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For Blog & News Letter Advertisment contact to write : Mujahid Ali mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com

www.ricepluss.com & www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

Aug ,2015

Vol 5,Issue XIII

September 08,2015

Vol 5,Issue XIv

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News Headlines...

Rice exports post sharp decline of 27 percent in 1MFY Export of basmati rice hit by competition with India: National Assembly

body told Monsoon deficit to hit paddy crop output hard Barter rice for energy with Iran Ministry Offers Daily Breakfast Ideas to Boost Rice Consumption Early Arkansas rice yields down 10-15 percent What to expect from the 2015-2016 DROUGHT Pakistan Planning to Barter Rice for Energy with Iran SunRice invested in NQ future Vietnam: Weaker yuan presses Vietnam's rice price down Enugu registers 22, 000 rice farmers Govt allows private players to procure rice in eastern states Fewer rice traders show interest in govt auction News shared by USA Rice Daily Crop Progress: 2015 Crop 35 Percent Harvested CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures APEDA Commodity News from India IRRI DG visits BRRI in Gazipur Floods bring losses to farmers in 29 districts Rice millers should pay the farmers Recipe: Roast duck with pomegranate molasses & rice pilaf

News Detail...

Rice exports post sharp decline of 27 percent in 1MFY

September 08, 2015

RECORDER REPORT

Pakistan's rice exports posted a sharp decline of 27 percent during the first month of this fiscal

year mainly due to declining price trend in the world market. Pakistan exported rice amounting

to $91 million in July 2015, compared to $125 million in July 2014, depicting a decline of 27.24

percent or $34 million. Major drop has been witnessed in the export of Basmati Rice, which

registered a 30 percent decline to $34 million exports during the period under review. While,

non-Basmati exports stood at $57 million in July 2015, down by 25 percent. Rice exports in July

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are even some 31 percent less than June 2015, in which Pakistan exported rice amounting $133

million. Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has shown serious concern over the

massive decline in rice exports and urged the government for relief measures to support the rice

trade.

Rafique Suleman, Chairman, and Mian Mohsin Aziz, Senior Vice Chairman have drawn the

attention of government authorities towards the alarming crisis in rice export trade. They said

that during the last fiscal year Pakistani exporters managed to keep the rice exports at $1.9

billion level, however in the international market scenario, "now it is difficult for the rice

exporters to maintain exports," they added. "Rice export faced a lot of challenges during last

fiscal year and we are afraid of that current fiscal year will be very tough for all stakeholders of

rice trade if corrective measures not taken by the federal government," said Rafique Suleman.

Chairman REAP elaborated that due to low demand on international market, prices of rice have

been declined sharply, which resulted into heavy losses to all rice stakeholders. He informed that

prices of Basmati rice had been declined to $850 per ton from $1,200 per ton in the world

market, while price of non-Basmati rice stood at some $310 per ton, down $60-70 per ton. REAP

always request the federal government to facilitate the growers in bringing the cost down in the

larger interest of farmers, consumers and exporters.

However, government always prefer indirect subsidy. "REAP has suggested the federal

government for free supply of seeds, fertilisers and water to farmers to reduce their input cost,

and enable rice exporters compete the heavily subsidised rice industry of neighbouring country,"

he added. REAP requested the government to stop subsidy on gas to fertiliser sector as he

believed that they are not passing the entire benefit of this subsidy to the farmers. "Although,

Iran government agreed to lift ban on rice import from Pakistan against the backdrop of gradual

removal of international sanctions and rice export to Iran will start from October 2015; however

there is need to take some measurers domestically to take benefits from this export," he added.

He said previously, Pakistan was the largest exporter of rice to Iran, while presently India is

penetrating in Iranian markets, adding that currently, Iran was importing almost 90 percent of

rice from India despite that fact that import from Pakistan was more economical. "Non-

availability of power and lack of research and development are also serious challenges to rice

export trade and quick measurers are required to address these issues," he said. Many important

industrial areas particularly Hawksbay Industrial area is facing heavy loadshedding due to which

several rice mills/exporters failed to meet their export targets.

In addition, REAP had series of meetings with NIBGE, Faisalabad, Pakistan Agricultural

Research Centre (PARC) Islamabad and requested them to work towards introducing new

Basmati variety for the revival of rice export trade. However, domestic Rice Research Institutes

are failed to provide any new and good quality seed of Basmati rice during the last 15 to 20

years. He demanded that rice mills should be exempted from gas and electricity load-shedding

during October 2015 to February 2016, so that we can achieve our export targets. REAP has

appealed the Prime Minister, Federal Commerce Minister, Federal Minister for National Food

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Security & Research and Federal Finance Minister to intervene in the matter to survive the rice

export trade.

http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183/1225063/

Export of basmati rice hit by competition with India: National Assembly

body told

September 08, 2015

The Ministry of Commerce on Monday told the National Assembly Standing Committee on

Government Assurances that the export of non-basmati rice to Iran had increased as compared to

basmati rice. The committee, which met here with Muhammad Afzal Khokhar in the Chair, was

briefed by the ministry about rice export. The ministry told that there was a decline in export of

basmati rice due to competition with India. It said that efforts were being made to increase the

export of fine quality rice to Iran. However, the committee expressed concern over the decrease

and emphasised the need to arrest the recent declining trend in the export of basmati rice.

The committee was also told that the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (Safron) in

consultation with the Interior Ministry and National Database and Registration Authority

(Nadra), had submitted an operational plan to register one million unregistered Afghans. It may

be mentioned here that during the 25th Tripartite Commission meeting, bilateral consultations

were held between Afghanistan and Pakistan on March 10, 2015, where both sides agreed to

document unregistered Afghans in Pakistan with technical support from Nadra and verification

by the Afghan authority. Moreover, Nadra has submitted a Letter of Intent for a mutual

agreement with Safron, which is being considered by the Interior Ministry.

