “We will work together to achieve the one-million-tonne target. Everyone wants to see this done.

“We must work as one to build a strong rice industry in Cambodia,” Mr Sokheang added.

The country’s exports of milled rice rose 3.7 percent during the first seven months of the year to reach 308,013 tonnes. China continues to be the Kingdom’s biggest market, purchasing 123,361 tonnes from January to July, a 40 percent increase'.

Finally some rice side news. AKP (Sep. 4):

'Agreement has been reached to build rice warehouses and silos in three provinces, which will contribute essentially to enhancing capacity of rice processing for exports to international markets.

The agreement was signed lately by Rice-SDP (Climate Resilient Rice Commercialisation Sector Development Programme) of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Rural Development Bank (RDB), and rice millers.

Under the agreement, selected rice millers will build rice warehouses and silos in three provinces of Battambang, Kampong Thom, and Prey Veng using US$10 million loan from the Asia Development Bank (ADB) through RDB'.

Hoarding

The Bangkok Post (Aug. 27) has an article on the Siam sticky rice woes:

'In a move to tackle rising glutinous rice prices, the government has ordered millers, traders and exporters to report their stocks by on Tuesday.

The Commerce Ministry will also call a meeting with millers and packaged rice producers on Wednesday to produce packed glutinous rice at a special price.

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said he already ordered a nationwide inspection of glutinous rice to check hoarding and price gouging.

...

The domestic price of sticky rice rose sharply to 50 baht per kg from 35 baht last month.

The surge was attributed to the widespread drought and lower production over the last two years, as farmers shifted to grow more hom mali fragrant rice as the latter has a higher price.

...

"One of the urgent issues we are proposing the Commerce Ministry address is the smuggling of glutinous rice from neighbouring countries," said Mr Chookiat [Chookiat Ophaswonge, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association].

"Some foreign buyers have complained that their DNA tests have found Thai glutinous rice shipments are mingled with Vietnamese grains."

The free-on-board prices of Vietnamese glutinous rice are now quoted at about US$600 a tonne, while those of Thai glutinous rice amounts to $1,500, which is higher than Thai hom mali rice which remains at $1,200 a tonne'.

Aside from this Thai news, the major news from the Kingdom of Wonder is how the new junta will seek to entice farmers with what looks like a pledging scheme albeit with a different name. The Bangkok Post (Aug. 17):

'Paddy prices may be guaranteed at 10,000 to 14,000 baht a tonne for rice farmers initially, according to the commerce minister.

Jurin Laksanawisit said on Saturday that a joint meeting of officials, operators and farmers had agreed to set the prices of five types of paddy.

The output for each farming household varies by paddy type but the acreage per household for all five categories must not exceed 40 rai.

...

At the same time, he said, authorities would take steps to reduce production costs such as those for fertilisers, insecticides and harvesting fees. Other measures include promoting large-scale farming and the use of high-quality seeds, as well as buying general insurance for crops.

"Market demand will dictate production. Organic or GAP [Good Agricultural Practice] rice farming and special breeds will be promoted. In the long term, growers will be trained to become smart farmers, with the help of research, development and innovation," said Mr Jurin.

...

Its strong points are that, unlike the rival Pheu Thai Party's rice-pledging programme, it does not distort market mechanisms and corruption is generally minimal because the money is deposited directly to farmers' bank accounts.

One of the disadvantages of the programme is the government gets nothing in return for using a large budget to cover price differences, compared to the pledging programme in which rice can be kept for sale at a later date.

Besides, officials have to deal with rampant false claims about the sizes of rice fields by farmers seeking to be paid more. It also puts pressure on prices to rise because millers and others who buy the grain know the government will pay the price differences'.

Expectations
A major move in the alternatives for rice, the Khmer Times (Aug. 28) reports on Thailand closing the border for corn:

'Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce last week announced a ban on field corn imports coming through Ban Khao Din, in the border with Cambodia.

Ban Khao Din is an international border gate in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, which borders Battambang province.

In a statement, the ministry said the import ban will protect Thai farmers from potentially contaminated Cambodian goods, adding that Thailand produces enough corn to satisfy local demand.

“Starting the end of this month, imports of field corn will no longer be allowed through the border crossing with Cambodia,” the ministry said'.

Minor crops and some little heard of. For instance pomelo's. The Khmer Times (Sep. 5):

'Receiving Geographical Indication (GI) status has done little to increase sales of Koh Trong Pomelo outside Kratie province, farmers said.

The pomelo grown in Kratie’s Koh Trong commune last year became the third Cambodian product to obtain GI status, following in the footsteps of Kampot pepper and Kampong Speu’s palm sugar.

