Icelandic Goat Center to Open in West Iceland

The Icelandic Goat Center is scheduled to open by the goat farm Háafell in Hvítársíða, in the rural Borgarfjörður region in west Iceland in early July. Visitors who want to learn more about the Icelandic Settlement Goat, which is at a risk of extinction, are welcome all year round.

Jóhanna Þorvaldsdóttir and her family at Háafell are the country’s most active goat farmers and has long fought for the goat stock’s preservation.

In 2011, Jóhanna and others who share her passion for the Icelandic Settlement Goat, established an association with the goal of making goat breeding a sustainable option and educating Icelanders about the qualities of the goat, Morgunblaðið reports.

Jóhanna’s initiative has garnered attention. A number of people foster goats at her farm, that is, pay for its fodder, and in exchange get a chance to visit Háafell, pet the goats and play with their offspring. The kids are born in the spring—the season usually starts in mid-April—which is a popular time for schools and kindergartens to visit.

“I have a fence that I allow people to enter where they can see everything from little kids to a 12-year-old human-loving buck. It usually leaves the most impression,” Jóhanna said of Prins, a white old buck with massive, curved horns.

Playful kids.

She runs her farm out of passion, goat farming is not a fruitful business and state funding is slim. “It seems to be a slow process for the authorities to find out how to support the goat stock.” A parliamentary resolution to that regard has been submitted to the Icelandic parliament, Alþingi, several times since 2005 but never been passed.

“The Rio Treaty must be observed in further detail and the conditions included on obligations towards animal species that are at a risk of extinction,” Jóhanna explained.

Yet thanks to her and other passionate goat farmers, the stock has been growing in the past years. Twenty years ago there were only around 300 Icelandic Settlement Goats left but now they number more than 700 with 50-60 owners.

Jóhanna said they have been incredibly successful in maintaining such a small animal stock, which has already survived two critical periods. “At the turn of the 20th century there were around 100 goats in the country. In 1930, approximately 3,000 goats were registered because they had become a source of milk in all seaside villages.”

“In the post-war years people started to grow gardens and therefore it was prohibited to keep goats in urban areas. Shortly after 1960 the number of goats had dropped to 86 and there was only one hornless goat left. This one hornless goat has preserved a significant amount of DNA because all brownish color variations follow the hornless gene and today, they can only be found at my farm,” Jóhanna stated.

Like all Icelandic farm animals, the Icelandic goat is very colorful. Her goat products are primarily meat, skins, soaps and cream. “I cannot cope with demand for meat,” Jóhanna said. She describes the goat meat as low in fat like chicken and rich in protein like beef, and so healthier meat is hard to find.

The goats have cashmere wool—in fact, the Scottish Cashmere Goat is one quarter Icelandic—and experiments are being made on cleansing and spinning the wool in Iceland. “Sorting out the rough hairs takes a lot of work,” she explained as to why it is a difficult process. “But it is, of course, a luxurious product. It is a shame to throw it out.”

Jóhanna has also faced trouble in having her goat milk processed. “I tried to reach an agreement with MS last winter because I don’t have the facilities to make cheeses myself, but they didn’t give me any response,” she said of the dairy company that has a near monopoly on the Icelandic market.

However, she milks her goats for children who are intolerant to the dairy protein in cow’s milk and for infants who aren’t breastfed. “This milk should be marketed for people with stomach problems and those who suffer from sensitive digestive systems and eczema,” Jóhanna stated.

Demand for goat milk isn’t lacking but placing it on the market has proven a problem. The association Beint frá býli, which markets products straight from the farm, are working on obtaining permission to sell non-pasteurized goat’s milk, but has not had any luck so far.

“It is strange that we can buy all sorts of chemicals in coloring in sweets and other food products that we know are dangerous, yet we cannot buy a product that comes straight from nature,” Jóhanna pointed out. “Instead I make soaps and creams from goat milk, and the fat, because is very healing and has other good qualities.”

Jóhanna has received innovation sponsorships to develop goat products and reached collaborative agreements on the experimental production of ice cream, cheeses and salami sausages. However, she is still waiting for a break-through for goat products.

ESA

Forest fires threaten US ski states

Huge fires are burning in Colorado, Utah, California and New Mexico. In Colorado restrictions have been put in place in the ski areas. 

They are the worst fires in a decade with hundreds of thousands of acres ablaze. The summer tourist industry is likely to be badly hit. 

Colorado has the worst fires with eight separate blazes burning. Flames are leaping 100 feet into the air and are being spread by high winds.

