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High food prices, inflation to continue until 2010 |
Brussels March 7: The record high food prices and resulting inflation are set to continue until at least 2010, fuelling a "new hunger" across the globe and anarchy on the streets of poorer nations, a top UN official said.
The executive director, Ms. Josette Sheeran, of the United Nations' World Food Program, said the world's economy "has now entered a perfect storm for the world's hungry" caused by high oil and food prices and low food stocks.
"Our assessment is that the current level will continue for the next few years ... in fact rise in 2008, 2009 and probably at least until 2010," she said on a visit to Brussels o March 6 where she met European Union officials.
Her visit came on a day that oil, gold and copper surged to record highs as investors fleeing a weak dollar piled into commodities.
Sheeran said food prices were rising due to a combination of soaring oil and energy prices, the effects of climate change, growing demand from countries such as India and China and use of crops to produce biofuels.
"This is leading to a new face of hunger in the world, what we call the newly hungry. These are people who have money, but have been priced out of being able to buy food," she said.
"Higher food prices will increase social unrest in a number of countries which are sensitive to inflationary pressures and are import-dependent. We will see a repeat of the riots we have already reported on the streets such as we have seen in Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Senegal."
Over 25,000 people die from hunger or a related illness every day across the world, with one child dying every five seconds.
The UN aid official was in Brussels seeking help in bridging a $500 million dollar "food gap" created by soaring commodity costs which have increased by around 40 percent since 2007.
The WFP is currently drawing up a list of 30 countries which they believe are "most vulnerable" to the current food inflation crises such as Afghanistan where $77 million is needed to feed an additional 2.5 million people.
"Our budget shortfall for 2008 means that at the moment we have to decide do we provide 40 percent less food or do we reach out to 40 percent less people. This is unacceptable," Sheeran said.
Along with extra funding, she said one solution would be to increase food production by using more land for agriculture and reducing the amount of land set aside for biofuels.
The EU last year set itself a target for biofuels to account for 10 percent of fuel used by transport in the bloc by 2020.
But critics have recently questioned whether the plan needs to be reviewed in the light of concerns about the impact of biofuels on food supplies and whether they really contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
"Governments need to look more carefully at the link between the acceleration in biofuels and food supply and give more thought to it (biofuels policy)," Sheeran said.
"We are not seeing any benefits to small farmers, particularly in the less-developed world. This land could be better used."
Speculative investment in commodities markets in products such as grains and cereals, which has helped fuel the price surge, is not a short- term phenomenon, she said.
"This is not a short-term bubble and will definitely continue," Sheeran said.
GB/March 8,2008
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Hopes for bumper harvesting for Boro crops |
A record 98 per cent of the total targeted land has been brought under Boro crop, brightening the prospect for a bumper rice harvest this season, officials said Wednesday.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said Boro crop has been planted on nearly 4.40 million hectares of land out of the government-targetted 45 million hectares this season.
"It's a record in the country's history. It will bring cheers to the government and millions of people hit by abnormal rise in food prices," said a senior agriculture ministry official.
On a normal season, about 90-95 per cent of the targeted land is brought under Boro cultivation, as farmers sometimes deliberately keep their land fallow. In 2007, about 4.3 million hectares of land came under the Boro plantation.
The official said farmers across the country have spontaneously planted crops this season in the wake of sky-rocketing prices of foodgrains in the market. Prices of the country's staple food rice alone doubled over the last twelve months.
The government has increased the targeted Boro cultivation area by another 0.2 million hectares after the country lost more than two million tonnes of rice due to floods in July and August and a devastating cyclone in November last year.
The agriculture ministry has estimated that rice worth around 600 million dollars was damaged because of the two major natural disasters. The government had to spend nearly 400 million dollars from its own coffer to import foodgrains to replenish its falling stock.
The caretaker government has doubled the crop areas under hybrid paddy cultivation, earmarked more electricity for the rural areas, ensured uninterrupted supply of diesel and fertiliser to make sure crop target is achieved in the Boro season.
"One of the significant achievements is that the plantation of hybrid variety of crop has surpassed the official target of 1.25 million hectares this year," said another agricultural official.
Output of hybrid crops is over six tonnes a hectare, which is more than double the production of other high-yielding varieties rice, he said, adding the government had allowed the private companies to double their import of hybrid paddy seeds.
The hybrid paddy alone is set to produce an additional 0.8 million tonnes of rice this year, provided the farmers get enough of fertilizer and no major pest attack.
