Welcome to our weekly report on the latest happenings in the agricultural sector around the world. Agriculture is an integral part of the global economy and is essential for providing food security to the world’s growing population.
In this article, we will provide an overview of the most recent developments and notable events from the past week in the agricultural industry.
1. U.S. Child Farm Workers Desperately Need Greater Protection in National Conversation on Child Labor
As the national conversation on child labor in the United States heats up following revelations that unaccompanied immigrant children are involved in hazardous work, child workers in agriculture have been largely ignored and are in desperate need of greater protection.
The U.S. Department of Labor has reported a significant rise in child labor violations, with more than 100 children recently discovered working overnight shifts in dangerous meatpacking facilities. While the Biden administration has committed to stepping up enforcement efforts, it’s essential to remember that many of these child workers are legally employed in dangerous jobs that require urgent action to keep them safe. Read More.
2. Buharism's Promised Agricultural Self-Sufficiency Falls Short of Expectations
Buharism, the economic theory and political economy championed by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari since he assumed office in May 2015, vowed to promote self-sufficiency in agriculture and food production.
The idea behind Buharism was to shift power from a parasitic elite to a productive and nationalist class. It also opposed Naira devaluation as a way to improve Nigeria’s balance of trade and instead enforced import restrictions on 41 essential items, including agricultural products like rice, fertilizer, sugar, meat, fish, and poultry.
While this policy was intended to create opportunities for local producers, there have been mixed results. While some successes have been achieved, such as reduced pressure on the Naira, there have been unmet expectations regarding the increased production of banned items and the impact on agricultural development in Nigeria. Read more.
3. Experts Predict Future Trends in Agriculture Machinery in Comprehensive Report
A new report titled “The Future of Agricultural Machinery” features insights from a variety of leading industry experts on the challenges facing farmers and what the future trends in agriculture machinery will be.
The report covers topics ranging from the impact of large-scale tractors and labor shortages to the use of autonomous machines, artificial intelligence, drones, data, and alternative fuels. Read More
4. Morocco Foodex and German Institution Sign Agreement to Enhance Quality Control of Agricultural Products
Morocco Foodex and the German institution, Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BZL), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on enhancing technical control capabilities, exchanging information and data, and interpreting norms and guidelines for ensuring the quality control of agricultural products intended for international markets.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of Morocco’s International Agricultural Exhibition (SIAM) and aims to promote sustainable food sovereignty.
The German embassy in Morocco tweeted about the MoU and highlighted the significance of collaboration to address existing challenges. Orphelia Nick, Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary, who attended the inauguration of SIAM, also emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts. Read More.
5. Farmers Union President Testifies on Importance of Reference Prices in the Farm Bill
The reference price, which is the estimated cost of an agricultural product used for crop insurance and commodity risk management, has not been updated since the 2014 farm bill. This price is a critical part of Title I of the farm bill, which contains commodity insurance programs, federal crop insurance, disaster relief programs for products like sugar, and a fixed-rate loan program that uses commodity stocks as collateral.
At a Tuesday hearing, the president of the National Farmers Union, Rob Larew, highlighted the significance of reference prices in the farm bill, noting that the 2018 farm bill has provided a strong financial safety net for farmers but is currently being tested in new and unprecedented ways. Read More.
Conclusion
So, that’s a quick summary of what’s been going on in the last two weeks. If you enjoyed this update, please consider giving us a like, sharing it with your friends, leaving a comment, and subscribing to our channel.
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