The Zimbabwean government is pushing ahead with plans for mandatory food fortification beginning 1 June 2017, including maize and wheat flour. Millers are saying it is not possible to comply because of three significant factors. Regional Updates MIDDLE EAST/MEDITERRANEAN COMMENTS The month of Ramadan began this past weekend, which will slow business somewhat in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region and probably result in less news and fewer activities reported from there.MENA grain imports, poultry producers and feed companies are upset by stories from the U.S. that the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development budget may be eliminated. This action could greatly reduce the regional technical and educational programs of th...
Forecasting developments in production agriculture
On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.