NFSA Ration Cards for FPC Directors: A Request to the Government

𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 The dairy industry in Afghanistan is experiencing growth driven by increasing demand for local products, leading to a rise in small-scale farming and cooperative milk collection, but it still faces a significant deficit, relying heavily on imports from neighboring countries. Key developments include support from organizations like the FAO and the government's approval of a self-sufficiency policy, though challenges remain in ensuring consistent market access and overcoming security-related issues, such as paying multiple taxes. Key Trends: Growing Local Demand: There is a rising interest in locally produced dairy products, which has transformed the sector into a high-income industry, particularly in major urban centers like Kabul.  Rise of Smallholder Farming: Many households, especially rural women, are engaged in small-scale dairy farming, benefiting from increased income through organized cooperatives.  Organized Milk Collection: Projects, such as the one run by the FAO, have established Milk Collection Centers (MCCs) to collect, process, and market milk from farmers, improving quality and providing regular income.  Supportive Policies: The government has created a formal policy aimed at regulating production, supporting producers, and ensuring the safety and quality of dairy products to reduce reliance on imports.  Challenges and Needs: Significant Import Dependence: Despite growth, Afghanistan imports more than 40% of its dairy needs, with a large annual deficit in domestic supply.  Security Concerns: Dairy companies face security risks, including demands for payments to both the government and the Taliban, which impacts logistics and profitability.  Limited Processing Capacity: While milk production is increasing, the capacity of formal milk processing plants often exceeds their utilization, indicating a potential gap in processing and distribution infrastructure.  Need for Investment: A significant investment of around $300 million is needed over several years to achieve dairy self-sufficiency.  Opportunities: Dairy Sector Policy: The formal policy approved by the Economic Commission provides a framework for further developing the sector, according to the DPMEA.  Increased Farmer Income: The success of organized cooperatives demonstrates how increased milk production can significantly benefit farmers and channel money into rural economies.  Expansion to National Level: Projects that have shown success in improving milk collection and processing in specific provinces are being considered for expansion to a national level.

CRASHING FOOD PRICES MUST NOT CRUSH THE BACKBONE OF OUR AGRICULTURE Rural smallholder farmers are already sacrificing with their sweat and resilience to keep food on the nation’s table. They are the unsung heroes of food affordability, farming year after year, rain or shine, profit or not, so that millions can afford basic staples. Despite their consistency and commitment, many of them still cannot afford the basic needs of life that some of us take for granted. Now, in the name of national welfare and reducing the cost of food for the masses, there is a push to further crash food prices. While this goal is noble and necessary, it must not come at the expense of the very people who make affordable food possible. It would be unjust to force smallholder farmers to further reduce their prices when they are already sell with little or no margins, often out of desperation to simply earn and sustain life. Commercial farmers, with better access to capital, mechanization and support, often exit the food crop space when market prices fall or input costs rise beyond normal. But smallholder farmers; those cultivating just one or two acres always remain in the system. They persist without adequate support because their livelihoods, communities, and identities are tied to the land. Government support schemes often don’t reach them. Input subsidies, access to credit, and cooperative initiatives frequently bypass the very farmers who need them most. Yet, these farmers self-subsidize the nation’s food security, bearing the brunt of rising costs and erratic markets. If the federal government truly wants to reduce food prices sustainably, the focus should be on enabling environments and critical infrastructure. Let us channel efforts into providing subsidized mechanization and irrigation services to the majority of these set of farmers. They are in need of feeder roads, rural storage, access to markets and affordable farm inputs that will ease their operations. Strengthen extension services for them, and also facilitate their easy access to credit to increase their productivity . These interventions would empower farmers to increase productivity, thereby reducing food prices naturally, without inflicting further hardship on those already stretched thin. As concerned citizens, we must advocate for our rural farmers. Help them organize, amplify their voices, and demand their fair share of existing support. Even if we don’t have money to give, we owe them our time, our attention, and our solidarity. Every citizen must understand that, every wrap of fufu, tuwo, or amala comes from the sweat of a farmer. The least we can do is say thank you. The best we can do is ensure that crashing food prices don’t crush the very people feeding the nation. https://lnkd.in/e_tR_zQa #Agriculture #FoodSecurity #SmallholderFarmers #FoodPrices #SustainableFarming #FarmersFirst #NigeriaAgriculture #SupportFarmers #AgriPolicy #FoodSystems #EconomicJustice

