FAO distributes tools to livestock farmers

The UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) began on Wednesday a weeklong distribution of equipment to livestock farmers who were badly affected by the October 2002 to March 2003 rebellion, FAO consultant Hamadou Damala told IRIN. Rubber boots, rubber gloves, wheelbarrows and sprinklers are among the tools being distributed to 114 farmers in Ouango suburbs and the 4th District of the capital, Bangui, Damala said. He added that the tools distribution follows that of pig sires to the farmers. FAO undertook the distribution following a request by the Livestock Ministry. Most livestock farmers lost their property and animals during the six-month rebellion that pitted rebels loyal to Francois Bozize against government troops. The rebellion ended on 15 March 2003 when Bozize ousted President Ange-Felix Patasse. "Life has been very difficult for me, I have been out of business because all my materials were looted during the war," Maurice Zapai, 50, a pig breeder, told on IRIN Thursday. He added that he hoped to resume pig-keeping now that he had received a wheelbarrow, a pair of rubber boots and gloves as well as a sprinkler from FAO. The latest FAO distribution is part of a US $314,000 programme aimed at helping 7,900 war-affected farmers across the country. FAO undertook similar distributions in October to November 2003 and in January this year.