The High Park Fire, near Fort Collins in Colorado, has been raging for several weeks and is one of the most destructive blazes in the state's history.

More than 83,000 acres have burnt with 248 homes destroyed. 

It is 45% contained but otherwise blazing out of control.

A wildfire near Colorado Springs started last weekend and quickly engulfed 3 square miles. 11,000 people were evacuated for their homes, but many have since been allowed to return.

Most of the fires have been started by lightening or other natural causes.

A lightning strike ignited the fire near Fort Collins on June 9th. 

High temperatures in the 90s, with extremely dry air and almost no humidity, have produced tinderbox conditions in many mountain areas.

There is a ban on open campfires and private firework displays.

A huge operation is underway to try to contain and extinguish the fires.

Half the US forest firefighting team is in Colorado.

C-130 military transport planes from Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs have been helping out in the past few days.

"People recognise this is going to take a big push to extinguish," said Colorado Governor, John Hickenlooper.

So far no ski resorts in Colorado have been directly affected however they are monitoring things closely and restrictions have been put in place.

The state contains many of the most popularski resorts in the USA including Vail, Aspen, Loveland, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone. They are not under threat but there are fears wildfires could start as conditions are similar to elsewhere in the state.

The Vail Resorts has imposed restrictions across the resorts that it runs.

Smoking is currently prohibited in all areas of the mountain resorts, including all facilities in the resorts. There are no open flames allowed such as lighters and stoves. Fireworks are banned.

Extra signs have been put up and peope are being asked to be carefull and vigilant.

"Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone resorts are currently observing fire restrictions which are intended for the safety of our guests, property and the wilderness," said a resort spokeswoman to PlanetSKI.

"We haven't seen the smoke as the fires as not near the resorts but people are just being as cautious as possible."

In the ski resorts people are following developments closely.

"Vail Mountain is currently aligned with and fully supportive of the U.S. Forest Service and the Town of Vail on the current Stage II restrictions. On the mountain side, we continue to remind and educate guests about the restrictions both verbally and with additional signage. Skies are blue, temperatures are comfortable in the 70s and 80s, the Eagle Bahn Gondola is open daily, and Adventure Ridge activities are operating normally," said a spokeswoman from Vail, Liz Biebl.

Many ski areas had one of the worst winters in recent years with poor snowfall. Now the summer tourist industry will be badly affected. Already there are reports of people cancelling holidays fearing the fires may still be burning or the areas ruined.

The forest fires are sweeping across other states in the western United States.

In New Mexico, the largest wildfire in state history has burned nearly 300,000 acres. It was caused by a lightening strike.

In Utah thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes. There is a 9-square mile fire 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.

In California, a wildfire about 60 miles north of Los Angeles led to people being evacuated from camp sites and recreation areas. 1,000 acres have been destroyed.

In Arizona one fire has destroyed 12,000 acres. 50% of it is blazing out of control.

Planet Ski

Dutch dairy farmers most loyal to animal nutrition supplier

Last year 6% of the Dutch dairy farmers switched to another animal nutrition supplier. This is considerably less than their colleagues in the pig and poultry farming sector. 

Since 2002 AgriDirect examines the loyalty of farmers to their animal nutrition supplier. This year again they were asked who their animal nutrition supplier is, how satisfied they are with this supplier and if they are willing to talk to a competitor. Moreover, AgriDirect inventoried the background of the farmers who indeed switched to another supplier. In 2011 about 5.200 pig and poultry farmers and more than 15.500 dairy farmers have been interviewed by the AgriDirect telemarketers.

Poultry farmers still switch most

For years poultry farmers switch most compared to pig and dairy farmers. In 2011, over 14% of the poultry farmers switched to another animal nutrition supplier. In 2010 this was about  15%. In the pig farming sector 10% switched supplier; 1% more than last year.

agridirect.nl

India sells new-crop wheat, more deals likely

The Middle East has bought around 200,000 tonnes of new-crop Indian wheat and more deals are likely, as a rally in global prices and the weakening currency of the South Asian nation make exports competitive, grains traders said on Tuesday. 

US wheat futures was little changed at around nine-month highs on Tuesday, after climbing more than 7 percent in the last session, tracking gains in corn and on expectations of lower production from the Black Sea region. In the cash market, Indian wheat is quoted at around $255 a tonne free on board (FOB), compared with $295 a tonne being offered for Australian wheat. 