The industry ministry has already started making a buffer stock for urea fertiliser, officials said. Over 1.2 million tonnes out of the country's total 2.8 million tones of annual urea requirement is used for the Boro cultivation alone.
GB/28th February,2008
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Some countries reject US and other exporting countries proposal on farm tariffs |
GENEVA, Switzerland: India, Indonesia, China, Venezuela, Turkey and the Philippines have rejected a proposal by the United States and other farm exporting countries that aims to severely curtail the flexibility to designate certain farm tariff lines as special products in the Doha market access negotiations for farm products.
The United States and a group of farm exporting countries - Australia, Uruguay, Thailand, Paraguay, New Zealand - circulated a one-page proposal recently suggesting how the special product flexibility should be availed subject to certain conditionalities.
The US demanded a severe downsizing of the total number of tariff lines that would be designated as special products to 8 per cent as against the benchmark of 12 per cent to 20 per cent set by the chair for Doha agriculture negotiations Ambassador Crawford Falconer.
The US and its partners insisted that 4 per cent tariff lines in tier-I be subjected to a 25 per cent cut and the remaining 4 per cent to a 15 per cent cut.
Besides, it insisted that only 1 per cent tariff lines in the second tier be allowed for zero cut. The proposal also listed conditions for availing the special product flexibility.
The US proposal flies in the face of what the chair had proposed in the revised modalities.
The chair suggested that out of the total limit between 12 per cent and 20 per cent tariff lines to be designated as special products, developing countries can designate 6 per cent of tariff lines for a tariff cut of between 8 per cent and 15 per cent.
Another 6 per cent of special product tariff lines were proposed for a cut of between 12 per cent and 25 per cent. The remaining eight were to face zero cut. All these figures in the revised draft modalities are subject to further negotiations.
Indonesia, which is the main coordinator of the G-33 coalition, which includes India, China, Kenya and Venezuela, slammed the US proposal.
Indonesian Ambassador Bustami Gusmardi said the US' proposal was not "constructive" and that his coalition was ready to work on the basis of the numbers proposed by the chairman in the revised draft modalities.
An Indian trade official warned that if the US and other members were bent upon undermining the flexibility for special products, New Delhi would be forced to reconsider its positions in every area of Doha trade negotiations.
The official described the US' proposal as puzzling, arguing that Washington was prepared to work on the numbers suggested by the chair to cut its overall trade-distorting domestic subsidies but was not prepared to work on the figures Ambassador Falconer suggested on special products.
Brazil supported the Indian position while Australia, Uruguay and Thailand backed the US' proposal.
Though many members want the US to bring down its domestic farm subsidies to its current applied level of around $11 billion, the US has all along maintained that it will not accept such a demand.
GB/23rd February,2008
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Juicy Love Made In Bangladesh |
Shakhawat Hossain
In blistering summer few drops of drink.. .a lifesaver. A bottle of cold water or fruit juice hits the spot. Water is always good and Juice is tasty and contains most of the nutrients found in the fruit. Consider drinking fruit juice is eating whole fruit.
Water bottle, Juice or Soft drinks can be found almost anywhere in the world. I live in Queens, New York. It's like a mini Bangladesh. On the street we talk loud in Chatgaiaa, Noakhali, Sylhoutee and Dhakaai. And the grocers & Biriyani Houses are Bangladeshi i.e.; Meghna, Mannan, Kabir's and fresh Aladdin's sweets and chilled imported PRAN mango juice brings memories back to life.
It's tasty. Dr. Samad says it's from Bangladesh!
The Juice & Beverage isle of Bangladeshi grocery store is an easy trip for me while looking for Bangladeshi drinks for my children. However, shelved right alongside nutritious juices are various fruit "ades," "cocktails" and "drinks" that look healthy, but contain little juice and lots of added sugar. It's important to know how to tell the difference because, while the packaging may look similar, the drinks can differ considerably in nutritional value.
The more I drink Bangladeshi mango Juice I start wondering about Pran. I am curious, who is this company so successful to bring the taste of Bengal to our
life.
Juice is full of Sugar said a friend of mined Dr. Samad general physician from philadelpma. I point my finger on to Roshgolla and ask how about RoshGolla ? Well, I don't care. It's Desi and chilled Pran Mango Juice hits my Spot. The argument started and its time for defination description, what do we usually
buy from Bangladeshi Grocery stores? Fish, Juice, Spice,Roti, Paratha and Somosa? Hey stop, I am holding PRAN, lets talk about juice or a juice drink? Dr. Samad starts Beverages labeled "juice" must be 100% juice, but a juice "beverage," "punch," "drink," or "cocktail" can and usually does contain little
fruit juice and lots of water and sugar. Ironically, in some cases, these products cost more than real juice, so you're paying a lot for sweetened water with a little juice added for color and flavor. (The amount of real juice in juice drink products can be as little as 1% or as high as 40%, depending on the brand.)