The committee was also told that the registration of Afghan refugees, which was to start in

August 2015, could not be initiated and awaiting approval from the Interior Ministry. An official

of the interior ministry said that the ministry was optimistic that the process would be completed

within two to three months. The committee directed the interior ministry that matters pertaining

to issuance of computerised national identity cards (CNICs) to Afghan nationals and other aliens

should be stopped.

Business Recorder

Monsoon deficit to hit paddy crop output hard

Paul Fernandes,TNN | Sep 8, 2015, 04.27 AM IST

Panaji: A rain deficit in August and September, during crucial stages in paddy growth, may have

hit the crop and production is likely to show a decline of 10-20%.The total rainfall for the season

so far has crawled to 2101.9mm, as against a normal of 2778.6mm, taking the deficit to 24% on

Monday. For paddy, it is grain-formation time in some areas, panicle phase in others, and critical

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growth stage in late-sown fields.The dry conditions are worrying farmers and agriculture

department officials. "If there is no rainfall for three more days, the crop will start drying. Some

yellow patches can already be seen," said Ulhas B Kakode, director of agriculture.

Dry conditions affect paddy as the crop is a water-guzzler. "Most of the paddy crop in the state is

in the panicle-initiation stage, which is followed by the formation of milk and grain. If there is

moisture, the plant can take nutrients from the soil," said N P Singh, director, ICAR-CCARI, Old

Goa complex.H R Prabhudesai, former subject matter specialist (agronomy), ICAR-CCARI,

explained, "During this last phase, also called the milky stage, dough stage and grain-formation

stage, any water stress results in empty earheads (pol) and low yield."Prakash Raut, zonal

agricultural officer, Valpoi, agreed, "The dry conditions should not prolong, as the crop is in the

grain-formation stage." A total of 400 hectares in Sattari is under paddy crop.

The dry spell is likely to hit the newly-planted saplings of cashew, mango and other horticulture

crops too. "Natural watering boosts growth as compared to manual irrigation," Raut pointed out.

Prabhudesai said the production picture could be grim with poor rainfall during the crucial stages

of the crop. "If you look into the physiology of crop and rainfall pattern, a reduction of 20-25%

(in yield), especially in upland (morod) areas, is likely," he stressed.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Monsoon-deficit-to-hit-paddy-crop-output-

hard/articleshow/48862564.cms

Barter rice for energy with Iran By Peer Muhammad

Published: September 8, 2015

Food security ministry holds discussion, decision to be taken soon. PHOTO: APP

ISLAMABAD: Members of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) are

pressing the government to make arrangements for rice export to Iran in exchange for

the money Pakistan has to pay for electricity import.

A senior official of REAP, while talking to The Express Tribune, said they had proposed to the

government to allow the export of surplus rice to Iran by transferring the amount due against

the government to the exporters until a proper currency transfer arrangement and an effective,

efficient and reliable formal banking channel were restored.―Yes, we have requested the

authorities to devise a mechanism for rice export to Iran and pay the outstanding bills for

Iranian electricity supply to the exporters,‖ said a REAP representative on condition of

anonymity because the proposal was at an early stage.―If the Pakistan and Iranian governments

agree, the exporters will soon export one million tons of basmati rice,‖ he said. Prior to the

economic sanctions imposed on Iran by western countries, Pakistan had been exporting about

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700,000 tons of basmati to Iran annually and it was the largest market for Pakistani rice.

At present, Pakistan has four million tons of surplus rice, of which 3.2 million tons are non-

basmati and 700,000 tons are basmati. Pakistan owes more than $100 million to Iran for

electricity import.An official of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research

confirmed that the proposal had been received. ―Our ministry is in discussion at the highest

level and a decision will be taken soon,‖ he said.Meanwhile, a statement issued by REAP

Chairman Rafique Suleman and other members has drawn the government‘s attention to the

sharp drop in rice exports.

Citing the export figures for July received from statistics section of the Trade Development

Authority of Pakistan, Suleman said shipments fell 14% in terms of quantity and 27% in

value.He pointed out that rice exports faced a lot of challenges during the last fiscal year and if

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corrective measures were not taken by the government, the current year would also be very

tough.The exporters have, however, welcomed the decision of the Iranian government to lift

the ban on rice imports from Pakistan in the backdrop of a gradual removal of international

sanctions. Rice exports will restart from October this year.

However, Suleman believes that the decision will prove ineffective until a proper currency

transfer arrangement and an effective and reliable formal banking channel is put in place.At

present, almost 90% of rice is imported from India even though imports from Pakistan are

more economical.Owing to low demand in the international market, rice prices were declining

to a critical level that was inflicting heavy losses.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2015. http://tribune.com.pk/story/952598/barter-rice-for-energy-with-iran/

Ministry Offers Daily Breakfast Ideas to Boost Rice

Consumption

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has

been sharing breakfast recipes by e-mail since March to

promote healthy eating and rice consumption. Some

62,300 people have signed up for the meal ideas, which

are simple and nutritious and feature rice. The recipes are

available to view athttp://www.rice-museum.com. Those

who are interested can sign up at the site for e-mails that

go out every weekday at 2 p.m. "Breakfast provides

energy for the brain and boosts concentration," said Jeon

Han-young, an official at the ministry. "It also helps

prevent obesity. We expect that the service will help

parents spend less time preparing meals while boosting

rice consumption."

englishnews@chosun.com / Sep. 08, 2015 10:05 KST

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/09/08/2015090801048.html

Early Arkansas rice yields down 10-15 percent Sep 8, 2015Farm Press Staff | Delta Farm Press

Harvest weather may be just about

perfect for the 2015 Arkansas rice

crop, but the results leave a lot to

be desired, says Jarrod Hardke,

rice Extension agronomist.―There

continue to be bright spots, but

there seem to be just as many dim

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ones. The southern half of Arkansas seems fairly set on an average yield likely to come in around

10 to 15 percent below previous years. There is still rice to be cut, so maybe later rice will be

above expectations.―As for northern Arkansas, early reports are not great. The sample size is

small, but a number of the fields harvested so far report similar yield issues to the southern half

of the state. However, some areas are reporting good to very good yields,‖ says

Hardke.―According to DD50 enrollment, over 90 percent of Arkansas fields have reached

harvest moisture (20 percent). The weather for the next 10 days looks excellent for harvest and if

the dew will lighten up many will make tremendous progress.‖

Hardke says a few farmers have made some mistakes in the last couple of weeks with harvest

aids. Farmers should not apply harvest aids ―when rice moisture is above 25 percent or below 18

percent. Above 25 percent you may stop some kernels from finishing out and below 18 percent

you will cause moisture to fall out too fast and shattering will begin to occur.―On a somewhat

related note — if applying harvest aids to fields adjacent to rice, be very careful,‖ says Hardke.