In the Middle East, Indian wheat is being offered at around $280 a tonne, including cost and freight (C&F), while rival Black Sea cargoes are being quoted at close to $315 a tonne. Aiding Indian wheat exports is the embattled rupee, which has hit a succession of record lows this year. It has fallen about 7 percent year-to-date, making it the worst performing currency monitored daily in Asia by Reuters. 

India, the world's second-biggest rice and wheat producer, is grappling with storage problems due to bumper harvests in recent years. Grain stocks at government warehouses were at a record 82.4 million tonnes on June 1 against 63.0 million tonnes of storage space, forcing authorities to store grains in the open. 

Officials concede that 6 million tonnes of grains could rot due to lack of storage space, but analysts say the losses could be higher as more than 19 million tonnes lie in the open. India, which is sitting on a burdensome stockpile of wheat, has been trying to sell grains, including to sanctions-hit Iran. 

India could export up to 3 million tonnes of wheat to Iran if supplies are requested, Food Minister K.V. Thomas said, as India seeks to reduce huge wheat stocks and help settle payment for a large oil import bill. 

Pakistan: Rice exports once again cross $2b mark

Rice exports have consistently remained perched at high levels and crossed the mark of $2 billion for the fourth consecutive year, which comes without any state support in the form of subsidies, boasted the rice exporters association.

The association praised the government for not interfering unnecessarily in rice export affairs and for allowing a free market environment. At the same time, the body congratulated its members for achieving the feat despite all odds and for negating the unelected trade leaders who had predicted the opposite.

“All members of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) pay taxes and don’t get any subsidies on export,” said REAP Chairman Javaid Islam Agha in a press release on Wednesday.

The association was against subsidies, which wasted state funds and promoted corruption, he said, adding they also did not support manipulative artificial intervention, which distorts the free market.

Highlighting the factors which kept exports at high levels, the association chairman pointed to the Quality Rice Centre (QRC), established by REAP as a public-private partnership. “QRC remained a quality watchdog in rice exports and played a crucial role,” he said.

Underlining problems, Agha said exporters faced a debilitating energy crisis compounded by a discouraging law and order situation.

In the international market, India is marketing huge surplus stocks, supported by a massive 20% depreciation of the Indian rupee. Vietnam and Myanmar have also presented stiff competitive challenges.

Besides these, basmati rice exports to Iran have dropped sharply in the face of US and UN sanctions on Tehran.

The Express Tribune

Zimbabwe's Biodiesel Project on Verge of Collapse

Zimbabwe’s search for sustainable energy has hit a brick wall as a state-funded project launched in 2005 to address critical fuel shortages through the extraction of biodiesel from jatropha seeds, is now on the verge of collapse.

Government representatives, lawmakers and energy experts told VOA Monday, Zimbabwe has almost abandoned the project, now relegated to an experiment in the agriculture ministry’s technology department.

One of the jatropha processing plants set up five years ago in Mount Hampden near Harare by Zimbabwe and North Koreans, they say, is now a white elephant due to the non-availability of jatropha seeds.

The central bank disbursed about Z$3 billion (US$12 million) between 2005 and 2007 for the biodiesel project launched by President Robert Mugabe amid pomp and funfare.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Seiso Moyo said lack of funding is crippling the jatropha fuel project. Jatropha curcas is a drought tolerant shrub with oil rich seeds that make diodisiel and stockfeed.

Parliamentary agriculture committee member Moses Jiri said government should stop funding the project. 

“Parliament needs to carry out an investigation into this project as we suspect that government funds were abused,” said Jiri.

Agronomist Thomas Nherera believes that farmers are not well-equipped to handle the jatropha plants for commercial purposes.

China to import cows from Uruguay

China will soon receive tens of thousands of "cows" from Uruguay. It's importing the animals to bolster its domestic milk production. Currently, only three countries have been granted the exporting rights to China.

Newborn cows graze slowly on this farm in southern Uruguay. These heifers won't be here forever, though - soon they'll make their way to China, part of one of the largest cattle drives in history.

Since 2009, China has been importing Uruguayan dairy cows in an effort to revamp its dairy industry following a tainted milk scandal. By the end of this year, Uruguayan exporters will have sent 40,000 cows to China.

Enrique Delfante, cow exporter, says, "We have the good quality cattle that produce very well for the Chinese producer, and we also have a health status which is one of the best in the world, that is why there are only three countries that can export to China."

Australia and New Zealand are the others. But tiny Uruguay is the only western hemisphere country.

Growing Chinese demand for these Uruguayan cows has raised their prices and been a lucrative business for many farmers here, but it has also raised concerns in some circles about the future of Uruguay's dairy industry.