While fruit juice contains the naturally occurring sugar fructose, fruit drinks and other fruit beverages typically contain added sugar in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. Your body does not distinguish between natural fruit sugar and added sugar; it uses the sweeteners in much the same way. There is also very little difference in blood glucose response to the different kinds of sugar. What affects blood glucose is the total amount of sugar (or total amount of carbohydrate) in a serving of juice, not the type of sugar in the juice. The more sugar added to a juice drink, the more calories and carbohydrate it will contain.
Well! I do not know all those Protein, calcium, Sugar or Carb not I know the percent of fruit juice or to look for label. All I know it says 100 percent fruit juice. And its Bangladeshi and I love it.
Fortifying a beverage with vitamin C allows manufacturers to state that it provides "100% vitamin C." This claim, however, deflects attention from added sugars and essential nutrients that are missing.
By comparison, 100 percent orange juice provides vitamin C and other important nutrients with no added sugar. Only the naturally occurring sugars are found in fresh fruit. Read the nutrition facts label to compare nutrients, ingredients, serving size and servings per container.
Among 100 percent fruit juices, orange juice is a nutritional standout. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phyto-nutrients, 100 percent orange juice is the most nutrient-dense fruit juice commonly consumed in the United States. 1 "Children of all ages can help increase their intake of critical nutrients by drinking 100 percent orange juice," said Bangladeshi Dr Samad. "The nutrients found in orange juice may help promote a healthy immune system, contribute to heart health and may also help protect against certain cancers when consumed as part of a healthy diet.
"Well Dr. lets stop and its dessert time. Let us have Aladdin's ChomChom or RoshGolla. Let us pump some sugar and we will talk about Pran mango juice next time.
GB/11th February, 2008 |
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White Gold in South |
Hassan Nabil
In spite of having problems, a quiet revolution is being seen among the districts of Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Barisal. 75% of the Prawn is being produced in southern area. Because of the high rate of production and huge benefit, farmers are rather interested to produce Prawns instead of crops. Hailed as White Gold, shrimps are produced in almost 66 thousand hectors of area in Bagerhat in southern area of Bangladesh. Among them tiger prawn are being produced in 47 thousand 528.84 hectors of area and other ones take as much as 18 thousand 558.25 hectors of area.
 Why Prawn
People are interested in producing prawns rather than crops because they get around US$ 55 to 60 as a profit from a harvest but prawn production gives an output like US$ 90 to 100 in the same area. That's why people are getting involved in this profession. Besides, to process the prawns, numerous processing industries had grown up to fulfill the manufacturing purpose. Now there are more than 130 processing industries, 72 of which are licensed by the Fishery Bureau and 59 of which are under the license of European Union. Even when surveyed, women are found working in these industries like garments sector and they get a nice amount, as much as US$ 42 at least.
The Statistics
If we just give a glance over the southern area concerning the development of Prawns we'll see that in 9 unions of the Khulna district, total number of hectors which are used to produce Prawns are 65034. Among them Tiger Prawns take areas like 25362 and 39672 hectors. In the running year, the total desired production of Prawns are assumed to be around 35000 Metric Tons.
Among them Tiger Prawns could be around 9505.80 Metric Tons, Usual Ones are around 13850.00 Metric Tons and others would be 180 Metric Tons. Yearly average production of Tiger Prawns are presumed around 289 kgs per hector, usual ones 467 kgs per hector and other ones 4.8 kgs per hector.
In current year, among 9 unions of the district, 64491 people are engaged in producing Prawns. Among them 28 thousand 916 people are producing Tiger Prawns and 35 thousand 575 people are processing with usual ones. Export Promotion Bureau stated that in 2004-05 economy years, 65,875,944 pounds of frozen prawn were exported which worth about US$ 186 Thousand from the southern area.
Possibilities and Obstructions
Until the present times of the current year, except only Chitolmary, Mongla and Mollahat unions, no news were found about the virus infection of Prawns. Now, it's the season of Prawns, so if no natural disasters occur, the fishermen related to Prawn business will be surely benefited with a great production. It will make an impact over the whole southern area including Bagerhat.
