FAO TO ASSIST VULNERABLE POPULATION IN ARMENIA
armradio.am
16.07.2008 16:47
The initiative on soaring food prices now covers 54
countries. Vulnerable populations are the main target. FAO has just
approved a series of projects in 48 countries for a total value of US$
21 million to help small farmers and vulnerable households mitigate
the negative effects of rising food and input prices. The project
will provide farmers with agricultural inputs as of this month for
an expected duration of one year. Funded by the Technical Cooperation
Programme, i.e. FAO’s own resources – they are part of FAO’s Initiative
on soaring food prices (ISFP)
Armenia is among these countries and will benefit from this FAO
initiative within the framework of a newly approved TCP/ARM/3202
(E) -Input supply to vulnerable populations under the Initiative on
Soaring Food Prices (ISFP) project.
The overall objective of the project is to maintain livelihoods and
food security of the most vulnerable households of the food insecure
districts of Armenia, affected by the difficult 2007/8 winter as
well as the recent soaring food prices crisis, to provide technical
assistance on best farming practices and to ensure long lasting and
sustainable results for future planting seasons.
This project will target the most affected farmers with an emergency
distribution of cereal seeds and adequate fertilizers. This will
enable farmers to resume a griculture activities and offer them an
alternative source of income, thus restoring the household economy
and ensuring food security. In addition, the target beneficiaries
will be provided with adequate training in improved potato, wheat
and vegetable production. Some 2,000 vulnerable rural households in
the most affected areas of Armenia will benefit from this project.
The duration of the project is 12 months and the total project budget
is $ 500 000.
The project already became operational and the FAO Representation
implementing partner of it is the Ministry of Agriculture of the
Republic of Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress