The Ministry of Agriculture of Ghana has initiated a project meant to develop technology to make composite flour out of various crops including cassava, sweet potato, maize, sorghum, millet, and others. The project aims to reduce dependence on imports of wheat flour, improve food security, and cut postharvest losses. http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2013/09/04/csir-mofa-initiate-new-technology-to-produce-bakery-products/
Archive | infrastructure
RSS feed for this sectionFocus On: Building Infrastructure in Africa
This Farming First blog post highlights the urgent need to improve infrastructure in Africa, where less than 50% of the rural population live close to adequate roads. Authors point to better infrastructure as a key means to reducing postharvest losses. http://www.farmingfirst.org/2013/08/focus-on-building-infrastructure-in-africa/
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/
746.07 Lakh Tonne Storage Capacity for Implementation of Food Security Bill
Indian Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution stated that a combination of Food Corporation of India and state agency storage facilities equates to 746 lakh tonnes of storage capacity, enough to cover the estimated Food Security Act annual requirement of 614 lakh tonnes of grain. The Minister also discussed implementation of the Private […]
Blumberg Grain Executes Letter of Intent to Expand Its Agricultural Investments to Nigeria with $250 Million Commitment
Blumberg Grain will invest $250 million in Nigeria’s agricultural sector with regard to the country’s efforts with the G8’s New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition program. The investment includes a large scale production and distribution facility for the company’s food security storage warehouses, processing and packaging facilities, and investments in land and technology. http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/07/18/5033651/blumberg-grain-executes-letter.html
Tonnes of Maize Rotting in Northern Region
Improved farming methods in Ghana have led to an increase in productivity of maize, which should be cause for celebration. Instead farmers and warehouse operators are witnessing both physical and economic losses. Farmers face low prices with the lack of a market price support system, and warehouses are unable to maintain a sufficient rate of […]
Huge Wheat Stocks at Risk in Punjab, Haryana
The storage capacity for procured grains in Punjab and Haryana is insufficient for this year’s large harvests, forcing 11 million tonnes of food grain to be kept in temporary storage. Heavy monsoons are expected to arrive early in these states, and many are worried the open air or plastic-covered storage will not be sufficient. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/11-million-tonnes-of-wheat-at-risk-in-punjab-haryana/article4914943.ece
CAG Slams Punjab, Haryana for Letting Grains Rot
The Comptroller and Auditor General’s May 2013 report, which assessed the country’s amount and quality of available storage, finds that even after the busy influx of procurement season, grains in Haryana and Punjab were left in open storage against FCI regulations. Inadequate storage worries critics of the newly passed food security legislation. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-16/india/40611680_1_food-grains-cag-report-cag-slams-punjab
Maize Dryers to Be Set Up in Punjab
The Punjab government directed the Agricultural Department to set up maize dryers in all mandis before the next harvest season, and community maize dryers installed in two locations before procurement during this season. Subsidies will also be given on the purchase of portable dryers. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/maize-dryers-to-be-set-up-in-punjab/article4905075.ece
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