The Fishery Department stated that if the yearly production reaches its desired limit, there are possibilities to earn revenues up to US$ 215 Million by exporting. Moreover, bank loan with easy repayment options, reduction of taxes on processing machineries and assistance from the government will even increase the revenues to a great extent.
But the production is at a risk of crashing down because there is no insurance policy of Prawn producers. The illegal abduction of producing fields is hazardous as well. Prawn exporters are saying that there are much more value addition in prawn exporting than other products which increases the amount of export revenues. According to the rules of the international market of EU, the Frozen Food Association must have LCMLMS machines to detect the presence of anti-biotique in frozen prawns. They threatened to shut down the production unless the machine is available.
The White Gold
The former president of Frozen Foods Association Quazi Monirul Islam said that there is no expenditure while exporting Prawns abroad. It is exported with a value addition of 100%, as for this, we are going to earn a huge amount of revenue from this sector. If the Prawn production continues to be in optimal situation with the assessment of government, within the year 2010 it would be possible to earn more than US$ 1.5 Billion from frozen food exports.
GB/11th February, 2008 |
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Experts warn of worse as Asia food prices bite |
Rising food prices have hit Asia's poor so hard that many have taken to the streets in protest, but experts see few signs of respite from the growing problem.
An array of factors, from rising food demand and high oil prices to global warming, could make high costs for essentials such as rice, wheat and milk a permanent fixture, they say.
"The indications are in general pointing to high prices," Abdolreza Abbassian, a senior grains analyst at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome.
The food prices globally soared nearly 40 percent in 2007, helping stoke protests in Myanmar, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Yet Asian economic growth is a key reason why prices rose, said Joachim von Braun, from the International Food Policy Research Institute.
"High growth in per capita income, especially in Asia, is driving demand for food," said von Braun, the Washington-based group's director general.
At the same time, Asia's growth has left many of its poor behind, he added. They spend between 50 and 70 percent of their meagre incomes on food, making price rises especially debilitating.
"There was also a lack of investment in agriculture, particularly in science and technology and in irrigation," von Braun said.
Apart from overall higher food demand, changes in taste favoring meat are said to be pushing up prices, since farmed animals feed heavily on grain.
Drought and bad weather, high oil prices stoking transport costs, spiking bio fuel demand and low reserves have also played their part, experts say.
"In Australia, we lost almost a year of wheat due to drought," said Katie Dean, an economist at ANZ Bank in Sydney.
GB/11th February, 2008 |
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WB’s credit of $63m for improving agricultural technology system |
The World Bank(WB) approved an International Development Association (IDA) credit worth $62.60 million to boost up Bangladesh's agricultural technology system, a WB statement said on February 8. The money will be spent for agricultural research, agricultural extension, and supply chain, including strengthening of national institutions involved in agricultural research and extension, read the statement.
The project titled 'National Agricultural Technology Project' has been designed to enhance the effectiveness of the national agricultural technology system. It will be implemented over a period of 15 years in three phases. The project will also support a decentralized demand-led agricultural extension program with greater accountability and responsiveness to farmers, with a focus on small and marginal farmers.
“Growth of the agriculture and the rural non-farm sectors is critical to reducing poverty in Bangladesh,” said Xian Zhu, WB country director in Bangladesh. Zhu also said, “Improved agricultural research and technology will be critical to achieve this growth and accelerate for the process of diversification into higher value crops and post-harvest processing.”
The project will support development of supply chains of selected commodities through financing activities related to strengthening farmer-market linkages. Paul S Sidhu, WB senior agriculture specialist and project team leader said “By giving greater voice to the farming communities in deciding the priorities for agricultural research, farmer education priorities, and program monitoring, the project will contribute towards improving governance as well as the quality and efficiency of the delivery of public services.”
Agriculture accounts for about 22 percent of Bangladesh's GDP and another 33 percent of GDP is contributed by the rural non-farm economy, which is largely linked to agriculture, the statement added.
GB/9th February, 2008 |
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Corn price to rise further in 2008 |
WESTCHESTER, ILLINOIS, U.S. - Corn Products International, Inc. announced on
Feb. 5 that its net income for the 2007 fiscal year ended Dec. 31 had
increased 60% to $198 million compared with prior-year net income of $124
million. Corn Products International also recorded net income of $46 million
in the fourth quarter of 2007, a 40% increase over $33 million last year.
