The U.S. Congress has voted a one-year extension to key nutritional, crop and conservation programs of the 2018 Farm Bill through the stopgap funding bill. The stopgap funding bill is a resolution that aims to prevent government shutdown due to lack of funds. Lack of extension to the farm bill, which expired on September 30, 2023, could have ended funding for some...
Smashburgers: the trendy patties taking over London, New York
Costlier than a hamburger but solid and crispier on the inside, the smashburger is trending in London and New York. In London, select food joints are selling them by the pound, halves and quarter of pound measures to satiate the population. With a pounder costing below £15 in the UK, the smashburger is relatively accessible for a beef roll, hence its popularity. After all,...
Delayed California grapes promise a vintage wine harvest
The 2023 California wine grape harvest is turning up late but promises to be the best yet in years. The late harvest follows a chilly winter, then an early spring, tailing off with a relatively cool summer. The vineyards took long to bud and ripen after weather events including Tropical Storm Hilary delayed planting. All in all, some farmers are citing this the...
Consumers at price crossroads after Peshawar government fixes vegetable prices
On November 5, the district administration of Peshawar in Pakistan reduced vegetable prices amid food inflation but consumers see no respite. At a glance, fixed onion prices fell to Pakistani Rupees 120 ($0.43) per kilo. The prices of white and red potatoes also depreciated to Rs90 ($0.32) and 130 ($0.47) respectively. Sources around the district, however, say that tomatoes and lemons still attract 20% and...
Worldwide lobster and crab overview: five curious new developments
Five curious happenings on climate, larvae exports and species’ invasion dominated lobster and crab news end October, 2023. First, the fairly good news concerns the crab invasion on Canada’s Pacific coast in the week ending October 23. Matt Peck, a researcher, recounted to The Guardian of finding a rocky coast off Haida Gwaii archipelago swimming with oyster-catchers. Their prize? Thousands of crabs that locals first spotted...
ICAR-NRCB Director Dr. Selvarajan discusses merits of new Wilt-resistant Cavendish mutant including its similarity to organic “Grand Naine” banana
Banana is, next to mango, among the most important fruits in India. It is also not surprising that it is the most popular fruit in the United States. In Africa, plantains and banana are essential food security kitchen staples. Perhaps the most important banana strain is Cavendish, which accounts for 50% of all worldwide production. A major natural enemy of this variety...
South Africa hosts AGOA amid three new developments
The renewal of a major free trade pact is the defining topic at the ongoing 20th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) forum in South Africa. Signed during Bill Clinton’s presidency and terminating in 2025, the free trade pact gives some AGOA members tariff-free American market access. Hence, key beneficiaries will be seeking to renew the deal for 10 more years during the ongoing...
China books & scoops up millions of tons of world wheat
In anticipation of a wheat drought around the world, China has bought bulk wheat from Oceania, Europe and North America. This has happened after rain damaged around 25 million tonnes or 20% of the Far-east country’s yearly wheat production. An earlier report had painted a bleak picture on the Chinese wheat fields when heavy rainfall decimated its 2023 crop. While Australia’s wheat glut has...
DA Philippines plans to refine seaweed into cheaper livestock feed
Seaweed production in the Philippines clocked 365,775 tonnes between April and June 2023, earning a 33.8% portion in the fisheries sector. On the flip side, the Department of Agriculture (DA) revealed plans on October 26 of refining seaweed to make cheap alternative animal feed. DA’s undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias, Victor Savellano hinted at full plans for the“conversion of seaweed” to fodder. He remarked...
Potato planting season dawns a new beginning in southern Israel
In Ashkelon, a southern Israel farming center bordering the volatile Gaza demarcation, the potato planting season is just starting. The region is the food basket of Israel, accounting for a third of all vegetable production in the Middle-East country. Potatoes from the region represent 40% of all national consumption. In 2021, Israeli potato production hit 509,000 metric tons (MT), of which 222,000MT...