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 […]
Tag Archives | infrastructure
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
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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/
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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 […]
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Eyes on Food Security Law, FCI’s Food Grain Movement Up By 30%
The movement of food grains by the Food Corporation of India across the country has gone up by 30% in the last quarter as compared to the corresponding period last year. Officials say that with the new food security law, efforts are being made to “optimize movement of food grains throughout the country.” http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-17/news/42148564_1_food-grains-food-security-law-fci
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FCI to Create Additional 5.4 Lakh Tonnes of Food Grain Storage Capacity in NE
The Food Corporation of India will create an additional 5.4 lakh tonnes of food grain capacity in the North Eastern States. Given the “strategic importance” of the region, the FCI has prepared a special package exclusively for the North East. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-18/news/42183357_1_fci-tonnes-lakh
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Create 50 Grain Storage Facilities for Food Law: M S Swaminathan
In order to implement the Food Security Law smoothly, the government should create ultra-modern foodgrain storage facilities – each with a million tonne capacity – at 50 locations across the country, noted agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-19/news/42218239_1_grain-storage-agriculture-sector-m-s-swaminathan
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Smallholder Farmers’ Highway to Food Markets
A July 2013 FAO report, “Smallholder Integration in Changing Markets”, emphasizes the heterogeneity of subsistence farmers, concluding there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It also emphasizes the reluctance of farmers to increase production when proper postharvest facilities and infrastructure are non-existent. http://www.rural21.com//nc/english/news/detail/article/smallholder-farmers-highway-to-food-markets-0000806/
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Focus On: Building Infrastructure in Africa
This Farming First blog post highlights the urgent need to improve infrastructure in Africa, where less than 50% of the rural population live close to adequate roads. Authors point to better infrastructure as a key means to reducing postharvest losses. http://www.farmingfirst.org/2013/08/focus-on-building-infrastructure-in-africa/
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Improper Storage Facilities Causing Huge Losses
Storage facilities in Pakistan are far below sector requirements, causing billions of dollars in losses each year. Cases of inclement weather aggravate the problem, as demonstrated in 2011 when flooding caused the loss of grain worth $3.27 billion dollars. http://www.brecorder.com/business-a-economy/189/1207326/
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