The Zambia Co-operative Federation (ZCF) director general James Chirwa reports that farmers are afraid to diversify their crops because they lack market certainty. Most ‘buying’ depots have no scales, sieves, stacking machines, and no moisture meters. Crop marketing in Zambia is directly affected by high input prices; the government needs to provide enough financial resources […]
Archive | February, 2012
Africa: Metal Silos Lock Out Maize Pests
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Farmers in developing countries typically lose 20-30% of their crop due to poor grain storage facilities. Through a project with roots in Central America, African maize farmers are adopting metal silos to protect their families’ food supply and source of income. To date, The Effective Grain Storage Project is responsible for the construction of 146 […]
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Food Security Programme Management
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The Universitat Oberta de Catalunya offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Food Security Programme Management. The year-long online diploma, starting March 1, 2012, is taught by an international team with extensive field experience. Students will understand food security and be better prepared to undertake and support food security work in their communities. The programs specializations include […]
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Cambodia: Business Not As Usual—Loan Products and Banking Services for Postharvest Sector
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The Cambodia Postharvest Learning Alliance sponsored its first business roundtable, Loan products and banking services for the postharvest sector, after which representatives from microfinance institutions presented their various loan products and banking services. They look to implement improved postharvest technologies as sustainable business models. The event offered farmers an opportunity to interact with banking institutions, […]
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Kenya will Receive 691 million U.S. Dollars for the Next Financial Year
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According to the agricultural ministry, Kenya will receive 691 million U.S. dollars for the next financial year to accelerate the country’s agricultural output. The goal is to increase capacity of farmers, enabling more domestic food production despite drought seasons, avoiding the need to import food.
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Market Sought for Surplus 500,000 Tons of Maize, Beans
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As a result of various government programs in irrigation, mechanization, land use consolidation, and use of improved seeds and fertilizers, Rwanda now has a large surplus of maize and beans. The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources reported a projected surplus of 300,000 tons of maize and 200,000 tons of beans this year. To cope, […]
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Strategic Partnerships to Build African Scientific Capacity for Agriculture – Center for Strategic and International Studies
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The Center for Strategic and International Studies released a report suggesting cooperation between the U.S. and Africa to meet the challenges of feeding a growing population and reducing poverty. Several areas of opportunity between the U.S. and Africa are recommended, including: research must be focused and driven by pragmatism and the potential for impact; building […]
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