Two international research institutes are joining forces to initiate a project called ‘Cultivate Africa’s Future’ (CultiAF). The research partnership will focus on innovation for smallholders, especially women. One focus topic of the $15 million project will be curbing postharvest losses. http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130716-908563.html
Archive | Oceania
RSS feed for this sectionCanada and Australia Join Forces to Improve Food Security in Africa – $15 Million Project Call Launched
United Nations Launches Zero Hunger Challenge in Asia and the Pacific
On April 29, the United Nations launched the Zero Hunger Challenge in Asia and the Pacific, where nearly two-thirds of the world’s chronically hungry people live. The Zero Hunger Challenge has five objectives, and one is the reduction of postharvest loss. http://www.unescap.org/news/united-nations-launches-zero-hunger-challenge-asia-and-pacific
Grain Storage with Philip Burrill – Using Aeration Controllers
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) of Australia warns farmers to be particularly mindful of grain quality given that temperatures continue to fluctuate in the region. A recent video by the GRDC demonstrates how to maintain proper aeration. http://www.grdc.com.au/Media-Centre/GRDC-Gallery/Video/vxoBO71rTDg http://www.nynganobserver.com.au/story/1345137/new-video-shows-how-to-control-stored-grain/?cs=1494
Climate Change Threatens Food Security
An expert interview discusses the danger of climate change to food crops. The worst case scenario includes a 20% loss of staple crops in coming years, which severely threatens global food security. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-07/climate-change-threatens-food-security/4507180
New Australian International Food Security Centre Seeks Partnerships in Africa
The Australian International Food Security Centre is focusing on African countries, with funds of 33 million AUD to contribute toward food production projects over the next four years. The Centre is looking to collaborate with national and international partners, researchers, extension workers, in both the public and private sectors to improve smallholder African farms’, markets’, […]
Australian Grains R&D Videos
Australian Grains R&D has videos on proper storage techniques and technologies on its YouTube channel, as well as many other videos discussing agricultural issues, best practices and methods to deal with such issues. http://www.youtube.com/user/theGRDC/videos
Cold Weather and Cockatoos Threaten Crops
Temporary grain storage “igloos” in New South Wales, Australia, are being threatened by not only cold weather but also cockatoos. Opportunistic birds can contribute to sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars of loss, particularly at times when grain must be put into the temporary storage bags. http://www.abc.net.au/site-archive/rural/content/2012/s3503174.htm
Growing Opportunities: Research Collaboration with Australian Plant Biosecurity Center Set to Secure Food Supplies, Increase Academic Exchanges
Kansas State University is partnering with the Australian Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre to “study emerging plant diseases and insect pests that threaten American and Australian agricultural systems and develop new strategies and technologies to defend against them.” Grain storage solutions will also be a focus for the collaboration’s research. http://www.k-state.edu/today/announcement.php?id=2390&category=news&referredBy=todayRSSFeed
Harvest Storage
ABCNet in Australia produced a video on harvest storage, detailing the processes and problems for Australian farmers. http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2012/s3428699.htm
Agriculture Continues to Be Neglected
This blog analyzes Papua New Guinea’s agricultural sector in several posts, providing information on workshops and political influences on the state of agriculture. http://malumnalu.blogspot.com/2011/12/agriculture-continues-to-be-neglected.html