GAFSP, the new global fund to increase agriculture productivity and reduce poverty, which announced third round of grants worth $160 million on Friday, said four countries -- Nepal, Cambodia, Liberia and Tajikistan -- would receive the fund to help the small farmers grow more crops and earn more. [break]
“Nepal will receive $46.5 million, and the GAFSP funds will enhance household food security through increased agricultural productivity, household incomes and awareness about health and nutrition in the mid-western and far-western development regions,” said a press statement issued on Friday.
The GAFSP fund has been contributing in reducing hunger in some of the poorest countries, directly supporting the farmers and families. However, Lael Brainard, US Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs, said that the fund requires more resources, if it is to sustain course.
“If other donors do not contribute soon, other deserving poor countries will be turned away and our efforts to strengthen global food security will be weakened during a critical moment of need,” the statement quoted Brainard as saying. She even called the members of the G-8 and the G-20 to join in the effort by investing in GAFSP.
GAFSP seeks to improve food security mainly as the most recent food price spike has driven an additional 44 million people across the globe into poverty, according to the World Bank (WB). Food and Agriculture Organization has estimated that 925 million people are presently hungry and undernourished.
With food prices remaining high and volatile, WB Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo Iweala said developing countries are specially requesting support for improving agricultural productivity.
“We see this as an integral part of the campaign to ´put food first´,” Iweala said.
GAFSP has so far awarded grants to 12 countries.
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