Corn Products International said that it expects another year of solid
earnings growth in 2008. The company expects net sales to reach $3.7 billion
in 2008 versus $3.39 billion in 2007.
"Our 2008 outlook for EPS results is primarily due to expected growth in our
North and South American regions," said Sam Scott, chairman, president and
chief executive officer of Corn Products International. "However, we expect a
tough year in our Asia/Africa region due to lower results in South Korea.
"Our U.S. and Canadian businesses have again achieved higher contract pricing
in 2008 across their starch and sweeteners book of business," said Scott.
"When coupled with our grain-related, or fee-based business, and multi-year
contracts, overall pricing in 2008 for our entire book of business has
increased in the low double-digit range in the U.S. and Canada. Consistent
with our stated policy, corn requirements for our firm-price contracts in the
U.S. and Canada are appropriately hedged. As always, a portion of our
co-product values and the corn basis are open."
GB/6th February, 2008 |
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Corn price to rise further in 2008 |
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. - The preliminary national average price received by farmers for all wheat in January was $8.55 per bushel, up 81¢ from $7.74 in December and $4.02 above the January 2007 average of $4.53, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in its January Agriculture Prices report (click here to read report).
The national average price received for winter wheat in January $8.33, up 67¢ from $7.66 in December and $3.80 above the January 2007 average of $4.53.
The average price for durum was $13.40 per bushel, up $1.80 from $11.60 in December and up $8.69 from the January 2007 average of $4.71.
The price for spring wheat other than durum, at $8.38, was 92¢ above the December average of $7.46 and $3.87 above the January 2007 average of $4.51.The average price received for rice was $11.60 per cwt in January, up 30¢ from $11.30 in December and $1.20 above the January 2007 average of $10.40.
The preliminary index of prices received for food grains in January was 261% of the 1990-92 base of 100, up 7% from the revised December index of 244 and up 72% from 152 in January 2007.
The January index for feed grains was 186, up 11% from a revised 167 in the previous month and 38% above the January 2007 index of 135. The average price received by farmers for corn in January was $4.28 per bushel, up 52¢ from $3.76 in January and $1.23 above $3.05 in January 2007. Farmers received an average of $8.23 per cwt for grain sorghum in January, up $1.30 from $6.93 in December and $1.92 above $6.31 in January 2007. The average price paid for oats in January was $2.71, up 2¢ from December and 51¢ above January 2007.
The USDA index of January prices received for oil-bearing crops was 196, up 11% from a revised 177 in December and 72% above 114 in January 2007. The national average price paid to farmers for soybeans was $11 per bushel, up $1from December and $4.63 above $6.37 in January 2007. The average price paid for sunflowerseed was $20.90, up $1.70 from $19.20 in December and $7.10 above $13.80 in January 2007.
The January index for dairy products was 158, down 4% from a revised 165 in December but up 42% from 111 a year ago. The average price paid for
manufacturing grade milk in January was $20.10 per cwt, down 70¢ from $20.80 in December but up $6.20 from $13.90 in January 2007.
The poultry and egg index was at 157 in January, up 2% from 154 in December and 17% above 134 a year ago. The average price paid to farms for all eggs was $1.29 per dozen in January, down 7¢ from $1.36 in December but 37¢ above 92¢ in January 2007
GB/6th February, 2008 |
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Global Agri product Watch |
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. - The preliminary national average price received by farmers for all wheat in January was $8.55 per bushel, up 81¢ from $7.74 in December and $4.02 above the January 2007 average of $4.53, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in its January Agriculture Prices report (click here to read report).
The national average price received for winter wheat in January $8.33, up 67¢ from $7.66 in December and $3.80 above the January 2007 average of $4.53.
The average price for durum was $13.40 per bushel, up $1.80 from $11.60 in December and up $8.69 from the January 2007 average of $4.71.
The price for spring wheat other than durum, at $8.38, was 92¢ above the December average of $7.46 and $3.87 above the January 2007 average of $4.51.The average price received for rice was $11.60 per cwt in January, up 30¢ from $11.30 in December and $1.20 above the January 2007 average of $10.40.
The preliminary index of prices received for food grains in January was 261% of the 1990-92 base of 100, up 7% from the revised December index of 244 and up 72% from 152 in January 2007.
The January index for feed grains was 186, up 11% from a revised 167 in the previous month and 38% above the January 2007 index of 135. The average price received by farmers for corn in January was $4.28 per bushel, up 52¢ from $3.76 in January and $1.23 above $3.05 in January 2007. Farmers received an average of $8.23 per cwt for grain sorghum in January, up $1.30 from $6.93 in December and $1.92 above $6.31 in January 2007. The average price paid for oats in January was $2.71, up 2¢ from December and 51¢ above January 2007.