―Questions about glyphosate as a harvest aid on grain sorghum near rice — best bet is to

consider rice only completely safe when it‘s in the combine.‖For more updates from Hardke on

the current Arkansas rice crop including the current effects of weather and how to calculate

harvest loss, download Arkansas Rice Update 9-5-15. http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/early-arkansas-rice-yields-down-10-15-percent

What to expect from the 2015-2016 DROUGHT M.A.P. Insights

Rolando T. Dy

A new forecast from the Climate Prediction Center of the US National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) claims that the present

El Niño episode is ―strengthening,‖ and could become very strong and may

even rival the strongest on record, since the El Niño 1997-1998. It only

happened twice since meteorologists started monitoring conditions in the

tropical Pacific: 1982-1983 and 1997-1998.

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NOAA forecasters say there is a 90% chance that El Niño will continue through the winter

months, and an 85% chance (up from 80% in July) that it will last into early spring next year. For

the Philippines, this means the El Niño will remain until March/April 2016.

NOAA claims El Niño episodes usually span nine to 12 months, some events may continue for

years. They usually begin to form between June and August, peak between December and April,

and then diminish between May and July of the following year.NOAA claims two things in mind

throughout this discussion of potential impacts.First, El Niño is not the sole driver of the

atmosphere at any time. Day-to-day variability in the weather pattern and other factors all work

together with El Niño to determine the overall weather over the time-frame of a few months.

Second, no two El Niños are exactly alike. The intensity matters for impacts.What will be the

impact on Philippine agriculture if a similar intensity affects the country? Let us look back at the

1982-1983 and 1997-1998 episodes.

During the 1997-1998 drought, Philippine agriculture output contracted by -6.4% in 1998, far

higher than the -3.5% during 1982-1983.Overall crops headed south with a 12.5% cut in 1998

from -7.4% in 1982-1983. The major crops posted double digit declines in 1998.Rice contracted

by 24%, sugarcane -20.7%, coconut -11.9%, and corn -11.7%. Other crops posted -5.3%. Rain-

fed rice was hit harder than irrigated rice in both drought episodes.Poultry production fell in

1998 due to prolonged heat that led to slow growth and high mortality. Thus far, this is not yet

happening with tunnel-ventilated houses.

Livestock was least affected. The decline in fishery in 1998 was due to drying up of ponds,

creeks, and rivers that affected aquaculture. (See Table)

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For 2015, the outlook for agriculture will be slow growth of less than one%. It was reported to

have grown by only 0.7% in the first half. For 2016, the first half output will be severely hit if

the 1983 and 1998 record will be the pattern.The contraction in supply may affect food

prices.Already, the 2016 estimate for palay production is flat at about 18.4 million tons (an

equivalent of less than 12 million tons of rice).The National Food Authority has approved

imports of 805,000 tons of rice as of June 2015. The United States Department of Agriculture

has estimated that the Philippines may import 1.7 million tons in 2015, up 42% from 1.2 million

tons in 2014.In 1998, the consumer price index rose by 9.2% from 6.6% average during 1995-

1997. The data for 1983 may not be comparable as there was an economic crisis starting in 1983.

Nevertheless, inflation in 1983 was 10%, lower than the 13.8% in 1980-1982.

What now?

2016 is an election year.High food prices hit the poor greatly that they can fall below the poverty

threshold. This was shown by the increase in poverty incidence in 2014 when rice prices spiked

due to the delay in rice imports.There are challenges in responding to El Niño.Farmers can plant

non-water intensive, short-term crops. Cloud seeding can be tried.But long-term solutions

include: building water impounding ponds, research into drought-tolerant crops and semi-arid

food crops, and water-conserving irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation or pipe irrigation.

Rolando T. Dy is the Vice-Chair of the M.A.P. AgriBusiness and Countryside Development

Committee, and the Executive Director of the Center for Food and AgriBusiness of the

University of Asia & the Pacific.

map@map.org.ph

rdyster@gmail.com

http://map.org.ph

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Opinion&title=what-to-expect-from-the-2015-

2016br-drought&id=114871

Pakistan Planning to Barter Rice for Energy with Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- Members of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) are pressing

the government to make arrangements for rice export to Iran in exchange for the money Pakistan

has to pay for electricity import.

A senior official of REAP said they had proposed to the government to allow the export of

surplus rice to Iran by transferring the amount due against the government to the exporters until a

proper currency transfer arrangement and an effective, efficient and reliable formal banking

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channel were restored, the Express Tribune reported on Tuesday.―Yes, we have requested the

authorities to devise a mechanism for rice export to Iran and pay the outstanding bills for Iranian

electricity supply to the exporters,‖ said a REAP representative on condition of anonymity

because the proposal was at an early stage.

―If the Pakistan and Iranian governments agree, the exporters will soon export one million tons

of basmati rice,‖ he said. Prior to the economic sanctions imposed on Iran by western countries,

Pakistan had been exporting about 700,000 tons of basmati to Iran annually and it was the largest

market for Pakistani rice.At present, Pakistan has four million tons of surplus rice, of which 3.2

million tons are non-basmati and 700,000 tons are basmati. Pakistan owes more than $100mln to

Iran for electricity import.An official of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research

confirmed that the proposal had been received. ―Our ministry is in discussion at the highest level

and a decision will be taken soon,‖ he said.Meanwhile, a statement issued by REAP Chairman

Rafique Suleman and other members has drawn the government‘s attention to the sharp drop in

rice exports.

