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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RSS feed for this sectionIndustry, Government Must Collaborate to Boost Food Security: Tariq Anwar
While speaking at a day-long summit on food safety, Indian Minister of State for Food Processing Industries urged industry and government to collaborate to achieve food security and safety. Anwar stressed the importance of efficient postharvest management and quality control to reduce waste and contamination in food along the supply chain. http://www.fnbnews.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=34296§ionid=1
Kingdom Acts to Cut Food Wastage
The King of Saudi Arabia has ordered the creation of a committee devoted to reducing national food loss and food waste. Representatives from various government agencies will carry out studies to determine how to reduce losses. The Middle East and North Africa lose 16 million metric tonnes of grain annually, according to FAO. http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130908179638
Two More Mills Found To Be Involved in Paddy Embezzlement
A corruption case in Punjab, India that was opened in July against two rice millers now includes two more. State officials say that millers have allegedly embezzled paddy worth over $1.1 million. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Bathinda/Two-more-mills-found-to-be-involved-in-pady-embezzlement/SP-Article1-1116938.aspx
ADB Lends Cambodia US$70 Million for Rice Commercialization, Finance Reforms
The Asian Development Bank signed a $55 million loan agreement with the Cambodian government to expand the country’s rice sector under a program called “The Climate-Resilient Rice Commercialization Sector Development Program (Rice-SDP)”. It is meant to transform all the variances of the rice sector, from subsistence farming to commercial value chains. http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/wn/newsworld.php?id=972651
US Expertise Can Resolve Food Wastage Issues
US Congressman Ami Bera advocates for collaboration between the US and India on postharvest loss issues. Bera worked towards a MOU when recently in Delhi, focused on bringing US expertise to India on how to better manage, store, and move food to market. http://ht.ly/oqaQN
Are Mobile Phones Helping Farmers?
Mobile phones are increasingly cited as a game changing tool in rural development and agricultural extension. A survey by CIMMYT, however, finds that information provided via mobile is often generic and limited. Experts say dynamic databases of individualized data are needed to make the information useful and effective. http://blog.cimmyt.org/?p=11074
Nearly 20 Percent of Chinese Grain Wasted From Farm to Fork
A report by the American Chemical Society says that 19 of every 100 pounds of grain produced in China is wasted before reaching its intended end. Consumer waste accounts for the highest portion, says the report, at 7%. http://www.foodengineeringmag.com/articles/91152-nearly-20-percent-of-chinese-grain-wasted-from-farm-to-fork
Course on Food Security & Grain Storage, Israel
Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation and partnering organizations invite professionals to participate in a training course, ‘Food Security & Grain Storage – Technologies and Management’. The course takes place from December 2-17, and is designed for professionals from academic and extension services. http://www.mladiinfo.com/2013/08/26/course-on-food-security-grain-storage-israel/
India Approves Food Bill to Subsidize Grain for Poor
The bill will become law if approved by the upper house of the Indian national assembly, the Rajya Sabha. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/27/india-food-bill-grain-poor