The Indian government passed the long pending National Food Security Bill as an ordinance. The controversial bill has incited much debate over the feasibility and impact of guaranteeing food grains to nearly 800 million Indians living in poverty. One question is whether the grain procurement and storage system can support the bill’s execution. http://www.ndtv.com/article/cheat-sheet/why-the-food-security-bill-is-good-politics-bad-economics-387468
Tag Archives | subsidies
The Potential of Mechanization in Agriculture
$new_string
The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture continues to allocate funding for farm mechanization, as well as subsidize farm machinery for qualifiying farmer organizations. Experts say increased mechanization can increase production by 5% and reduce postharvest losses by 5% to 10%. The government hopes to attract more young people to farming for employment. http://www.manilatimes.net/the-potential-of-mechanization-in-agriculture/12160/
$new_string
Succour for Crop Loss in 15 Days
$new_string
Officials assess loss damage on mandi sites to determine how much compensation will be distributed to farmers whose open-lying paddy crop was destroyed by the weather. Many mandis lack basic shed coverage. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-19/bhubaneswar/40068525_1_crop-loss-mandis-kalahandi
$new_string
Unfit Wheat Silos
$new_string
An ad-hoc presidential committee says Egyptian wheat silos are unfit for use because they allow dust and grit to mix with high-quality Egyptian wheat. The government says eliminating the silos is not possible due to the high demand for storage space. Future policy suggestions include subsidization along the value chain as opposed to just at […]
$new_string
USDA Declares Drought Disaster in Much of Wheat Belt
$new_string
Wheat-growers in the Great Plains of the United States are set to collect record insurance payments for crops lost during the 2012 drought. The Department of Agriculture declared several counties natural disaster zones and has paid nearly $11 billion in indemnities to farmers whose wheat crops suffered last year. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/09/us-usda-drought-idUSBRE90812X20130109
$new_string
Nilam’s After-Effect: AP Incurs Rs 1,710 cr Crop Losses
$new_string
Cyclone Nilam caused over $310 million worth of losses in Andhra Pradesh, India, of which 94% was paddy and cotton. The state government is now working to secure relief funds and to make adjustments to crop loan and insurance schemes, although some believe the government was not adequately prepared to mitigate damages before they happened. […]
$new_string
Govt Looks at Changing Long-Term Grain Procurement Policy
$new_string
The Indian government now procures over 35% of the country’s marketable surplus grain, up from past levels of 25-30%. Given the strains on subsidies, storage capacity, and private retail markets, officials are beginning to craft long-term adjustments to the current open-ended policy. http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/govt-looks-at-changing-long-term-grain-procurement-policy/491888/
$new_string
Malawi Loses K16 bn in Post Harvest Waste
$new_string
Managing Director of Business Consult Africa reports that Malawi loses K16 billion worth of maize annually, the equivalent of over $50 million USD, in postharvest losses estimated as high as 40% of the maize crop. Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture is unsure of the precise amount of loss, though admits it is very high. Smallholder farmers […]
$new_string
Thailand Readies Airport Warehouse to Store Record Stocks of Rice
$new_string
A Thai government intervention scheme for securing adequate storage for paddy (rice) farmers is currently facing challenges. Officials are requesting use of old airport warehouses to store the rice as production continues to increase. Controversy exists over whether the government can support the scheme by exporting the rice. Many millers are turning farmers away due to lack […]
$new_string
Vietnam Issues New Regulation on Subsidizing Postharvest Losses for Agriculture and Aquatic Products
$new_string
Vietnam has issued new regulations to aid PHL reduction. These regulations highlight improved access to borrowing funds for projects focusing on PHL and reduced interest rates. http://businesstimes.com.vn/vietnam-issues-new-regulation-on-subsidizing-post-harvest-losses-for-agriculture-and-aquatic-products/
$new_string