Citing the export figures for July received from statistics section of the Trade Development

Authority of Pakistan, Suleman said shipments fell 14 percent in terms of quantity and 27

percent in value.He pointed out that rice exports faced a lot of challenges during the last fiscal

year and if corrective measures were not taken by the government, the current year would also be

very tough.

The exporters have, however, welcomed the decision of the Iranian government to lift the ban on

rice imports from Pakistan in the backdrop of a gradual removal of international sanctions. Rice

exports will restart from October this year.However, Suleman believes that the decision will

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prove ineffective until a proper currency transfer arrangement and an effective and reliable

formal banking channel is put in place.At present, almost 90 percent of rice is imported from

India even though imports from Pakistan are more economical.Owing to low demand in the

international market, rice prices were declining to a critical level that was inflicting heavy losses.

FARS News Agency

SunRice invested in NQ future 08 Sep, 2015 04:00 AM

SunRice has invested significantly in the Brandon Mill, with the company stating that the upgrades are important steps in the

development of the North Queensland rice industry. Photo: SunRice.

FURTHER cementing its commitment to building a sustainable Queensland rice industry,

SunRice has invested significantly in the last financial year to improve manufacturing

productivity and quality of locally grown rice at the Brandon Mill, which it purchased in

November 2014.Key developments have seen a weighbridge installed to enable growers to

directly deliver paddy to the mill. A new software system is also being investigated to improve

the management of incoming and outgoing rice stocks. The mill‘s drying facilities, which were

previously not in use, have been upgraded and connected to four silos to allow paddy, which is

delivered at up to 22 per cent moisture, to be milled at the optimum level of 12.5pc moisture, so

as to improve product quality and milling throughput.Plans are also underway to install a new

packing line at the mill, which will be capable of producing 20 kilogram packs of branded North

Queensland rice. These large packs will be tailored to service growing demand from SunRice‘s

foodservice customers.

SunRice General Manager, Grower Services, Mike Hedditch said the upgrades to the Brandon

Mill were an important step in the development of a vibrant and productive North Queensland

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rice industry.―We‘re in an exciting phase of establishing and growing a sustainable rice industry

in North Queensland, which will also help to strengthen the local economy and the region‘s

farming communities,‖ Mr Hedditch said.SunRice is also in the process of establishing a

‗Growers Services‘ office at the Brandon Mill to strengthen the existing agronomic support the

company provides to local growers.

The new office, which includes a lab for testing rice samples, will also be used by SunRice‘s

research and development subsidiary, Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd (RRAPL), which is

running a number of rice variety trials across the region to maximise local growing options.To

make it easier for North Queensland growers to incorporate rice into their cropping systems,

SunRice recently purchased a three metre John Deere 1590 Box Drill seeder from Vanderfields

in Mackay, which is now available for hire for growers in Mackay and Proserpine

http://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/news/agriculture/cropping/general-news/sunrice-invested-in-

nq-future/2742631.aspx

Vietnam: Weaker yuan presses Vietnam's rice price down 9/8/2015

Thai News Service As predicted, importers have tried to lower Vietnam's rice price after the Chinese government's

devaluation of the yuan.VnExpress quoted the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) as reporting

that the rice price and sales may fall significantly because of the yuan depreciation.Chinese

enterprises, which have to pay 4 percent more for rice import contracts with the payments in US

dollars, are trying to force the price down to offset the loss they incur due to yuan

depreciation.This coincides with Reuters' prediction made in mid-August that Vietnam's

rice export price would decrease on the yuan and dong devaluation and the abundant supply.

VFA then announced the lower floor export price of $330 per ton, a 2.9 percent decrease, for 25

percent broken rice.The decision was released in the context of the sharp fall of 8.8 percent

decrease in exports in the first seven months of the year.Le Thanh Danh from Vinafood 1

confirmed that Chinese have asked to renegotiate the prices, reasoning the yuan devaluation,

which has made Vietnamese exporters suffer.Danh said on Nong Nghiep that Vietnam now bears

pressure as India and Pakistan are offering rice at relatively low prices.Therefore,

Vietnam's exports to China have seen the price decrease significantly to $340 per ton of 5

percent broken rice and $330 per ton of 15 percent broken rice. The price levels represent a $7-8

per ton decrease compared with some months ago.The price of rice exported through unofficial

channels - across the border gates - has also fallen. Every kilo of rice sold across the northern

border has seen the price fall by VND300.Some businesses in the Mekong River Delta estimated

that over 1 million tons of rice have been exported to China this year across the border.

Nguyen Van Don, director of Viet Hung Rice ExportCompany, warned that

hinese importers may cut the volume of rice to buy from Vietnam and buy from Thailand and

Myanmar instead.As the export price decreases, the rice price in the domestic market has also

gone down. VFA said the price of 5 percent broken rice in Mekong River Delta has decreased by

VND100 per kilo over the week before.Analysts warned that not only rice but other farm

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14

produce will also suffer from the weaker yuan, because China is a big consumer of Vietnamese

produce.China alone consumed 38.1 percent of Vietnam's 3.72 million tons of rice exports so far.

