After Covid vaccines, countries approach India for supply of

wheat and sugar during Ukraine conflict

New Delhi, April 7: India said on Wednesday that its approach to the Ukraine crisis remains to
promote dialogue to end the conflict; mitigate economic distress for itself and for the world; and
to work with its partners to these ends.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while replying to a discussion on the situation in Ukraine
in Parliament, admitted that the conflict has had significant consequences for the global economy
and for India’s national economy.

At the same time, he revealed that after delivering vaccines to countries all over the world, India
has been approached by many nations for the supply of wheat and sugar by many nations during
the ongoing crisis.

‘We will step forward where global demands for food, grains and other materials are concerned
and we will do it in a manner that is helpful to the global economy; which will not take undue
advantage of countries in distress,’ the minister said.

The EAM said that, like all other countries, India too is assessing the implications and deciding
what is best for the national interest.

‘At a time when energy costs have spiked, clearly we need to ensure that the common person in
India is not subject to an additional and unavoidable burden. Similarly, fertiliser prices have a
direct implication for the livelihood of the majority of our population. And indeed, for food
prices for all of us,’ said Jaishankar.

He emphasised that India’s approach should be guided by national beliefs and values, by its
national interest and by a national strategy.

‘Even the security of the nation is at stake, as we maintain our defence posture in the manner that
the current security challenges warrant. All these, Speaker Sir, are legitimate pursuits of national
interest by India. They are similar to what other nations are doing from their particular
perspective. Attributing a political colouring to it is uncalled for, it is unfair. I do not even wish
to get into which country is doing how much. Eventually, the numbers will speak for
themselves,’ he said.

Jaishankar reiterated India’s stand of pursuing dialogue and diplomacy to end the dispute.

‘If India has chosen a side, it is the side of peace and it is for an immediate end to violence. This
is our principled stand and it has consistently guided our position in international forums and
debates including in the United Nations,’ he said.

He also said that New Delhi, deeply disturbed by the happenings in Bucha in Ukraine, strongly
condemns the killings that have taken place there and supports the call for an independent
investigation.

Jaishankar highlighted that the Narendra Modi government believes that India’s national strategy
on Ukraine situation should have four elements:

Firstly in terms of diplomacy – India continues to press forcefully for an immediate cessation of
hostilities and an end to violence. He said that India encourages talks between Ukraine and
Russia, including at the level of their Presidents. ‘Prime Minister has spoken to them both,
himself in this regard. This was precisely the message that was conveyed to Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov when he was in Delhi. If India can be of any assistance in this matter, we
will be glad to contribute,’ said Jaishankar.

Secondly, the ground situation calls for urgent humanitarian relief. India has already provided 90
tonnes of relief material and that too in the middle of an evacuation exercise. ‘Ukrainian Deputy
PM Yuliia Svyrydenko called me a few days ago to request the supply of more medicines. The
House will be glad to know that this is underway and delivery should start very soon,’ said the
EAM.

Thirdly, India will work with the international community and partner countries to mitigate the
economic hardships that are resulting from this conflict. While the focus is to soften its impact
on its own economy, India is also helping partners going through very tough times.
‘Coordinating on lowering energy prices is one collective initiative. In the case of a neighbour
like Sri Lanka, we are even supplying fuel on credit and food on credit,’ he said. Jaishankar
added that food security is another major concern. ‘India has been approached for the supply of
wheat and sugar by many countries and we are responding positively. The House will be glad to
know that whether it is Basmati rice, non Basmati rice, sugar, wheat, our exports in the last
quarter have gone up very substantially,’ he revealed.

Fourthly, Jaishankar said that commercial diplomacy has to find additional sources to address
any disruption of supply of edible oil (India imports sunflower oil in very large quantities from
Ukraine) or fertilizers. ‘Whether it is the supply of lentils, whether it is the requirement of raw
materials for fertilizers, we are in different ways – whether it is edible oil- from MERCOSOUR,
to Kazakhstan, Tanzania and Australia, to Canada, we are really looking today at global markets
to see how we can lighten the burden for the common people of India, as a result of this crisis,’
he said.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

–indianarrative

20220407-121203

https://www.canindia.com/after-covid-vaccines-countries-approach-india-for-supply-of-wheat-
and-sugar-during-ukraine-conflict/

Fertilizer Prices in 2022: How Will They Affect Food Markets?

By John Tierney

(9 min read)

Summary

 Fertilizer prices rose 50% since the invasion of Ukraine because Russia is the leading
exporter of fertilizer and related raw materials.
 We expect fertilizer prices and food prices will remain under pressure while Russian
sanctions persist.
 Fertilizer will be important in 2022, so we explain how it is made, how it trades in the
global marketplace, and how it affects food prices.

Market Implications

 If sanctions persist (as appears likely), many countries may face angry populations over
rising food prices later this year.
 This could lead countries to lift sanctions on Russian fertilizer exports and open major
cracks in the sanctions regime. Fertilizer could have ripple effects well beyond food
prices.

How Fertilizer Affects the Food Industry and Food Prices

Fertilizer prices have soared some 50% since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. And so have food
prices (Charts 1 and 2). That is no coincidence: Russia is (or was) the global leader in fertilizer
exports, with about a 15% share. And both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of food
commodities. Together, they account for 28% of global wheat exports, and Ukraine supplies
14% of global corn exports.
We expect to see upward pressure on both fertilizer and food prices while the conflict in Ukraine
continues and Russian sanctions persist. Granted, both these conditions are very uncertain. But
the longer they stay in place, the more people and investors will hear about the global impact of
rising fertilizer prices.

Given that prospect, we explain how fertilizer is made, what is driving fertilizer prices, and how
fertilizer fits into the global food industry.

