This video depicts farmer reactions to storage problems in India that cause grain to rot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFfTcO_YX0k
Haryana: 2.5 lakh wheat sacks left in the open to rot
This video news broadcast covers problems that occur when wheat is stored in the open in India, specifically during the wet monsoon months. In addition to financial losses, improper storage also give rise to other problems such as rising hunger, corruption, and environmental damage. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/haryana-25-lakh-wheat-sacks-left-in-the-open-to-rot/406417-3-240.html
Government of Ghana and Blumberg Grain Execute MOU for Manufacturing Plant and Export Hub in West Africa
U.S. company Blumberg Grain plans to develop a state of the art food safety and security storage warehousing system in Ghana, following an agreement negotiated by the Ghanaian Minister of Trade and Industry. The Hub will also include an educational institute supported by Iowa State University, the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and NGO […]
President Receives UN-FAO Award
President Mahama of Ghana received an award from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. His keynote address announced the theme of the 29th Farmer’s Day, ‘Reducing Postharvest Losses for Sustainable Food Security and Nutrition’. http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/2012-02-08-08-32-47/general-news/1475-president-receives-un-fao-award
Thailand Has 17M Tons of Rice in Stockpile
In a testimony to the Senate committee investigating the massive losses recently discovered in the Thailand rice scheme, a finance official admitted to corruption in every step of the rice pledging process. http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/business/market/35269-thailand-has-17m-tons-of-rice-in-stockpile
Kenya: 2.5 Million Bags of Maize Rotting in NCPB Silos
The National Cereals and Produce Board under the Strategic Grain Reserves is paralyzed by a debt dispute and is unable to perform any operations, including fumigating maize in storage. Officials hope the issue can be resolved in the courts before the maize is lost to rotting. http://allafrica.com/stories/201307031041.html
Why the Food Security Bill is Good Politics, Bad Economics
The Indian government passed the long pending National Food Security Bill as an ordinance. The controversial bill has incited much debate over the feasibility and impact of guaranteeing food grains to nearly 800 million Indians living in poverty. One question is whether the grain procurement and storage system can support the bill’s execution. http://www.ndtv.com/article/cheat-sheet/why-the-food-security-bill-is-good-politics-bad-economics-387468
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/
Sh45m for Cereals Warehouse
The Kenyan government is constructing a large scale warehouse in Kanyekiini County, Central Province, to reduce postharvest losses. The project is expected to offer local youth employment opportunities and improve farmers’ incomes. http://www.nation.co.ke/Counties/Sh45million-for-cereals-warehouse/-/1107872/1909594/-/yx5y58/-/index.html
ROC Assists with Guatemalan Grain Program
A Tawainese-funded project to update and improve the country’s grain storage facilities was inaugurated on July 3rd. Having fallen into disrepair in recent decades, improvements to storage will increase availability of the domestic maize supply. http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=207025&ctNode=445