Afghan schoolchildren get special biscuits
Schools in four cities in Afghanistan are receiving special high-energy biscuits that were donated by India to the United Nations' World Food Program.
Officials are distributing 10,000 tons of the special biscuits, which are meant to provide quick nutrition to more than 1 million children who might not have otherwise eaten anything.
The biscuits, India's first contribution to the world food program, are made from wheat flour fortified with micronutrients. Officials say they provide a nutritional boost, which can help a child learn more easily.
"Afghanistan welcomes this special gift to our young generation," Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai said. "India could not make a more important investment in Afghanistan than this, by assisting our children and strengthening our education system."
Officials from both India and Afghanistan were present along with U.N. officials during ceremonies in Kabul. Biscuits are also being distributed in Jalalabad, Herat and Kandahar.
Just over 400 schools in those four cities will receive the biscuits, for distribution to their students.
India Ambassador Vivek Katju said, "It is through education that a country lays the foundation for its future growth and prosperity. India is very pleased to have made this contribution to the Food for Education program in Afghanistan."
Ceremonies were marked by a demonstration by the schoolchildren of kite-flying, with kites made for the inauguration in the colors of the Indian flag.
The flying of kites was a banned activity in Afghanistan under the Taliban. It also was an activity out of reach to children in rural areas where the World Food Program focuses its efforts.
Susana Rico, the program's deputy director in Afghanistan, said the gift of biscuits is especially welcome because of the very high priority the program gives to school feeding.
"We know from decades of experience that the most effective way for poor children to change their lives is by learning to read and write," said Rico.
"We are grateful to India for supporting the opportunity for children to learn, and thereby build a better future for Afghanistan," she said.
Zoellick to promote U.S. agriculture in China
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick is in China this week to study how the Asian nation has been affected by membership in the World Trade Organization.
Zoellick will meet with Vice Premier Wen Jiabao and Agriculture Minister Shi Guangsheng during his four-day visit. Ongoing economic reforms, bilateral trade issues and current global trade negotiations also will be reviewed.
"We do have concerns that in some areas, particularly agriculture, Americans are not getting the access the Chinese promised and which the (World Trade Organization) mandates," Zoellick said.
Zoellick also plans to visit an open produce market that sells U.S.-grown produce in Chongqing. His China visit follows a three-day visit to Japan.
Icy lakes could help farmers, fish
For farmers and fishermen, the extensive ice pack developing on the Great Lakes is a good thing.
Michigan State University agricultural meteorologist Jeffrey Andresen said the lakes are developing significant ice for the first time since 1997.
He says the ice will help the survival of fish, reduce the loss of lake water to evaporation and also could eliminate the possibility of a repeat of last year, when a warm spring followed by May frosts killed off Michigan's cherry crop.
Feds declare farm disaster areas
The Agriculture Department has designated assorted counties in Missouri and Tennessee as agriculture disaster areas due to adverse weather conditions that hit those areas last summer.
Severe drought caused 29 Missouri counties to receive the disaster declaration, due to the intensely dry weather causing significant damage to the crops grown by local farmers.
Tennessee farmers in 22 counties also received the disaster status due to damage caused by either drought or flooding, or infestation of armyworms. Farmers in both states will now be eligible for low-interest loans to help them rebuild from their losses.
Turkey production on the rise
Turkey production takes an odd path in the United States with North Carolina the No. 1 state last year. Minnesota was second and Arkansas ranked third.
Seven states accounted for 72 percent of the total production.
Many factors enter into turkey production, including the cost of poultry, feed costs, supply of hatching eggs, and prices turkey growers get for their birds during this year. Once a strictly holiday meat, turkey is now a year-round product, often because of its highly competitive price.
(By E.W. Kieckhefer)
Durum wheat on decline
Mama mia, what about our pasta?
The Agriculture Department says North Dakota farmers harvested just over 49 million bushels of durum wheat during 2002. That was 26 percent less than they harvested the year before, and that was the smallest crop in 14 years.
Durum is grown only in what is known as the Durum Triangle -- mostly in North Dakota.
(By E.W. Kieckhefer)
CBOT closed for holiday
The Chicago Board of Trade was closed Monday for the Presidents' Day federal holiday.
Activity will resume Tuesday morning.