The fruit, however, has not gained much in popularity outside the province since, according to the Koh Trong Pomelo Producer Association, who owns 1,200 of the 2,000 pomelo trees in Koh Trong'.

Other fruity news. The Khmer Times (Sep. 5)

'Longmate Agriculture, one of five local companies allowed to export bananas directly to China, said they are on track to meet its goal of shipping 22,000 tonnes of the fruit by the end of the year.

Speaking to Khmer Times on Monday, Hun Lak, Longmate Agriculture director, said they have exported the fruit every month since the first shipment in early May.

“Our goal was to ship 22,000 tonnes of fresh yellow bananas to China and we are on course to meet that target,” he said, adding that small changes in yield due to weather conditions might slightly alter the total amount of fruit shipped in 2019.

...

Cambodia is expected to ship 130,000 tonnes of bananas to the Chinese market this year, the minister noted'.

Then the Khmer Times (Sep. 11) reports on the possibilities of exporting mango with the answer being as above: China.

'Mango is likely to be the next product that Cambodia exports directly to China, according to an official of the Ministry of Agriculture.

...

Mr Monyvuth [Ke Monyvuth, director of the ministry’s crop protection and SPS department] said on Tuesday that a team from China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine will visit Cambodia next month to conduct inspections at registered farmers.

“We expect that fresh mangoes will be the next agricultural product that Cambodia exports to China and we are now working to provide technical assistance to farmers to prepare for the requirements of the Chinese market,” Mr Monyvuth said.

In July, the ministry made public a list of the agricultural goods that are being prioritised for export to China. The list contained six items – fresh mango, longan, pepper, dragon fruit, fragrant coconut, and bird nests'.

Secure
Finally, the Kathmandu Post has an interesting article (Sep. 10) on farmers use of hybrid seeds (in all assorted crops) which is increasing.

"It’s not just local varieties of cauliflower that have been replaced by hybrid varieties from other countries. Most vegetables that the villagers grow come from imported hybrid seeds. And this is not limited to Bardev—it is happening across the country.

Just three decades ago, a majority of Nepali farmers relied on local indigenous seeds. Even until the 90s, Nepal was a seed exporting country. Today, according to agriculture scientists, more than 90 percent of vegetable seeds employed in the country are imported. Nearly 30 percent of maize seeds are imported, and around 15 percent of rice seeds are from other countries. As the number of vegetables and grains grown from imported hybrid seeds increases every year, scientists warn that this reliance on imports for something as sensitive to food security as seeds could have devastating consequences for the country’s agriculture sector—and for the genetic diversity of indigenous plants. “A country can never be food secure if it isn't seed secure,” said Madan Rai, seed specialist and agronomist. “Seed security is when farmers in the country have access to quality seeds at the right time and at reasonable prices. It's important that we as a country are self-sufficient on seeds to truly become food secure.”

...

But there have been several incidents of massive crop failure in the past. In 2013, paddy planted in 16 VDCs in Bhaktapur, amounting to 20,000 tonnes and worth Rs 80 million, was destroyed by “neck blast” and “bacterial leaf blight” diseases. Investigations revealed that the farmers had used DY 69--a Chinese hybrid variety--registered and recommended by the Seed Quality Control Centre under the Ministry of Agriculture Development in 2010. Bhandari was assigned to investigate the case, and his findings revealed the extent to which lack of information could hurt farmers. “The hybrid seed the farmers had used was recommended for the Tarai and Inner Tarai region, not Bhaktapur,” says Bhandari.

...

Some agro-scientists the Post spoke to said that depending solely on hybrid seeds isn’t good for the soil.“Hybrid seeds require a lot more nutrients than open-pollinated ones. So farmers have to use a lot of fertilisers, which accelerates the depletion of soil quality,” said Ghimire. “This is one of the long term serious negative impacts of using hybrid seeds.”Increased use of hybrid seeds will thus drive demand for pesticides and chemical fertilisers, and Nepal, which doesn't manufacture such fertilisers, will end up relying more on imports.

...

After decades of singular focus on hybrid seeds to increase agricultural productivity, there's a growing demand for crops produced from local varieties. “It's a fact that crops from hybrid seeds don't taste or smell as good as local varieties. Hybrid rice will never match the taste and smell of Pokhreli Jetho Budo, and the demand for local products are seeing an increase,” said Bhandari. “People are willing to pay more for local crops. Once there's demand, there will be supply.”

