Enjoy the taste of a weddingin Malawi! Beautiful park and gardens!
Friday, April 19, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Warehouse Facilities
This set of pictures shows more of the warehouses that we visited. This one lost its roof in a storm in December and is waiting to be fixed. Jim met with various farmers, both men and women, and discussed how they used the facility last year and what they hope to accomplish this coming crop year.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
UPDATE-Wedding reception-white maize quality scandal-recommendations
On Saturday April 6, Linda and I attended a wedding reception of one of the ladies working at the ACE office where I go. This is my host organization. We were invited to the reception on Friday. The wedding was in an Anglican church prior. We go there around 2pm and left at 5:40 or so. Just before dark. 6am-6pm are pretty much it for daylight.
We are about 14 degrees south of the equator. So, day lenghth is pretty even throughout.
Back to the reception. Lots of people having fun. The bridal procession took 5-10 minutes per couple, They did not walk soldierly but rather a sort of dance swagger. Master of Ceromonies who was alively man of at least 55 I would say. Two tents, one for each family.
But the big deal was the throwing of kwacha(Malawai currency) at the bride and groom. Everyone through some, your s truly included. I did not swagger. It really was nice, friendly but sure was different.
Big deal over the weekend was the white maize quality scandal. It was announced Friday that 60,000 tonnes of maize stored in the Government Strategic Reserve Warehouse in Lilongwe was rotting. Now it could all be rotting--but you never know about the press. It could be one silo in a 60,000 tonne warehouse. But this happens when maize, the national food, crop, and treasure, is in short supply. The price last harvest(a year ago) went from around 50-60 Kwacha per per kg(It takes 400 kwach to make one US$, up to over 150 kwacha per kg.
So, difficult to find maize to eat now. The national dish is nzima, a sort of doughy tortilla. Not much protein but makes you feel full.
So, the quality problem plus 140,000 tonnes of white maize illegally leaving the country has the business in an uproar.
Today I spent in the office working on reports and a couple of meetings. The after noon meeting was regarding my recomendations about the warehouse operation. Pre numbering of tickets etc. This group is planning to grow by 2.5 X in the next 60 days, so they need to be ready. It was a good conversation and I think so far the recommendations have been well accepted. Will meet again at 10 am on Tuesday as we only got about 25% through the list. Am enjoying this.
One of the things ACE will have to deal with is the division of responsibilites and duties. There is some uncertainty there now. Not unusual, but involves some detail. Also dealing with warehouse shrink and some other issues.
Monday evening we visited a couple we had met at church Sunday who are teachers at the AFRICAN BIBLE COLLEGE here. In their early 30s. From Streamwood IL and his father who is about my age was raised in Herrin IL---so it was sort of like home.
Will be wrapping up recomendations and report this week.
Some talented people here trying make a difference in a difficult economic situation. Really have to watch closely to see the rural people progress the way the ACE people would like to see.
TAFN
Jim Traub
We are about 14 degrees south of the equator. So, day lenghth is pretty even throughout.
Back to the reception. Lots of people having fun. The bridal procession took 5-10 minutes per couple, They did not walk soldierly but rather a sort of dance swagger. Master of Ceromonies who was alively man of at least 55 I would say. Two tents, one for each family.
But the big deal was the throwing of kwacha(Malawai currency) at the bride and groom. Everyone through some, your s truly included. I did not swagger. It really was nice, friendly but sure was different.
Big deal over the weekend was the white maize quality scandal. It was announced Friday that 60,000 tonnes of maize stored in the Government Strategic Reserve Warehouse in Lilongwe was rotting. Now it could all be rotting--but you never know about the press. It could be one silo in a 60,000 tonne warehouse. But this happens when maize, the national food, crop, and treasure, is in short supply. The price last harvest(a year ago) went from around 50-60 Kwacha per per kg(It takes 400 kwach to make one US$, up to over 150 kwacha per kg.
So, difficult to find maize to eat now. The national dish is nzima, a sort of doughy tortilla. Not much protein but makes you feel full.
So, the quality problem plus 140,000 tonnes of white maize illegally leaving the country has the business in an uproar.
Today I spent in the office working on reports and a couple of meetings. The after noon meeting was regarding my recomendations about the warehouse operation. Pre numbering of tickets etc. This group is planning to grow by 2.5 X in the next 60 days, so they need to be ready. It was a good conversation and I think so far the recommendations have been well accepted. Will meet again at 10 am on Tuesday as we only got about 25% through the list. Am enjoying this.
One of the things ACE will have to deal with is the division of responsibilites and duties. There is some uncertainty there now. Not unusual, but involves some detail. Also dealing with warehouse shrink and some other issues.
Monday evening we visited a couple we had met at church Sunday who are teachers at the AFRICAN BIBLE COLLEGE here. In their early 30s. From Streamwood IL and his father who is about my age was raised in Herrin IL---so it was sort of like home.
Will be wrapping up recomendations and report this week.
