by Steve Sonka, Ag Economist & Research Professor at the ADM Institute In early May 2014, I was asked to speak at the 2nd Annual UN FAO SAVE FOOD Congress in Dusseldorf, Germany, on the suggested topic, “Agricultural Management: The Art of Loss Free Agriculture”. That title caused me to reflect on where I learned about […]
For research project, ADMI calling for success stories on PHL interventions via online survey
by ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss There’s no doubt – awareness about postharvest loss is increasing. While decision-makers worldwide continue to learn about the important impact of postharvest loss (PHL) reduction on food security, environmental sustainability, and rural livelihoods, we have also seen an increase in calls for evidence-based knowledge on how to […]
How Technology Alone Won’t Curb Postharvest Losses
by Dr. Prasanta Kalita, Director of the ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss Estimates suggest that 1/3 of all food is lost or wasted after it is grown in supply chains and at the consumer level. In many developing countries, this happens at especially high rates during storage phases. Yet a drive down […]
Are Farmers with Postharvest Loss Acting Rationally?
by Steve Sonka, Ag Economist Events vs. Structure External observers of postharvest loss in developing countries typically have little difficulty identifying loss and waste. Indeed each winter the ADM Institute contributes to the travel funding for University of Illinois business and agricultural engineering students to study in rural India. The resulting student blogs (see one […]
ADM Institute Sends Business and Engineering Students to India for Third Time, Another Great Success
by Kari A. Wozniak When Casey Dollinger’s father heard of her plans to travel to India, he was concerned. Not just in the typical fashion a father might worry about their student’s study abroad trip. She wasn’t ready, he felt, to fully grasp the significance of postharvest operations in agriculture in just 10 days. Casey’s […]
Firm Launches Sh8.7bn Fund to Stem Postharvest Losses
A $100 million initiative called AgResults has been rolled out in Kenya to stem postharvest losses. The project will work with entrepreneurs with the financial capability to develop cost-effective storage facilities and distribute them to the farmers. The project is funded by the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. http://mobile.nation.co.ke/business/Firm-launches-Sh8-7bn-fund-to-stem-post-harvest-losses/-/1950106/1998356/-/format/xhtml/-/10361nuz/-/index.html
Minnesota Workers Share Expertise Across the Globe
A Minnesota-based non-profit, Partners in Food Solutions, provides business and technical training to farmers abroad by matching food processing industry volunteers with businesses in developing nations. http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/224647761.html
Bumper Crop Leads to Grain Storage Issues
Storage facilities in Saskatchewan, Canada have nearly filled with this year’s bumper grain crop, though some claim storage capacity never meets demand, bumper crop or not. Some farmers have resorted to on-ground storage. http://cjme.com/story/bumper-crop-leads-grain-storage-issues/133074
Food Wastage in Cape Happens After Harvesting
Most “food wastage” in Cape Verde, an island country in the central Atlantic Ocean, occurs in postharvest stages, especially processing and packaging. The country lacks adequate postharvest facilities to support market needs. http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/2013/09/18/food-wastage-in-cape-verde-happens-after-harvesting/
Afghanistan Inaugurates First Strategic Grain Reserve
The World Food Programme and Afghan officials inaugurated the first Strategic Grain Reserve in the country. This important measure will protect food supplies against commonly faced natural disasters and help stabilize local wheat prices in times of shortage. Officials state that this is a first step in an initiative to develop and improve food system […]