What Is Fertilizer Anyway?

Fertilizer provides key nutrients to plants and agricultural commodities that may be lacking in
the soil. There are two basic types.

Organic Fertilizer

Organic fertilizer comes from organic material, including compost, bone meal, manure, and
animal waste from food processing plants. It accounts for roughly a third of total fertilizer
shipments. Organic fertilizers nourish the soil and provide natural plant nutrients, but in
relatively small doses.

Inorganic Fertilizer

Inorganic fertilizer is made from minerals or various inorganic compounds. It provides three key
plant nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These are often only available in the soil in
trace amounts. Inorganic fertilizers provide concentrated applications of required minerals. We
focus on inorganic fertilizers in this explainer.

Why Do Plants Need These Minerals?

Nitrogen

All living organisms require nitrogen. Among other things, nitrogen helps make amino acids,
proteins, nucleic acids, and DNA and RNA. In plants, it is essential for leaf development and
making enzymes and chlorophyll that enable photosynthesis. Even though nitrogen is plentiful,
making up 78% of the atmosphere, most plants cannot use it in this form. It must be ‘fixed’ into
a compound with hydrogen. We discuss this process below.

Without sufficient nitrogen, plant growth is slow, water use is inefficient, and agricultural yields
are low.

Phosphorus

Plants need phosphorus to support stem growth, root systems, flowers and seeds, and for disease
resistance.
Potassium

Potassium is essential for photosynthesis. It regulates the stomata (or openings) in leaves that
allow water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide to pass in and out of the plant. Potassium deficiency
may cause necrosis (weak or dead spots), brown-spotting, and higher risk of attracting
pathogens.

Common abbreviations for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are N, P, and K, respectively.
They account for roughly 50%, 30% and 20% of inorganic fertilizers applied to agricultural
crops. Wheat and corn each consume about 18% of total nitrogen-based fertilizers globally, with
an additional 15% going to rice.

How Are Inorganic Fertilizers Made?

These three types of fertilizers are manufactured in quite different ways, as summarized in the
infographic below. We explain the basics.
Source: Fertilizers Europe

Nitrogen Fertilizers
As noted, nitrogen is plentiful in the atmosphere, but it is not in a form that plants can use.
Nitrogen must be ‘fixed’ (or turned into a compound) by combining it with hydrogen and
converting it into ammonia via the Haber process. The source of hydrogen is generally natural
gas. Ammonia is then either converted into nitrate acid by combining it with atmospheric
oxygen. Or it is converted into urea by combining it with carbon dioxide. These products can
then be turned into various nitrogen-based fertilizers to meet different needs.
Natural gas accounts for about 85% of the cost of producing ammonia, which in turn drives
nitrogen-based fertilizer prices. About 25% of natural gas production goes into fertilizer
products.

Phosphorus Fertilizers
Phosphorus fertilizers come from phosphate rock and ore. This is refined into phosphate
concentrate, then combined with sulfuric acid to make phosphoric acid. This is then mixed with
ammonia to produce phosphate fertilizers.

Potassium Fertilizers
The key ingredient of potassium fertilizers is potash. It is mined and refined, then combined
with either chloride or sulphuric acid to make fertilizers.

The Fertilizer Trade Is a Global Business

The fertilizer market is global in scope. Total global production is valued about $185bn, of
which about $55bn is exported by producing countries. The leading exporter is (or was) Russia,
with a 12.6% share and 15% including raw materials (Table 1). About 45% of its exports go to
five countries, but the remainder is spread among countries worldwide (Chart 3).

Russia is also the leading exporter of fertilizer raw materials such as ammonia, urea, phosphate,
and potash (Chart 4). Russia’s neighbour Belarus is the second-largest exporter of potash, with a
20% share.
Even though Russia is the largest exporter of fertilizer products, the major importing countries
have diversified sources of supply. The infographics below summarize where Brazil and the
United States source fertilizer imports (Figures 1 and 2).

The key takeaway here is that in the near term, the loss of Russian fertilizer has and will push
fertilizer prices higher. But in the intermediate term, probably over the year, other countries
should be able to increase production and offset much of the loss of Russian supply.
ource: FarmdocDaily

ource: FarmdocDaily

Why Are Food Prices Going Up?

The Russian invasion sent corn and particularly wheat prices soaring (Chart 5). As noted, Russia
and Ukraine account for 28% of global wheat exports, and Ukraine supplies 14% of corn
exports. So far, the war has not affected soybeans and rice much.
However, soybeans and rice rose nearly 50% in 2021. The price rise was due to a combination of
high natural gas, fertilizer prices, and shipping costs. We expect the higher cost of fertilizer will
feed into these commodities in coming months unless prices fall sharply and soon.

Fertilizer Price Affects Production Costs

Fertilizer is a major cost for farmers. Corn, wheat and rice require all three types of fertilizer
(nitrogen, phosphorate and potash). Historically, fertilizer has accounted for about 35% of the
production costs of corn and wheat and about 15-20% for rice. Soybeans is lower at about 10%
because they do not require nitrogen-based fertilizer. Soybeans are a legume (e.g., beans and
peanuts), which can fix or convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form naturally.

All things equal, if the recent spike in fertilizer prices is sustained and the cost passed through to
consumers, back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that corn and wheat prices could rise 15-
20%, rice by 10%, and soybeans by 5%.

Other Factors Affecting the Food Industry

All things are hardly equal, of course. Corn and wheat prices may be artificially inflated because
of uncertainty about how the war and sanctions will affect supply in the coming year. Weather
and climate change will play a part, both for better and worse. Farmers may change the mix of
what they plant based on projected costs and estimated selling prices. And supply chains remain
under stress.

