FAO plan for the 2017/2018 dry season farming was to reach 117,000 farming families (representing 760,000 people) with seeds, rice and fertilizers, along with irrigation equipment, training and micro–gardening support to increase cultivation, reduce the impact of the food crisis and improve the nutrition of families facing severe hunger. “I used to be a big-time farmer before the insurgency in the community. “But thanks to the FAO and the international community, with their interventions, normalcy has returned to the village and we are trying to get our livelihood back,” he said. The FAO Deputy Representative, Nourou Marki-tall noted that the 50 per cent reduction in the food crisis in the northeast was mainly due to the food assistance being provided. He noted that the situation is still very fragile as people continue to rely on them for food assistance for their daily needs.

Source: The Guardian December 31, 2017 04:30 UTC