Informal trade of maize in Uganda leaves farmers in constant speculation of good prices, often making it expensive to properly store grain. The World Food Programme says Ugandan maize has huge market potential if farmers meet the East African Standard for maize grain, something stakeholders are keen to avoid given the lucrative, cash-immediate nature of […]
Archive | Africa
RSS feed for this sectionGhana Loses GHC 700,000 in Postharvest Losses
Ghana government officials report the country loses between 20% to 50% of crops, valued at approximately $350,000 USD each year. Pointing to poor storage, transportation, and market infrastructure as problems of loss, one government official is also highly concerned about the amount of consumer food waste. http://www.modernghana.com/news/468875/1/ghana-loses-ghc700000-in-post-harvest-loss.html
Mycotoxin Occurrence in Maize Milling Fractions
A study by South African researchers concludes that the occurrence of mycotoxin differs per milling fraction, and that dry milling is an effective way to reduce mycotoxins in maize. The article appears in the International Journal of Food Microbiology. http://www.allaboutfeed.net/Process-Management/Feed-Safety/2013/5/Mycotoxin-occurrence-in-maize-milling-fractions-1267126W/
Food Farmers at Konkrompe Address Challenges
A farmers’ cooperative convened a stakeholders meeting to discuss postharvest losses in the town of New Konkrompe, Ghana. Locals say interventions have been attempted, but none have successfully overcome major maize storage and marketing problems faced by most of the farmers in the region. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=277197
Giving Power to African Farmers: Learning from the Indian Experience
A group of agriculture professionals from Africa took part in a study in India to gain insights on the role of farm mechanization in sustainable intensification. Participants were exposed to various technologies, including gender-friendly equipment for postharvest operations. Four international research organizations coordinated the tour. http://blog.cimmyt.org/?p=10406
Kenya: Grain Purchase Plan for Machakos
A county government will buy maize from farmers to reduce risks of exploitation from middlemen, as well as to control presence of aflatoxin that is frequently found in home-stored grain. http://allafrica.com/stories/201306110145.html
Natural Resources Institute Published Two Reports on PHL
The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) published two reports on reducing postharvest losses of cereal grains, focusing on the need to tackle losses in Sub-Saharan Africa and the effects of climate change on loss. http://www.nri.org/news/2013/
Joint FAO, IFAD, WFP News Release: Food Security to be at Centre of Africa Development Agenda
The three Rome-based UN agency heads called for food security and nutrition to be the center focus of the international development agenda for Africa. The leaders stressed the importance of focusing investments and initiatives on smallholder farmers and rural development, and especially for women and girls. http://www.ifad.org/media/press/2013/26.htm?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonua%2FMd%2B%2FhmjTEU5z17%2BwtX6CygYkz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMSsRlN6%2BNFAAgAZVnyRQFHuWDeZg%3D
Bühler Joins Growing Africa Assistance Initiative
Multinational processing and manufacturing corporation, Bühler, joined ‘Partners in Food Solutions’, an international nonprofit organization which brings private sector expertise to small processors and millers in the developing world. Bühler stands as the 4th corporate partner, among Cargill, General Mills, and Royal DSM. http://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/news_home/International/2013/05/Buhler_joins_growing_Africa_as.aspx?ID={FDE81740-F54F-43F8-AD23-888236063FF5}&cck=1
Combating Aflatoxin – a Value Chain Approach
Alfatoxin, a cancer-causing fungus, costs Africa nearly $750 million in export losses to the EU each year, and puts an estimated 4.5 billion people worldwide at serious health risk. A UK-based organization called Twin works with farmers in Malawi to raise awareness, share best practices, and build private sector partnerships to improve supply chain safety. […]