Lahore | Reuters — Vegetable and fruit prices have soared in markets across Pakistan as devastating rains ruin crops and disrupt supplies, an early sign of how the worst floods in decades are creating food shortages at a time of financial crisis. Pakistan’s 220 million people are already facing rampant inflation, with consumer prices up […] Read more
Produce prices spike in flood-hit Pakistan as food crisis looms
Flooding wrecks crops, hampers logistics
Vacant office space may be the next frontier in Alberta farming
Company setting up indoor farm in Calgary Tower says vacant office space offers an opportunity
Reading Time: 3 minutes A prominent Calgary landmark will soon be the site of a large indoor aeroponics farming operation. About 65,000 square feet of former second-floor office space at the Calgary Tower Centre is being converted into a vertical farming operation that will grow strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, leafy greens and melons. “The produce we’re really interested in growing […] Read more
Modern technology makes greenhouse greener
Reading Time: < 1 minute Before getting into the greenhouse business, Ray Price consulted extensively with experts and toured multiple facilities, many of which were in the Netherlands, which is ground zero for innovation on growing under glass. The facility’s hoist system provides 30 per cent more yield, but it also does not neglect carbon capture or water leaching, two […] Read more
Italian court upholds veto against Syngenta purchase of seed producer
Rome | Reuters — An Italian administrative court ruled that a government veto of the purchase of seed producer Verisem by Chinese-owned Syngenta was valid, the agrochemicals giant said on Wednesday. Prime Minister Mario Draghi blocked the proposed takeover in October, the second time he used the special “golden power” rules to ward off an […] Read more
Prizes put up to develop year-round berry production in Canada
Weston Foundation's new challenge backed with $33 million
A philanthropic foundation focused on improving public health now wants to improve diets by finding ways to juice up Canada’s home-grown fruit supplies. The Weston Family Foundation on Tuesday pledged $33 million over six years for what it calls the Homegrown Innovation Challenge, a prize challenge pitting ideas against ideas with the goal of extending […] Read more
Peace Country group moves a mountain of vegetables to feed the hungry
Reading Time: 3 minutes They’re a small but mighty group based up in the Peace. Last year, the Peace Country Gleaners grew, harvested and dehydrated about 700,000 pounds of vegetables, which were made into a soup mix distributed to organizations feeding the poor both in Canada and abroad. “We had 11 acres of carrots and 11 acres of beets […] Read more
Schoepp: Technology can be used to create new opportunities in Canadian agriculture
We can not only grow more veggies and fruits here, but also create new value-added sectors
Reading Time: 3 minutes Canada’s food guide encourages putting fruits and vegetables at the centre of the plate. But to do this the nation is heavily dependent on imports, particularly from California. In 2019, Canada imported US$4.3 billion of vegetables, fruits and nuts from California. In total, Canada imports nearly US$6 billion in fruits and US$4 billion in vegetables […] Read more
High food prices hurting India’s poor
Inflation pain expected to persist for months yet
New Delhi | Reuters — India’s retail inflation may stay elevated for at least three more months after hitting a six-year high in October, as excess rain has damaged standing crops and seedlings, while edible oils that the country imports have become expensive. The high prices are a particular cause of concern for India’s hundreds […] Read more
Alberta sugar beet growers seeing turnaround
Reading Time: < 1 minute After a terrible harvest in 2019, sugar beet growers in southern Alberta are hoping to have two successful ones this fall. The first “mini” harvest was conducted earlier this month, with about 180,000 tonnes to be delivered to the Lantic-Rogers processing plant in Taber. The early delivery will allow the plant to ramp up to […] Read more
Newfoundland farmers may shoot problem moose at night
Province to provide permits to qualified farmers
Moose causing crop damage on farms in Newfoundland and Labrador may now be shot by farmers at night under a new special permit system. Farmers dealing with “problem moose” can now apply for permits for night shooting, via provincial agriculture development officers in their areas, the provincial fisheries and land resources department said Thursday. The […] Read more