The USDA index of January prices received for oil-bearing crops was 196, up 11% from a revised 177 in December and 72% above 114 in January 2007. The national average price paid to farmers for soybeans was $11 per bushel, up $1from December and $4.63 above $6.37 in January 2007. The average price paid for sunflowerseed was $20.90, up $1.70 from $19.20 in December and $7.10 above $13.80 in January 2007.
The January index for dairy products was 158, down 4% from a revised 165 in December but up 42% from 111 a year ago. The average price paid for
manufacturing grade milk in January was $20.10 per cwt, down 70¢ from $20.80 in December but up $6.20 from $13.90 in January 2007.
The poultry and egg index was at 157 in January, up 2% from 154 in December and 17% above 134 a year ago. The average price paid to farms for all eggs was $1.29 per dozen in January, down 7¢ from $1.36 in December but 37¢ above 92¢ in January 2007
GB/6th February, 2008
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INDIA WILL PLOUGH FOREIGN LAND SOON ! |
Mumbai, Feb 5:
The Indian government is considering a proposal to help Indian industry start farming activities, particularly of pulses and oilseeds, in other countries and bring the produce back home to meet the demand-supply gap.
The Committee of Secretaries in a meeting in September 2007 had decided toexplore the possibility of cultivation of pulses and oilseeds in countries
such as Myanmar.
It had also asked the Commerce and Food Ministries to examine the issue.
Following this decision, Food Secretary T Nanda Kumar on January 7 met representatives of the edible oil industry to find out their responses.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Yashwant Bhave, plans to meet representatives ofthe pulses industry for the second time to discuss the issue soon. He had already discussed the issue with the pulses importers
GB/6th February, 2008 |
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Fertilizer crisis in Southwestern region of Bangladesh |
Acute scarcity of triple super phosphate (TSP) has been prevailing in 10 south western districts of the country, sources said. As a result, farmers are suffering from severe fertilizer crisis. Country will face a severe food crisis if production of grains falls due to lack of fertilizer.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said a total of 5,21,155 hectares of land have been brought under IRRI-Boro cultivation in 10 districts of the region during the season.
Meanwhile, farmers have started their plantation work, but they were not able to collect TSP fertilizer from the authorized dealers at the local markets. Therefore, farmers feared that the output might be hampered.
The DAE sources said the actual demand of TSP fertilizer is 28,899 tonnes for the target land in the districts. But the concerned ministry sanctioned 10,850 tonnes for the areas and supplied only 4,059 tonnes through dealers.
Of them, 669 tonnes of fertiliser against 2,185 tonnes were supplied in Khulna, 415 tonnes against 1,462 tonnes in Bagerhat, 194 tonnes against 2,885 tonnes in Satkhira, 680 tonnes against 7,318 tonnes in Jessore, 380 tonnes against 4,491 tonnes in Jhenidah, 192 tonnes against 2,040 tonnes in Magura, 410 tonnes against 2,450 tonnes in Narail, 849 tonnes against 1,738 tonnes in Kushtia, 65 tonnes against 1,900 tonnes in Chuadanga and 205 tonnes against 2,367 tonnes in Meherpur.
A local farmer said he ploughed his 8/9 bighas of land for Boro cultivation. Some 15 to 20 kg of TSP have to be spread on each bigha of land before seedlings. But he has not been able to collect sufficient fertilizer from the dealers and markets.
GB/6th February, 2008 |
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International Finance Corporation is ready to support Bangladesh Agro Industries |
The International Finance Corporation(IFC) is ready to expand its operations in Bangladesh, particularly in infrastructure and agro-processing, as said on January 4 by Lars H Thunell, the executive vice president and CEO of IFC in an interview at Radisson Hotel. IFC Country Manager Per Kjellerhaug and other officials were present in the interview time.
The lending agency, IFC, Chief Executive Officer, said Bangladesh has achieved a lot of economic developments over the last few years, but he believes the country still has more to do in the infrastructure and agriculture areas. He emphasized building a public-private partnership to carry out these properly.
The IFC is discussing with the Pran Group and Kazi Farm, two major agri-farms in the country, to help them expand their business.
The finance adviser also asked the IFC to invest in the private sector on an equity basis instead of direct loans. This would help create a vibrant capital market, the official said.
