Cross-sector representatives met in April for the first Food Security Futures Conference. Participants discussed how to accomplish the wide array of food security goals on the international agenda, and agreed that public and private research is essential. The conference produced a list of priorities, one being to develop better metrics for evaluating food systems. http://www.ifpri.org/blog/feeding-9-billion-what-research-do-we-prioritize-find-solutions
Govt Urged to Establish a Postharvest Losses Policy, Framework
Tanzania policy markets action nodes (T-PAN) has proposed that the government develop a policy framework aimed at reducing postharvest losses based off results of a study carried out in in four districts in 2011. The study suggests farmers lose up to 40% of their crop to varying causes, and it looked at maize, paddy, and sorghum. The […]
Bolga Poly Designs Post-Harvest Loss Programme
A public polytechnic in the Upper East region of Ghana has initiated plans to minimize postharvest losses. Officials say PHL is a major problem in the area due to lack of storage, preservation, and processing facilities. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/regional/artikel.php?ID=271063
Mud Brick and Wood Storehouses Save Grain After the Harvest
University of Kentucky researchers are currently working to reduce postharvest losses in Ghana and Nigeria. They have hosted workshops in the regions since 2009, and recently wrote a report for the US Department of Agriculture. https://www.engineeringforchange.org/news/2013/03/06/mud_brick_and_wood_storehouses_save_grain_after_the_harvest.html
Storage Facilities by The Nigerian Stored Products Institute
The Nigerian Stored Products Institute (NSPRI) reports it has produced affordable storage facilities and drying equipment that works with solar, air, or kerosone.
African Smallholder Farmers Need to Become Virus Detectors
Plant viruses cause up to $175 million dollars in losses in East Africa per year. Many farmers are unware of affected crops until after harvest when viruses cause rotting. http://allafrica.com/stories/201302130442.html?page=2
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
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discuss the Impact of Postharvest 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.gatesfoundation.org/
Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
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.agra.org/
Post-Harvest Loss Prevention Can Mean More Food for All
Undersecretary Robert Hormats of the Department of State says loss can be reduced through the development and dissemination of appropriate technologies, and by the adoption of policies and incentives for investment in postharvest infrastructure. Hormats anticipates food preservation to be a topic of discussion in the G8’s meeting in Northern Ireland in June. http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2013/02/20130226143046.html#axzz2Mc5L0RHu http://www.indepthnews.info/index.php/global-issues/1461-battle-against-post-harvest-losses-can-be-won […]