This USAID briefing paper serves to identify appropriate and effective information communication technologies (ICT) for agricultural value chain interventions. Relevant topics discussed include marketing, traceability, production management and data analytics, value addition, technical literacy, gender dynamics, and others. http://agrilinks.org/sites/default/files/resource/files/Using_ICT_to_Enhance_Marketing_for_Small_Agricultural_Producers.pdf
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RSS feed for this sectionTechnology and Innovation Aim at Greater Food Security
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Kansas State University is home of the new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sorghum & Millet. In partnership with USAID, the lab will focus on finding new technologies and techniques for smallholder farmers to maintain and increase productivity in times of climate change. http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/07/technology-and-innovation-aim-at-greater-food-security/
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Food Security Strategies Need to Focus on Demand
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Public debate over the future of food security has spiked as comments made by Tesco CEO Philip Clarke and UK Global Food Security programme Professor Tim Benton raise concerns over availability and affordability of food in coming decades. This post echoes the message of Benton and others that food waste and food loss must be […]
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Strategies to Address Mycotoxin Problems
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The United States National Institute of Food and Agriculture National Program Leader, Kitty Cardwell, speaks in a Virtual Briefing on options to reduce mycotoxin contamination at preharvest and postharvest levels. Cardwell overviews challenges for mycotoxin management from farmer, consumer, marketer, and government perspectives. http://www.donorplatform.org/postharvest-losses/virtual-briefings/1060-kitty-cardwell-strategies-to-address-mycotoxin-problems.html
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How to Prevent Hunger in Upcoming Decades? Try Precision Agriculture
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IBM Chief Scientist says precision agriculture can help change the future of farming to feed a population of 9.2 billion in 2050. An IBM technology, Deep Thunder, can forecast future weather conditions and help farmers decide the best time to plant, irrigate, and harvest. Precise and predictive information can prevent losses in ways such as […]
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Commentary – Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom: Promoting a New Era of Innovation for Agricultural Development
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Michael Howevel, Deputy Director for Agriculture for Impact, remarks on the presence of a ‘quiet revolution’ in the agricultural sector, with the ‘science-technology-innovation nexus’ that will be the future of agricultural development. His graphic shows the two-sided nature of innovation, which includes development and education, access and feedback. http://globalfoodforthought.typepad.com/global-food-for-thought/2013/06/commentary-let-a-hundred-flowers-bloom-promoting-a-new-era-of-innovation-for-agricultural-developmen.html
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Waste Not Want Not: A Weapon for Food Security
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Betty Bugusu, Ph.D., Managing Director of the International Food Technology Center at Purdue University, gave a TED talk focused around food security and reducing loss. The talk featured Purdue’s dissemination of ‘Incubation Centers’. http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2013/06/29/waste-not-want-not-a-weapon-for-food-security/
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Growth in Crop Yields Inadequate to Feed the World by 2050 – Research
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University of Minnesota, United States, researchers say crop yields are far below targets for 2050, after analyzing 2.5 million agricultural statistics. Looking at maize, rice, wheat, and soybeans, they found yield improvement grew between 0.9% to 1.6%, far slower than the 2.4% necessary to meet calorie demands. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/jun/20/crop-yeilds-world-population Report — http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0066428
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Cutting Food Loss and Food Waste Will Benefit People and the Environment, Says a New Study on World Environment Day
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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) released a working paper titled ‘Reducing Food Loss and Waste’ on June 5th, World Environment Day. The report describes how reducing food loss and food waste contributes to global environmental sustainability goals, as well as recommends 5 strategies for reducing loss. The first […]
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Food Prices to Double by 2030
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International NGO focused on poverty, Oxfam, warns that the price of staple grains will more than double in the next 20 years, increasing by as much as 180% by 2030 for some crops such as maize. Climate change will cause much of the increase, followed by population, energy, and resource demands, Oxfam says. http://www.gbcghana.com/index.php?id=1.407227
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