Tag Archives | Sub-Saharan Africa

Natural Resources Institute Published Two Reports on PHL

The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) published two reports on reducing postharvest losses of cereal grains, focusing on the need to tackle losses in Sub-Saharan Africa and the effects of climate change on loss. http://www.nri.org/news/2013/

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We Need a Systematic And Harmonized Postharvest Mechanism – Sichinga

As COMESA host, Zambian Minister of Agriculture and Livestock spoke of the need for systematic and harmonized efforts for reducing loss in the region. Sichinga highlighted the lack of storage in Zambia, and the resulting 32% loss of maize each year. http://www.comesa.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=717:we-need-a-systematic-and-harmonized-post-harvest-mechanism-sichinga&catid=5:latest-news&Itemid=41

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Advancing Global Food Security: The Power of Science, Trade, and Business

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs released the report, ‘Advancing Global Food Security: The Power of Science, Trade, and Business’, at their recent symposium in Washington, D.C. The report sites reducing loss as an essential element to sustainable intensification of agriculture. The Council also covered postharvest loss in a commentary piece leading up to the event. http://www.thechicagocouncil.org/UserFiles/File/GlobalAgDevelopment/Report/2013_Advancing_Global_Food_Security.pdf

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USAID, AFDB, Government of Sweden Announce Agriculture Fast Track

USAID, the African Development Bank, and the Swedish government recently announced the creation of the ‘Agriculture Fast Track‘, a $25 million fund meant to spur private sector investment in agricultural infrastructure in developing nations. http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/usaid-afdb-government-sweden-announce-agriculture-fast-track

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Investments in Postharvest Loss Strategies Cardinal Says AUC

FAO and regional leaders stressed the importance of postharvest loss management at a recent meeting focused on Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) engagement in reducing loss in Sub-Saharan Africa. The African Union Commission introduced the PHL Project, which is an institutional capacity-building initiative aimed to increase awareness and understanding of PHL issues. http://en.starafrica.com/news/investments-in-post-harvest-loss-strategies-cardinal-says-auc.html  

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Tackling Poverty with Social Enterprise

Social enterprise efforts are positively impacting rural poverty in Africa by connecting farmers to markets. Organizations focusing on specific supply chain development activities promote economic growth and food security for farmers. http://www.theguardian.com/social-enterprise-network/2013/mar/15/tackling-poverty-social-enterprise

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How to Manage Post-Harvest Loss

The Guardian featured an article on postharvest loss and its contributions to food security. Caspa van Vark reviews PHL reduction techniques such as the use of metal silos, bags, and the role of public and private interventions. http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development-professionals-network/2012/dec/14/post-harvest-loss-food-security

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Tackling Post-Harvest Losses

Open Source GIS is assisting in the reduction of PHL in Africa through APHLIS, the African Post Harvest Loss Information System. Using a shared database, loss estimates for sub-Saharan Africa can be shared on an online platform. The project is funded by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and is aiming to provide […]

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Missing Food – The Grain Postharvest Losses of Smallholders in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Natural Resources Institute presented these slides at the Brussels Rural Development Briefings last month. http://brusselsbriefings.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/brussels-briefing-2-nri.ppt

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Mechanization: Essential for Rice Production and Processing

AfricaRice, a leading pan-African rice research organization, released an impact assessment estimating 0.9 million tonnes of milled rice was saved by halving on-farm post-harvest losses through the use of appropriate technologies. This would save almost 17% of current rice imports, with a value of US$ 410 million in 2011 prices—in turn raising about 2.8 million […]

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