August 31, 2007

The U.S. Department of Agriculture donates $5 million for agricultural development projects in Potosí, Cochabamba and Chuquisaca

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has just signed an agreement, under its Food for Progress program, with Food for the Hungry International (FHI) in Bolivia for approximately $5 million worth of wheat, on a Cost & Freight (C&F) basis. C&F is used by the International Chamber of Commerce to designate the product’s gross value.

Under the agreement, FHI will sell 11,500 metric tons of wheat. Then, during a period of approximately three years, FHI will use these resources to implement several projects in the towns of Torotoro, Ravelo, and Ocurrí in Potosí; Tapacari and Capinota in Cochabamba; and Tomina, Padilla, and Sopachuy in Chuquisaca.

Among FHI’s activities are projects to improve access to financial services; increase agricultural productivity by means of a more efficient harvesting system, with improved irrigation technology, and equipment maintenance training for farmers; consolidation of producer and micro-entrepreneurs’ associations, which will include training on business
procedures, introduction of new products, and export ability development; and the creation of strategic alliances with public and private sector organizations, aimed to improve the ability of farmers to access the domestic and international markets.