15 percent of Uruguay's heifer cows were sent to China last year-and their prices have increased 50% since exports began. Some worry that this influx could turn China into a milk industry rival. Plus, replenishing cow populations now comes with a higher cost to local farmers. But agronomist Hector Laca says that part is easy.

Agronomist Hector Laca, says, "You are not selling an asset that is not possible to re-create or to create a new one. You still have the cows, you are exporting the heifers. A cow gives birth each year to a female or male cow, so at the end you are going to produce again."

Uruguay's rich soil makes all its farm products popular worldwide, and the government says it stands ready to weather any market storms.

Roberto Hudson, Uruguay Agriculture Ministry, says, "Uruguay is an exporting country. And we know that exports come in cycles, and prices fluctuate. When one country fills their needs, another one always comes around to us."

And for now, China will continue to buy these Uruguayan cows to satisfy its thirst for milk.

CNTV

Invest in agriculture skills

Australia needs to boost agricultural skills to feed Asia, writes BRIDGET McKENZIE

Trade Minister Craig Emerson and Prime Minister Julia Gillard have been keen to talk up the need for Australia to fill the plates of Asia with our locally grown produce.

But a critical skills shortage threatens our agricultural abilities to meet increasing global demand for food and fibre.

The message is not getting through to Gen Y that with a career in agriculture you can make a difference and a dollar.

Australia already exports 60 per cent of its produce, and ABARES says we could lift the value of agricultural exports by 140 per cent by 2050 - but we need a skilled, competent workforce.

Efforts to engage and address the shortage, identified by the Council of Deans of Agriculture in 2008, have been sporadic, with the number of universities offering agricultural-based courses in Australia halving between 2000 and 2010.

The Government must invest in agricultural-sector education and training so we can drive productivity gains and remain internationally competitive.

In the past fortnight, a Senate inquiry and Victorian Government report have gone out, extensively examining the industry's need for a skilled workforce.

Both highlight issues of concern for agricultural education - issues of low enrolment levels, the sector's image and remuneration, and the cost of delivering agricultural education.

It is not surprising that after a decade of drought followed by floods, and several agribusinesses closing their doors locally, a career in agriculture has not been encouraged by parents or schools.

Bright, articulate students who do want a career in the sector are being told not to waste a high tertiary-entrance score on agriculture - so it's little wonder 30 agronomist vacancies went begging across northwest Victoria last year.

Throughout the inquiry it was clear the agriculture industry wants practically-trained graduates from all levels of the education process.

Funding agribusiness education is cost-intensive, and this is not acknowledged in current funding models.

Research tailored to our growing conditions, soil types and business practices is essential for future productivity gains.

In 2008-09, the Federal Government spent less than $160 million on its agricultural research and development. In 2005, China spent $2.7 billion, the bulk government-funded.

It's time to invest in our future.

Both inquiries found academics and industry must practically engage with the teaching profession to promote agriculture in schools.

Turning student teachers on to agriculture, not only as a subject in its own right but also as an example for investigating wider concepts such as science, technology and history, may occur during their time studying at university.

The consequence of letting another review, like so many before it, languish as a talking point for vested interests will see us losing ground economically and socially.

The future of regional Australia has always been - and will continue to be - built on the back of thriving agricultural businesses.

There is enough talk about the problem. Action is what is needed now, because it takes time to train people and to change attitudes.

We have a great story to tell - exciting careers, in industries that are high-tech, internationally competitive and based in the regions.

The menu is written and the Government would do well to digest the reports' contents.

It's time to plate up.

India: Trials on sugarcane transgenic underway

Coimbatore (PTI): City based Sugarcane Breeding Institute has developed sugarcane transgenics incorporating gene constructs contributing to pest resistance but it could take some years to come out with a GM sugarcane variety, a top SBI official said here today. 

Molecular market technologies offered more precision to sugarcane breeding while transgenic technology added an entirely new dimension to varietal development programs.

But it would take several years to develop a BT variety of sugarcane, Dr N Vijayan Nair, told reporters on the sidelines of the 'institute Industry National Interactive Workshop." 

"The trials are going on and it may take several years to release for commercial purpose,+ Nair said. Earlier addressing the workshop,he said SBI has developed Class I and Class II energy canes to suit cogeneration, since cogeneration potential in India was estimated at 5,500 MW, while installed capacity was about 2,500 MW. Considerable research was underway worldwide on second generation ethanol from biomass through physical, chemical and enzymatic approaches. 

