COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A LEARNING CURVE FOR FOOD SYSTEMS REFORM.

 Covid -19 pandemic disrupted the world system, the world was on lock-down leaving many people unable to meet nutritional needs, many more lost jobs and so many just barely survived on goodwill. The food supply chain was totally disrupted giving a glimpse into the needed reform in the food systems.

   The lock-down due to the Covid19 pandemic increased global food insecurity showing weak links in the current food systems resulting in various think -tanks on how to strengthen food systems by reforming the current strategy.

 The rapid response of government to cushion effect of pandemic by way of giving out palliatives to the vulnerable in the society as well as private companies supporting the government by way of cash donations and food items and logistic companies providing support during the lock down period has given insight into the pattern of food system reforms.

  The Covid 19 pandemic opened up opportunities to create more efficient food systems. The world food system changed immediately to digital approach leveraging technology. The food system changed to virtual markets and purchasing of variety of products that are easy to handle with longer shelf life.

 The reforms triggered  by the Covid 19 pandemic aligns with attributes of a functional food system which are: 1)Efficiency 2)Inclusion of small holder farmers , major players. 3)Vulnerable are targets 4)  Establishment of food banks 5) Functional distribution network.

  The revamping of the food systems arising from the Covid19 pandemic  shows reforms in the food system can be immediate while long term initiatives can be proffer solutions to  prevent future shock.

 Food system reforms..changing the narrative about food production,food processing and packaging distribution and marketing.

https://veterinarymedicineechbeebolanle-ojuri.blogspot.com/2020/04/food-security-and-safety-in-face-of.html

Agribusiness: Future Of Food Systems.

  The future of food systems. What does the future hold as regard food, food safety, food systems and food production? How will the narrative change in food systems as regards feeding the projected population increase of 9.8 billion by 2050? how will the food system absorb shock or unforeseen circumstances? how resilient is our food system currently and how are we structuring a more resilience food system?

  Food systems and our way of life. Food is essential for life, a common denominator that cuts across all levels of the society. Food is fuel and it nourishes us, though quality and quantity available is another story.  Some people have limited access to food while others have unlimited access resulting in diverse food related diseases.

 How can we build our food system to withstand  threat of climate change ,environmental degradation as well as curbing food loss or food waste.?     The answer is simple, EDUCATION. The need to educate small holder farmers on the need to adopt climate smart agricultural practices. The  training on how to increase yield by using good seeds coupled with proper planting procedures.

  Introduction  and promotion of value chain concept to farmers, teaching them how to use simple methods to add value to their products thus extending shelf live and curbing waste. A resilience food system will encompass good agricultural practices, proper food handling ,food safety and food preservation.

 The future of food systems is not the purview of farmers alone, government policies favoring agribusiness is another angle and the use of technology to scale up production and distribution is key.

  How to create a resilience food system? create a hub of producers leveraging technology to increase food production and also a marketing hub backed by a sustainable distribution network. The creation of innovative food system models to ensure food supply from farm to fork is safe,traceable ,accessible and available for utilization.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTMENT IN THE RED MEAT VALUE CHAIN.

  The red meat value chain is vast but windows of opportunities can be harnessed easily using the V.A.I.M strategy.

  

 

The chart is clear, opportunities abound: abattoir, meat shops e.t.c. What is your niche. There is an export potential for meat and meat products in the red meat value chain,but its not limited . The horns, hooves, tail hair called switch also attract forex.

 

Dr.Henrietta Ojuri, value chain strategist.

        

 How about solving the power problem? be the electricity distribution agency in your area👀, its possible. Biogas project!!!💰💰💰💰. Collect waste from abattoir/ feedlot and generate power, waste can also be processed  and sold as fertilizer.

 Road  to wealth in red meat value chain.

AGRICULTURAL ROAD PLAN: THE RED MEAT VALUE CHAIN.

 The agricultural plan for the red meat value chain using the V.A.I.M approach.

This pathway is an innovative approach to meat business to create a more organized and vibrant sector with endless possibilities.

   

 Dr Echbee Ojuri, Value chain strategist.

 Interested in the red meat value chain? check out how you can cash in.

 Addition: creating new products from beef and beef products.It is time for the red meat value chain to scale up, turning beef into spectacular products. There is a niche now that is still very green in this country but its a massive money spinner.

 Processing of red meat by adding value and creating a new path for wealth creation. Beef processing to sausages and burger beef. Creating these products in handy packs that can be transported easily is a path that  investors are not looking at.

