The Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Ghana has promoted Farmer Based Organizations as an avenue to success in their plans for modernizing the rural sector. The plan will focus on strengthening value chains, and will involve training extension workers in supply chain analysis and postharvest management. http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2013/04/13/ghanas-agric-ministry-roles-out-plans-to-improve-food-security/?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonuqzNcO%2FhmjTEU5z17%2BwtX6CygYkz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMSsJlMa%2BNFAAgAZVnyRQFHuWDeZg%3D
World Bank Support for Boosting Food Production in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia
The World Bank approved $89.4 million in credit to assist governments of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia in establishing Regional Centers of Leadership for staple grains, and other projects to boost food and farm productivity. http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2013/03/14/world-bank-support-boosting-food-production-malawi-mozambique-zambia?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonu6rBce%2FhmjTEU5z17%2BwtX6CygYkz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMScpnN6%2BNFAAgAZVnyRQFHuWDeZg%3D
African Trust Fund for Food Security Becomes Reality
Equatorial Guinea made the first donation, of $30million, to the new Africa Solidarity Trust Fund. The fund aims to pool African resources to achieve regional food security. The fund will draw from stronger African economies and act as a supplement to international aid. http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/170278/icode/
Small Farms Crucial for Food Security, Say NGOs
At the Global Forum on Food and Agriculture in Germany, experts discussed the urgent need to direct investment and aid efforts toward smallholder farmers. One example cited is that many farmers who don’t have access to proper infrastructure experience postharvest loss. The Forum identified public-private partnerships which focus on smallholder development as crucial to global […]
ADB Announces 3-Year Pipeline of $525 Million to Promote Cambodia’s Growth
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced its new business plan that has a strategic focus on Cambodia. The US$525 million pipeline will target urbanization of secondary towns, urban-rural linkages, and private sector development, among other things. It will support projects aiming to commercialize rice production and enhance supply chains overall. http://www.adb.org/news/cambodia/adb-announces-3-year-pipeline-525-million-promote-cambodias-growth?ref=themes/climate-change/newshttps://www.devex.com/en/news/blogs/adb-unveils-3-year-project-pipeline-for-cambodia?blog_id=the-development-newswire&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRouu6%2FMZKXonjHpfsX86%2BwrXqO1lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4FSspmI%2FqLAzICFpZo2FFcH%2FaQZA%3D%3D
U.S Contributes $7.9 mn to UN’s Food Program
USAID contributed US$7.9 million to the UN World Food Program towards projects that are working to improve agriculture and market access for smallholder farmers in Uganda. Activities include building and upgrading warehouses, repairing feeder roads, and providing market information. http://www.independent.co.ug/news/news/7068-us-contributes-79mn-to-uns-food-program?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRouu6%2FMZKXonjHpfsX86%2BwrXqO1lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4FSspmI%2FqLAzICFpZo2FFcH%2FaQZA%3D%3D
USAID Mobilizes Record Amount of Private Capital to Support Small Businesses in Developing Countries
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) worked with 23 countries in 2012 to unlock up to US$525 million in private capital to go to “underserved entrepeneurs”. US$219 million will go towards agriculture and food security initiatives, and US$215 million for small enterprises. http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/usaid-mobilizes-record-amount-private-capital-support-small?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRouu6%2FMZKXonjHpfsX86%2BwrXqO1lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4FSspmI%2FqLAzICFpZo2FFcH%2FaQZA%3D%3D
Japan Donation Boosts Zimbabwe Food Security
Zimbabwe will depend heavily on food aid and food assistance from the World Food Programme in coming months. 1 out of 5 people living in rural areas will experience food shortages between January and March of next year. Japan’s contributions are especially significant, but more resources are needed to reach vulnerable families. http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/news/zimbabwe/62636/japan-donation-boosts-zimbabwe-food.html
Peasant Farmers Demand 5% of SADA Funds
The northern region of the Peasant Farmers’ Association of Ghana has appealed to use 5% of its budget for building storage facilities, as a means to reduce PHL. The request occurred at a workshop entitled ‘Expanding Farmer Access to Market and Storage Facilities in Northern Region’, funded by the BUSAC Fund, Danida, the European Union […]
Uganda: Collective Actions Shield Small-Holder Farmers
Ugandan small-holder farmers find collectives advantageous and profitable, while learning valuable postharvest and business skills. The Kapchorwa Commercial Farmers’ Association (KCFA) has a warehouse and provides training to farmers, while improving incomes through using Warehouse Receipt Systems. The WFP Uganda Country Director has noted that over $600,000 in bank credit has been offered to the […]