A breakthrough is expected in which case bagasse becomes a high value byproduct and the high fibre sugarcanes assume greater importance, he said. Ethanol production is barely adequate to meet the 10 per cent blending and demand likely to go up in the years to come, Nair said adding that the industry would then have to choose between ethanol and sugar, considering the returns. N Mahalingam, Chairman, Shakti Sugars Ltd, said despite several high-level government sponsored delegations visiting Brazil to study the efficacy of ethanol as fuel for automobiles,serious efforts seem wanting to augment production for stepping up production of sugar and ethanol and contain the outflow of precious resources on petroleum imports. 

Compared to Brazil,which has taken serious efforts to step up production 9.12 times to 620 million tonnes in 2011 from 68 million tonnes in 1975, India, with a production of 140.604 million tonnes in 1975 could increase it only by 2.43 times to 342.362 million tonens during 2010-11, Mahalingam said.

PTI NVM APR

NETHERLANDS: Use of Antibiotics in Livestock Farming Continues to Drop

NETHERLANDS - The policy objective of a 20 per cent reduction in the use of antibiotics in the years 2009-2011 has been achieved with flying colours. This is the conclusion drawn from new figures relating to the veterinary use of antibiotics published by LEI Wageningen UR.

One of the benefits of the considerable decline in the veterinary use of antibiotics is the favourable implications for public health as the risk of the development of resistance is then smaller.

Trends in use per sector

In the pig and broiler sector, the use of antibiotics has declined considerably. On the basis of the random sample, the decrease in use within the veal calf sector in 2009-2011 was a little under 20 per cent, but a decrease had already been achieved in this area before 2009. In the dairy farming sector, the use of antibiotics has remained fairly stable and at a relatively low level. The randomly selected farms have shown the following trends over the years 2005-2011:

• broilers: increase up until 2009, decrease in 2010 and 2011;
• veal calves: decrease in 2007-2011;
• dairy cattle: annual fluctuation, decrease in 2011.

More than 50 per cent of all the randomly selected farms have antibiotics use below the targets set for 2011 by the Animal Drug Authority (Autoriteit Diergeneesmiddelen, SDa). Fewer than 10 per cent of the farms have usage levels above the signalling value and/or action value.

Total sales 32 per cent lower

In the period from 2009 to the end of 2011, total sales of antibiotics in Dutch livestock farming dropped by almost 32 per cent, from 495 tonnes in 2009 to 338 tonnes in 2011. In comparison with 2007, when sales were at there highest level, the decrease is 40 per cent. This is demonstrated by the sales figures provided by FIDIN, the Dutch federation of the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.

Follow-up study

This November, at the request of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, LEI will publish a report on the use of antibiotics in the first six months of 2012.

The Poultry Site

News Desk

European Union Says It Signed Accord With Brazil On Agriculture

The European Union has signed a memorandum of understanding with Brazil to promote cooperation in agriculture and rural development, according to a statement on EU Commissioner Dacian Ciolos’ website.

The accord was signed by Ciolos, the EU commissioner for agriculture and rural development, and Mendes Ribeiro Filho, Brazil’s agriculture minister, according to the statement released today.

The EU and Brazil agreed to share knowledge on topics including sustainable agriculture and increasing farming productivity. The two sides may have working groups and annual meetings, with the first dialogue scheduled in Brussels at the end of this year or early 2013, according to the statement.

To contact the reporters on this story: Whitney McFerron in London at wmcferron1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Claudia Carpenter at ccarpenter2@bloomberg.net

Honduras: Government seeks to increase export of red beans

TEGUCIGALPA. - The government aims to increase exports of red bean and Central America, authorities revealed the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG). 

The production target this year is about 2.5 million quintals, ensuring domestic consumption and a surplus to sell abroad, confirmed the owner of the SAG, Jacobo Regalado.

The official issued the projection after referring to agricultural exports have grown to 1.200 million, which has strengthened the availability of food to combat poverty in rural areas.

"We grow in basic grain production to significant levels, the country is self-sufficient in beans, importing international brands such as Goya and now exporting new products related, such as peas."

Foreign sales of agribusiness assets at the end of 2011 totaled 2,245.9 billion, accounting for 57.6 percent of total exports, reaching once more agro-industrial products such as foreign exchange generating activities par excellence for the country.

Cuba: Sugar industry provides food for cattle

The sugar industry in the province of Camagüey produced, in the last harvest, more than four thousand 600 tons of food for cattle byproducts from the manufacture of candy.

The nutrient is a mixture of honey with urea and spinal bagasse cane, a compound that contributes to the maintenance and development of animals in the dry season, when scarce grass and green fodder, their main food sources. 