Last but not least is general inflation. It is apparent from Chart 5 that the UN food price index
has been considerably less volatile over time than underlying food commodities. That is largely
because end-user food prices include various other less volatile costs, including transportation
and processing, packaging, marketing and distribution. Unlike most of the past decade, most of
these costs are now under rising pressure. And they will surely impact food prices, along with
commodity prices and fertilizer .

Will the West’s Sanctions on Russia Hold?

Most people worldwide will notice food prices, not fertilizer prices. Indeed, food is as ubiquitous
a human requirement as energy (note that Russian energy exports are NOT subject to sanctions
yet). Most people in the developed world will be able to cope with higher food prices. But that is
less than 20% of the global population. More than half of the world’s population depends on rice
and lives in a developing country. They have limited means to cope with sharply higher food
prices.
If food prices continue to rise, many countries could easily face restive if not outright rebellious
populations. Governments may be unable to do much about many of the factors pushing food
prices higher. But one easy target will be to provide relief for farmers by  lifting sanctions on
Russia’s fertilizer industry even if most countries remain united in maintaining other sanctions.

Many other variables are at play, particularly the persistence of hostilities in Ukraine. Another
wildcard is how soon other fertilizer-producing countries can ramp up production to replace
Russian exports. Depending on how these and other issues shake out, fertilizer could become a
wedge issue that leads to relief on other Russian sanctions. Put differently, fertilizer prices could
have ripple effects well beyond food prices.
Fertilizers Are Not an Unmitigated Good

Finally, for all the benefits of inorganic fertilizers, they can also be harmful. If they are overused,
they can weaken the natural elements of soil, ultimately making it less productive.

Manufacturing inorganic fertilizers is a carbon-intensive process. As the world moves to reduce

carbon emissions in coming years, new methods of manufacturing fertilizers will have to be
developed.

These twin needs – making fertilizers that better support the soil and are less carbon intensive –
will likely keep upward pressure on fertilizers prices over time. But that is a story for another
year and decade.

FAQ

Why are food prices going up?

Food prices are going up because of the war in Ukraine. Russia is the leading exporter of
fertilizer and related raw materials, which directly impact food prices. Also, Russia and Ukraine
are major exporters of food commodities. Together, they account for 28% of global wheat
exports, and Ukraine supplies 14% of global corn exports. The war and associated sanctions on
Russia are disrupting food production and trade, driving up prices.

Is there a food shortage coming?

It is possible. US President Joe Biden recently argued that the world could suffer from a food
shortage due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Group of Seven recently
discussed production increases to combat such an eventuality.

What is fertilizer?

Fertilizer is a natural or chemical substance that farmers add to the soil to boost its fertility.
Fertilizer provides key nutrients to plants and agricultural commodities that may be lacking in
the soil. There are two basic types: organic and inorganic. Inorganic fertilizers are nitrogen,
phosphorus or potassium based.

How does fertilizer affect food prices?

Fertilizer accounts for about 35% of the production cost of corn and wheat, and 15-20% for rice.
Depending on projected crop prices, farmers may change their planting plans to maximise
profits, affecting the supply and price of various products. Without fertilizers crop yields would
be lower, food shortages more endemic and food prices higher.

Will Sanction on Russian fertilizer exports be lifted?

Who knows? Today, many countries are united in supporting sanctions on Russia. But they are
also costly in many ways. When the Ukraine invasion moves off front-and-centre of news media
coverage for whatever reason (e.g., end of hostilities, reader/viewer fatigue, other hot new
issues), pressure will surely rise in many countries to revisit and modify sanctions. It is easy to
make the case that fertilizer will be near the top of the list, although any decisions will depend on
facts and circumstances at the time.
Over a 30-year career as a sell side analyst, John covered the structured finance and credit
markets before serving as a corporate market strategist. In recent years, he has moved into a
global strategist role.
(The commentary contained in the above article does not constitute an offer or a solicitation, or
a recommendation to implement or liquidate an investment or to carry out any other transaction.
It should not be used as a basis for any investment decision or other decision. Any investment
decision should be based on appropriate professional advice specific to your needs.)
https://macrohive.com/hive-explainers/fertilizer-prices-in-2022-how-will-they-affect-food-
markets/

Rice Farmers to Earn Incentives Via Carbon Credit for

Sustainable Agriculture
The carbon standard (Verra) protocol, which is a global voluntary GHG reduction program, will
be used to certify the program, according to Zehr. The carbon credit will be granted to farmers
based on certification. GIPL will also assist farmers in selling their produce at a higher price.

Binita Kumari Updated 7 April, 2022 11:38 AM IST Published on 7 April, 2022 11:36 AM IST
Farmers in important rice-growing region may be eligible for carbon credits if they implement
sustainable measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost soil carbon absorption.

A collaborative joint sector program is being launched in a first-of-its-kind initiative to

encourage small farmers to adopt environmentally sustainable agriculture practices, particularly
in rice-growing regions of the country. Farmers will be able to earn carbon credit for using low
tillage and direct seeding techniques.

Grow Indigo (GIPL), a joint venture between seed giant Mahyco and US-based Indigo, is
spearheading the carbon farming initiative. Initially, the scheme would focus on rice-growing
areas in Punjab and Haryana, before expanding to include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha,
Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Farmers in the important rice-growing region may be eligible for carbon credits if they
implement sustainable measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost soil carbon
absorption.