The CEO of IFC, Thunell, a Swedish national, also focused on IFC's global operations. IFC has been increasing the amount it lends as a proportion of the World Bank's International Development Association lending, a vehicle used for soft loans to poor countries.
He said IFC's committed portfolio in Bangladesh stands at US$167 million in 13 projects, ranging from financial institutions to general manufacturing, telecommunications and infrastructure. He also added that they are also working on other investments in health care, infrastructure, financial markets and telecommunications and even promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is also looking to expand its Global Trade Finance Program in Bangladesh to help local banks grow their trade finance operations.
The program provides access to a network of over 115 confirming banks, which allow local importers to reach other export markets.
GB/5th February, 2008 |
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Bird flue spreading menacingly |
The deadly bird flue is spreading menacingly across the country and as reported on January 27 by the Chief Adviser’s special Assistant Manik Lal Samaddar ( in charge of the ministry of fisheries and livestock) that bird flu has so far affected some 3,26,844 chickens in 48 thanas(police station areas) of 29 districts and six metropolitan thanas/police stations and all the affected chickens from 93 poultry farms were culled by the Livestock department.
Earlier FAO’s chief veterinary officer Joseph Domenech on January 24 said in Bangladesh 21 out of 64 districts have been infected with H5N1 Avian influenza and the situation seems to be worsening. He added the disease appears to be epidemic.
According to media sources, Dinajpur, Savar and Keraniganj upazila of Dhaka district, Patuakhali, Barisal are affected by Bird flu. Many crows that eat the wastage/unnecessary parts of chickens are dying in the affected areas. In some places, it is reported that the honey bees are dying. Recently, crows are found dead even in Chittagong and Dhaka city. The experts are testing the crows before declaring the area bird flu affected.
It may be mentioned that the bird flu infection started in this region from West Bengal, India, the bordering area of Bangladesh. The government has taken measures to ask Border Security force/Bangladesh Rifles(BDR) to put alert in the border districts to prevent entry of chickens from West Bengal, India and also all district civil surgeons are asked to open isolated unit for bird flu patients. However, until February 3, any bird flu affected patients are found. The people of Dhaka city and other city areas are asked not to buy chickens, ducks and eggs from street sellers. It is also advised to boil the eggs and chickens nicely before eat it. In case fired egg, it is also suggested to fry both sides at 100degrees centigrade temperature.
The government as per its preventive measures had culled over 3.57 lakh poultry birds in 30 districts until January 30. If bird flue evidences are found, it is advisable to kill all the chickens and ducks inside the 1 square kilometer of the area.
The convener of Bangladesh Poultry Industries Coordination Committee claimed over 40 poultry hatcheries out of 110 in Bangladesh were shut down over the last five months due to a collapse in demand. The leading poultry operators said they have cut their weekly production of day old chicks to between 3.0-3.5 million with around 25 percent of the total produce remaining unsold.
The bird flu or avian influenza, which broke out in Bangladesh in the early 2007, is now threatening the sustainability of the poultry industry which supports nearly five million people and contributes 1.6 percent to GDP.
GB/3rd February, 2008 |
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Unfair Indian competition making severe troubles to local sugar industry |
The sugar refiners in the country are facing financial disaster after losing around Tk 200 crore in 2007 due to the alleged dumping of Indian sugar in the local market.
Two of the seven private refining mills established in the country have already suspended production, while unsold sugar is being stockpiled at government mills that are unable to compete despite slashing prices.
The difficulties are also putting at risk the large sums invested in the sector in recent years following the ending of the state monopoly, banking sources warned.
In a letter to the government, chairman of the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation(BSFIC), Kabir Md. Ashraf Alam, has placed the blame for the current crisis firmly on India export subsidies saying that the Indian government provides a US$61 per ton cash subsidy on sugar exports and this has led to huge quantities of low quality Indian sugar being dumped in the Bangladesh market.
Due to the alleged dumping BSFIC, the state mills owner, incurred a loss of Tk 156 crore in the last fiscal of 2006-07. Private sector sugar refinery owners claimed that they lost around Tk 45 crore due to the unfair competition with Indian sugar.
Meanwhile, India faced a sugar glut following a record harvest of more than 30 million tons in the 2006-07 crop year that ended September 30, while annual domestic demand stands at only 20 million tons.
Kabir Ashraf suggested the government immediately increase import duty from Tk 5,000 to Tk 15,000 to help restore the local industry. He also suggested temporary ban on import of finished sugar through land ports.
