The King of Saudi Arabia has ordered the creation of a committee devoted to reducing national food loss and food waste. Representatives from various government agencies will carry out studies to determine how to reduce losses. The Middle East and North Africa lose 16 million metric tonnes of grain annually, according to FAO. http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130908179638
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RSS feed for this sectionYoung Kenyan Woman Named Recipient of 2013 Borlaug Field Award for Scientific Biological Breakthroughs Combating Deadly Grain Mold
Kenyan food scientist, Dr. Charity Mutegi, is honored for her efforts in reducing aflatoxin contamination in Kenya. Mutegi is leading the development of a biocontrol product used to fight off aflatoxins in maize. The award is funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, and administered by the World Food Prize. http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/24667/25372/young_kenyan_woman_named_recipient_of_2013_borlaug_field_award_for_scientific_biological_breakthroughs_combating_deadly_grain_mold
Two More Mills Found To Be Involved in Paddy Embezzlement
A corruption case in Punjab, India that was opened in July against two rice millers now includes two more. State officials say that millers have allegedly embezzled paddy worth over $1.1 million. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Bathinda/Two-more-mills-found-to-be-involved-in-pady-embezzlement/SP-Article1-1116938.aspx
ADB Lends Cambodia US$70 Million for Rice Commercialization, Finance Reforms
The Asian Development Bank signed a $55 million loan agreement with the Cambodian government to expand the country’s rice sector under a program called “The Climate-Resilient Rice Commercialization Sector Development Program (Rice-SDP)”. It is meant to transform all the variances of the rice sector, from subsistence farming to commercial value chains. http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/wn/newsworld.php?id=972651
US Expertise Can Resolve Food Wastage Issues
US Congressman Ami Bera advocates for collaboration between the US and India on postharvest loss issues. Bera worked towards a MOU when recently in Delhi, focused on bringing US expertise to India on how to better manage, store, and move food to market. http://ht.ly/oqaQN
Authorities Target Rice Millers Over Paddy Grading, Prices
Farmers in Venezuela dispute with a milling company over pricing, saying millers paid farmers well under and below market prices. Venezuelan rice market regulations require millers to pay farmers in appropriate time frames, but now face the challenge of curbing unfair grading and pricing practices. http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2013/08/23/authorities-target-rice-millers-over-paddy-grading-prices/
CSIR, MoFA Initiate New Technology to Produce Bakery Products
The Ministry of Agriculture of Ghana has initiated a project meant to develop technology to make composite flour out of various crops including cassava, sweet potato, maize, sorghum, millet, and others. The project aims to reduce dependence on imports of wheat flour, improve food security, and cut postharvest losses. http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2013/09/04/csir-mofa-initiate-new-technology-to-produce-bakery-products/
Nearly 20 Percent of Chinese Grain Wasted From Farm to Fork
A report by the American Chemical Society says that 19 of every 100 pounds of grain produced in China is wasted before reaching its intended end. Consumer waste accounts for the highest portion, says the report, at 7%. http://www.foodengineeringmag.com/articles/91152-nearly-20-percent-of-chinese-grain-wasted-from-farm-to-fork
India Approves Food Bill to Subsidize Grain for Poor
The bill will become law if approved by the upper house of the Indian national assembly, the Rajya Sabha. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/27/india-food-bill-grain-poor
17,000 Tonnes of Grain Wasted in 3 Years
A Times of India report states that at least 17,546 tonnes of foodgrains were damaged between 2009-10 and July 2012 in Food Corporation of India godowns. The total food loss of foodgrains, fruits, and vegetables equates to nearly $7 billion per year, estimated to be able to feed 70 million Indians. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-08-26/news/41455227_1_storage-capacity-foodgrain-tonnes