Government of Pakistan Ministry of National Food Security & Research Federal Minister Holds High-Level Meeting with CEO FFC on Fertilizer Pricing, Farmer Relief, and Agricultural Sustainability Islamabad, September 11, 2025 Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired a high-level meeting with Chief Executive Officer of Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), Mr. Jahangir Piracha, to deliberate on fertilizer pricing, availability, and broader challenges facing the agriculture sector. The Minister underscored that even if international market prices are increasing, this should not affect the cost of fertilizers produced locally. He warned that passing on unnecessary price hikes to farmers is unacceptable, especially when they are already struggling with multiple challenges, including heavy losses caused by recent floods, depressed wheat prices, and rising costs of cultivation. He stressed that the government is determined to shield farmers from additional financial pressures, as their well-being is directly linked with the nation’s food security and economic stability. Rana Tanveer Hussain further highlighted that agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and the prosperity of millions of households depends on it. The government, therefore, has taken a firm policy decision to bring down the cost of inputs, particularly fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds, so that farmers’ profits may increase and agricultural productivity can be enhanced. He reiterated that ensuring affordable fertilizers is not only a matter of economic policy but also a matter of social justice. The Minister assured the FFC CEO of uninterrupted gas supply for fertilizer production and affirmed that any issues on the side of the government would be resolved promptly to facilitate smooth supply. At the same time, he made it clear that fertilizer companies also have a responsibility to cooperate with the government in this critical time by refraining from unjustified price increases, maintaining adequate stocks, and ensuring timely distribution across the country. He stressed that the government will closely monitor the fertilizer supply chain to curb hoarding, black marketing, or artificial shortages. “The farmers of Pakistan must not be exploited,” the Minister remarked, adding that strict action will be taken against elements attempting to manipulate the market at the cost of farmers’ interests. The meeting concluded with a joint understanding that both the government and fertilizer industry must work together to safeguard the interests of farmers, ensure sustainable agricultural growth, and strengthen Pakistan’s food security framework. The Minister reaffirmed that the prosperity of farmers remains at the heart of the government’s agricultural reforms, and every possible measure will be taken to ensure relief for cultivators and stability for the agriculture sector.

India Cuts GST On Dairy, Farm Inputs & Food Processing Reforms aim to benefit over 10 crore dairy farmers, enhance cooperative and food processing sectors, lower household costs, and #promote sustainable farming practices Read more: https://lnkd.in/gq9TNWgB #GST #Dairy #Farmers #Agriculture #Fertiliser Annurag Batra | Noor Fathima Warsia | Tanvie Ahuja | Akash Pandey | Sharon Verma | Vishal Katoch

Ready to Grow? Grant Funding Now Open for Michigan & Ohio Small Businesses Let’s talk about what’s available for your business right now.  Dawn@McCormickDoesBusiness.com Dairy Business Builder Grants are targeted at small-to-medium size farmers or processors. Projects should be aimed at diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy by-products or export programs. Awards of up to $100,000 in reimbursable grants (due 09/30/2025). Dairy Industry Impact program welcomes applications in targeted topic areas that have the potential to positively impact the dairy industry as a whole. Awards of up to $100,000. The Richard King Mellon Foundation seeks proposals that support innovation in wood products; strengthen associated value chains; and/or encourage deployment of these materials. The cumulative intent is to accelerate the use of novel wood products across the built environment and among consumers, with attendant benefits to conservation and economic development (due 10/01/2025). Ohio's TechCred Program gives employers the chance to upskill current and future employees in today’s tech-infused economy. Employers who submit successful applications will be reimbursed up to $2,000 per credential when current or prospective employees complete eligible technology-focused credentials. (September 2025) State Trade Expansion Program, the International Trade team offers financial assistance for exporting activities to eligible small businesses, enabling access to global markets and buyers while increasing the dollar value of exports. Up to $15,000 in assistance is available to offset 50 percent of pre-approved expenses per fiscal year. Coming Soon MDARD Rural Development Grant ($100,000, 30% match)! The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) is offering a grant opportunity for projects that address expansion and sustainability of land-based industries; worker training related to land-based industries; and energy, livestock processing, transportation, housing, communications, broadband, water and wastewater infrastructure to benefit rural communities and Micropolitan statistical areas. The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program provides funds to specialty crop operations that incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification. FSCSC will cover a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s cost of obtaining or renewing their certification, as well as a percentage of their related expenses. #MichiganBusiness #SmallBusiness #BusinessFunding #OhioBusiness #BusinessGrants

