The Association for Meat Importers and Exporters South Africa’s Post

The cold chain discussion needs to be on top of the agenda of businesses, governments, and farmers, because of inadequate refrigerated transportation systems and cold storage facilities, Africa’s small farmers suffer significant losses. Nearly a third (30%) of total harvests in Sub-Saharan Africa are lost due to waste. Innovative solutions to Africa’s food insecurity are increasingly focused on cold chain development, using solar power when necessary and expanding nations’ agro-processing industries. Food processing facilities not only add value and provide further export opportunities to countries, such as West Africa’s new chocolate makers, who utilise locally grown cocoa beans that traditionally have been exported raw, but local manufacturing also reduces food waste. Globally, 78% of the value of agricultural production comes from agro-processing. In Africa, the figure stands at half that, at 38%. Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) #coldchain #africa #foodsecurity #exports https://lnkd.in/d2k7fRQD

Pick of the Day 2 (courtesy FoodNavigator) Before summarizing this article, i suspect the emergence of alternative chocolate will only make things worse. The quality, taste and price is progressing fast so the switch might take place at the next commodity price burst. The article discusses the persistent issue of cocoa farmers not earning a living income, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Only 13% of Ivorian and 10% of Ghanaian cocoa farmers achieve this income level due to low farmgate prices, small farm sizes, low yields, and limited investment capacity. Initiatives by corporations and cooperatives aim to address these issues, but challenges remain. Factors such as climate change, crop pests, and high living costs exacerbate the problem. Legislative support and industry collaboration are crucial for substantial improvements. #sustainability #foodtech #agtech #chocolate

Post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables in Nigeria is about 50 percent annually. This is a worrisome situation because fruits and vegetables that are meant to complement other food items that we consume for a healthy life are wasting away. Unfortunately, preserving them fresh requires a lot of investment.- NSPRI Did you know that according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), around one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted each year? This staggering amount includes a significant portion of fruits and vegetables, which are among the most perishable and nutritious foods we consume. Fruits and vegetables wastage not only represents a significant economic loss but also has severe environmental consequences. When we waste food, we also waste the resources that went into producing it, such as water, land, and energy. Additionally, food waste generates a substantial amount of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. As individuals, we can take simple steps to reduce food waste, such as planning our meals, buying only what we need, and properly storing and using up our fruits and vegetables. But, to make a more significant impact, we need systemic changes, such as better supply chain management, improved packaging, and increased access to food donation programs. As professionals in various industries, we can also play a role in reducing food waste. We can advocate for better waste reduction policies, support food recovery organizations, and invest in innovative technologies that can help prevent food waste. Let's come together as a community and take action to reduce fruits and vegetables wastage. By doing so, we can not only help tackle global food insecurity but also build a more sustainable and resilient food system for all. #agriculture #food #WomensHistoryMonth #DiversityEquityInclusion #investment #help #sustainable #energy #content #foodsecurity #contentcreator

While several nations have made notable strides in ensuring consistent access to safe and nutritious food, the situation in Nigeria presents a more challenging reality. Despite significant investments in agriculture, many Nigerians might dispute the country’s ranking. With headline inflation at (32.15%) largely driven by food inflation (37.52%) - one of the highest in Africa behind Zimbabwe and Malawi, the effects of these investments have yet to be fully realized. Perhaps reopening the country’s land borders, among other measures, could help ease food prices and improve access, a critical component of food security. Despite these challenges, there is a substantial opportunity through innovation in food processing, distribution, and storage, ensuring food is not only available but also accessible to all. Above all, favourable government policies remain paramount. This article by The African Exponent highlights the top 10 African countries with the best food security in 2024, evaluated based on their agricultural production, food reserves, and sustainable policies. https://lnkd.in/dG5hsy_w #FoodSecurity #Africa

#foodsecurity #agriculture #sustainabledevelopment Food is at the core of all communities. We underestimate the importance of agriculture and production ability. Africa faces many challenges, but there are pockets of excellence nevertheless.

