The FAO predicts the balance of world cereal supply and demand will be tighter in 2012-2013 than in 2011-2012 due to climate effects. The US drought continues with over half the country suffering at least moderate conditions. Prices are projected to be high, though India stands to benefit. On Saturday, the Food Corporation of India will […]
India to Unload More Excess Wheat Stocks
The FAO predicts the balance of world cereal supply and demand will be tighter in 2012-2013 than in 2011-2012 due to climate effects. The US drought continues with over half the country suffering at least moderate conditions. Prices are projected to be high, though India stands to benefit. On Saturday, the Food Corporation of India will […]
Rwanda: Minicom Releases New Instructions On Rice Processing and Trading
Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) released new instructions for rice processing that formalizes national supply chain processes and linkages. The instructions mandate that only farmer cooperatives be allowed to sell and distribute rice to registered rice processing plants authorized by the MTI. http://allafrica.com/stories/201211060048.html
Export Pro-Actively to Deal With Grain Glut
One independent commodity analyst predicts the Government of India will hold more than 106 million tonnes of wheat and rice by July 2013 and urges for “aggressive export” to alleviate subsequent problems, including price inflation and risk of loss. The article argues that current inflated wheat prices are caused not by export activity, but rather […]
Govt Looks at Changing Long-Term Grain Procurement Policy
The Indian government now procures over 35% of the country’s marketable surplus grain, up from past levels of 25-30%. Given the strains on subsidies, storage capacity, and private retail markets, officials are beginning to craft long-term adjustments to the current open-ended policy. http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/govt-looks-at-changing-long-term-grain-procurement-policy/491888/
NCPB Starts Drive to Cut Grain Losses
The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), an agricultural commodity management and trading organization in East and Central Africa, is currently advising and training Kenyan maize farmers on how to mitigate issues that cause postharvest loss. In addition to strategies for proper handling and fumigation, NCPB is urging farmers to utilize the warehouse receipting system. […]
Thailand Readies Airport Warehouse to Store Record Stocks of Rice
A Thai government intervention scheme for securing adequate storage for paddy (rice) farmers is currently facing challenges. Officials are requesting use of old airport warehouses to store the rice as production continues to increase. Controversy exists over whether the government can support the scheme by exporting the rice. Many millers are turning farmers away due to lack […]
Vietnam Rice Farmers Urged to Build Storage Facilities
In Vietnam, rice farmers continue to face issues with storage, stable prices, and processing, making for an inefficient production chain responsible for 13% of rice postharvest losses. The government has admitted that its policy of buying up surplus rice to avoid price instability is not benefitting smallholder farmers but rather the trading middle man. Officials are […]
Information Technology Mitigates Effects of Climate Events in the Developing Countries
Information technology is being used to address PHL in smallholder African farming communities, by giving access to market information, preventing price exploitation by speculators, and through the provision of warehouse receipts. Esoko in Ghana is partnered with the International Finance Corporation and the Soros Economic Development Fund on a project which sends crop price text […]
How Maize Storage Receipts Are Changing Farmers’ Fortunes
Ghana Grains Company uses the Warehousing Receipt System to reduce farmers’ PHL. The company is also providing training to farmers unfamiliar with the concept so that they can fully utilize the services offered by the WRS to achieve better returns at the market level. Kenyan farmers are also using a similar system for maize storage […]