📖 Rethinking the Future of Smallholder Farmers in Sierra Leone and Africa Smallholder farmers constitute the backbone of Africa’s food system. In Sierra Leone, as in much of sub-Saharan Africa, they account for over 60–70% of agricultural production. However, despite their critical role, they remain among the most economically vulnerable groups, facing persistent challenges such as limited access to credit, inadequate infrastructure, low adoption of improved technologies, and climate shocks. Politicians often recognize the large voting power of rural farmers, yet policy interventions have largely failed to transform smallholder agriculture into a sustainable pathway for food security. Given the rapidly growing population and urbanization trends, it is becoming increasingly clear that food self-sufficiency cannot be achieved through subsistence-oriented smallholder farming alone. Emerging evidence suggests that agri-entrepreneurship and agribusiness development offer a more viable model. By investing in medium- to large-scale agribusinesses that integrate smallholders as contract farmers, out-growers, or employees, we can create a system where: Smallholders gain stable incomes, access to inputs, and technical support. Agripreneurs and investors achieve profitability and scale. The nation secures a more reliable and efficient food supply. This hybrid model aligns with the concept of an inclusive agricultural transformation (World Bank, 2019; FAO, 2021), where both productivity and equity are advanced. Smallholders should not be abandoned, but repositioned within value chains that are market-driven and commercially viable. For Sierra Leone, the path forward requires: Policy incentives that encourage private sector investment in agriculture. Stronger public–private partnerships to bridge financing and infrastructure gaps. Capacity building to transition smallholders from subsistence to commercial mindsets. Regional trade linkages to absorb surplus and stabilize markets. In conclusion, the future of food security lies not in overburdening smallholders with unrealistic expectations, but in integrating them into modern agribusiness systems. Only then can we simultaneously meet the demand for food, create employment, and generate sustainable economic growth.

Credit to Alden Monzon in PhilStar August 29, 2025 Milk output churns higher in H1 as dairy herd grows https://lnkd.in/e3jYpiGb The country's dairy sector showed mixed but positive gains during the first half, with milk production rising by 11.4 percent and the nationaÏ dairy herd expanding by nearlv eight percent, the Department of Agriculture said yesterday. The DA said its attached agency, the National Dairy Authority (NDA), reported that the country's milk 'output reached 18.16 milion liters during the period, up by 11.4 percent from 16.30 million liters recorded in the same period last year. 'Of the total milk production, the DA said 14.72 million liters came from NDA-assisted and monitored areas, up by 11.9 percent and accounting for 81 percent of the total. The remaining 3.44 million liters were produced outside the agency's oversight, it added. Dairy cattle remained the main source of milk, contributing 10.98 million liters, or 60.4 percent of total output. Dairy goats followed with 2.14 million' liters, or 11.8 percent of total output, while the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) reported 2.64 million liters of carabao milk, accounting for 14.5 percent of national production. Within NDA-monitored areas, cattle output rose by 11.7 percent and goat's milk surged by 47.5 percent during the period from year-ago levels. The national dairy herd also expanded from January to June, totaling 166,411 heads, an increase of 12,159 or 7.9 percent from 154,252 heads in the same period last year. This includes 37,369 dairy cattle,.89,907 carabaos and 39,035 goats, reflecting the overall growth in the country's dairy population. "The steady growth in both milk output and dairy herd shows that our current programs are bearing fruit,"' NDA administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya said, as quoted by the DA. "By expanding the herd and improving productivity at the farm level, we are creating more opportunities for our dairy farmers and increasing the avaílability of fresh, local milk for Filipino families,"' he said further. He added that the establishment of five stock farms in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Ubay, Bohol; Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; Malaybalay, Bukidnon and Carmen, Cotabato, with three more in the pipeline, will further boost herd population and milk production in the coming years. NDA programs now cover 70 provinces, 463 municipalities and 1,307 dairy entities, providing support to 2,355 farmers under its assisted and monitored schemes as of mid-2025. With these developments, the DA expressed optimism that the country is moving closer to meeting its long-term dairy development targets and ensuring a more stable supply of locally produced milk.

