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Palm oil dips as India import tax concerns counter weak supply outlook
Palm oil production to exceed 19mil mt next year, says analyst
India's palm oil imports plunge as buyers shift to soyoil
Global vegetable oil production continues to grow
USDA launches website for global crop information
WASHINGTON, August 26, 2002 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’sForeign Agricultural Service has launched a new Web site that provideseasy-to-read crop condition information for most agricultural regions inthe world.Read This Release:http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?PrNum=0243-02
U.S. gives Pakistan 37,800 tonnes of soybean oil
ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The United States signed a deal in Islamabadon Friday to donate 37,800 tonnes of soybean oil, valued at $16 million,to Pakistan's poverty alleviation programme.The agreement was signed by U.S. ambassador to Pakistan Nancy Powell andPakistan's Economic Affairs Secretary Waqar Masood, the U.S. embassy saidin a statement.The United States will pay shipping costs to the southern port city ofKarachi and Pakistan will be allowed to sell the oil and use the money foragricultural development, the embassy said."The donation will help reduce pressure on the government of Pakistan'slimited foreign exchange resources and provide additional resources toimplement Pakistan's long-term poverty reduction and rural developmentprogrammes," the statement said.Last week, the United States signed a deal in Islamabad for theconsolidation and restructuring of $3 billion in debt owed by Pakistan, akey ally in its war against terror.Last November, the United States released $600 million in aid to Pakistan,which was followed by a $1.3 billion IMF poverty reduction programme andan agreement by the Paris Club of donors to restructure $12.5 billion ofdebt. The $3 billion of U.S. debt to be restructured is included in thislatter figure.USAID this month put in place a $100 million five-year programme to helpreform Pakistan's educational system and Washington is also providing lawenforcement assistance.
World Bank urges developed nations to cut ag subsi
JOHANNESBURG, Aug 26, 2002 (Xinhua News Agency via COMTEX) --Representatives from the World Bank Monday urged the developed countriesto cut their subsidies in agriculture, saying the subsidy element is a"major deterrent" to the development of all nations, especially thedeveloping world.Ian Johnson, World Bank vice president for sustainable development, madethe remarks while outlining the World Bank's agenda of priorities for theWorld Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), which kicked off Mondaymorning.Each year, 350 billion US dollars of taxpayer's money in the North areused as subsidies for agriculture, "preventing the South from meeting itsown obligations of agriculture," he told reporters at a WSSD newsbriefing."The subsidy element is certainly a barrier," Johnson said.Market access and agriculture subsidy are among the most controversialissues to be discussed at the Johannesburg summit, and some have urged theWorld Bank to play a more active role.Although the World Bank didn't act as strongly against subsidies as itshould have done, Johnson said that there have already been some changes."We have set up a trade department at the bank", he said, adding "We aretrying to really understand the impact of the 350 billion US dollarssubsides."
Sime may rope in 4 companies for Bakun dam’s palm
30 August, 2002 (Business Times) - BAKUN hydroelectric dam civil works’consortium leader Sime Darby Bhd may seek the support of four sistercompanies from Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) in supplying palm oil as partpayment to the Chinese partner in the project.
Time for Malaysia to be heard at WTO
23 August, 2002 (Business Times) - THE Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)has formalised a committee to assist the Government during tradenegotiations at World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) levels.
Anti-palm oil activists despoiling environment to
IPOH, Aug 24 (NSTP): Anti-palm oil activists have turned to usingalleged despoiling of the environment to discourage the consumption of thecommodity. Primary Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik saidthese groups claimed that consumption of palm oil based products woulddestroy the forests in the developing world.
Felda merger plan mooted
KUALA LUMPUR Saturday, August 24, 2002( The Star) - The Government ismulling over the possibility of consolidating all Felda land schemes sothat they can be managed professionally as an estate to overcome theproblems of Felda lands being left idle.A study to determine the feasibility of such plan is being carried out bythe Land and Co-operative Development Ministry.The plan is one of several measures being studied to discouragesecond-generation Felda settlers from selling their land.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad said many of the currentgeneration of Felda settlers were not interested in working their land,especially those who were highly educated.“Many children of Felda settlers are highly educated. We can’t expect themto come back and tap rubber or work on their land. We have to think ofways to address this problem otherwise, the land would be left idle orwould be sold off.“Soon, most of Felda land schemes will face this problem. Some settlersallowed foreign workers to work on their land and this will create otherproblems,†he told reporters after opening a special gathering of thesecond generation of Felda settlers at the International IslamicUniversity near here.The land, he said, could yield better returns if it was managed by aprofessional team rather than as individual smallholdings and the higherprofit could be distributed to the settlers.Dr Mahathir said details of the plan, including whether the settlers wouldbe made shareholders of the company that would manage their lands, haveyet to be finalised.There are about 120,000 Felda settlers with a combined land holdingtotalling 447,246ha, of which 324,265ha was planted with palm oil whilethe rest with rubber.Earlier, when addressing the over 4,000 Felda settlers and their children,the Prime Minister advised them against selling their lands for quickprofit.“I understand that having worked so hard, some of you would like to savourthe fruits of your labour by selling your land. The thing is, land is anasset that will remain in your family for generations to come but moneywill disappear very fast, especially if you don’t know how to manage it.“I also know that there are some settlers who bought unnecessary luxurythings including Mercedes Benz cars after selling their land and this is ashame because if they are not careful, there will not be anything left forthe succeeding generation,†he added.Dr Mahathir later launched the Felda Generation Vision Fund for theeducation, training and welfare of the Felda community.
Government may form company to take over Felda set
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23: The Government may set up a company to take overthe 304 Felda settlements in the country, expressing fear that lack ofinterest among the younger generation may result in the land being leftidle, the Prime Minister said today.
Planters reluctant to try cattle rearing
PASIR MAS, Aug 23 (NSTP) - Many plantation companies, especially those inoil palm cultivation, are still reluctant to go into cattle rearing toboost the country’s food production, Agriculture Minister Datuk EffendiNorwawi said.