Experts say that demand for grain warehousing in India will likely grow 5-6% in the next 5 years. Increased investment participation from the private sector, specifically large corporate entities, will be necessary to meet infrastructure demands, where the government is currently the majority owner. http://www.farminguk.com/News/Grain-warehousing-demand-expected-to-grow-in-India_26458.html
Agriculture Needs Technological Solutions
A former Kenyan government official remarks on Rwanda’s progress in leveraging technology to improve agricultural productivity. The introduction of the East African Commodities Exchange (EAX) allows farmers access to trade and financing through use of electronic warehousing receipts. Farmers have greater access to markets, and postharvest losses are reported to have decreased by 5%. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Opinion+and+Analysis/Agriculture+needs+technological+solutions/-/539548/1971484/-/a7ohef/-/index.html
Two Millers Under Scanner for ‘Missing’ Paddy Worth Rs. 3 cr
Two rice millers in Punjab, India allegedly misappropriated government paddy worth more than Rs 30 million. Cases of fraud have been filed against the owners of two mills, and are under investigation by special police. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Bathinda/Two-millers-under-scanner-for-missing-paddy-worth-Rs-3-cr/SP-Article1-1108222.aspx
Blumberg Grain Executes Letter of Intent to Expand Its Agricultural Investments to Nigeria with $250 Million Commitment
Blumberg Grain will invest $250 million in Nigeria’s agricultural sector with regard to the country’s efforts with the G8’s New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition program. The investment includes a large scale production and distribution facility for the company’s food security storage warehouses, processing and packaging facilities, and investments in land and technology. http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/07/18/5033651/blumberg-grain-executes-letter.html
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 […]
Government of Ghana and Blumberg Grain Execute MOU for Manufacturing Plant and Export Hub in West Africa
U.S. company Blumberg Grain plans to develop a state of the art food safety and security storage warehousing system in Ghana, following an agreement negotiated by the Ghanaian Minister of Trade and Industry. The Hub will also include an educational institute supported by Iowa State University, the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and NGO […]
Sh45m for Cereals Warehouse
The Kenyan government is constructing a large scale warehouse in Kanyekiini County, Central Province, to reduce postharvest losses. The project is expected to offer local youth employment opportunities and improve farmers’ incomes. http://www.nation.co.ke/Counties/Sh45million-for-cereals-warehouse/-/1107872/1909594/-/yx5y58/-/index.html
Agric Minister Advocates Measures to Reduce Postharvest Losses
Minister of Food and Agriculture Humado points to initiatives involved in developing comprehensive government plan for postharvest loss reduction, including model warehousing and receipt facilities, and investment in transportation. http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2013/07/06/agric-minister-advocates-measures-to-reduce-post-harvest-losses/
Wheat Worth Rs 45 Crore Rotten at FCI’s Godowns in First Monsoon Month
Farmers are angry over the lack of storage for the just-beginning monsoon season as the Food Security bill remains pending, and bumper stocks pile up in government godowns. http://www.fnbnews.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=33897§ionid=1
Who Really Benefited from the Rice Scheme?
Thailand’s rice scheme is under scrutiny after being found to incur major losses in its first year. Public officials, bureaucrats, millers, processors, and other middlemen in the agro-processing sector are targeted as corrupt, at the expense of farmers. http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/355674/who-really-benefitted-from-the-rice-scheme