Fused

The Guardian (August 8) has an extensive article on the free press and Monsanto. 
Besdies producing harmful chemicals, Monsanto is also producing censorship for all whom stand between itself and ever-increasing profits:

'Monsanto operated a “fusion center” to monitor and discredit journalists and activists, and targeted a reporter who wrote a critical book on the company, documents reveal. The agrochemical corporation also investigated the singer Neil Young and wrote an internal memo on his social media activity and music.
...
A Bayer spokesman, Christopher Loder, declined to comment on specific documents or the fusion center, but said in a statement to the Guardian that the records show “that Monsanto’s activities were intended to ensure there was a fair, accurate and science-based dialogue about the company and its products in response to significant misinformation, including steps to respond to the publication of a book written by an individual who is a frequent critic of pesticides and GMOs”.
He said the documents were “cherry-picked by plaintiffs’ lawyers and their surrogates” and did not contradict existing science supporting the continued use of glyphosate, adding, “We take the safety of our products and our reputation very seriously and work to ensure that everyone … has accurate and balanced information.”
(A Reuters spokesperson said the agency “has covered Monsanto independently, fairly and robustly”, adding, “We stand by our reporting.”)
...
David Levine, a University of California Hastings law professor, said he had not heard of any other private corporations running “fusion centers”, but said it did not surprise him that Monsanto was engaged in this kind of intensive digital monitoring.
The records showed Monsanto was also concerned about Ruskin’s Freedom of Information Act (Foia) requests targeting the company, writing documents on its relationships with researchers had the “potential to be extremely damaging” and could “impact the entire industry”.
In 2016, one Monsanto official expressed frustration of criticisms that the company paid academics to write favorable reports on their products: “The issue was NOT that we wanted to pay the experts but an acknowledgment that experts would need to be compensated for the time they invest in drafting responses for external engagement. No one works for free!”

A second article follows with more details. Casey Gilliam herself writes (August 9) on how Monsanto devised an internal campaign on her reporting on Monsanto:

'But when I recently received close to 50 pages of internal Monsanto communications about the company’s plans to target me and my reputation, I was shocked.
...
I even inspired a Monsanto spreadsheet: as part of “Project Spruce”, the “Carey Gillam Book plan” lists more than 20 items, including discussion of how the company might get third parties to post book reviews about Whitewash.
...
The code name “Project Spruce” is the internal company reference for Monsanto’s plans to defend its glyphosate and Roundup herbicide business from all perceived threats, including scientists and journalists.
...
The company emails also briefly touch on pressure that Monsanto applied while I was at Reuters. The company was perfectly happy with stories that highlighted its new products, or the spread of adoption of its seed technology, or its latest expansion efforts. But if a story I wrote quoted a critic of the company or cited scientific research that Monsanto didn’t consider valid, Monsanto would repeatedly complain to editors, tying up editorial time and resources.
...
I’m just one person, just one reporter working from a home office in the midwest, juggling three kids with irregular writing deadlines. So the knowledge that a multibillion-dollar corporation spent so much time and attention trying to figure out how to thwart me is terrifying.
Truth and transparency are precious commodities, the foundations for the knowledge we all need and deserve about the world we live in. Without truth we cannot know what risks we face, what protections we must make for our families and our futures.
When corporate power is so intensely brought to silence messengers, to manipulate the public record and public opinion, truth becomes stifled. And we should all be afraid'.

Clearly independent reporting is essential to our society. Greed skews this independence; the more at stake, the less it seems truth be told.

In the discussion on hybrid rice, the past has shown that there's very little resistence to the main line of inquiry as presented to us by World.corporation: it's a match made in heaven. 
However on the ground, there seems to be reluctance: at the very least consumers with choice shun the produce meaning lower prices for hybrid rice produce which make growing from hybrid rice seeds uneconomic. 
Let's hope this unveiling means better and fairer reporting in future.

Change

Reporting on rice: it's been quiet these last past few weeks. 

From Cambodia the only article stems from the Khmer Times (Jul. 19):

'Twelve agricultural communities in Preah Vihear province on Wednesday entered into contract farming schemes with major rice exporter Signatures of Asia.
The agricultural communities will sell a combined 2,000 tonnes of organic rice to Signatures of Asia at set prices, guaranteeing a certain level of income to the farmers'.

