International Ag Aid Budgets Boosted

ROME - Jun 5/08 - SNS -- Countries attending the Rome Food Security Summit have said they will increase money committed to the fight against hunger and for agricultural development.

The money will benefit countries hard hit by the current world food crisis, allowing them to grow enough food for themselves in the coming planting seasons, and helping them to achieve continuing food security through investment in agriculture and research.

Financing announced during the Summit, attended by 181 nations and more than 40 Heads of State and Government, included (US$)*:

African Development Bank: 1 billion dollars

France: 1.5 billion dollars (over five years)

Japan: 150 million dollars

Islamic Development Bank: 1.5 billion dollars (over 5 years)

Kuwait: 100 million dollars

Netherlands: 75 million dollars

New Zealand: 7.5 million dollars

Spain: 773 million dollars (over 4 years)

United Kingdom: 590 million dollars

Venezuela: 100 million dollars

UN CERF 100 million dollars

World Bank: 1.2 billion dollars