FAO receives contributions

Accra, Aug.5, GNA - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has said that the only contribution so far received from Sweden amounts to 650,000 dollars, in response to a Four-Million-dollar appeal made by the organization for emergency livestock and crop production assistance in Niger.

According to a Press Release, the money is for the provision of cereal and 'pulse' Seeds for planting, during the ongoing rainy season, which lasts until late August, and animal fodder and vegetable seeds for the dry season, starting October, this year.

It said, with almost 400,000 dollars from FAO's own funds, the organization is supporting 12,500 households through immediate distribution of tools and vegetable seeds that can be sown on small-scale irrigated plots and along riverbeds throughout the dry season.

FAO is also providing bean seeds to approximately 450,000 farmers for the current cropping season and livestock feed and supplements for 12000 pastoralist's households.

According to the release, immediate additional funding would allow FAO to support 25,000 pastoralist's households by providing needed animal feed and supplements in areas affected by the drought, and locust infestations.

The release said it is expecting a better harvest in October, only if the rain, which started well for the crop planting, would continue.