Thai rice news concerns rains, but ultimately is about prices for exports and exports themselves. The Bangkok Post (Jul. 25):

'Low rainfall, if it extends until August, will possibly lower rice exports to 8.5 million tonnes this year, the lowest volume in seven years, according to shippers.
Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said this is a tough year for the rice industry because of prolonged low rain levels in the Northeast and the stronger baht.
...
He said milled Thai hom mali rice supply is expected to fall accordingly to only 2 million tonnes from 4 million, leading Thailand without premium rice for export.
...
"The long drought is likely to drive the prices of Thai hom mali paddy to surge to 25,000 baht per tonne from 16,000 baht per tonne, with the prices of domestic milled hom mali rice rising to 36,000 baht per tonne from 25,000 baht per tonne," said Mr Chookiat.
He said if the rainfall comes earlier, Thailand still has a chance to export 1 million tonnes of hom mali rice, with its price increasing to perhaps US$1,500 per tonne from $1,100 last year.
...
Mr Charoen said key threats to Thailand's rice exports include the comparatively strong baht and lower purchase demand from China, which holds hefty rice stocks.
Key rice-importing countries have also changed their rice purchase policies.
For instance, the Philippines has allowed its private sector to play a greater role in rice imports, making competition in the domestic market stiffer.
The drought will cut the country's overall rice production and may result in higher rice prices, he said'.

Headlines in Laotian Vientiane Times (Jul. 2) as Laos apparently exports first shipment of rice which is part of it's quote to China:

'Laos recently began shipping the first 1,100 tonnes of polished rice to China as part of a 50,000-tonne export quota agreement between the Lao government and China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO).
This first shipment is being transported in July and August with further amounts to follow to achieve the total target by 2021, according to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
An agreement on the first shipment of export rice was signed last month between COFCO and Indochina Development Partner Co., Ltd. (IDP) at the COFCO office in China'.

Countered
Some economic data from Cambodia on other agricultural outputs. 
The Khmer Times (Jul. 18):

'Cambodia exported 104,261 tonnes of rubber in the first half of the year, an increase of 24 percent compared to the same period in 2018, official figures show'.

Cashews are presumed to be heading in the same direction. Once more, the 
Khmer Times (Aug. 13):

'Cambodia exported 167,285 tonnes of cashew nuts during the first seven months of the year, official figures show.
In its latest report, the Ministry of Agriculture said that cashew nut exports have increased significantly since the government pledged to reach one million tonnes in shipments in the next ten years.
However, the report did not show the year-on-year growth in exports'.

Pepper has other dynamics ongoing. The Phnom Penh Post (Aug. 6):

'Kampot pepper, one of the Kingdom’s top Geographical Indication (GI) products, is under pressure as over-cultivation drives farmers to give up production, said Kampot Pepper Promotion Association (KPPA) president Nguon Lay.
Lay said farmers’ production has continued to increase annually despite the volume of orders remaining the same, which has created an oversupply of the crop.
In 2017, annual exports were around 70 tonnes with production reaching 102 tonnes, he said, adding that farmers can only sell part of their total output.
...
However, the Kampot pepper price remains stable, with black pepper selling for $15 per kg, red pepper $25 and white pepper $28, said Lay.
Hyn Piseth, deputy managing director at Confirel Co Ltd, a Kampot pepper exporter and producer, said counterfeits of the Kampot pepper brand are one of the main reasons buyers do not trust their products.
“Counterfeiting the Kampot pepper brand affects our pepper exports,” said Piseth'.

Finally, in Laos farmers are faced with increased problems in growing corn. Vientiane Times (Jul. 25):

'Xayaboury province is anticipating a 30 percent shortfall in sweetcorn supplies to domestic and overseas markets this year after the crop has been invaded by fall armyworms.
The current epidemic of this pest (Spodoptera frugiperda) across the province has resulted in big problems for farmers and authorities, who are trying to control the outbreak.
Director of Xayaboury’s Agriculture and Forestry Department, Mr Somvang Keovilaysak, said 30 percent of 35,000 hectares of maize crops had been destroyed by the caterpillars. 
According to the initial harvest plan drawn up by provincial authorities, the maize yield was set at 190,000 tonnes, but this now appears impossible to achieve and the figure is expected to be reduced by almost 25,000 tonnes.
Some farmers have lost a lot of money as a result of the devastating outbreak, the first such event recorded in the province.
A farmer in Saenphon village in Paklai district, where the outbreak was first detected on May 20, said he usually grows sweetcorn on two hectares but almost all of his crop was destroyed by the caterpillars and he had lost the money he invested.
Farmers in Xayaboury export 70 percent of their produce to China, Thailand and Vietnam while the rest is supplied to domestic markets.
...
Last year, they sold their sweetcorn for more than 1,600 kip per kilo'.

Tearful

The bad news. Let's hear it. Reuters (Jan. 16): 

'The European Union will impose tariffs on rice from Cambodia and Myanmar from Friday to curb a surge in imports, the European Commission said on Wednesday. 

The decision, which will be in effect for three years, follows a “safeguard” investigation launched last March after a request from the Italian government. Rice is grown in eight southern European countries from Portugal to Bulgaria. 