Will Ending the Bernas Concession Raise SSL? The proposal to end Bernas’s concession is often presented as a quick fix to improve Malaysia’s Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) in rice. However, such a view is overly simplistic and overlooks the actual structure of the paddy and rice market in the country. First, it is important to note that Bernas does not monopolize local rice. Any party may establish rice mills and participate in the processing and distribution of local rice. In fact, most large mills already have their own marketing arms through wholesale licenses. This allows them to reduce operating costs by integrating milling, packaging, and distribution, before supplying directly to supermarkets and retailers. Second, in terms of market share, Bernas controls less than 20% of the domestic rice market. This fact alone shows that claims of Bernas dominating the local rice market are inaccurate. Moreover, Bernas does not determine the farm-gate price of paddy; prices are influenced by government policy and broader market mechanisms. On the matter of buyer of last resort, this too is often misunderstood. The role is not about exploiting farmers but providing a safety net when paddy that is rejected by private mills—due to poor quality, disease, or flood damage—still needs to be purchased. It is therefore unfair to blame Bernas when farmers can in fact command higher prices if they produce quality paddy that private mills are willing to buy. The real challenge to SSL lies in the structure of paddy production itself. The average age of farmers is now around 60, highlighting that paddy farming is no longer attractive to the younger generation. To improve SSL, the government must transform paddy farming into a profitable economic activity, not just a subsistence crop. This requires fundamental reforms: a. Paddy prices should be allowed to follow market forces instead of being fixed at RM26.00 for a 10kg bag of rice. b. If rice prices were liberalized, mills could offer significantly higher farm-gate prices, perhaps up to RM2,000 per ton for high-quality paddy. c. A genuine supply-and-demand system would incentivize farmers to improve quality and productivity, while also attracting younger generations back into the industry. In short, raising SSL is not primarily about Bernas’s concession. It is about creating a more competitive, open, and profitable ecosystem for paddy and rice. Without reforming price structures and incentives, SSL will remain stagnant, regardless of whether Bernas’s concession is extended or terminated.

