We Don’t Need GE Crops But Africa Does
Robert Paarlberg argues that anti-science environmental groups and corrupt local governments deprive African farmers of the crops needed for progress.
Africa
Why Reducing Post-Harvest Losses is a Priority for Africa
According to the FAO, 30% of food is lost or wasted along the supply chain every year. This is a whopping 1.3 billion metric tons of food that doesn’t ever reach the consumer. This lost or wasted food could be used to feed 1.6 billion people every year. In Africa, the losses are even higher: between 30% and 50%.
Africa’s Smallholder Farmers Need Access to More Than Just Tractors
Instead of focusing on the supply of subsidised machinery, governments should provide public goods and services to support the emerging private markets. Such support includes strengthening the capacity of the education and training domain, improving the customs process, maintaining market stability, and focusing on institutional solutions for smallholders.
Domesticating Edible Insect Production in Africa and Marketing Insects Globally
Edible insects have long been a staple source of protein in many African countries. Domesticating production is now taking pressure of local ecosystems.
Ethiopia’s Vulnerable Tropical Forests Are Key to Securing Future of Wild Coffee
Wild coffee exhibits much greater genetic diversity than commercial varieties, which increases its chances of adapting to new challenges and reduces the possibility of extinction. It represents an insurance policy for plantation coffee, in case commercial strains are ever badly damaged.
A Three Legged Stool or Four Legged Table for Development?
If cash transfers replace in kind contributions in development, will essential services be lost? Can the development community transition to a fee for service model?
Mind the Gaps: Reducing Hunger by Improving Yields on Small Farms
There are tremendous opportunities to increase yields throughout South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Increasing yields through new farming practices could triple maize production in sub-Saharan Africa and increase wheat and rice production in South Asia by about 50 percent. Gains on this scale could dramatically reduce hunger and food insecurity in some of the most vulnerable nations in the world.
Why Africa Should Resist the Power of Big Sugar to Undermine Public Health
GUEST AUTHOR: Rob Moodie, Professor of Public Health, University of Melbourne | Follow him on Twitter: @ARobM This article originally appeared on The Conversation. It […]
These East African Countries Show How Teamwork and Technology Can Thwart Illegal Fishing
Innovation sparks success as nations collaborate to identify and take action against suspect vessels Guest author: Emma Bryce @EmmaSAanne This piece originally appeared in Ensia. […]
Big Ag and Small Farms: Why We Need Both
[Please consider supporting Food and Farm Discussion Lab with an ongoing contribution of $1, $2, $3, $5 or $10 a month on Patreon. All contributors […]