In the absence of an opinion by the relevant committee, the Commission took the final decision itself on Wednesday. 

Cambodia and Myanmar benefit from the EU’s “Everything But Arms” scheme which allows the world’s least developed countries to export most goods to the European Union free of duties. But the Commission said its investigation had confirmed that a significant increase in imports of longer-grained Indica rice from Cambodia and Myanmar had damaged EU producers. 

From Jan. 18 it will set a duty of 175 euros (£155) per tonne of rice in the first year, dropping to 150 euros in the second and 125 euros in year three, it said'.

Southeast Asia Globe (Jan. 18) adds:

'Starting today, Cambodia and Myanmar will be forced to pay hefty tariffs to export rice to the European Union – and farmers fear that it will leave both nations’ rice industries in critical condition'.

It also looks at the implications. 
In short term, Cambodia's rice export sector will have to absorb the additional duties to be paid. 
Long term though, it's presumed that other markets will have to be found. Co-incidence or not, but the PM is off to China shortly looking for increased market opportunities.

The Khmer Times (Dec. 10) had an interesting look at the current problem:

'A year ago, the European Union offered Cambodia the option of using a unique Harmonised Systems Code (HS Code) for its Jasmine fragrant rice and white rice to differentiate it from other Indica rice, a move that could have saved the nation from the conundrum it now finds itself in. 
But this did not materialise because of what some have described as a powerful combination of apathy and arrogance that led key players to believe that Cambodia could not be harmed so long as she is shielded by the Everything-but -arms (EBA) privileges rendered to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). 
Then the ball dropped. EU launched a safeguard inquiry to determine whether imports of semi-milled and milled Indica rice from Cambodia and Myanmar resulted in “serious difficulties to EU producers of like or competing products”.
...
While criticism is rife that the government and the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) could have scuttled the entire classification process with a forceful and united front against the EU, there is also the long-standing quandary of whether Cambodian rice is of the Indica variety or not.
The truth is that Cambodia produces Jasmine fragrant rice and white rice for the EU market, which fall squarely under the Indica rice classification.
... 
Critics opine that Cambodia is ‘crying’ because not only did the letters sent by major rice exporters Amru Rice and Signatures of Asia lack exposure in the EU and were a tad emotional, but also the entire move to safe the nation from the tariffs was allegedly devoid of a united front. 
They also alleged that the cartels in CRF made up of rice exporters were more interested in sustaining a profit margin than fighting for the sake of rice farmers, which they fervently claim to do. 
According to a source close to the issue, exporters and millers, who largely make up CRF, are said to buy rice from farmers at low rates, often below market prices'.

So, own fault?

Challenged
The advent of the new year has meant a look at the past year in which exports of rice failed to grow.

The Phnom Penh Post (Jan. 11):

'The Kingdom’s rice exports saw a 1.5 per cent drop last year compared to 2017 due to the industry’s lingering challenges – the cost of production and competition with the international market. 
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries figures show that the country exported 626,225 tonnes of rice last year, decreasing 1.5 per cent from 635,679 tonnes in 2017. 
According to the figures, the main destinations for rice exports were the EU with a total of 269,127 tonnes and China with 170,154 tonnes'.

Earlier the same source (Jan. 9) also noted an increase in value of rice, which to a degree offsets the lagging export figures. At least for farmers:

'As a result of more rice facilities constantly being installed, the price of paddy rice for the 2018-2019 season was between 900 riel and 1,300 riel ($0.22 and $0.32) per kg, an increase on the previous season, according to industry insiders. 
Cambodia Rice Federation vice-president Vong Bun Heng noted that the price was a 25 per cent increase on the 2017-2018 season. The price depends on the type of rice and its quality, with premium paddy rice sold at 1,300 riel per kg, with normal rice sold at 900 riel per kg, according to Bun Heng'.

Agribusinessglobal (Jan. 16) looks at what seems to be a lesser positive development, environmentally:

'BASF on Wednesday inaugurated its first wholly-owned company in Cambodia: BASF (Cambodia) Co. Ltd., and will launch three new crop protection products in the country.
 ...
“Though Cambodia has quickly become a leading exporter of high-quality premium rice, a number of challenges remain for the country’s agricultural sector, including relatively lower levels of technology use and understanding by growers on how best to utilize innovations,” said Martin Wolf, ASEAN Business Director, BASF Agricultural Solutions. “We believe BASF is well suited to help address these challenges and are excited to help Cambodian farmers become more profitable and sustainable.”
... 
Three new crop protection products will be initially launched, empowering farmers and growers with more tools in their toolbox to manage their crops:
Basagran [Bentazon] Herbicide – for broadleaf weeds and sedges in rice
Tetris Herbicide [profoxydim]– for weed grasses in rice
Regent 50 SC Insecticide [Fipronil]– for stemborer, thrips and leaf folder in rice'.

