The organization Twin is training Malawi farmers on best practices to avoid illness and crop losses caused by aflatoxin contamination of staple food crops. Twin’s initiatives align with a postharvest approach to food security, which addresses the safety and preservation of food already produced. http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/apr/30/food-safety-staple-crops-toxins
Archive | Value Chain
RSS feed for this sectionVC4D: Value Chain for Development
At a recent international symposium co-organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute and RenMin University in China, experts discussed Value Chain for Development (VC4D), which is the accepted approach for pro-poor smallholder development. The plan involves focusing on strengthening value chains, and encourages the role of public-private partnerships. http://www.ifpri.org/blog/vc4d-value-chain-development
Farmers Want Government Support to Improve Local Rice Farming
Local rice farmers in Ghana are putting pressure on the government to support rice production to discourage the importation of thousands of tonnes of rice annually. Stakeholders are appealing for an extension of the Project for Sustainable Development of Rain-Fed Lowland Rice Production, which will end in 2014. http://www.modernghana.com/news/458596/1/farmers-want-gov-support-to-improve-local-rice-far.html
DuPont Value Chains Roundtable
In April experts discussed the role of the private sector in global agricultural value chains as part of the Dupont Agricultural Development Roundtable Series hosted by the International Food Policy Research Institute. The discussion can be viewed here. http://www.euractiv.com/development-policy/improving-global-food-security-r-analysis-528272
Ghana’s Agric Ministry Roles out Plans to Improve Food Security
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Ghana has promoted Farmer Based Organizations as an avenue to success in their plans for modernizing the rural sector. The plan will focus on strengthening value chains, and will involve training extension workers in supply chain analysis and postharvest management. http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2013/04/13/ghanas-agric-ministry-roles-out-plans-to-improve-food-security/?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonuqzNcO%2FhmjTEU5z17%2BwtX6CygYkz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMSsJlMa%2BNFAAgAZVnyRQFHuWDeZg%3D
United Nations Committed to a World of Zero Hunger
The United Nations Regional Commissions and the Food and Agriculture Organization signed a Cooperation Framework to strengthen their commitment towards ending global hunger. One focus area is agricultural value chain development. http://www.unescap.org/news/united-nations-committed-world-zero-hunger
Food Experts Decry Post-Harvest Losses in Africa
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hosted a meeting in Nairobi to discuss the impact of postharvest losses in Africa. Research shows that $4 billion worth of food is lost each year, and reduction of just 1% could save $40 million annually. http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/Rwanda/Business/Food-experts-decry-post-harvest-losses-in-Africa/-/1433224/1708456/-/7q1fngz/-/index.html
Experts Discuss Post Harvest Losses as World Population Grows
The federal government is strongly stressing the importance of reducing global food loss. Washington’s flagship global food security program, Feed the Future, has a direct focus on reducing postharvest loss. A recent partnership with seed multinational DuPont to improve the cowpea value chain in Ethiopia is one example of such efforts. http://www.voazimbabwe.com/content/zimbabwe-food-experts-discuss-food-security-population-grows/1607601.html
GFFA Expert Panel “Reducing Post-Harvest-Losses Means Conserving Natural Resources and Saving Money”
A panel focused on reducing postharvest loss in Berlin’s Global Forum for Food and Agriculture, concluded that “reducing postharvest losses can only be achieved by setting up a conceptual framework addressing main actors in the value-adding chain”. Experts from FAO, CAADP, ICIPE, and others attended the forum. http://www.rural21.com/english/from-our-partners/detail/article/gffa-expert-panel-reducing-post-harvest-losses-means-conserving-natural-resources-and-saving-mone/
Post Harvest Losses: Africa Loses Food Valued at $4b Annually
At a recent conference in Kenya, expert leaders discussed the urgency to reduce postharvest losses in Africa that currently total about $4 billion per year. Director of Markets of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) called on governments to invest heavily in postharvest loss reduction program and technologies. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/post-harvest-losses-africa-loses-food-valued-at-4b-annually/