Government, FAO sign US $730,000 accord to revive farming

The Central African Republic government and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) signed on Monday agreements worth US $730,000 to revive farming in the country devastated by a six-month rebellion, government-run Radio Centrafrique reported. "My ministry requested urgent aid from the FAO and the latter responded positively," Denis Kossibella, the minister of animal husbandry, said on Radio Centrafrique after the signing ceremony. The aid will benefit crop and livestock farmers whose livelihoods were destroyed during the rebellion that began in October 2002. Some of the aid will go to 7,800 farmers who will receive seeds and farm implements. Similarly, 150 livestock cooperatives, grouping 7,500 families in the Bangui city area, will be aided. FAO Programme Officer Etienne Ngounio Gabia told IRIN on 13 June that the seeds and farming implements would be used during the 2004-2005 planting season, because the current season had already started. Livestock farmers, he said, would be provided with day-old chicks, as well as pig, rabbit and goat sires. The rebellion, which ended with Francois Bozize seizing power on 15 March, severely disrupted farming and many farmers were in hiding at the start of the last planting season. Many others have eaten their crop seeds. Ngounio Gabia said, having missed this planting season, farmers would have to wait until September before planting cassava, the country's stable.