CIMA, or the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants’ report named “From GATE TO PLATE” on strategic management accounting in the UK agricultural industry. This provides an interesting read on: Costing in the agri-food sector is an enigmatic business, due to its unusual characteristics.

Complex supply chains, a largely fragmented production base and a shortage of accounting expertise, all contribute to a lack of visibility of costs at various stages of the supply chain from the farm gate to the diner’s plate.

Producers also have to contend with the relative concentration of power with the large retailers; and with the vagaries of weather and disease.

Download the CIMA Publication by clicking here

A proposed strategy for Global hunger and Food Security Initiative was released on 9 April 2010.  The policy recommendations focus specifically on agriculture in African nations, but many are relevant to countries outside the African continent as well. Click here to download   

Implications for Food Security

A report on the theme of Food Security, commissioned by the Development Planning Division of the Development Bank of SA, has just been released.  This report, compiled by Nick Vink and Johan van Rooyen, summarises the performance of the agricultural sector between 1994 and 2008, and examines the relationship between policy and performance as well as the connection between agricultural production and food security.

Click here to download the report on Food Security