Foreigners Buying African Farms A Good Thing

The outsourcing of food production in Africa by some Asian and Middle-Eastern countries will boost global stocks and may help stave off future food crises, the World Bank says. In the aftermath of last year’s food crisis, capital-rich nations who lack sufficient arable land to feed growing populations started buying or leasing large portions of

Farmers As… Health-Care Professionals?

It’s become common for farmers to refer to themselves as food producers, environmental managers or businesspeople. Now a discussion paper recently commissioned by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) aims to radically expand their job description. How about adding “health-care professional” to your resumé? Concluding that farmers’ fortunes and public health are intrinsically linked, the


Competitive Improvements Depend On Your View

Farm groups trying to answer MPs’ questions about improving the competitiveness of producers have a lot of similar suggestions mixed with the occasional poke at the Canadian Wheat Board. Most have told the Commons agriculture committee the industry needs more basic research, expanded trade deals, better transportation and more domestic processing. They share considerable optimism

CWB candidates’ debate broadcast

Single-desk selling versus a dual market dominated a discussion between the five candidates running for Canadian Wheat Board director in District 10 broadcast on Radio Southern Manitoba Oct. 29. Incumbent and single-desk supporter Bill Toews argued the focus should be on single-desk selling versus an open market. “There is no model for a dual market,”