by Steve Sonka, Research Professor, ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Recognition that reducing postharvest loss is an important opportunity to enhance global food security is not a new phenomenon. Indeed, on September 1, 1975, then US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger made the following impassioned […]
Mitigating Aflatoxin Exposure to Improve Child Growth in Eastern Kenya
A project by the International Food Policy Research Center (IFPRI) seeks to identify and utilize postharvest and storage technologies to reduce aflatoxin exposure, and studies the impact of reduced exposure on child nutrition. The project will take place in 65 villages in Eastern province, Kenya. http://www.ifpri.org/publication/mitigating-aflatoxin-exposure-improve-child-growth-eastern-kenya
Young Kenyan Woman Named Recipient of 2013 Borlaug Field Award for Scientific Biological Breakthroughs Combating Deadly Grain Mold
Kenyan food scientist, Dr. Charity Mutegi, is honored for her efforts in reducing aflatoxin contamination in Kenya. Mutegi is leading the development of a biocontrol product used to fight off aflatoxins in maize. The award is funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, and administered by the World Food Prize. http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/24667/25372/young_kenyan_woman_named_recipient_of_2013_borlaug_field_award_for_scientific_biological_breakthroughs_combating_deadly_grain_mold
CSIR, MoFA Initiate New Technology to Produce Bakery Products
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/
Innovations for Agricultural Value Chains in Africa
The Meridian Institute received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for a project that seeks to identify out-of-the box postharvest management and processing technologies. The project will focus on African maize, cassava, and dairy chains, and will involve organized meetings between innovators and key value chain players. http://www.merid.org/Content/Projects/Innovations_for_Agricultural_Value_Chains_in_Africa.aspx
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 […]
Curbing Maize Postharvest Losses Key to Attaining Food Security in Kenya
The International Wheat and Maize Improvement Center (CIMMYT) paired with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) to organize a training course on postharvest management. Kenya experiences an estimated 40% loss of staple grains, which poses great challenges to the country’s food security and economic development. http://blog.cimmyt.org/?p=10681
Agriculture Department Working on 3 PPP Projects
The Grains Central Project underway in the Philippines seeks to rehabilitate, expand, and enhance existing corn trading and processing centers nationwide. There are 11 corn Postharvest Processing and Trading Centers proposed to be included in the project. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/07/15/agriculture-department-working-3-ppp-projects-292605
Maize Dependency and Agricultural Subsidies in Zambia
Current maize production is more than sufficient to meet domestic needs in Zambia, and yet there are volatile maize prices, and a majority of Zambians still living in rural poverty. Experts identify poor crop marketing as one of two major causes for the lack of food security, with inadequate government storage leading to estimated postharvest […]
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