A former Kenyan government official remarks on Rwanda’s progress in leveraging technology to improve agricultural productivity. The introduction of the East African Commodities Exchange (EAX) allows farmers access to trade and financing through use of electronic warehousing receipts. Farmers have greater access to markets, and postharvest losses are reported to have decreased by 5%. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Opinion+and+Analysis/Agriculture+needs+technological+solutions/-/539548/1971484/-/a7ohef/-/index.html
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RSS feed for this sectionIndia Approves Food Bill to Subsidize Grain for Poor
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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
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17,000 Tonnes of Grain Wasted in 3 Years
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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
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Food Bill is Biggest Mistake India Might Have Made Til Date
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“The basic point is that food security will turn out to be a fairly expensive proposition for India.” http://www.firstpost.com/economy/food-bill-is-the-biggest-mistake-india-might-have-made-till-date-1062841.html
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Food Security Bill Can Feed Its People, Says Sonia Gandhi
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In response to skepticism about sufficient resources, Sonia Gandhi responds that feeding India’s people is not a question of how, it is a must. http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/food-security-bill-india-can-feed-its-people-says-sonia-gandhi_871758.html
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Save Food Campaign Asia-Pacific Kicked Off
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On August 27th, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative Hiroyuki Konuma launched a new initiative aimed to curb food loss and food waste in the Asia-Pacific region. The campaign began with a two day High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on Food Loss and Food Waste, which will study causes and report suggestions for action steps. http://www.trust.org/item/20130828104350-qadil/
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Lok Sabha Passes Food Bill
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The lower house of the Indian national assembly approved the ambitious and controversial National Food Security Bill on Monday, August 26th, 2013, after nine hours of debate. If made law, the legislation will legally entitle 67% of the population to receive subsidized grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lok-sabha-passes-food-security-bill/article5062126.ece
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Government of Canada Invests in Technology to Reduce Waste in Grain Bins
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The Canadian government plans to invest nearly $300,000 in research focused on developing imaging technology to monitor the moisture levels in grain bins. The projects aims to reduce waste, increase the competitiveness of Canadian grains, and contribute to global food security via the application of science and technology. http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/government-of-canada-invests-in-technology-to-reduce-waste-in-grain-bins-1824928.htm
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Focus On: Building Infrastructure in Africa
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This Farming First blog post highlights the urgent need to improve infrastructure in Africa, where less than 50% of the rural population live close to adequate roads. Authors point to better infrastructure as a key means to reducing postharvest losses. http://www.farmingfirst.org/2013/08/focus-on-building-infrastructure-in-africa/
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The Food Security Bill Takes Us Back to the 1970s as Lessons of History Are Ignored
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“The passage of the Food Security Bill in the Lok Sabha is reminiscent of the early 1970s, when the simultaneous left-right lurch ended with the economy contracting by the end of the decade and subsequent help from the IMF.” http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-28/edit-page/41499945_1_food-security-bill-finance-minister-open-defecation
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