It measure was very important to protect a number of cows that are milked and developing other categories, such as heifers, told AIN Nuria Hernandez, head of animal feed in the provincial delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture. 

He added that the units near the central livestock producers of honey with urea and bagasse were the main beneficiaries, but all of the items counted territory of the nutrient. local Sugar Company reported that the task took Siboney mills plants, located in the center of Dairy Basin called Camagüey, and Battle of the Guásimas, which began operating this year a new facility for that purpose. 

Sergio Monteagudo, a specialist in the state, said at the start of the campaign was intended to achieve thousand tons, and redoubled work in the mixers to a request from the leadership of the country. 

Camagüey is the largest herd of cattle in Cuba and provides about a quarter of the milk. Sibanicú Agricultural Company, near the "Siboney", took between 100 and 150 tons of food, said Yamilka Alvarez, the technical team of the entity. 

This food provides energy for animals with honey, urea and protein volume with the bagasse, said the specialist. Monteagudo added that possibly in the coming harvest, the which is estimated to begin in December, join this production its two other industries if the plants are mounted under the investment program included in the interest of the country to regain fabrications derived from sugarcane. (For Lucilo Tejera Díaz / AIN)

African countries invite Indian investment in agriculture

African nations like Zambia, Ethiopia and Mozambique invited Indian investors to invest in various sectors, especially in agriculture, saying this has the potential to provide food to both Africa and India.

Diplomats from the three countries showcased the immense potential and urged Indian investors to take advantage of the investor-friendly climate and a host of incentives they were offering.

They were addressing a session on "Doing business with African countries" organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here Thursday.

The diplomats told the investors that by investing in their respective countries, they (the investors) can also reach out to markets in the entire Africa, Middle East and European Union.

With vast unutilised arable land, best agro-climatic conditions, a stable political system and investment incentives including 100 percent repatriation of profit, the African countries offer huge business opportunities to Indian investors, they said.

The diplomats said African nations were ideal destination for investment for Indian investors given the commonalities between India and Africa.

Susan Sikaneta, high commissioner of Zambia, said Indians with their good knowledge of agriculture, expertise and technology should come forward to invest in agriculture in Zambia, which is offering land and other incentives on first come, first served basis.

The central African country has 43 million hectares of land but only six million is being currently used.

"Chinese are coming in big numbers but we love Indians to come. You have passion for Africa. You are not like other countries which are interested only in making money," she said advising investors not to miss the opportunity.

Eighty percent of Zambia's 13 million population is dependent on agriculture. The investors can grow and export maize, cotton, wheat ando ther produce.

Maria Fatima G.C. Phume, deputy high commissioner of Mozambique, said only 15 percent of 36 million hectares of arable land in her country was utilised due to lack of agriculture technology.

She said Mozambique, which was one of the world's fastest growing economies, offers excellent investment opportunities in agriculture,energy, mining and infrastructure.

"The investment in agriculture can not only secure food for our people but also for India. The investors can also export the agriculture produce to other African countries and Middle East," she said.

With 23.4 million population, Mozambique has Portuguese as national language but English is widely used for business purposes

Jerusalem Amdemariam, minister counsellor, economic and business in the Ethiopian embassy, highlighted the investment incentives like 100 percent exemption from import duties. The investors are allowed to repatriate the entire profit. Agro-processing industries are also exempted from income tax for two to seven years

With 82 million population, Ethiopia is the second most populous African country after Nigeria and with its proximity to Middle East and Europe, offers access to big markets.

She said Indian government was collaborating in road developments and laying new railway lines. Ethiopia offers tremendous business opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing particularly agro-processing,food and beverages, she added.

I.Y.R Krishna Rao, Andhra Pradesh's special chief secretary, cooperation and agri-marketing, said a delegation headed by state agriculture minister would soon visit Africa to explore investment opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors.

"We should really build up mutually beneficial relationship in agriculture which has tremendous implications in terms of food security in India and as well as Africa," he said.

Rao said once African agriculture develops, it can to a large extent ensure food security of the world. "As a continent, in terms of agriculture, there is a lot of scope for development there," he said.

He pointed out that Andhra's people by nature are very enterprising as far as agriculture is concerned and wherever there is water, Andhraites are there.

Suchitra K. Ella, chairperson, CII-Andhra Pradesh, said there was tremendous scope for cooperation between India and the three African countries given their historic relationship and the commonalities.