"We've brought 4,000 hectares into the carbon farming program in Punjab, and an MoU with
Haryana will be signed soon," Usha Zehr, GIPL's executive director, told FE. The Indian
Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) will contribute its expertise in remote sensing technology
to the project's satellite surveillance of rice fields registered by farmers to verify their claims of
using sustainable methods.
 The carbon standard (Verra) protocol, which is a global voluntary GHG reduction program, will
be used to certify the program, according to Zehr. The carbon credit will be granted to farmers
based on certification. GIPL will also assist farmers in selling their produce at a higher price.

https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/rice-farmers-to-earn-incentives-via-carbon-credit-for-
sustainable-agriculture/

Venezuela seeks to strengthen the food industry and

reduce imports
 PARIS BEACON
 APRIL 6, 2022

.”

Caracas, Apr 6 (Latest) .- The Government of Venezuela seeks to strengthen the national food
industry so that businesses in the industry can offer “increasingly” products from the Caribbean
country that allow less dependence on imports, the deputy minister said Wednesday of
Productive Economy, Ricardo Javier Sánchez.

“Where there is a national product there is a workforce, a raw material, there is a container, a
label, there is a flavor and a feeling that characterizes us, as our president says, we are going to
work and produce together to increasingly fill the shelves with national products,” Sánchez wrote
on Twitter.

The deputy minister met with the members and founders of the Venezuelan Chamber of the Food
Industry (Cavidea) with the aim of strengthening their relations and directing the country
towards large-scale local production.

“This meeting strengthens the dialogue that (was) started last year and that today maintains its
permanent work with the different productive sectors of the country,” said the official, who
assured that these meetings allow “posing questions and exchanging proposals on the measures
proposed by the Executive “to generate trust with the business sector”.

Last March, President Nicolás Maduro explained that his government is seeking to gradually
replace rice imports with local production through tariff policies and regulations that favor
producers of the item in the country.

Then, he indicated that rice imports represent “a minority percentage”, since “the vast majority
of white rice is being produced by the national producer, the Venezuelan land.”

“But we have to reach 100% (of) white rice produced here and more, including for export, and
that is what these tariff and non-tariff decisions are for, to favor the national producer,” he said.

He assured that Venezuela’s first challenge is “to be self-sufficient with national production,”
which, he maintained, it has been “achieving step by step in a sustained and sustainable manner.”

“Venezuela is going to be a self-sufficient country with national production in a very short time.
The second challenge, which goes hand in hand, is to become a food exporter to the world and
that the world, in the midst of the crisis it is experiencing, turn its gaze over Venezuela to come
and buy food,” he said.

For that, he said, “national alliances” have been made with small, medium and large producers
and many other “international alliances with people who want to produce Venezuelan land

https://www.parisbeacon.com/75878/
ADB to provide $100m to support farmers
The loan will support LDC’s operations in India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, and Viet Nam by
financing coffee, cotton, and rice inventories for over 50,000 smallholder farmers across these
countries.
ByAPP
7 April 2022

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. (LDC) Thursday signed
a loan of up to $100 million to help smallholder farmers recover from the economic challenges
caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and improve their resilience to climate
change impacts.

The loan will support LDC’s operations in India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, and Viet Nam by
financing coffee, cotton, and rice inventories for over 50,000 smallholder farmers across these
countries.

This will help secure food supply chains and reliable incomes for smallholder farmers, and help
offset the impact of supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic, according to a press release
issued by the Bank.

Read more: PM Khan returned Pakistan’s $29b loans

“Smallholder farmers, who are already vulnerable to climate change, are facing increasing
difficulties due to the pandemic, resulting in income loss, crop and food wastage, and supply
chain disruptions,” said ADB Vice-President for Private Sector Operations and Public–Private
Partnerships Ashok Lavasa. “ADB’s assistance will help to ensure reliable offtake to farmers,
providing a direct way to preserve their livelihoods and their assets, while enabling them to
invest in climate-resilient farming practices.”

An accompanying technical assistance (TA) grant will deliver capacity building and training
activities, that will reinforce the benefits of sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural
practices for cotton farmers in India and coffee farmers in Indonesia. The TA will support pilot-
testing of drip irrigation in cotton fields in India, and use of biochar kilns in Indonesia.

Assistance under the TA is expected to benefit about 4,000 farmers, particularly women farmers.
The TA funding comprises $205,000 from ADB’s Technical Assistance Special Fund for
COVID Recovery and $385,000 from the Strategic Climate Fund, administered by ADB.

“As a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods, LDC is committed to empowering
smallholder farmers, whose activities are key to global food security, to use sustainable farming
practices for the benefit of current and future generations,” said LDC’s Chief Commercial
Officer and Head of Asia Region James Zhou. “With the right tools, knowledge, and support,
farmers can lastingly improve their yields and livelihoods while preserving the environment. We
look forward to collaborating with ADB toward this important goal.”

Read more: Korea increases EDCF loans for Pakistan upto $1 billion

The statement added that the ADB was committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient,
and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.

Courtesy: APP
Gov’t receives Japanese rice grant
Apr 7, 2022, 11:15 AM

Press release

The Gambia government through the Ministry of Agriculture wishes to inform the general public
that it has received from the Government of Japan, two thousand, five hundred and ninety-six
(2,596) Metric Tons of 30-kilogram bags of rice, which is approximately eighty-six thousand
(86,000) bags.

The donated Japanese rice arrived on the 29th of March, 2022, and is currently being offloaded
from the ship.

The Ministry of Agriculture also wishes to inform the public that the sale of the 86,000 bags of
Japanese rice would be communicated in due time.

It is noteworthy that this is a grant agreement signed between the government of The Gambia
through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Japanese Government under the Japan Grant Aid for
The Food Assistance Programme 2021 (KR2021). This Grant represents the contribution of the
Government of Japan towards augmenting the efforts of The Gambian
Government.https://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/headlines/govt-receives-japanese-rice-grant

Liberia: ‘Rice Price Will Never Go Up Under My

Regime’. – Pres. Weah Vows
By Obediah Johnson Last updated Apr 7, 2022
MONROVIA – In a bid to ascertain firsthand information and improve on the reported shortage
of rice in the local market, President George Manneh has toured various warehouses at the
Freeport of Monrovia with a vow to take punitive measures against unscrupulous business
owners and others creating an artificial shortage and hiking the price of the commodity.