 The Covid19 pandemic has shown us the fact that processed  foods that are handy with extended shelf-life is the new norm. Value addition to beef such as canned beef in sauce, peppered beef, canned beef in oil  e.t.c are all products that are easy to produce as well as have a ready market.

 Processing beef into different canned varieties or dried varieties is the choice when you are thinking beef export. These canned variety is a win-win for school feeding programme and also university students.

 Imagine the profit; check numbers of universities in the country, check number of private universities that are in the country,crunch the numbers= Money everywhere

   The investment in the red meat value chain can also be in any of the following areas:

 1) increase beef production. 2) feedlot . 3) Abattoir.  4)   Improved methods of transportation, new cooling /refrigerated vans. 5)   Modern meat market with prototype tables. 6)   Cold room facility attached to meat markets. 7)   Meat processing plant.

6)  

AGRICULTURAL ROAD MAP: CREATING A SUSTAINABLE GROWTH STRATEGY.

  The purpose of any agricultural road map is to chart a specific course to arrive at a desired destination. The purpose of the agricultural road map is to chart a path to food security and wealth creation.

  The path to sustainable growth can be fashioned after a model called the V.AI.M approach, this can be used for any value chain following the basic concept.

                          

Dr. Echbee Ojuri, Value chain strategist.

  V.A.I.M is a model upon which all agricultural restructuring can be anchored to enhance productivity.  The V.A.I.M refers to the strategies for growth, productivity as well as wealth creation used in AGRICULTURAL ROAD MAP.

   What is the V.A.I.M approach?    The V.A.I.M : V refers to value chain identification.

 A   refers to addition.

 I    refers to intervention.

M   refers to market.

  The first step is to identify your value chain of interest such as red meat, coconut, vegetables, rice ,poultry,piggery and fisheries.  

 A= ADDITION. The next step is to decide what value to addition  you want to implement.  The addition to the value chain, in terms of  new products, storage, transports e.t.c.

  I= INTERVENTION. The next step will be intervention, how do you want to achieve the goal? who are the partners to aid the goal? How to achieve intervention? 

This may be achieved by public private partnership, government funding, grants, loans and other financial aids. This will also show the drivers of the intervention.

 M= MARKET. How are you to market your products? Which method are you planning on using?  

Marketing of products could be by: 1) creation of off takers scheme. 2) Marketing hub 3) joint venture marketing partnership.

 The V.A.I.M map will provide a quick guide on where to invest, how to invest and the profit expected.

#opportunities to export beef.  #ho

Cassava exports, prices jump on surging china demands.

  

Vietnam exported $256 million worth of cassava and cassava products in the first two months of the year, a 77.9 percent year-on-year increase, with China being the biggest market. 

 China accounted for over 95 percent of exports in January, with prices rising by 69 percent year-on-year to $242.2 per ton. 

 According to the Vietnam Cassava Association, a number of local processing factories face a short supply though the harvest season has begun. 

 Local prices are expected to reach record levels by the end of the harvest since most of it would be exported to China at high prices, which have reached $270 FOB at Quy Nhon Port. 

 China has huge demand for cassava as a replacement for corn, whose global prices are surging, to feed pigs.

Manage mud to manage cattle health.

                 

Manage mud to maintain cattle health.

    

  

Significant presence of mud can increase energy requirements by as much as 30%. Wading through mud burns more calories, resulting in reduced gain for developing breeding stock and fed cattle, as well as reduced milk production for cows. Confounding things, cattle tend to eat less to avoid the extra effort to get to feed. On top of reduced performance, mud can have negative impacts on health, especially young calves. 

Mud clings to hair coats and makes it more difficult for the animal to regulate body temperatures, especially if nighttime temperatures dip below freezing. Pathogens also thrive in these conditions, creating continual exposure to calves. 

This occurs both directly because of the poor environment and indirectly when nursing from contaminated udders. Left unmanaged, excessive mud can also cause foot injuries and outbreaks of foot rot. 

 Four ways to manage mud to ensure cattle health. 

 1) Provide bedding. Multiple sources are available. When managed appropriately, manure and liquids tend to settle to the bottom of cornstalk bedding allowing for a drier surface. For feedlots and yearling cattle, it's recommended to provide 1 pound of bedding per day per inch of mud per head, while 4 pounds of bedding per day per inch of mud is needed for cow-calf pairs, with heavy bred females somewhere in the middle.

 2)Consider building a feeding pad. While a more expensive option, building a pad from packed gravel or lime with geotextile fabric provides a longer-term solution to managing mud. A concrete feeding area allows for easier cleaning and captures more manure nutrients for crop production. Both can be beneficial for reducing feed waste as well. 

 3) continue