A corruption case in Punjab, India that was opened in July against two rice millers now includes two more. State officials say that millers have allegedly embezzled paddy worth over $1.1 million. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Bathinda/Two-more-mills-found-to-be-involved-in-pady-embezzlement/SP-Article1-1116938.aspx
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/
Four Rice Millers to Face Theft Charges
555 tonnes of what is believed to be stolen state grain was found in poor, contaminated condition in private mills. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/358807/four-rice-millers-to-face-theft-charges
Upper House Warned Losses Risk Worsening
In a testimony to the Senate committee investigating the massive losses recently discovered in the Thailand rice scheme, a finance official admitted to corruption in every step of the rice pledging process. http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/358014/supa-says-rice-purchases-riddled-with-graft
ICAR Seeks Funds to Set Up Rice Mill for Goa Tribal Farmers
The Indian Council for Agricultural Research’s Goa chapter is pursuing the establishment of a rice mill in south Goa under their tribal sub-plan. The mill would enable farmers to earn twice as much per kilogram of rice in a fraction of the time. http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/icar-seeks-funds-to-set-up-rice-mill-for-goa-tribal-farmers-113062400158_1.html
Farmers Lose in Rice Review
Major losses in the government’s flagship pledging program led officials to slash the pledging price of unmilled white rice by 20%, set a limit on household pledge amounts, and cap the total amount of paddy to be bought each year at 15 million tonnes. Many say modifications aren’t enough to curb corruption among millers and […]
Mycotoxin Occurrence in Maize Milling Fractions
A study by South African researchers concludes that the occurrence of mycotoxin differs per milling fraction, and that dry milling is an effective way to reduce mycotoxins in maize. The article appears in the International Journal of Food Microbiology. http://www.allaboutfeed.net/Process-Management/Feed-Safety/2013/5/Mycotoxin-occurrence-in-maize-milling-fractions-1267126W/
Punjab Rice Mills in the Red as Milling Season Stretches
Inadequate storage for rice paddy leads to economic losses for rice mills in Punjab, India. Mills have the processing capacity to finish entire paddy harvests in 3 months, but due to lack of shortage, government manpower, and the slow movement of grain, it extends to 9 months. Labor costs and time bottlenecks hurt bottom lines of mills. […]
FG to Establish Cassava, Rice Processing Mills in Oyo
The Federal Ministry of Nigeria is set to establish two cassava processing factories in Oyo State to curb postharvest losses, with two factories for rice processing to follow later this year. http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/fg-establish-cassava-rice-processing-mills-oyo-director
Maize Milling Plan by Zambia’s Cooperatives
The Zambia Cooperative Federation announced development plans to construct maize milling facilities in selected provinces in the country. The facilities will bring processing capacity to communities which need to add value to their crops and produce staple household foods self-sufficiently. The Federation seeks government and stakeholder backing for their plans. http://www.africanbusinessreview.co.za/business_leaders/maize-milling-plan-by-zambias-cooperatives