Tag Archives | storage
WFP traditional storage

Postharvest Loss: A Hidden Tax on Smallholders

by Steve Sonka, Research Professor, ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss Much of what I know about farming was learned growing up on a small Iowa farm. My parents devoted considerable attention to producing our crops and livestock.  However, considerable attention also was focused on the decisions of how much to sell and […]

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<span style="font-size: 11px;font: Arial;color: #999999">Losses are ‘events’ that are caused by interactions between patterns and events within the system. <em>Credit: ADMI/K. Wozniak<em></span>

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 […]

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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

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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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Of Indian Food Security

A critic of the food security law debate argues the perspective that the idea behind and purpose of the bill is deserving of credit, even if the implementation will be a challenge. http://www.brecorder.com/br-research/44:miscellaneous/3688:of-indian-food-security/

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Using Technology for India’s Food Program

States of India Chhattisgarh and Orissa are using technology to increase the efficiency of their food delivery systems in light of the food security law, standing out as models for other states on reducing supply chain losses. Innovative methods are being used including switching to an electronic database of beneficiaries, using SMS alerts to track […]

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Mitigating Aflatoxin Exposure to Improve Child Growth in Eastern Kenya

A project by the International Food Policy Research Center (IFPRI) seeks to identify and utilize postharvest and storage technologies to reduce aflatoxin exposure, and studies the impact of reduced exposure on child nutrition. The project will take place in 65 villages in Eastern province, Kenya. http://www.ifpri.org/publication/mitigating-aflatoxin-exposure-improve-child-growth-eastern-kenya

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Thailand Extends Buying Scheme, Risks Adding to the Rice Pile

After recently discovering massive losses in the current rice scheme, the Thai government approved a new plan that will lower prices and quantities. With 17 million tonnes in storage and another 10 million set to arrive, however, the government is still at risk to lose in storage, depreciation, and logistics costs. http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/09/03/thailand-rice-intervention-idINL4N0GZ1FC20130903

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Young Kenyan Woman Named Recipient of 2013 Borlaug Field Award for Scientific Biological Breakthroughs Combating Deadly Grain Mold

Kenyan food scientist, Dr. Charity Mutegi, is honored for her efforts in reducing aflatoxin contamination in Kenya. Mutegi is leading the development of a biocontrol product used to fight off aflatoxins in maize. The award is funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, and administered by the World Food Prize. http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/24667/25372/young_kenyan_woman_named_recipient_of_2013_borlaug_field_award_for_scientific_biological_breakthroughs_combating_deadly_grain_mold

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