$14.7 million project
to boost food security

To be executed by FAO and funded by Canada

The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has signed an agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for a project to improve food production and food security, the United Nations (UN) said in a statement.

The Canadian government will provide CAD$20 million ($14.7 million) in funding for the project which will be implemented by FAO in cooperation with MoA.

The project aims to enhance the adoption of agricultural practices that are gender-responsive, nutrition-sensitive, and climate smart. It will also seek to improve the performance of fruits and vegetables value chains and to strengthen their resilience to climate and economic shocks.

“Small-scale fruits and vegetables farmers – women in particular – and their organizations will be supported to increase their technical and organizational skills to participate more effectively in selected value chains and increase their income,” the statement read.

Input producers, processors, and traders will also be supported to develop their strategies and activities to adopt innovative and modern technologies. “Farmers, their associations, and cooperatives will be empowered to coordinate their strategies and activities thus making safer, healthier and more affordable food available,” the UN said.