It consumes 25 percent of Vietnam's rubber and 13 percent of Vietnam's cashew nut output. The

country consumed 90 percent of 2.89 million tons of cassava sold in the last seven months of the

year. – VOV

http://www.world-grain.com/news/news%20home/LexisNexisArticle.aspx?articleid=2439636074

Enugu registers 22, 000 rice farmers Posted By: Our Reporteron: September 08, 2015

FADAMA State Implementation

Committee in Enugu State has

registered over 22, 000 rice

farmers.State Coordinator

Ikechukwu Jude explained that

though FADAMA III Additional

Financing targets 5, 000 farmers

for 5, 000 hectares of land for

rice cultivation, the high number

of registered farmers was due to

the new reality of dwindling oil

revenue that was making more

people divert into agriculture.He

hoped that those who may not be

captured by FADAMA III AF

will be engaged by other state

projects. ―Before the end of the

project in 2017, we are looking at

about 30, 000 farmers to be

engaged either by FADAMA III

AF or by the state

government.‖While the capacity

of farmers is being developed in

the state, the coordinator said the

first and most important goal was

to change the farmer‘s orientation. ―They must realise that farming is no longer development

agriculture, but a business enterprise that must be diligently pursued‖, he said.Jude said the

project would provide 50 per cent of the farmers needs as grants. This will include certified

improved rice seeds, agro chemicals, fertilisers and other assets and infrastructure.―The project

has an approved six locations of seven installations for central pivot system of irrigation. That

means farmers in that location will have over 350 hectares of land to be done three times a year,

which means a cumulative 1, 050 hectares of rice farm in a year on that project alone. A major

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15

off taker has also been contacted and assurance has been given to buy all the outputs, thereby

resolving the issue of marketing,‖ he said.

http://thenationonlineng.net/enugu-registers-22-000-rice-farmers/

Govt allows private players to procure rice in eastern states

The purpose of bringing private players into rice procurement operations is to

improve efficiency in transportation, packaging and storage of grain By: Sandip Das | New Delhi | September 8, 2015 12:09 AM

The purpose of bringing private players into rice procurement operations is to improve efficiency

in transportation, packaging and storage of grain

In a bid to increase the outreach of minimum support price (MSP)

operations among farmers, the food ministry has decided to allow private

players to purchase rice in some eastern states from the next marketing

season, which commences from October 1.Sources told FE that private

firms will be allowed to procure paddy from farmers in Assam, Bihar,

easternUttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal, where the Food

Corporation of India (FCI) does not have a robust procurement mechanism, which often forces

farmers to go for distress sale.As per the new policy, private parties would be engaged in

procurement of paddy from farmers in a cluster, identified by the respective state government

and they would deliver custom milled rice (CMR) at the FCI or state government-owned agency

godowns.

―Private parties would be allowed to procure paddy from farmers in those areas where FCI and

state government-owned agencies do not have significant presence,‖ a food ministry official

said.Sources said the private sector will be allowed in only those clusters where there is

possibility of procurement of one lakh tonne of rice equivalent of paddy. Besides, the policy

allows the private parties to open as many purchase centres as possible in the allotted cluster,

subject to a cluster covering a minimum 500 to 1000 hectare.―Private parties would be engaged

in procurement operations after e-tendering and the parties would be short-listed on the basis of

acquisitions cost, including incidentals such as packaging, transportation and storage of grain

quoted by agencies,‖ the official said.

The official added that the purpose of bringing private players into rice procurement operations

was to improve efficiency in procurement, transportation, packaging and temporary storage of

grain.―On the delivery of CMR to FCI or state-owned corporations, the private players would be

reimbursed the MSP) and statutory charges paid by them upon production of proof of payment,

besides the incidentals quoted in the tender document,‖ an official said.The policy follows

recommendation by the high level committee (HLC) headed by former food minster Shanta

Kumar earlier this year. The HLC had suggested that FCI should move on to help those states

where farmers suffer from distress sales at prices much below MSP, and which are dominated by

small holdings, like eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, etc.

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―This is the belt from where the second green revolution is expected, and where FCI needs to be

pro-active, mobilizing state and other agencies to provide benefits of MSP and procurement to a

larger number of farmers, especially small and marginal ones,‖ the panel had stated.Recently, the

food ministry had set a target to procure 30 million tonne of rice during the next kharif marketing

season (2015-16) starting from October 1.

Punjab, the biggest contributor to the central pool, would procure 8.2 million tonne while

Chhattisgarh would purchase 3.6 million tonne from farmers.The key contributors to the central

pool include Odisha (2.8 million tonne), Uttar Pradesh (2.7 million tonne), Haryana (2.3 million

tonne), Andhra Pradesh (2 million tonne) and Telangana (1.8 million tonne).The government has

announced an MSP for common and grade A varieties of paddy at Rs 1,410 and Rs 1,450 per

quintal respectively for the 2015-16 season. First Published on September 08, 2015 12:09 am

http://www.financialexpress.com/article/markets/commodities/govt-allows-private-players-to-procure-

rice-in-eastern-states/131957/

Fewer rice traders show interest in govt auction

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

THE NATION September 8, 2015 1:00 am

FEWER TRADERS have shown interest in joining the government's latest rice auction after it

has gradually released rice to the market, a trade organisation says. The Commerce Ministry on

August 31 invited rice traders to apply to take part in the sixth rice auction of the year, this time

for 732,806 tonnes. But only 33 have applied for qualification checks, compared with 58 who

joined the last auction. The bidding will open today.Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president

of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said there was less interest this time as the market has

acknowledged that the government will continue to release rice from its stockpiles, so they do

not have to purchase rice immediately.

Moreover, with prices dropping in the world market, rice traders may slow down their purchases

as they expect even lower prices in the future, he said.During the past week, the price of 5 per

cent Thai white rice decreased slightly to US$360-$370 per tonne, while Vietnamese rice was

quoted at $320-$330 per tonne.Foreign Trade Department director-general Duangporn Rodphaya

said this auction should still be able to draw a good number of traders as it is outside the rice-

harvest season, so they will still enjoy high demand for the grain.The ministry will consider

opening another auction soon to clear out more rice stocks, she added

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Fewer-rice-traders-show-interest-in-govt-auction-

30268328.html

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News shared by USA Rice Daily

Mexican Imports of U.S. Milled Rice on Rise -- Packers Returning

to U.S. Origin

U.S. rice back on top

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- One of the top rice packers in Mexico is beginning to shift

purchases back to U.S. rice from Uruguay and other origins thanks to better prices, logistics, and

quality."The packer has a premium brand that can command a top price. Back in 2011, they

shifted almost exclusively to Uruguayan milled rice," said Marvin Lehrer, USA Rice's

representative in the region. "Recently, a large price spread between Uruguay and the U.S. has

shifted origin preference back to the United States.

