Israel and U.S. Launch Africa Farming Program

By Haaretz April 20, 2012

MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” in Washington on Wednesday, to enhance bilateral cooperation on food security – known as the “Feed the future” project – which at this point, is focusing on Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Dr. Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator, said the US recognizes Israel’s achievements “in specific areas that are of increasing value to some of our top priorities”, especially Israel’s expertise in water conservation, dry-land management, and the “ability to turn arid lands into highly productive farms”

The two agencies plan to work together on improving agricultural production and productivity; reducing pre- and post-harvest losses; irrigation and water technology; and cross-cutting issues, including implementation of applied research and development results, gender, capacity building, nutrition, and climate change.

Ambassador Carmon told “Haaretz” that development plays more and more important role in the foreign policy. “It’s our obligation as an OECD [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development] member, to assist with development of other countries, it’s our humanitarian call – and it’s also our interest to develop closer relations with countries at the Horn of Africa,” said Carmon.

For more, go to Haaretz.com

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