Rice is the staple food in Liberia.

It can be recalled that on Tuesday, March 29, hundreds of aggrieved rice dealers staged a violent
protest on Bushrod Island, outside Monrovia by setting roadblocks over the unfavorable business
practices and the scarcity of the country’s staple food on the local market.

The marketers, mostly elderly women, were seen chanting anti-slogans like “We want rice; No
Rice, No Car Going, Your Open Your Stores, We Want Rice”, among others.

They also held placards with inscriptions: “Enough is enough, we want rice; Where is the rice;
Local rice dealers are tired of paying transportation for rice; No rice, no work; Government
please give us rice, We are hungry and out of business”, among others.
They also blocked the main entrances of two major rice importers – K and K and Fouta
Corporation in Vai Town-accusing the owners of allegedly hoarding and creating an artificial
shortage of the commodity on the market. They also claimed that the importers are reportedly
planning to increase the price of a bag of 25kg rice from US$13 to US$15 in the midst of
extreme hardship and poverty in Liberia.

K and K Trading Company belongs to top Lebanese business tycoon George Haddad, a former
closed associate of ex-Liberian President Charles Ghankay Taylor. His company enjoyed a
monopoly over the sale of rice for several years during the regime of Mr. Taylor.

Fouta Corporation is being owned and operated by Mr. Cherif Abdallah.

The two companies are among the highest importers of rice in the country.

But speaking to Reporters during the tour on Wednesday, April 6, President Weah warned
against the politicizing of the country’s staple food for political gains.

He claimed that there is no rice shortage in the country as evidenced by the stockpile of rice
spotted at various warehouses at the Freeport, and as such, citizens, especially politicians should
desist from stirring up issues to create panic among the citizenry.

He emphasized that his government remains cognizant of the consequence or aftermath of the
shortage of rice.

President Weah added that being aware of the consequence, his government held a meeting with
rice importers two years ago to prevent the hike in the price or the shortage of the product on the
Liberian market.

At the meeting, the Liberian Chief Executive recalled, his government was assured by the
importers that there will be no scarcity of rice in the country.

“When it comes to rice issue here, it’s not about politics. Your don’t know when to play politics;
we are not campaigning here. This is governance process and you guys (journalists) are
responsible because you guys are part of the governance process by giving the actual message to
our people so they cannot panic. If there is a rice shortage, people will get hungry and they will
go into the streets”.

“Let’s forget politics; you may not like me, and I may not like you but it has nothing to do with
the general good of the country. Whether we are opposition or not, this is our country”.

President Weah disclosed that his decision taken to tour the warehouses at the Freeport was
intended to verify the information he received about the insufficiency of rice.

“I came here to see because two years ago, they (importers) promised us that there will be no rice
shortage. Coming here again, we can see that there is no shortage, but our people have been
misinformed. I listened to so many journalists, but what they said is contrary to what we are
seeing here. So, what we need to do is to make sure that we give the right information to the
public”.

He said the opening of the rice market in Liberia has immensely attracted scores of Liberian and
other foreigners to engage into the trading of the commodity, This, he observed, is delaying the
timely distribution of the product.

“Rice is our staple food and if it is the only commodity that will be expensive in this country, we
will not allow that”.

Not a Minister When rice price is unstable

President Weah maintained that his government will continue to make sure that rice is “available
and affordable” for consumers.

He said the necessary mechanisms will be put in place to combat against the hoarding of the
commodity.
“Whether they like it or not, rice price will not go up. If you are a (Commerce) Minister and you
are not able to stabilize rice price, then you are not a Minister. You need to communicate that to
our people so they cannot panic”.

Enforcing the law

President Weah assured that government will assiduously “monitor” and take actions against
unscrupulous business owners who are hiking the price and creating artificial shortage of rice on
the local market.

“Some people decide to cheat; we just have to monitor them. We will make sure to enforce the
laws so that those getting the rice cheaper and want to blow the rice up, they can get there.
Everywhere in the world, people cheat the market. It’s not something new or strange. But our
law enforcement officers have to get around to enforcing the law and make sure that no one will
sell the rice expensive. We will not tolerate anything that will hinder the growth of our people”.

Will use connections

As a former soccer legend, many Liberians, including supporters of the ruling CDC, still see
President Weah as one who has the “connections” to use the magical wind to change and make
things work for them in the nation.

The Liberian leader assured citizens that his government will do her best to ensure that the
country’s staple food remains available in Liberia.

He emphasized that even after his tenure, he would not sit supinely as a patriotic Liberian to
allow rice shortage to hit the country and breed tension.

“We are meeting with the people and working very hard to make sure that there is no rice
shortage here. Even when we leave power, we have all our connections and we will bring our
people to make sure that we have surplus rice in this country”.

https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-rice-price-will-never-go-up-under-my-regime-
pres-weah-vows/
 India’s agriculture exports touch a high of $50 billion
Country has captured nearly 50 per cent of the world market for rice, says Commerce and
Industry Ministry

 Updated At: Apr 06, 2022 07:34 PM (IST)

Workers lift a sack of rice to load onto a truck at a wholesale grain market in Chandigarh.
Reuters file
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 6

The exports of agricultural products (including marine and plantation products) crossed $ 50
billion, the “highest level ever achieved for agriculture exports”, in 2021-22, according to the
Commerce and Industry Ministry.
As per the provisional figures released by DGCI&S, the agricultural exports have grown by
19.92% during 2021-22 to touch $50.21 billion.