(IANS) 

Soyabeans extend rally

Soybean futures rose for a third straight day on Wednesday, supported by good export prospects for US supplies and by dry weather in the US Midwest that may hurt the developing crop. 

Wheat rallied from early weakness on short-covering and firm cash markets, especially in the thinly traded Minneapolis spring wheat market, and corn futures rallied toward the close to erase early losses. 

In soyabeans, nearby contracts led gains. "We are competitive on the world stage. That's why we are concerned about these (US soyabean) stocks as South America's crop continues to be downgraded," said Paul Georgy, analyst with Allendale Inc. "It's really all about demand." 

Traders also noted shipping delays in Brazil, the world's No 1 soyabean exporter, where rain is slowing loading and extending ship line-ups at the country's largest agricultural commodities ports Santos and Paranagua. At the Chicago Board of Trade, July soyabeans rose 12-3/4 cents at $14.46-1/2 per bushel while new-crop November settled up 11 cents at $13.95-1/2. 

July wheat ended up 14-1/2 cents at $6.64 a bushel. New-crop December corn settled up 3 cents at $5.66-1/2 per bushel while spot July ended down 3/4 cent at $6.11-3/4. Most-active December corn, representing the 2012 US crop, rallied in the closing minutes of pit trade after being pressured lower much of the session by profit-taking. Traders Concerns about dry weather continued to underpin the corn market, even after the December contract rallied 11 percent in the previous two sessions, traders said. "There is just not an abundance of rain in these (weather) maps for the central Corn Belt out for two weeks, so it's still questionable on the yield," said Newedge USA analyst Dan Cekander. 

The US Agriculture Department confirmed damage to corn and soyabeans in a weekly crop report on Monday. Softening demand from ethanol producers pressured front-month July corn. 

The US Energy Information Administration said US ethanol production fell by 20,000 barrels per day in the latest week, to 900,000 barrels per day, while ethanol stocks rose to 21.19 million barrels, up 519,000. CBOT wheat rose to a three-week top on short-covering and concerns the USDA might cut its forecast of 2012/13 world wheat production in its next monthly report in July. 

Morocco imported 59 million quintals of grain in one year

Constituted 49% of wheat, cereal imports are down 2% from the previous season.

In an uncertain international market where prices remain volatile, despite a rise to world production of cereals, including wheat, Morocco imported 59 million quintals (Mq) of cereals during the marketing year 2011-2012 , which ended at the end of last May. The imported volume is somewhat decreasing (-2%) compared to the previous season, according to latest figures on the subject published by the National Interprofessional Cereals and pulses (ONICL). These imports are 49% wheat, 29% corn, 11% durum and barley by 10%. The main suppliers of Morocco in cereals are mainly France with 33.5%, especially as regards wheat, Argentina (27.5%) and Brazil (10.4%) of which the bulk of the maize comes from two Latin American countries.

Regarding the local market, the collection of grain traders reported to ONICL reached in late May 22.6 Mq, consisting almost entirely (99.2%) for wheat. Traders-traders and cooperatives have made ​​nearly three-quarters of the collection of wheat. Of this amount, it was used by bidding organized by the ONICL, nearly half for the purchase of wheat for the production of subsidized flour. Bringing stocks of food grains reported by operators to ONICL in late May to more than 20 Mq, constituted almost 72% wheat. 

According to forecasts of Ministry of Agriculture, production of three main cereals is expected to reach during the current crop year (2011/2012) about 48 million quintals. The projected production of wheat, the cereal consumed most widely in Morocco, 26 Mq reach an area of nearly 2.18 million ha. Production of durum wheat would be 10 Mq, while that of barley is expected to be 12 Mq. This harvest is sharp decline compared to last season, for all cereals. Thus, the harvest would fall by 38% for wheat, 44% for durum wheat and 51% for barley.

This decline in production of this crop is mainly due to drought. Indeed, rainfall has decreased by 35% compared to a normal year. 

Similarly, according to the Ministry, the crops were affected by a period of intense cold which resulted in slower growth of certain crops, limited damage on potato and sugar cane and, in contrast, a positive effect on rosacea. 

It should be noted that the importance of wheat in the grain imports has been reduced by half, from 88% in the early 80's to 43% over the past five years, in conjunction with the policy of intensifying that culture. 

For other winter cereals, Morocco passed a quasi-self-sufficiency in the late 80's import of about 6.4 and 4 million quintals respectively durum and barley.

Prices are down in international

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food prices were down 4% in May compared to April, the lowest level since September 2011. 

