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Sri Lanka: Cutting Postharvest losses

As much as 1/3 of produce in Sri Lanka goes to waste due to inefficient transport and storage methods. Transportation lines have multiple handling steps, and time-pressured transporters lack training on handling. Crates have been introduced to replace bag storage, but government officials doubt their effective integration without a streamlined and integrated market system. http://www.irinnews.org/report/95078/sri-lanka-cutting-post-harvest-losses

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FG to Establish Cassava, Rice Processing Mills in Oyo

The Federal Ministry of Nigeria is set to establish two cassava processing factories in Oyo State to curb postharvest losses, with two factories for rice processing to follow later this year. http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/fg-establish-cassava-rice-processing-mills-oyo-director  

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Govt Urged to Establish a Postharvest Losses Policy, Framework

Tanzania policy markets action nodes (T-PAN) has proposed that the government develop a policy framework aimed at reducing postharvest losses based off results of a study carried out in in four districts in 2011. The study suggests farmers lose up to 40% of their crop to varying causes, and it looked at maize, paddy, and sorghum. The […]

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AfDB-Funded Project to Boost Cassava, Rice Production Launched in Tanzania

The African Development Bank launched a multi-national project that seeks to improve the value chains of four important staple crops: maize, wheat, cassava, and rice. The project is led by CGIAR and is being implemented in 20 countries. http://www.africasciencenews.org/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=793:afdb-funded-project-to-boost-cassava-rice-production-launched-in-tanzania-&catid=49:food&Itemid=113

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African Development Bank Funds $63m Initiative to Improve Agricultural Productivity on Contitnent

Additionally, the African Development Bank will fund a US$63 million project aimed at supporting research efforts for strategic African crops such as maize, rice, wheat, and cassava. The project will run until 2016 and will be jointly implemented by three Africa-based CGIAR centers: IITA, Africa Rice Center, and the International Center for Agricultural Research in […]

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UNDP and EAC Launch Initiative to Boost Food Production, Opportunities in Agriculture Value Chains

The United Nations Development Program and the East Africa Community have joined forces to “boost food production, pursuit and income opportunities for farmers by advancing cultivation value bondage in East Africa.” Sorghum, soy and dairy are of particular focus. Infrastructure challenges increases commodity prices. http://www.africanews.it/english/undp-and-eac-launch-initiative-to-boost-food-production-opportunities-in-agriculture-value-chains/

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Venture Fund Folds Roundtable for SMEs in Northern Region

In Ghana, the government’s Venture Capital Trust Fund is funding projects on the production of soy, sorghum, and yellow corn, as well as building facilities to add value to crops and reduce PHL. The VCTF typically works with entrepreneurs of small- and medium-sized enterprises by aiding in the creation of business plans and providing funding […]

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Updated Texas Agricultural Drought Losses Total $7.62 Billion

The recent Texas drought was the most expensive in history, with losses valued at $7.62 billion. Corn losses nearly doubled at $736 million, wheat lost $314 million, and sorghum nearly lost six times as much as usual at $385 million. Since August 2011, the USDA decreased the amount of Texas wheat acres for harvest by […]

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Hermetic Bags Save African Crop, but Not How Experts Once Thought

Hermetic bags from the Purdue Integrated Cowpea Study (PICS) are found to save crops in unexpected ways, as they are useful in preventing the growth and feeding habits of weevils in cowpea storage, particularly through depleting the levels of oxygen in the bags. The program is expected to be adopted by 3.4 million households in West and […]

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Sustainable Intensification of Cereal-Based Farming Systems in Eastern and Southern Africa

Meeting minutes were published from the ‘Sustainable Intensification of cereal-based farming systems in Eastern and Southern Africa Project Inception Workshop‘ held from 6-9 February in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The minutes include crucial questions, magnitudes, and possible strategies to achieve better sustainable agriculture. http://africa-rising.wikispaces.com/Dar_Targets+group  

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