Food security is a pressing issue in Africa, where millions face hunger and malnutrition due to inadequate food production, high import dependency, and limited access to affordable food. Strengthening agriculture is essential for addressing these challenges. As African countries increase food production through modernised and efficient agricultural practices, they can reduce reliance on food imports, thereby protecting themselves from global food price volatility and supply chain disruptions. Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) #africa #foodsecurity #coldchain #foodproduction https://lnkd.in/dYcTVQdu

Seamless intra-African trade in cereals, including maize, rice, wheat and legumes, holds the key to tackling the food security crisis in Africa besides boosting rural incomes, officials said Monday at a forum in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. The two-day public-private dialogue forum was convened by the Eastern African Grain Council (EAGC), an industry lobby, and the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), an African-led institution aimed at promoting smallholder farming across Africa. Senior policymakers, industry executives, donors and researchers are attending the forum to promote cross-border trade in grains by eliminating tariff barriers, improving quality and reducing transportation costs. Paul Ronoh, principal secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, said that increasing the volume of grains traded across the borders could be the solution to the hunger and malnutrition crisis affecting the region due to climate change, shrinking arable land, crop pests and diseases. “We need to shape policies that facilitate instead of hindering cross-border trade in grains to address food security, boost income for our smallholder farmers who are mainly women and youth,” Ronoh said. #crossbordercerealtrade #africa #foodsecurity #easternafricagraincouncil #smallholderfarming #regionalcooperation #tariffbarriers #agra #allianceforgreenrevolutioninafrica

New Sugar Act Allocates 15% of Levy to Boost Development in Cane-Producing Areas President William Ruto assented to the new Sugar Act 2022, a pivotal legislation aimed at revitalizing Kenya's struggling sugar industry. This new act introduces a comprehensive framework for the collection and allocation of the S... [...] #Industries #Levy #Sugarcane Read more... https://lnkd.in/duPXpqu9

NEWS REVIEW: NIGERIA CAN TACKLE N3.5TRN POST-HARVEST LOSSES WITH EFFECTIVE COLD CHAIN Experts suggest that Nigeria can significantly reduce its N3.5 trillion post-harvest losses by implementing effective cold chain systems. Currently, the country loses about 526 million tons of food annually, with 30% of food production wasted due to inadequate cold storage. At the Propak West Africa 2024 seminar, it was highlighted that proper cold chain practices, including quality cooling facilities and vans, could help curb this waste. Click on this link to read more... https://lnkd.in/dbRJbe5n #agribusinessafrica  #agribusinessnigeria  #agribusiness  #nigeriaagriculture  #economicgrowth  #agricnewsinafrica  #agrinews  #agriculture  #foodsecurity  #agribusinessnews #agriculture

🌾Tackling Food Safety, Quality and Productivity Challenges in Agriculture🌍 The challenges of food production and supply chains are deeply interconnected with societal well-being, economic stability, and even political decisions. A recent Reuters article highlights how cocoa farming in Ghana faces issues of poor fertilizer access and declining productivity — factors that could influence the country’s 2024 elections!! These challenges aren’t isolated to cocoa or Ghana. Across the cereal value chain, similar problems persist: ❌ Food safety concerns from inconsistent quality controls. ❌ Poor quality standards, leading to inefficiencies and waste. ❌ Lack of productivity due to outdated practices and resource limitations. At Seedsight, we are committed to addressing these critical issues in the cereal industry by providing: ✔️ Advanced technology to analyze and ensure cereal quality. ✔️ Data-driven insights to optimize processes and reduce waste. ✔️ Solutions that empower stakeholders to improve productivity and sustainability impacting all the value chain, including local communities. Agriculture must rise to meet these challenges head-on. By addressing food safety, quality, and productivity, we can strengthen global food security and drive meaningful change. How can innovation reshape agricultural practices and overcome these pressing issues? Let’s explore solutions together. #Agriculture #FoodSafety #QualityStandards #Productivity #Innovation #Seedsight