afrol News, 10 October - Poverty stricken and violence battered rural community in Democratic Republic of Congo has received aid grant to boost food production and security.

Yesterday, United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) announced that about US$8.6 million has been put aside as a subsidy aimed at improving food production and security, specifically for poor people living in rural areas of Congo.

According to report, this humanitarian grant came as a result of havoc caused by disease on some crops such as cassava and low quality seeds, which have spread throughout rural region where majority of developmental projects are still not operating. Under project, improved plant materials, seeds and support for marketing strategies of agricultural products will be provided.

This initiative would not only involve young and old community members, as well as empowering women, but local government structures are also expected to actively take part, said UN report, continuing that project implementation would be enhanced by infrastructure improvement of roads as a means of overcoming transportation costs.

According to UN agency, initiative is part of a larger $18.7 million project in the Likouala, Pool and Sangha Departments, which aims to reach 250 villages and some 20,000 households.

In total IFAD has funded five projects in DRC at a total cost of $37.6 million, directly benefiting over 100,000 households.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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