Urge
Regionally, it's also about statistics.

Bangkok Post (Jan. 8) looks back at the year gone:

'Thailand exported 11.13 million tonnes of rice worth US$5.62 billion in 2018, but exports will drop this year, according to the Foreign Trade Department. Director-general Adul Chotinisakorn said on Tuesday that last year's rice exports were worth 180.41 billion baht, met the target and helped raise local paddy prices and farm incomes. He expected exports would drop slightly this year. The department would try to increase the export value and encourage farmers to grow quality rice and high-demand rice'.

The Nation (Jan. 9) notes that the remaining rice of the rice-pledging scheme is now off the market:

'All 16.84 million tonnes of rice in the government stockpile have now been released to the markets, securing some Bt145.08 billion in sales over the few years, according to the Ministry of Commerce.Adul Chotinisakorn, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce , said the department had cleared all of the remaining stock under the present administration from May 2014 to December last year.As a result, the government no longer bears the storage cost of more than Bt1 billion per month. Furthermore, the sales will normalise rice production, trade and prices according to market mechanism, while Thailand will gain the confidence of local and foreign consumers, he said'.

Then this piece of news from Thailand. Bangkok Post (Dec. 10):

'Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has urged the Commerce and Agriculture and Cooperatives ministries to work with manufacturers to cut fertiliser prices by 30% to support the farm sector'.

Sometimes the Thai government just does not know what to do. Go organic, self-sufficient or chemi-agriculture? Fact is, current fertilizers are often of poor quality. Now that's an area the junta itself can improve ...

Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 18) looks at Lao affairs:

'Laos has achieved its target for exporting rice to China this month after the IDP Rice Mill of Laos signed a trading agreement with China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (Cofco) in November.
 Last year, the Chinese government agreed to purchase 20,000 tonnes of rice from Laos through Xuanye (Lao) Co Ltd, but up to October the country had exported just 16,800 tonnes, according to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. 
The company first exported 1,000 tonnes of rice and will be exporting the remaining 2,200 tonnes by the end of this month, Minister of Industry and Commerce Khemmani Pholsena informed Parliament'.

Slowed

Looking at the main alternatives for rice in Cambodia, the Phnom Penh Post (Jan. 8) adds on corn:

'Cambodian corn production saw slow development last year with crop yields increasing a mere two per cent on 2017 to 715,000 tonnes, remaining far short of Cambodia’s peak in 2012 when production reached nearly one million tonnes.
According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) figures – endorsed by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon – Cambodian corn production amounted to 715,000 tonnes last year, up from 700,000 tonnes in 2017. 
However, the USDA data highlighted a big gap compared to Cambodia’s peak in 2012 when corn production amounted to 951,000 tonnes, the highest since records began in 1960. 
Sakhon said on Sunday that the Kingdom’s corn production is slowed by the fact that the crop is still grown on smaller scale family farms, while market prices fluctuate annually due to a lack of modernisation of growing and drying methods'.

Khmer Times (Jan. 10) reports on investments in the kingdom's cassava sector:

'TWPC Investment (Cambodia) Co Ltd, from Thailand, will start cassava-processing operations this year in Oddar Meanchey, absorbing the entire cassava production from the province, said Ho Ren Hua, director of the company. 
Mr Ren Hua said this during a meeting on Tuesday with Agriculture Minister Veng Sakhon, adding that his company invested in the agro-industry here after receiving approval from the Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts at the end of 2017.
 “Currently, the company has completed the construction of the factory but the processing stage will start soon. There are plans to expand the production of cassava from 40,000 to 50,000 tonnes and increase processing capacity to 200,000 tonnes in the future'.

Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 19) adds:

'Hong Kong-based Green Leader Holdings Group Co Ltd, which announced its first cassava processing factory earlier this year, aims to commence operations by next year, according to Green Leader (Cambodia) Co Ltd CEO Gao Hua. 
The company is set to invest a total of $150 million in the cassava industry, which its first broke ground in April in Kratie province. Construction has been delayed, with the factory originally planned to be launched by the end of the year.
“The factory is nearly 70 per cent completed, as it was delayed due to rainy season and some technicalities in construction. The installation facility has already been prepared and we are awaiting shipments from China,” Gao said, adding that the factory is to commence operations by February next year. The Kratie province factory is located on 20ha of land in Snuol district, making it the largest such facility in Cambodia. It will be able to process some 600,000 tonnes of fresh cassava roots per year, with an annual production capacity of 150,000 tonnes of modified starch'.

