World Food Program supports the association of farmers of Madagascar

The United Nations World Food Program purchased 460 tonnes of maize from twelve associations of farmers in the Districts of Amoboasary and of Ambovombe in the south of Madagascar. The WFP representative in Madagascar reported that “the WFP increased the purchase of foodstuffs from small farmers in order to assist their community to tackle food insecurity, especially those in the southern regions of Madagascar, frequently hit by droughts.” Indeed, the purchase of the local foodstuffs allows the WFP to contribute to the agricultural development of the country and helps small producers to acquire new markets.

The associations of farmers from which the WFP purchased the maize are all supervised by the project whose aims include the reinforcement of professional organizations and the agricultural services (AROPA), sponsored by the International Funds for Agricultural Development (FIDA). This project includes various trainings tending to improve farming techniques and to help small farmers to establish their own associations.

 In order to carry out successfully its other programs, the WFP continues this year to seek additional funding to help the most vulnerable population in terms of nutritional and financial situation. These category of people include 400 000 children of Primary schools, pregnant and breast-feeding women, old people, and people with disabilities.