The Deputy Director for Agriculture for Impact, Michael Hoevel, writes about rural transformations he witnesses during a visit to a Kenyan village. Hoevel stresses the impact of value chain activities on productivity, income generation, and food security in describing the work of several organizations focused on this type of intervention. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-hoevel/once-upon-a-village-value_b_3585450.html
Haryana: 2.5 lakh wheat sacks left in the open to rot
This video news broadcast covers problems that occur when wheat is stored in the open in India, specifically during the wet monsoon months. In addition to financial losses, improper storage also give rise to other problems such as rising hunger, corruption, and environmental damage. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/haryana-25-lakh-wheat-sacks-left-in-the-open-to-rot/406417-3-240.html
Africa: Saving Food Saves Lives
This article describes the effects of postharvest losses in the food chain, specifically in regards to food security, malnutrition, and poverty rates in a particular country. It also overviews the role of the United States government and President Obama’s Feed the Future initiative in curbing losses. http://allafrica.com/stories/201307161296.html
Government of Ghana and Blumberg Grain Execute MOU for Manufacturing Plant and Export Hub in West Africa
U.S. company Blumberg Grain plans to develop a state of the art food safety and security storage warehousing system in Ghana, following an agreement negotiated by the Ghanaian Minister of Trade and Industry. The Hub will also include an educational institute supported by Iowa State University, the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and NGO […]
President Receives UN-FAO Award
President Mahama of Ghana received an award from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. His keynote address announced the theme of the 29th Farmer’s Day, ‘Reducing Postharvest Losses for Sustainable Food Security and Nutrition’. http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/2012-02-08-08-32-47/general-news/1475-president-receives-un-fao-award
Four Rice Millers to Face Theft Charges
555 tonnes of what is believed to be stolen state grain was found in poor, contaminated condition in private mills. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/358807/four-rice-millers-to-face-theft-charges
Postharvest Losses to be Reduced with Support from Government
Minister of Food and Agriculture Humado inaugurated a new representative body, the Conference of District Directors of Agriculture, that will provide increased attention to the needs of the agricultural sector throughout the country. In his address, Humado stressed a focus on reducing postharvest losses. http://www.spyghana.com/post-harvest-loses-to-be-reduced-with-support-from-government/
Upper House Warned Losses Risk Worsening
In a testimony to the Senate committee investigating the massive losses recently discovered in the Thailand rice scheme, a finance official admitted to corruption in every step of the rice pledging process. http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/358014/supa-says-rice-purchases-riddled-with-graft
Thailand Has 17M Tons of Rice in Stockpile
In a testimony to the Senate committee investigating the massive losses recently discovered in the Thailand rice scheme, a finance official admitted to corruption in every step of the rice pledging process. http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/business/market/35269-thailand-has-17m-tons-of-rice-in-stockpile
Kenya: 2.5 Million Bags of Maize Rotting in NCPB Silos
The National Cereals and Produce Board under the Strategic Grain Reserves is paralyzed by a debt dispute and is unable to perform any operations, including fumigating maize in storage. Officials hope the issue can be resolved in the courts before the maize is lost to rotting. http://allafrica.com/stories/201307031041.html