These prices still remain high and vulnerable to risks associated with weather, shade the UN organization. Wheat prices recorded the largest decreases due to improved weather conditions. Prices of maize have also experienced a sharp decline following the publication of the report of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a record harvest for maize in the United States.

Benchmarks

• Industrial processing of cereals reached in late May, 66.6 Mq, almost the same volume over the same period last year.
• The milling industry has crashed 43% of wheat origin of local production. The manufacture of subsidized flour (FNBT) is made up to 90% from the wheat of the national production.
• Free and subsidized meals represent 55% and 14% of the components of the milling industry. The flour industry is mainly produced from durum wheat (92%) and barley (8%).

US wheat futures end higher

US wheat futures were higher at the close of pit trade on Wednesday on short-covering prompted by concerns the USDA may lower its forecast of 2012/13 global wheat production next month. 

Spot July spring wheat traded on the MGEX was up 51-1/4 cents at $8.49-3/4 per bushel on tight cash supplies of spring wheat and short-covering in thin dealings. 

European wheat futures saw late gains on Wednesday to a new three-week high in reaction to higher US wheat, but the market closed within its recent range as Chicago trading was less volatile than earlier in the week. 

Algeria has purchased about 600,000 tonnes of optional-origin milling wheat in a tender for a nominal 50,000 tonnes which closed on June 14, European traders said on Wednesday. 

Cheaper buffalo meat helps double beef exports in 3 years

M. R. SUBRAMANI 

The Hindu

Beef exports have doubled in three years between 2008 and 2011 and are set to scale further heights. In 2011, India edged out the US as the third largest exporter of beef.

Buffalo meat, known as carabeef in the global market, is shipped out of the country as beef. Technically, buffalo meat is treated as beef export. Though questions are being raised whether all consignments shipped are buffalo meat, official sources say that 99 per cent of the shipments are buffalo meat.

MOVING UP THE LIST

This year, the US Department of Agriculture says, India is all set to end as the top beef exporter. India could export 1.5 million tonnes of beef compared with 1.28 million tonnes last year. This marks a significant growth since 2009 when 0.61 million tonnes were shipped from the country.

“India is forecast to become the world’s leading beef exporter in 2012 due to an expanding dairy herd, efficiency improvements, increased slaughter and price-competitiveness in the international market particularly vis-à-vis Brazil,” the USDA said in its report in April.

“Indian buffalo meat is rising due to its competitiveness. Global buyers are also assured of our quality,” said Dr Tarun Bajaj, General Manager, Livestock Products, Agricultural and Processed Food Exports Development Authority (Apeda).

“International demand is rising and the growth rate in Australia, Europe and the US is static,” said Dr Bajaj.

“We exported Rs 8,000 crore-worth beef in 2010-11 and it could have easily topped Rs 13,000 crore last fiscal,” said the Apeda official. (Full details of 2011-12 exports are not available yet). Though there has been a drop in the value in the rupee, Mr Bajaj said it could at the most contribute an additional Rs 1,000 crore.

GLOBAL SCENARIO

According to the USDA, global beef production in 2012 is likely to be 57 million tonnes, up marginally over 56.8 million tonnes produced in 2011.

Exports, on the other hand, will likely be a record 8.7 million tonnes fuelled by India, Columbia, Australia and New Zealand.

“India’s beef production is projected at 3.5 million tonnes based on an expanding dairy herd, increased slaughter and price-competitiveness in the global meat market compared to Brazil. As exports account for 44 per cent of production, growth in exports underpins production increases,” said the department.

According to 2007 livestock census, buffalo makes up one-third of the bovine herd in the country.

Buffalo is preferred to cow due to its adaptability to climatic conditions and high milk fat content as dairy production is fuelling the bovine sector. Since slaughter of cow is banned, beef production is driven by buffalo slaughter which is allowed. However, the slaughter is restricted to males and unproductive females.

“We are experiencing good growth in the Gulf, Africa and the Far-East,” said Dr Bajaj. “Our exports are rising since we have surplus meat. Also, our people due to rise in their income are shifting to lamb and other meat products, including poultry,” he said.

PUSHING DOWN BRAZIL

The USDA said Indian export have made inroads in West Asia, North Africa and South-East Asia, which is a key market for Brazil, as buffalo meat is priced lower in the price sensitive markets and is produced according to halal standards (meat prepared as prescribed by Islamic dietary law).

On the other hand, Brazil, which is seeing a constant decline in its beef exports, is dogged by shrinking availability of lands for grazing due to expansion in sugarcane and soyabean cultivation. Higher transport costs to get the produce to the ports are adding to the cattle sector woes.