The International Wheat and Maize Improvement Center (CIMMYT) paired with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) to organize a training course on postharvest management. Kenya experiences an estimated 40% loss of staple grains, which poses great challenges to the country’s food security and economic development. http://blog.cimmyt.org/?p=10681
Tag Archives | Africa
When Food Storage Can Become Food Security
$new_string
A social reporter for the African Agriculture Science Week blogs on the importance of storage for smallholder farmers to increase food security. The post describes the role of technologies such as silos and solar dryers, and describes ways to make low-cost storage options to fit farmers’ needs. http://aasw6.wordpress.com/2013/07/16/when-food-storage-can-become-food-security/#more-879
$new_string
Maize Dependency and Agricultural Subsidies in Zambia
$new_string
Current maize production is more than sufficient to meet domestic needs in Zambia, and yet there are volatile maize prices, and a majority of Zambians still living in rural poverty. Experts identify poor crop marketing as one of two major causes for the lack of food security, with inadequate government storage leading to estimated postharvest […]
$new_string
Canada and Australia Join Forces to Improve Food Security in Africa – $15 Million Project Call Launched
$new_string
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
$new_string
Once Upon A Village Value Chain in Africa
$new_string
The Deputy Director for Agriculture for Impact, Michael Hoevel, writes about rural transformations he witnesses during a visit to a Kenyan village. Hoevel stresses the impact of value chain activities on productivity, income generation, and food security in describing the work of several organizations focused on this type of intervention. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-hoevel/once-upon-a-village-value_b_3585450.html
$new_string
Africa: Saving Food Saves Lives
$new_string
This article describes the effects of postharvest losses in the food chain, specifically in regards to food security, malnutrition, and poverty rates in a particular country. It also overviews the role of the United States government and President Obama’s Feed the Future initiative in curbing losses. http://allafrica.com/stories/201307161296.html
$new_string
Government of Ghana and Blumberg Grain Execute MOU for Manufacturing Plant and Export Hub in West Africa
$new_string
U.S. company Blumberg Grain plans to develop a state of the art food safety and security storage warehousing system in Ghana, following an agreement negotiated by the Ghanaian Minister of Trade and Industry. The Hub will also include an educational institute supported by Iowa State University, the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and NGO […]
$new_string
President Receives UN-FAO Award
$new_string
President Mahama of Ghana received an award from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. His keynote address announced the theme of the 29th Farmer’s Day, ‘Reducing Postharvest Losses for Sustainable Food Security and Nutrition’. http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/2012-02-08-08-32-47/general-news/1475-president-receives-un-fao-award
$new_string
Postharvest Losses to be Reduced with Support from Government
$new_string
Minister of Food and Agriculture Humado inaugurated a new representative body, the Conference of District Directors of Agriculture, that will provide increased attention to the needs of the agricultural sector throughout the country. In his address, Humado stressed a focus on reducing postharvest losses. http://www.spyghana.com/post-harvest-loses-to-be-reduced-with-support-from-government/
$new_string
Kenya: 2.5 Million Bags of Maize Rotting in NCPB Silos
$new_string
The National Cereals and Produce Board under the Strategic Grain Reserves is paralyzed by a debt dispute and is unable to perform any operations, including fumigating maize in storage. Officials hope the issue can be resolved in the courts before the maize is lost to rotting. http://allafrica.com/stories/201307031041.html
$new_string
