Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA will provide $27.5-million in international assistance under USDA's Food for Progress Program for Pakistan and Afghanistan. Vilsack made the announcement at a meeting with Afghanistan's Minister of Agriculture and other officials from that country. The leaders met to identify potential areas of agricultural cooperation and collaboration among the three countries. The commodity donations will benefit an estimated 3 million people in rural areas of both countries.
In addition to the Food for Progress funding, Vilsack discussed other efforts by USDA including developing agriculture trade corridors along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan; strengthening food security by collaborating on research to improve the production of fruits, nuts, livestock, and other agricultural products and reduce post-harvest loss; improving water and watershed management and irrigation methods; and rehabilitating watersheds.
This announcement comes on the heels of newly concluded trilateral meetings President Obama hosted at the White House with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to bring a new era of stability and prosperity to the Afghan-Pakistan border.
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