FAO launches seed, tool distribution effort

The Emergency Unit of the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation has launched its seed and tool distribution programme aimed at 266,500 vulnerable households in 17 of the country's provinces. These beneficiaries represented 18.5 percent of the whole population in the area under consideration, FAO said. The programme was launched on 23 February. The seed kit of the programme consists of 10 to 15 kg of haricot bean seeds and 10 gm of vegetable seeds. FAO said during the same cropping season, 166.500 vulnerable households would also receive hoes. Maize and soya bean seeds are due to be distributed at the beginning of the marshy cropping season in June. In support of the programme, FAO added, the World Food Programme would provide 170,304 vulnerable households in eight provinces with a seed protection ration for 20 days. The FAO expects harvests of beans to reach 25,000 mt and 6,000 mt for fresh vegetables by the end of May.