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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

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Food Bill is Biggest Mistake India Might Have Made Til Date

“The basic point is that food security will turn out to be a fairly expensive proposition for India.” http://www.firstpost.com/economy/food-bill-is-the-biggest-mistake-india-might-have-made-till-date-1062841.html

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Food Security Bill Can Feed Its People, Says Sonia Gandhi

In response to skepticism about sufficient resources, Sonia Gandhi responds that feeding India’s people is not a question of how, it is a must. http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/food-security-bill-india-can-feed-its-people-says-sonia-gandhi_871758.html

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Save Food Campaign Asia-Pacific Kicked Off

On August 27th, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative Hiroyuki Konuma launched a new initiative aimed to curb food loss and food waste in the Asia-Pacific region. The campaign began with a two day High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on Food Loss and Food Waste, which will study causes and report suggestions for action steps. http://www.trust.org/item/20130828104350-qadil/  

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Lok Sabha Passes Food Bill

The lower house of the Indian national assembly approved the ambitious and controversial National Food Security Bill on Monday, August 26th, 2013, after nine hours of debate. If made law, the legislation will legally entitle 67% of the population to receive subsidized grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lok-sabha-passes-food-security-bill/article5062126.ece  

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The Food Security Bill Takes Us Back to the 1970s as Lessons of History Are Ignored

“The passage of the Food Security Bill in the Lok Sabha is reminiscent of the early 1970s, when the simultaneous left-right lurch ended with the economy contracting by the end of the decade and subsequent help from the IMF.” http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-28/edit-page/41499945_1_food-security-bill-finance-minister-open-defecation

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Food Security a ‘Historic Opportunity’ or Mere ‘Vote Security’?

“Opposition party, BJP, labeled the bill more as “Vote security” than food security, but stopped short of opposing it.” http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/food-security-a-historic-opportunity-or-mere-vote-security-113082600926_1.html

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The Mud on Their Legs – Farmer to Farmer Videos in Uganda

Paul Van Mele and colleagues created eleven farmer-to-farmer learning videos in Bangladesh and West Africa about growing rice from seed to postharvest beginning in 2003. The USAID funded project, Modernizing Extension and Advisory Systems (MEAS), funded this case study analysis in Uganda describing what researchers observed during a return visit in November 2012. http://agrilinks.org/sites/default/files/resource/files/MEAS%20CS%20Uganda%20-%20Farmer%20to%20Farmer%20Videos%20in%20Uganda%20-%20Bentley,%20J%20and%20P%20Van%20Mele%20-%20July%202013%20-%202.pdf

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ICT Could Become Key Influencer Across Agri Value Chain: Nasscom

The National Association of Software Services Companies in India says increased use of ICT is key to the country’s agricultural productivity and food security success. Expansion of technologies that can support initiatives in precision farming, extension, marketing, and supply chain management is expected to increase. http://www.domain-b.com/economy/agriculture/20130813_mobile_internet.html  

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DA-12 Allots P848-M to Cut Palay Postharvest Losses

The Filipino Department of Agriculture will invest at least P848.4 million in postharvest facilities and related infrastructure in a region comprised of 4 provinces over the next 4 years. A recent government assessment finds the region’s postharvest losses of palay to currently reach around 12%. http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2013/08/22/da-12-allots-p848-m-to-cut-palay-post-harvest-losses/

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