On a side note, the Khmer Times (Dec. 12) has news on exports that take place via Vietnam. And it's not good:

'Local exporters have voiced concern over new customs regulations in Vietnam that require the submission of phytosanitary certificates for agricultural and livestock transshipments, arguing that they represent a significant barrier to trade. 
According to a circular issued by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, agricultural goods and livestock being shipped to a third country through Vietnam must be placed under quarantine.
As per the regulation, exporters are also required to present phytosanitary certifications at the loading port (Phnom Penh) as well as the Vietnamese port through which the shipment will be conducted'.

Markets and more
Then a listing of other Cambodia ag news mostly cropping.
Starting with pepper. The Phnom Penh Post (Dec. 7):

'The Kingdom’s non-GI pepper farmers continue to struggle due to low prices while cultivation is projected to decline next year, said Dar-Memot Pepper Agriculture Development Cooperative executive director Yin Sopha. 
Sopha said the market price for non-GI pepper this year is still under the margin of cost production, as the sector is expected not to expand next year. 
Since the beginning of the harvest season, pepper prices have stood at $2.6 per kg, which are under the profit margin. He said the lower price is due to the global market. 
“Pepper prices cannot increase anymore, as the pepper industry’s global supply is more than the need – the price is not beneficial for farmers and the growth of cultivation will not increase anymore. 
”Sopha said that the sector would no longer be a viable investment option if prices keep dropping'.

The  Khmer Times (Dec. 27) continues:

'The Kampot Pepper Promotion Association has sold just 50 tonnes of the coveted commodity, an 80 percent drop compared to last year.
 The dip in sales follows a decrease in production due to unfavorable weather conditions throughout the year, the association reported. 
Total pepper production decreased by about 30 tonnes, the association said, amounting to just 70 tonnes in 2018. This has been explained as the result of heavy downpours during the beginning of the growing season. 
Only about 50 tonnes of the crop were sold to export companies, 80 tonnes less than in 2017, said Ngoun Lay, president of the Kampot Pepper Promotion Association, who explained that the market has shrank'.

Then on to another niche product. The Khmer Times (Dec. 11) on palm sugar:

'Kampong Speu province’s palm sugar will be recognised as a geographical indication (GI) in the European Union early next year, an official from the Ministry of Commerce said. 
Op Rady, director of intellectual property at the ministry, told Khmer Times that palm sugar from Kampong Speu, which is already considered a GI product in the Kingdom, will become the second Cambodian product to be awarded GI status by the EU, and that registration will happen early 2019. 
He explained, however, that the process is taking longer than expected.
... 
Chan Sokheang, chairman and CEO of Signatures of Asia, told Khmer Times that his company plans to purchase about 130 tonnes of organic palm sugar from Kampong Speu and other Cambodian provinces. 
Signatures of Asia will spend around $234,000 to buy the palm sugar, which will be exported to the EU, mainly Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, and France, Mr Sokheang added'.

Onwards to the fruit and veggies. The Khmer Times (Jan. 4)

'The area around Boeung Tamouk Lake, in the outskirts of Phnom Penh, will be built into a massive market to centralise the supply of locally grown and imported vegetables, according to recently revealed government plans. 
The project, which will see 20 hectares around the lake developed to host the market, has already been endorsed by Prime Minister Hun Sen, according to a letter that the Office of the Council of Ministers sent yesterday to the Ministry of Land Management to request a construction permit for the project'.

Banana's. The Khmer Times (Jan. 11):

'Longmate Agriculture is shipping banana containers to China through Vietnam to prepare for its first direct shipment to the East Asian giant, a company representative said.
Longmate Agriculture, a joint venture of Chinese and local investors, is preparing a direct shipment of bananas to China. It will be the first time Cambodia exports the fruit to China.
...
Bananas will become the fourth agricultural product that Cambodia exports to the Chinese market, together with maize, cassava, and milled rice.
... 
Longmate Agriculture is now cultivating 400 hectares of land in Kampot province’s Chhouk district. It plans to grow the plantation to 1,000 hectares in the future.
The company will export about 25,000 tonnes of bananas this year and plans to double the figure in 2020'.

Khmer Times (Jan. 3) on pomelo's:

'After obtaining Geographical Indication (GI) status in June, demand for the pomelo grown in Kratie’s Koh Trong commune has spiked, with producers planning an expansion to meet it. 
The Koh Trong pomelo is only the third Cambodia product to be given the distinction, following Kampot pepper and Kampong Speu’s palm sugar. 
Chan Rina, president of the Koh Trong Pomelo Producer Association, said after GI status was awarded to their pomelo they have been unable to produce enough to satisfy rising demand from locals'.