Some talented people here trying make a difference in a difficult economic situation. Really have to watch closely to see the rural people progress the way the ACE people would like to see.
TAFN
Jim Traub
Sunday, April 7, 2013
ATTENTION
This is Linda speaking or writing and I changed a setting for the blog so please try leaving some comments and encouragement for us. Should work this time!
Friday, April 5, 2013
More warehouses, Millenium Village, Poultry Business
Friday 5 April in Malawi-835 pm
Hello. It has been a while since I have been on. Busy couple of days. Tuesday am started south to visit grain warehouse in Balaka. Nice, clean, personable manager. Pioneer maize plot along side, just like home--EXCEPT these are being dried in the ear on 10x 10 cloths. Then shell and if needed dry again. Flint corn. We grow dent in US. Very pretty, transparent.
Some farmers come from 35kg away. Some next door. Some farmers get their inputs subsidized, some do not. It is a bit complicated.
Farmers typically grow maize for household consumption and if extra for cash. Also may grow soy, or ground nuts, or sesame. When I asked the question irt what rotation was used.?? Answer was every 5 years we switch from maize. Very interesting.
Next stop was a warehouse built on one of several MILLENIUM VILLAGES in Africa. Millenium Villages is a concept that you intensely pump funds and inputs into the community and "kick start" the economic engine. This place on the surface seems to be positive. Excellent warehouse manager. Well trained and experienced. They deal with 7000 households. There are pods of around 1000 and each has a rep on the board. Hard to imagine.
Also a staffed hospital. Dr nearby--this is predominantly used for expectant mothers.
Group has a system of subsidized inputs which are paid back in kind out of crop. Extra maize is stored or sold if board deems that there is excess beyond village needs. Lots of new wells in the area---for you Monticello folks, dont know if this is part of what Paul Evans has done down here or what area he was in.
In the restaurant in the evening we met some men who were there to work on irrigation systems--this is surface irrigation from the Shire River.
Most of this trip was fascinating--- One thing----the phrase "the pedestrian has the right of way" has no meaning here----I mean NO meaning. Peds and cyclists are on each side of the paved highway. When two cars pass, the automatic action is to HONK. There is no thought about slowing down. And the cyclists and peds seem to be trained to get off the road/shoulder. I do not know who is crazier--the driver or the peds and cyclists.
Got back to Lilongwe, the capital city, on Wednesday evening.
Thursday 4 April.
Short am meetings with WFP(World Food Program) of theUN. And with SGS, the third party inspection service that is world wide.
In the afternoon, had an appointment with Central Poultry Feed Mill Manager. Explained about the ACE warehouse receipt system and practices. CP is going thru a major expansion in trying to serve the poulty mkts of Mozambique(which is like the next state for you US folks) and in Malawai. They will need to import or expand local production. they will also need to be more nimble storage operators. I think the whr system could help him--And I think that CP could offer a forward pricing system.
Friday doing reports.
Saturday--big day---will go to a Malawian wedding reception. Guess we are pretty important--got the invitation today. Some of the expats suggest that this is a deal to get people to bring money.
This country is a(maiz)ingly bueatiful. Have enjoyed the travels by and large. Just hope we can get some leadership to emerge from the community to try to drive an enterprise to profitability and success. The west and Europe are and have thrown a lot of money at these situations.
Jim Traub
Hello. It has been a while since I have been on. Busy couple of days. Tuesday am started south to visit grain warehouse in Balaka. Nice, clean, personable manager. Pioneer maize plot along side, just like home--EXCEPT these are being dried in the ear on 10x 10 cloths. Then shell and if needed dry again. Flint corn. We grow dent in US. Very pretty, transparent.
Some farmers come from 35kg away. Some next door. Some farmers get their inputs subsidized, some do not. It is a bit complicated.
Farmers typically grow maize for household consumption and if extra for cash. Also may grow soy, or ground nuts, or sesame. When I asked the question irt what rotation was used.?? Answer was every 5 years we switch from maize. Very interesting.
Next stop was a warehouse built on one of several MILLENIUM VILLAGES in Africa. Millenium Villages is a concept that you intensely pump funds and inputs into the community and "kick start" the economic engine. This place on the surface seems to be positive. Excellent warehouse manager. Well trained and experienced. They deal with 7000 households. There are pods of around 1000 and each has a rep on the board. Hard to imagine.
Also a staffed hospital. Dr nearby--this is predominantly used for expectant mothers.
Group has a system of subsidized inputs which are paid back in kind out of crop. Extra maize is stored or sold if board deems that there is excess beyond village needs. Lots of new wells in the area---for you Monticello folks, dont know if this is part of what Paul Evans has done down here or what area he was in.
In the restaurant in the evening we met some men who were there to work on irrigation systems--this is surface irrigation from the Shire River.