"The packer notes that he prefers to buy from the U.S. because of logistic advantages and is

seeking higher quality U.S. rice. The shift from Uruguayan origin back to the U.S. is expected to

be gradual but steady."We are also hearing from the trade that there has been consumer rejection

of Vietnamese rice, especially from supermarket buyers," Lehrer continued. "We're told that

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18

supermarkets and, in turn, packers are getting returns of Viet rice due to 'stickiness,' and other

quality concerns by consumers."The U.S. already enjoys a significant quality, logistic, and name

recognition advantage in Mexico, especially against Asia.

The latest problems for rice from Vietnam could push the origin to bottom end, non-branded

segment of the market, where Lehrer says they could gain a foothold. However, he says U.S.

milled rice usage, especially properly promoted, will lead in Mexico for years to come.Mexican

imports of rice are still dominated by paddy rice, but a shift has been taking place. Paddy, once

95 percent of imports, now make up about 75 percent, with milled rice making up the remaining

25 percent. "We're paying attention to both segments, and we are supporting the local trade in

both paddy and milled rice -- just so long as the origin is the United States," says Jim Guinn, vice

president of USA Rice's international promotion programs.

Contact: Sarah Moran (703) 236-1457

USA Rice to Sponsor Premier Culinary Event in Mexico Next

Month

Camera ready rice

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- Last week, USA Rice participated in a press conference

announcing the upcoming Vallarta-Nayarit Gastronomica, the premier gastronomic event and

trade show in Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit, from October 4-7. USA Rice is a sponsor

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19

of this important culinary event targeting the professional food service industry, and will offer

specialized rice workshops in addition to exhibiting at the trade show.Sixty members of the press

and 80 special guests attended the press conference at the Spanish Embassy here.

The media received specialized press kits containing USA Rice cookbooks, information about

U.S.-grown rice, and a wide range of brochures and invitations to future USA Rice events.At the

press conference USA Rice displayed several gourmet rice dishes, including a variety of sushi,

California rolls, coconut rice with white chocolate liquor, and an upscale healthy rice salad. In

addition, a winner from a local USA Rice student chef competition prepared her winning dish,

Rice Cheesecake."Our booth drew a lot of attention," said Gaby Carbajal who manages USA

Rice's promotions programs in Mexico. "The media was very engaged with our delicious

presentation, took lots of photographs and video, and requested more information. There was a

lot of 'buzz' around next month's trade show and it promises to be a great opportunity for USA

Rice to make key contacts in the media and the professional food service industry."U.S.-grown

rice enjoys an excellent reputation in Mexico (see prev

Crop Progress: 2015 Crop 35 Percent Harvested

WASHINGTON, DC -- Thirty-five percent of the nation's 2015 rice acreage is harvested, according to today's U.S.

Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report.

Rice Headed, Selected States

Week Ending

State Sept 6,

2014

August 30,

2015

Sept 6,

2015

2010-2014

average

Percent

Arkansas 14 16 30 29

California 2 -- 1 1

Louisiana 75 84 90 82

Mississippi 14 22 34 36

Missouri 4 -- 2 12

Texas 80 75 76 89

Six States 25 26 35 34

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

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CME Group (Preliminary): Closing Rough Rice Futures for September 8

Month Price Net Change

September 2015 $12.010 + $0.160

November 2015 $12.265 + $0.155

January 2016 $12.555 + $0.155

March 2016 $12.800 + $0.150

May 2016 $13.025 + $0.145

July 2016 $13.175 + $0.130

September 2016 $12.375 + $0.155

APEDA Commodity News from India

International Benchmark Price Price on: 07-09-2015

Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price Rice

1 CZCE Early Rice Futures (USD/t) 430

2 Pakistani 100%, FOB Karachi (USD/t) 318

3 Pakistani 25% Broken (USD/t) 383

Wheat

1 CZCE Wheat Futures (USD/t) 358

2 NYSE Liffe Feed Wheat Futures (USD/t) 169

3 NYSE Liffe Milling Wheat Futures (USD/t) 166

Honey

1 Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 3190

2 Australian extra light/light amber, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 4785

3 Argentine 34mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 3685

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 07-09-2015

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Jowar(Sorgham)

1 Gulbarga (Karnataka) Hybrid 1150 1150

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21

2 Beed (Maharashtra) Other 1640 1800

3 Pargi (Telangana) Local 1280 1280

Rice

1 Goalpara (Assam) Fine 3000 3800

2 Solapur (Maharashtra) Other 2120 5525

3 Junagarh (Orissa) Other 2100 2200

Pine Apple

1 Shillong (Meghalaya) Other 2000 2600

2 Mumbai (Maharashtra) Other 1000 2500

3 Ropar (Punjab) Other 300 500

Cucumbar

1 Pune (Maharashtra) Other 700 1400

2 Panipat (Haryana) Other 1200 1700

3 Barnala (Punjab) Cucumbar 500 700

Source:agmarknet.nic.in For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 07-09-2015

Product Market Center Price

1 Ahmedabad 316

2 Nagapur 280

3 Namakkal 300

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 04-09-2015

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Onions Dry Package: 40 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Georgia Yellow 27 30

2 Baltimore Peru Yellow 28 28

3 Detroit California Yellow 28 28.50

Carrots Package: 20 1-lb film bags

1 Atlanta California Baby Peeled 19 20.75

2 Dallas Arizona Baby Peeled 16.75 17

3 Detroit California Baby Peeled 17 17.50

Apples Package: cartons tray pack

1 Atlanta Washington Red Delicious 18 20

2 Dallas Washington Red Delicious 22 22

3 Chicago Washington Red Delicious 13.50 14.50

Source:USDA

International Benchmark Price

Price on: 08-09-2015

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Product Benchmark Indicators Name Price