Bangladesh's annual demand for sugar is around at 12 lakh tons, while the government-owned sugar mills can supply around 1.5 lakh tons. The gap was met by imports and smuggling until the local refiners came onto the scene.
Meanwhile, sugar price soared to Tk 62 a kilogram in early 2006, prompting the government to lower import duty on sugar and allow import of raw sugar. The prospect of cheap raw sugar encouraged private investment in the refining business. After all, The reduction in the import duties on refined sugar has undermined the business.
GB/2nd February, 2008 |
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Work plan to ensure supply of fertilizer, power, diesel for Boro cultivation |
The government has adopted a work plan to ensure continuous steady supply of fertilizer, diesel and electricity during the current Boro season for helping the farmers to achieve a 17.50-million tons rice output target.
The top officials of the ministries of Agriculture, and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources at a joint press on January 24 announced their preparations regarding the smooth supply of fertilizer and uninterrupted supply of diesel and power for irrigation purposes.
There is no alternative other than boosting the Boro production in order to cope with the country's food deficit following a drastic shortfall in 'Aman' crop production, caused due to floods and cyclone Sidr, as said in the press briefing. The government has taken all necessary steps to scale down the deficit through raising Boro output, the officials said.
Agriculture Secretary M Abdul Aziz, Power Division Secretary Fawzul Kabir Khan and Energy Division Secretary Mohammad Mohsin addressed in the press briefing. The Agriculture Secretary said the government is maintaining the supply of urea fertilizer as per its increased demand for the Boro cultivation. He informed that a total of 400,000 tons of urea had already been distributed to the dealers for the current month and additional 500,000 tons have been delivered for the month of February.
He also added that the steps have been taken to supply 294,000 tons urea for the month of March through imports and from local production. He further said the government has also already increased the number of dealers so that farmers can easily buy urea from every ward level outlets. The Agriculture Secretary, however, said the government has plan to disburse Tk 7.50 billion as subsidy on diesel to be used for running irrigation pumps by the listed Boro farmers from April, aiming to help reduce their cultivation cost due to soaring prices of gasoline.
On the other hand, the Power Division Secretary told the newsmen that necessary steps have been taken to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity for running irrigation pumps during the current Boro season. Against this backdrop, the authorities will soon hold talks with the business leaders on the compliances with the existing rules related to shopping hours up to 8.0 pm to facilitate the smooth supply of power for irrigation purpose.
"If the traders do not comply with the provision, the government will take necessary steps including disconnection of their electricity supply after the stipulated time," he said. He also mentioned that the Power Division has taken preparation for supplying electricity to 225,000 irrigation pumps for irrigating a total 4.3 million hectares of land this season.
The Energy Division Secretary, however, said it has taken necessary preparations for supplying 838,000 tons (974.20 million liters) of diesel for running irrigation pumps across the country.
Presently, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has a total diesel stock of 288,000 tons, which is equivalent to 40 days of requirement, he mentioned.
He also informed the press briefing that 150,000 tones of diesel will reach the country from Kuwait by February while import of another 60,000 tons of diesel is also in the pipeline to meet the growing demand for the gasoline during the irrigation season.
GB/25 January, 2008 |
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Tea production increases in 2007 |
The country’s tea production increased an eight per cent growth to a robust 58 million kilograms in 2007. This abundant production is possible due to favorable weather and expansion of gardens, planters.
The country’s 163 tea gardens, located in greater Sylhet, Chittagong and northern districts, were hit by a drought in 2006 when the production fell to 53.7 million.
Traders said, the growth is likely to boost tea export and keep the domestic prices down in the current fiscal. Export of teas is also expected to hit 7.0 million kgs in the ongoing fiscal compare to 3.0 million fiscal in the previous year. Bangladesh exports tea mainly to Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle East Countries.
GB/ 06 January, 2008 |
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Pran declares 26pc dividend |
Agricultural Marketing Company Ltd.(ACML)-Pran has declared 26 percent dividend for his shareholders for the year 2006-07 at its 22nd annual general meeting(AGM) held at the National Shooting Complex at Gulshan in Dhaka city on December 27.
The pre-tax profit of the company was Tk. 32.72 million in fiscal 2006-2007 while gross turnover stood at Tk. 989 million and the total export figure was Tk. 51.83 million(including incentives).
The AGM was attended by Chairman Mahtabuddin Ahmed, Managing Director Amjad Khan Chowdhury , Directors and many shareholders of the company. |
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