| Archive |

August 5th, 2019

This newsletter is inspired by my latest research analysis report on Connected Next Generation Post-Harvest Logistics in Emerging Countries.

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TECHNOLOGY

SMARTPHONE POWERED BY BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASED IN KIGALI
July 17, 2019 - The New Times
The New Times is reporting that the first blockchain-powered smartphone in Africa has officially launched in Rwanda. Unveiled at GSMA Mobile 360 Africa by Singapore-based start-up, Pundi X, the XPhone is open-source and is powered by its own blockchain operating system named Function X (FX). According to the article, XPhone users are connected to the blockchain with everything they do on the phone such as texting, calling, and browsing. And without a centralized service provider, the XPhone puts the user in charge of their data. The New Times notes, however, that the company faces some hurdles.
https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/smartphone-powered-blockchain-technology-showcased-kigali

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REFRIGERATED TRANSPORT

AFRICA’S PERISHABLES TRANSPORT: THE COLD HARD FACT
July 2019 - Logistics Update Africa (LAU)
LAU reports that despite the improvements and professionalism in cold chain logistics, resolving certain problems remains difficult. One of the difficulties has to do with the loss of fruits and vegetables during transit due to inadequate temperature management. Industry players believe that a need exists for standards development whereby all parties in the supply chain align themselves and collaborate. The key to transparency, the article notes, is collaboration and a trustworthy dialogue on one another's processes and needs to establish workable standards. LAU features several entities as Ethiopian Cargo, Kenya Airways Cargo, and Panalpina, as well as efforts by the Cool Chain Association to bring ecosystem parties together.
 https://www.logupdateafrica.com/africas-perishables-transport-the-cold-hard-fact-logistics

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COLD STORAGE

AFGHANISTAN: HELMAND FARMERS LACK MARKET AND COLD STORAGE FACILITIES
July 19, 2019 - FreshPlaza
FreshPlaza reports that grapes grown in Afghanistan have a good market domestically as well as in neighboring countries. As the harvest season begins this year, farmers in the southern Helmand province are expected to produce around 81,000 tons of grapes. The article, citing figures from the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA), notes that vineyards cover vast acres and produce 21 types of grapes. However, farmers in Helmand say that they have no access to cold storage facilities and market.
https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9128641/afghanistan-helmand-farmers-lack-market-and-cold-storage-facilities/

HEHO POTATO COMPANY POTATO COLD STORAGE OPENS
July 2, 2019 - FreshPlaza
FreshPlaza reports that the Heho Potato Company has opened its potato cold storage facility on June 21, 2019 in the Southern Shan State in Myanmar. As only the third potato facility in the country and a reported first commercial warehouse featuring high capacity, its services include providing potato seeds to farmers and sharing information on preserving quality seeds. The article notes that the facility is equipped with technology from Omnivent.
https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9122776/heho-potato-company-potato-cold-storage-opens/

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FOOD PROCESSING

FOOD PROCESSING MARKET TO GROW AT 12.4% CAGR IN 2019-24
July 2, 2019 - Foreign Investors On India(FII News)
FII News is reporting that the Indian food processing market is seeing projected major demand from several market drivers during the 2019 to 2024 timeframe. Citing a July 1, 2019 MarketsAndMarkets report, the article notes that continued growth in areas as urban population and higher employment rates have created a situation where consumers have a fast-paced lifestyle with less time for cooking activity. Such trends, FII News continues, are driving processed foods market growth with products as ready-to-eat meals and snacks.

https://www.fiinews.com/food-processing-market-grow-12-4-cagr-2019-24/

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POLICY & REGULATORY

DELHI TO HOST MEGA AGRICULTURE EVENT IN OCTOBER
July 1, 2019 - Foreign Investors On India(FII News)
FII News reports that the first ever India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF) is taking place on October 11-13, 2019 in New Delhi, India. The Trade Fair aims to promote cooperative to cooperative trade domestically within India as well as abroad towards enhancing rural and farm area activity. According to FII News, the IICTF is aligning itself with the country's Agriculture Export Policy 2018 focusing on doubling of agricultural export and integrating global value chains.
https://www.fiinews.com/delhi-host-mega-agriculture-event-october/

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INVESTMENTS

AMAZON PLANS IMMINENT LAUNCH OF ONLINE FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE IN INDIA: SOURCES
July 29, 2019 - Reuters

Reuters is reporting that Amazon.com Inc. is entering the India online food delivery business and is working with India-based Catamaran as a local partner. It plans to launch services ahead of the month-long September festive season with deliveries from restaurants. According to Reuters, while Amazon closed its food delivery business in the United States last month citing strong competition, profitability in India's online food delivery sector remains elusive. However, this move is reported as potentially helping the company attract customers for its other services previously launched there in 2016. These include services as video, music streaming, and grocery deliveries.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-com-india/amazon-plans-imminent-launch-of-online-food-delivery-service-in-india-sources-idUSKCN1UO1EK

SOUTH SUDAN GETS ITS FIRST FIBER NETWORK

July 1, 2019 - Sautitech
According to a Press release, Sautitech reports that Liquid Telecom will implement and operate a fiber broadband network in South Sudan as the country's first such network. With phase one projected for completion before year-end, the network is reported to connect South Sudan with the "One Africa" network which covers 13 African countries, approaches 70,000Km (around 43.5k miles) in length, and provides connectivity to the rest of the world. Sautitech had earlier reported that Liquid Telecom achieved an investment agreement slated for the African continent with CDC Group Plc. The CDC is the UK government's development funding entity and which is reported as one supporting companies which offer growth opportunities to poor countries.
https://www.sautitech.com/telecom/fiber-network-south-sudan-2/

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