Biotech Updates

IFAD Grant to Benefit Republic of Congo’s Rural Poor

October 17, 2008

The United Nation's International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) announced plans to provide US $ 8.6 million to a project that aims to enhance agricultural production and provide food security to poor people in rural areas of the Republic of Congo. Improved planting materials and seeds will be provided to smallholder farmers in the region, in addition to the know-how for better cultivation practices. Current yields in the region are very low because of the effects of mosaic disease on cassava and poor quality seed.

The IFAD project will also help improve rural roads and therefore reduce transportation costs, increase productivity of small animals through re-stocking, strengthen farmers’ groups and empower women and young people through their participation in project activities.

In a press release, the UN Agency said that the initiative is part of a larger US $18.7 million project in the Likouala, Pool and Sangha Departments, which aims to reach 250 villages and some 20,000 households. To date IFAD has funded five projects in the Republic of Congo, for a total of about US$ 37.6 million.

The news release is available at http://www.ifad.org/media/press/2008/50.htm