“The growth rate is remarkable as it is over and above the growth of 17.66%, at $41.87 billion,
achieved in 2020-21 and has been achieved in spite of unprecedented logistical challenges in the
form of high freight rates, container shortages etc. This achievement over the past two years will
go a long way in realising the Prime Minister’s vision of improving farmers’ income,” according
to officials.

Highest ever exports have been achieved for staples like rice ($ 9.65 billion), wheat ($ 2.19
billion), sugar ($ 4.6 billion) and other cereals ($ 1.08 billion).

India has captured nearly 50% of the world market for rice.

Wheat recorded an unprecedented growth of more than 273%, jumping nearly four-fold from
$568 million in 2020-21 to touch close to $2119 million in 2021-22.

Increase in exports of these products has benefitted farmers in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra, they said

Export of marine products at $ 7.71 billion is also the highest ever, benefitting farmers in the
coastal states of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and
Gujarat.

Spices exports touched $ 4 billion for second year in a row.

Despite facing tremendous supply side issues, coffee exports have crossed $ 1 billion for the first
time, which has improved realisations for coffee growers in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

“Outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic during first quarter of 2020 resulted in increased demand for
staples, which provided an opportunity for increasing agriculture exports. India was able to rise
to the occasion and emerge as a reliable supplier of food. Even during the current crisis due to
Russia–Ukraine war, the world is looking at India for supplies of wheat and other food grains,”
officials said.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/indias-agriculture-exports-touch-a-high-of-50-billion-
384116
First consignment of rice from India expected to
arrive in weekend
April 7, 2022   08:20 pm

The first stock of 40,000 metric tonnes of rice imported under the USD 1 billion credit line with
India is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka this weekend, according to the Trade Ministry. 

Issuing a statement, the ministry said the consignment will include Nadu, Samba and Kakulu rice
varieties and will be released from the port as soon as possible after reaching the country and
subsequently distributed to Lanka Sathosa outlets across the island. 

It will be distributed locally at Rs. 110 per kilogram for Nadu and Raw Rice and at Rs. 130 per
kilogram for Samba to consumers, targeting the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year. 

The ongoing Lines of Credit (LOCs) that India has extended to crisis-hit Sri Lanka for
procurement of fuel and food have currently totalled USD 1.5 billion and the consignments will
further continue, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay had said on Tuesday.

India has extended a financial package to Sri Lanka, which is reeling under a financial crisis to
ensure that it can meet some of the more immediate needs and help stabilise its domestic
economy.

Since January this year, support from India to Sri Lanka exceeded USD 2.5 billion, the Indian
envoy had said earlier.

A USD 500 million line of credit for fuel purchases was signed in February and since the
beginning of March, four consignments totaling over 150,000 tons of jet aviation fuel, diesel and
petrol have arrived in Sri Lanka, Baglay had said. Five more consignments are to follow till May
and another line of credit of USD 1 billion for food, medicine and essential items was signed last
month, the envoy said.

The USD 1 billion line of credit to Colombo will help in keeping their food prices and fuel costs
under check.

The first consignment of rice from India is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka shortly under this
credit facility.
India has also extended a USD 400-million currency swap and has deferred payments owed by
the Central Bank of Sri Lanka owed to the Reserve Bank of India under the Asian Clearance
Union worth several hundred million dollars.

The first consignment of rice from India is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka shortly under this
credit facility. The rice shipments could help Colombo bring down rice prices, which have
doubled in a year, adding fuel to the unrest.

“Rice loading has started in southern ports,” said BV Krishna Rao, managing director of Pattabhi
Agro Foods, which is supplying rice to Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corp under the Indian
Credit Facility Agreement.

http://www.adaderana.lk/news/81692/first-consignment-of-rice-from-india-expected-to-arrive-
in-weekend

Myanmar exports over 1.4 mln metric tons of rice, broken rice
in mini-budget period
Source: Xinhua
Editor: huaxia
2022-04-07 17:56:15
   

YANGON, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar exported over 1.4 million metric tons of rice and

broken rice in the six-month interim budget period, according to the Myanmar Rice Federation

(MRF)'s figures on Thursday.

The Southeast Asian country's interim budget period started on Oct. 1 last year and ended on

March 31 this year.

The federation's figures said Myanmar exported about 216,375 metric tons of rice and broken

rice in October, 285,223 in November, 301,033.9 in December and 269,215.9 in January,

214,335 in February, and 133,972 in March.

Myanmar exported rice to Spain, Bulgaria, Italy, China and the Philippines, and broken rice to

China, Belgium, Spain, Bulgaria and Indonesia in March.

Myanmar's low-grade white rice prices range from 340 to 355 U.S. dollars per metric ton, the

state-run Global New Light of Myanmar quoted the figures of the Myanmar Rice Federation

showing.

The country exported some 1.87 million metric tons of rice and broken rice in 2020-2021 fiscal

year and 2.5 million metric tons in 2019-2020 fiscal year.

The country was now exporting rice and broken rice via sea routes as its border export has been

disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, rice is the most cultivated crop in Myanmar followed

by beans and pulses as second most cultivated crop. ■

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20220407/080fc377ae944922a8e94c4efe04c845/
c.html#:~:text=budget%20period%2DXinhua-,Myanmar%20exports%20over%201.4%20mln
%20metric%20tons%20of%20rice,rice%20in%20mini%2Dbudget%20period&text=YANGON
%2C%20April%207%20(Xinhua),)'s%20figures%20on%20Thursday.

Ready to ship rice, drugs to Sri Lankan Tamils: MK

Stalin to Centre
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin requested arrangements for distribution through the High
Commission and Consulate.

Published: 07th April 2022 08:33 PM  |   Last Updated: 07th April 2022 08:33 PM   |  A+A A-

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin (Photo | PTI)

By PTI

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday apprised the Centre that Tamil Nadu is ready
to ship essential commodities like rice and life saving drugs to Sri Lanka, considering the welfare
of Tamils and sought permission for its distribution there through the Indian High Commission.

Stalin spoke over phone to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and expressed his deep
concern over the plight of Tamils in Lanka, who have been hit hard by the never seen before
economic crisis in their country, an official release here said.

The chief minister told Jaishankar Tamil Nadu is ready to ship rice, pulses and life saving drugs
from Thoothukudi port to Sri Lanka.
Stalin apprised Jaishankar that the proposed move is based on humanitarian grounds, considering
the welfare of Tamils in the island nation, including Tamils of the Indian origin, popularly
known as 'Malayaga Tamizhargal'.

ADVERTISEMENT

The assistance is for Tamils including those in Colombo and in the North and Eastern provinces.

Stalin sought Centre's permission to distribute commodities and drugs through the High
Commission of India in Colombo and the Consulate General of India in Jaffna to Tamil
beneficiaries, who are starving without food.

The Chief Minister also requested arrangements for distribution through the High Commission
and Consulate.

He further urged Centre to act expeditiously to get Indian fishermen hailing from Tamil Nadu
released from Sri Lankan prisons.

Jaishankar assured appropriate action in this regard, the government said.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from the UK in 1948.

India had recently announced a USD 1 billion line of credit to Sri Lanka as part of its financial
assistance to the country to deal with the economic crisis following a previous USD 500 billion
line of credit in February.

The Indian High Commission had on Wednesday announced the arrival of two more shipments
of fuel to Colombo under the Indian credit line.

Rice shipments to Colombo have also been taken up by India.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/apr/07/ready-to-ship-rice-drugs-to-
sri-lankan-tamils-mk-stalin-to-centre-2439195.html

Indian export prices of rice ease as supplies rise; Vietnam,

Thai rates steady
SECTIONS

Indian export prices of rice ease as supplies rise; Vietnam, Thai rates steady

ReutersLast Updated: Apr 07, 2022, 08:10 PM IST

Synopsis

Top exporter India's 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $365-$369 per tonne this
week, down from last week's $367-$370.

Getty ImagesMore rice from recent harvests is also entering the market, traders said.

Export prices of rice in India dipped this week as supplies increased following the extension of a
government scheme to provide subsidised grains, while rates in Vietnam and Thailand were
mostly flat amid softer demand and rising output.

Top exporter India's 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $365-$369 per tonne this week,
down from last week's $367-$370.

"In the open market supplies have improved as government has started distributing free rice and
wheat to poor people. Local prices are coming under pressure," said an exporter based in
Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Thailand's 5% broken rice prices were quoted at $408-$412 per tonne, not far from last week's
$408-$410.

Traders said there has been a slight increase in demand but not enough to impact prices as
shipping and logistic costs have declined slightly, "maybe due to stabilization after initial shock
from the war in Europe."

More rice from recent harvests is also entering the market, traders added.

There is also a steady demand for animal feed in the international and domestic market, a rice
trader said.
Vietnam's 5% broken rice were offered at $400-$415 per tonne on Thursday, unchanged from a
week ago.

"Supplies are building up, but export activity is quiet as the shipping cost is very high," a trader
based in Ho Chi Minh City said.

Farmers in the Mekong Delta have harvested around 75% of the winter-spring crop, the largest
harvest of the year, traders said.

Vietnam exported 1.5 million tonnes of rice valued at $731 million in the first quarter this year,
up 26.3% in terms of volume and up 12.9% in terms of value year on year, government data
showed on Thursday.

Meanwhile, domestic rice prices in Bangladesh stay elevated despite good crops, while the
government offered subsidised grain to poor people.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/indian-export-prices-of-rice-
ease-as-supplies-rise-vietnam-thai-rates-steady/articleshow/90711689.cms

India Again Admits to Over-Subsidizing Rice Producers in 2021

WTO Notification
By Jesica Kincaid

NEW DELHI, INDIA – Last week, the Government of India submitted their 2020/21 domestic
support notifications to the World Trade Organization (WTO), covering their producer subsidy
payments for rice, pulses, oilseeds, and other grains. India’s notification claims the government
provided $6.9 billion in support to rice farmers in the marketing year, up from a reported $6.32
billion the prior marketing year.

Costly unfair advantage

Under WTO rules, members can provide domestic support on a crop-specific basis so long as it
does not exceed 10 percent of the commodity’s total value. India valued its domestic rice
production at $45.56 billion, meaning they are admittedly subsidizing 15.14 percent of their total
value of production.

India has now exceeded its 10 percent de minimis cap for three years in a row, claiming
exemption from WTO rules under the WTO’s Bali Decision’s ‘peace clause’ for developing
countries. The Bali Decision allows for developing countries to exceed their de minimis limits
for public stockholding as long as the programs do not distort trade and they meet other
transparency criteria.

“Unfortunately, we very much know that India is indeed distorting trade through release of long
grain from their government stocks at prices below the procurement price and that rice is leaking
into export channels bound for markets across the globe,” said Peter Bachmann, USA Rice vice
president for international trade policy. “That low-priced Indian rice has forced rice exporters
across southeast Asia to provide complimentary subsidies to stay competitive in the market,
suppressing world rice prices and completely disadvantaging Western Hemisphere rice exporters
like the United States who operate within their WTO commitments.”

In 2018, the U.S. government demonstrated that India is out of compliance with its commitments
in a counter-notification to the WTO of India’s domestic supports for rice and wheat. The U.S.
demonstrated that India breached its de minimis limit of 10 percent for rice by providing
subsidies exceeding 74 percent to 84 percent of their total value of rice production between
2010/11 and 2013/14. India has continued to operate those programs and, in some cases,
expanded programs since that counter-notification was filed.

India announced last fall that they would be providing a record setting level of fertilizer subsidies
this year, exceeding $20 billion, to shield producers from skyrocketing input costs and as a
result, maintain artificially low export prices.

“It is inexcusable that India continues to toss aside WTO rules, incorrectly calculate their subsidy
levels, and distort global rice prices,” said Louisiana rice miller and USA Rice Chair Bobby
Hanks. “We hope the U.S. government will intervene and lead the charge to confront India at the
WTO as soon as possible. The current market situation, driven by India, is putting the future of
the U.S. rice industry in jeopardy.”

In March, India was criticized by the U.S. through the WTO’s Committee on Agriculture for lack
of transparency around domestic support programs for rice, wheat, and other commodities. The
U.S. was joined by Australia, Brazil, Canada, European Union, Japan, Paraguay, Thailand, and
Uruguay in voicing concerns to India.
USA rice daily

Food Aid Purchases Questioned During House Ag Hearing;

Answers Unsatisfactory
By Jamison Cruce

WASHINGTON, DC -- Yesterday, the House Agriculture Livestock and Foreign Agriculture

Subcommittee held a Farm Bill review hearing on international trade and food assistance
programs.

Given the impacts Russia’s invasion into Ukraine is having on the world food supply, much of
the hearing focused on what can be done by the U.S. government to address expected food
insecurity and shortages in Ukraine and around the world.

First U.S. rice shipment

to Ukraine

Members heard from two panels of witnesses, the first being Administration officials, U.S.
Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley and U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant to the Administrator for the Bureau
for Humanitarian Assistance Sarah Charles, and the second being a panel of cooperators from the
U.S. Dairy Export Council, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the United Nations
World Food Programme, and Catholic Relief Services.

Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), directing comments to Charles questioned the use of taxpayer
dollars to purchase foreign commodities over U.S. commodities for USAID projects.

“USAID has historically pushed members of this committee to advocate for more flexibility to
use cash to procure foreign commodities over in-kind donations of U.S. commodities. For
example, instead of buying U.S. rice or U.S. wheat, USAID and its implementing partners could
theoretically use U.S. taxpayer dollars to buy Russian wheat or Vietnamese rice to support
feeding and development projects. Does USAID have controls in place to prevent U.S. dollars
from supporting Russian businesses or others that directly compete with U.S. farmers?”
In response, Charles said, “for our U.S. foreign assistance programs, we certainly have controls
in place to make sure that our assistance is used consistent with the law, and certainly right now
our partners are looking closely at new sanctions that have been imposed. We do not restrict our
partners, though, from procuring with our international disaster assistance funding, from
procuring what is on the local market.”
“U.S. rice stands at the ready to provide rice for U.S. government food assistance programs,”
said Jacob Broussard, a Texas rice miller and chair of the USA Rice Food Aid Subcommittee. “It
is important that the U.S. government and its partners support American farmers by sourcing in-
kind commodities, including rice, for food aid and assistance programs.”

Annually, two to five percent of U.S. rice exports are utilized for food aid programs.

USA Rice daily

Showcasing Sac Valley Rice Fields in new Netflix episode

In the latest episode of MeatEater’s Cal in the Field, avid outdoorsman and conservationist Ryan
Callaghan shined a spotlight on the Sacramento Valley.

He visited with one of our members, rice grower Sean Doherty, who was able to carry this out
after forming a personal relationship with Callaghan.

The 20-minute hunting program shows how the years of collaboration between rice growers and
conservationists have provided an unparalleled environment for wildlife, first with birds and now
with emerging research to help salmon.

The episode titled “Rice Field Duck Hunting, Managing for Wildlife and Way of Life” is
available on Netflix and can also be viewed on YouTube found here.
http://www.calricenews.org/2022/04/06/showcasing-sac-valley-rice-fields-in-new-netflix-
episode/

We are ready to keep helping Sri Lanka recover from

crisis: India
PTI

New Delhi: As Sri Lanka reels under a severe economic crisis that triggered a political upheaval,
India on Thursday said it stands ready to continue assisting the island nation to recover from the
difficulties in line with its 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has been keenly following
the evolving economic situation and other developments in Sri Lanka.

He said India has extended assistance of about USD 2.5 billion in the past three months to Sri
Lanka and it includes credit facilities for fuel and food.

"Since mid-March, over 270,000 metric tonnes of diesel and petrol have been delivered to Sri
Lanka. In addition, around 40,000 tonnes of rice have been supplied under the recently extended
USD 1 billion credit facility," Bagchi said at a media briefing.

Sri Lanka witnessed massive street protests in the last few days view of the economic crisis and
the public anger led almost all the cabinet ministers to quit the government.

There have been growing calls for resignation by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. However, he
has rejected such demands so far.

Referring to India's overall ties with Sri Lanka, he said the relationship is rooted in shared
civilisational values and aspirations of the two peoples.

"Our cooperation, based on commonality and interests, has been strengthened in recent months.
We see the recent developments in this perspective and stand ready to continue working with Sri
Lanka for rapid post-COVID economic recovery in line with India's 'Neighbourhood First'
policy," Bagchi said.

He said: "As a neighbour and close friend, India has been keenly following the evolving
economic situation and other developments in Sri Lanka."

https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2022/04/07/india-ready-to-continue-helping-sri-
lanka-recover-from-economic-crisis.html