Taxed
The Khmer Times (Dec. 11):

'Rubber export prices saw a continuous decrease this year impacted by uncertainties created by the US-China trade war and a surplus of rubber in the international market, insiders said yesterday. 
As of last week, rubber prices fell to $1,260 per ton from $1,500 early this year, said Men Sopheak, vice president of Chop Rubber Plantation in Tboung Khmum province.
 In the last months of 2016, a ton sold for $1,700, but from January to March of 2017 it traded at $2,200. Prices went down to $1600 in December last year, according to data from the General Directorate of Rubber at the Ministry of Agriculture.
“The fall in prices is caused by the US-China trade war which is putting pressure on China, a big rubber importer, to fight for cheaper rubber prices. This is resulting in an oversupply of rubber in the global market,” he added.
...
"The rubber export tax is still an issue for the local rubber exporters because the government takes $50 in taxes per ton of rubber, which sells for $1,000 or more. However, our production costs amount to $1,400 or more per ton.
“We would like to request the government not to tax rubber exports because other rubber-producing countries do not tax the sector,” Mr Heng said, adding that giving tax incentives will attract investors into the country.
Despite the decline in prices, from January to October, Cambodia exported 161,527 tonnes of rubber, an increase of 23 percent compared to the same period in 2017, according to the ministry'.

Khmer Times (Dec. 20) reports on how the Cambodia does not seem to be stimulating its own rubber sector:

'The Ministry of Agriculture is now discussing the Rubber Law with industry players and plans to send a draft to the Council of Ministers for approval next year, according to a high-ranking official.
... 
Lim Heng, vice president of An Mady Group, told Khmer Times that far from boosting the rubber industry, the law will increase the burden on the private sector. 
As per the current draft, businesses and investors involved in the rubber sector will have to secure a myriad of licenses before beginning operations. The amount of red tape involved will significantly increase, making it a much longer and arduous process for those interested in entering the market, he said.
...
General Department of Rubber’s Mr Sopha, however, said that the law simply provides a foundation, and that it is meant to serve as a guideline. Once passed, it will be enhanced with a series of sub-decress and a strategic plan for the sector to ensure that farmers and businesses are not negatively impacted'.

The Khmer Times (Dec. 21) also notes how a passed stimulus for the cashew sector is yet to take place:

'The Agriculture Ministry yesterday said Cambodia is still waiting for Vietnamese companies to invest in Cambodia’s cashew, after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed almost a year ago. 
In January, the ministry signed the MoU with the Vietnam Cashew Association to bolster Cambodia’s cashew production to one million tonnes per year.
“They wanted to come to sign an agricultural contract with local farmers to export cashew nuts, but until now I have not received any new requests from the Vietnamese side to invest here,” said Kong Pheach, director of the ministry’s agro-industry department.'

Some news from Laos, oddly that the source is Cambodian. The Phnom Penh Post (Jan. 10) looks at coffee:

'Coffee growers in southern Laos are asking for government assistance to create a fund to support coffee bean processing and provide technical advice to local growers following the recent slump in the market price.
Lao Coffee Association head Sivixay Xayyaseng told Vientiane Times: “The price of green coffee has fallen due to increasing supply on the global market. Especially increased green coffee bean production from Indonesia which is one of the biggest exporters. 
”Export Grade A green coffee beans, the highest quality grown in Laos, are currently shipping to Japan for $2,200 per tonne while Grade D green coffee beans fetch $1,300 per tonne in Vietnam. Grade A beans hit a peak of $4,800 per tonne in the past.
 About 6kg of coffee cherries are needed to produce 1kg of green coffee beans. The grade is dependent on many factors such as the quality of the coffee cherries as well as the processing. 
The recent fall in the coffee price has also adversely affected local processers'.

To be
Finally, on topic (slightly) The Guardian (Jan. 13) let's readers get acquainted with what they say are five genetically modified fruits. 
Problems are what do we call GM? 
For instance two examples provided employ CRISPR techniques. Are they GM or not? They are certainly a technique which favours big biz, that's for sure. 
Interesting comments under this article. 
See also this Guardian article (Jul. 25, 2018):

'Plants and animals created by innovative gene-editing technology have been genetically modified and should be regulated as such, the EU’s top court has ruled.
The landmark decision ends 10 years of debate in Europe about what is – and is not – a GM food, with a victory for environmentalists, and a bitter blow to Europe’s biotech industry.
 It also marks a setback for UK scientists who took advantage of a legal grey area to begin field trials of gene edited camelina crops, augmented with Omega-3 fish oils'