Libya and FAO renew commitment to develop the country's agriculture and food security / Joint programme aims to increase food production, protect natural resources

ROME, Italy, May 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Libya and FAO have commited themselves to work together to develop the country's agricultural sector and improve food security, signing a cooperation agreement at FAO headquarters.

Under the agreement, Libya will provide $71 million in funding needed to develop different areas, such as plant and animal health and production, pesticide management, seed development, natural resource management, capacity building and institutional strengthening.

The agreement was signed by FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva and Sulaiman Abdelhamed Boukharruba, Libya's Minister for Agriculture, Animal Wealth and Marine Resources.

"This agreement includes a number of strategic projects aimed at supporting the new Libya in responding to its development goals and priorities," said Graziano da Silva.

Projects under the agreement will aim to increase food production and improve productivity while preserving natural resources such as water, all with the goal of improving food security in the country.

Beneficiaries will include farmers, herders and fishers as well as their organizations and cooperatives and traders.

The projects will significantly enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Wealth and Marine Resources to implement all the proposed activities under the agreement. Ministry staff will receive both short- and long-term technical training.