Every season I meet smallholder farmers who pour their heart into a harvest — only to watch a large share of it rot, get eaten by pests, or sell at fire-sale prices because markets and storage failed them. That waste is not just food lost; it’s income erased, nutrition compromised, and dreams deferred. In Nigeria we see this painfully often. For perishable produce like tomatoes, losses along the chain are shockingly high — studies and field surveys place tomato post-harvest losses in many value chains at between 40–60% from farmgate to consumer, driven by poor handling, lack of cooling, and weak aggregation. More broadly, fruits and vegetables in Nigeria experience losses that can reach half of what is produced in a year — a blow to food availability, rural incomes and the viability of small processors and traders. At the same time, lost staples such as maize, cassava and rice translate into serious economic value foregone and greater pressure on prices and food security. Why does this keep happening? The reasons are familiar: harvesting at the wrong time, rough handling, exposure to heat and rain, insect and mold infestation in poor storage, lack of cold chain and market coordination, and weak access to affordable processing and packaging. These aren’t “mysteries” — they are fixable market and systems failures. So what works — practically — to bend the curve? • Small, affordable cooling and batch-aggregation hubs close to production zones to preserve tomatoes and vegetables long enough for value-adding; • Improved on-farm drying, hermetic/airtight storage for grains and legumes to cut losses in storage; • Investment in local processing (e.g., tomato paste, cassava flour, parboiled rice) that converts perishables into marketable, storable products; • Training and light-touch digitisation so farmers know when and where prices are best and can coordinate deliveries rather than racing to a crowded market; • Public–private projects and donor partnerships that match finance with last-mile logistics and training. I’ve worked on interventions where simple changes — better crates, shaded aggregation points, a solar cold room, or a small processing line — transformed farmers’ returns and cut losses dramatically. Those interventions don’t just save food; they unlock incomes, create jobs in rural towns, and make value chains attractive to investors. If you care about food security, rural incomes, or investing in resilient agribusinesses, here’s one simple ask: look for opportunities to fund or pilot end-to-end solutions — from farm handling to processing to market intelligence — not just inputs. The returns are economic, social and durable. If you’d like, I can share a short checklist for assessing where your next post-harvest investment will deliver the fastest impact (tangible metrics, quick wins, and scale pathways). Drop a comment or DM and let’s move from talk to action. #PostHarvestLosses #AgribusinessNigeria #FoodSecurity

Brazil can't compete with dairy giants like New Zealand. So why are they building the world's biggest dairy operation? Well, what's happening right now... Is that the global dairy game is consolidating FAST. In the US, farm count dropped from 158,000 to just 24,000 in 35 years. But the remaining giants now make 95% of America's milk. Argentina cut its dairy farms to ONE-THIRD since 1988. Yet big operations jumped from 5% to 35% of total production. The pattern's clear everywhere: Fewer farms. Bigger scale. More efficiency. But here's where it gets interesting... Brazil just hit 35.3 BILLION liters of milk in 2023. That makes them the world's 4th largest producer. Worth R$ 67.8 billion to their economy. Supporting 4 million jobs across 98% of their cities. Yet they're IMPORTING over $1 billion worth of dairy. Mostly from Argentina and Uruguay. That's like owning a gold mine... And buying gold from your neighbor. So why's it like that? Well, Brazil's dairy sector looks like America did 40 years ago. Hundreds of thousands of small farms. Low productivity per cow. And old-school methods. But that's changing FAST. The big producers are already ahead. Top 100 farms grew 7.6% annually for a decade. While the national average barely hit 0.5%. These guys figured out the secret: 💡Scale pays. 💡Volume wins. 💡Efficiency rules. And now Brazil has something nobody else does... The Cerrado region. In the 1970s, experts called it "useless." It had acidic soil. With no nutrients. And was too harsh for farming. Then Minister of Agriculture, Alysson Paolinelli, disagreed. Together with Johanna Döbereiner... He sent nearly 1,000 scientists abroad. Their mission...make the Cerrado work. They cracked the soil chemistry. Fixed the structure. And rebuilt the biology. Today, the Cerrado produces MORE than fertile temperate soils. Three harvests per year while competitors get one. Now imagine applying that same scientific breakthrough... To dairy farming. Brazil already dominates chicken and beef exports. They've mastered soybeans and sugar. They've got the climate, the land, the know-how. The only missing piece was scale and focus. That's happening now. While everyone watches China and India... Brazil's building the infrastructure... To become the world's dairy export champion. 👍 They've got renewable energy. 👍 Advanced agricultural research through Embrapa. 👍 Sustainable practices that meet EU standards. Brazil went from food importer... To the world's largest food exporter in 30 years... It's about to do it again with dairy. Mark this prediction... Within 10 years, Brazil won't be importing dairy. They'll be exporting it. And the world will wonder... How did we miss this? ------ I'm Ricardo Moreau and I show you all the cool business stuff about Brazil that you won't find in English. #Brazil #Agriculture #Agro #PecuáriaLeiteira #DairyFarming