Senior-level government officials emphasized the need to reduce postharvest loss to achieve global food security, environmental sustainability, and economic vitality. The Department of State hosted a forum dedicated to finding cross-sector solutions to postharvest loss. Assistant Secretary of the Economics and Business Affairs Bureau said in his opening remarks that there is “no silver bullet […]
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Senior-level government officials emphasized the need to reduce postharvest loss to achieve global food security, environmental sustainability, and economic vitality. The Department of State hosted a forum dedicated to finding cross-sector solutions to postharvest loss. Assistant Secretary of the Economics and Business Affairs Bureau said in his opening remarks that there is “no silver bullet […]
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Post Harvest Losses: Africa Loses Food Valued at $4b Annually
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At a recent conference in Kenya, expert leaders discussed the urgency to reduce postharvest losses in Africa that currently total about $4 billion per year. Director of Markets of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) called on governments to invest heavily in postharvest loss reduction program and technologies. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/post-harvest-losses-africa-loses-food-valued-at-4b-annually/
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Climate Change Threatens Food Security
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An expert interview discusses the danger of climate change to food crops. The worst case scenario includes a 20% loss of staple crops in coming years, which severely threatens global food security. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-07/climate-change-threatens-food-security/4507180
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Device to Remove Insect Pests from Stored Grains
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Researchers at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore, India, have developed a device that will mechanically remove adult insects from stored grain as well as crush any remaining eggs, making the process of protecting grain from pest damage more efficient. http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/agriculture/device-to-remove-insect-pests-from-stored-grains/article4313248.ece
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Africa: Raising the Bar on Agricultural Innovation
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A recent article discusses the power of innovation for agricultural development in Africa. Mobile technology is specifically highlighted as an important tool for communicating information about markets, harvests, pests and diseases, etc. Several individual success stories are described as reasons to increase funding for R&D in agricultural innovation. http://allafrica.com/stories/201301090731.html
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Global Food Security: the Role of Science and Technology
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Wilton Park published a report from the October 2012 conference, Global food security: the role of science and technology. The report highlights key takeaways on postharvest loss-related topics such as farmer-scientist communication, extension, funding, knowledge gaps, public-private partnerships, and the role of government and regulation. (summary; full report) http://reliefweb.int/report/world/global-food-security-role-science-and-technology
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USAID, DuPont Work with Government of Ethiopia to Improve Food Security
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Multinational seed company Dupont officially partnered with the United State’s Feed the Future program in Ethiopia. The project aims to increase productivity of smallholder maize farmers by helping reduce postharvest losses by up to 20%, as well as increasing the use of hybrid seeds and improving seed distribution. http://feedthefuture.gov/article/usaid-dupont-work-government-ethiopia-improve-food-security
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2013 Food Trends Get Technical, Sustainable & Healthy
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Forbes posted an article listing 10 “trends that are transforming the future of how food is produced, sold, and consumed”. Reducing food waste was listed as Trend #1 with predictions for an increase of waste reduction technologies in 2013. Forbes also reflected on important mainstream food technologies in 2012, and food waste also held the #1 […]
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Increasing Food Production to Feed Nine Billion People in 2050
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At a conference hosted by the Israel Vulkani Agricultural Research Center, discussions on the challenge of sustainably feeding 9 billion people included postharvest crop management. Postharvest disesases and consumer waste were cited as two main factors of loss, and one expert argued for more attention on social, political, and economic barriers to loss reduction over […]
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