Rice

1 CZCE Early Rice Futures (USD/t) 430

2 Pakistani 100%, FOB Karachi (USD/t) 318

3 Pakistani 25% Broken (USD/t) 383

Wheat

1 CZCE Wheat Futures (USD/t) 358

2 NYSE Liffe Feed Wheat Futures (USD/t) 169

3 NYSE Liffe Milling Wheat Futures (USD/t) 166

Honey

1 Argentine 85mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 3190

2 Australian extra light/light amber, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 4785

3 Argentine 34mm, CIF NW Europe (USD/t) 3685

Source:agra-net For more info

Market Watch

Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 07-09-2015

Domestic Prices Unit Price : Rs per Qty

Product Market Center Variety Min Price Max Price

Jowar(Sorgham)

1 Gulbarga (Karnataka) Hybrid 1150 1150

2 Beed (Maharashtra) Other 1640 1800

3 Pargi (Telangana) Local 1280 1280

Rice

1 Goalpara (Assam) Fine 3000 3800

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23

2 Solapur (Maharashtra) Other 2120 5525

3 Junagarh (Orissa) Other 2100 2200

Pine Apple

1 Shillong (Meghalaya) Other 2000 2600

2 Mumbai (Maharashtra) Other 1000 2500

3 Ropar (Punjab) Other 300 500

Cucumbar

1 Pune (Maharashtra) Other 700 1400

2 Panipat (Haryana) Other 1200 1700

3 Barnala (Punjab) Cucumbar 500 700

Source:agmarknet.nic.in For more info

Egg Rs per 100 No

Price on 07-09-2015

Product Market Center Price

1 Ahmedabad 316

2 Nagapur 280

3 Namakkal 300

Source: e2necc.com

Other International Prices Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 04-09-2015

Product Market Center Origin Variety Low High

Onions Dry Package: 40 lb cartons

1 Atlanta Georgia Yellow 27 30

2 Baltimore Peru Yellow 28 28

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24

3 Detroit California Yellow 28 28.50

Carrots Package: 20 1-lb film bags

1 Atlanta California Baby Peeled 19 20.75

2 Dallas Arizona Baby Peeled 16.75 17

3 Detroit California Baby Peeled 17 17.50

Apples Package: cartons tray pack

1 Atlanta Washington Red Delicious 18 20

2 Dallas Washington Red Delicious 22 22

3 Chicago Washington Red Delicious 13.50 14.50

Source:USDA

IRRI DG visits BRRI in Gazipur

12:00 AM, September 08, 2015 / LAST MODIFIED: 03:14 AM, September 08, 2015

Director General of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Robert S Zeigler visited

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) yesterday in Gazipur, said a press release.BRRI

Director General Jiban Krishna Biswas welcomed the IRRI team and discussed areas of

collaboration between the two institutes at a meeting.BRRI Director (administration and

common service) Shahjahan Kabir, Director (research) Answer Ali, Coordinator for Advanced

Studies and Research Abu Saleque, Editor-in-Chief of IRRI's publication Rice Today Gene P

Hettel and IRRI Representative in Bangladesh Paul Fox were present among others.

http://www.thedailystar.net/city/irri-dg-visits-brri-gazipur-139717

Floods bring losses to farmers in 29 districts

12:00 AM, September 08, 2015 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:00 AM, September 08, 2015

Sohel Parvez and Abdul Wahed

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Floods have destroyed crops on nearly 2.75 lakh hectares of land in 29 districts, causing losses to

thousands of farmers, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension.About 95 percent

of the affected crops are aman, with some farmers saying that losses from the floods would be

huge.Bangladesh experienced more rains than usual this year after two consecutive dry

monsoons, according to the weather office.The monsoon-based aman is the second biggest rice

crop after boro, accounting for 38 percent of the country's annual rice production of 3.44 crore

tonnes.DAE Director General Md Hamidur Rahman has a different forecast that the damage

would not affect the overall production of aman rice.

The yield is forecast to be higher this year for proper distribution of rainfall.Except for the

submergence-tolerant varieties, the other high-yielding varieties of aman will not survive being

under floodwater for more than five days, said Tamal Lata Aditya, chief scientific officer and

head of plant breeding division of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute.But farmers can grow

photoperiod-sensitive HYVs such as BR 22, BR 23 and BRRI Dhan 46, she said.The DAE is

aiming to ensure aman acreage on 52.6 lakh hectares of land to produce 1.34 crore tonnes of rice

this season.There will be scope for transplantation if water recedes from land by September 10,

according to Rahman. ―I think the farmers will try to utilise that opportunity.

‖However, many farmers like Ruhul Amin do not have such scope due to a dearth of seedlings

and incapacity to make fresh investments for aman cultivation.―My aman and sweet potato crops

have gone under water from the Dharla river. All are damaged. I have no scope of replanting,‖

said Amin, a 25-year-old resident of Mogalbasha in Kurigram, one of the worst affected

districts.Amin planted aman on 1.2 acres of land and sweet potato on 66 decimals. He now plans

to cultivate early mustard after the floodwater ebbs.Floodwaters began to decline from yesterday

in Kurigram. Abu Bakar Siddique, another farmer from Kurigram, also plans to sow mustard, or

pulse.He spent Tk 38,000 for transplanting aman on four acres of land but the paddy field has

been damaged for inundation of water for the last 20 days.

The DAE and other government agricultural agencies have prepared aman seedlings on 100

acres of land and the seedlings would be handed over to farmers in the affected areas once the

floodwater recedes, Rahman said.Apart from aman, a portion of aus rice crop and vegetables

have also been affected by heavy rain-induced floods that began to inundate crops and

homesteads, mainly in the north, from the third week of August.During July, heavy shower and

Cyclone Komen caused crop losses on 39,000 hectares of land. The damage was higher in the

southern coastal districts at that time.The agricultural extension office also advised farmers to go

for winter crop on those lands from where crops cannot be recovered.

