The United States National Institute of Food and Agriculture National Program Leader, Kitty Cardwell, speaks in a Virtual Briefing on options to reduce mycotoxin contamination at preharvest and postharvest levels. Cardwell overviews challenges for mycotoxin management from farmer, consumer, marketer, and government perspectives. http://www.donorplatform.org/postharvest-losses/virtual-briefings/1060-kitty-cardwell-strategies-to-address-mycotoxin-problems.html
Harnessing Postharvest Handling Gains
A trade specialist says the lack of observation of modern postharvest handling practices in Uganda is a serious challenge for the grain industry, which must ensure quality to remain competitive. Experts call for an enforceable grain policy to mitigate the physical and revenue losses incurred by poor practices such as ground drying and improper pest […]
How to Prevent Hunger in Upcoming Decades? Try Precision Agriculture
IBM Chief Scientist says precision agriculture can help change the future of farming to feed a population of 9.2 billion in 2050. An IBM technology, Deep Thunder, can forecast future weather conditions and help farmers decide the best time to plant, irrigate, and harvest. Precise and predictive information can prevent losses in ways such as […]
Blumberg Grain Executes Letter of Intent to Expand Its Agricultural Investments to Nigeria with $250 Million Commitment
Blumberg Grain will invest $250 million in Nigeria’s agricultural sector with regard to the country’s efforts with the G8’s New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition program. The investment includes a large scale production and distribution facility for the company’s food security storage warehouses, processing and packaging facilities, and investments in land and technology. http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/07/18/5033651/blumberg-grain-executes-letter.html
Statement by IFAD President at the 6th Africa Agriculture Science Week and FARA general assembly
President Kwanze of the International Fund for Agricultural Development listed reducing postharvest losses as a current challenge to achieving continent-wide food security in his remarks on Africa’s opportunities in agriculture. Kwanze cited the decline of research funding as a faltering moment in Africa’s history of agricultural prosperity, and called for altering the lens of research […]
Global Crop Yields Fail to Keep Pace with Demand
According to a study by researchers at the Institute on the Environment from the University of Minnesota, it is very likely the world will experience famine without an increase in agricultural research. Experts believe yields of major crops are not keeping pace with the food demands of a growing population. http://www.scidev.net/global/food-security/news/global-crop-yields-fail-to-keep-pace-with-demand.html
East Africa: COMESA Advised on Postharvest Processing
An ag engineer from the University of Nairobi urges the member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to adopt a strategy for postharvest management as a means to mitigate risks of loss involved with surplus production. He points to Brazil’s postharvest strategy as a model, citing it as the foundation […]
Tonnes of Maize Rotting in Northern Region
Improved farming methods in Ghana have led to an increase in productivity of maize, which should be cause for celebration. Instead farmers and warehouse operators are witnessing both physical and economic losses. Farmers face low prices with the lack of a market price support system, and warehouses are unable to maintain a sufficient rate of […]
India School Tragedy Raises Questions for Gandhi’s Food Plan
At least 23 children died in India after eating contaminated food served under the free school lunch program. The tragedy raises concern over whether quality and safety standards can be sufficiently monitored and maintained when the new Food Security Ordinance rolls out, which more than doubles the reach of government food subsidies. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/18/us-india-food-idUSBRE96H0HL20130718
Govt to Offer Surplus Wheat in Punjab, Haryana for Sale
The Union Government will sell 8.5 million tonnes of wheat through its Open Market Sales scheme from stocks in Punjab and Haryana to alleviate overcrowded storage. http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/govt-to-offer-surplus-wheat-in-punjab-haryana-for-sale-113071700699_1.html