Most of this trip was fascinating--- One thing----the phrase "the pedestrian has the right of way" has no meaning here----I mean NO meaning. Peds and cyclists are on each side of the paved highway. When two cars pass, the automatic action is to HONK. There is no thought about slowing down. And the cyclists and peds seem to be trained to get off the road/shoulder. I do not know who is crazier--the driver or the peds and cyclists.
Got back to Lilongwe, the capital city, on Wednesday evening.
Thursday 4 April.
Short am meetings with WFP(World Food Program) of theUN. And with SGS, the third party inspection service that is world wide.
In the afternoon, had an appointment with Central Poultry Feed Mill Manager. Explained about the ACE warehouse receipt system and practices. CP is going thru a major expansion in trying to serve the poulty mkts of Mozambique(which is like the next state for you US folks) and in Malawai. They will need to import or expand local production. they will also need to be more nimble storage operators. I think the whr system could help him--And I think that CP could offer a forward pricing system.
Friday doing reports.
Saturday--big day---will go to a Malawian wedding reception. Guess we are pretty important--got the invitation today. Some of the expats suggest that this is a deal to get people to bring money.
This country is a(maiz)ingly bueatiful. Have enjoyed the travels by and large. Just hope we can get some leadership to emerge from the community to try to drive an enterprise to profitability and success. The west and Europe are and have thrown a lot of money at these situations.
Jim Traub
Monday, April 1, 2013
Monday evening 9pm in Malawai and 2pm Monday in Illinois.
Just had a hard rain--only the second since we have been here. Today Monday was an official down day as they have Easter Monday as a holiday for most/many offices. So am working on reports and observations.
English is well spoken here so there is a daily English speaking newspaper. Since Lilongwe is the capital, politics rules. There are two parties best I can tell. The DPP(Democrat Progressive Party) and the PP(Peoples Party)
The PP is now in power and the President returned today from a trip to the US. The DPP was going to have a rally on the roads from Lilongwe heading north about 160 km(100 miles). But, they were asked to cancell because the Pres is coming into the airport and there would be congestion. A little lame I think but the DPP kindly rescheduled for tomoro.
Tomorow, we will head south to visit another grain warehouse that ACE, the host for which I am volunteering, operates. This has the most potential so far as it is near a couple of rail lines(or so it seems) and should offer attractive services to the farmers.
We will stay overnight one night in the town of Zomba, the former capital. On Wednesday, we will visit something called the Millenium Village---not sure if this came out of the Washington DC idea mill or if it is Malawian. This may be our best chance to see wildlife.
I hate to sound like a broken record but I think these folks need to expand their soy at the partial expense of corn.(sound familiar). But here the reasons are more compelling--price, expanding local market for feed manufacturing, export controls on corn, and the ability to turn soy into protein in the human diet at the community level, and the need to move away from a monoculture of maize.
Banking and credit also are key as well as secondary roads. My major thinking problem this week is how to evaluate the value of additional space to "investors". Right now, through the ACE system, the bulk of the returns go to the farmer, and the space costs enure to ACE. However, ACE is trying to "wean" the locals from ACE operating. That means the locals get space for no investment, but must charge themselves enough for service fees to pay the bills. Always difficult for "groups", "associations" , and coops to do.
Linda is really helpful. I am happy she agreed to come along.
Talk tomorow.
Just had a hard rain--only the second since we have been here. Today Monday was an official down day as they have Easter Monday as a holiday for most/many offices. So am working on reports and observations.
English is well spoken here so there is a daily English speaking newspaper. Since Lilongwe is the capital, politics rules. There are two parties best I can tell. The DPP(Democrat Progressive Party) and the PP(Peoples Party)
The PP is now in power and the President returned today from a trip to the US. The DPP was going to have a rally on the roads from Lilongwe heading north about 160 km(100 miles). But, they were asked to cancell because the Pres is coming into the airport and there would be congestion. A little lame I think but the DPP kindly rescheduled for tomoro.
Tomorow, we will head south to visit another grain warehouse that ACE, the host for which I am volunteering, operates. This has the most potential so far as it is near a couple of rail lines(or so it seems) and should offer attractive services to the farmers.
We will stay overnight one night in the town of Zomba, the former capital. On Wednesday, we will visit something called the Millenium Village---not sure if this came out of the Washington DC idea mill or if it is Malawian. This may be our best chance to see wildlife.
I hate to sound like a broken record but I think these folks need to expand their soy at the partial expense of corn.(sound familiar). But here the reasons are more compelling--price, expanding local market for feed manufacturing, export controls on corn, and the ability to turn soy into protein in the human diet at the community level, and the need to move away from a monoculture of maize.
Banking and credit also are key as well as secondary roads. My major thinking problem this week is how to evaluate the value of additional space to "investors". Right now, through the ACE system, the bulk of the returns go to the farmer, and the space costs enure to ACE. However, ACE is trying to "wean" the locals from ACE operating. That means the locals get space for no investment, but must charge themselves enough for service fees to pay the bills. Always difficult for "groups", "associations" , and coops to do.
Linda is really helpful. I am happy she agreed to come along.
Talk tomorow.
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