Farmers in Bangladesh depend on the monsoon rains for irrigating summer crops including aman

rice.Seasonal rains swell rivers and recharge water bodies, underground water reserves and

aquifers.Poor rains force farmers to go for additional irrigation to ensure good yields. But

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26

torrential rains, like the recent ones, damage crops by causing flash foods and water logging. http://www.thedailystar.net/business/floods-bring-losses-farmers-29-districts-139558

Rice millers should pay the farmers Dear Editor,

Some rice millers here on the Essequibo Coast have turned a number of rice farmers into beggars

for their money. I never believed that I would one day live to see farmers protesting on the road

crop after crop for their own money. I was a rice farmer cultivating 10 acres of paddy twice a

year, and for decades I knew the sacrifices these farmers are going through to cultivate their

crops without being paid for months, and in some instances, years. The shortest variety of paddy

is rustic, and it takes 110 days to ripen. The longest one is 30-3 which takes 130 days to harvest.

When a farmer cultivates his rice crop, the risks are high; he can lose the entire field because of a

number of disasters like floods, prolonged droughts and unpredictable weather patterns.

Rice farming is no bed of roses; the farmer has to wake up before daybreak and walk a long

distance to tend to his crop. He will leave his field late at night, and this is his daily routine until

he harvests his crops. If the dam is in a deplorable condition while transporting his paddy in

bulk, and it capsizes into a canal or on the dam, he could lose the fruits of his entire labour. The

risks are too high for a rice farmer, and no miller should dare try to rob him of his hard sweat, or

have him waiting for his money for months without interest. I would like to congratulate those

millers who saw it fit to pay off rice farmers after purchasing their produce.

The thing that really amazed me is that some unscrupulous millers received a bailout from both

governments and still owed the farmers millions of dollars. It‘s my firm belief that these millers

used the bailout money to modernize and extend their rice mills. Nothing is wrong in upgrading

the mills, but they should do it at their own expense and not hold the poor farmers to ransom.

Hundreds of Essequibo farmers are now left unpaid. Recognizing the many challenges of non-

payment, government, the GRDB and the Ministry of Agriculture should make interventions and

see that the farmers are paid. The Rice Act can play a very important part in taking the

delinquent millers to court.

Some millers received debt write-offs from GNCB long ago at the instigation of the Jagdeo

government, but they continue to owe farmers. I firmly believe that they are playing a hide and

seek game with the farmers and the government. The other millers who have paid off their

farmers promptly, see the farmers as an asset to their own survival if they are to stay in the rice

business and expand their operations. Let it be known that the rice industry is the most integrated

of all sectors.

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Defaulting millers must understand that farmers depend on their money to feed their families and

send their children to school. Without money they cannot produce paddy, which the millers then

process. The suppliers and banks will not provide the farmers with loans and agro-inputs if the

millers continue to owe them. As a matter of fact, small farmers were forced to rent out or sell

their lands when they became indebted; the banks often times foreclosed on their assets and they

had to go and find employment elsewhere in the gold bush. It is the duty of the new coalition

government, the GRDB and the Ministry of Agriculture to see that these farmers receive their

outstanding payments for their paddy.Harvesting of the present crop has commenced in Region

Two and it will be the first crop under the new coalition government.

Yours faithfully,

Mohamed Khan

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2015/opinion/letters/09/08/rice-millers-should-pay-the-farmers/

Rice Recipe

Recipe: Roast duck with pomegranate molasses & rice pilaf

Cooking a duck like this means that it can be cooked a day ahead and portioned at your leisure.

Kieran Scott

Cooking a duck like this means that it can be cooked a day ahead and portioned at your leisure.

Serves: 5

For the duck

INGREDIENTS

1.6kg duck

1 carrot, 1 small onion, both unpeeled and roughly chopped

1 stick celery, roughly chopped

4 cloves unpeeled garlic, chopped

5cm piece unpeeled ginger, chopped

Zest of 2 lemons

500mls beef stock

750mls water

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2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses

1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC. Prepare the duck by removing the head, wing tips and feet, and

make a 'V' section cut in the tail area to completely remove the parson's nose and the oil glands, which

can give an unpleasant gamey flavour to the duck. Rinse the duck inside and out and dry with paper

towels.

2. Place the carrot, onion, celery, garlic, ginger and the zest of 1 of the lemons into a roasting pan

and put the duck on top, breast side down. Pour the stock and water around the duck and place in the

oven. Roast for 1 hour, then turn the duck on to its back and roast for another hour until very tender and

well browned. Remove from the oven.

3. Remove the duck from the pan. Strain the stock and reserve; discard the vegetables. Leave

duck until it is cold enough to handle, or cool completely and refrigerate until needed.

4. When you decide to proceed, cut the duck in half lengthways on either side of the backbone,

which you discard. Cut each half into 2 portions so that you have 2 breasts and wings and 2 whole legs.

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5. Remove and discard the thick layer of fat from the stock. Reserve the stock; you should have

about 2 cups.

6. To serve the duck, put the 4 portions into a roasting pan, skin side up, with the stock and place

in a hot oven for about 20 minutes until the duck is very hot and the skin crispy.

7. Remove the duck to a warm serving platter. Put the stock into a deep frying pan over high heat

and add the pomegranate molasses and sugar. Bring to the boil and boil until syrupy. Pour the sauce over

duck portions and sprinkle on the zest of the other lemon.

For the rice pilaf

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1 carrot, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 cinnamon stick

4 cardamom pods, flattened slightly

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

11/2 cups well-washed basmati rice, soaked for 10 minutes in plenty of cold water then

well drained

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup chopped pistachios

1/4 cup sultanas

12 dried apricots, sliced

1 teaspoon salt

4 cups chicken stock