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Food Bill Effect: Dutch Firms Eye India for Postharvest Solutions

Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development says her country is looking very closely at “everything connected to the Food Bill”. Officials believe Dutch entrepreneurs have a significant role to play in improving postharvest processes and reducing supply chain loss and waste. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/food-bill-effect-dutch-firms-eye-india-for-postharvest-solutions/article5101359.ece

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New Food Law: Nabard to Build 10k Warehouses in Panchayats

The Indian National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development prepares for additional storage capacity in anticipation of the Food Security Act. It aims to build 10,000 warehouses at the panchayat, or village, level this fiscal year, which will require an investment equivalent to nearly $8 million. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/new-food-law-nabard-to-build-10k-warehouses-in-panchayats/article5107238.ece

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Thailand Extends Buying Scheme, Risks Adding to the Rice Pile

After recently discovering massive losses in the current rice scheme, the Thai government approved a new plan that will lower prices and quantities. With 17 million tonnes in storage and another 10 million set to arrive, however, the government is still at risk to lose in storage, depreciation, and logistics costs. http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/09/03/thailand-rice-intervention-idINL4N0GZ1FC20130903

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Kingdom Acts to Cut Food Wastage

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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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

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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/

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Agriculture Needs Technological Solutions

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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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

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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  

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Food Bill is Biggest Mistake India Might Have Made Til Date

“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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